Chapter 4: Cobh and Colm

Okay, sorry for the long wait. This chapter is going to be VERY descriptive. It's about Hunter and Morgan going home to Cobh. So I'm going to describe the flat Morgan lives in. Hopefully you'll get a mental image of it. All right, this chapter will begin with the train ride home from Wales to Ireland. Now, I don't live in that region, so I don't know if Wales and Ireland are connected by train lines. So if they aren't, sorry for the mistake. Be sure to review!

                                                                                                                           JadeMoon**

~Morgan's POV~

            I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and gazed out the train window. I would be back in Cobh in about twenty minutes. I was very anxious to get home and escape the horrible event in Wales. I turned back to my herb book but realized that I couldn't. I looked over at Hunter, who was sitting in the aisle seat. His eyes were closed, but I could tell he wasn't sleeping. Hunter opened his eyes and looked at me. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

            I shook my head. "No. Not really. I'm just nervous, because you'll be seeing my flat for the first time."

            Hunter smiled and reached for my hand. "I can't wait to see it. How's Dagda?"

            "He's great," I replied. "He's staying with one of my coven members, Colm Byrne."

            "You'll have to introduce me to him," Hunter said, unaware of the huge crush that Colm had on me.

            "Right. About that…" Sensing my hesitation, Hunter turned to look at me again.

            "What? What are you not telling me?" he asked, slight alarm in his voice.

            "Well, Colm might not like you."

            "Why not?" Hunter asked.

            "You see, Colm really likes me." Hunter raised his eyebrows. "In fact, he's in love with me." I expected Hunter to be angry, but instead he laughed. "What?" I asked.

            "I can see why he loves you," Hunter replied, getting control of his laughter. "Should I be worried that you will leave me for him?"

            "Of course not!"

            "Well then, as long as you love me and want to be with me, I'm not worried about Colm. I've had lots of people hate me before. One thing, though. If he really loves you, maybe he'll see how important I am to you, and he'll accept me. Because it sounds like he'll do anything for you. Thanks for the warning, though."

            I unlocked the door to the flat and stepped in nervously. Hunter followed and looked around. "It looks very nice," Hunter said, and I could tell he was being honest. "The place screams you, Morgan. Plus it's the perfect size." I had always thought it was a little small, but at the time, it was all I could afford. Mon and Dad had given me the money to buy the flat. I promised to pay them back over time, but they refused to let me. I opened the closet to the left of the door and put my coat away.

            I smiled and took Hunter's hand. "Let me give you the grand tour." I led him to the right, where there was my medium sized kitchen. Across from the doorway was a mat with Dagda's food and water bowl. I needed to go get him in about an hour. At the far end of the kitchen was a small table with three chairs.

I led Hunter out of the kitchen and into the large living room. A green and red rug covered the center of the room. From my post in front of the kitchen doorway, ahead of me was a dark blue leather couch that my entire family bought for me. I was glad for some American furniture. Whenever I sat on the couch, I couldn't help but think of the U.S. I missed my home country with a passion. The quilt Hunter had bought me on our first date (which was what I saw that day as), at the antiques fair, was draped over the back. To the right of the couch was one of the old armchairs from Hunter's living room in Widow's Vale. It still had his scent on it. A coffee table sat in the middle of the rug. It was piled with magazines, books, and Dagda's toys. On either side of the couch was an end table. Both held lamps and pictures. On one table was a picture of myself with Mom, Dad, and Mary K. The other table had a picture of Kithic, all thirteen of us gathered in Hunter's living room. His father had taken that picture. Paintings and posters hung on the walls. My entertainment system was against the wall that divided the kitchen from the living room. I had my TV, VCR, DVD, and stereo system. On the farthest living room wall, I had a bookcase filled with non-Wicca books.

