by Hart, Allysa
“Yes, dear. I’m sure that it does. We all have our areas we can improve on. Paperwork and recordkeeping are mine. We just need to go through and figure out what’s important and what’s not and then organize it from there.” She shoved a box in my arms, and I swept my foot on the floor to create a clean spot for my workspace. Sitting down against the wall, I looked up and realized I was directly across from the secret room where I’d found Callum’s bottle. With everything that had happened, I had completely forgotten about it and all of its contents. I shivered, remembering how creeped out I had been when I saw all that crap, but then I got that familiar tummy flutter as my thoughts turned to Callum. As usual, I tried to push the thoughts away by focusing on the task at hand. I mean, really, who spent all their time obsessing about a sexy genie? Ugh. The busywork helped, but thoughts of him niggled just below the surface, ever present.
After hours spent sorting paperwork, my butt was numb, my throat dry, and my stomach empty. Time to be done for a bit. I stood up and stepped over my carefully constructed piles to get my water bottle.
“So can you explain that room to me?” I asked hesitantly. The question had been lingering on the tip of my tongue all day, and I could no longer hold it in.
She stood and stretched her back, frowning resignedly. “What would you like to know?”
“Why does it exist? Is that all your stuff?” I posed my questions carefully so as not to come off as judgmental, but the things in that room were weird, and I was concerned I might be living with a crazy person
Mary looked at me with a weary expression and sighed. “Let’s go upstairs and have some lunch. We can chat while we eat.”
She left quickly as if trying to put some distance between her and the creepy little room. I followed her without a word, becoming more and more worried about her answer.
Upstairs, Mary pulled out all of the fixings for sandwiches as I cleared off the merchandise drying on the table. She still didn’t speak.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, then we don’t have to.” I offered.
“I’m fine, dear.”
She didn’t seem fine, but I didn’t feel like arguing, and I wanted to know the answers. We made our sandwiches and sat at the table with bottles of cold water. God I wanted a Coke.
“Before I met your father, I had an interest in the darker sides of magic,” she began out of nowhere. “I dabbled in all sorts of witchcraft for years. When Callum came into my life, he did his darndest to get me out of it, but I was wrapped in deep, obsessed with potions and spells and everything in between. Some of the stuff I did was dangerous. I was always on a wild goose chase for this ingredient or that. Always in search of something.”
I listened to the tale, completely weirded out but trying not to judge. “When I met your father, I fell head over heels, and I quit it all, but...” She trailed off, looking around the room, and I could tell this part was difficult. “When I got pregnant, I got scared, and I tried to conjure something to end the pregnancy. You have to understand I was young and addicted to drugs.” At this point in the story, she avoided making eye contact with me. Abortion? Was she serious? Taking a deep breath I schooled my features. I was angry but wanted to hear the entire story. This was the first time she had opened up to me. “I was thankfully unsuccessful, and when your father found out, he was furious. He locked me away in his house and would not allow me to go anywhere or do anything without his approval and supervision. It was horrible, but I deserved it.” She paused, taking a bite of her sandwich. I wanted to scream at her to continue, my stomach in such knots I was not going to be able to eat.
“He forced me to marry him, insisting no Burelli would ever be born a bastard. I tried to love him. I wanted to appreciate the care I received. I was clean and sober for the first time since I was a teenager. But I hated him. I knew deep down he was not a good man and we would not have a happy future together. I stayed for you.” She finally looked at me again, with sad and haunted eyes. I struggled with what I should say or do. I already knew how this story ended. Maybe I should have asked her to stop, but it was like watching a train wreck. I knew the train was going to crash, but I couldn’t take my eyes away.
“In the end, I wasn’t strong enough. I went back to the drugs and… he took you away. He told me if I ever came for you he would kill us both and be done with the whole thing. I couldn’t let him hurt you, so I did as told. I took his hush money, got clean for the final time, and bought this place. I put all of my things in that room and have not touched them since.”
“Wait, he threatened to kill me?” I was stuck on one haunting sentence. It seemed hard to believe. He was a crap father, but he had always made sure I was taken care of.
“If he had only threatened me, I would have taken the risk.”
With a sinking stomach, I realized Mary had no real reason to lie to me.
I hadn’t spoken to my father since his arrest, and I had no plans to remedy the situation. Once I had my money, I would be gone for good and never look back. I had already made that decision, but the new information sealed the deal. I was simply a responsibility, but why? Because I was a Burelli? What a bunch of horse shit!
“Talk to me dear.” Mary reached out and took my hand. “I see you struggling. I will answer any questions you have. You deserve the whole truth.”
“Why did my father let me see you once? Why didn’t we ever get to come back?”
“I pleaded with him to let me visit with you. We had so much fun, do you remember?” Her smile warmed my heart, but I didn’t remember much.
“You hugged me a lot.” It was the one thing that stuck out. Physical affection was not something my father offered me, so being around someone who gave hugs freely had made a huge impact.
Her smile widened, and some of the pain faded from her face. As much as that story sucked, and I wanted to be mad, this woman had been through hell, and the bottom line was, she took me in when no one else would. If my remembering her hugs gave her some light, then so be it.
