Author's notes: Well, I don't own LJ Smith, and thanks for the reviews. Keep them coming and I'll keep the story going. Enjoy!
Chapter 5: Dahlia and Rose
"Hey Mom, I'm heading over to Iliana's! I'll be back later." Phil waited at the door for his mom to answer. "Alright, don't be out too late!" With that, Phil headed out the door.
*
Iliana's place was always filled. Phil had been going there for the past two weeks. Winnie was instructing both him and Iliana in how to use their powers. Poppy and James were working on further developing hi telepathy. Phil was a quick study. He could already produce the ball of electricity. His was even stronger than Winnie's and glowed green, the same color as his eyes. He could also pick up thoughts from anyone broadcasting them openly. Phil was becoming one strong witch boy, but he was still plagued by the realistic dream. He was beginning to worry that one night he would not wake up from it, that he would forever be in the life of Phlip and not Phillip North. He still hadn't told the others of the dreams. He also hadn't let them know that the dreams were how he learned so fast. Phil had somehow been given all of Phlip's memories and among them were spells and knowledge of powers. Some of what Phil now knew was probably not known by anyone else alive. And that scared him to death.
*
James knew he needed to just go ask Poppy and give her the ring. It should be a really simple thing to do, but he was scared to death. 'Okay, at least go talk to Phil.' So James walked up to Phil, who seemed lost in his own thoughts, and said, "Hey! Ummm, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something that's, ummm, been on my mind lately." James looked at Phil, they had never been on the best of terms, but James hoped they could get over it. Phil replied, "Uh, sure James, what's up? You aren't planning on dumping Poppy or anything. I am her overprotective brother with witch powers now." Phil saw James was so nervous, he knew something big was up. "Hey, James what is wrong? You look as if somebody just told you that Dracula was alive and was your father. What's wrong?" James gave Phil a small smile. He was never good with words, so he decided on an alternative. ((Well, see, I have this ring and I want to ask Poppy and I'm scared to and I also wanted to make sure it was okay with you and, oh, what should I do?)) Phil gave a little laugh, then gave his future brother-in-law a slap on the back. ((Poppy loves you. Just get down on one knee, ask her, and be prepared for Poppy to either cry or squeeze you to death or both. She's been waiting for this since the day she met you.)) James looked at Phil with a new confidence and a smile spreading across his face, ((Okay, wish me luck!)) James took off to find his soulmate.
*
Poppy was sitting outside on the porch when James walked up. She walked over to her soulmate and gave him a kiss. ((Jamey, you've seemed a little out of it lately. Is there something going on that I need to know or you need to talk about? I'm here for you whatever it is.)) Poppy watched as James nervously looked at her. 'It's now or never,' James thought. "Poppy, it's hard for me to say things out loud, but some things just need to be said. I want you to know that you are the love of my life. There will never be another for me. You are the other half of my soul and I want to keep you with me forever." James got down on one knee and pulled a small black case out of his pocket. "Poppy North, will you marry me?" For a moment James panicked and Poppy almost fainted, but they recovered as Poppy barely said, "Yes," before collapsing into James' arms while crying. James looked at his wife to be and then continued to hug her. After a while of just holding each other, Poppy stepped back and let James place the ring on her hand. It was exquisite. There was a green emerald in the center, the color of her eyes, with two flowers circling it. One flower was a rose and the other was a dahlia. The rose representing made vampires and the dahlia representing witches. ((Jamey, I love it and I love you. Don't ever leave me.)) The two shared another few moments alone before going to let the others in on their excitement.
*
There was a celebration taking place at the Dominick house that night. All the girls were looking at Poppy's ring, planning a wedding, and listening for the fifth time exactly how James had proposed. Galen, Phil and James were in another room discussing plans for a bachelor's party. The excitement kept them from noticing how Iliana's baby brother couldn't sleep and kept crying. Something had him genuinely scared and that something was lurking just outside. 'It feels so good to be awake. Now that I've found the kids who killed my brother, I feel even better.' The dragon listened to the joyous sounds coming from the house mixed with one crying baby. 'They will never know what hit them.'