Hello All!!!

Sorry that it has been a while since my last update it has been rather hectic in my head for a while and I only just got this finished. But for your patience this one-shot (marshmallow lambuda?) is a little longer than normal.

LizzySwan1022 here is your request for Morgan's first meeting with Alisa's family, thank you for requesting it. Also marmite is a disgusting brown gooey substance that some people think tastes good with sandwiches, I fail to see the appeal of (hence it's ingenious slogan of "You either love it or hate it"). It has also perverted Paddington Bears tradtional marmalade sandwiches with Marmite. It's just not right.

Hales, I cannot remember that request you gave me last week, tell me again and I promise to get it written A.S.A.P.

I would also like to thank those that have added me to their Favourite Stories/Author lists over the last we while, it is very much appreciated.

As always Reviews + Requests = Written Requests and no horrible events befalling the couple we all love.

So enough with my rambleing, I shall let you read the tale and I shall go and eat pancakes!!

KeroaucinaHackney

I was nervous, bubbling with nervous energy. I was glad Hunter was driving and had the meticulous need to memories the route before we had even left thus negating the need for a navigator. So all I had to do was sit in the back and look at the scenery. Listening to Morgan and Hunter bicker like an old married couple was also vastly entertaining. We were heading up to Gloucester; Uncle Sam had been pestering me for months to bring them both up for a visit. The whole coven was apparently dying to meet Morgan: the most powerful witch of the century and Hunter: The boy who had changed the entire Wiccan world by creating the New Charter. They were also completely in love with each other. I'm surprised when they actually notice there is a world outside of each other.

I was really hoping that my family hadn't made a big deal out of it though my hopes where slim as I knew Hunter and Morgan where staying at my formidable grandmother's, an honour of the highest level. I knew that they were going to be treated like the dolphins in the mammal show at sea world. It worried me; they weren't exactly an outlandish couple, both of them quiet and private. I hoped this weekend wouldn't be too uncomfortable for them. My phone buzzed in my pocket, I pulled it out as Morgan began to try and coerce Hunter into stopping at one of the many drive INS for lunch.

Hey Alisa,

See you soon, I can't wait.

Love,

Charlie, xx

I smiled; I couldn't wait to see him either. It had been far too long since I had seen him. I was glad that he had made it home from college for this weekend. He had already met Morgan and Hunter when he came down for a visit and he liked them. I hoped that having one friend there already wouldn't make it too awkward for Hunter and Morgan. Only three more hours of extreme nervousness and then let the torture begin. Why did I agree to this!

********

Gloucester had become like a home to me, the small seaside and old weather beaten houses the smell of the salt, it was just so different from the sandblasted plains of Texas, fresher and airier. Hunter was navigating Morgan's boat of a car round the old streets; "This looks so much like home, all that's missing is a Tesco and rain." He looked rather dazed. "Well now you know that there is a place in America that looks like England." Morgan looked quite triumphant. "I don't know if that is a good thing." He replied rather darkly. Morgan was just about to retort when we drew up to the house. It hadn't changed much, maybe a few more paint peels and a little more creak in the stairs. The tree was still in the walk way, I couldn't help but stare up at the pale stump of branch. That was one of the only reminders of my first visit here; I couldn't help but shiver as I past it. Gran opened the door and bounded down the stairs of the porch and enveloped me into a hug. She smelled of sea salt and thyme as usual; "Hey Lita." I was slowly loosing oxygen, but she hadn't loosened her hold on me yet. "Alisa! Darling you're here finally. How was you drive? Are you hungry? We have lots of food inside," finally she looked past me to the two rather hesitant witches behind me, "And you are you special guests! Welcome! Welcome! We are so glad you could come!" she enveloped them both into one of her death grip hugs as they thanked her for inviting them.

I headed inside to greet however many of the coven was in the house, I had a feeling it may be all of them. I headed down to the kitchen where they all tended to congregate. I was hardly through the door when I was swept up into a hug by a body wearing a very bright cotton shirt. "Hello Uncle Sam! Can you put me down before I throw up please!" he released me smiling widely, "So how are you?" he finally let me past the door of the kitchen and I saw the rest of the coven dotted around the sunny room. I waved a greeting to them all; "I'm good, how about you all?" I spent the next ten minutes hearing all of their updates and gripes. But I couldn't help but notice the absence of a certain tall person. Where was he? I tried not to read into it as I was talking to Brigid about school and her new romantic interest. I was happy that she was finally moving on from Charlie, it made my guilt a lot less severe. "So are they here?" she was practically bouncing with excitement "Yeah, I think Gran still has them in a strangle hold out front." Brigid laughed, "Maybe we should go and save them before their oxygen gets cut off." She grabbed my hand and towed me towards the sound of Gran's voice. We found them in the back yard getting the grand tour. Morgan looked genuinely interested; Hunter looked as if he was desperately trying not to yawn. They were still down at the other end of the garden; Brigid and I practically ran to save them from Gran's incessant rambling on the plus points of having sandy soil when growing lavender.

