Dreams and Nightmares Come True

Daybreak marked the one month anniversary of Vlad and Magdalene becoming husband and wife. Their one-of-kind two-week honeymoon had been a thrill.

Thanks in part to the enchanted map, they now had quite a bit of memory captured on videotape. However, per the regulations of the Ghost Zone, it was instantly turned over to the proper technicians the second their honeymoon was over.

These specialists had to work their magic to make sure their documented memories of their honeymoon, weren't a threat to the Ghost Zone or Earth. Once again, it was in everyone's best interests that humans continue to be oblivious of the Ghost Zone. Therefore they'd to guarantee zip would expose them or jeopardize the human world as well.

Magdalene prayed she wouldn't have to wait for very long. The female hybrid comprehended the requirement for precautions. Although she realized why the legislation existed that didn't change, her patience had already been worn thin.

The entire year so far had been exceedingly exhausting. Amidst being in a healthcare facility, applying for legal status, and organizing their wedding ceremony? It was more then sufficient to wear anyone's patience thin.

There was one location they'd gone on their honeymoon she was dying to see once they're allowed back their honeymoon photos and videos. It was the Crystal Sea. This captivating region had been more azure then what was in Bora Bora. The extraordinary flora and fauna were of living crystal. The best part of all? The mystical sea sang to them. This song of the sea was far more enthralling then even Ariel singing about how she wanted to be part of the human world. Truly unforgettable!

In truth, it had been her favorite part of their honeymoon. Vlad cherished it there as well. However, his favorite part of the vacation was feudal Japan plus witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall.

However, those enchanting moments were now over. It was time to move past the fantasy of the wedding and deal with the reality that is marriage. The first and foremost thing that they'd to deal with was getting some type of employment so that they could support themselves.

They still had their aspirations of starting their own business enterprise, which they'd intended to call Vladco. They both achieved masters in business while at university. Not to mention, both were exceedingly intelligent.

The Miser had been tutoring them for the past year in how to operate thriving corporations. Thus they'd no doubt they could start and have a prosperous business enterprise.

The primary obstacle they faced was they needed money to start. Without a start-up capital, they couldn't get their corporation started at all. It wasn't like they could use EVPs and K2s in the human world for start-up capital.

Though what they couldn't know at that moment that likes how the phoenix rises from the ashes, so would their lives and dreams. Except no rebirth happens without hardship and loss first.

The newlyweds were sitting at their kitchen table, appreciating a modest breakfast of biscuits and gravy when the telephone rang. Vlad went to answered it and was surprised it was his mother on the other end.

"Mom? Is something the matter? Are you okay? Is Nayda okay?" he questioned anxiously. He hadn't neglected to notice that his mother had been somewhat anxious for the last several months.

"What could be so troubling? What could be going on that she in this much anguish? I can't bear it if that monster got out and hurt her again! But isn't he suppose to be in the clink for forty years?" Vlad's mind raced as he thought about the possibilities of what was wrong.

"Vlad, sweetheart?" his mother's friendly voice removed the brain fog.

"Yes, Mom, sorry, but what is it?"

His mother seemed to be gathering all her strength on the other end of the line. Finally, in a soft voice tempered with sorrow, she confessed to him the truth.

"I've put this off for months now, and I can't make excuses anymore. I require you and your sister to come to my lawyer's agency next week. They're some pressing issues we need to address."

"Why would we have to go to Mrs. Davenport's office?" Vlad questioned his mother. He was puzzled why they'd to see their former next-door-neighbor.

He couldn't keep the dread out of his voice, "What sort of legal trouble are you in, Mom? Is it anything serious? Are you being sued? Or having financial difficulties? What's going on?!"

"Calm down. I'm not in any legal trouble, son," which her son did by taking a deep breath and counting to ten. Hearing him decompress, she familiarized him with the truth.

"I apologize for keeping this from you and your sister for so long. Six months ago I received a letter informing me of your grandparents' passing in Russia. Ironically that same day, I also received news that your father passed away in his correctional institution."

Vlad's eyes flashed blood-red at the mention of his father. It took a lot of self-control not to use his ghost powers. "That is unfortunate news, indeed. Which of my grandparents are gone? More to the point, Mom, why did you even need to know that scoundrel died in the slammer?"

"Vlad, please don't use that language with me," his mother chastised him. She didn't abide by a foul tongue. It's why her children form of cursing was to say things like "Oh, fudge buckets."

