Chapter 13

Thursday November 1st, 2007
Within the Bristol Channel in England
The Isle of Avalon
12:40 p.m. (local time)

"Good morning sleepy head," Sara called as she tapped her knuckles twice upon the door to Nick and Elizabeth's temporary home. "I'm coming in so if there's anything you need to hide do it quickly..."

"Please tell me I didn't just hear Cass," mumbled Elizabeth as she rolled over and put her head on Nick's chest.

"I'm afraid you did," Nick replied as he carefully climbed out of the bed, trying not to jostle Elizabeth anymore than necessary. Quickly throwing on his pants from the day before he made his way out into the main room.

"Okay, so I said I was coming in but relax I'm just staying here," Sara smirked when he walked into the room. "I'm evil, but not Maleficent."

"What can we do for you this morning Sara?" asked Nick curiously.

"It's been twelve hours since I last saw my sister, and I wanted to see if you guys actually remembered to eat today. And also I received word that the Lady would like to speak with Bets and I...so here I am. That and I'm me and I'm curious and feel it absolutely necessary to be the first to give my sister a hug and remind you that you and I still need to talk Mr. Stokes."

"Talk?" asked Nick in complete confusion as Elizabeth more or less stumbled out of the doorway behind him.

"What does she want to speak with us about?" asked Elizabeth quietly as she walked over to Nick, leaning her head against his shoulder as she stifled a yawn. "And did you say something about food?"

"I swear I'm entirely too good at this," Sara chuckled. "Maria is on her way with food for both of you. I have no idea but at the same time something tells me it might have to do with tonight. And yes, talk Nick. I promised you we'd have a talk when you proposed to Bets, just because things are already settled between you two and the Goddess doesn't mean you're getting out of my talk," she winked.

"Am I the only one in the room who's lost?" asked Elizabeth.

"No, not the only one," admitted Nick.

"Oh the horrors of not enough sleep and being made to think," Sara giggled. "Alright, I will go get the food from Maria who should be here about...now. You two sit down, I shall explain while you eat, okay?"

"Okay," Elizabeth said as she made her way over to the table, Nick following her as they both collapsed into chairs.

Sara returned a moment later with the tray and set it down. "Okay then, I believe Caillean is going to speak with us about the ceremony tonight Bets."

"But we're not really involved with the ceremony tonight," Elizabeth said. "Are we?"

"I don't know...I haven't talked to her yet..." Sara answered honestly. "But if we are... t wouldn't be that hard really, we've been to enough, and I have led a few back home...and we did enough in the ancient days..."

"When I told Caillean that I remembered everything I meant everythingBeth," Nick said when Elizabeth threw a slightly concerned look at him. "Even the part about you two being Ancients."

"Goddess my brain is mush, I should have remember that since you did call me Elphaba that day you came back to me," Elizabeth said.

"Yes, you should have," Sara chuckled. "But you just both gave me the perfect opening for my next explanation..."

"And what's that?" asked Nick curiously.

"I'm not sure if you know this...I don't even know if you knew this back then..." Sara frowned before shrugging. "Too much work to stop and think about that, anyway though, if you do know, oh well, if not, learn something new. Bets and I can sense each other's emotions. And last night I was actually quite happily falling asleep when I had the most interesting group of emotions come from her...I think I'll leave the rest for you two to figure out," she smiled.

Elizabeth groaned as she slid down the table so her head was resting on her crossed arms in front of her having realized what Sara was referring to. "Can I just die of embarrassment now?"

"Nope," Sara giggled. "Besides think of this as another bonding point...it can join all those nights listening to Beccs latest guy and how great the sex was while you and I just sat there and shared looks of 'Goddess get us out of here'. At least now we both have our own stories to be thinking of during the next grand get together and she starts the grand 'everyone must tell' session."

"Mother Goddess just kill me where I sit," mumbled Elizabeth, her head still on her arms.

"I don't think Nick would appreciate if she did," Sara smiled.

"Besides this is a two way street you know...no being embarrassed cause if I gotta deal with you sensing...well, you get to too. Look on the bright side, at least it's not Beccs who's the one with this little gift..."

"She'd never let us live it down would she?" asked Elizabeth as Nick soothingly rubbed circles on her back.

"Nope...although that wouldn't be until after we convince her she isn't loosing her mind and to not check herself into an asylum."

