I don't own it. You know the rest.
It was surprisingly easy to cook up. Ceri had put the original curse in the back of my spell book with it's counter curse. The modifications made it non- reversible. There would be no word to change him back. If he did this, it was for the rest of his life. However short it may be. I had to hold my breath for a moment at the thought. Jenks wouldn't live much longer no matter what we did. This was just a way to give him peace and a reason to keep going. This was to make his final years worth living. Not that his children weren't worth it. But in his eyes, they didn't need him the way we did. Apparently Ivy and I were more trouble than 52 squealing pixie brats. Wait, was it 52 or 54? Who knew. They never sat still long enough to be counted.
We'd waited until the next night out of respect and sheer exhaustion. There'd been a message on the machine from David when I'd woke asking if we needed anything. I'd called him back earlier and told him no and thanks. We had it under control and appreciated his concern. He said he'd see us in a couple of days. I didn't tell him there would be a new man in the house. He'd see for himself soon enough. Now Ceri and I were in the kitchen, in front of the center island. It was just before midnight. Not that it matter for the curse. Sometimes it just helped to stand on ceremony.
"You have the last of it in place?" Ceri was going over my work. Nodding here and there and smiling. I guess I was doing well. She seemed proud even if it was demon magic. Then again, that's all she'd done for 1000 years before I stole her, I mean, saved her. Damn demons!
"Yeah. All we need is Jenks." I poured over the book one more time, making sure I had the right words. There was an extra phrase this time. "I can't believe we're doing this." I said it softly more to myself than anyone. But Ceri answered me.
"Are you going to change your mind?" I looked over my shoulder at her. She smiled. "No. You need him as much as he needs you, I think."
She moved to the other side of the island as a sunburned Ivy entered followed by Jenks and a parade of suspiciously silent pixie children. Ivy took a seat at her usual chair and push her laptop shut. She only sat a little stiffer than usual. Jenks moved to the island and sat down facing me and the pot of liquid he'd have to drink for the spell. His kids spread out around him. He looked at me with a wistful smile and I thought of the last time we had done this. The last time I had made him big. He'd panicked and started to hyperventilate sitting naked on the counter. I'd panicked because I'd put so much black on my soul. Things were different then. Ivy was Piscary's scion. Matalina was Jenks lifeline. And Kisten... My eyes started to swim and I had a moment to realize that Jenks was crying too when I felt a hand touch my arm then pull on me. I looked up to see Ivy smiling at me. Her arms came around me in a sudden, impulsive hug. The same hug I'd given her that same day. I'd promised her I'd come back and I had. Not that she'd been patient enough to wait. I'd never regretted that day. I wouldn't regret this one either.
"Tinks panties, get a room you two! There are children present!" The laughter in his voice took the embarrassment out of the situation. Ivy pulled from me with a wince to send a black look to Jenks. She'd gotten over being left outside in the sun so long but I was sure I'd get repaid some time soon for the discomfort she was feeling. Especially since she refused to wear a pain amulet. Though she did take the aloe.
"Are you sure about this?" She was looking at Jenks but I knew the question was directed at both of us.
"I'm sure." I looked past her shoulder at Jenks. He was holding his little cup, looking at his kids. Silently asking them one last time for their approval.
"Yes." It was all he said and Jih's sigh could be heard throughout the kitchen.
Ivy moved back to her spot at the table and the three of us watched as Jenks kissed each of his kids in turn, laughing when the youngest ones asked if they'd get to ambush him when he came in the door now. That bought a snicker from Ceri and a smile from Ivy. I just shook my head, thankful he'd be the one getting the brunt of that attention now. I heard him mutter a few last instructions to the oldest boys then patted each on the back as they took the little ones in tow and headed for the door to the hall. They lined up over the top of the seal and settled.
"Are we ready?" I looked to Jenks, my skin tingling and muscles quivering.
He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes before nodding. "Yeah. Lets do it." He picked dipped his cup into the brew and started drinking it in large gulps. Apparently it started alright this time or maybe he was holding his nose. I couldn't tell. He was drinking it too fast. But a couple of minutes and a loud burp later he put his small cup down and jumped from the counter to land on the floor still inside the permanently set circle in the tiled floor.
"Okay. Count to ten backwards and..." He cut me off with a glare.
"Oh, hell no! You just do it. I'm not falling for that again." He turned back to look straight ahead. "And hurry up! Tinks titties, I have to pee!" I think we all might have laughed if we weren't so nervous.
