"Uncle Aaron, it's so good to see you," called a female voice excitedly.
"It's good to see you too, Shawnda, Spencer. We're so glad that you're back from your trip," Aaron greeted the pair.
"Europe was interesting and educational," came a male voice that Cian figured was Spencer the veterinarian.
"So where is Aunt Shonda?" asked Shawnda.
"I'm right here," Shonda said coming out of the kitchen and giving her goddaughter a long hug. "It's so good to have you two home. I hope you're staying for at least awhile so we can catch up."
Once she finished hugging Shawnda she shook Spencer's hand and kissed his cheek.
"It's so good to see you Aunt Shonda," Shawnda said.
"You two have been missed, but then, we miss all our godchildren when we don't see them often," Shonda said.
"Shawnda and Spencer deserve some time to themselves without the family crowding them," Aaron said. "I hope you enjoyed yourselves as you were touring Europe."
"We did," Spencer assured the Hotchners. "We brought presents for everyone including the boy you took in. I believe you said his name was Cian."
"That's right and it's about time we introduce you," Shonda said. "He's been very eager to meet you both, but especially you Spencer."
"Oh, why?" Spencer asked curiously.
"Because we've told him all about you and how intelligent you were even as a child. Cian is also intelligent. His speech patterns have always been much clearer, more advanced than most children his age. Also, he understands concepts that most children wouldn't. We got him enrolled in the school that we have been sending our children to and he caught up really quickly considering he didn't really know how to read and write when we met."
"That's not quite true. He knew enough to puzzle out things like street signs but not beyond that," Aaron said. "He should've been in school actually before his mother died because he was six, which is past the time that he should've started."
"I'll go get him, as he should still be in the kitchen, as we were talking before you arrived," Shonda said.
"I hope you went to see Dave and Jazz before you came here," Shonda heard Aaron tell the pair as she went to collect Cian.
~~~Aaron and Shonda~~~
"Cian you need to come out and meet Spencer in Shawnda," Shonda told the boy, as she entered the kitchen. "Don't be shy. I know you've been very eager to meet them."
"I just wanted to give you a few minutes with them before I came out. I know you and Uncle Aaron have missed them," Cian said.
"You're such a well mannered young man," Shonda said, as she ruffled Cian's hair affectionately. "Come on though, they'll be in the living room by now."
The voices from the entry hall had since faded which told Cian and that his aunt was right.
Cian followed his aunt out of the kitchen and towards the living room.
~~~Aaron and Shonda~~~
"It's nice to meet you, Cian," said Spencer shaking the young man's hand. "I've heard good things about you from Shonda and Aaron."
"They talk about you constantly whenever we talk," Shawnda added.
"That's true," Shonda agreed. "Just because they've been exploring Europe doesn't mean we haven't heard from them. We talked every week for usually at least an hour and the same can be said for their parents."
"So is Cian caught up on everything?" Spencer asked because immortality and magic wasn't something they could discuss over a communicator as anybody could be listening in. It was better to be cautious just in case.
"Yep, he knows everything. I have to say he took it rather well, but then, Jazz had baked some chocolate brownies that we all ate before we started the discussion. We all had very full stomachs."
Shawnda and Spencer know what that meant though they said nothing. It was likely Jazz's baking that had made Cian accept the explanation about immortality and magic easier.
"They were great!" Cian said, enthusiastically.
"My mother is a terrific baker," Shawnda agreed smiling at the boy in a friendly manner. "I and my siblings had plenty of treats growing up in Moonlight Gorge."
"One thing we never told you was apparently Cian here also has magic and I think that's why he came into my shop, as he was likely drawn to me," Shonda informed her guests
"Well, that's a surprise," Spencer said studying Cian closely. Cian was a little uncomfortable with the scrutiny, but since it was friendly he didn't protest.
"It really is," Shawnda agreed.
"He formed a little witch light over his head after I gave him instructions. He got it on his first try," Shonda told her guests proudly. "He's way more advanced than that now and has basically caught up with the others. That's on top of catching up at school too.
"He really has been doing very well," Aaron added. "His teachers have all praised him to the skies. They say that he catches on quickly and considering he was behind when we enrolled him that's pretty impressive."
"Well, I'm certainly glad you two rescued him then. It would be a shame if such intelligence was wasted," Spencer commented.
