In the far corner of the kitchen Julian was sheet white, except for the red eyes from crying. Lucian stumbled to him and hugged him. Duncan, in no better shape, walked in between both men and held on. Jonah sat on the floor next to Raven, with his arm around Savanah’s legs.
****
With all of her family gathered around her in the kitchen hysterical, Savanah wondered what possible atrocity brought them together this time? “What’s going on? What did I miss?”
Jovan gasped and passed out. Savanah sprung up from the floor as if she not about met her death and rushed to her mother’s side.
“Mum?”
No one moved, other than all eyes following her.
“Hey! Mum passed out. What’s up with you guys? Some help?” Savanah yelled.
“Peanut? Are you okay?”
“I’m not the one down for the count,” she yelled louder as she cradled her mother’s head in her arms.
“She’s fine, Savanah,” Serina answered. Serina grabbed a cool cloth and washed Jovan’s face. Jovan came round and smiled as if she’d been given back the gift of life when she saw Savanah.
Serina added, “You, on the other hand, Missy, died on us.”
“Aunt Serina, did you screw up another spell?”
Julian answered, “Death, the final frontier, the pearly gates?”
“All right, Rod Sterling, now I know you’re pulling a fast one on me. I feel fine except my chest hurts.”
Jonah told her, “Because I did chest compressions on you.”
Savanah inspected each and every member of her family waiting for one of them to admit this was a giant hoax. Awkward silence filled the kitchen. “My God, you’re serious.”
Serina nodded yes.
“Holy cow! I knew my heart ached—unbearably for the past months, but death? Guess I better be more careful what I wish for.” Savanah’s eyes were drawn to the end of the counter. The box struck a raw nerve. She grabbed the container and a pulse wave shot up the length of her arm making her gasp. Julian stood beside her before she finished inhaling.
“What is it?” Julian reached for the box.
“Don’t touch it, Jules.” Savanah opened the box with caution keeping her head far away just in case something popped out.
So slowly, André piped in, “Much longer and I’ll be the next one dead.” That comment immediately followed Jovan elbowing him in his side.
Inside the container sat a black lacquer box with a soured aroma permeating the area. Savanah shrieked, “It’s a heart!” and dropped the box on the floor.
Spilling like a broken wheel, the rotted organ tumbled unevenly to Raven’s feet. She stepped back faster than she’d moved in months.
“What sick psycho would send you a heart and better yet, whose is it or was it to be more precise?” Jonah asked.
“Open the other box, Savvy.” Duncan pointed to the larger of the two boxes.
“Not really sure I want to, Duncan. Body parts weren’t on my wish list this year unless it came in one package, healthy and breathing and looked and acted and sounded exactly like…” Savanah stopped and chomped on her cheek. Ethan…
A piece of parchment glided to the counter while her anger shredded the brown paper. Eyes fixed on the contents, she pulled out the golden cup. Covering her mouth didn’t stop the scream that squeaked its way free.
Jovan tugged at Savanah’s jeans. “What’s the paper say?”
“Have a drink with me at midnight in the garden of Eden.”
“What the hell?” André scratched his head. “Where is the garden and who wants to drink with you?”
Savanah explained, “The Maestro swiped this cup before he fled Sinsations. I saw him pocket it. I told you all the history behind it. It’s Draque’s cup. He wants it back.”
“It’ll be a cold day in hell before I let you go have a drink with that ghoul and what garden?” Julian said staunchly.
“Our rose garden, I think. It’s the only thing I can think of. Why would he send me a heart?”
Serina bent down and grabbed the defiled organ and tossed it into the sink. “It’s a vamp’s heart all right.” A little nudge and it slipped into the garbage disposal. Serina flipped on the switch.
“Okay, that’s really vile. I’m out of here.” Jonah walked out followed by Molly and Duncan.
“Me too. Look, I’ve gotta go into town. I’ll be home in a while.” Savanah threw her coat on, and headed for the door.
“Take someone with you. What happens if you black out again?” Jovan asked.
