by H. M. Gooden
"He said they're on the last shot now, so Vanessa will be ready to go if she gets this take right. Sounds like she's had a rough day. Maybe we should let her pick the restaurant?"
Mai nodded. A rough day meant that the shooting hadn't gone well and Vanessa would probably be in a bad mood. Given that a bad mood from Vanessa could lead to a tornado, it was helpful to have friends with calmer constitutions nearby, in order to soothe her. Food was always a great way to start, as Vanessa McLean was well known for her love of pretty much every type of cuisine.
As the two love-dragons watched, the director shouted something and people started to pack up their equipment. Mai let out a huge sigh of relief that the work day was over, but she was still starving. Hopefully, Vanessa was in the mood for something she liked.
Vanessa slumped over to them.
"Hey, Mai. What's up?"
Mai smiled and patted her stomach as it chose that moment to growl.
"Just hungry. But you don't really look up for going out tonight. Are you sure you still want to? We can always just grab some takeout and chill on the couch."
Mai really wanted to go out, but was concerned with how tired Vanessa seemed to be. Usually, Vanessa and Mai had more stamina than other people, since with their abilities came the perk of extra energy. Mai wondered if something else was bothering her, but didn't want to pry. Vanessa would usually let people know if she wanted any help.
"Nah, I'm fine. I'm just tired. The shoot went way over and I'm probably hypoglycemic. Anything in particular that you're in the mood for?"
Vanessa stretched out her arms, doing a few side bends to get the kinks out.
Mai shook her head. "Not really, but I could eat a cow, I'm so hungry. Maybe someplace where we don't have to wait an hour for the food to get to us?"
Vanessa nodded then snapped her fingers in an apparent moment of inspiration.
"I know just the place. Jake? Do you know that Dim Sum place on Elm?"
Jake thought a moment then raised his eyebrows.
"Oh yeah, it's pretty good. Nice decor. We can get there in ten minutes, if you'd like."
Mai smiled and patted her abdomen again.
"Sounds good. Well, let's go. This girl wants to eat now."
Jake smiled, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze, then they all walked off set.
As promised, it was a short drive. Vanessa went in first to get seats while Jake parked, then Mai and Jake walked up to the door holding hands. Jake held the door open as Mai walked in and noise erupted all around them. Mai jumped in surprise, looking around to see not only Vanessa, but also Cat, Zahara, Evelyn, and her friends' parents. She also saw some of her friends from the show and turned to look at Jake in bewilderment.
He smiled and caught her chin. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
Mai knew she looked confused. "But it's not my birthday."
Jake laughed. "I know, but since we don't really know what day that is, and you haven't ever had a celebration, we decided to give you one to show you how special you are. To all of us."
Mai looked around all the smiling faces and promptly burst into tears. Several people looked concerned, but Cat came and gave her a hug, pulsing a little love into her aura. Mai wasn't sad, just touched, and Cat drew back with a smile.
"Just wanted to make sure that you weren't upset. We all wanted to make you feel important and loved. Hopefully it's not too much for you?"
Mai smiled a watery smile, luckily having just had a normal person cry, not one that would have filled the room with water. She knew that was part of the reason why Cat had come over so quickly. The first time they'd met, Mai had cried a literal river, which Cat had helped her stop by taking away some of her pain and hurt. This time it was happy tears, which Mai knew Cat could feel in her aura. It was nice, having friends like Cat, Vanessa, and Evelyn. They all had serious powers of their own, but despite that they were still just normal people who cared about each other and those around them. While Mai had lost her entire world the day she'd turned to stone in 1906, when she'd woken up in present day San Francisco, she'd gained an entirely new and rich world that helped make up for it. She felt so lucky in that moment, looking at all the faces smiling back at her.
She looked at Cat and Vanessa's parents, and at Evelyn's mother, and felt the warmth of family in their faces. No, she wasn't alone any more. She had family and friends, and most importantly, she had Jake. Life was pretty amazing sometimes.
"Thanks everyone, this is really nice. I'm so grateful to have each and everyone of you here. I never thought I'd have this much love in my life. I don't have the words to express how happy I am right now. But please, can we eat? I'm starving!"
Mai smiled, her tears finally dry, and everyone laughed then sat down. The food came quickly, as the Dim Sum carts rolled past the tables, allowing people to pick and choose the dishes that they wanted. Mai sat at the table with her friends and their parents and conversation flowed as easily, as always. Vanessa and Cat's mom had an art exhibition showing in Valleyview in the following month and was furiously trying to finish the last few paintings, while their dad was contentedly whiling away his time at the bank. Evelyn's mother was still employed as a nurse, but was now spending more time in administration, so she finally had fewer night shifts. Cat was ready to start as a history major at the University of San Francisco, having just graduated high school a few months earlier. She'd actually just come up on the weekend, with the plan being for her to move in with Vanessa and Mai. They'd all decided that the sisters would share the bigger room with two beds, while Mai would move to Vanessa's current room.
