Chapter 12
Sunday October 15th, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Timber Rose Drive
O'Brian and Phillips Residence
11:57 p.m.
With the help of the local High Priestess, whom she had met while out riding earlier in the day, Elizabeth now found herself standing on the doorstep of her best friend and now lifeline. If Sara wasn't home, Elizabeth didn't know what she would do. She needed Sara to help her stop what she so desperately wanted to do.
"Lady help me, I might murder the person on the other side of that door," Sara muttered as she made her way downstairs. Thankfully Elaine hadn't woken, or either of the girls who were down with croup. "Hello?" she asked as she opened the door a moment later. "Betsy?" she continued surprised. "Good Gods Bets, are you okay?"
"Cass..." Elizabeth trailed off as her tears finally started to overwhelm her. "Cass I'm in trouble..."
"By the Goddess," Sara whispered as she reached out and pulled Elizabeth into the house. "Come on, let's get you something hot to drink, okay? And you can tell me everything...is everything all right? Are you okay? Is Nick?" she asked as she led Elizabeth into the kitchen, flipping the light on before Elizabeth found herself in a chair.
"I need your help Cass," Elizabeth wept. "I'm back in that place I was after the Fires. Oh Cass, I so desperately want it to end. To just put an end to everything," she cried as she put her head down on the table on top of her crossed arms.
"Shh, it's okay," whispered Sara as she knelt next to Elizabeth. "Bets...listen to me...you're going to be okay. I'm here, and Elaine is here and you know Dierdra and Cat need their Aunt Betsy..." something kept her from mentioning Amanda, Juli and Jasmine... "We're not going to let you fall okay? Lean on us..."
"How could he do it Cass?" Elizabeth asked, her voice small and her eyes full of tears and pleading. "How could he sleep with her?"
"Who did he sleep with?" Sara asked softly, knowing it must have been Nick, but lost just the same. "Juli," Elizabeth sniffled.
"Jules?" Sara repeated shocked. "Bloody hell..."
"While I was unconscious in the hospital."
"How do you know?"
"Apparently he told his brother shortly after it happened. I overhead his brother asking him today why he couldn't be with the nice Texas redhead Nick had told him about," explained Elizabeth.
"By Her name..." Sara whispered. "Oh Bets...I'm sure it was an accident..."
"An accident Cass?" demanded Elizabeth jumping to her feet, hurt. "How is his sleeping with Juli an accident?"
"Okay, let me try that again," sighed Sara as she rose. "I'm not defending what was done, but they both thought you were dying...found comfort in another human being, but this is Jules, she would never do anything to hurt you. That's not to say Nick would do something to hurt you but I can see him possibly sleeping with someone in the family before I could ever see Jules knowingly sleeping with the man one of us loves...or woman in Jazzy's case."
"And what, he can tell his holier than thou brother that he slept with my best friend but he can't tell me?" demanded Elizabeth angrily. "This was a mistake, I shouldn't have come here. I was stupid enough to think that you cared about me. I should have had Addison send me where my head was telling me to go in the first place. At least then I could have put an end to this quietly and my shame would have died with me. If you'll excuse me, I'll be out of your hair in merely a moment," she said as she started for the door leading out of the kitchen.
"Gods damn it Elizabeth Rose Luciano!" Sara yelled after her. "Get your ass back into this room and sit down! You cannot sit and drop this on me and then just up and run when I'm trying to sit and play peacemaker between two of my sisters. I am not choosing one of you over the other, Goddess help me but so help me I might use some of that knowledge Jules has given me and hog tie you so you stay put while I get a chance to talk!"
"Don't you dare try to treat me like a child," snarled Elizabeth as she spun around. "I have had the week from hell, been forced out of Nick's life and found out he SLEPT WITH MY BEST FRIEND!"
"Na ta interrupt this lovely conversation," Elaine spoke from the hallway. "But ya do realize yer gonna wake up the ta girls we finally got ta sleep just a wee few hours ago...na ta mention...when the bloody hell did ya sleep with Nicholas?" she demanded looking over at Sara.
"I didn't," Sara defended herself. "Jules did, at least that's what Nick said...we haven't even heard her side of it yet. And why in God's name are we sitting here arguing about this at midnight?" she asked shaking her head.
"Beats me, I just know I was sound asleep and quite happily enjoying dreams of a nice strong Scotsman named Sean Connery when I got pulled out if it ta hear ya coming close ta blows down here..."
"I came here because I thought I could rely on my sisterto help me, but apparently she has other ideas than that. I guess I lost more than my heart tonight. I lost my family too, so if you'll excuse me, I have a letter to write," Elizabeth said turning around once more to walk past Elaine.
"Bloody hell Elizabeth, will ya stop and take a deep breath?" Elaine sighed as she moved to stand in front of her. "It's the middle o' the night, Sara and I have been up fer three days straight with the girls with croup, we're both exhausted and truth be told she hasn't been up ta her normal mental capacities for the last day and a half...we're na trying ta make ya think we're picking sides or something, just a bit ta tired to think straight let alone respond reasonably ta anything."
"What she said," Sara agreed with a sigh. "Bets...girl...why don't we put this off until morning. You look at tired as I feel and I know Elaine feels, why don't you take the spare room, we all get a good night's sleep, Goddess willing and the girls don't wake up, and we'll figure everything out in the morning okay? I'm not taking Jules' side honest...I'm just lost and confused like you gotta be feeling..."
"Fine," Elizabeth said, her voice flat and emotionless, not once looking at either Sara or Elaine.
"Goodnight Elizabeth, Sara," Elaine nodded before turning and trudging back upstairs.
"Want something before we crash?" Sara asked softly.
"I would rather just go to bed," Elizabeth said quietly, still not looking at Sara.
"Okay, there are fresh sheets on the bed and some clothes in the dresser. Goodnight Bets...I love you, you know," she added with a smile before turning and making her way up towards her bedroom, leaving Elizabeth to make her way to the spare room when she was ready.
"Elphaba slow down!"
"You can run faster!" Elphaba yelled back at her older sister.
"Elphaba!"
Stumbling to a halt Elphaba barely managed to keep from falling over the edge of the cliff. "What..." she trailed off as her sister skidded to a halt beside her, their simple dresses blowing in the wind. "Where did this come from?" she whispered.
"Elphaba, look..."
"Chrysanthe and Elphaba," the woman before them spoke with a smile, an earthly glow around her as she hovered above the empty space, before stepping onto the cliff and walking towards them.
"Mother Goddess," Chrysanthe and Elphaba sunk to the ground before her. "You have been chosen for a great purpose daughters of Áedán."
"Do with us as you wish," Chrysanthe spoke for herself and Elphaba.
"Loyalty without knowing what it will lead to, faith without doubt...you two shall be my most faithful and greatest, a great destiny awaits you both," she nodded before holding out her hands and each took one, as she helped them to their feet. Stepping back she pulled them with her out into the air before the cliffs that had appeared amongst the familiar fields of their childhood drifted away, the familiar lands fading as well.
"Elphaba, hurry we have to go," Chrysanthe spoke quickly as she glanced back, blonde hair long since cut short to barely brush her chin, her small four-six frame wrapped up in a midnight cloak that would disguise them during their escape.
Looking up at her sister she nodded before turning back to her lover, "I'll always love you, Nicolás," she whispered before standing up on her toes to place a gentle kiss upon his lips. Stepping away she looked once more at his familiar brown eyes before turning and following after her sister.
