“I’m s-so sorry, Dad.”
“I know, honey. We miss you. Don’t go anywhere.”
“I’ll try very hard not to.”
“Your mother needs to speak to you, and before she knocks me over with her excitement.”
Mum had half-growled, half-sobbed down the line. “I am going to tie you down the moment I see you. I miss you. We’ll head to the airport and catch the first flight home. You make sure you’re waiting for us when we arrive. If you’re not, you’re grounded.”
“I’m an adult. You haven’t grounded me since I was thirteen.”
“I’ll start again if it’s necessary. You’ve taken years off my life with that letter and your sudden—oh my goodness, what am I saying? You saved our lives, and we love you for it.”
“Just hurry home, Mum.”
“We will. We got your letter days before the fire. We had the heater in our bedroom removed then checked over. The wiring was far below grade. We didn’t even know it was a hazard waiting to explode.”
“I wasn’t home that night. I’d gone for a sleepover at Jane’s place.”
“I remember that part, and as soon as we disposed of the heater, it was suddenly two-thousand and fourteen. Three years had passed and your opened letter was still on the table. We called the police and discovered you had a new address. Then we met Annie, and she told us of her wish and the two of you trading places in time. It seemed Annie’s arrival here triggered whatever was needed to move us back fully into time.”
“Annie told me what happened, that fairy magic must have been at work.”
“Yes. The last I recalled at the time was wondering why you’d send your father and me a letter on such old parchment. It was sealed inside a courier envelope with another letter addressed to you. The paper was so brittle but it held your handwriting.”
“Hold on. One addressed to me?”
“Yes, I have it with me. It has the name Alex MacDonald on the outside under yours.”
“Alex never wrote me a—” Oh, unless he had right after she’d last left. “What does it say?”
“I haven’t opened it, but I’ll give it to you once we’re home. I can’t believe we’ve lost three years. All of them gone.”
“We’ll be back together soon.”
“Yes, very soon.”
“Hurry home, Mum. I love you.”
“I love—”
“Anne, how do they make this sheet of glass so wide?” Annie tapped the massive window pane then pressed her cheek against its cool surface. “I mean look at this. I don’t see any joins and ’tis so long and in one piece.”
“The joins are so well flushed together you can’t see them. If you step back though, you might.”
“How does it no’ cave in?” Her frown deepened.
“It’s reinforced.”
“Reinforced?” She shook her head. “Nay, I dinnae see this reinforcing.”
“It’s inside the glass. Its strength comes from how it’s forged.”
“But—”
She clasped Annie’s shoulders. “We should go and check the board and make sure my parents’ flight remains on time.”
“Aye, we should. That device with all those red letters and numbers constantly changes without anyone’s hand upon it. It has a mind of its own.” They walked toward the stairs. “How does that happen? Oh, and look there, that lady is still selling chocolate. I cannae believe she has such an endless supply, or so many people wander past and no’ partake of the delicacy.”
“Neither can I.” She giggled.
“You’re making fun of me. Shame on you.” Annie nabbed her hand, veered left and raced them toward the woman wearing a bright purple, ruffled fairy dress. Annie stopped and Anne bumped into her. “Miss, allow us to unburden you of bar or two of your chocolate.”
“Certainly.” The sales lady dipped her head.
Annie dug into the pocket of her red jeans and removed the card she called a thing of great magic. “Take what you need from here.”
“Actually”—Anne looped her arm through Annie’s—“we’ll take four bars.”
“We will?” Annie’s eyes widened and she clapped. “Of course we will. Your parents must have one each too. Why didnae I think of that? My apologies.” Annie paid for the chocolate.
“You’re forgiven.”
The flight information screen showed her parents’ flight was a mere ten minutes away. She needed to see them so desperately. It had been far too long.
She rubbed her arms, wrinkling up the long sleeves of her sheer butter-yellow blouse. For the past two days, even as much as she’d longed to return to Alex, she’d longed equally to see her parents. Each morning she’d awoken and stared at the framed print she’d removed from the wall and propped beside her bed. She wanted them back now.
