So, here is Chapter 29...I know that a few of you are upset that Holly got taller, but I couldn't really see another way, so, sorry.
Artemis broke away from Holly and walked over to No. 1.
"Where do you need me?" he asked.
Holly was surprised. She thought he'd at least want to know the safety precautions first.
No. 1's eyes were still glowing as he pointed to the spot where Holly had stood before. Artemis went.
"This is a slightly more specialized procedure," Qwan began.
"What do I have to do?" Artemis asked, sounding slightly exasperated. He'd had more than enough magical experience to know that when a fairy said that, he would have to do something ridiculous.
"Well, we need you to take your clothes off…again."
Artemis sighed. "Very well." He pulled off his shirt and pants quickly, handing them to Holly. She bundled them up and held them.
"There," Artemis said, glad that Foaly wasn't watching this time.
"I suppose you're keeping those regardless," Qwan said, motioning to Artemis's boxers. Artemis nodded.
"Alright No. 1," Qwan said, ready to instruct the young warlock through the process.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Qwan and No. 1 were already into the spell and couldn't break it. This left Holly to get the door. She sighed and opened the door slightly, slipping out so that whoever was outside wouldn't see what was going on in the study.
Angeline blinked when she saw Holly emerge, holding Artemis's clothes.
"Um, hello. Have we met before?" Angeline asked, trying to ignore her son's clothes in the arms of a girl she didn't know.
Holly shook her head, glancing down at the clothes before a blush formed on her cheeks and she threw them to the side.
"Uh, no. Holly Short," Holly said, thrusting out her hand and tucking her now long hair behind one pointed ear. "That," she said, pointing to the clothes, "is not what you think it is."
Angeline ignored the last comment. "Holly Short? As in the elf Holly Short who is my grandson's mother who hasn't been here for the last five years?"
Holly placed her outstretched hand behind her back. "Yes, and look, I'm sorry about that, but I had a job and-"
Angeline cut her off. "Don't worry about that dear. I'm just glad that I finally get to meet you. Glad to see you're finally here, although, I was so sure that Arty said that you were only three feet tall…"
"I was, until about five minutes ago. I hope you don't mind, but there are two warlocks in there increasing Artemis's lifespan because we're going to get married," she said hurriedly, holding up her left hand so Angeline could see the ring. She figured the sooner she got it out, the better it was going to be later.
Angeline blinked. "Oh. Is that why…" she motioned at the clothes.
"Yeah," Holly muttered. "But don't worry about him, they're totally trust-worthy. They probably won't kill him…I'll kill them if they do," Holly said, mumbling the last part under her breath.
Angeline nodded, looking a bit spooked. "Alright. Well, I guess I'll leave you to it," she muttered, not really knowing what else to say.
Holly shrugged and gathered up Artemis's clothes as Angeline walked back down the hall, looking very confused. Her hair fell over her face when she bent down. She frowned, thinking that she was going to have to cut it again.
She entered the study again to find that the spell was already over. Artemis stood in the same spot, looking the same but with a slightly annoyed expression on his face. He turned to Holly when she opened the door.
"Can I have my clothes please?"
She nodded. "Uh, yeah." She hurried over, handing Artemis his clothes. As he put them back on, she looked at Qwan and No. 1 who were packing up their bags.
"So, did it work?"
"Of course!" Qwan exclaimed. "Can't you tell?"
Holly shook her head. "Not really."
"Oh, right, you aren't a warlock. No. 1 and I can feel that his lifespan has more than tripled." No. 1 nodded as if for emphasis.
Holly studied Artemis as he replaced his beige jacket. "He does look slightly younger," Holly observed, noticing that some of the creases on his forehead had disappeared.
Artemis frowned. "I would appreciate it if you all stopped talking about me like I'm not here. And, in answer to your question Holly, I can feel inside of me that something's different. I feel like I did when I was nineteen or twenty. Incredible." He turned to Qwan and No. 1. "Thank you. I appreciate this more that you know." He looked at Holly briefly, a smile flickering across his face.
Qwan dipped his head. "Anytime. Now we have to get going before we get stuck on the surface overnight."
Artemis nodded. Holly gave No. 1 a hug.
"We'll be sending out wedding invitations in no time," Holly told them as they gathered their bags.
"Butler," Artemis spoke into a cell phone, having called Butler. "Could you please escort No. 1 and Qwan to their transportation?"
"Right away Artemis," replied Butler's faint voice.
Artemis shut his phone and looked at the two demons. "Thank you again. Butler will be up shortly to escort you out. Have a safe trip."
Qwan nodded his thanks before Butler came out and led them from the room with a knowing wink at Artemis.
Once the door was closed, Artemis turned to Holly. "I believe that we had some unfinished business," he said quietly, smiling.
Holly grinned as she stretched up – the distance significantly less than before – to kiss Artemis and wrap her arms around his neck.
Definitely worth it…