"So, what exactlydid you feel last night?" asked Nick curiously.

"Confusion, happiness, a bit of fear for a little while, extreme happiness...various other things that between you and me are not conversation topics for anyone. Lets just say it was all good..." Sara chuckled.

"The confusion and happiness were caused by Caillean," Elizabeth said as she finally sat back up. "The fear was because of what I went through as a child and with Jeremiah and then the extreme happiness is all his doing," she finished pointing at Nick.

"Figured that was him," Sara winked.

Elizabeth turned to look at Nick, who nodded for her to go ahead. Turning back to her friend, she took a deep breath. "I have a favor to ask Cass."

"Anything."

"Marry us?"

Sara grinned. "I'd be honored to."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said as she walked around and gave Sara a hug.

"Always Bets," Sara smiled as she hugged her back. "Now we're reallyin for a talk, Nicky," she teased as she stepped back.

"Should I be afraid?" he asked.

"A bit but not majorly," Sara shrugged. "Now then, up and dressed you two I need to drag Bets with me to see Caillean."

"Come on Beth, we better do as the woman says," Nick said as he rose from his spot, holding his hand out for Elizabeth to take. The two disappeared for a few minutes before returning, both fully clothed.

"Gil is over with the girls and Cath learning more about the Samhain day celebrations if you want to join them," Sara offered as she rose.

"I'll go see how Cath is fairing, I think," Nick said as the three made their way outside.

"Have fun," Sara smiled before they parted. "So, how are you doing, really?" she asked after a few moments. "I know your emotions but not your thoughts...are you okay with everything?"

"I'll admit, I was terrified at first. My experiences in that department leave much to be desired. I honestly didn't think after knowing everything he does about what happened to me over the years that any man, let alone one like Nick, would want anything to do with me, with someone with my past," Elizabeth said.

"They continue to surprise you," Sara agreed softly. "Nick is your Billy in this life, but you're lucky, he's the one who you get to keep forever. I'm jealous of you for that..."

"I still can't believe he wants me," Elizabeth said quietly.

"Believe it," Sara smiled. "He did in our first life, I knew that then. I may have missed every time since then but I know it now, you're his life Bets...always have been and always will be."

"But why me?" Elizabeth asked as a sudden wave of self-doubt washed over her. "Why would he want me? I'm nothing but a broken woman. He deserves someone better, someone he wouldn't lose his family over..."

"Because he loves you," Sara countered as she caught Elizabeth's hand in her own. "Would you risk everything for him?"

"I would give my life for him," Elizabeth said quietly.

"Why?" she pressed gently.

"I...I don't know...I..." Elizabeth trailed off as she suddenly took a step backwards.

"Breathe," Sara ordered before shaking her head. "It wasn't suppose to freak you out," she smiled slightly. "Do you love him, Bets?"

"With every part of my being," replied Elizabeth quietly. "He's a part of who I am."

"You love him enough that you would die for him...isn't it fair to believe he would do the same? That if it came down to it he would give up his family because he can't be without you? But we both know his family, at least half of them, aren't going anywhere…they're moving to our side of the nation, for the love of nature..." she teased.

"Nick did say he would sacrifice himself for me when Caillean asked him," Elizabeth said.

"Then trust his decision Bets...he loves you, more than anything else."

"I know Cass, I know, I really do, it's just given my past it's hard for me to believe it with my head," Elizabeth said.

"I know," Sara agreed softly. "I was there with Billy, I know. But give it time Bets, you'll doubt less and then someday soon you'll never doubt."

"Lady Cassara, Lady Elizabeth," they were greeted a moment later by the Priestess standing watch at the Lady's door.

Glancing at each other Sara and Elizabeth nodded once, they'd continue their conversation another time. Turning their attention to the young Priestess before them they inclined their heads before moving past her into the Lady's residence.

"Cassara, Elizabeth," Caillean greeted as she rose. "You may leave," she told the other Priestesses gathered in the room.

"Lady," Sara answered as the other Priestesses left.

"Lady," Elizabeth greeted as well as the other Priestesses left.

"Please, have a seat," Caillean waved towards the chairs around the table.

"You wished to see us Lady," Elizabeth said taking a seat.

"I did," Caillean agreed. "As you know, tradition dictates that we end the festivities of the New Year with the Esbat fires."