“Here you go.” Annie passed her a bar of chocolate then frowned. “Oh dear, you look just as you did this morn, very pensive.”
Annie had slept beside her in the spare bed, although they’d shoved the two beds together to make one, neither wanting any great distance between them in case the other was taken. “I’m nervous.”
“Dinnae be. It’s no’ good for the bairn.”
Anne stroked her belly. “I’m feeling much better now. I even helped you consume that last bar of chocolate, and I intend to eat the next one all on my own.”
“Aye, but even should I feel ill, I could still devour a bar of chocolate. That’s no’ a very convincing argument.” Annie tapped her nose. “How much longer until your parents arrive?”
“Soon. Come on, we’ll head to arrivals.” She led Annie toward the escalator.
“’Tis mesmerizing.” Annie jiggled as they moved down the traveling belt. “One does no’ even need to walk, and there is naught one wheel which might break.”
“You should see how wonderful it is to travel in an elevator, although we’ll keep that for another time. I think you’ve had enough excitement for the day. I know I have.” She dragged Annie past another lady selling chocolate. People milled near the roped off arrival doors. She tapped her foot, the clack of her heel echoing around her.
“How long until they come through?” Annie fidgeted with the hem of her white and red striped blouse. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Too long.” Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed her parents to hurry.
There was no time to delay.
* * * *
Pacing the rear battlements of the castle, Alex wished he could travel through time and find his bride.
“You need to relax, Alex.” James crossed his arms. “Unburden yourself. I wish you would.”
“You wouldnae believe a word I spoke should I.” ’Twas past midnight and all were abed bar the guards who constantly patrolled the keep. Moonlight tinged the forest. No access could be gained on this side of the castle, the density of the bush as impenetrable as Dunvegan’s stone walls. Even the guards didn’t make regular rounds here because of it.
“I’ve never failed to believe you afore. Mother and Anne will recover. Is it no’ a chill they suffer from?”
“Aye, a chill is all.” He stroked the hilt of his ever-present claymore.
“Then what bothers you? You look prepared to battle, and far more than usual.”
“We cannae remain here indefinitely.” He couldn’t continue to withhold from James. He’d share what he could, within reason.
“Aye, why would we wish to?”
“Neither can we sneak into Dunvegan without being seen.”
“And again, why would we wish to?”
“I shall tell you what I can.” Although nothing of Anne’s time-travel. His brother would think him mad if he spoke of what he believed. Lowering his voice, he muttered, “Anne isnae here. Mother affects a sickness in order for us to stay.”
His brother’s bushy red brows drew together. “If Anne isnae here then why are we? How did she leave without anyone seeing her go?”
“I await her return because I fear thi
s is the only place where she will. Anne is no’ all she seems.”
“Then what is she?”
“Anne is visiting a place far away. She had no choice but to go, and MacLeod wouldnae react well to the news of her travel should he find out.”
“To where does she voyage? Why are you no’ in pursuit?”
“To see her parents, I hope, although I’m no’ entirely certain.”
“You’re saying we must wait for her return?” James scrubbed his jaw. “If Anne is able to slip in and out of the castle then why cannae we?”
Aye, a good question. “She takes a secret passageway and willnae speak of where it is. It’s how she first left here and arrived at Dunscaith without a guard.” He detested the lie, but he had no other choice.
“If she can sneak away at will, you need only leave word for her to follow us. Wait.” His frown deepened. “Anne lost her parents some years ago. MacLeod is her rightful next of kin, correct?”
“Her parents live.” Argh, mayhap he should never have tried to explain this to James.
“If that’s the case, you should petition her father for this handfast, no’ her chief.”
“I wish it were that easy. If I could reach her father, I would ask his permission to wed her proper, but right now, I’ll take what I can get.”
