by Ashlyn Chase
She was about to roll her eyes, but took one more calming breath instead. “I’m not.”
“Don’t you want the part?”
She thought about it for a few seconds before answering. She knew complete honesty was the only thing he’d believe.
“I did want something like this to happen—but that was before...” She patted her tummy. “Look. I wish you could have been a fly on the wall tonight. Toby said all the things I’d wanted to hear years ago. But things have changed. I’ve changed.
“When his flattery wasn’t working, he got pushy. He even accused me of not knowing my own value. He said that was the difference between me and Elizabeth Taylor—that she always knew her worth. That’s when I realized that I was already thinking of our child’s worth. She deserves the best we can give her.”
Ethan folded his arms. “And what did he say to that?”
“He said the child would want for nothing after my career took off. I’m sorry, but money can’t buy certain things kids want—like parents who love them, and who want to be with them.”
He studied her for a few moments. “Are you saying you’re voluntarily choosing this life over that one?”
She got exasperated. “Yes! That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
He took a deep breath and scratched his head. “I have a hard time believing that you really think the child would be better off here than in Beverly Hills. Going to school with other celebrity’s children...They probably have the best of everything.”
“They don’t have you,” she said softly.
He covered his face with his hands. After a long pause, he mumbled. “I’m an idiot.”
“No argument there.”
He let his hands dropped and chuckled. “Are you sure this idiot is really what you want?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “I’m sure.”
“Then I have something for you. I was going to make a whole production of it. Cook you dinner and everything, but you’ve already eaten...”
“No, I haven’t, and I’m starving. The drinks and appetizers barely touched my appetite.”
“In that case, I’ll preheat the oven.”
“Can I watch you cook?”
“Sure. I guess so. But why?”
“Because I may not see that happen again after I start earning my keep here.”
He laughed. “It’s all done. I just have to reheat some stuff. Why don’t you relax?”
She nodded, grateful to have a few minutes to let the tension wash away. She lay down on the couch and closed her eyes.
#
Ethan kneeled beside her and shook her gently.
“Brigit?” Shake, shake. “Bridge?”
She opened her eyes and sat up slowly. “Did I fall asleep?”
“Yeah. I thought I’d let you nap a while. It’s been a big day.”
She glanced behind her and saw the dining table set and candles flickering. “How long was I out?”
“About an hour.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Your chicken is probably dried out by now.”
“How did you know we were having chicken? Oh, that’s right. You’re sensitive to smells now.”
“Well, that and I saw it in the fridge when I was going to make a shopping list earlier.”
She was making a shopping list? He would have thought she’d be shedding tears over her badly timed career, but here she was...just taking care of business.
He helped her up and walked her over to the table. He slid out a chair for her and held it as she sat down, then pushed it like a gentleman. He had to do something to make up for his bad behavior earlier. Now that the alcohol and anger had left his system, he could see a little more clearly. He thought he had lost her. Thank goodness she saw things differently than he had.
“Sit tight. I’ll be back with dinner in a minute.”
“I can help bring things out...”
“No need. I’ve got it.” He nodded toward the bread basket on the table. “Start on the rolls.”
He smiled as he saw her raise her eyebrows. Maybe his plan to impress her was working. She must have been with some selfish bastards in the past. If her agent was any indication, maybe Hollywood was full of them.
Well, there was one thing he could give her that they couldn’t. His heart.
By the time he had the side dish, platter of chicken, and carving items on the table, she was through with her bread. He pictured himself carving the Thanksgiving turkey for their small family of three in the future—unless they were blessed with another child or two. He was kidding about keeping her barefoot and pregnant, but the idea of this little girl having a brother or sister—something he hadn’t had, appealed to him.
“Do you like light meat or dark?”
“Light, please.” He served her a plate of white meat and she added the roasted vegetables on the side. “So are you going to cook for me every night?” A glint in her eye told him she was kidding.
“Not unless I have to.”
She reddened. “That’s right. I burned dinner when I tried to cook for you, didn’t I?”
He gave her a sympathetic smile. “We were distracted. Besides, the pizza was delicious.”
She laughed. “That’s because I didn’t make it.”
He was tempted to ask her if she’d like to learn how to cook, but that was dangerous territory...especially now. He had something important to ask, and he wanted her to be in a receptive mood.
“So...I spoke to Hanna,” she said.
It was his turn to be surprised. “About?”
“About having a couple in the coven. I told her I’d drop out if she was really stuck on that rule.”
“You did?” He didn’t know what to say. She had sacrificed enough, and here she was willing to give up more. She was smiling, so maybe the news was good.
“Yes. She said that you and I are a totally different couple than Michele and Donovan were. She wasn’t worried about our breaking up.”
“Well, that’s good news. So we can both stay?”
“I think so. She wants to see us tomorrow night.”
“Oh. Good.” I think. He took a big bite of chicken and used the time to chew on that news as well as his dinner.
The rest of the meal was filled with quiet conversation and clearing up past misunderstandings. The only thing he really had to explain was his behavior of that afternoon.
“I’m sorry about coming home hammered. I want you to know that’s not how I generally deal with stress.”