Cian was blushing at all the compliments he was receiving, but he was also happy that all his hard work was being recognized and it made him want to work even harder to make his aunt and uncle proud of him.
"So I'm interested in perhaps becoming a veterinarian when I grow up which is one reason I was so interested in meeting you," Cian told Spencer. "I was hoping you could tell me what it's like."
"Sure I can," Spencer agreed. "I'm retired right now, but that doesn't mean I won't go back to it at some point. I can certainly explain what being a veterinarian is like, but we can do that another day. Shawnda and I are going to be around for awhile so we'll have to get together at some point."
"You are?" Shonda asked Spencer really excited at that prospect.
"Yes, we are," Shawnda confirmed rubbing her stomach. "I'm pregnant you see, which is the main reason we're going to settle down here."
"You're pregnant," Aaron asked looking happy at that announcement.
"We are," Spencer confirmed, even asked his arm snaked around Shawnda's shoulders. "We are done traveling for the foreseeable future."
"So when are you due?" Shonda asked.
"I'm already past the first trimester and nearly past the second, so it'll only be about five months."
"And you didn't tell us sooner," Shonda accused to goddaughter sounding upset.
"We didn't realize it until a few weeks ago," Spencer said trying to sooth Shonda's temper.
"We really should've realized it sooner as I was eating a great deal more than I normally do, but without the morning sickness that normal people get we just didn't notice, as we were distracted. We were having fun traveling and everything," Shawnda said. "We finally went to a doctor while we over there and they confirmed what we already suspected.
"Alright fine, you're forgiven," Shonda said relaxing her temper fizzling out, seeming to just pop the bubble of tension that was starting to build. "I hope you told your parents as they should've been the first ones to know."
"We went over there yesterday," Spencer answered. "We told them then and asked them not to say anything, so we could tell you in person. They're very happy for us."
"Shonda and I will definitely look forward to this little one being born," Aaron said.
"Of course we will. Being immortal means there are very few things we get excited about and this is one of them," Shonda said
"Congratulations from me to," Cian who had been silent said.
"Thank you," Shawnda said with a beaming smile.
~~~Aaron and Shonda~~~
"Hi Aunt Jazz," Cian greeted the woman behind the counter of Enchanted Sweets, which was the name of Jazz's current bakery. Shonda and Cian had been at the antique shop when Shonda decided to close it for lunch. Cian was now 13 and starting to learn the antique business because he wanted to. He still found all the items for sale in Shonda's store fascinating just like he had back when he was a six year old boy. He had a good brain and good eye for what was valuable and Shonda was very proud of him. The antique business wasn't something you needed magic for unlike Jazz's bakery business. Technically, Jazz didn't really need magic for her bakery to be successful, though it did help.
Shonda was happy to teach Cian and any of the other children that displayed an interest all she knew about antiques. It was basically on the job training, though really it wasn't the kind of job that you could really train for. You could only learn what you needed to know from experience. Besides, what was valuable and antique changed practically every day so you really had to have a talent antiquing in order to be any good at it. There was now a Walters Antiques in multiple cities in the states and some of her children ran them.
There was also bakeries run by Jazz's children in the same cities Walters Antiques were located. Whoever had inherited the baking magic had taken over one of the bakeries that Jazz had originally started in whatever city they had lived in for that generation. Shonda knew that there were several of Jazz and Dave's children who had opened restaurants in different cities simply because they were excellent cooks, because they were Kitchen Witches. It's what they had wanted. Their parents of course had helped them get started.
"I'm doing just fine Cian. Thank you for asking," Jazz and told him. "So what will it be?"
"That thing with the marshmallows and the chocolate frosting," Cian pointed.
"Ah, the Mississippi Mud Cake," Jazz said she took Cian's selection out of the front case and put it on a plate for him. "Anything to drink?"
"Just a soda," Cian answered.
"What about you Shonda?" Jazz asked her friend.
"Chocolate fudge layer cake. You know it's one of my favorites," Shonda told her friend. "Also, a cup of your signature coffee would be good."
"So is this lunch or just a snack?" Jazz asked.
"We had a good lunch before we came," Shonda told Jazz with a wink. "We had lunch close by, so I figured we'd stop by and get us some desert before we head back to the shop to open it again."
"We went to our favorite sandwich place," Cian put in. "That doesn't mean we don't have room for dessert though."