“I see.” James gripped his forearm. “I will stand by your side and aid you however I can.”
“I know you will.”
His brother clapped him on the back. “I’ll check on Mother. Get some rest.”
A thick ribbon of stars blanketed the black sky. He hadn’t found that damn flag, but then Anne had wished upon it even though it had remained hidden. Mayhap that’s all he needed to do too. He certainly required a little magic. Eyes closed, he whispered into the night, “I wish upon the Fairy Flag hidden within Dunvegan that the woman who holds my heart and all she loves, be permitted to travel back through time. Bring her home to me, so I might love her as my soul demands.”
* * * *
Pushing a trolley loaded with suitcases, Anne’s parents rounded the corner. Mum’s golden hair, trimmed in a bob, was pinned on one side with a jeweled clip that sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the mass of windows surrounding them. Dad towered over her, his dark hair as thick as ever. He appeared far younger than his forty-five years, and shining from his eyes was a well of love as they met hers. They were alive, and they were here.
Arms open, she raced toward them, her heart near catapulting out of her chest. They swept her up, their arms banding around her like steel.
“We’re together,” Dad rumbled in her ear.
“And I never want to be parted from you again.” She clung to them. “I love you.”
“We love you too.” Mum’s tears mingled with hers. “It feels like forever since I’ve held you.”
“It has been.”
Beaming, Annie ducked around the roped partition. “Welcome home.”
“Come here, Annie.” Mum kissed her cheek then Annie’s as she joined them. “Thank you for being here for Anne. Tor and I love you for it.”
“It’s as if we have two daughters, Morainne,” Dad said.
“Yes, and they’ve both granted us the ultimate wish. Life and love returned.”
Annie squeezed Anne’s hand. “I’m so glad my wish led to this moment. I could never have envisioned this when I made it.”
“Your wish led to far more than this moment.” She hugged Annie back. “And if I could choose a sister, hands down it would be you. Right now, I can’t even imagine having never met you.”
“Sisters.” Annie tightened her hold on her. “Forever.”
“Deal.” Anne gazed at her parents. “These past weeks I’ve learnt so much, to never give up, history can be changed, and that love should always prevail.”
“Your mother and I are living proof it does. You’ve always been so tenacious. I shouldn’t be surprised you’ve managed to travel back through time and do what you’ve done.” Dad tweaked her chin. “Let’s go home. We have so much to celebrate and catch up on.
“You’ve got it. Home.”
Family was all that mattered, and she finally had hers back.
* * * *
Dad pulled into the driveway as the sun sank over the ocean horizon, yellow melding into dusky pink then inky-blue.
Mum gripped hers and Annie’s hands and rushed them inside. In the center of her kitchen, she twirled around. “Someone needs to pinch me.”
“Allow me.” Dad nipped Mum’s cheeks. Oh, she’d missed seeing her parents together. She still had to keep pinching herself too, to make sure it was all real.
Mum nudged Dad toward the barstool. “Sit. I’m going to make dinner for us all and enjoy this moment.
“Please let me help.” Annie patted the oven. “I’m fascinated by this woodless stove and need further instruction.”
“We call it an oven.” Mum laughed as she opened a drawer.
“Oven. Wonderful, that’s what I’ll call it too.”
“You can be my sidekick, Annie.” Mum flapped out an apron, looped it over Annie’s head and tied it at the back. “Wait until I show you the beater which fluffs up the mashed potato. Now that is a miracle.”
Mum adored her kitchen, and the house had always carried the scents of whatever she’d cooked or baked that day.
Anne couldn’t wait for the evening meal. Her appetite had well and truly been restored with her returned parents. She plunked herself on the stool next to Dad. “Watch out, Annie. Being Mum’s sidekick is a prime spot, but it means you’ll have to do the dishes too.”
“You shouldn’t have warned her yet, Anne.” Dad wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “And talking of sidekicks, you’ve yet to tell us of the man you handfasted with.”