"I'm sorry," Chrysanthe whispered as they made their way across the waters a few minutes later, dolphins Elphaba had asked for help, pulling the small raft that held the two women. Elphaba's greatest gift was the ability to communicate with animals, and she had a strong connection with nature. Chrysanthe meanwhile had the gifts of a healer, and had a strong affinity with fire, air, water and earth. It had often been said by the other Ladies and Merlins that the two sisters were the most gifted, the first chosen by the Goddess for their work. It was fitting somehow that they were the two left at the end of the Ancients' time.
"It's the way our lives were written," Elphaba answered softly, glancing down nearly the foot of height that separated the two sisters, through a curtain of black hair.
"That doesn't mean I wouldn't take this pain away from you if I could dear one," Chrysanthe countered as they neared the shore. Sneaking ashore they silently made their way from the beach, asking the very aspects of nature to help them hide as Elphaba asked the animals for help in their battle.
By the time they approached the camp of the men who sought to destroy the followers of the Goddess, and had managed to destroy all their companions once chosen by the Goddess herself to watch over the world, the sun was just beginning to rise. Glancing at each other they joined hands for a moment before Chrysanthe stepped aside and raised her hands towards the heavens, asking the blessing of the Mother before calling upon the wind to pick up as rain began to fall, lightning streaking through the sky suddenly. As the men came rushing towards them, she called upon the ground to voice her displeasure as Elphaba sent the animals on their way. Chrysanthe glanced over at her sister and smiled softly, nodding before Elphaba nodded back and raising her sword followed after her companions. A few moments later she followed, her own sword raised.
She was fighting off to the side when she heard the cry, spinning around on her heels she thrust her sword behind her into the stomach of the man that had been attacking her, her focus though on the body she saw falling across the field. "NO!" she yelled as she raced across the field, falling to her sister's side. "Goddess no, hold on Elphaba," she whispered as she tried to focus her abilities and heal the wound.
"No," Elphaba whispered as she reached up to grasp Chrysanthe's hand. "My heart...it's too late," she continued before coughing on the blood rising in her throat.
"Don't do this, Dear One...don't leave me here," Chrysanthe whispered, as she looked down at the blue eyes so familiar as her own.
"I'll never leave," she answered, "Go, save Atlantis."
Bending over Chrysanthe kissed her sister's forehead before rising and making her way back into the fray, men flying away as if thrown by an invisible force around her, necks breaking as they landed. She knew when Elphaba breathed her last, sensing the loss of her sister's presence in her mind, and the animals started drifting away without the woman there to call upon them. There was only one left, the one that took her sister's life. When she felt the metal enter her own chest, felt the injury to her heart; she managed to raise her blade to take his life, before falling back to the ground.
Atlantis was safe...the followers of the Goddess were safe...but at a cost so great. "Please," she whispered looking up at the sky. "Please Mother...let us find each other again. Let me see my sister again in the life to come," she begged before turning her head to where Elphaba lay, her own eyes open and staring back.
Monday October 16th, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Timber Rose Drive
O'Brian and Phillips Residence
10:28 a.m.
Sara was sitting at her desk, journal open before her as she thought about the vision she had been granted the night before, and the information it gave her. Glancing down at the page she had filled with the information gained during the night, the history of two of the Ancients that were revered in their world...the last two who gave their lives to save Atlantis, she drew a few more intricate circles before sighing.
She recognized both of the others she had seen in her vision... blue eyes she knew as well as her own. And the brown ones of Elphaba's lover... she knew those eyes as well. The question now was did she tell them...well Elizabeth...she doubted Nick would take the news all that well. Sighing once more she closed her journal and stood up before making her way downstairs after checking in to find the girls still sleeping. Entering the kitchen she found one of the people in her thoughts sitting at the table writing.
"Morning," Sara greeted as she crossed over to the coffee pot. "Whatcha writing?"
"A letter," replied Elizabeth.
"Oh? Who to, Dear One?"
"The Lady of the Lake," replied Elizabeth. "I'm requesting Sanctuary on Avalon."
"You ended things with Nick then?" she asked softly as she moved to sit across the table. "Bets...you know I wasn't defending Jules last night don't you? I'm just as upset as you are...you're my best friend let alone my big sister...we were made Priestesses together..."
"My ending things with Nick has nothing to do with what happened between him and Juli," Elizabeth sighed.
"What happened in Texas Bets? Was it Nick? His family?"
"His family is divided enough as it is, he doesn't need me and my faith getting in the mix," Elizabeth said. "Plus the stunt he pulled the night of his parents anniversary party did not sit well with his parents and the Goddess showed me a vision of what could have been if I'd stayed. I was leaving anyway, all learning about Juli did was speed up the process a little."
"I take it things didn't go well with your choice of attire at the party," Sara sighed. "What are you going to do now? Besides go to Avalon I mean."
"His father got a kick out of it but his mother was livid to put it mildly. I don't know what I'm going to do; especially since she denied my request the last time. All I know is that I've given Jillian my word that I will end things with Nick and I won't pursue him," Elizabeth said.
"We're going back at Samhain for Elaine's Chief Priestess test, wait until then and come with us. With you, me and Elaine there she can't say no if you still wish to seek Sanctuary," Sara offered softly. "Two weeks would give you time to take care of work and other arrangements, and you can always hide out here to avoid Nick...you'll have to see Gil and Lindsey but Linds will definitely choose you over Nick and I'm sure I can talk Gil into most anything nowadays..."
"I'll see," replied Elizabeth. "Everything just went so wrong so quickly."
"Life is like that sometimes," Sara agreed softly before pausing. "After you finish your letter, would you like to come with me? The last quarter moon is in three days, tonight is the first prayer to welcome it..."
"It's about time I got back to my roots, so sure," agreed Elizabeth as she scrunched up the letter she had been attempting to write.
"I'll be leaving early to make sure everything is safe for the others to come," Sara added after a moment.
"That's fine. I think I'll go for a walk," Elizabeth sighed.
"Lunch will be ready when you get back if you're hungry," Sara smiled. "Enjoy your walk Bets."
"Thanks," Elizabeth said as she rose from the table and made her way from the house, the door closing quietly behind her.
Sara watched her go before turning and setting about a simple lunch, and getting dinner started. She completely spaced out their daily visitor, until she was in the middle of giving Dierdra a bath, a much happier little girl than she had been the last few days, and they heard the door open below. While he took over drying Dierdra and she gave Cat her bath, Sara explained what happened the night before, as well as telling him about her vision.
Elizabeth ended up not coming home for a number of hours, when she finally did, Gil was in the living room watching Baby Einstein with the girls and playing...well something with them Sometimes Sara just didn't ask...and Sara herself was waiting for her in the entry with a bottle of water.
"Thanks," Elizabeth said quietly, more reserved than she normally was, as she took the bottle from Sara.
"Feel better?" Sara asked softly.
"About as good as someone who just cut out half their soul could feel," Elizabeth shrugged.
"In other words, like crap over easy," Sara smiled for a moment. "I need to warn you, Gil is here. I completely forgot he comes over every day and didn't think to see if you would feel up to having someone other than Elaine and I around...or give him a call to ask him to not come today..."
"It's fine Cass. I don't have any issue with Gil being here," Elizabeth replied.