"Of course," replied Elizabeth.

"I would like the two of you to be the Preistesses to cast the circle and perform the rites."

"Tradition states that you and the highest Priestess after you lead them," Sara pointed out carefully.

"Which would be you Lady and Elaine," commented Elizabeth.

"Normally," Caillean agreed. "But we all know that things are no longer...normal." she glanced between them. "Nearly forty years ago, there was a Priestess named Shawna, American by birth, she spent her entire life on the Isle after she was made Priestess. She had a vision in the waters one night that two would be born of the Yule fires. They would be the greatest of our generation...the greatest of us all, blessed with powers not seen since before Atlantis," she trailed off, glancing between them once more.

"But this is an honor that should be Elaine's," countered Elizabeth.

"But this is the wish of the Goddess, and Elaine understands. She has led enough Esbat rites in her time, she herself said she has never seen the two that she considers her daughters lead them together, and may never have another chance. She doesn't know however the full details of the vision Shawna saw, or the full truth of your past; only Shawna and myself had that information. It's yours to tell."

"Cass?" Elizabeth said turning to look at Sara.

"I think...that perhaps...this is the Goddess' way of showing us the road she wants us to take..." she offered after a moment. "We know enough of the prophecy Bets, that two would come, one to lead Avalon, the other to prepare the world for her. Perhaps this is the first step?"

"Do you think we can do this? Do you think we're ready?"

"I don't know, but She thinks we are..."

"She does," Caillean agreed softly.

"Then I guess we're doing this then," Elizabeth said.

"Then I guess we are," Sara smiled.

"Good," Caillean smiled. "I'll see you both just before sunset to prepare."

The three parted, Sara and Elizabeth heading out into the sunlight. "This will be the first time since the night before we left Atlantis..." Sara mused as they walked. "I'm glad that the first time I lead the ceremony with another is with you again," she added softly.

"Same here," replied Elizabeth.

"Come on Bets," Sara smiled as she linked arms with Elizabeth and bumped her hip against Elizabeth's. "Let's go spend some time with the family."

"Sounds good," Elizabeth smiled in return.

Thursday November 1st, 2007
Within the Bristol Channel in England
The Isle of Avalon
12:40 p.m. (local time)

Standing at the eastern edge of the circle they had cast, Sara spread her arms and felt the wind on her face. "Mighty Energies of the East, Sacred Ones of Air, I call on you to attend this circle and empower these rites." Everyone felt the wind sharpen almost; grow stronger than it had been.

To her right, facing South, Elizabeth stood in the same position, arms spread outward and upward. Softly she intoned, "Ancient Energies of the South, Blessed Ones of Fire, I call on you to attend this circle and empower these rites."

As those gathered watched, Elizabeth's faced glowed, just for a moment as if someone had held a candle before her, but they all knew there was no candle, the only light was the fire at the center of the circle they had cast. Elizabeth's eyes opened, and she tilted her head back slightly, feeling the heat upon her face.

Sara silently crossed to the opposite side, the west. "Healing Energies of the West, Ancient Ones of Water, I call on you to attend this circle and empower these rites." Everyone saw the fine mist that began to fall upon the circle, no drop landed outside it but they could see it within.

Elizabeth had moved to the North now, and in a strong voice she called, "Powerful Energies of the North, Eternal Mother Earth, I call on you to attend this circle and empower these rites."

Everyone jumped when they felt the earth rumble, just enough to make them look at each other to see if it really happened. Inside the circle Sara and Elizabeth looked at each other before moving as one to meet at the center, standing across the fire from each other. Together they spoke the words that would ask the Goddess herself to join the circle that night.

From the East the wind suddenly blew stronger, and with it came what almost looked like a silver cloud, or wind itself. The silver wind rushed past those gathered around the circle before sweeping around the fire, forming a bit of a tunnel as the fire flared up in its wake. Then suddenly the fire, while continuing to climb high into the sky, a section seemed to leave the bottom to spread along the ground, eating away at the grass until it reached the end of the circle as those gathered cried out. Half a dozen druids had to hold Nick and Gil back when they moved to race forward as the flames across the ground licked at calf-height, they could see the flames around Elizabeth and Sara. Catherine as well was held back, Lindsey just shaking her head and telling her to not interfere, much to Catherine's confusion.