My alarm squealed, and I jumped out of bed. “It’s my birthday.” I quietly celebrated. In the past, I would wake up to an empty house. There would usually be a card on the kitchen counter from my father, but never even signed by him. I would happily take the cash out of it, dump the card in the trash, and head to the spa for a full day of pampering. The end of the day would consist of clubbing with my friends, getting shitfaced, and hooking up with the first guy I deemed fit. It felt good in the moment, but the following days were filled with loneliness, frustration, and self-loathing.
Today, I was going to put on some ragged clothes, eat a bowl of cereal with whole milk, and spend the day scrubbing antiques as I had for the past few weeks. My nails were all chipped to hell, I could feel calluses forming on my hands, and my hair was a dry ratty wreck, but I couldn’t be bothered with that stuff anymore. I didn’t care. Okay, so maybe I cared a little bit, but definitely not as much. My life now had a sense of purpose. Spending time working in the shop with Mary had made me realize how empty and shallow all of my past relationships were. The fact that she was my mother was still a bit unbelievable, and we had not talked about it since the day I found out, but I was totally okay with that. She showed me a huge amount of respect by letting me to come to her when I was ready. There also had been no talk about me moving out when the money came through. It was the elephant in the room. I hadn’t even talked about it with Callum, who had become my confidante, best friend, and deepest fantasy.
He made subtle comments about using my third wish on my birthday, but there were two problems with that. One, I didn’t want the things I used to want anymore. Life was less about money and power and more about love and purpose. And, two, I didn’t know what would happen to him. My relationship with him was an exciting adventure I didn’t want to end. He was unlike any other person I had ever met. He had all of the characteristics I had ever hoped for in a man, even though he wasn’t even human. A life without Callum was the last thing I wan
ted to imagine. Never knowing what real love felt like, my feelings toward him confused and scared me, but they also excited and filled me with hope.
The smell of coffee permeated the air, and I thought I might be dreaming, but it was so real. I could taste the sweet fumes! I whipped open the curtain and gasped at what I saw. Front and center in the middle of the kitchen counter stood a shiny new coffeemaker.
“Cream or sugar?” Mary asked as she pulled the cup out from under the machine and placed it in front of her.
I squealed in delight and ran to the kitchen, almost tackling her to the floor in a bear hug. “You got me coffee? Best birthday present ever!” I exclaimed. “No cream, no sugar, just gimme!” Letting go of her, I picked up the steaming mug and held it to my nose. Wasting no time, I took the first sip and just about died and went to heaven. “Oh my God. It’s been so long.”
“It’s only been a few weeks.” Mary teased.
“That’s forever in coffee years!” I filled with contentment as the coffee warmed my stomach. “Thank you. This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me,” I confessed, unable to make eye contact.
She reached out and grabbed my hand, “You deserve this and so much more. You have worked so hard around here. I don’t know how to thank you for staying. I figured…” Her voice began to shake. “I figure you can take this wherever you decide to go, and maybe remember your time here.”
I set the cup down and pulled her into another hug. I didn’t know what to say, the words caught in my throat. I could leave now. The money would hit my account, and I would be free. I could go anywhere I wanted, make a life for myself, but it sounded so… lonely.
Mary pulled away, wiping her eyes with the corner of her kimono, “I’m sorry to get emotional, dearie. I never thought I would get to spend a birthday with you, and I’m just so thankful.”
I smiled as my own eyes filled with tears. I’d never thought I would spend a birthday with my mom either.
“Is this how we are to spend the day?” Callum’s voice sounded before he materialized.
“You are so rude! Can’t you see we’re having a moment?” I joked.
Quirking his eyebrow, he crossed his arms over his chest and waited. Rolling my eyes, I approached him and adopted a very unrepentant stance. “I’m sorry for my petulance, Sir. Please forgive me?”
I peeked up to see him smiling and jumped into his arms. Nuzzling my neck, he gave a sharp bite. “You will pay for that later, you know?”
I blushed, remembering his birthday promise. “I’m counting on it.”
His chuckle rumbled through his chest and, with my legs wrapped around him, I felt it directly in my pussy. “My little sprite, you are full of yourself this morning.”
“I had coffee! Look!” Grabbing his hand I dragged him in front of the machine. Doing my best Vanna White impression, I explained its importance, “You see, Sir? This little piece of machinery has the power to make lifesaving cups of pure delight. With a single push of this button”—I pointed to the lit blue circle—“an elixir will magically pour from the spout, filling the waiting cup that should then be delivered to the waiting hands of me, preferably before my feet have even touched the floor.” I placed my hands on my hips. “I’m gonna need you to learn how to use this thing because you are now my official delivery boy.”
Callum mimicked my stance and my facial expression. “I’m gonna need to teach you a lesson if you think you can talk to me like that.”
His sudden seriousness shocked the hell out of me. “But it’s my birthday!”
“Oh, I know what day it is.”
“I’m supposed to be the queen on my birthday.” I pouted.
Lifting my chin with his finger, he winked. “You are always my princess, but I am the king, and that is the way it will always be.”
“Do I at least get a crown?” I summoned the most pitiful look I could muster.