"Okay, I just wanted to make sure..." she nodded. "Dinner's almost ready, Elaine was feeling like something from the old country so have Irish stew and fresh soda bread, but there's also a green salad and we have cold cuts and crackers..."
"Whatever you made is fine Cass. It'll be nice to get back to food I'm more accustomed to and not having to worry about what fork I'm using," Elizabeth said.
"You had to worry about forks?" Sara asked shaking her head. "That's a pain."
"And we even 'ave apple cake fer desert," Elaine winked as she walked by.
"She made that one," Sara smiled. "I wasn't letting her near the guiness."
"Wha? I'm na tha crazy with it..."
"Who else doesn't remember the time you made Irish Stew and it wasn't just Beccs drunk in the space of one bowl it was all of us drunk off our asses in the space of three lowsy bites," Sara countered rolling her eyes.
"Okay, so I might 'ave used a wee bit ta much alcohol..."
"You used four bottles in one batch of stew," Sara shot back while Elizabeth began to giggle.
"Four bottles?" Gil asked joining them, a miniature Sara with blonde hair and their blue eyes riding on each leg.
"See even he is shocked and he's not Irish," Sara pointed over at him.
"Oh fer the love o' all things sacred let it go, ya little demon," Elaine threw up her hands. "Ye ta just love ta torment me, do na deny it."
"Why would we?" Sara asked glancing over at Elizabeth with a smile.
"We've taken too much pleasure in it since college," commented Elizabeth.
"I know," Elaine countered. "Very well little ones who intend ta pick on me. Dinner is ready and I at least am ready ta eat so...the rest o' ya are on yer own," she nodded decisively before turning and heading towards the dining room.
"Well, I guess that's that," Sara smiled before walking over to pull Dierdra from Gil's leg. Gil picked Cat up before looking over at Elizabeth as Sara disappeared around the corner.
"Welcome home Beth," he smiled.
"Thank you Gil," Elizabeth said returning his smile.
"You're welcome," he nodded before gesturing she should go ahead. "It's good to have you back, there's been a light missing around here with you away," he added softly as they walked, before they entered the dining room and she didn't get a chance to answer with everyone present.
Dinner progressed fairly well, Nick was never mentioned, Gil told them about a new piece of equipment the lab had, they all told Elizabeth about the things the girls had done while she had been...out of the loop. A phone call that Elaine went to get drew dinner to a close and Elizabeth and Gil ordered Sara out of the kitchen so they could clean up, she cooked. Elaine was still on the phone when they were done, and had brought out the cake to sit on the table. The two shared a smile and made their way to the entryway to the living room at the sound of giggles, to find Sara down on the floor tickling Dierdra's stomach while Catriona was sitting a few inches away laughing.
"Hard to believe they're a year already," Gil smiled.
"They've gotten so big...I've missed so much," Elizabeth sighed as she turned away from the scene in front of her.
"You've got the rest of your life to spend with them though," he countered gently. "And you needed the time Beth, you were fading and now...as much as you still seem a bit lost, you're not fading as much as you were."
"I've returned to the Goddess Gil, but in doing so I've lost the man I love, a part of my soul. I came here because I was afraid of what I would do if I didn't," replied Elizabeth quietly, not wanting to draw Sara's attention.
"What makes you think you lost him?" he asked softly. "He'd never leave you Beth..."
"He didn't leave me Gil. I left him," Elizabeth said, her voice barely louder than a whisper before she walked back into the kitchen.
Glancing out to the living room Gil saw Sara watching him before she nodded once. Nodding he turned and followed Elizabeth. "Need a drink?" he asked as he entered the kitchen. "An alcoholic one that is."
"Might not be a bad idea," sighed Elizabeth as she sunk into a chair, her head falling into her hands. "I don't know how I'm going to survive this," she mumbled.
"With your family and your faith," he shrugged as he hunted through the alcohol cabinet after getting the key. "What do you feel like?"
"Anything, as long as it's strong," Elizabeth instructed.
He nodded, grabbing the scotch and pouring each of them a drink before returning it, locking the cabinet and making his way over to the table, setting her glass in front of her. "Sometimes it helps to talk about the things that trouble you," he offered as he sat down.
"What's to talk about Gil, I walked away from the one thing on the Mother's Earth that made me happy, all to ensure his happiness," Elizabeth said before taking a good swallow of the scotch, not really tasting it or feeling it burn on the way down. "Nick told me about his kidnapping and how it was his family that helped pull him through, his family here in Vegas but also his family in Dallas. If I'd stayed in the picture he would have lost his family in Dallas and I was not willing to be the reason his family disowned him. I know what it's like to lose your family and that is not something I would wish on anyone," Elizabeth explained.
"I met Nick's parents...I can't imagine his father ever judging anyone or giving up his son...and from what I understand of the siblings Nick talks about...they would never leave him...what makes you think he would lose his family?" he asked confused.
"From the minute I arrived in Dallas Nick's mother, brother and two eldest sisters assumed I was catholic. His mother even went so far as to buy me a cross to replace the one I 'lost' on the trip down. When they found out I was what they considered a 'pagan' it was either leave Nick willingly or watch his family force him to choose between them and me. I had a vision the night of his parent's anniversary party. What I saw was not pleasant, for either Nick or I. So to save him from the fate I saw for him, I left," Elizabeth shrugged, never once meeting Gil's eye.
"I'm so sorry they did that," he sighed. "I know I can't help make things easier for you...but I can tell you the point of view of one who was raised Catholic in a similar situation..."
"And what's that?" asked Elizabeth quietly.
"My mother was very religious, not quite as much as Jillian Stokes, but more than most. Faith was her fall back when she lost her hearing and my father left. I was an alter boy, whole complete childhood of a good Catholic boy...I even stuck with the faith through college...but then I started to realize organized religion...I don't like it, I don't like how people will kill in the name of God and have for centuries. I left the church, still deal with that blasted Catholic guilt occasionally. Then there's Sara, who I love more than life itself," he smiled for a moment. "And her faith, your faith, goes against everything the Catholic Church teaches, everything I grew up learning. And my mother was far from happy to find out that Sara wasn't Catholic, but she has accepted that it's my choice and such. And my choice is this...I don't care about her faith, I don't care that she can see the future sometimes, has lived more than one life, says I lived a past life...everything, because I love her, and everything that she has from Avalon is a part of what makes her the woman I love."
"Was I supposed to ask Nick to give up everything for me? Give up everything for a woman who is broken in so many ways?" wondered Elizabeth. "It's not my place to make him choose and if I hadn't left..."
"But is it your place to take the choice from him," Gil countered gently. "Can you tell me, honestlytell me that if he did choose you, his entire family would turn on him, or just the ones you mentioned who assumed you were Catholic? Nick doesn't follow the faith like his mother, we've talked about it together as two lapsed followers...he thinks many aspects are ridiculous just as I do. At the same time, I'm not questioning the gift you and Sara share...but is there someway a vision you see can only be one possibility? That something can change and affect the future each moment as we make our own choices thanks to free will?"
"Of course what we see is never guaranteed. There have been many things I've seen that have never come to pass. I have lived as an outsider my entire life Gil, can I really ask that of Nick as well?"
"Are you an outsider now?" he countered. "You have your family, you have friends here in Vegas who don't care how you live your life, as long as you don't...say go out and commit murder, well unless it's justified and even then we'd all stand behind you," he winked. "I heard a saying once, if you can count the number of friends you have on one hand you're truly blessed...I don't know about you but last I checked...one hand covers your family alone..."
