Moonlight Gorge has changed so much," Jazz told Dave, as the two drove around town discovering a lot of things they didn't recognize.
"Yes, it has," Dave agreed gravely. "It's grown a lot and not only population wise. Towns need to grow and change though, if they don't want to cease to exist and become ghost towns no matter how much we wish things could stay the same."
"At least Moonlight Gorge becoming a ghost town didn't happen," Jazz shuddered at that possibility. "That would've been more than tragic if it had, as this town was originally built as a haven for magicals as you know. The magical population has grown a lot in the last few decades thanks mostly to our family and also the Hotchners."
"That's true it has," Dave agreed soberly. "I'm sure you realize that there are probably more magical families than just those two here in Moonlight Gorge."
"Well, yes, the Lincolns I'm sure are still around, as Brian and Keith did eventually marry and have families so unless they moved away sometime over the last few hundred years they should still be here in town. Also, you know my sister married eventually as well so at least one branch of them likely still lives here in Moonlight Gorge. The Walters family was subsumed into the Hotchner line, because Shonda was the only heir at least here. There might be other Walters out there related to Shonda and her children but not here in town, unless they moved back after we left for another city. As for any other families that used to have magic I don't know if they still live around here or not. Also, I suppose, it's possible that other magical families have moved here over the last few hundred years."
"That shopping mall wasn't here when we lived here," Dave said pointing at a mall with a large parking lot off to the left.
"No, it wasn't," Jazz agreed. "Shonda and I will have to check it out before we leave. Maybe JJ will want to come to and perhaps some of the other family. I know Shonda and I always had to go somewhere like New Orleans or Lake Charles if we wanted to shop at someplace like a mall."
"Which you did, even if it was only once or twice a year," Dave said.
"We did," Jazz said smiling nostalgically, as she remembered her and her best girlfriend shopping at the closest mall to Moonlight Gorge, which had really hadn't been all that close actually. When she and Shonda had lived here there hadn't been a mall and only a couple of restaurants and one bar.
Shonda at least had traveled on a regular basis go to auctions in big cities unlike Moonlight Gorge had been at the time. Her old hometown was certainly much bigger then it had used to be, but had nothing on a major city like New Orleans.
"Want to stop by the bakery?" Dave asked. "See how much has changed? It was basically your second home after all."
"Yeah, that sounds good," Jazz said, as she continued to look out the window at all the new buildings that hadn't been there when she and Dave had lived here centuries ago.
"I know things can't always stay the same, but that doesn't mean I'm not nostalgic for my old hometown," Jazz finally spoke after a lengthy silence, as Dave drove towards Jazz's Stupendous Delights on the ground, so they could see how much the town had changed, which they couldn't do from the sky lanes.
"That's only natural sweetie," Dave told her. "Under normal circumstances you'd be long dead and buried in the ground. You're bound to be nostalgic seeing how things have changed since you lived here so long ago."
"That's very true," Jazz decided, as they pulled into Jazz's Stupendous Delights and parked.
~~~Cian and JJ~~~
"Well, things have changed somewhat at least. It's kind of like a waking dream you know, as there is so much that is familiar and so much that had changed," Jazz said quietly, as she and Dave sat at one of the booths at the bakery that she had originally started more years ago that she cared to think about.
"Do you really expect anything different though?" Dave asked, even as he took a sip of the coffee he had ordered.
"I suppose not," Jazz admitted. "This booth for instance is new as are most of the booths. I know furnishings can get worn out so replacing all the booths was probably necessary unless you're like some of those restaurants that have rips in the fabric of the cushions or where the cushions are faded or filthy, because they're never washed. Its eerie you know. Its looks like the place I originally started and it doesn't at the same time."
"I understand," Dave said, as he looked around at the bakery that he had patronized quite a bit when he and Jazz had lived here in Moonlight Gorge. He had come in to see his girlfriend and then his wife at least a few times a week, when he had been close by. Also, Jazz had always bought home whatever was left over at the end of the day, that he and Jazz had enjoyed, usually in bed.
"I, to have noticed, the differences, as I was in here quite frequently, as I'm sure you remember back when we lived here," Dave said quietly. "The walls for instance have been repainted sometime in the last few years, probably multiple times. Still, it's essentially the same bakery despite the differences."
"It was nice seeing some of the family we haven't seen in a long time," Jazz said.
"It was," Dave agreed.
Dave and Jazz listened in as one of their many grandchildren told one of the customers who asked about the wooden sign and why it wasn't more modern like you saw in a big city. Their granddaughter then told the customer that it had once been wrenched off it's frame and found several miles away due to a bad tornado. "Yes, we could have something more modern," the granddaughter who's name was Dana said, "but why when that one works just as well? It still shows the name of the bakery quite clearly before you even see the name on the window. It's the one that's been out there ever since the bakery opened its doors centuries ago. Considering what happened doing that tornado I mentioned, it seems like that sign is supposed to always hang outside the bakery or why would we have found it miles from here in such good shape? From what I understand, the tornado was violent and could easily have shredded that sign until there was nothing left, but pieces of painted wood. That the sign is still basically whole, even if it's weathered, just means it's very well-made unlike so many things today. Also, this bakery is still standing and trust me, there has been some violent weather over the years that could've made this building nothing but rubble, as well as half the town."