"Beth!" Nick yelled when the mist grew heavier over the circle, still though there was no wind, no fire, no rain falling outside the circle... as if an invisible barrier had truly been formed by the edges of the circle the two had cast. Besides him Gil had stopped the fight with those who held him, and just watched everything with fear in his eyes and regrets running through his mind as they watched the women they loved engulfed in the flames.

Within the circle, Sara and Elizabeth just continued to watch each other as they felt the heat from the flames, and the water that was soaking their hair and clothing. They watched as the silver spirit continued to move amongst them, knowing why she had come, and what she intended to do.

"Think they'll understand?" Sara called softly, knowing only Elizabeth could hear.

"I hope so...but they will in time if they don't now..."

"Everything changes after this...are you ready?"

"I don't think we have much choice," Elizabeth countered with a smile, glancing up at the falling rain as the earth below them began to move once more. Outside the circle it was felt as well, though not beyond the hill they stood upon.

"True," Sara agreed. "I'm ready if you are."

"Then I guess I'm ready too," Elizabeth smiled.

"Love you Elphaba," Sara nodded as she felt the flames grow higher around her legs, and the rain begin to fall faster.

"Love you too Chrysanthe," Elizabeth giggled as the wind picked up even more.

Outside the circle everyone fought for balance as the ground rolled, then suddenly the fire in the circle flared up, the flames on the ground shooting to be taller than the two, as the center bonfire seemed to reach the very sky, before the flames fell away, disappearing into the ground as the rain stopped, the winds ceased and the ground righted itself once more, all in the space of a second.

Everyone stared in shock as the bonfire returned to its regular size, Sara and Elizabeth still standing in the circle before they started to collapse. Only, halfway towards the ground both their bodies seemed to stop their descent, before it appeared they were being lowered to the ground by unseen hands. When they reached the ground, Caillean glanced over at the druids that held Nick and Gil, nodding her head before they let go and the two rushed forward as the rest of those gathered continued to just stare in awe over what had happened. The Priestesses and Druids were quickly realizing that a true work of the Goddess had taken place this night, just what it meant though, they didn't know.

Gil and Nick exchanged worried looks as they knelt next to the women they loved, they were both unconscious, and while it appeared they hadn't been hurt by the flames...it seemed impossible to believe that they hadn't. Carefully they both moved to lift the girls up, before rising and walking towards Caillean who led them to her own residence instead of to theirs.

Friday November 2nd, 2007
Within the Bristol Channel in England
The Isle of Avalon
2:40 p.m. (local time)

Sara and Elizabeth slept throughout the night and the morning in Caillean's house. During the night Caillean had allowed Nick and Gil to stay, but come morning she had sent them out, much to their objection. She knew they were pacing and sitting as close as they were allowed to the home of the Lady.

Inside Caillean waited for the two to rise, and smiled when they both opened their eyes at the same time. "Good 'morrow," she greeted.

"Morning," replied Elizabeth.

"What she said," Sara smiled as she sat up.

Caillean raised an eyebrow and smile. "I was going to tell you that we could drop the formalities...it seems you beat me to it," she teased.

"Oops," Sara smiled sheepishly.

"Don't worry," Caillean waved her hand. "It's been just over twenty hours since the rites," she began as she rose. "You have two men who are very eager to see you, but I thought first you would like a chance to clean up and break your fast."

"That would be nice," commented Elizabeth as she sat up. "I'm famished.

"As I suspected," Caillean chuckled. "You might want to look at your marks as well," she commented nonchalant.

Sara and Elizabeth glanced at each other before Sara looked down at their ankle and Elizabeth glanced at the mark on her hip, in a way neither were surprised to see that where they once bore one or two marks in Sara's case, now they had the full circle normally given only to the Lady.

"Interesting..." Sara commented before looking up at her, neither quite sure why Caillean had mentioned it.

"Very," she agreed. "I'm sure that neither of you are ready to be made Lady, and to be honest I'm not quite ready to leave this world...but the respect and power of the rank is yours now as well. And I'm sure by now many of the elder Priestesses and Druids have figured out what happened last night..."

"So what happens now?" asked Elizabeth curiously.

"That, I imagine is mostly up to you. You two are the last of the Ancients, and it is the two of you who are meant to bring Avalon back into the world...how you do that only the two of you will know," she answered honestly. "I, like the Ladies before me have simply been here to watch over and train those who follow until the two meant to lead were brought to us...I will follow your lead now that you have returned."

