This story was a combination of a couple of ideas. I originally wanted to write a story about my characters Nathan and Vivian attending a conference, while at the same time Vivian's cousin is in the hospital recuperating from surgery. At the same time I was trying to decide what to write ,I wrote a small piece (unrelated) about Vivian bringing Nathan some soup when he was sick and that story mentioned a wedding of a couple of my other characters from another story, which I decided to bring into this new story. These are my characters Corey and Desmell\Desiree (for more about her please read In Another Life) getting married. That's how all these characters ended up coming together in one story, it was interesting to think about how all their stories and problems would overlap.

…

Prologue--Invited

Corey and Desiree

"Desiree, darling, are you sure you want to do this? I thought you gave that life up for me-for us."

Desiree Johnson smiled at her fiancé, Corey Marcus, they had been dating for a little over two years and had decided to take the next step. It had been Desiree's idea to invite some the people she had previously helped. You see, Desiree used to be a fairy by the name of Desmell and while on assignment for a particularly difficult case she had fallen in love with a young man from North Carolina, and had given up life in a magical dimension to live as a mortal. That young man now worked and lived in West Virginia where he had taken a job after grad school, where Desiree now resided.

Desiree gave her fiancé a reassuring look over her shoulder.

"I did darling, but these people are important to me too, particularly my last two cases… Elaine and Vivian… Vivian and Nathan were a harder sell though." She added thoughtfully.

"And you sure these people would remember you?" Corey asked, a frown crossing his handsome features.

Desiree shrugged tossing her highlighted hair over one shoulder.

"Probably not, but I'll invite the ones that matter, the ones that do remember me. I can make quite an impression you know."

Corey chuckled.

"Yes, I know."

So he addressed four more invitations, to Elaine Charles, Nathan Clarence, Michael Eckhart, and Vivian Peters.

 

Elaine and Michael

The invitation came with the rest of her mail. Elaine Charles was finishing her latest painting when the mail had arrived, and she hastily wiped her paintbrushes on a nearby cloth before answering the door and retrieving the mail.

She frowned when she saw the stately looking invitation at the bottom of the pile. No one she knew was getting married, certainly no one in her family and she gasped as soon as she saw the name on the invitation, a long buried memory coming to the surface.

She smiled to herself.

"Well, it's about time."

Elaine picked up her phone to call her boyfriend Michael. Michael had been her best friend for years and thanks to the help of the bride to be, he was now her boyfriend. At this point Elaine didn't even have to text him to know he probably already had the invitation, it was after all his ex-roommate who was the groom.

Elaine shook her head, still holding the invitation in her hand.

"Well, if I know him he already knows."

 

Nathan and Vivian

The invitation had sat on her desk for almost a week before she picked it up. At the moment Vivian Peters was smack dab in the middle of her second novel for her publisher and so for now the mail had taken a backseat.

During a break in her writing, as if to prove to her mother, her publisher, and her editor she was not a total recluse, Vivian flipped through the mail absently, the normal pieces of mail she on a daily basis; your normal amount of junk mail, bills and the occasional card or letter depending on the time of year. At the moment it was late spring and given there weren't any particular upcoming holidays the things she actually wanted to read were scarce. There was another bill and another letter from her publisher breathing down her neck about her deadline. Vivian tossed these aside before reaching for the last envelope in the stack on her desk.

It was different from the barrage of business envelopes that had assaulted her and right away she knew it was a wedding invitation, but whose wedding she was invited to she had no idea. When she finally opened the envelope and flipped open the invitation itself she almost dropped it, as if she had accidentally touched a hot stove.

She read the invitation once, then read it again, slower this time taking in each detail.

 

In celebration of

Desiree Johnson and Corey Marcus

as they celebrate their marriage

on

June 17, 2015

*reception to follow*(here there was an insert with the address of the hotel in West Virginia)

 

It had been almost a year and a half since Vivian had heard the name Desiree Johnson. A year and a half ago she had known the woman by another name, in another life when Desiree had been a fairy from another dimension. Vivian didn't know the entire story of how she had become Desiree Johnson, only that she had given up her magic for a mortal. She only knew this because Desiree had sent her a brief note a few months after failing to complete her "wish" apologizing and saying she was "retiring"; that had been the last Vivian had heard from her.

