by D. C. Gomez
I was glad she mentioned him because I needed to add Noah to my list of people to check on. That boy was going to need therapy.
Arthur stepped over and stood beside Genevieve and me, and an awkward moment passed while we tried to figure out how to act with each other. I didn’t want to hug him because his vampire nature still made me uncomfortable. In the end, we settled for a fist-bump.
“I guess that means we will be seeing a lot more of each other,” Iason whispered in my ear and I almost fell off the stage.
“Why?” I asked him, not understanding the meaning of his statement.
“Don’t look so offended. My feelings are hurt,” Iason told me, putting his hand over his heart with mock sadness.
“Whatever. Just answer the question,” I told him, not falling for his theatrics.
“I’m not only going to be an uncle, I’m also the godfather,” Iason told me.
“If you are the godfather, why do they need me?” I was sure Iason was perfectly capable of protecting this child against the world.
“It is our custom that the women raise the kids. Hence the godmothers have the most important jobs,” Genevieve told me as she embraced Arthur.
“That sounds a little sexiest, but who am I to judge?” I told Genevieve and she laughed. “Guess we will be seeing a lot more of each other. If you try that glamour thing, though, I will impale you with my scythe.” Magical creatures were a pain in my neck and I was done with games.
“I’m charming without it. You won’t be able to resist me,” Iason told me with a wink.
I decided to walk away before I poked Iason in the eyes for being cocky. I didn’t care if he was flaming hot. Humble men were a lot sexier.
I made my way around the crowd and let them all discuss details of visitations and who knew what else. Katrina and Bob were deep in conversation with somebody I couldn’t see from my angle.
“Can we go home now?” I asked them as I approached.
“Honey, you did great,” my godmother told me from behind Bob and Katrina. I rushed towards her, wrapping her up in the biggest hug I could manage.
“I love you so much. But if you ever lie to me again, I’ll punch you,” I told her, crying again. My godmother never married or dated in order to raise me. She had sacrificed so much, so who was I to judge her?
“I love you too, dear. I’m so proud of you.” Godmother wiped my tears away. “We have a lot to discuss, okay?”
“Okay. When did you get to town?” I asked her after the shock of having her here wore off.
“Constantine called. He said it was his version of a peace offering,” Godmother told me, shaking her head. “He was letting me audit your work. I’m glad he did.” Godmother hugged me again after she finished.
“Nice job, girly,” Katrina told me and gave me hug as well.
“You are too giddy. What’s going on?” I asked Katrina, a little wary.
“War forgave me, and I have my full rank back with all my privileges,” Katrina told me, doing a happy dance. “That was after Bob punched him,” Katrina added the last part as an afterthought.
“You punched War!” I yelled at Bob. Thank God all the supernatural creatures were busy in their own discussions.
“Long story” Bob told me, trying to blow me off.
“Right. I want full details later,” I told him with a glare.
“What’s the plan now?” my godmother asked, changing the subject.
“Guess I’m going house hunting,” I told them. “Reapers is not big enough for an elf, a vampire, and a baby.”
“Thank God,” Bob told me. “Let me makes some calls. We need to fix this fast.” At least Bob and I were on the same page.
It seemed I was going to be spending the rest of the day shopping for houses with the new members of my family. Our little motley crew just kept expanding.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
It was seven o’clock by the time I walked into the loft of Reapers. My feet were killing me, and I never wanted to see another for-sale sign in front of a house as long as I lived. Katrina was the only one in the loft.
“There you are. What took you so long?” Katrina asked me from the leather couch.
“It was awful,” I told her. “Give me a squadron of demons any time,” I finished as I dropped into one of the kitchen chairs, propping my feet up in a chair to my right.
“It couldn’t have been that bad,” she told me as she made her way towards me.
“It was worse,” I said as I watched her take a seat next to me. “How can two people be so different and so in love?”
“You know what they say. Love is blind,” Katrina told me with a smile.
“Blind, deaf, and a bit senile,” I told Katrina and she started laughing. “Arthur wants a mansion in the middle of the city. Genevieve wants a hacienda in the country. They want land but security—blah, blah, blah. I hate house haunting. If we ever move, Bartholomew and Constantine are in charge of relocation.”
“Did they decide on something?” Katrina asked, enjoying the situation at my expense.
“After hours of wandering, they finally decided they should build,” I told her, frowning. “They are getting land on a vacant section of Mitchell Ryan in Wake Village. Actually, they bought the entire block to build their dream home.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” Katrina asked as innocent as possible.
“Yes. It is within Haven limits and close enough to us that we can be there in less than ten minutes.” I was thanking God for small miracles. “In the meantime, Genevieve is staying at the Hilton with her family. That was another thirty-minute discussion. They made my head hurt.” I dropped my head on the table.