"And how does one live with only half a heart and soul?" countered Elizabeth.
"You give the other half a chance to make their own decision, perhaps you will learn you don't have to live with only half of your heart and soul," he offered with a gentle smile. "Don't give up on him Beth, he cares about you like I care about Sara...that's once in the universe, since lifetime doesn't exactly work anymore as an expression..."
"I promised his mother I wouldn't pursue him but that I wouldn't turn him away if he came after me," Elizabeth replied.
"Then if I know Nick, he'll be coming Beth. Jillian can't stop him."
"I pray to the Goddess you're right because I don't know how much longer I can go on living with the pain I feel," Elizabeth said.
"That's what we're here for, for you to have someone to lean on until you can find peace," he offered before glancing over her shoulder. "Sara's coming."
"I'm surprised she's stayed away as long as she has," commented Elizabeth.
"She does have two girls out there to chase," he shrugged, choosing not to mention the fact she had known he was going to talk with her.
"Like that's ever stopped her before," replied Elizabeth.
"True," he agreed.
"Okay, did you two steal the cake plates or were they purposely kept away from me?" Sara asked with a smile.
"Considering last time you finished the cake all by yourself..." Gil smirked.
"Shut up," she shot back. "You guys want any or can I have it all for me and the girls," she asked with a wink as she grabbed plates. "And we gotta go in about thirty minutes Bets..."
"I should go freshen up then," Elizabeth said as she rose from her chair.
"Want me to have a slice on a plate for you?" Sara offered.
"Might not be a bad idea. Will help the scotch that's now sitting like a brick in my stomach."
"In that case I'll have it," Sara promised as she moved to gather the silverware.
After Elizabeth left, Sara glanced over at Gil, who sighed and simply said she was hurting and that he might be tempted to tell Warrick, and Greg to kick Nick's butt or else Catherine could get him and did the two really want to let HER loose on him if Nick didn't get back here and fix the whole mess. Sara had just shaken her head, deciding she didn't want to know unless Elizabeth was ready to talk. By the time Elizabeth made her way downstairs, cake was waiting and Sara and Gil were chasing the small squares Cat and Dierdra were deciding to share with each other. Elaine still hadn't made an appearance, so after she and Sara finished their cake, the two women left the girls in Gil's care until he had to go to work, and climbed into Sara's car as she drove up into the mountains outside Vegas.
"We found a new location," Sara explained about halfway up the mountain. "And we have a new druid, his name is Robert Campbell, from Scotland. He and Kaycee, the Priestess from his King Making, are to be married during Imbolc."
"That is good to hear," replied Elizabeth quietly as images from her own time as priestess for a king making flashed through her mind.
"He's nothing like Jeremiah," Sara whispered, unsure what to say, but knowing what Elizabeth was thinking of.
"I pray for her sake he is not," Elizabeth said.
"No, they are good for each other, she reminds me a bit of Jasmine when we were Kaycee's age...very wise, but there's also an innocence to her, and a wicked streak. She keeps him on his toes, but Robert adores her."
"I wish them well then. I pray she keeps that innocence through everything she must face."
"As do I," Sara agreed as she parked the car. "It's about a quarter of a mile," she nodded towards the trees on Elizabeth's side of the car.
"We should get going then," Elizabeth said before climbing out of the car.
When they made it to the site the clan had claimed as their own, a clearing amidst the trees that really rather snuck up on you, Sara smiled before pointing towards a spot to the east, where a circle of mushrooms grew. "Part of why I chose this place, the fairy ring...Lindsey thought she saw someone watching us from there one night."
"It's lovely," admitted Elizabeth.
"I know," Sara smiled as she looked around. "Come on, let's get started," she glanced over at Elizabeth who nodded.
The sun had set by the time they started to pack things up, but there was still enough light to see by as they finished. "Hey Bets?" Sara began.
"Yeah?"
"You remember the stories about the Ancients?" she asked as they began the walk back. "Of course," replied Elizabeth. "Who in our faith hasn't heard the stories of the Ancients."
"True," Sara agreed. "I had an interesting dream about them last night..." she trailed off, watching out of the corner of her eye for Elizabeth's reaction.
Sara's admission caught Elizabeth off guard, causing her step to falter slightly. "Oh?"
"Mm hmm," Sara shrugged. "Very interesting...about the last two who destroyed those who drove the followers to Atlantis...you know it was odd I could have sworn Nick was there...except he was a red head."
"No...it can't..." Elizabeth said, having stopped in her tracks.
Sara stopped and turned to look at her, "It can," she whispered. "You had it too?"
"I don't know, I dreamt something, I figured it was just my mind being overtired and way beyond stressed," replied Elizabeth.
"You dreamt of Elphaba and Chrysanthe?"
"And Nicolás. I thought it was because I'd just given Nick up even though it was the last thing I wanted," admitted Elizabeth
"I don't think it was a dream," Sara countered softly before raising her hand and trailing it through the air in front of her, a moment later a cool breeze came from the direction she had started from.
"Can my life get anymore complicated?" demanded Elizabeth as she collapsed to the ground.
"Oh Bets," Sara whispered as she sunk to the ground next to her. "It will be okay, I'm not sure how but it will..."
"Why does the Goddess torment me like this Cass? Why does she continue to dangle Nick in front of me and then rip him away from me?"
"I don't think she does it on purpose, Bets...I think it's a matter of the choices we make each lifetime. And I don't think she's taken him away this time, perhaps put you on a different path momentarily but I think they'll join again soon..."
And I don't know if I'll survive that long Cass."
"You will," Sara countered. "Because you know what? I didn't just remember an entire lifetime with my sister only to loose her after trying to find her for too many years to even try and name."
"I've come close more than once Cass, what's to say the next time I won't succeed?"
"Because I'll be there to pull you back from the edge until Nick can lead you from it for good," Sara promised softly.
"And if he doesn't?" asked Elizabeth, a note of desperation in her voice. "Cass, you have no idea how hard it was for me to make it to you before I did anything yesterday. I just so desperately wanted the pain to end. So many possibilities crossed my mind..."
"But you did make it," Sara countered softly. "And you're here now, and I'm not going anywhere. When you even get close, I'll know and be there...can you feel it?" she asked gently, "Can you sense my emotions like I can yours?"
"I can't feel anything but the pain right now, Cass. It's like I've cut out my heart," Elizabeth said as tears slowly slid down her cheeks.
"I won't say it will pass Bets, I know it won't. But it will lessen enough that you can make it through each day."
"I pray that you're right Cass cause right now my pills and my dagger are looking rather inviting at the moment."
"You think it would help if I at least hide your dagger for now? I know you need the pills on a daily basis so..." she offered after a moment.
"Take it," Elizabeth said as she handed it over to Sara. "It's probably best if I stay with you until we leave for Avalon, if that's alright with you of course."
"It's always alright," Sara promised. "Come on, let's get home."
Elizabeth nodded and allowed Sara to help her to her feet once more before making their way to their car.
Saturday October 21st, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Galaxy Lounge
9:15 a.m.
By the time they made it back from the mountain, Elizabeth had crashed in the car and only woke enough to make it into the house and up to her room. Sara though was in for the heart attack of the month when Elaine explained the phone call she got at dinner was none other than Rebecca, who upon hearing Elizabeth in the background had conferenced in Jasmine and Juli. Elaine had spent the next hours trying to convince them not to come...with not the best results. They were flying in over night in Jasmine and Juli's case and first thing in the morning in Rebecca's so they were arriving at the same time. Unfortunately, by the time Elizabeth woke up; there wasn't any time to get out of dodge before the three showed up on the doorstep.