"I hadn't actually thought about that," the customer said seeming interested. "Now I see why you kept the original sign instead of going for something more modern."
"It's what the people of this town expect to see and it's only the tourists like yourself that wonder why we don't have more modern sign hanging above the entrance," Dana explained. "Why change what works? I think, the original Jazz would be horrified if we went more modern with our signage."
Dana gave Dave and Jazz a wink when the customer wasn't looking in her direction.
"So the original owner...," owner the customer asked turning back to Dana.
"Was, Jazzlyn Lincoln, though when she married the love of her life her last name changed to Rossi. This business is owned by the same family that started it in the first place. It's been in a family for centuries now, as it was started in the late 20th century."
"That's a long time for a business to still be in operation," the customer said in an amazed tone.
"Yes, it is. You'll find in the south that we like our traditions and don't like to make unnecessary changes and changing a sign to one that is more modern is definitely what most people consider unnecessary. Why be like every other place of business who are mostly not unique and are the same no matter where you go at least in things like their signage," Dana explained before she took her leave.
"That was very the interesting," Dave said once the customer had finished his food and drink and left.
"Yes, it was a rather interesting story that Dana told. I never knew that happened, but then, I know I wouldn't have necessarily have heard about the incident, even if I am the original owner," Jazz commented quietly.
"Dana could've just been spinning the story for the customer to assuage his curiosity, as to why the business has kept the original sign and not replaced it for something more modern," Dave suggested.
"Or it could very well be true," Jazz said
"That's possible to," Dave said, even as he finished his cup of coffee and the snack he had gotten. "You could ask her if you're really that curious."
"It doesn't really matter, but yes, I am curious if the storm did what Dana claimed," Jazz said.
"Anything else?" Dana asked her grandparents as soon as she had a free minute to come over to their table. She was not only a waitress when the place was really super busy, she was also a cashier and also helped out in the kitchen on occasion.
"We're fine honey," Dave told her. "We're about done with our food so it's probably time we get going."
"Yeah, it is," Jazz agreed. "Just one question before Dave and I head back to the hotel."
"OK, what's the question?" Dana asked, as she looked at her grandmother who didn't look old enough for the title, but then there was a reason for that.
"Was that story about the tornado that you told the customer true or was it something you made up to assuage his curiosity?" Jazz asked.
"It was actually true," Donna answered. "It was several hundred years ago that it happened, the sign ended several miles away due to a very fierce and dangerous tornado that came through here. From the way I understand it, the town was lucky, that it didn't destroy more of the buildings here including the bakery. There were said to be winds up to 300 miles an hour."
"That sounds like some tornado," Dave said now knowing the story was true.
"From what I was told it was said to be very fierce and destroyed a lot of the things in its path. It apparently, came down from New Orleans and only lightly brushed on Moonlight Gorge. That's just what I was told as it was before my time here," Dana said.
"I think it's about time we head out," Dave said finishing his coffee.
"It was nice of you to come back to Moonlight Gorge, even if that's just for a visit," Dana said.
"We had some business to take care of," Jazz said simply her voice soft enough that no one could've heard her except for Dave and Dana.
"You came to see Cian's girlfriend Jennifer Jareau and give her the talk," Dana said and Dave and Jazz nodded in confirmation. "How did that go?" Dana asked curiously. "I haven't seen JJ since you and the Hotchners came to town so I haven't had a chance to ask her or Cian myself."
"It went fine," Dave said. "She accepted it easier than some who have been told in the past."
"Of course, that probably has to do with the steady stream of sweets from this bakery she's been eating," Jazz said quietly.
"Yeah, she's become a regular patron after she moved here," Dana agreed. "I'm usually here when JJ and Cian make an appearance for their daily snack stop. Of course, sometimes, I'm out on the floor cleaning up and other times I'm in the kitchen, so I'm not always the one that serves them."
"That's really not surprising though," Jazz said. "Most people, once they try something from this bakery, always come back unless they don't like the products we sell. JJ, just like everyone else in the family, loves sweets."
"That's true," Dana agreed.
"We'll see you later honey," Dave told Dana kissing on her cheek.
"It was nice coming in to see how much the place has changed since I ran it so many centuries ago," Jazz said.
"You know you're both welcome back anytime, so long as you're in town," Dana said.
"We probably won't be here more than another few days, but still, we'll be back at least once to say goodbye to everyone," Dave said, as he and Jazz threw their trash away before heading for their rented car.
Dana watched them go smiling a little, as she had enjoyed her grandparents visit very much, before getting back to doing what she had been before she had come over to talk to them.
~~~Cian and JJ~~~
Shonda walked into Walters Antiques to see Cian behind the register. Shonda looked around the store trying to determine how much had changed since the last time she had been here, which had been many centuries ago.
