The pixies flew up in noisy delight when Ceri got the wrapping paper off and revealed a Dr. Dan's Misty Memories Humidifier with deluxe soothing atomizer built right in to 'lull your baby to sleep on the most trying of nights.' I was staying out of the way, but my mother went to kneel beside Ceri as the elf seriously unpacked the thermometer and burping cloths she had put in there with it.
'Ceri, this is a lifesaver,' my mom was saying as the young-looking elf lifted the green plastic monstrosity out. 'Rachel was a fussy baby, but I would just put a bit of lilac into the little cup, and she would drop right off.' She smiled at me, looking different with her new hairstyle. 'And it's indispensable if your baby gets the croup. Robbie never got the croup, but Rachel, lord love a duck, she'd just about scare me to death every winter with her coughing.'
Hearing a story coming on, I picked up a few plates and stood. 'Excuse me,' I said, beating a tactful retreat into the kitchen as my mom started in on the story of my nearly suffocating. Ceri looked properly horrified, and I rolled my eyes to tell her it was mostly momma drama. Mostly.
I glanced back at the scene of content femininity as the dark confines of the hall took me. My mother had gifted Ceri's baby with a wish for health, Matalina gave the trappings of security, Ivy imparted beauty and innocence, and Jenks and I gave wisdom. Or maybe entertainment.
The kitchen held a cool quietness, and I glanced out at the graveyard and let my vision drift into my second sight to make sure Al wasn't waiting for me. The red-smeared sky of the ever-after mingled with the reality of gray clouds to make an ugly picture, and I shivered though the line was empty. He said he would call first, but I didn't trust him not to just show up and scare the crap out of everyone. Apparently Newt's claim that he had made himself destitute was right, because he said he wasn't going to bring me over until he had a kitchen that wouldn't embarrass him. I wanted my name back and that mark on my foot removed, and I think he was stalling, not wanting to lose that hold on me.
'That was a lovely shower,' my mom said from the hallway, and I jumped, startled.
'Holy crap, Mom!' I exclaimed, dropping my second sight and turning. 'You're worse than Ivy.'
She smiled, a glint of devilry in her as she sashayed in, cake-strewn plates and silverware in hand. 'Thank you for inviting me. I don't get to go to too many of these things.'
Hearing an accusation in there, I plugged the sink and ran some water. 'Mom,' I said tiredly as I pulled out the soap, 'I'm not having any kids. I'm sorry. You'll be lucky if you even get a wedding out of me.'
My mother made a rude sound, part laugh, part wise-old-woman scoffing. 'I'm sure you feel that way now,' she said as she dropped the forks into the sink. 'But you're young. Give it some time. You might feel differently after you've met the right man.'
I turned the water off, breathing deeply of the lemon-scented air and slipping my hands into the warm water and washing the forks. I wished she'd drop the facade of what she wanted for what was real. 'Mom,' I said, voice low, 'my children will be stolen by demons for the ability to kindle their magic. I'm not going to risk that.' Well, actually, they would be demons, thanks to Trent's dad, but there was no reason to tell her that. 'I'm not going to have kids,' I said, slowly washing the plates.
'Rachel…,' my mom protested, but I shook my head, adamant.
'Kisten died because of me. Nick went over the bridge. I've got a standing date in the ever-after once a week once Al gets his act together. I'm not a good candidate for a girlfriend. Can you see me as a mother?'
My mother smiled. 'Yes. I can, and you would be a good one.'
The tears pricked, and I dropped a handful of clean silverware into the dry half of the sink and ran hot water over them. I couldn't. It was too risky.
Pulling a cloth from a top drawer, my mom took the handful of clean silverware I'd dropped into the sink. 'Let's say you're right,' she said, 'and you don't even adopt or take in a child who needs a home. But what if you're wrong? There's someone out there who's suited for you. Someone who has enough strength or knowledge to keep themselves safe. I bet there's a foxy young man looking right now for a woman who can take care of herself and thinking he can't have anyone either.'