"Don't ruin your dinner," Jazz said refusing to take payment.
Cian had learned that anybody who was considered family never had to pay at Jazz's bakery. His aunt made plenty of money off other people and she was also several centuries old so was quite wealthy. If you combined that with her husband's money it's not like they were hurting so letting the family get her baked goods for free was just the way she operated. She always started up a bakery in whatever city that the family moved to every generation. It was definitely something he appreciated.
"That's not gonna be a problem. He'll be hungry again by dinner time I guarantee it," Shonda said, as she ruffled Cian's hair affectionately. "Let's go find us a table, shall we?"
"Hey! I'm a growing boy!" Cian protested playfully. "What do you expect from a teenager? I have it on good authority that teenagers are always hungry."
"Who told you that?" Shonda asked Cian playfully already knowing the answer.
"Uncle Aaron of course," Cian answered grinning.
"Of course," Shonda said deadpan trying not to grin, as that would ruin the effect.
The rest of the customers listened to the pair as they playfully bantered. It was nice to see a mother and son so close.
"I'll have to have a talk with Aaron when we get home about what he's been teaching you," Shonda said rolling her eyes for effect.
"Of course you will," Cian said smiling not seeming worried in the least, even as he dug into his pie.
"Here are some cookies and fudge to take home to the others," Jazz said, as she dropped a large box on the table as Shonda and Cian were finishing their deserts.
"My kids will certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness," Shonda told her friend.
"So will Uncle Aaron," Cian added. His uncle loved sweets just as much as everyone else in the family, especially those from Jazz's bakery.
"True," Shonda agreed.
~~~Aaron and Shonda~~~
"Can I help you sir?" Shonda asked from behind the counter Walters Antiques. The fellow that had just entered her store was well dressed and at least in his late 40s early 50s, as he had a lot of gray hair going through the black.
"I'm just looking," the man said, as he wandered around looking at all the items for sale.
"Is this authentic?" the man asked pointing out the desk lamp from the well known maker Dagon. The lamp was antique with colorful glass panels designed to look like water with dolphins. It was in perfect condition and several hundred years old. It had been quite the find for Shonda at a flea market. She then had then proceeded to buy it for $30, a bargain. The seller had no idea of the real value and Shonda hadn't bothered to inform her.
"Yes, it is. I should have the paperwork in the back, as I had it authenticated by an appraiser," Shonda said cordially. "Want me to go get the paperwork for you?"
"That would be appreciated young lady," the man said.
Shonda didn't take offense at being referred to as a young lady, because she knew very well she still looked in her early 30s and always would. "Watch the store Cian," Shonda added.
"Yes Aunt Shonda," Cian answered obediently taking his place behind the counter in case they got another customer while his aunt was busy.
Cian kept his eyes on the man who didn't pay any attention to him, just kept examining the lamp that was sitting on top of a secretaire desk on display. The desk of course was also for sale. Just the lamp was over $5000 and if he also bought the desk that would push the price up to 55,000.00.
"Here we go," Shonda said finally coming back from the stockroom where she kept a filing cabinet for various papers.
The man came over and took the papers in order to study them and then nodded. "I'll take the lamp as well as the desk," the man said. "That desk is in great shape. They aren't made like that anymore. It will go perfectly in my office at home."
"That'll be 55,000.00 USD sir," Shonda told him without even looking at the price tags. She knew the price of every item that she sold and so rarely had to look up the information. "There are several small scars on that desk. It looks like a some type of shoe kicked it maybe."
"I saw those. It just gives it more character," the man said as he took out his credit card. "Other than those scratches that desk is in perfect condition. A rare find."
"I'll have it shipped to you in a few days, a week at most," Shonda said running the man's card through the register. The credit card read Daniel Whitcroft. "Thank you for your business and feel free to come back anytime."
"Oh, I guarantee you I'll be back at some point. I only wish I had known about your shop sooner. I just happened to be in this area and spotted it. I thought I'd have a look at your selection. This isn't the usual antique shop for tourists with a bunch of junk. I've been looking for something like that desk for a long time, but they just don't make them like that anymore and the lamp was a really surprising find. I recognized the maker without even seeing the stamp on it. Of course, I won't say their aren't fakes out there, which is why I wanted to see the paperwork."