"We'll have to get back to you on all of that," Sara offered after a few moments as she glanced at Elizabeth.

"Of course," Caillean agreed. "But there are two men quite eager to see you, and I'm sure you both have quite a bit to explain to them..." she trailed off as she rose. "Take your time," she smiled before leaving the room.

"We got a bit of planning to do," Sara spoke softly. "Right now want to just focus on explaining things to them?"

"And making sure Nick doesn't kill me before I'm actually able to 'marry' him," Elizabeth said.

Sara laughed, "He won't kill you. He knows I'd beat the crap out of him with the help of the rest of the family and the team. Not to mention we have a whole island full of Priestesses and Druids who would help."

"Doesn't mean he won't try Cass," countered Elizabeth.

"Nah, he loves you too much. He might yell, so might Gil, but they'd never hurt us."

"Well then, shall we get this over with then?" asked Elizabeth.

"Probably should," Sara agreed before they heard the door open. "Then again they might come to us."

"Beth?"

"Sara?"

The two shared a look before turning their attention to their significant others as they came into the room.

"Hi," Elizabeth said quietly as she slowly got to her feet only to feel herself suddenly pulled into Nick's tight embrace.

"Pull a stunt like that again and we'll strangle you," Gil told them both as he held Sara. Glancing at each other the two women smiled over Gil and Nick's shoulders.

Monday May 5th, 2008
Nevada
The Mountains outside Las Vegas
7:32 p.m.

It had been six months since their trip to Avalon and four days since Nick's King Making ceremony at the Beltane Fires. Out of respect for their relationship it was decided that Elizabeth would once again portray the Virgin Huntress, allowing the couple to cement their bond even more after everything that had happened to them over the centuries.

It was now the night of the new moon and Nick and Elizabeth's friends and family, minus his mother, his older brother and two eldest sisters, all of whom refused to acknowledge Elizabeth, were gathered to celebrate their hand fasting, which was being done specifically for appearance and legal purposes seeing as Caillean had actually married them in Avalon.

The altar was bedecked in lilacs, roses and various other flowers. On top of the altar sat two white candles, flower scented incense and a willow wand.

Seeing as this was not a traditional type wedding, Nick was not waiting at the altar for Elizabeth. Instead the only people standing at the altar were Sara and Elaine, both of whom were going to officiate the ceremony for the couple, while the rest of their friends and family sat in rows facing the two priestesses.

As the sun slowly set over the horizon, the soft sounds of a harp could be heard playing as everyone gathered finally got their first look at the couple they were there to see. Nick was escorting Elizabeth down the aisle towards Sara and Elaine.

Nick was wearing a tunic that was made of a white floral brocade and had a round, wide neck that showed the collar of the undershirt. The tunic itself was basically square in shape that was seamed just below his belt and had what appeared to be a skirt of pointed box pleats. The sleeves of the tunic were two separate pieces. An upper piece that was puffed, gathered and set into the arm. Below the elbow, the second part of the sleeve was snug over his forearm with some folds in the fabric. His undershirt was made of lightweight white cotton, and was gathered into the self-lined mandarin collar that closed up the center front with two gold hook and eyes. The cloak that hung around his neck was long and full, made of a white woven wool. The cloak extended at either end and was wrapped around his neck, pleated three times with two to three inch pleats, set into the seam on the right shoulder, allowing the cloak to drape in gentle pleats from shoulder to shoulder and falling down the back on his right and slightly to the front on the left. The cloak was edged in a fine gold braid to complement the gold leaf embroidery that extended down both sides of the cloak as well as the gold lining. He also wore knee high white boots and white hose. On his head he wore the same crown he had worn to his parents anniversary party.

Elizabeth's dress was made of the purest white satin. The bodice had a two-inch trim of silver that ran along the edge of the V neckline, down the middle of her torso and continued around her waist, following the line of the neck, her skirt continuing down to the ground underneath. Her sleeves were in two parts. The lower part of her sleeve lay snug against her forearms and came down in a small point over her wrists while the top part of the sleeve fell to her elbow before hanging loose below it. The upper sleeve was trimmed in the same silver edging as the bodice, it following the edge of the sleeve where it fell from her elbow. Attached to the front of her bodice, about where her underarms were, was a white satin cloak, which hung to the floor, trimmed with the same silver edging and held in place with two silver buttons. Her hair was hanging loose for the most part, except for the front sidepieces, which had been pulled back slightly. On her head sat the same crown she had worn at Sara's wedding and the anniversary party for Nick's parents.