"I know your father was an atrocious husband. But all the same, I'm sorry he died. Please, my son, don't ever let yourself become consumed with rage and hatred. I don't want you ever to know such dark emotions or be dominated by them."

Was she directly indicating to his outrage concerning his father? Or did she also know he loathed Jack Fenton? In all likelihood, she knew about both. After all, she was his mother. Shaking his head to clear those thoughts, he returned to the phone call.

"Back to my original question, Mom. Which of my grandparents are gone?"

"Both of your grandparents died within three months of each other. It's long past the time we deal with everyone's last will."

"Dad had a will?" he asked, shocked, " How is that even possible? His business enterprise went belly-up, and he blew all his money on narcotics. How is that he even has a will?"

"Your father and I wrote our wills shortly after arriving in America," came the short answer, "What is more, although I divorced him, I'm still the beneficiary on his will as he never changed it in all the time he was in prison. Your grandparents disinherited your father from their will."

"Alright, what time do you need me to meet you both at Mrs. Davenport's office?"

"Next Saturday at 10:30 sharp. Hopefully, this won't take too long to go through, and you'll be right back home with Magdalene. By the way, how has your first month being married been?"

"Elysian Bliss."

His mother chuckled, "Yes, it does seem for most couples the first month of marriage seems to be like you're already in Heaven. Well, see you next week. I won't keep you from your angel. Love you, son."

"Love you too, Mom. See you next week," and he hung up and looked up at Magdalene. "That was my mother, " he answered her implied question. "I've to go see her next weekend. Both my grandparents in Russia have passed away, and so has my... I mean, Igor died in his cell."

Magdalene was silent for a few moments before she got up and strolled towards him. "Vlad, my love, I'm sorry for your loss. Is there anything I can do?" his wife asked in a compassionate voice.

He embraced her affectionately savoring the sweet scent of lilac coming off her two-toned hair. It soothed him, and he realized he wasn't feeling any feelings of heartbreak. At least not what he felt was anything close to heartache.

"No, there nothing you can do," he replied as he ran his fingers through her locks. He sighed as he thought about the information he just acquired.

"My grandparents only visited a handful of times, Mag, I scarcely knew them. Plus, you know what my father was like. Consequently, while I'm disheartened to hear my grandparents are gone? I'm not pitying the fact Igor bought the big one."

"Still, Vlad, I feel I should offer you some words of wisdom," his wife gazed longingly into his cerulean eyes. Caressing his handsome features, " My parents taught me this lesson when I was a child, and I feel I should impart it to you."

"What is that?" he gently purred back to her.

"My father once said, "Those who learn to forgive others and themselves are one step closer to understanding God. For only those willing to forgive earn the right to be forgiven in turn."

"My mother, on the other hand? She would always say its best in life to forgive those who wrong us and reconcile with those we've wronged," she paused for a moment to give time for the weight of her words to sink in.

Once she was sure they'd sunk in, she finished. "In other words, my beloved? It's easy to do nothing. Its easy to simply hold onto hate and anger, just as its easy to die. But its really hard to forgive, Vlad. It's hard to change and live."

"I'll have to remember that for the future," he whispered in her ear as he then kissed her. The kiss was long and sweet, which left Magdalene giggling after they let go so they could breathe.

"Yes, you will. Now if that all..." the phone rang anew, and Vlad picked it up and then frowned. "It's for you. It sounds like your "Aunt Zoe."

"Aunt Zoe? Why would she be calling me? And at this time of day?" Mag wondered as he handed her the receiver. "Hello? Aunt Zoe? Hello?"

Mag's Aunt Zoe couldn't stop crying. She sounded notably distraught about something. Like her heart was broken. It took a few moments before she calms down enough to speak.

"Magdalene, please sit down," was the first words out of her mouth. Therefore Magdalene immediately sat down. Her aunt took a deep breath before she said the words that would change Magdalene's life forever.

"Magdalene, I'm so sorry to tell you this, but it's better you hear it from me then someone else."

"What? What do I need to hear?" she asked as the tension was building inside her.

"Your parents passed away the other night. Your uncle and I found them. We had to beat it quickly. The fire department had to air out your house because they died due to a carbon monoxide leak. The brand-new furnace in the cellar was faulty, and the detectors didn't work either. I'm sorry, Magdalene," the woman she had called Aunt all her life said dejectedly.

Mag dropped the phone, and her tan skin became deathly white. She couldn't speak at all. Vlad was noticing this picked up the phone while attempting to calm his wife.