“Do I want to know what the discussion was about?” Katrina asked.
“Not at all,” I told her. “By the way, where is everyone?” Reapers was never this quiet for long periods of time.
“At Abuelitas,” Katrina answered happily. “Abuelita convinced Constantine to let her use the tent and chairs overnight, and she is doing a luau.” Katrina was almost bouncing off her chair with excitement.
“Does Abuelita know she owns a Mexican restaurant and not a Hawaiian one?” I asked her, confused.
“Are you planning to tell Abuelita she can’t do a luau?”
Katrina was right. Nobody in their right mind would tell Abuelita what to do.
“Good point.”
“So, let’s go. The boys are waiting for us for dinner.” Katrina stood up and waited for me.
“Katrina, I’m not in the mood to go out,” I told her. “Just go without me.” It took me a while to realize today was November second, and that happened to be my birthday. Nobody had said anything, and I was grateful for it. I still felt guilty for celebrating when my parents were dead. I just wanted to hide in my room.
“Isis, this is my last night in town. You are going to dinner with me if it means I have to drag you.” Katrina crossed her arms and mean-mugged me.
“Do I have to?” I really didn’t want to go out, but I was sure Katrina would have carried me if I refused.
“Yes, you do. Go comb your hair so we can go,” Katrina told me.
I dragged myself out of my chair. No sense in arguing with a super soldier. I just worried how bad my hair looked.
My hair, my face, and the rest of my body were a hot mess. I jumped in the shower for one of the fastest showers I’ve taken since leaving the military. In less than fifteen minutes, we were out the door and heading to Abuelitas. Katrina was in a fabulous mood, and I figured it was because she no longer was in trouble with War. Bob still hadn’t explained why he hit War, but I hoped it was hard. War had it coming for messing with people’s minds the way he did.
I pulled up to Abuelitas and struggled to find a parking space.
“Who would have thought a luau at a Mexican place would be this popular?” I told Katrina.
“Maybe they heard she was making Kalua pig,” Katrina told me.
“What is that?” I as
ked her.
I made my own parking space in the grass. “It’s a smoked pork and from what I hear, it is to die for,” Katrina told me as we climbed out of Ladybug.
“I have a horrible feeling that dish won’t be appealing to either one of us,” I told Katrina with a smile.
“Who cares?” Katrina told me and grabbed me by the arm. “I’m sure we can find a blue Hawaiian cocktail to make up for the pork.”
Katrina was almost dragging me to the tent. The tent’s door was closed. I wondered why Abuelita wouldn’t put the flaps up so people could walk in, unless she was afraid of bugs. Granted, it was November and the nights were a lot cooler.
Katrina opened the tent’s door and we walked in. The place was pitch black.
“Are you sure we are in the right place?” I asked Katrina.
“SURPRISE!” voices yelled from everywhere.
I tried to bolt, but Katrina held me by the waist. I never realized how much stronger she was compared to me.
“Don’t even think about it,” Katrina told me, and I stopped struggling and faced the crowd.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISIS!” the crowd screamed as tiki torches and the little white tea lights came on. The place looked beautiful. It looked like a Christmas wonderland, definitely not a Hawaiian luau. Abuelita even had ice sculptures spread around the room. Curious enough, some were in the shape of cats. That was probably Constantine’s doing.
I waved to the crowd, trying to find an escape exit. One by one, all my friends came up to wish me a happy birthday.
“You honestly didn’t think we forgot about you,” Eugene told me when it was his turn.
“I wish you had,” I told him. He hugged me again and moved down the line to get food.
“I’m so happy and proud of you sweetie,” my godmother told me when she came up.
After a good fifteen minutes, I was sure I had said thank you and hi to half of the world. My cheeks were starting to hurt from faking the smiles. I knew everyone meant well, but I felt horrible and undeserving.
“Happy birthday, Isis,” Death told me. “Please come with me, I have a surprise for you.” I followed Death across the room and out of the tent. I knew better than to disobey her.
We walked into a beautiful pergola that I had never seen before. It had purple wisteria covering it and beautiful white lights creating a soft glow. In the middle, a couple stood holding hands. They turned towards us and my heart stopped. It was my parents. I stopped and stared at Death. Had I died during the battle and nobody told me?
“Relax dear. It’s the Day of the Dead, remember?” Death told me, and I nodded, afraid to look at my parents in case it was a trick. Death pointed at my parents before talking. “You made a Haven, Isis. During this night, the dead are allowed to come to Haven to visit with their families. On this night, those who believe will actually see their loves ones. Every year, you will have hundreds—if not thousands—of people making the journey here. In the meantime, go and make peace with your past.” Death gave me a little shove in the direction of my parents.