As Nick and Elizabeth reached the altar, they each handed a ring to Sara and Elaine respectively, the priestesses placing the rings over the willow wand and placing them on the altar.

Once Nick and Elizabeth were standing before them, Sara and Elaine lit the candles and incense before turning to face those gathered, their backs to the altar.

"May the place of this rite be consecrated for the Gods. For we gather here in a ritual of love with two who would be wedded. Nick and Elizabeth please come forward and stand here before us, and before the gods of nature," Elaine began as Nick and Elizabeth did as instructed, Nick standing in front of Elaine and Elizabeth standing in front of Sara.

"Be with us here, O beings of the Air with your clever fingers tie closely the bonds between these two. Be with us here, O beings of Fire give their love and passion your own all-consuming ardor. Be with us here, O beings of Water give them the deepest of love and the richness of the body, of the soul and of the spirit. Be with us here, O beings of Earth let your strength and constancy be theirs for so long as they desire to remain together. Blessed Goddess and Laughing God give to these before you, we do ask your love and protection. Blessed Be," Sara intoned.

"Blessed Be," repeated all those gathered as Sara and Elaine held up the willow wand between them, the rings still around it.

"Place your right hands over this wand and your rings his hand over hers," Sara instructed. Nick and Elizabeth doing as told as Sara continued. "Above you are the stars, below you are the stones as time does pass, remember. Like a star should our love be constant, like a stone should your love be firm, be close, but not too close. Posses one another, but be understanding. Have patience each with the other, for storms will come, but they will go quickly. Be free in the giving of affection and warmth. Make love often, and be sensuous with one another. Have no fear and let not the ways or words of the unenlightened give you unease. For the Goddess and the God are with you; Now and Always."

Sara paused, allowing for five heartbeats to pass before continuing. "Is it your wish, Elizabeth to become one with this man?"

"It is," replied Elizabeth.

"Is it your wish, Nicholas to become one with this woman?" Sara asked.

"It is," Nick replied.

"Do any say nay?" asked Sara as she looked out over the gathered guests. When no one objected she continued. "Then, as the Goddess and the God and the Old Ones are witness to this rite I now proclaim you husband and wife," she finished removing the rings from the willow wand and handing them to Nick and Elizabeth to place on each other's fingers before kissing.

Everyone gathered clapped, even a wolf whistle came from the direction where the core group of CSIs were, Sara and Elaine exchanging a look knowing it had to be Greg. Nick and Elizabeth made their way around those gathered, his family present grabbing them to say how much they loved the ceremony, how happy they were she was their's and various other things. Elaine and Sara didn't pay much attention as the rest of the Six Musketeers joined them.

"Okay I gotta ask, what's up with the symbols on Nick's cloak?" Rebecca began immediately.

"They're ancient symbols," Sara smiled. "Elaine and I made it, instilling it with magic to bless their marriage."

"Interesting..." Rebecca nodded before glancing at the other two. "They're getting nuttier..."

"But we love them," Jasmine pointed out and Rebecca shrugged.

"Never said I didn't, just dat they were getting crazier as we all get older."

"Standing right here," Sara smacked the back of Rebecca's head.

"Ouch! Putz," Rebecca grumbled.

"So, you and Gil gonna have us out for one of these?" Juli asked as she shook her head at the familiar antics.

"We're talking about it," Sara smiled. "Though I don't think I'll make him do an Avalon ceremony unless he wants to...he's kinda on my case now that I admitted about the girls..."

"He took tha better than expected," Elaine agreed.

"He already knew was just waiting for me to tell him," Sara chuckled. "But what do you say we go remind the Stokes family that they have to let the bride and groom go so we can all eat..."

"On it!" Rebecca announced before taking off towards the gathering.

"Oh shit," Jasmine and Juli cursed before chasing after her.

"Nice ta know some things never change," Elaine chuckled to herself as Sara chased after to help. "Thankfully," she added as she glanced up at the sky, sending a word of thanks to the Goddess for her family.