"Zoe? What did you just tell her? She looks like she's seen a ghost!" not that the expression was hilarious at the moment.

"Vlad, I'm sorry, but your in-laws passed away the other night. There was a gas leak. The silent killer. I'm sorry."

"Oh my god! Is there anything we can do?"

"Well, Magdalene has to return home to help with the funeral arrangements and their final affairs. Are you both able to make it out here?"

"I'm sorry, but before you called, my mother called me. She needs me to visit her and her lawyer next week. To settle some legal documents that also are a result of the death of loved ones. I won't be able to make it out."

"Well, can I talk to my niece again?"

"Yeah, here she is."

Mag listened and nodded and whispered. Finally, she hung up and buried her face in her husband's chest, crying her heart out. He did the best he could to reassure her.

"I promise that I'll do my best to make it out for the burial. Hopefully, I can get my mother to move up the appointment with her attorney so I can get out there with you quickly."

"I can't see the light, Vlad. My parents are gone. They won't even meet their grandchildren!" she wailed loudly at the thought of her parents never get the joy of being grandparents.

She and Vlad weren't expecting or anything. However, if there two things a daughter wants to share most with her mother? It would be her wedding and a pregnancy! Unbeknownst to the couple in anguish, they're being observed by the Ancients from their Nexus.

"I feel most regrettable about this. I wish we'd been able to change this in the timeline as well," Lilith gazed forlornly at her husband. Clockwork's typical stoic appearance was broken. What's more, his blood-red eyes were wet with tears.

"None of us like this, Lilith, but we could only change so much when we conceived this world. You know that," he replied joylessly to his beloved.

"My natural ability to create life only extends so far. I've limits what I can and cannot do. We sought to make Magdalene's life to be identical to her instilled recollections from the other timeline. We're fortunate we're capable of altering the day of their death, at least. Since in the former timeline, her memories showed they perished when she went to college.

Thanks to us they're able to see her wedding. I know it's not much comfort, but at least they witnessed her happy one last time," Vida offered to the rest of the council as her condolence. Although, she looked about sunny as a wilted flower at the moment.

"Yes, that does bring small comfort, Vida. I hope I also brought her some manner of comfort. I strive to ensure it was as painless as possible. There are a thousand horrifying ways to die. The least I could do was grant them an easy death," Cronos replied to his counterpart in melancholy. Understandably he didn't like what he was forced to do.

"None of us like this, my friends. No matter what, there will always be teardrops, rain, and pain in every life. When we fashioned this universe, we were well aware our abilities had their limitations," Dynama reminded them all dishearteningly.

All the Ancients were contemplating the same thoughts at Dynama's statement.

Despite popular belief, they did not have infinite power nor energy. All eleven of them had sacrificed more, then anyone could imagine. Everything was about balance, and everything had its price. For now, they'd to deal with the heightened amount of negative energy. Hopefully, it could turn into positive. Then they could continue to make strides forward. Nevertheless, always remember what their limits were.

"Yes, we were each pushed to our limits. At least we gave Magdalene a good life in this reality. Moreover, she's a living human or a hybrid, to be exact. But at least she's alive in this reality," pointed out Dimensie reasonably.

"We should inform the rest of the Ghost Zone of this. Not that we can tell everyone what we did to bring them into this world. However, Plasmius and Soulwings are going to need their friends more then ever," Cognite stated as they looked through the viewing window.

"If it pleases the rest of you, Discord and I will get right on balancing the peace and chaos from these events. That's all we can do," Harmony promised her friends as her counterpart nodded.

"I can at least guarantee that nothing wrecks the funeral. I can be at least sure the weather that day isn't more disheartening," Tempest added though he looked inconsolable.

"I'm not sure what I can do. Magic can't raise the dead, nor can it take away the pain. No one escapes some type of pain. We shouldn't ever divide that which is meant to be whole. Mind, body, heart, and soul. Though for us, we can't divide our cores, it means the same thing." Enchantra reminded them all of what their limits were.

"Well spoken, everyone. This meeting went better then expected. Now let's go forth and help them in their time of need." Clockwork asserted to which the whole council nodded.

The Ancients stayed in their Nexus a long time before each went a different way to find help for Magdalene and Vlad in their pain. Some of them were asking their families for support.

On a floating island known as The Graveyard waiting anxiously for her husband to get home was Dreama. She and her twin brother Nocturne were busy playing rummy, but Dreama was anxious. It was getting late, and he wasn't home yet.