We went into sit in the dining room where Ruth and Sam where setting out the lunch that had been meticulously made, "Whoa! This all looks amazing!" Morgan's eyes had glazed over with hunger, "You really didn't have to go to all this trouble."

"It was no trouble at all." Gran admonished while she sat everyone down, I noticed with her usual calculations that she had sat Hunter next to her to talk politics and Morgan Next to Ruth and Brigid for the healing talk and Sam and I were left to ourselves, which was nice, conversation with Sam was always so relaxed compared to the rest, he never pushed me about my studies, but let me relax and talk about silliness liked our obsession with Charmed re-runs.

Nobody seemed too keyed up over lunch, over the initial star power of Morgan and Hunter everyone relaxed and let them act like normal people and not performing seals, for which I was immensely relived. I didn't want them to throw me out of the coven for my heinously embarrassing family. I was still worried about Charlie though and I was beginning to obsessively check my phone but I still hadn't heard another thing from him. I was beginning to worry, why would he say he was dying to see me and then avoid me when I got here? Oh god! What if he doesn't want to see me! Or what if he only wants to see me to break up with me because I'm not good enough for him! I think I'm having a panic attack! Not even Ruth's fantastic Strawberry cheesecake could unknot my stomach. I hoped that nobody noticed my anxiety but in a room full of full blood witches my hope was slim. I noticed Morgan's frequent and several glances in my direction. "I'm Okay" I sent her, she nodded but I felt her continued concern all throughout the meal, even though we kept the conversation light and breezy.

Once lunch was over, Sam and I were going to head to his house. Ruth was taking Morgan and Hunter on a tour of town, while Gran and Brigid set the house up for the special circle and party tonight. Morgan cornered me on the way out; "Are you okay? You tensed up in there." Her brown eyes were filled with concern, I felt a little silly at my slight freak out. "Yeah I was just worried about Charlie; he hasn't talked to me since I got here." I was both ashamed and relieved to spout my boy drama to someone else. Morgan's face set into a look of understanding, "I wouldn't worry about it too much, and he is probably studying or has lost his phone or has broken it. Call him when you get to Sam's. I'm sure everything will be okay" she pulled me into a big-sisterly hug which I was extremely grateful for. After the rather rocky start to our relationship I had come to view her as my surrogate big sister and I was extremely happy for that extra line of support.

It was a quick drive to Sam's house from the big house. I felt a strange sense of coming home when I arrived at his little cottage. As much as I loved the big house, it was beautiful and filled with history. Sam's house was more comfy, like that warm worn blanket you wrap around yourself when the first snow falls. I was greeted by Mandu and Astrophe who though a little fatter were extremely happy to see me. The couch was made up for me but I headed straight into the kitchen to ask Sam if I could use the phone. I started dialling Charlie's house number when I felt two hands cover my eyes and a warm body behind me. "Guess who?" a low voice said in my ear. I squealed and jumped around and wrapped my arms around the hiding boy; "hey! Where were you?" I whispered as I buried my face in his chest filling my senses up with his charliesque smell. "I was here" he replied pulling my chin up with his hand so I could the adorably silly smile and twinkly eyes. "I didn't want the first time I see you in months to be around your family and two very scary witches, so I could do this without fear of being castrated." His lips found mine and I was flying and falling and completely ecstatic. I was trying not jump up and down and giggle like a little girl. I now felt ridiculously sorry for my over blown neurosis, but in my defence it was a lot easier to be secure when he was here in my arms, kissing me.

We broke apart a little breathless, "I have a surprise, come on." He locked his hand and mine and gently tugged me towards the door. His car was still the beetle and still a wreck but completely Charlie. We got all caught up as he drove me towards my surprise, which much to my disappointment he wouldn't even hint upon. Eventually we arrived at a tiny little harbour, with a few small yachts and fishing boats moored. I looked at him a little confused but he just smiled and pulled me down next to the boats.

He came to a halt next to one of the smaller little sailboats and stepped down onto it. My eyes lit up in shock. His hand reached out to help me onto the small deck of the boat, "it was mom's" he explained, "she loved to go out into the sea when it was calm, said it allowed her to think and rejuvenate. She taught me to sail when I was young. After she died dad and I couldn't bear to sell it so we kept it here." I reached out to pull him into a hug. I knew how hard it was to share the things loved ones had left behind with other people. "Would you like to learn how to sail?" he looked down at me with the goofy little Charlie smile. I was apprehensive though, I was from Texas, I didn't even like the beach that much and I certainly wasn't famed for my water baby qualities. But I couldn't resist the smile, I nodded slowly.