They nearly had a murder on their hands when Juli walked into the house, it took Sara, Elaine and Jasmine to hold Elizabeth back with Rebecca standing in front of Juli for Juli to live another day. Sharing a look with Elaine, they stuck Elizabeth in a room with Elaine and Juli in a room with Jasmine while waiting for Catherine to drop Lindsey off so she could watch the girls. After that they split the two in separate cars and drove up into the mountains, at which point they found a spot, got out and told Elizabeth and Juli to get it out of their system...but no killing each other.
There was another time Juli nearly ended up chocked to death before Elizabeth was pulled away once more. In the end though, they at least worked things out enough so that Elizabeth wasn't angry about Juli and Nick sleeping together, she could even understand the situation and circumstances. It was the fact Juli didn't tell her that hurt her more than anything. The others suspected it might have had to do with Juli almost to the point of begging on her knees that Elizabeth not kick her out of her life…never for forgiveness though. She didn't want forgiveness...
Over the next few days, things continued into a rather normal path. Rebecca, Juli and Jasmine would come over a bit, spending much of the time though playing tourists, taking the girls with them and giving Elaine time for her studying and Sara and Elizabeth their time...well they didn't know what the two were up to. In reality the two were busy with a few things, on her own Elizabeth had submitted her resignation to the city, and requested two weeks of vacation be used to cover her last two weeks. At the same time, she had seen her home packed up, her furniture and such donated and only a few boxes set to make their way back to Avalon. And she was hiding from Nick to be honest, so far, if he had asked about her, Elaine and Sara pleaded innocence saying they hadn't heard from her...
While they were waiting for the two weeks to pass before Samhain, Sara and Elizabeth also began to investigate their new abilities since gaining the memories of their first lives. As in the first life, Sara had more control over the elements than anything else while Elizabeth was more in touch with animals, she did have control over the elements and Sara could communicate with animals, they were each just more comfortable with their main focus. So much of the day was spent up in the mountains after they would pack up the horses and take them with them, each taking time to learn everything about their gifts and establishing a greater connection with the Goddess.
Friday night though they received a call from Warrick, the gang, minus Nick, wanted to get together before the trip to England and had picked of all places the Galaxy Lounge and Karaoke Bar. So morning after shift ended found Sara, Elizabeth, Elaine, Rebecca, Jasmine and Juli at the lounge after dropping the girls off with Sabrina, around the rather large booth was the rest of the Night Shift, minus Nick who was working overtime anyway so they never had to worry about an explanation. The Night Shift crew had wisely decided to just avoid the issue, knowing Elizabeth was resigning and something had happened in Texas was enough to realize there were things they didn't want to be involved with.
In honor of the tradition, Jasmine had dragged Sara up for a rendition of Take Me or Leave Me, which gave Greg the evil idea of dragging Warrick up and the two did What You Own, much to the amusement of those who had grown up with the musical in a way...Warrick made a wonderful Roger and Greg was a great Mark.
As Elizabeth was making her way up to the stage she grabbed a hold of Sara on her way past, the other musketeers deciding to tag along, dragging Catherine and Elaine up with them, much to the amusement of the guys. Before any music started, Elizabeth's voice echoed softly through the room, gathering everyone's attention
"Can anybody find me somebody to love?" the other's joining her on the last word before the music began to play.
"Each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet.
Take a look in the mirror
And cry, Lord what you're doing to me.
I've spent all my years believing in you, but I just can't get no relief.
Lord somebody, somebody, can anybody find me, somebody to love," the others singing back up as Elizabeth sang the main chorus.
"Got no feel I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
I'm okay I'm alright
Ain't going to face no defeat"
"I just gotta get out of this prison cell
One day I'm gonna be free
Lord somebody
Somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love," sang Elizabeth as she closed her eyes, putting all her emotions into the song, not seeing who walked through the door as she sang.
"She wants love everyday," the girls sang as Elizabeth cut in on the last line before taking the lead once more.
"I try and I try and I try
But everybody wants to put me down
They say I'm going crazy
They say I got a lot of wonder in my brain"
"Got no common sense
I've got nobody left to believe,
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Find her somebody to love," chorused the girls only to slowly fade off as they watched the scene unfold before their oblivious friend.
"Can anybody find me
Somebody to love", Elizabeth sung, holding the last note for a few extra beats, her eyes closed so she never saw the person approaching the 'stage', only to be spun around and pulled into a kiss.
"Quick, quick, quick, start singing forget music," Rebecca hissed hitting Sara and Jasmine's shoulders, the two on either side of her.
"Sing what?" Jasmine hissed back.
Rebecca didn't answer, instead she hummed a few bars before beginning to sing, Sara, Jasmine, and Juli catching on from the humming and joined in immediately, the four singing acapella.
"Your Eyes as we said our goodbyes
Can't get them out of my mind
And I find I can't hide from your eyes
That ones that took me by surprise the night you came into my life
Where there's moonlight I see your eyes"
Nick and Elizabeth separated after the first lyric, glancing over at the four women who were grinning like idiots quite frankly as they sang.
"How'd I let you slip away when I'm longing so to hold you
Now I die for one more day 'cause there's something I should have told"
"It's true," he whispered looking back at Elizabeth. "The lyrics are true..."
"I should tell you I should tell you I have always loved you
You can see it in my eyes"
"Nick what are you doing here?" asked Elizabeth quietly, as Nick rested his forehead lightly against hers.
"I came here looking for Catherine actually but I've been looking for you ever since you left Dallas," he said, not willing to let Elizabeth go just yet. "Beth..."
"Nick don't please," pleaded Elizabeth quietly.
"Sing again," Catherine whispered nodding towards the prompter she had set up, sensing they might need some mood music. The five women glanced at her before looking at the screen and starting to sing Kelly Clarkson's Before Your Love.
"Wait," Elizabeth said suddenly stepping back. "What about your mother?"
"Beth, it's alright," Nick said pulling her back towards him, her hands going to rest on his forearms. "Aubrey, Deena and Leona told me what mother pulled and I have a good idea of what my brother made sure you over heard. Beth you have to realize that I'd pick you over them any day."
"Nick, I can't ask that of you..."
"You're not Beth. I told my mother exactly what I felt when I learned the truth of what she did to you. I can't be a part of that Beth, not after..."
"Nick what is it? Not after..." Elizabeth trailed off as she gazed into his eyes. "You remember?" she asked in quiet disbelief.
"All of it," admitted Nick quietly. "I remember all of it my darling Elphaba, Dierna, Raven, Elizabeth," he said as he laid his hand on her cheek and rubbed it gently with his thumb.
"Mother Goddess," Elizabeth said as she looked deep into Nick's eyes and saw the truth of his words.
"Marry me?" Nick asked in a whisper as he slowly closed the distance between them once more. Elizabeth gave an almost imperceptible nod just as their lips met once more.
"I think I seriously missed something...something fantastic but something just the same."
"Shhh," Rebecca hissed towards the woman who had walked up to stand near them and was watching Nick and Elizabeth. "We just got the mood established, damn it!"
"And there went the mood," Jasmine rolled her eyes.