"Dreama, are you sure your okay?" her brother asked her in concern. She smiled at her brother. They're incredibly close as most twins are. Though most wouldn't assume they're twins or related given how vastly different they looked and acted.

"Brother, can you not feel it?" she challenged him as she played with her gleaming chartreuse hair. "We're the Ghosts of the Night and Dreams. Though your power comes from the dreams of slumber, my powers derive from the dreams we seek to achieve," Dreama reminded her brother of the slight contrast of their capabilities.

"Yes, I know you, and I draw power from two different kinds of dreams. Still, how is that relevant right now?"

"Because we both know when a dreamer is no more. When all their dreams shattered and they cease to be." She fiddled restlessly with a shimmering crescent moon necklace. Her accessory was known as the Moon Key. It had various cryptic capabilities, but only the two of them knew all its abilities.

"What happened, last night, sister? Something unmistakably made you pretty unsettled," he asked his little sister. She'd been born a mere 20 seconds after him, but they didn't typically let that get in the way.

"Last night, as I roamed the dream corridors, I witnessed two portals vanished before me. Even my Moon Key couldn't reopen them. You know what that means when a person's dream room disappears."

"It means they are dead," he replied wearily. Sighing, " A dream room is where a true person self is located. Furthermore, it only vanishes when the person it belongs to no longer is among the living."

"Yes, I've got an awful feeling about this. Somehow I feel these dreamers were different. I've never felt this much sadness when someone has passed on before, its very concerning. What do you think it means, brother?"

The next person who spoke though wasn't her brother, but someone else just as significant. "You are right, my darling. This time it is very different. I'm sorry to say this does concern all of us." spoke a grave voice behind her.

"Cronos! Oh my love, what transpired?" his wife exclaimed as she embraced him tightly. Silver teardrops cascaded from her bright azure eyes. He stroked her lustrous hair before he kissed her forehead. Then looking even grimmer, then the grim reaper who he resembled, he answered."I'm afraid the parents of Magdalene Soulwings have moved on."

"Moved on? As they've ascended to the other side?" his wife was taken back that one of the two hybrids' parents were the ones who were gone. Magdalene had just gotten married! This would undoubtedly kill the poor girl!

"Yes, Dreama," her husband replied, gathering his courage. "Soulwings parents' spirits moved on to Heaven. They wouldn't be joining us here."

"You do know part of her not gonna accept you didn't do anything to save them," his brother-in-law said from his corner of the living room.

"I'm the Ancient Ghost of Death, Nocturne. I cannot alter the fate of all living things. All living things sooner or later die. Sometimes I can step in and make death easier to bear, but that's about all I can do.

No one can evade or conquer death, not even ghosts. Because you can't fight an enemy that cannot lose, Nocturne, you know that. I only can ensure that death isn't an unpleasant experience. That people remember its just the next great adventure."

"Is there something my brother and I can do, darling?" his stunning wife inquired as she wiped away the last of her tears.

"Soulwings is going to need some pleasant dreams for a while to help her through her sorrow. If you both could help her remember the more joyous times and keep dreaming peacefully, that be helpful."

"We will go do that right now. Ensure the dreams of their loved ones aren't tainted by bad dreams but only happy memories," as the twins vanished.

Elsewhere in the Ghost Zone in the realm of Pandora Discord and Harmony were also speaking with their spouses. The gods of chaos and the sun.

Discord's wife Eris possessed grayish skin, short jet-black hair in a pixie cut, blood-red eyes, and wore burgundy and black articles of clothing. Harmony's husband, on the other hand? Helios had longish golden curly hair. On top of his head, he wore a golden crown that looks the rising sun. It went well with his red and gold Grecian outfit, and his well-toned bronze body made him certainly look like a god.

Both of them saw their spouses weren't smiling and inquired what was amiss. They explained what had transpired, and it wasn't a joyful time for them either.

"There is no way to make light of the situation, Discord. I highly doubt they appreciate any of my absurd jokes right now. But all the same, I wish I could help make things better." Eris replied as she was one of the tricksters of the Ghost Zone.

"Eris, no one could find any humor in death. Even so, we must help to ensure there is hope for them. That there are reasons to be optimistic and have hope once more," spoke the sun god to the goddess of chaos.

"Either way, Helios, all of us are going to have to help. There will be much turmoil in both realms. We must all do our part to ensure that the balance between chaos and order remains unimpaired. So let's get to it," his brilliant wife commanded as she metamorphosed into a turtledove to carry out her responsibilities.