First of all he strapped me into one of the life jackets and started pointing out and naming all the important and rather large parts of the boat. He slowly manoeuvred out of the harbour and out to the wide open ocean. Eek! Charlie started showing me how to steer, while he sorted out the sails and rigging. It was strange my clumsy nervous Charlie had become graceful and confidant out on the water, I guess he felt at home here the work involved also explained the arms. It was really quite nice watching him work though wreaked havoc with my hormones. He cut the engine then started to guide me around the yacht helping me pull the ropes, showing me the correct knots and generally laughing at my general lack of nautical ability. After a while he took over control and I sat and watched at a safe and unharmable distance. It was so quiet out at sea, only the waves and wind. It was nice. Out here there was no magic, no school, no family, and no step parents. It could just be me. With Charlie. It was perfect.

After a while we dropped anchor and Charlie came to join me. "So how do you like the water?" he asked as he wrapped a long arm around my shoulder. "It's quiet." I shifted my body round so I could see his face, "and it fresh. Not stuffy and strangling." He nodded. We spent forever out there. I was revelling in the new composed Charlie and I didn't particularly want to go back to town but we had to. I wouldn't dare skip out on Gran's party, I'm not suicidal and I didn't want to leave Hunter and Morgan without a life raft.

Charlie dropped me off at Sam's house and kissed me goodbye. We would see each other at the party in less than half an hour but I really didn't want him to leave. I was amazing how much I miss him. I quickly got changed and wolfed down some of the dinner that Sam had made me. A mere twenty minutes later I was walking into the living room of the big house hunting for him. He wasn't here yet, I could sense that much. Morgan and Hunter, however, were sitting on the couch talking to Brigid. I walked over to join them, feeling a little guilty for ditching them. Morgan looked at me as I sat down on the floor at their feet, "Good day?" she inquired. I couldn't help but smile, "Very." I replied. We relaxed into easy chit chat, them telling me about their big adventure in Gloucester. Charlie came and joined us when he arrived, kissing my cheek in greeting, I couldn't help but notice Brigid leave to join her mother who was talking to Sam in the kitchen. I felt incredibly guilty again; I hoped someday she would be okay with the sight of Charlie and me together.

A while later Gran called us all to order and led us out to the back garden for the circle. The place had been transformed from normal to magical. Candles burned in glass vases hung from the trees. Vases of roses lay doted about the patio and it all felt very clean and relaxed. We formed a circle and Ruth surrounded us in a white chalk circle quickly and neatly. Gran welcomed us all to the circle and began by chanting a low steady power chant. I closed my eyes and felt my body begin to tingle with the build up of magic. I had come to love this feeling, it used to scare me, but now it just made me feel relaxed and at peace. I felt the familiar tightening of my stomach as we reached the crescendo of energy, my eyes fluttered open and I revelled in the sight of them all. All these people I cared about and that cared about me, where free and light and happy. In this moment none of has problems and worries, but where allowed to just be us. It was fabulous. Gran brought us down and allowed us to gather ourselves before breaking the circle.

Then the party started and I spent the night dancing and laughing and I have never felt more at peace. My usual shyness left me for a night giving me a nice reprieve to just be silly. Even Morgan got up to dance a few times though I'm sure that Hunter's coercion methods had a lot to do with that decision. Sam entertained us all by dancing to Thriller perfectly; Ruth's food went down a storm with nothing left over for us to take home unfortunately. Charlie's dad lectured everyone on string theory thoroughly confusing everyone. By the time we were all heading home the sky was lighting up with the sunrise. Morgan was dozing on Hunter's shoulder as everyone said goodnight, well good morning really. By the time Charlie dropped me off at Sam's and we spent twenty minutes kissing each other goodnight the sun was well and truly up and I was shattered, the couch beckoned, worn and comfy. I fell quickly into a deep sleep filled with dreams of a curly haired boy.

********

The next evening we were heading back to Widows Vale; "Your family are nice. It's good to know that there is actually a sane Wiccan coven. I was beginning to doubt one actually existed." Morgan commented shooting a sly look at Hunter when she had gotten back from Britain, she had told us all the crazy tales of his family coven. "Yeah, they are lovely and not likely to be candidates for mental instability." I giggled; Hunter was looking straight ahead trying to ignore us as we teased him. He bore up well under our comments and only spoke to ask us if we wanted to stop for food two hours into the journey. I had a feeling we would both pay for it later.

The weekend had been great; all my worrying was for nothing. Gran hadn't done anything hideously embarrassing and had kept the interrogations to a minimum, and I had three full days of Charlie. I suppose I should take a moral epiphany from it and just let things be but I knew it would do no good. I would worry again.