“Mum, I’m fine. It won’t happen again unless I don’t show up in the rose garden tonight. This guy wants his cup back. I got everything returned from Sinsations and have everything he owns in storage in England and all he wants is his cup?” Savanah shrugged her shoulders.
“Wait up, Peanut. I’m coming whether you like it or not.” André followed Savanah out the door, wiping his eyes dry.
****
Gathered in the kitchen, the entire St. James’ family smiled when Payton turned to them holding a thirty-five pound turkey, golden brown with sage stuffing pouring out the end of the bird. On the counter sat a twenty pound spiral-sliced, honey-glazed ham and next to that a standing rib roast, surrounded by baby roasted red potatoes with rosemary and thyme.
“I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Duncan admitted licking his lips. “Welcome home, Payton.”
“Hello, family. I couldn’t stay away tonight. I figured you guys might enjoy a home cooked meal versus something Raven might have tried to whip up.” Payton glanced at Raven with caution. Before Payton knew it he was swarmed with hugs and kisses from pretty much everyone, except Raven. She gave him a chilled glare with her back against the fridge. Payton was pretty certain the fridge’s cooler temp had nothing to do with her disposition.
“Are you home for good, Payton?” Serina asked.
“One day at a time, Doc. Where’s Elyza? Jovan, how’re the twins? I’m sorry I’ve only seen them once.”
“When did you see them?” Raven asked her lips pursed as if she’d sucked a lemon dry.
“Shortly after their birth.”
Lucian could read his sister easier than politicians could fabricate, twist and realign the truth. She was a storm brewing. “Look, tonight is time for celebration. We have our family together as it should be. We celebrate Samhain tonight. Let us eat this meal our dear friend has made because by the gods I’m sick of take-out.” Lucian hugged Payton and took the turkey from him. “I’ve got the breast.”
“Typical,” André added. “I’ve got the legs.”
“Some things never change.” Duncan picked up the ham. “I got the porker.” Duncan winked at his wife.
Molly grunted.
“That didn’t come out right, my little tomato. I swear I didn’t say it coz you’re bursting at the seams with our child.”
“Now would be a really good time to swallow your foot, Duncan,” Lucian added.
“Where’s Savanah?” Payton looked around seeing no sign of her.
Jovan answered, “She’ll be down. She’s wrapping some things for our midnight gifts.”
“How is she? I’m sorry I haven’t been here to help her come through her loss.”
Raven blew. “Hello? What about me, Payton?” She pointed to her ever-growing tummy.
Payton said nothing.
Lucian stepped in. “Ray, not tonight. Don’t do this to yourself.”
“That’s the point, imbecile. I didn’t. Two of the three men that could be responsible for this are before us and neither one is owning up to it.”
“Hail Mary!” André stood up and fist-pumped the air. “Someone finally got it right.” André shrugged his shoulders at his twin when he realized his triumphant shout-out wasn’t done with the best timing. “Apologies, but Lucian finally got pegged imbecile correctly.” He sat down immediately seeing Jovan’s stern glare.
“Truly, you are identical,” Jovan whispered to him.
Jonah lo
oked at Raven. “Only one of the two of us are in that pot. One of us has nonviable sperm. When the baby is born we’ll have DNA tests done to determine the father. If it’s Payton’s, then we’ll help care for it. If it isn’t…” Jonah’s voice trailed off.
Raven backpedaled for a chair, and landed squarely on her bottom looking up at Jonah. “How long have you known you couldn’t father a child? All these years and you never said a word.”
No one else did either, all too shocked.
“Don’t ever speak to me again,” Raven mouthed to Jonah.
Pounding down the stairs two at a time, Savanah lugged a box overflowing with gifts into the dining room. She glanced toward the three swings holding Elyza, Rylea and Rian, and carefully tucked a stuffed animal beside each baby. Next she placed a pink and green box with yellow ribbon in front of every person at the table. Ten boxes in all.
“Happy Samhain, everyone.” Savanah noted everyone at the table and for the first time in months felt joy in her heart. She looked at her uncle Julian and his gorgeous guest beside him. She went to her. “Edan, it is an honor to have you with us. With my uncle.” She turned away from everyone not wanting everyone to see her eyes fill with unshed tears. She took a deep breath, wiped under her eyes and turned around. “You look so much like Ethan, in a prettier way. Anyway, thank you for accepting our offer to join us.” Edan held her hand to Savanah and grasped it, tears falling down her cheeks. Her other hand covered her mouth.