It not been easy for either Vlad or Magdalene back in the human world. They couldn't even go ghosts while they're devastated by grief. Consequently, they couldn't travel to the Ghost Zone in the state they were in.

Still, Mag had booked a flight back home to Idaho while Vlad arranged to get his mother to move up the meeting with the lawyer so he could deal with that and meet up with his wife sooner.

For Magdalene going back home, a place she hadn't seen in five years was a surreal experience. Meridian seemed as alien as the Ghost Zone had been the first time she had visited it. Before she traveled to the funeral home to see her parents, she casually strolled throughout the city—reminiscence about her whole life here and all the joyful experiences she had.

Still, she couldn't avoid it forever. She eventually came to the funeral home, where her parents were awaiting her. Her grief was overpowering as she ultimately went to the chamber where they were.

"Hello, Mrs. Masters, I'm sorry to see you today," the funeral director said to her as she gave a small shriek of surprise. Taking a few deep breaths and steadying her voice, the recently orphaned woman replied. "Thank you, Mr. Graves. I understand why you're not happy."

The sixty-year-old man gave a massive sigh. He fiddled a few moments with the rose pinned to his black ensemble. "Magdalene, I wish we could've spared you this pain. But even I don't have the power to stop death," he murmured to the distraught young woman.

"Huh? Mr. Graves, are you okay?" She then noticed Emmett Graves, a man she'd know all her life normal dark blue eyes were unexpected blood-red.

"Soulwings, I felt I had to come to see you in person," came a voice that didn't belong to a long time member of her house of prayer and community. It only took a moment before Magdalene recognized who she indeed was alone with.

"Cronos?! You are...you are overshadowing Emmett Graves?! How and why?!" the half-ghost was startled by the Ancient Ghost of Death shown up at her hometown.

"I wouldn't ordinarily come, Magdalene. However seeing how you and your husband are part of our community, I figured it the least I could do."

"Cronos, while I appreciate the gesture, you know I hold no ill will against you, correct? Vlad and I do believe or not understand you, and all the Ancients have limits on what you can and cannot do in your domain of powers."

The possessed male looked down, still in slight disgrace. "That doesn't mean all living things don't take their wrath and sorrow out on others. Or blame others for their demises.

I've lived since before the dawn of time, young one. I've witnessed over a thousand people I cared about die, both human and ghost alike. I have to remind people about the teachings of death each time."

"Teachings?" the grieving woman asked perplexed. Cronos made the human body nodded and seemed to be grappling what to say next. Finally, he repeated what he had told over a thousand people a thousand times before.

"That death is the ultimate fairness, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman, and child are all equal in death. That what is dead and gone cannot be restored. That death wins, in the end, every time. And that even I cannot play favorites."

"I understand, Cronos, I do," Mag said her voice choked with emotion. Still, she looked him squarely in the eye before saying, " I understand why the Council of Ancients has to take into consideration numerous factors before offering to transform someone into a ghost. Though I know one thing, others don't know when it comes to that decision."

"What do you mean, Soulwings?" he was trembling in human skin.

She looked at him with those beautiful blue-violet eyes and said, "I may not know all your rational motives when it comes to those who become ghosts. But I do know we all have free will to choose our own fate for good and ill.

I doubt when you die, that free will is taken away from you. You can choose to ascend to meet the Almighty Father. Or choose to be made into one of you. Am I mistaken?"

"No, you are quite clever and wise," smiled Cronos. " Despite the many factors as you point out, we must consider when we offer to transform someone into one of us, it still ultimately their choice in the end.

They must decide willingly that they want to accept the transformation, that they wish to remain in the Ghost Zone. Of course, your parents chose not to be part of the selection of those who wanted to stay behind."

"I know that. My parents didn't fear or run from death. They lived good lives and left a legacy of love behind after living their whole lives in love. Therefore why would they choose to remain behind? They would want to go to Heaven."

"Again, for one so young, you are quite enlightened, Magdalene. I'm willing to assist you to handle the funeral arrangements and the service if you wish it."

"That's really sweet of you, Cronos. I do appreciate it, but I know in my heart my parents would want my Uncle Quinn to be the one to conduct their service. However, if I do need something from the Ghost Zone, I'll ask. Though I do have a question."

"What that?"

"Well, I know none of you are physicians. I mean, I know Spectra's hubby Bertrand works at the Ghost Zone medical institution, but so do much more distinguished people."