"I don't think we can kill the mood," Sara chuckled. "Hello Aubrey, nice to meet you, I'm Sara..."
"Don't ask how she knows your name," Juli chuckled.
"No problem," Aubrey shrugged. "Hey Nicky enough already with the kissing you got a lifetime to do the kissing."
"And other things," Rebecca piped up before Jasmine slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Alright who gave her alcohol when we weren't looking?" Juli demanded looking over at the CSIs who were looking anywhere but at them suddenly.
"To the bathroom, I got a brick in my bag," Jasmine whispered before she and Juli dragged Rebecca away.
"I think our two families are going to get along great when those two tie the knot," Aubrey mused looking at Sara before they both looked over at Nick and Elizabeth who were just staring at them. "What? Yes I'm in town, I went to your work and found out where you were, got here in time to see you making out with the woman that if you don't marry Leona, Deena, and I will beat the living crap out of you for letting her go...then got to meet who I am assuming is her insane family that we never got a chance to hear about thanks to Mother dearest who is back in Dallas driving even her socialite friends crazy ranting about her ungrateful children, not that I give a care anymore, but she does have Daddy planning to fly out and visit as soon as the lot of us are settled in our new homes."
"Breathing is a good thing Bri," Nick chuckled.
"Hi Aubrey," Elizabeth said as she wrapped her arms around Nick's waist, he doing the same.
"God, that is a sight for sore eyes," Aubrey grinned.
"Thank the Goddess," Sara agreed. "Now, I am going to make an assumption based on the happiness just rolling off you Bets that we gotta a bit of backtracking to do before we go to Avalon for the Samhain..." she asked with a smile. "Oh and Nicky, you and I need to have a chat later, you get me and I'll keep the rest of the family from giving you the 'hurt her we kill you and make Sara take care of the evidence' talk."
"You got it but I've got three lifetimes to make up for, Sara, I don't think you need to worry," Nick said.
"Thank the Goddess he remembers," Sara did a little dance around in a circle.
"You know I'm content not knowing right now, but it sounds like a fantastic story I want to hear later...when I'm more awake after staying up all night then flying... so yeah," Aubrey shrugged. "Anyway I need a hug from you brother of mine and I would like one from you Beth."
"You got it," Nick said as he stepped away from Elizabeth to hug his sister for a moment.
"Alright then ladies and gentlemen," Elaine smiled. "Why do na we go and sit down, perhaps 'ave a bit o' a drink ta celebrate this lovely occasion, and make sure Jasmine has na killed Rebecca."
"Oh shit," Sara gasped before turning on her heel and hurrying towards the bathroom.
"She wouldn't really harm her, would she?" Catherine asked glancing between Elizabeth and Elaine, "I mean, I know they joke about it but...not really..."
"I do na ask," Elaine gave a one shoulder shrug as she patted Catherine's shoulder. "Ye will quickly learn, there are some things tha ya just do na question when it comes ta the family o' the six musketeers...and wha exactly they do ta keep Rebecca from...well whatever it is she might do taday...tha be a mystery unta itself."
"I really think I'm gonna like your family Beth," Aubrey smiled.
"It's too bad you never got the chance to meet Billy," Elizabeth said. "You would have liked him."
"You'll have to tell me all about him then," Aubrey smiled. "And explain just who is who cause I know part of that group must be Nicky's friends here in Vegas and assuming the three in the restroom are your side..."
"The gentlemen at the table over there belong to Nick as does Catherine, who's the tall blonde one over there and the rest are mine, including the crazy Irish woman," replied Elizabeth.
"Although technically the ones who belong to me also belong to Sara," Nick pointed out with a smile. "So basically her and Beth join this whole larger group together..."
"Very interesting...and now we're adding the five families from your side to the mix...I foresee very large, very insaneparties in our futures."
"The funny thing is though we had no idea either one of us even knew Sara when we met," Elizabeth said.
"Really now?" Aubrey asked as the three moved towards the table, Sara, Jasmine, Juli and Rebecca came out of the bathroom, a very wet Rebcca in the middle, her hair pulled back in a scrunchie that had once been in Jasmine's hair...somehow it appeared the front of her shirt wasn't nearly as wet as her hair...
"Did they give her a swirlie?" Greg asked as the three drew close enough to hear him. "Do na ask..." Elaine shook her head.
"Aubrey, you've already met Sara and in a way Elaine," Elizabeth said pointing out the two in question. "The black haired girl is Jasmine, the redhead is Juli and the wet one is Rebecca, who can't hold her liquor."
"And on my side, we have Catherine, Gil, Greg and Warrick," Nick said as he pointed each of them out.
"Hello," Catherine grinned. "Which sister are you?" she asked curious.
"Number five, but you'll meet three and four later, we all decided we wanted out of Texas and are moving to this area and some are looking into California...Nick's and my niece and nephew are coming with their families too. Be prepared we're going to infest the city..." she smirked.
"You might want to run while you have the chance," Elizabeth teased.
"Hey!" Nick cried in mock outrage.
"We'll alert the media," Rebecca grinned. "Oh... Smirnoff," she cooed seeing someone walk by with one. "Be right back..." she started as she moved to walk away.
"Uhh no, unless you want another dip in the sink. You can have coffee," Jasmine countered as she grabbed Rebecca's sleeve to stop her.
"With Bailey's?"
"NO!" Jasmine, Sara, Juli and Elizabeth cried in unison.
"Scootch, all of yous are one," Rebecca waved her hand to indicate the table. "Well fine, if I can't have anything...and they don't have any egg creme...at least I can sing. Come on, I'm not going alone," she added grabbing Sara and walking towards stage.
"Hey! I didn't sign up for this!" Sara argued.
"Sure yous did, when yous agreed to be my friend."
"I don't remember that in the small print..."
"We never would have signed on the dotted line if we had known that," Jasmine mused, she wisely having let go of Rebecca the moment she mentioned singing.
"I've done my share of singing for the day, considering what I got out of it," laughed Elizabeth with a smile.
"Now that's something I've missed seeing," commented Nick.
"What's that?" asked Elizabeth curiously.
"Your smile," Nick said smiling back before he leaned in and kissed Elizabeth once more.
"God, they make me wish I had a guy in my life," Catherine sighed.
"They make me wish I had Sara here instead of being held hostage up there," Gil countered with a chuckle.
"In other words, enough, you're making the rest of us feel lonely as hell," Greg ordered with a grin before ducking as Catherine, Jasmine, Juli, Elaine, and Warrick even all reached over to smack him.
"Should we tell them?" asked Nick, pulling away as little as possible.
"If you want to but we might want to wait until Sara gets back, although I get the strange sensation she already knows," replied Elizabeth.
"Considering she's up there grinning like an idiot while being dragged into singing the parts of all five muses on her own...I think she knows something since normally she'd be dragging the rest of us up there to suffer with her while Beccs goes on about something she would never do..." Jasmine shrugged.
"I won't say I'm in love," Juli shook her head as she chuckled.
"Shouldn't that be my line?" asked Elizabeth, still not looking at anyone but Nick.
"The only line I want to hear you say in the near future Ms. Luciano, is yes," Nick countered.
"Did we miss something?" Catherine asked glancing at the others.
"Did we miss a major something?" Aubrey added.
"Are they even listening?" Warrick chuckled when they got no answer for a few minutes
"They're lost in each other," Sara announced before she sunk into the seat next to Gil. "Save me, I managed to escape while she was picking the next song..."
