Disclaimer: Thank you so much to all of you that have contributed your
feedback into making this story a reality [wipes away tears] I'm okay.
[wink] Thank you so much to everyone who read and reviewed Back to the
Beginning, and as a reward for your loyalty, we have decided that the
story will indeed continue past England. However, there may not be any
updates for a few weeks because one of the two of us writers has to
move to Texas (P.S. Sweep fans in Houston, prepare a welcoming party!)
and might not have access to her computer for a while. Here's the last
installment of this story for a while, so enjoy and, once again,
review. Thanx! And the song is Hoobastank's "The Reason."
Summary: The gang leaves England.
Part IX: What's To Come
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
MORGAN'S P.O.V
Hunter looks depressed. He's been staring out that window for almost an hour, hardly even blinking. Just staring.
"You're going to miss it here, aren't you?" I ask him softly.
He doesn't look at me. "I suppose. Being back here was ... intense and frightening at the same time. I don't know if I can bear to walk away again." He finally looks at me, and I'm struck by the smile on his face that was not there six seconds ago. "But then ... I expect this is what is called 'closure'."
"Yes," I say, nodding enthusiastically. "I mean, think about all the good that this trip did. We stopped a magick abuser and rapist, you and Sky made your peace with Aunt Shelagh, and Uncle Beck made really good bouillabaisse."
Hunter smiles slightly and pulls me into a tight hug. I sigh sadly, knowing that he needs this support.
"Thank you, love. I never could have done this without you here."
"Well, you know," I say, trying to sound modest while grinning. "That's what girlfriends are for."
Hunter's voice sounds more serious. "Hey, speaking of girlfriends ..."
"I talked to Sky," I say, knowing where he is going with that. "She says that she and Raven are okay."
Hunter sighs with relief. "Oh, good." His voice softens. "It takes a lot to drive Sky to near suicide. But ... I think she's going to be okay."
"Yeah ..." I pull back from the hug and look into Hunter's vivid green eyes for a moment before speaking softly. "I think we all are."
"Me, too."
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
As Hunter and I trudge down the stairs, both of us lugging our suitcases and backpacks whilst trying not to be crushed by them, Bree and Robbie appear out of the lobby.
"Hey, guys," Bree says, sounding very much unlike her normal, perky self.
I frown at her. "What's wrong?"
"I just don't want to leave here," she moans. "This place is so cool, and that store that Shelagh was talking about really does have the greatest clothes. Bloomingdale's, be damned."
I just grin at her and set my suitcase down near the door. For Bree to be condemning Bloomie's, her beloved friend since she was two, something must be seriously wrong with her.
Raven and Sky are outside with Uncle Beck and Shelagh, as I could see through the open inn door. Sky is laughing at something that Beck said and looks happier than I have seen her in days.
"I think this trip was good for her," Raven says as she reluctantly comes into the lobby a few seconds later and shuts the door behind her. "Self- abuse aside."
Hunter smiles, and I know he is thinking the same thing.
"Yes, but who's to say that Ireland won't be fun?" Robbie asks cheerfully. "I, for one, am ready and willing to partake in the joys of four-leaf clovers, leprechaun-like mischief, potato feasts, and bagpipe concerts!"
"Bagpipes are Scottish."
"Close enough."
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with every day
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
HUNTER'S P.O.V
"Hey, Giomanach."
I smile at Uncle Beck as I step outside. Sky grins at me.
"Hunter, please tell me that you're not going out in public dressed like that."
I look down self-consciously at my outfit, comprised of a pair of khaki pants and a polo shirt. Sky laughs.
"You're too easy."
I just look at her and choose to ignore that last comment. "Are you ready to go?"
She exchanges a quick glance with Aunt Shelagh. "Um, yes, I think so. Just let me grab my suitcase."
As she goes inside the inn, leaving me alone with Aunt Shelagh and Uncle Beck, I sigh and look around the country that I had spent many years in, taking in everything.
"I'm really going to miss it here," I say, my voice sounding detached even to myself.
"Well ... what are you going to do about it?" Uncle Beck says with a small smile. "Move on. Live. That's all we've ever wanted for you ... Hunter."
I smile at him, feeling tears threatening my eyes. Idiot, I scold myself. Don't cry in front of them. Better yet, don't cry at all.
Aunt Shelagh, however, isn't having as much luck containing her emotions. She looks about ready to start crying at any moment. "I'm ... I'm glad that you came back, Giomanach." She adds a sardonic twist, as per her style. "Besides, chances are no other council members would have even thought of Maggie as the guilty party."
I'm pretty sure that my amazement shows in my eyes. After a moment, Uncle Beck steps forward and gives me a hug, which I gladly return.
"Come back and visit again, you hear?" he asks, sounding choked up himself. "I'll give you all a ring when I get to Oxford."
"You'd better," I say firmly as we separate. "Otherwise, we just may have to pay you a visit to ensure that you're still alive."
"Yes, that would be terrible, wouldn't it?" Aunt Shelagh says as I hug her, too. She pauses for a moment before speaking again. "Call when you get to Ireland, all right? Let us know that you're fine?"
"We will," I promise. "Don't worry."
As we separate, I see the fear in her eyes. Fear for us.
"I mean it, Aunt Shelagh," I say, more forcefully this time. "Don't worry about us. We can take care of ourselves now." I smile. "We learned from the best."
She grins again as Sky pushes the door open, startling us, and lifts her suitcase down with a fatigued sigh.
"One would think that there would be a spell or something to make this thing lighter," she says to herself.
"Oh, there is," I say. "It's called only packing what you need."
"Funny. You're funny."
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
Five of us are sitting in the rental car, with Raven, Robbie, Bree, and Morgan once again squished into the back with all of the luggage. I'm sitting in the driver's seat, waiting for Sky to finish saying goodbye to her parents.
She wipes a tear away as she gets into the passenger seat next to me and shuts the door.
"Are you okay?" I ask her quietly.
"... Yeah," she says after a long moment. "... I think I'm ready to go to Ireland."
"Well ..." I turn the keys in the ignition. "Then, let's go."
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
MORGAN'S P.O.V
We left the inn about two hours ago. For a little bit, conversation was kept up, but then it dwindled as everyone retreated into their own heads. Now it's quiet, with no sounds except the occasional whiz of a motorcycle outside or the mooing of some farmer's cow.
We're going to Ireland. That decision was made by Hunter and Sky last night. Of course, they wanted to get my opinion considering that we would be going to the town nearest the ruins of Ballynigel, but did they honestly think that I would disagree?
I'm really proud of both of them. They faced their fears and went back to their beginnings.
Now it's my turn.
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
THE END ... FOR NOW