"Yes, we've Florence Nightingale, aka Lady of the Lamp, Hua Tuo aka Dr. Tuo, Heo Jun aka Dr. Jun, Hippocrates aka Father of Medicine, Andreas Vesalius aka Professor Vesalius and Alexander Fleming aka The Pharmacists.

They are the chief staff at the hospital, which still a mix of natural-born ghosts and those who became ghosts. But why do you need a reminder of those in the medical field?"

"Well, I'm not sure if I should be speaking to The Therapist or a physician right now. It would appear that both my husband and me, since getting the news of our loved one's death, cannot transform. And I'm seeking to figure out why."

"It's not a medical condition, and I'm assuming you don't have broken heart syndrome. What you both are going through is grief. Human emotions are a lot more potent then Ghost ones. Ghost has a harder time dealing with things that don't seem as relevant."

"Meaning?"

"As you know, there are some ways a ghost can die lastingly. None of the ways a ghost disappears forever is pleasant. But you also have to remember most spirits are used to short-lived death.

Final death is not something most of our kind takes time to contemplate. So it's not that particularly when a ghost does reach an eventual end, they are just as dismayed and aggrieve.

Furthermore, my precious one, grief, will prevent anyone human or ghost from being able to do things. So its not surprising right now your pain is making you unable to transform."

"I see," she hung her head for a moment then looked back at him, "So I need to talk to a grief counselor?"

"How about you take the time to grieve first. Then worry about the rest of the process?" spoke a being whose whole reason for existence was to help others to their deaths and understand it.

"You're right. I should. If you could at least stay till I finish making the arrangements, I would appreciate that."

"As you command."

Vlad himself was dealing with an Ancient overshadowing someone he knew. Cognite to help speed things along so Vlad could be where he needed to be had overshadowed Eileen Davenport, Vlad's mother's lawyer.

The gender-fluid ghost known for their wisdom felt if anyone could speed the process up, it was them. So with Cognite's controlling Ms. Davenport's body, he was at least able to get things moving along quicker.

Vlad's grandparents had prearranged their funeral arrangements. Consequently, they'd been cremated. Their ashes were to be divided in Russia while the other half sent to their relatives in the USA.

Next, the family did inherit all their material possessions and estates. They could decide for themselves what to do with them. Plus, all their wealth was to be sent to the US and converted into America equivalent. Then divided equally between the three of them.

Of course, Russian currency wasn't nearly as valued in the USA. Given in comparison, the US currency was worth more. And the cost of living in Russia was quite different as well.

Still, it is something, and it was noted that even if the money might not add up to much, their father's life insurance for 85000 dollars might be easier to help the family out.

So in all fairness, the family's finical situation would improve in some ways. And there was also the money they could get if they choose to sell some of the property and possessions.

Magdalene was currently learning how much life insurance and other assets her parents had. Their whole life insurance was half-million. There was substantial money from her father's real estate business.

Magdalene had requested Desiree, Spectra, Lilith, and Dora's help going through her parents' possessions. To figure out what to keep, what to give to charity, and what to sell.

Despite Walker's law that no objects from the Human World were to come to the Ghost Zone that didn't stop collectors desiring to buy and collect Human Objects. They would pay a handsome sum for a variety of human objects. It should also be noted that while Walker desired this unlawful, they other legislators in the Ghost Zone were attempting to at least work out a compromise for people.

Magdalene felt a bit better with her female ghost friends helping her with this matter though it was tough for Spectra to have the self-control needed not to use everyone's grief and misery to her advantage.

It turned out Spectra's last disciplinary hearing left her no choice. Either she learned to reign in her powers or she be fired and then in prison for misconduct. No one wants to go to the penitentiary, so she'd been doing her best to clean up her act.

Dora tactfully asked Magdalene if she minded if she took all the porcelain in the china cabinet to use at her charm school. Magdalene was hesitant at first, given the ceramics had belonged to her grandmother. But she agreed in the end as at least it is put to good use.

Desiree's only request was if she could have a few articles of furniture. She was attempting to make her residence homier. She felt some of the furniture would do precisely that.

Mag agreed that Desiree could have the love-seat, a futon, and a coffee table. She refused to part with her mother's jewelry. Though pretty much all her family's clothing was going to welfare.

Finally, by the end of the week, both Vlad and Magdalene had gotten through their own dilemmas, and Vlad made it in time for the beautiful funeral that Magdalene had for her parents.

Though in the end, this solved their money problems to start their company, it wouldn't heal their grief as quickly. Only time, love, and tenderness would do that.