At first, I barely moved. But when my parents started walking towards me, I ran. I wrapped my arms around them and cried. I was doing lots of crying today, but I didn’t care.
“Oh Isis, you are so big honey,” my dad told me, drying my tears with his hands.
“You are so beautiful,” my mother told me, holding my face and kissing my forehead.
“I’m so sorry,” I told them. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been playing in the car, the accident would not have happened.”
“Shhh,” my mother cut me off by covering my mouth with her finger. “Never again will you blame yourself for what happened. It was not your fault. Do you hear me?”
I heard her, but I didn’t believe her.
“Baby, it was our fault for not preparing you better for the things coming your way,” my father told me. “But you were so young. You are doing so well.” He kissed my forehead.
“Honey, we love you and we are so proud of you. Please remember that,” my mother told me. “We want you to be happy. Not to spend each birthday mourning for us. We are in a good place, honey. Promise me you will move on.” She paused, and I said nothing because I didn’t want to promise her that. “Please Isis, we need to know that you will be happy.” Tears rolled down my mother’s face.
“I will,” I finally told her softly. It was breaking my heart to see her cry.
“That’s my girl,” my father told me. “We have to go sweetie. Our time is over, but we will see you next year.” My dad held me tight, and for the first time in forever, the pain in my soul lessened.
“Next year?” I asked them.
“Next year,” my mother told me.
“Happy birthday our precious Isis,” my parents told me as they disappeared back to their afterlife.
“Are you ready?” Death asked me as she slowly made her way towards me.
“Thank you,” I told Death. “That was the best present I have ever received.”
“They missed you as much as you missed them,” Death told me. “Everyone wins tonight. Now let’s go back before Constantine sends out a search party for you,” she told me as she wiped my tears with her handkerchief.
Death and I walked back inside the tent and the party was getting started. The negotiation stage had been moved to one side, and a dance floor was put in the middle. A DJ booth rested on top of the stage and Bartholomew and Constantine were managing the music. That was a sight to remember.
“Scratch-Master-Flex on the mic and DJ Mighty-Flow on the turn tables will be hosting the night,” Constantine told the crowd, and of course they went wild.
“What’s in the punch?” I asked Death. This crowd was too lively for this early in the night.
“You don’t want to know. Eugene and Angelito were in charge of drinks,” Death told me, eyeing the punch table on the far right.
“Good to know. I’m sticking with water,” I told Death with a smile.
“Here you are,” Katrina said as she rushed at me.
“Sorry Death. We are stealing her,” Eugene added right behind her.
I got dragged to the dance floor by them, each one holding one of my hands. I looked over at Death and she waved at me.
“Birthday Girl is in the house,” Constantine announced, and cheers exploded. I needed to have a talk with Eugene and Angelito on responsible cocktail making.
“DJ Mighty-Flow, let’s party,” Constantine shouted, and Bartholomew started playing Bruno Mars Uptown Funk.
Katrina and Eugene got the party started. They pulled people from their chairs and dragged them to the dance floor. Even Bob and Shorty were jamming in the back. I couldn’t believe all these people were here to see me. For the first time in years, I wanted to dance on my birthday. As an Intern, I never knew what my future would look like. That hadn’t changed, but one thing had. I had a family, and today, I was going to enjoy them.
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Acknowledgments
Growing up, I was told it takes a village to raise a child. As a writer, I understand it takes a village to bring a book to life. The Lord has blessed me with a fantastic family and support system. A huge thanks to my family for putting up with my crazy schedule and never giving up on me. To my best friend for holding me up when I was ready to give up.
Thanks to my Texarkana community that embraced me and supported this series with so much love. You guys gave me the courage to keep writing and sharing Isis’s adventures. To my community in Salem for all their love throughout the decades and embracing this journey with me. Thank you to all the amazing editors, graphic designers and support team that helped me to bring this book to life.
Above all, a huge thanks to you for reading this book! If you loved the book and have a moment to spare, I would reall
y appreciate a short review as this helps new readers find my books.
About D. C. Gomez
D. C. Gomez was born in the Dominican Republic and at the age of ten moved with her family to Salem, Massachusetts. After eight years in the magical “Witch City,” she moved to New York City to attend college. D. C. enrolled at New York University to study film and television.
In her junior year of college, she had an epiphany. She was young, naive, and knew nothing about the world or people. In an effort to expand her horizons and be able to create stories about humanity, she joined the US Army. She proudly served for four years.
Those experiences shaped her life. Her quirky, and sometimes morbid, sense of humor was developed. She has a love for those who served and the families that support them. She currently lives in the quaint city of Wake Village, Texas, with her furry roommate, Chincha.