"Love you but I'm not getting in the middle," Greg smirked.
"Putz," Rebecca told Sara as she walked over. "Okay dat's it, youze two split up the love fest, I'm dragging one of youze up there I don't care who," she announced looking between Nick and Elizabeth.
"Don't take Nick," Aubrey ordered immediately.
"Yes, four lifetimes worth of yes," Elizabeth said as she hugged Nick. "And not on you life Beccs."
"Umm ookay," Rebecca drew out. "Did I just miss somethin'?"
"I think we're having a wedding," Sara grinned.
"What!" Aubrey and Catherine yelled.
"How did you know?" Aubrey continued looking over at Sara.
"She knows things," Jasmine smiled. "And Nick, out of the way she's my sister and I want a hug. Then you can have one."
"Better move, she can be hostile..." Juli chuckled.
"Not as bad as Beccs who likes to stab my cars," Jasmine countered.
"Hey I only did it once to Red!"
"And my Honda..."
"Oh...yeah I forgot about that..." Rebecca smirked.
"And the Toyota, the Mazda, and even the jaguar she had for a week as a rental..." Sara smirked.
"That one cost me a fortune," Jasmine sighed.
"Note to self, never let her near my car..." Greg laughed.
"Enough picking on me youze guys, aren't we suppose to be attacking Betsy and Nick with the hugs and all dat?"
"Good point," Jasmine nodded before lunging at Elizabeth as Juli and Rebecca did the same, resulting in the four nearly ending up on the ground from the momentum of the three.
"Ya're na suppose ta kill her," Elaine shook her head.
"Can't breathe," whispered Elizabeth from her spot on the bottom of the pile.
"Okay you three, I'd like Beth in one piece when I marry her," Nick said as he started pulling the other women off of Elizabeth.
"Oh, sorry," the three spoke in sync as they moved back as Nick helped Elizabeth to her feet. "We love you though," Rebecca smiled, "Just tell me that you're not gonna make me dress up like an elf."
"I'm not promising you anything Beccs cause Nick only just proposed and it's not like we ever really discussed this possibility before now, so wedding plans haven't even been considered yet," Elizabeth said, stepping into Nick's arms once more.
"Oh brother," Rebecca groaned. "Why do I foresee all of us dressed in something medieval...God help me we're gonna be walking around dressed all First Knight like and don't even get to have Sean and Richard running around with us."
"Stop complaining," Jasmine ordered. "Cause we all know Jules is gonna make you wear a cowboy hat and skirt when she marries and nothing is as bad as that in your opinion, so quit acting like it is."
"Keep it up and I'll make them pink," Juli agreed.
"Jesus Christ, youze people are determined to torture me." Rebecca groaned. "Dat's it back to singing I go, at least there I'm free of you lot."
"I love it when we make her frustrated," Jasmine grinned as they watched her stomp towards the stage... "Now if only we could convince her that Pogo's got another badge in Quick Quack and she's gotta get a hundred streaks of a hundred ducks...she'll never yell at us again."
"Until she figures out we lied to her," Sara pointed out.
"Beth, what is it? What's wrong?" asked Nick in concern when Elizabeth suddenly stepped back from him. "This can't be happening," Elizabeth said shaking her head. "This so can not be happening."
"Betsy?" Sara looked over sensing the extreme...well near hysterical state Elizabeth was quickly approaching. "Hey girl it's okay...so we got some backtracking to do and some unpacking to do. No biggie, we can make Beccs unpack for her dinner..."
"And where exactly will we be unpacking Cass? I don't have an apartment remember," Elizabeth said finally breaking out into giggles.
"Okay so, you got rid of your apartment and your job and your furniture but you do have the boxes we did to go to Avalon...and you can stay with me if you and Nick want to find a new place or I'm sure Nick might be insisting you stay with him in about two seconds. Relax things are covered," Sara smiled. "And hey, it gives us an excuse for a good shopping spree to restock your closets."
"I'm there," Jasmine sat up.
"See," Sara giggled.
"Of course you can stay with me Beth," Nick said. "Hang on, you got rid of your apartment and your job?"
"I didn't want to be in the same city with you if I couldn't have you in my life and I promised your mother that I'd stay away from you so the best way to avoid temptation is to remove it and I couldn't exactly ask you to move out of Vegas so I decided I'd give myself over to the Goddess completely and move to Avalon, never to set foot off the island again, ever, not even when I died. I was going to be buried on the island or have them chuck my body off the Tor and let me find a watery grave somewhere at the base cause that was the only way I'd ever leave the island again but you're here now and I'm here and no need to be moving to Avalon anymore, only now I don't have any place to live because in my decision to move to Avalon I sold my apartment and gave my notice at work, way too many issues for me there personally and have been hiding out at Cass' place ever since I got back from Dallas and..."
"I get it," Nick said stopping Elizabeth's rambling by wrapping one arm around her waist and placing his other hand over her mouth.
"Ahem... chuck your body off the Tor?" Sara asked after a moment of silence.
"What?" asked Elizabeth innocently once Nick released his hold on her mouth.
"You know, I don't even wantto know where that came from. I'm going to live quite happily with my nice innocent continued belief that there has never been a body thrown off the Tor in our history and that you definitely didn't get it from there...and just write this all off to stress..." Sara chuckled as she shook her head. "Betsy girl, sometimes your mind is a scary place...mostly when plotting how to get Rebecca to take a moment to breathe and let the rest of us breathe a sigh of relief...but yes."
"It's not a new concept for me Cass, I've actually considered throwing myself from the top of the Tor numerous times over the years. I would have when I was thirteen if I could have gotten to Avalon at the time," Elizabeth said.
"Bad mental image, bad mental image," Juli shook her head. "Never having Betsy in college or since...very bad mental image. Need alcohol, drinks all around, my treat to celebrate the engagement and get rid of bad image plaguing Jazzy, Sar and I..." she muttered as she headed towards the bar.
"That was interesting," Jasmine mused. "And thank god you never did it cause I can't imagine us being able to control the psycho pixie without you. That and you know we love you more than our luggage," she winked.
"I'm being serious though," argued Elizabeth. "You guys have no idea how many times I've come close to just...just ending it...once and for all, no more Elizabeth..."
"We know Betsy girl, we know," Jasmine smiled softly. "But you deal your way, and we deal ours. And sometimes it's easier to just not talk about it or even to joke about another one of our family's attempts to take their life instead of focusing on our own or the reality of what could be."
"Okay ladies we need a new topic of conversation," Sara announced, if the group at the table wasn't already in shock knowing Elizabeth's attempt a year ago wasn't the first time, they would be after hearing it was a family trait. "I am going to steal Bets from you Nick, and Jazzy you get to grab Jules and we're going and stealing that remote control from Beccs and I get to pick the song. I'm just not doing Bohemian Rhapsody like last time we were at one of these places..."
"On it," Jasmine nodded heading towards the bar.
As the music began, Elizabeth looked over at Nick and smiled.
"Hey yeah ohhh yeah ohh yeah yeah yeah
I thought that I was to old to believe in fairy tales
But there's a letter from you waitin' when I check my mail
I start to shakin' like a 7 on the Richter scale when you say you love me
Look in the mirror and I'm not who I used to be at all"
"It's coming clearer" the others sang before she joined them.