I smiled faintly, picturing it. 'I'll place an ad, okay?' SWFW looking for SWM. Must be able to fight off demons and vampires, and be willing to put up with jealous roommate. Then I sighed in the thought that that pretty much summed up Nick and Kisten. Nick was a real winner, and Kisten was dead. Because of me. Because he had tried to save me.
My mom touched my arm, and I handed her one of Ceri's teacups.
'I just want you to be happy,' she said.
'I am,' I said confidently so I could believe it. 'I really am.' But when I found out who had bitten me and killed Kisten, and then I ripped him apart, I was going to be a whole lot happier. Maybe Al knew a Pandora charm. Maybe he had a book and I could just read up on it when he was sleeping.
From the sanctuary came the masculine sound of a hello and the excited tinkling of pixy chatter. It was Quen; the party was breaking up. Passing my mom the last dish, I went more melancholy still. I had saved Quen, but not my dad. That sucked.
My mom must have known my thoughts as she gave me a sideways hug. She pulled away, but her damp hands seemed to leave a lasting impression on me. 'Don't make such a sad face, Rachel. I loved your dad. But I've been hurting for so long, I forgot how to be happy. I need to…'
I nodded, knowing where she was coming from. 'Put something good in its place so you can think about him without the pain?'
She nodded, giving me another tight hug as if she was trying to squeeze some of her happiness into me. 'I want to help Ceri get her things back home,' she said, and I dried my hands. We left the kitchen together, my mother's arm still over me. It made me feel good, like I felt when I was little. Protected. Loved.
But when we entered the sanctuary, my arm fell away. Takata is here, too?
The man gave me an awkward wave as he stood by the piano with his fingers in the frosting and pixies sitting on his thin shoulders. I felt a stab of emotion when my mother's demeanor changed and she went to him, delighted. She seemed younger, especially with that new haircut. Her heart was light now that the truth was out, which made me feel bad that it had taken so long for that to happen.
Ceri had her raincoat on, and seeing me standing alone, she excused herself, gathering Quen in her wake as she crossed the room. She was beautiful in her happy contentment, and I glanced at Ivy. The vampire wore a hungry look I understood. It wasn't vampiric hunger; it was the hunger from seeing someone who has what you want but knowing that if you get it, it will break your heart, your life, and your soul.
Neither of us would be having children. It was as if Ceri were having a child for all of us. Poor little baby was going to have so many aunts he or she wasn't going to walk on anything but rose petals.
'Rachel,' Ceri said, beaming as she took my hands, 'thank you for the wonderful party. I never—' Her expression shifted, and tears deepened the green of her eyes. Quen touched her shoulder, and she straightened, smiling. 'I never thought I'd ever do this,' she continued. 'I thought I was going to die mindless in the ever-after. And now I have the sun, love, and a chance to live and have purpose.' Her grip on my hands tightened for a moment, deepening the intent behind her next words. 'Thank you.'
'You're welcome,' I said, feeling the prick of tears as I mourned the loss of my own dreams. 'Stop it. You're going to make me cry.'
I glanced at Quen as I wiped the corner of an eye. He was stoic, letting the estrogen flow around him as if it couldn't touch him.
Ceri's gaze flicked to him and away. 'If it's a girl, we're naming her Ray. If it is a boy, Raymond.'
There was a lump in my throat, and I couldn't swallow. 'Thank you.'
She leaned in and gave me a quick hug. 'I have to leave. Trenton wants to poke and prod me with more tests.' The young-seeming elf rolled her eyes, and my hand slipped away.
'Then you'd better go.' Trent wasn't gunning for me, but I distrusted his silence.
Her smile went stiff, and she whispered, 'Be careful with Al. If you're honest with him, he will be less likely to…hurt you. And if he gets angry, try singing.'
She pulled back, and I glanced at Quen, wondering how much of this conversation was going to end up in Trent's ears. 'Okay. Thanks. I'll remember that.' I didn't know how me singing 'Satisfaction' would make anything better, but the honesty thing? I could do that.
My focus sharpened on Ceri and she nodded. 'I must say good-bye to Mrs. Morgan and Ivy,' Ceri said, touching Quen's arm. 'Can you give me a moment?'