"Yes, they are," Shonda agreed, as Cian stayed silent and observed. "I see you know a lot about antiques."
"I do. My family collects them. Whatever they take an interest in. My parents collect these old piggy banks. The ones that you actually put the coins in."
"There are still some of those around," Shonda said. "We don't have any at the moment, but we do get them occasionally. They usually sell relatively fast so you have to be really lucky in order to get one."
"If you can call me if you happen to get any in I would appreciate it," Daniel told Shonda. "If I can get some they would make great presents for my parents who have a lot of them. They have all different types, a monkey that has cymbals on his hands and you drop the coin in in-between his legs and once you do the monkey claps banging the cymbals together.
"That sounds really adorable," Shonda offered. "We had one recently that was a dog and you put the coin into its mouth and pull the lever on the side. The coin was then deposited inside the bank by the dog rolling it's tongue inward making the coin disappear."
"Too bad you sold it," Daniel said looking regretful. "I don't believe my parents have anything similar."
"If I had only known of your interest I would've called you, as I can always use more business," Shonda said.
"Here's my card. It has my number on it. Make sure you call me if you get any of those piggy banks in," Daniel said. "I'm going to make a point of recommending you to all my friends and associates."
"I will," Shonda promised. "I can't guarantee you I'll get any in anytime soon, but you never know what you find at auctions or yard sales even the flea market."
"I never thought of looking at a flea market," Daniel said looking impressed.
"They have some good things that the sellers have no idea how valuable they are. They don't bother to do their research to get at least a general idea how much something is worth," Shonda said with smirk. "I bought this old cloth doll once, the kind with a ceramic head and real hair. It was in perfect condition and I got it for 50 bucks."
Shonda didn't tell the man that she'd done that several centuries ago and it was also just after she had met her own husband.
"I bet you sold it for a very high price," Daniel said.
"Actually, it was a gift for my goddaughter who my best friend was pregnant with at the time," Shonda said. "I could've sold it, but didn't necessarily need to and I thought it would make a good present for the baby girl my friend was carrying."
"Nice present," Daniel said looking impressed.
"Jazz and I have been friends since we were toddlers, which is why I was named the godmother. I would've strangled her if I hadn't been," Shonda shrugged with a grin to show she was joking. "I didn't necessarily need the sale, as I make a good living. If you can't spoil the people you love what's the point?"
That's a good point," Daniel admitted. "If you have the money to indulge those you love then you should."
"At the time Jazz thought it was a bit extravagant for a child's doll until I told her it was antique and worth considerably more. She knows more about antiques and she used to, but still she's no expert."
"That was some find at a flea market, but that's not really an area of interest for me," Daniel said
"Different things, interest different people," Shonda said serenely. "It was just an example of what you can find a flea market if you go and explore at least every few months."
She always tried to have a variety of antiques on hand because you never knew what was going to interest somebody. She was always getting shipments of some sort and that was what made her so damn good in the antique business.
"Now there's a true statement," Daniel agreed.
Daniel Whitcroft left then and both Shonda and Cian and watched him go.
"That was really interesting," Cian said once the man was gone.
"Yes, it was," Shonda agreed.
"So you think he'll be back?" Cian asked. "That he'll recommend us to all his friends and associates like he said he would?"
"Yes I do, as he seemed really impressed with our selection, I do try to keep a wide variety on hand because different people are interested in different things just like I told Mr. Whitcroft." Shonda said. "If he spends just as much every time he's in here that'll be a bonus. If he does recommend our shop to all his friends and family and that would definitely be a good thing."
"55,000.00 is a lot of money," Cian said
"It is, but then quality cost," Shonda told the boy ruffling his hair affectionately.
Cian accepted the gesture smiling. His aunt loved to ruffle his hair. It was a gesture of affection, which is why he didn't mind when she did.
"Antiques are often better quality then what many manufacturers produce today," Shonda said. "Poor quality seems to be most manufacturers go for simply so people will have to replace things sooner rather than it lasting 50 years or more depending on what it is. People really knew how to make things last way back in the past and not just furniture but also electronics. Even buying a good name brand doesn't necessarily mean something like a TV will last for decades before it needs to be replaced. Of course, sometimes you get lucky and some thing's do last for a long time."
Cian listened and learned, as he was really interested in the antique business and he knew that his aunt could teach him a lot.
~~~Aaron and Shonda~~~