"I'm Cinderella at the ball I'm Alice growing 10 feet tall
It's not just make believe
Here comes the prince's kiss, I'm positive the slipper fits
It's not just make believe"
Taking over once more Elizabeth focused solely on him as the others swayed to the music behind her, joining in just as before on the chorus though they got to sing about glowing all by themselves.
"It started out like just another ordinary day
Now suddenly my life is different in every way
The sun is brighter ad the happiness is here to stay
It's like I'm dreaming
Thank you for showing me that true love doesn't hurt when you fall."
"You got me glowing
I'm Cinderella at the ball I'm Alice growing 10 feet tall
It's not just make believe
Here comes the prince's kiss
I'm positive the slipper fits it's not just make believe."
"Whenever wherever forever I'll be with you
We have it it's magic ohhhh
Look in the mirror and I'm not who I used to be at all
I'm Cinderella at the ball
I'm Alice growing 10 feet tall
It's not just make believe."
It's really happening, I feel so good I gotta sing
It's not just make believe
I'm Ariel above the sea, I'm Beauty dancin' with the Beast (It's not just make believe)
It's not just make believe
Here comes the prince's kiss
I'm positive the slipper fits."
"It's not just make believe - Ohhh yeah
It's not just make believe - Ohhh yeah yeah ohhh yeah."
It's not just make believe," she finished on her own before the group began to clap enthusiastically. Just as the five made it back to the table the drinks showed up, and in the commotion, Nick and Elizabeth slipped out.
Wednesday October 31st, 2007
Within the Bristol Channel in England
The Isle of Avalon
5:40 p.m. (local time)
After the morning at the Galaxy lounge, things progressed rather well for the rather large 'family' they had become. Before Juli, Jasmine and Rebecca went home, they had a grand shopping spree all over Vegas to restock Elizabeth's closet, spoil their goddaughters with new clothes much to Sara's amusement, and even find some new outfits for the three of them. Needless to say, as much as Sara and Elizabeth loved the three, they were a bit glad to see them on planes headed back home so they could just sit back and relax.
Elizabeth also moved into Nick's, and Aubrey headed back to Texas after having found a place across town that was perfect, or so she had declared. The latest word was that she would be coming to Vegas, Leona and family were going to Barstow, Deena to Bakersfield, Brittney and family to Henderson so they'd be the closest other than Aubrey, and Ty, Ariel and Jessye were going to be in San Bernadino. All in all they wouldn't be that far apart.
With things settling down a small bit in regards to Elizabeth's living arrangements and such, and getting the girls back home and the grand move going on in Texas, things in Sara and Elizabeth's life were getting a bit more crazy each day as the final preparations were made for the trip to Avalon. But, the thirtieth of October found them with pretty much an entire plane occupied by people they knew, as the group made its way to England. Besides the thirty or so Priestesses and even a few druids in training coming from the clan, Robert and Kaycee were there, Elizabeth and Nick, Elaine of course, Gil had said he was coming, as was Lindsey and because Linds was coming, Catherine was given the option to come and see Avalon and see a part of the world Lindsey was quickly becoming a part of.
After renting enough vans to house the insane group, they made the trip to Glastonbury and made a number of crossings to Avalon, Elizabeth and Sara each ending up with a boat, thankfully they did keep two now a days, that they would lower the mists for. Elaine was waiting on the shores to help direct the members of their clan to the housing arranged for them. The final trip was with Nick, Gil, Catherine, Lindsey and the girls, the eight including Sara and Elizabeth were led by Maria to a gathering of buildings at the end of the huts and buildings. Spread out behind them on the hillside were a number of tents, where those that had come with them were staying, although there were more tents all over the hillside, many had come to see the test of a Chief Priestess. At the buildings the group was split up, Nick and Elizabeth having a place to themselves, Catherine was allowed to stay with Lindsey in another, the third going to Sara, Gil and the girls with Elaine having a space to herself as well.
The night before the test, there was a grand feast in preparation for not only the test of a new Chief Priestess, but of course to also prepare for the New Year. Traditional dances and prayers and songs lasting well into the night. Morning saw the Priestesses and druids in training leaving Nick, Gil and Catherine to go and witness for the first time in some cases, the morning rites thanking the Goddess for another day and the gifts of her world. More traditional celebrations continued throughout the day until the sun drew down upon the horizon, and everyone changed into proper clothing for the test, Sara and Elizabeth wearing the robes that defined their level in the order while those in training, Lindsey included, wore simple white shifts.
Gil and Nick stood beside the women they loved as Elaine stepped into the boat and was taken out into the waters, Caillean calling upon the mists to rise behind her. Glancing at each other Sara and Elizabeth shared a small smile, praying that Elaine might pass the test. Finally though the mists fell and the prow of the boat was visible as it drew closer, amidst the cheers as Elaine was helped ashore and her robes changed to that of a Chief Priestess, Sara and Elizabeth shared a much happier smile.
Soon the celebration moved further ashore, and continued well into the night. The moon had reached the highest point in the sky when Sara and Gil made their way back to their lodging, the girls having already fallen asleep under Maria's watchful eye hours before
As Nick and Elizabeth started along the same path, they were stopped away from the main part of the celebration by Caillean. "Good Samhain Elizabeth, Nicholas," she greeted.
"Lady," greeted Elizabeth, Nick nodding his head towards Caillean. "Your memory has returned to you?" she asked looking at Nick.
"It has," replied Nick. "I remember."
"Good," she nodded. "And you love her?"
"With every fiber of my being," replied Nick honestly.
"You would sacrifice all you have for her?" Caillean countered evenly, face impassive as she watched him.
"I would sacrifice myself for her," Nick said.
"And you Elizabeth?"
"Of course," replied Elizabeth, not quite sure where this line of questioning was going.
"The Goddess blesses you, as does Avalon," she nodded before turning and making her way back towards the bonfire and those still celebrating.
"Did she just say what I think she just said?" asked Elizabeth in confusion as she turned to face Nick after watching Caillean walk away from them.
"That's what it sounded like to me," admitted Nick as he turned to face Elizabeth cupping her face with his hand.
"Then we're..." Elizabeth trailed off as she leant into Nick's hand, slowly starting to close the distance between them.
"We are," he agreed as he closed the final distance and leaned into kiss her. Breaking the kiss a few minutes later, Nick took Elizabeth by the hand and led her down the path that led down the backside of the Tor so as not to run into any of the people celebrating.
"Nick I..." Elizabeth started to say when they had reached the house they had been given and Nick had taken her back in his arms and closed the door behind them.
"Shh, it's okay Beth, I know. I'll be gentle, I promise," he said as he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, carefully setting her down on her feet next to the bed. With gentle fingers, Nick slowly undid the belt around Elizabeth's hips, letting it fall to the ground at her feet before gently pulling her simple shift dress up and over her head before lightly running his hands back down her arms, pulling them away from her body as she tried to cover herself with her hands. "You're beautiful," he said softly.
"No, I'm not," countered Elizabeth, her eyes downcast as she tried to turn away from Nick's gaze.
"Yes," he said cupping her cheek and raising her eyes to his, wiping away an escaping tear in the process, "you are."
"Nick I..."
"Do you trust me?" Nick asked, cutting off whatever it was Elizabeth was going to say.
"Of course I do," replied Elizabeth.
"Then trust me in this," Nick said.
Elizabeth nodded briefly before Nick kissed her once more and she felt him laying her back on the bed.