Callum snapped his fingers, and a stunning tiara appeared in his hand. The stones sparkled, their reflections sending shiny little dots all over the room. My heart filled with excitement, but I did my best to hide it with a bored sigh. “I guess that will do.”
As he placed the fragile jewelry atop my head, he smiled and rolled his eyes “You, little girl, are in for one hell of a wakeup call tonight. I hope you aren’t planning on sitting tomorrow,” he growled for only me to hear.
I giggled, excited for what was to come. My good girl spankings had been amazing, but he had talked up this birthday spanking so much my body shook with anticipation. Getting up onto my toes, I strained for a kiss. Callum obliged with a chaste peck but pulled back before I could get more. “Happy Birthday, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
A sniffle broke our reverie, and we turned to see my mother sobbing.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as concern slammed into me.
“N-nothing, dear. Absolutely nothing. Everything is perfect.”
Callum crossed his arms and squinted his eyes slightly. “You are lying.”
Both of us gasped at his accusation, and I swiveled my head back and forth between the two, unsure what to say or do.
“Please, Callum. Not today,” she begged. “Tomorrow, maybe, but just not today.”
Eyeing her shrewdly, he nodded. “Tomorrow, then.”
“Wait, what? What just happened here?” Frustration grew in my chest.
“Fi, look at me, dearie.” Mary called. “Please, let me have this day with you. Let’s celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. I have a whole host of things planned, and I don’t want anything to get in the way. Please.”
I sighed, I was worried, but, truthfully, I had been looking forward to spending my special day with the two people I loved. A sigh of resignation and a nod of my head gave them permission to proceed with our celebration.
“Okay, first things first. Callum, you can have breakfast with us, but then I don’t want to see you again until dinner.”
Callum nodded. “I know the plan. You get her for the day, but the night belongs to me. I am making you both dinner.”
Mary and I laughed, but I spoke up. “Are you going to snap something together?” I mimicked his magical snapping motion.
“As a matter of fact, little sprite, I happen to be an excellent cook.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“And see it you shall.” We stared intensely at each other, breaking into grins at exactly the same time. It was going to be such a fun day, and night.
With orders from Mary, I finished my cup of coffee and headed into the bathroom to shower while she made breakfast and chatted away with Callum. I waited for the jealousy to set in, like it did when I saw them interact so comfortably, but nothing came. Instead my heart rejoiced that the two people who meant the most in the world to me cared for each other also. I stripped off my clothes and hopped under the warm spray. Normally, I took the time to enjoy the shower, letting the water penetrate my sore muscles and allowing fantasies of Callum to run wild, but, today, I didn’t want to waste any time. I rushed through everything and got dressed just in time to see the table being set with a breakfast feast.
“Wow, how did you do this so fast?” I asked as my chair scooted away from the table, inviting me to sit.
I eyed Callum across the room, and he winked. He had admitted using his magic to pamper me when I “deserved” it was one of his favorite things to do. Pulling out chairs, opening doors, all of the gentlemanly gestures done with a snap of his fingers. “You’re lazy,” I teased as I took my seat.
“And you’re a brat,” he countered, taking his usual seat next to me.
Mary sat on his left, giving it the feel that Callum sat at the head of the table, even though it was only big enough to seat four. “I whipped it all up, and your boyfriend helpfully sped up the cook time. We make a good team.” She grinned.
I shook my head as I watched my man dish up my breakfast of homemade quiche, bacon, and a big glass of orange juice. “T
his looks amazing.” I forked a big bite, making sure to get the crust and filling of the quiche. The egg, spinach, and cheese blended together perfectly, each ingredient enhancing the taste of the others, and the flaky crust melted on my tongue. The bacon crumbled when I picked it up, telling me it was cooked to my liking. “You two have outdone yourselves. Seriously, this is the best breakfast I have ever had, and I’ve been to the best restaurants all over the world. Sorry, babe. No way are you going to outdo this meal with your dinner.”
“Challenge accepted,” he teased, in between bites. It still amazed me he was so fully human, yet, he wasn’t. He inhaled the meal, finishing before I was even halfway done. “What do you ladies have planned for the day?” he asked leaning back in his seat, a look of utter satisfaction on his face.
Mary had refused to tell me anything, and she blatantly ignored Callum’s question in favor of another bite, obviously still not ready to give away the information.
He shook his head and smirked in her direction. “You should consider yourself lucky I can’t deal with your insolence anymore.”
I cringed. Even though my jealousy had quelled, kinds of comments set me back. I swallowed hard and pushed past it. No fighting on my birthday. I would talk to him about it another day. He must have felt my reaction, somehow, because he reached under the table and squeezed my knee in comfort. I chose to ignore it and took another piece of bacon. Mary stayed eerily quiet, further raising my anxiety that something was wrong, but again I shook it out and focused on the day ahead. I knew that was what she wanted me to do
We finished our food and began our cleanup ritual.
“Hey, ladies,” Callum called. He made a show of raising his right hand in the air and putting his thumb and middle finger together. I smiled, knowing what was coming, and, as his fingers clicked, the entire mess disappeared.