Evelyn was still something of an unknown quality. Since the events of the spring, the girls had found themselves being a little more careful when speaking with her. During their last adventure, Evelyn had gone from being a somewhat powerful psychic to finding out that she was a goddess and the girls still weren't really sure what that meant for their friendships. Mai still liked Evelyn, and she knew that Cat and Evelyn were still best friends, but now that she was a higher being, so-to-speak, university was completely off the table for her. The last they'd all heard was that Evelyn planned to go her own way for a while, so the fact that she was able to come to supper made Mai happy.
Evelyn smiled at her and Mai felt her speak.
Are you happy?
Mai nodded, smiling at her.
I've never been happier. It's so good to see you, especially when I know how busy you must be.
Evelyn smiled and shrugged.
I can always take the time for you guys. It's because of you that I even know who I am. The world can do for a day without me as Olukun, especially since I didn't even know that's who I was until a few months ago. What's one day compared to eighteen years?
Mai smiled, gratitude shining from her face.
Thanks, anyway. And thanks for bringing Zahara. It's really awesome she could make it.
Mai looked at her newest friend, who'd glanced over at them at that moment, sensing that someone was discussing her. She waved at them and Mai nodded back.
"I can't believe you were able to come all the way for tonight, Zahara. That's really awesome of you." Mai spoke out loud, wanting to let Zahara know what they'd been discussing.
Zahara smiled. "Hey, any chance I get to cross the pond. I'd never ask Robin to let me use the doorways for this purpose, but if it's Evelyn's idea, then I'm all for it!"
The five girls smiled. They were sitting close enough that their regular human friends couldn't hear the conversation, but even if they had, it wouldn't have made much sense. Zahara was referring to the doorways between Summerland and the human world, which most normal people didn't even know existed. Since Evelyn had found out who she was, she'd become close with Robin again. It turned out that they'd been romantic partners in her last life, and as far as Mai could tell, they'd picked right up where they'd left off. Which meant, of course, that Evelyn had access to travelling between places whenever she wanted to, and by extension, could e
asily bring Zahara over from where she lived in the UK.
"How long are you staying?" Vanessa asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zahara shook her head. "I'm not really sure. It sort of depends on Evelyn and when she wants to leave. My employer is very flexible. I took a week off, so hopefully I can do a little sightseeing before I go."
Evelyn's lips curved with a Mona Lisa smile.
"We can stay for a few days. I want to catch up with my bestie here and help her settle in before school starts next week. I can't believe how grown up I feel these days."
Cat gave her a sardonic eyebrow. "Dude, you are thousands of years old. I'd be surprised if you didn't feel grown up."
Evelyn snorted. "Maybe so, but I'm still in an eighteen-year-old's body. And I started out fresh when I was born. So while I may be getting back most of my memories from before, I'm still only as old as this body."
Mai looked at her curiously.
"Hey, what are your plans for this year? I know that you aren't going to school when Cat does, but what are you going to do instead?"
Evelyn shrugged, flicking a piece of lint off her sleeve.
"I'm just going to play it by ear. I'll obviously need money to live somewhere, unless I just stay in Summerland like Robin's been asking me to. But I want to learn more about my past and find out what I'm truly able to do. So I've planned a trip back to Haiti with my mother to trace my roots for my first step. We're going to leave next week. I'm not sure when we'll be back."
Evelyn stopped, then added with a twinkle in her eye.
"Oh, and we are totally flying Air Summerland. Way less expensive and no luggage fees."
Mai smiled and shook her head. Of course. When you can travel without paying for it or having cramped quarters, why would you ever fly?
At that moment, Mai heard the tinkle of glass being hit with a metal utensil, and looked to see where the noise was coming from. Surprised, she saw Jake stand up. The room hushed in anticipation. He looked around the room at everyone before his eyes came to rest on Mai. She looked into his eyes, which were overflowing with love, and was confused until he started to speak.
"Thank you all for coming. It's amazing to see so many friends and family and I know that it means as much to Mai as it does to me to have each of you here. Some of you have literally crossed oceans to be here, which is much appreciated. Now that I have everyone's attention, there's something I've been wanting to do for awhile."
Jake turned his back to Mai for a moment before he looked at her again, then went down on his knee, holding a small box in front of her. Still confused, Mai looked at the box. It was pretty and blue and was held open to showcase a jade and topaz ring in the design of a Yin and Yang.
"Mai, I am so incredibly happy that you are in my life. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Mai felt her ears start to hum and the rising noise in the room seemed distant, as though she was in a long tunnel. She heard a quick intake of breath from Mindy McLean, Vanessa's mother, but all she could see was Jake, kneeling in front of her with his heart in his eyes. She took his face in her hands, her heart in her eyes to match his.
"Yes."
CHAPTER 3 ENGAGED
Mai looked at the ring on her hand for the thousandth time since it had been placed there. It had only been a few days, but she was still having difficulty wrapping her mind around the fact that she was engaged to Jake and that they were going to get married. All of the feelings she'd had about being overwhelmed with love for him before this seemed small in comparison to how she felt now. It also raised so many questions in her mind. When? Where? How? She hadn't even met his family and she didn't have any of her own left. What would that mean for them? She almost had to sit down when the idea of children hit her. She'd never considered having kids, but if they got married, it was a real possibility. Would they even be human? What did two dragons make anyway? Luckily, just when Mai was about to start hyperventilating, Cat came into the room and noticed Mai wasn't herself.