"It's changed hasn't it?" Cian said seeing his aunt looking around as if she was dreaming.
"Somewhat," Shonda admitted. "I expected the different merchandise, as it's been a long time since I ran it, but you have a newer more up-to-date register for one thing and there's also other differences. It's also very similar just like the house that Aaron and I lived in when we lived here in town, that Rick and his family live in now. JJ asked me why I seemed so familiar with the house while you weren't there and I explained that I had a grown-up in that very house and remembered where everything was. Well, the things that weren't bought or changed after my time anyway."
"I bet that was a rather interesting conversation," Cian chuckled.
"It was, JJ was deeply shocked, as it had never occurred to her that the house could've belonged to me and my family many centuries ago, but then it wouldn't occur to anyone, so it's really not so strange. Our families situation is unique, so it's no wonder it didn't occur to JJ," Shonda said her expression mischievous. "I'm glad you have finally met your mate, Cian. I'm really looking forward to getting to know JJ better."
"I'm only glad she accepted the news at our family is different from most people," Cian said.
"The constant stream of sweets she's been consuming help with that," Shonda said.
"Yeah, it likely did and I'm glad," Cian admitted. "It's good to have such an advantage."
"It is," Shonda agreed.
"You know I always figured that maybe I didn't have a mate, because I wasn't born immortal," Cian told Shonda. "It never occurred to me that I had one at all not until I saw JJ."
"Of course, you had one, Cian. I don't believe you ever doubted you did," Shonda told him seriously. "You have to remember that I wasn't born immortal either and neither was Jazz or Aaron or Dave for that matter."
"It never occurred to me to think about it that way and it should have," Cian said.
"It doesn't really matter, though I'm sorry you ever doubted that you did have a mate out there, just waiting for you to find, but at least now you know you were wrong about not having one," Shonda told him
"I know that now, in hindsight anyway," Cian said.
"Yes, hindsight is a funny thing," Shonda said smiling. "Me and Aaron as well as Dave and Jazz are leaving for Philadelphia sometime in the next couple of days now that JJ has accepted our family is different from most. When are you going to propose and make it official?"
"Soon," Cian told his aunt. "I'll let you and Uncle Aaron know as soon as I do."
"You do that," Shonda told him before she bid him goodbye and left Walters Antiques.
~~~Cian and JJ~~~
Epilogue
Three months later
The Hotchners and Rossis went back to Philadelphia after they had told JJ all about immortals, mates and magic. Cian was still amazed JJ had accepted that immortality, magic and mates were very real so easily, even though he knew that his Aunt Jazz's bakery magic was powerful and a lot of her children had gotten that particular gift.
"Marry me JJ," Cian proposed. "You have accepted my family is different from most other people so you would make me the happiest man in the world if you would become my wife."
"Of course I will," JJ squealed. "I'm so glad you convinced me to stay in Moonlight Gorge, I now realize I would've been miserable without you in my life. At the time, I didn't understand, why you told me that you would follow me to Milwaukee if necessary, now I do."
"Good," Cian said smiling widely. "I know what you were told was fantastic and unbelievable, but I'm glad you didn't tell me to get lost."
"I couldn't do that, as I would only be miserable if I did, something I know very well," JJ said. "I realized after a few months that I would be miserable without you in my life in some capacity. I am so glad I decided to move here to Moonlight Gorge, glad that I allowed you to convince me."
"Aunt Shonda will be thrilled that you accepted my proposal and so will everyone else," Cian said. "Plan whatever kind of wedding you want, as I am very wealthy and no arguments about paying for it yourself. Just keep in mind that my family is large. Just with the Hotchners alone there are several hundred and if you include the Rossis in that that total doubles."
"That's a whole lot of people," JJ whistled appreciatively looking amazed at the size of Cian's family, but then, she supposed with them being immortal they never got too old to have children.
"You're not the first one make that sort of comment and you probably won't be the last either," Cian told her smiling. "You have to remember what my family is, which means that they never get to old have children."
"I just had that thought, so you're right," JJ agreed quietly seeming contemplative. "As for arguing about paying my own bills, I've mostly learned not to do that, as I never win."
"You never will when it comes to the discussion of money," Cian said firmly. "I know women have their pride, so I'll help you invest so that you'll always have plenty and won't have to feel guilty for using some of mine. You shouldn't feel guilty by the way, because what's mine is yours after we marry."
"I'll try not to, but I'm making no promises," JJ said. "I know you're right that spouses share finances and have joint bank accounts."
"Good, I'm glad you can see that," Cian said. "Also, we need to start looking for a house as this apartment isn't really big enough for a family and neither is yours."
"That's true, but it certainly adequate for now," JJ said. "I'm glad I only got a year's lease on my apartment now. I'm glad that was all I could afford until I had been working for longer.
The two sat in Cian's apartment in silence before they started smooching just glad to be together.
The two of them would marry in a few months and Cian would be delighted to turn his mate immortal so they would always be together.
At the moment life was perfect.