“Ethan was a lucky man to have all of you in his life. Thank you for caring for him. Again, thank you for tonight and for being there for my brother.”
Savanah sat beside Payton and held his hand under the table. “It’s so great you’re home.”
Payton added, “I missed you too, Savvy.”
“Any last minute wishes before we begin our festivities? We honor our women and their gifts tonight.” André said, “I finished my list.” He winked then puckered up and blew a kiss to Jovan.
“Just health, happiness and someone to share your love with.” Jovan stood up and walked to Savanah. Kissing her cheek, she said, “Don’t give up on love, my sweets.”
Noticing a van pull up to the house, Lucian asked, “Someone getting a delivery tonight? We’ve company otherwise.”
“Who owns a van?” Serina asked.
Before the doorbell rang, twelve people crowded the main entry. They all watched as Olivia straightened her dress and used her umbrella as a guide to get her through the icy mix on the driveway. In her free hand she carried a bag of gifts. Everyone piled outside into the blustery weather.
“What is she doing here?” Julian asked in an irritated tone.
“Did you know she was coming, Serina?” André asked.
“Haven’t talked to her in a month or so.”
Olivia offered, “Happy Samhain. I hope I’m not interrupting, but I have a few things for your family. I won’t stay long. I’m sorry for coming unannounced, but things happened so fast that I didn’t have time.”
“What things, Mum?” Serina walked to greet her.
“Who’s the guy that drove?” Lucian asked, not trusting the woman one second.
“My driver. Would you all go inside? Please?”
“Does he need help getting anything?” Payton offered.
“Not if it’s suit cases.” André threw in caustically.
Olivia smiled warmly at him.
“I’ll set another place for dinner.” Payton headed inside for the kitchen.
“Payton,” Olivia raised her voice slightly. “Would you have room for three?”
“What the hell is going on?” Julian’s temper flared. He started to go to the van when he stopped. “Holy shit!” he whispered. “How?”
“Hi, Jules, Mum, Dad, Duncan, Uncle André, Aunt Jovan, Molly, Aunt Raven—you look radiant. Vanah!!!” the young woman yelled her arms flailing in the air.
“Oh my God,” Savanah squealed, as she covered the distance to the woman and hugged her.
Serina’s mouth dropped.
The young woman turned her head to Olivia and whispered, “Grandma, we should have phoned them.”
“This is more fun.”
“Mum, are you going to say anything or at least let me in? Georgia’s a whole lot warmer than New York.”
Serina had Sydney in her arms before her teeth could chatter again. Lucian stood beside her with his arms trapping both of them together.
“Hi, Diddy.”
Hearing that, Lucian roared with laughter.
“This is the best blessing ever, Sydney. Look at you. You’re beautiful and young again. How?” Lucian swatted at stray tears. He cast a curious glance toward Olivia.
“Can I tell you inside?” Sydney briskly rubbed her arms.
Serina stood in awe of her daughter. Sydney looked about twenty-five, no longer seventy. Blonde layered curls with darker blonde highlights covered her back.
“Oh my precious girl. What a beautiful surprise.” Serina looked at her mother and mouthed, “Thank you.”
“You’ve got another surprise, Serina.” Olivia inclined her head toward the door.
Coming in backward, the driver kicked off the snow from his boots and gave a big tug to a wheelchair. He brushed the snow from the tires before coming any further inside.
Tongue-tied and twisted, Serina spit out, “Fa-Father Butler? Lucian, tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“’Tis no dream, baby girl,” Olivia answered. “His progress has been a true miracle. You said you wanted to see him.”
Serina ran to her father, wrapped her arms tightly around the man and hugged him.
In a soft voice he whispered, “My girl. You haven’t changed. Where’s my other baby?”
Jovan knelt before the man, nervous. “Hello, I’m here.”
