Chapter 13- Exotic Birds:

Fia:
Pyro squawked and I was sure that she felt right at home in Hawaii. Honestly, out of all the places I expected for Agatha to send us, Hawaii wasn't one of the places that crossed my mind. Even though we've been in Hawaii for a few weeks now (it was yet safe to go back).

Castiel and I made a bet on which place we would end up and in the end Agatha won since neither of us got it. I bet on Japan, Ireland or Siberia. Castiel bet on China, Africa, or even Paris. Though Agatha admitted that she almost sent us to Japan.

Castiel had told his parents that he was taking a vacation to Hawaii and since he was eighteen, they couldn't do anything about it. Castiel did say that it was only a matter of time before they would show up demanding answers. Besides Castiel's parents, few people knew where we were. Lysander knew we went somewhere tropical and so did Rosayla. Though Rosayla was convinced that we left to Porte Rico to get eloped.

I still kept in touch with Rosayla and Castiel still kept in touch with Lysander. We couldn't talk often because Agatha didn't want the signal traced. As a result, she gave us new phones. We were still a bit weary so we didn't use them too often.

Either way, I officially decided that I liked Hawaii. I spread out my wings. I knew no one would see except for Castiel. We were on a private beach and it was almost dark out (and I was amazed at the sunset in Amoris because gosh- it was awesome in Hawaii).

I faced the ocean and spread my wings out behind me. I stood only in a bikini but again- it didn't bother me. I felt someone run their fingers through my wings and I shivered,

"I told you…that's intimate."

"I know," Castiel whispered in my ear and I blushed.

After two minutes, he finally stopped feeling my wings and I was as red as a tomato.

"You're wings feel so soft," he murmured.

"Castiel," I protested and he raised his hands in defense,
"Okay, okay…I'll stop teasing you," he winked.

I nodded,
"Thanks…"
I noticed he was holding something in one of his hands.

"What's that?"
"Merry Christmas," he said as he held the box out to me, "I remembered that since you were in that place since you were four and you didn't understand my reference before…I figured this was your first real Christmas in a long time."
"It is," I whispered and I opened the box.

Inside the box was a beautiful necklace. On the end of it was a silver bird.

"It's beautiful," I whispered and Castiel helped me put it on,

"Just like you."
"….But I didn't get you anything," I whispered a bit ashamed.

I had forgot that it was Christmas.
"I can think of something you can give me," he whispered huskily and I shivered.

000

I looked to Castiel curiously. He had taken off the necklace that had my feather on it when we first got to Hawaii. I was a bit proud since he said that he didn't want to offend 'race', my traditions, or me. I bit my lip nervously.

Sneaking up behind Castiel, I put a necklace around his neck. He looked confused as he put the feather on his hand,
"Fia? I thought you said you only gave your feathers to the love of your life or something."

"It's not just for that," I corrected, "it's also for people I trust…but in your case, it's because…you are the love of my life," I whispered. Castiel looked at me shocked but then he looked so happy that I thought he was going to burst.

"I love you," I finally said, "Damnit Red, I do love you."

He hugged me tightly and kissed me,

"I love you too…and I promise, I won't make you regret giving me your feather."

000

Castiel scowled and wouldn't talk to me. I huffed, not my fault we got lost. I looked at our rental car, and it's not my fault that the idiot didn't get a car with a GPS.

"And here I thought birds had a good sense of direction," Castiel mumbled.
"Well, I didn't get the memo," I snapped.

000

When I got out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around me loosely. I was eighteen and was able to retract my wings in a bit early- thankfully. Agatha had told me that it was taking longer than expected to take Cor Mali down but she said that it should be done by next month. Finally, it's been a few months…at least long enough that I had my first Christmas since captivity and a birthday…and don't get me started on News Years…I walked into the living room and found Castiel looked scared.

"Castiel," someone called- it sounded like a woman, "Castiel! You better get back out here and explain yourself!"

I cursed, his parents…I didn't even have a chance to run into the bathroom or bedroom or any room. I looked horrified as the door opened and his parents stepped through. His mother had dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. Her thin lips were parted in a gasp. His father was a bit sterner looking with black hair. He narrowed his dark gray eyes.

"Castiel," he growled, "explain."

I realized how it must look- finding your son in Hawaii with a strange woman in a bath towel. It sounded like something from a stupid soap opera (I tried to watch them but I decided that they were just terrible). At least my hair had gotten a bit longer and went to my shoulders.

I gulped.

"Mom, Dad," Castiel growled as he got up from the couch and stood protectively. I wasn't sure if that helped his case because I was just in a bath towel and he put his hand on my waist. I blushed as he continued, "This is Fia…My girlfriend."

"Castiel, don't you think it's a bit brash to move here in with her," his mother tried to reason.
"Not when I love her."

"You can't love her," his father scoffed.
"Well he does," I defended him and I clenched my fists, "and I love him too."
"You're both too young to know what love it," his mother said a bit gently. I think he told me before that his mother's name was Jane and his father was Grey.

"There's love at first sight," I argued, "So after months of dating, why can't we love each other?"
"I don't care what you guys think," Castiel growled, "Though I would like you guys to like her…I do love her though and nothing you say can make me change my mind or heart."

That has to be the sweetest thing he's said.

"And what do your parents think," Jane asked softly.
"My parents are dead," I gritted out of my teeth.

Castiel's grip tightened on me.

"Very well," his dad finally said, "Don't do anything you'll regret and we'll be at home if you ever change your mind. Until I see a wedding ring, I better not be a grandfather."

Then they left without so much as an 'I love you' or 'goodbye.' I let out a sigh in anger and relaxed. I realized that Castiel was still holding onto me. He pulled me closer.
"Castiel," I questioned.
"Your just in a towel."
"I've noticed."

He looked at me and finally, he laughed,
"You're really clueless aren't you, Birdie?"

000

The phone started to ring. I slowly opened my eyes and reached over Castiel to get to the phone.

"Hello," I yawned.

"Dearie! So glad you're still alive and flying! I wanted to let you know that the coast is clear."

I sat up, wide awake,

"You mean…?"
"Yes! Cor Mali is no more!"
I cheered and that woke up Castiel. I apologized to Agatha, gave my thanks, and then hung up. I tackled Castiel in a large hug and a smile,
"I'm free! Castiel, I'm finally free! The Cor Mali is no more!"

Castiel shared my excitement and then he calmed down,
"Does this mean…that you want to go back to Amoris?"
"I don't know," I answered softly, "I kind of like living here with you…it's paid for by Project Phoenix…"

"I'm okay with staying in Hawaii," Castiel finally said, "Honestly."
"You sure?"
"As long as I'm with you," he said nuzzling his face into the crape of my neck. I blushed,
"Then…Hawaii it is…"

I was sure that Project Phoenix would continue to pay for the beach house- until we could buy it ourselves. And of course we would have to contact Lysander and Rosayla and make sure everything was okay...I looked to Castiel. As long as we were together, I felt that I didn't need wings to make my heart soar.

And who knows? Maybe we'll get married here someday and have kids…