“Yeah. About that...Why did you assume I was going to desert you and take our child to California?”
“I saw you go into the restaurant with what’s-his-name.”
“Toby?”
“Yeah. Him. He seemed really excited as he chatted you up, and you were smiling. I figured he had finally gotten to you.”
She shook her head. “That’s just Toby. He tries to convince his clients that every role is going to make them famous. I stopped falling for that a long time ago.”
“You think it was a line?”
She took a deep breath. “This might have been the kind of role that would launch a successful career, but it’s a career I don’t want anymore. And even if I did, I’d have had to audition and there are no guarantees of getting a call back. It could have all been for nothing, and I didn’t want to lose what I have with you.”
He could hardly believe what he was hearing. “You’re sure?”
“I’m positive,” she said with no hesitation.
“In that case...Sit tight.” He rose and dashed up the stairs. He found the small jewelry box in his top drawer and clutched it in one hand. Jogging down the stairs, he sent up a quick prayer to the Goddess. “If it be for the best, let her say yes.”
Not his most eloquent work, but it would have to do.
He practically slid over to her on the hardwood floor like a baseball player sliding into home, except he was on one knee.
“Brigit. You’re the most impor
tant person in my life and I would be honored if you’d agree to be my hand-fasted mate.”
“Hand-fasting?”
“Well, yes. That’s what we Wiccans do, isn’t it?” Shit. Did I blow it? Was she expecting a marriage proposal? Too late now, he thought. He opened the black velvet box and revealed his mother’s amethyst ring.
He saw tears in her eyes. Oh, no.
“I’d love to be your hand-fasted mate, Ethan,” she said, and threw her arms around his neck. Their lips found each other as if they’d been mated their whole lives, and they shared a long, tender kiss.
Relief and happiness didn’t come close to describing his feelings. When she finally leaned back, she grinned and offered him her left hand so he could slip the ring on her finger. As he had hoped, it fit perfectly.
They fit perfectly.
* * * *
Hanna, Fayleen, Rebecca, and Dru waited for the new supernatural candidates in Hanna’s suite. Hanna checked the location of the grail for the umpteenth time, as if it might disappear again. It sat on her altar, motionless. Once they swapped it with a cheap copy and removed all the child’s stickers, it was as ugly as ever. She breathed another sigh of relief.
Fortunately the witches were able to locate Independence. The dog they swapped him with would never talk, probably to the relief of the child’s mother since Independence had a tough-guy vocabulary. If the child told anyone about her talking dog, they’d think it was a childhood fantasy.
At last Ethan and Brigit arrived.
Everyone hugged or shook hands and finally settled on the sofa or into chairs, surrounding the altar.
Hanna focused on Ethan and Brigit. “I suppose you’re wondering why I called you here.”
“We thought it was to talk about our being a couple and both staying in the coven,” Brigit said.
Hanna leaned over and clasped her hands. “It’s more than that. Much more.”
The couple glanced at each other and looked worried.
She straightened and said. “Relax. It’s nothing bad. In fact, it’s wonderful!”
“Oh. Okay,” Brigit said and leaned back on the sofa putting her hand in Ethan’s. They shared a smile.
“Ah, love...” Fayleen said and sighed.
Rebecca and Dru shared a private grin.
“Here’s the thing,” Hanna said. “I have a proposition for you two.”
“We’re listening,” Ethan said.
“Yeah, well keep listening.” Fayleen chuckled. “There’s a long story coming.”
Hanna held up one hand. “I’ll try to hit the highlights, and if you have specific questions afterward we can fill in anything you want to know.”
The couple nodded.
“The item you see on the altar is jokingly referred to as the Unholy Grail, but make no mistake, we’re not making fun of its power or importance. It imparts supernatural powers to anyone who drinks from it.
“We were told it was made to look ugly on purpose to keep ignorant people from wanting it. Unfortunately, another group of witches know what it can do and want it badly. The Cabot witches have been honored with its care for the past few decades when the last of the druid caretakers decided we were trustworthy.
“Only a select few in our coven know what it looks like and what it’s for. In fact, you’re looking at everyone who has seen it, except for Michele. She had some kind of natural affinity for it. Even though I had it ‘cloaked’ she found and touched it when she was seven years-old.”
“It lit up from within and the jewels blasted colored light all over the room. We still don’t know exactly why, but that doesn’t matter right now.”
Hanna took a deep breath and tried not to look accusingly at Fayleen. “Recently it was misplaced and we had a hellova time relocating it.”
“Is that why you were trying to find Michele?” Ethan asked.
“Indeed. We thought she could help us locate it, if we could only locate her. Fortunately we were finally able to do both.”
“Now that we have it again,” Fayleen interjected, “not only should we guard it more carefully, but we feel we should utilize it more—but only with those who are ready to bear the burden.”
Ethan and Brigit shared a questioning look.
Hanna cleared her throat. “We feel you two are ready. Now, before you ask ‘ready for what?’ I should tell you more. Our mission is to improve the world without noticeably changing anything.”