“Jovan, you are the spitting image of Sarah. Your mother was a beautiful woman. I’m sorry it’s taken so long for us to reconcile but losing your head does things to an old man’s body.”
The only thing Jovan could say was, “Better late than never!” before she kissed his cheek.
“Open the champagne. I’m serious.” Serina chirped. “Do you really remember? Mum told me you couldn’t talk or remember anything.”
“I still had my memory, just no way to communicate ’til recently.”
“You’re a granddad.”
“So I’ve heard.”
****
With everyone jammed into the main entryway, Savanah watched the reunion, and she couldn’t have been happier. She reneged that thought knowing her wish didn’t come true tonight and wouldn’t tomorrow either. But she’d never begrudge the joy in this house tonight. Her mother and aunt hadn’t seen their father in over a century, hadn’t known his whereabouts or anything. The man had simply vanished, with Olivia’s help and since none of the St. James were on speaking terms with her for that period of time. Yes, she had a few stubborn-streaked people in her home.
Savanah turned her eyes on Sydney. “Hey, trouble. I’ve missed you.”
“Vanah, we’ve so much to catch up on. Let’s stay up all night, okay?”
“Deal.”
“Okay, dinner is set up in the dining room once again. Savvy, Jovan, Serina, if you guys wouldn’t mind pulling a temperature change and heating the food again, we’ll be good to go.” Payton pointed to the food.
At half past eleven Raven excused herself for the evening.
Jonah stood at the same time. “We need to talk, Raven.” He met Raven’s glare with caution. “You were not the only one carrying around lies in this relationship. I always planned on telling you I couldn’t get you pregnant, but when I saw you with another man’s child, my heart shattered. Even if this child is Payton’s. Please forgive me.” Jonah held his hand to her.
Raven studied Jonah before taking his hand.
Payton added, “Mind if I tag along?”
Julian stood and held his hand to Edan. She placed her delicate fingers in his without hesitation. “Edan is going to ge
t a tour of the grounds. See you guys in a bit.”
“Thank you again for tonight. Savanah, call me. We’ll get together soon.”
Julian’s smile—Savanah hadn’t seen it so sincere or fulfilled ever. She watched as he helped her into her coat and then walked through the kitchen to go outside. Go Jules! It’s about time.
****
Sydney walked around Savanah’s room and stopped by the bathroom door. “Savvy, isn’t that your Mum’s wedding dress hanging there?”
Savanah whispered, “I know I’m insane, but I had to have it. Something told me to bring the dress down from the attic.”
“Try it on for me. Please?” Sydney gave her cousin big, brown, doe-eyes that Savanah had never been able to say no to and had led them into lots of trouble growing up.
“I’ll be out in a minute. Syd, Draque wants me to meet him at midnight and give him the cup. He said he wanted to have a drink with me. How romantic can my night get with a proposal like that?” Savanah opened the door and swirled around showing off in her mother’s light blue wedding dress. She glanced at her reflection in her mirror with tears filling her eyes. “Wow, if I do say so myself, Ethan missed out on a pretty dress. Too bad I can’t seem to get all the buttons buttoned. I’ve gained weight again. Tummy and boobs, that’s me.”
“He missed out on one beautiful woman, Vanah.” Sydney hugged Savanah and together they cried.
“We’re a useless pair. Let me get out of this thing, and we’ll go out.”
“Savanah, it’s five minutes to midnight. One, I drove up from Georgia today and,” Sydney looked again at her watch and reiterated, “And two—oh my God, it’s five minutes to midnight. It is Samhain. This is your night to celebrate. Come on. Grab the cup and let’s head down to the garden.”
“Are you nuts?” Savanah stood her ground. “You honestly want to go meet Draque? He’ll be a no-show anyway.”
“Chicken.” Sydney stood straight, hands on her hips, daring her cousin.
“I’m not chicken. I’m practical. One of us has to be. Goodness, Syd, you’re not home four hours and you’re stirring up the cauldron. Come on then. A quick stroll through the dead garden and then I’m hitting the wine cellar.” Savanah chucked her black bag over her shoulder as they headed down the back stairs and out the back door in an attempt to sneak under the radar.
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