To the left of the living room was the bathroom, which was very simple with its light gray tiles. I exited from the bathroom and made a left to go into my room. The far right of the room was occupied by a walk-in closet, which was practically identical to the one from back home. My queen-sized bed was in the center of the room, and I went to sit on it. The bed was a gift to me from Kithic. Bree had given me a wink when I found out about the gift. She whispered to me, "Have fun with Hunter." I was blushing the rest of the night. That memory made me smile, and I had to stifle a giggle. On one side of my bed was, you probably guessed it, an end table. This one also had a lamp and a picture of me with Hunter from before I left to study in Scotland. Next to the end table was my surprisingly neat dresser. On top, I had a bowl that was filled with gemstones. I thought they looked pretty in the blue tinted bowl. A few small bookcases filled with Wicca books were standing against the far left wall. On the wall to the left of the doorway, I had my altar and a cabinet that was filled with Wicca supplies. A computer station with a small desk was to the right of the doorway. Once again, I had some paintings and posters on the walls.

"I love this place," Hunter whispered. I couldn't help but grin. Yes! He really liked it! I myself was in love with the place. Especially because the doctor's office that I worked in was right across the street.

"So, you think it's not too small?" I asked.

"It's the perfect size," Hunter said. He joined me on the bed and leaned back against the pillows. "I really like the bed, too."

I saw the glimmer in his eyes and laughed. "You know, I don't have to pick up Dagda for another hour," I said suggestively. "You want to?" Hunter also laughed and edged closer to me. In a few minutes, I was lost in pleasure and passion.

I hurried out of the building with Hunter running after me. "Morgan, wait!" he called. "Please stop!"

"I'm late to get Dagda!" I called back. We were about ten minutes late, and I was still flushed and breathing hard from what we were doing.

Hunter caught up with me. "So you're a little late. What's the big deal?"

"Colm had plans. I don't want him to be late for them." We were at Colm's place in about three minutes. We were running. I stopped abruptly in front of the walkway. Hunter stopped short as well and walked back to me.

"Is this it?" he asked.

"Yes. Now prepare yourself. I don't know how Colm will react to you, so expect anything." I fixed Hunter's collar and straightened out my own clothes. I took a deep breath and said, "Let's go."

I rang the doorbell and waited a few seconds. Colm came to the door and said, "Hello, Mor-." He stopped talking and stared at Hunter. "Who are you?" he asked.

I was about to respond when Hunter stuck out his hand. "Hello, Colm. I'm Hunter Niall. Morgan's fiancée. She's told me a lot about you. I'm very glad to meet you."

Colm stared at Hunter's hand for a moment. Please take it, I thought silently. Colm took Hunter's hand and shook it firmly. "Hello, Hunter. You two are engaged, huh?" Hunter smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "Oh. Well, please come in. Morgan, can I speak to you for a minute? Hunter, Dagda's on my couch if you two want to get reacquainted." Hunter headed to the couch and cast a confused look at me. I shrugged and followed Colm into the kitchen. "So, Morgan, I finally meet this guy you've been talking so much about. He seems nice."

"Colm," I said. "You know you can't lie to a witch. I know that you're upset over our engagement. But you have to understand that I'm with Hunter. I always will be. We're soul mates. I'm sorry."

Colm nodded and gave a strained smile. "Yes, of course, I understand. I just hope he treats you well."

"He treats me better than anyone ever could." Colm gave one last strained smile and went out to the living room. I followed him and saw Hunter sitting on the couch, with Dagda jumping excitedly in his lap.

"He must have really missed me," Hunter said, laughing. "Well, Colm, Morgan tells me you have plans, so we'll get out of your way. You know, I'd like us to be friends."

"I'd like that, too," Colm said. "Goodbye."

"Bye," Hunter and I said. We put Dagda in his carrier and went out of the house.

"That went a little awkwardly," Hunter replied. "I don't think he likes me."

"He likes you fine. It's just that he hopes you'll treat me well."

"He's hurt, Morgan. Anyone can see that. We hurt his feelings."

"I know, Hunter, and I plan on having a long talk with him later." Hunter and I walked down the street in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts.