Chapter Nineteen: Not a Goodbye, Only a See You Later

Allie's POV

The next morning when I woke up, nothing felt all that different. From what I could see in the mirror, I didn't look different. I guess whatever potion did, it didn't have a physical effect or at least not an immediate one. Perplexed, I thought aloud, "What did you guys give me?" Shaking the thought off, I got ready and headed down to the kitchens. Scott, Sasha, and Bernard were already down there eating breakfast. The menu I had planned for Christmas morning included cinnamon rolls, French toast, chocolate chip pancakes, and an array of pastries. There were also savory options such as hash browns, omelets, and an array of different breakfast meats for those who didn't want something sweet.

"Morning sleepyhead." Scott greeted cheerfully, "You excited to go back home?"

"What?" I asked confused, "I can't go back, I'm not human."

"You drink the potion in the bottle?" Sasha asked, I nodded. "Then you are, you'll age just like a human and keep whatever magic you have left. You can go back to Illinois whenever you're ready."

"Where will I-" I started to ask, but Scott answered before I could finish.

"With Laura and Neil, I spoke with them when I dropped off Charlie this morning."

"I have your bags packed with new clothes as well as the ones you already have, they're sitting in the sleigh." Sasha added.

"Your music box is with your luggage as well." Bernard commented, "If you need me or Sasha, all you have to do is play it and one of us will be there as soon as possible."

"So, what can we get you to eat before we head out?" Scott asked, "Or do you want something to go?"

I beamed with excitement, "I could get a couple of pastries and some hot chocolate to go."

"Go get it." Scott nodded, "I just finished with my plate. Once you get what you want for the trip, we'll head out."

As I went to go get the pastries I wanted, Scott continued talking to Sasha and Bernard. If they had opened their gifts yet, which they hadn't. If they had gotten anything for each other, which not exactly. Their gift to each other was in fact each other, Sasha had agreed to move in with Bernard. They were finally going to be together like they had always wanted. There was nothing more that they needed from each other outside of their love for one another. Scott then asked if they had any plans for the day, which outside of a quiet day at home, they didn't. It was nice seeing them both get to relax together after how busy they've been. Maybe now that they have each other, they'll be able to do it more.

"You ready to go?" Scott asked me.

"Ready." I nodded, before looking to Sasha and Bernard.

"I'll see you soon." Sasha told me, standing up, "You won't even notice I'm gone."

"You promise?" I asked in a bittersweet tone, starting to feel a pang in my chest. It had always been me and Sasha, she had raised me more than our parents had. We had raised each other. With this move, everything will never be the same again.

"I'm not going to leave you, we're just going to be in different places for a while." She hugged me, "We're family, no one gets left behind or forgotten."

"I love you."

"I love you too." She responded, "I'll be there whenever you need me. Just turn on that music box and I'll be there."

"You're going to get sick of me playing it."

"Doubt it." She replied before smiling softly, "You know I've always loved Moon River."

"I'll miss you." I told her, not wanting to let go.

"I'll miss you too, but we'll see each other soon enough. You're going to spend every holiday up here, Bernard'll come and get you. In the summers, we'll come to you and we'll go wherever you want, even if it's just to Chicago."

I let her go, my eyes slightly watery, "I'll see you."

"See you." She responded before I headed out of the kitchen with Scott.

"You okay?" He asked as we made our way to the sleigh.

I nodded, "I will be."

Sasha's POV

"You alright?" Bernard asked after Allie left, standing from the table.

Nodding, I answered, "Yeah, I just hope I did the right thing."

"You gave her what she wanted." He responded as he walked over to me, "What more could you have done?"

"Go with her."

"Would you have wanted that?"

After a few moments, I answered, "No, but am I being selfish for not doing that?"

"You've spent every century since your parents passed and your sister disappeared looking after Allie, I don't think anyone is going to accuse you of being selfish. She's almost 900 years old, she knows how to look after herself. You taught her that. If she wanted you to come with her, she would have asked you. She knows you would have only been going for her if you went."

"That's true." I agreed, "It definitely wouldn't have been what I would have preferred if I had went. I wouldn't have what I want."

"What do you want?"

I turned to face him, slipping my hand in his, "You."

He intertwined his fingers with mine, "You have me. Always have."