"Hey, are you okay? Your aura's all messed up right now, right around the head zone." Cat waved her arm around her own head in emphasis. "Are you upset about something?"
Mai broke her concentration on the ring to look at Cat, standing beside the doorway to her room. She looked back down sheepishly.
"No. I'm fine, Cat. Thanks for asking. It's just a lot to process right now. I've never been in love before and I don't have any family, so I don't really know what's expected," she said, then added, "plus, dragon here. What does that mean for kids?"
Cat smiled as she came to sit next to her.
"Look Mai, try not to worry. I know that's a silly thing to say, but worrying won't change anything. Whatever is meant to be will happen. You and Jake are amazing together. Anyone can see how much you guys love each other and that's the most important part. Everything else is just details."
Mai sighed as she tried to relax.
"I know. You're right. But it's a huge step and it's happened pretty fast. Like, I'm only twenty, and here's this guy, and now we're getting married. That's a big deal."
Cat nodded sympathetically.
"Well, this likely won't help with your dilemma, but have you thought about living arrangements? I mean, I know he's got a place with Dustin right now, but are you planning to move in together, now that you're engaged? It wouldn't be unusual to do so. In fact, living apart is pretty rare nowadays in general. Lots of people live together for years before getting married, usually a lot older than you, but no pressure." Cat shrugged one shoulder.
Mai blushed.
"I know, but I'm still a product of the time in which I was raised. I feel more comfortable living here, for now anyway. I think we'll wait until after the wedding to live as man and wife. It just doesn't feel right to me. And I know we're pretty young, but..." Mai trailed off, lost for words.
Cat put her hands up defensively.
"Hey, no worries. I'm just saying it's an option. No one will judge you either way."
Mai sighed again. "I know. It's just too much change right now, I think."
Mai looked at Cat curiously, changing the subject. "But what about you? Are you ready to start school? You've only got a few days until orientation week and we've still got to sort out all of your things to move in."
Cat waved her hand dismissively.
"Nah, I've got this. From the sounds of it, the first week of school is mostly all about drinking and getting lost on the way to classes, so I'm not too worried. I'll have plenty of time to get settled here."
Seeing Mai's concerned expression, Cat smiled. "Don't worry, little mother, that's the last thing I plan to do. I'm not even sure I can get drunk, actually. Stupid healing abilities. On the upside, no hangovers for this girl! Ha!"
Cat laughed at her own joke while Mai watched with mild disapproval. While she did her best to be modern, she still couldn't get over the feeling that only 'bad girls' drank. Finally, Cat relented and reassured her.
"I've got everything I need here and I have my class schedule ready. I'm good to go. I'll just enjoy the weekend before classes start Monday. Don't worry, I'll be totally fine."
Mai nodded, one eyebrow still raised with doubt. "Okay, if you're sure. What's Vanessa up to right now?"
Cat smiled, waving her hand in the direction of the door.
"Oh, she's just out with our folks, letting them buy us some groceries. She's totally going to use this as a chance to get free stuff while they're out helping me move in. And Evelyn and her mom are back in Valleyview already. Apparently, they leave for their trip next Monday and want to be packed and ready to go."
Mai was disappointed that Evelyn had left, although at least she'd had time to say goodbye to Evelyn and Zahara the day before.
"Oh, well, I hope she has a good trip."
Cat gave her a half smile. "Yeah, I know. I was a little disappointed too. But she's got a lot going on, now that she knows her real place, and she can't alwa
ys spend as much time with us as we'd like. We can still miss her though."
They shared a smile, wistfully thinking back to Evelyn before her awakening against the witch, Carman. Evelyn had been so different then, just a sassy teen with a boatload of confidence. Now, she was the goddess of dreams and seemed to be millions of places at once, so she was hardly ever around and seemed distracted all the time. But it was no wonder she was a little busy. They sat for a few moments quietly, enjoying sharing the silence, before they heard a soft knock on the door.
"Are you expecting someone?" Cat asked, looking toward the kitchen.
Mai looked surprised, shaking her head.
"Not really, although it could be Jake. He said he'd stop by today if he had time."
"Of course. Well, let's go and see, shall we?"
They walked over to the kitchen area, where the door to the outside was located. Mai opened it, happy to see that her suspicion had been correct. Jake stood there, as handsome as always, but this time he was holding a bouquet of flowers.
"These are for you. I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. I know the other day was kind of overwhelming."
Mai took the flowers, inhaling deeply. It was just a mixed bouquet from the grocery store down the street, but the flowers smelled sweet, and the look on his face was endearing. He was like a little boy, trying to please and make sure he wasn't in trouble.
"Thanks, Jake. They're beautiful. Cat, can you grab a vase from above the fridge?"
Cat obliged, barely having to stretch with her long arm span. She took the flowers, arranging them at the sink with her back to them while her two friends hugged.
Mai looked up into Jake's worried face and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"I'm fine, silly. Better than fine! I had an amazing man ask me to marry him. What could be bad about that?"
The corners of his mouth curved up but he still looked slightly worried.