Brigit’s mouth opened, but before she could speak, Hanna held up one hand. “I know. It seems like a contradiction, but can you imagine the ramifications if the wrong people observed supernatural forces at work?”
“Shit,” Ethan muttered under his breath.
Fayleen pointed to him. “Exactly—and that shit would hit the fan.”
“We must be here because you want us to share in your mission,” Ethan said. “Before you say another word, I need to know...If Brigit drank from the grail would it harm our baby?”
“We don’t know,” Hanna said.
“Then forget it,” Brigit said. “I’m out.”
Hanna smirked. “You were never in, sweetheart.”
Brigit’s jaw dropped and before she took offense, Hanna went on. “Of course you’ll be included after your child is born—if you want to be. Regardless, with Ethan becoming one of us, you need to know about it. We don’t believe in couples keeping secrets from each other.”
“Another reason for the rule against couples in the coven, I imagine,” Ethan said.
For the first time, Dru spoke up. “Yes. About that. Y’all are gettin’ permission to stay in the coven...even if you’re hand-fasted. Ethan asked if Rebecca and I would be cool with sharing our hand-fasting day with y’all. The answer is, we’d be honored to make it a double hand-fasting.”
Hanna set one hand on her hip. “Hey, I wanted to tell them the good news about changing the couples’ rule.”
“Sorry,” Dru said. “I guess I just like to cut to the chase.”
Hanna smiled. “That’s all right. Since Dru and Rebecca are having their hand-fasting ceremony on Imbolc, the day that celebrates the pregnant Goddess coming into her milk,” she added for Dru’s benefit, “there couldn’t be a better day for Ethan and Brigit.”
Brigit grinned at Ethan. “You asked them? Before I said ‘yes?’”
He nodded. “Last week.”
She stroked his cheek and a soft shimmer shown in her eyes.
“So, is that okay with you?” Ethan asked. “Do you want to make February 2nd our hand-fasting date?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “The sooner the better.”
“Excellent,” Hanna clasped her hands. “Now, I have an early gift for you.”
She and Fayleen shared a knowing smile.
“Independence,” Fayleen called.
The supernatural dog came trotting out, wearing a black bow-tie and he made a bee-line for Brigit. He jumped into her lap and began licking her face.
“Oh! He’s so cute!” Then her smile was replaced by a sad expression. “Oh, but we can’t keep him. Ethan is allergic.”
“He won’t be as soon as he drinks from the grail,” the dog said.
Predictably, Brigit gasped.
“As you can see, it’ll take a special couple to adopt this particular pet,” Fayleen said and winked.
Ethan chuckled. “With a ghost, a talking dog, and two supernatural witches in the house, our baby will have quite the unusual childhood.”
“Unusual or exceptional?” Fayleen asked.
“So, what do you say, babe?” Independence asked Brigit, as politely as he knew how.
Ethan sneezed.
Brigit moved the dog off her lap away from Ethan, but spoke to Hanna. “You’d better let Ethan take a drink from the grail first, and we’ll see if it works.”
Hanna rose and reverently lifted the grail half filled with water. She took it to Ethan and handed it to him with a nod.
“It’s yours if you want it,” she said. “We hope
you will. Your skill at sea could help many a sailor who gets in trouble.”
He turned to Brigit and she nodded.
“Here goes nuthin’,” he said and took a long swig. He handed the cup back to Hanna and looked around the room, expectantly. “Now what?”
Fayleen chuckled. “There’s no lightning or anything, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Try patting the dog,” Brigit said. “See if your nose tickles.” She picked up Independence and plopped him on her lover’s lap.
Ethan patted, hugged and scratched Independence under his chin.
“Ahhh...” the dog sighed. “I finally have a master, and as long as it’s this guy, I’m okay with that.”
“Excellent!” Hanna said. “There will be a meeting of the supernatural coven in about a week. I’ll introduce you to them at that time. Meanwhile I’ll need to teach you how and when to use your new powers.”
“What new powers,” Ethan asked.
“I see a demonstration is in order,” Hanna said. “Where do you most want to be?”
He gazed at Brigit. “My heart is right here.”
Hanna and Fayleen smiled at each other and Fayleen snapped her fingers.
Brigit disappeared.
Ethan shot to his feet. “What did you do to her?”
“She’s fine. Relax.” Fayleen said.
“Just close your eyes and visualize Brigit,” Hanna added. “You’ll find her.”
Ethan disappeared.
After a brief pause, Dru asked, “Where did they go?”
Hanna shrugged. “Not very far. Fayleen placed Brigit on his tug boat.”
“Will they be coming back soon?” Rebecca asked.
Fayleen giggled “I doubt it. I put Brigit in a sexy negligee.”
Epilogue
Ten months later
“Brigit? Where are my keys?” Ethan tossed the sofa cushions on the floor.
A disembodied tinkling laugh came from the kitchen.
Oh no. Not again. “Come on, Charlotte. Don’t hide my keys. I have job, and they really need me this morning.”
“Huh? I didn’t have anything to do with your keys. I was laughing at Sarah.”
Ethan strolled into the kitchen to see his beloved Brigit burping their beautiful, healthy daughter over her shoulder.