"Okay. Here we go." I took a deep breath and reached for the line out back. The energy poured over and into me and I siphoned off just what I needed before standing squatting down in front of Jenks. His wings shifted for a moment before I put my hand over him. "Non sum qualis eram, nunc semper."
A burnished gold ball of everafter incased Jenks and I closed my eyes, waiting for the imbalance to hit. It didn't take long and though I was prepared for it, it still hit me hard enough to put my on my butt in the middle of the kitchen floor. I took deep breaths until my head stopped spinning then open my eyes. My vision cleared slowly but there was no yelling or scream like the last time.
"You okay, Rache?" The voice was young and male and so sweet to my ears that I nearly burst into tears all over again.
"I'm good, how about you?" I smiled into his grinning face and took in the golden curls and spring green eyes. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed him.
"I'm okay." He and Ivy helped me stand. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and I thanked Ivy's planning that had it here before we started. Jenks was enough distraction without being nude.
I gave the room a quick look. Ceri was smiling at us. A look of pleasure and pride in her eyes. I couldn't see Ivy but I felt the weight of her at my back as she held me steady. Jenks kids were moving into the room, laughing and touching their fathers hair. No fear in their tiny faces that I could see. Jenks wings were gone but the body was still that of a well, toned 19 year old. It should be a sin for a man to look so good. He smiled and the even white teeth gleamed where light red lips pulled back against them. Wow!
Jenks frowned and touched my chin. "Rache? You alright? You look a little dazed?" I must of been staring too hard.
"No, no. I'm fine. I just can't believe..." I shook my head as I boggled over what had just happened. At who was standing in front of me. I started to feel a familiar panic. "I need to sit." And so I did. Right back on the kitchen floor. With my head between my knees I waved Jenks away as Ceri came to stand a few paces back. "Didn't you say you needed to pee, Jenks?"
There was a sharp intake of breath then feet shuffling on the floor. "Sorry. Be right back." I heard a thump on the opposite side of the room and "Tinks a Disney whore," as Jenks hit some part of his body on the door frame in his mad dash to the bathroom.
"I really love that spell." Ceri's voice came from my left as I slowly raised my head.
"I think we all do." I smiled and relaxed a little as the unsettled, nervous feeling left me. "This wasn't as bad as last time."
"Last time you hadn't made peace with the fact you were working demon magic. You've learned a lot since then." Ceri offered me a hand and she and Ivy helped me stand up.
"Yeah, but paybacks going to be a bitch." I stretched my shoulders and rotated my neck to work out the kinks.
"But you will pay it back and long before you need worry about it." She smiled sadly as she sipped her tea and I thought of all the black Al had dumped on her soul. And how much I would love to make him pay for it. But the thought ended there as Ivy spun me around and looked at me. Her eyes brown and fierce.
"You're sure you're alright?" She looked me up and down. Cataloging over little movement and breath I took.
"I'm fine. I'll get my breath back in a moment. Just... don't say anything to Jenks about the imbalance. I don't want to upset him.
"Yeah, he's loud when he's upset," Ivy said, completely dead pan. Ceri gave a short bark of laughter and I had to smile. She was right after all.
Pixie's came broiling into the room ahead of Jenks and he frowned at them in his signature Peter Pan pose. He was wearing a pair of jeans we'd bought him last year and nothing else. "I told you, you can't come in the bathroom ever time I have to pee! It's not polite!"
Ivy choked, I gaped and Ceri made a hasty retreat, mumbling something about Keasley and watering cans. We heard the front door shut with a loud thud just as Jenks had finished admonishing his children. The lecture had consisted of points on privacy and manners along with some rather detailed explanations on human anatomy. I'm only thankful he decided not to give the sex talk in our company.
"Now, off with you! I'm sure the garden needs to be tended. I'll be out to help in an hour." He waved a hand toward the garden and a cloud of pixie dust rained over us as the kids moved their the door and outside.
Ivy reached to shut the door and we all turned to look at one another.
"So," she settled against the table and looked from me to Jenks. "What do we do now?"
I swallowed and looked from Ivy to Jenks. He was absolutely beautiful even if his eyes were a little red from crying. I raised both brows and gave a small smile. "I don't know about you, but I could sure use that hug right now."
"I thought you'd never ask." He moved on me so fast I didn't have time to do anything but stand there as he folded those long arms around me and settled his cheek against mine. "I missed this so much," he whispered against my hair and I felt new tears stinging my eyelids.
"Ouch! Jenks!" She pressed into my side and settled there, stifling more protests I was sure. She wouldn't stay. The mixing of scents would get to her but she needed the contact as much as Jenks and I did.
"So ladies," he said from between our heads. "Where am I sleeping?"