Hmm, she hadn’t told them about the baby either. She hadn’t wanted to mention it over the phone, or in the car, but now they needed to know. “Alex MacDonald leads his clan in his uncle’s stead. From the moment I met him, I sensed a connection. I trusted him, felt safe and protected. We bonded quickly, as if somehow I’d already known him.”
“Donald and William spoke to us. We know why you were hospitalized.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be the one to tell you and Mum.”
Mum bustled around the countertop and hugged her. “It’s okay, honey.”
“I’m keeping Alex’s child, Mum.”
“I didn’t expect anything less. Your baby will be greatly loved, by us all. Has your morning sickness eased?”
“I’m taking meds, and I’m much better.”
“Good. I wish we could have met—oh, I clear forgot. All this talk about Alex has reminded me of his letter. How could I have forgotten? Annie, grab my purse from the table.”
Annie snatched the red leather bag and passed it across. “Here you are.”
Mum rummaged through then removed a red and white courier envelope and handed it to her. “Read it out loud. We can’t have any secrets between us.”
“I can’t believe he wrote me.” She clutched the thin package to her chest, her last lifeline to Alex. No, she had their child, the most precious gift ever. She glanced at her parents and Annie. Mum looked worried. Dad nodded encouragement, and Annie, her expression was full of sympathetic understanding. They were all here, and they’d never leave her.
“Open the letter.” Mum nudged her then wrapped an arm around Annie’s shoulders. “We’re a family now, and we’ll deal with what it says together.”
“The most amazing family too.” Annie nestled her cheek against Mum’s shoulder.
“Okay, here I go.” She unfolded Alex’s letter and began.
“To the woman who holds my heart,
You just disappeared afore my eyes and I couldnae halt you from leaving.
Do whatever it takes, but damn well get back to me. You’re no’ raising our bairn alone.
Believe in us and wish your way back, as I will wish for your return each and every
day.
I’ll be waiting for you, always and forever.
Alex.”
She laid the letter on the countertop then traced the scrawled slash of his name. “I love him.”
“He clearly feels the same way, and he needs you.” Dad rubbed her hands between his. “No man wants to lose his family, not the way he has.” He held out a hand to Mum and she tugged Annie with her and took it, then eyeing them all, he nodded. “Annie, your wish set in motion the most amazing event. And Anne, your drive and determination, and wishes as well, continued it. Girls, I want you to make another wish, one that will take all of us back through time. Our family isn’t complete until we join Alex. My grandchild shall know its father.”
“Dad, there’s no telling what any wish Annie and I make might do. What if nothing happens? What it Annie alone is taken since she still remains outside of her time? What if she and I go and leave you and Mum behind?”
“So many what ifs. Remind me again what you’ve learnt these past weeks?”
“You can’t expect me to take such a chance.”
“I can and I do. At the airport you told us you’ve learnt to never give up, history can be changed, and love should always prevail. We have to try this.”
“Yes.” Mum nodded frantically. “We have to try this.”
Annie gripped her other hand. “Anne, let’s trust in our MacLeod fairy blood and all wish together. I’ve come from the past, you the future, and”—she eyed Morainne and Tor—“from far beyond either of those realms. Everyone has to wish with us.”
“We’ll all wish, Annie.” Mum looked at Dad. “All of us.”
“Yes, together.”
“Okay, if you’re all in then I’m in. Let’s do this.” Anne held her family.
“Aye, I’ll begin.” Annie cleared her throat. “I wish upon the Fairy Flag within Dunvegan Castle.” They all repeated her words, unified as one. “That as kin, we shall travel back through time to where we most desire.”
They chanted the wish, over and over.
Anne squeezed her eyes shut, wishing with all her heart to return to Alex, her heart’s greatest desire.
“What are those lights?” Mum cried out.
Anne flung her eyes open. Stars surrounded them, blazing bright. Her hair whipped around her face and tangled in Dad’s bristles as he pulled them ever closer.
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