Still holding the invitation in one hand Vivian grabbed her phone off her desk with the other. Quickly she punched out a text to Nathan, the wedding was going to affect their plans in the next few months.

I've been invited to a wedding. She wrote.

Funny, Nathan replied, I have too, but last time I checked I didn't know any Desiree Johnson or Corey Marcus. How did these people get our names? Are we being stalked?

Vivian smiled at her friend's quirky reply.

LOL! I hope not.

You don't know any Desiree Johnson do you?

Vivian took her time before replying.

Funny enough… It's a long story. You don't remember what happened to us last spring do you when all that weird stuff was happening…

It took a while to explain things and get Nathan up to speed, but eventually he got it.

You still want to go then? Nathan responded.

Absolutely, Vivian replied, you can be my date. It says the wedding is in the middle of June, we can still make the conference in St. Louis can't we?

I don't see why not. Nathan replied, there's no way I'm missing that!

2: Chapter 1-From the Desk of Vivian Peters

Twenty-eight-year-old Vivian Peters ran a hand through her dark hair. She was, once again, rewriting a scene she had been working on for hours and it was going nowhere.

She was currently working on her second novel, the first one had been hard enough, but now she had the expectation of her publisher and her editor and she had a August 5 deadline hanging over her head. Things had only just calmed down for her six months before; after the success of her novel Damage Control, which was now a New York Times bestseller. She had lost track of how many LGBT groups had read it, the comments on her website and blog told her so. The book was also being used as a springboard with the Christian community to open the subject of the Christians that identify themselves as same-sex attracted. (Nathan was proud of her for that, since he had been trying to do much of the same thing).

She had been surprised at the success of the book although her initial pitch to an online community had been largely successful. Vivian stared once again at the paragraph she was currently writing, about a lesbian couple trying to have a baby..

Groaning and frustration, Vivian slammed her hands down on her keyboard drawing a startled, loud noise from her laptop. There was a reason writers were told to write about what they knew, it was the type of material that "wrote itself" you didn't really have to think about. Just as Vivian was stretching trying to clear her head the invitation to Desiree Johnson's wedding caught her eye, automatically she smiled, the sooner she and Nathan could depart for Desiree's wedding, the sooner they can leave for St. Louis and the conference Nathan planned on attending. An event, Vivian found herself quite excited about, if only because she could spend time with Nathan and hear him speak about something he was very passionate about.

Nathan had only invited her because she had practically begged him to, Nathan had always seemed so enthusiastic about these conferences (since the first one last year) Vivian had wanted to see them for herself, and meet many of Nathan's blogging friends he had made over the past few years..

Looking at the invitation an idea was slowly forming in Vivian's mind. Quickly closing the document she was working on Vivian opened another and began writing again.

At the top of the document she wrote the following title: A Summer to Change the World

Smiling, Vivian began typing.

"… That summer all I wanted to do was be with him, if we spent the next three months glued to each other's hip (much as we had in elementary school) I wouldn't have minded… It all began with our trip to Virginia for Aiden's roommate's wedding…"

Vivian was going at a good clip when the cordless phone at the corner of her desk rang loudly causing her hands to stutter on the keyboard..

Gritting her teeth in irritation, Vivian paused, saved her document, and picked up the phone.

"Hello, this is Vivian…"

"Vivian, this is mom, I just got a call from your Aunt Caroline, your cousin Noel apparently was in a really bad snowboarding accident and has to have surgery on her leg, their flying from Columbus to St. Louis the third week in July."

"So what happened?" Vivian asked, wanting more information.

"According to Aunt Caroline, Noel was coming out of a backwards 360 and she landed wrong, apparently she was working on her new trick for her routine."

Vivian chewed her lip, immediately seeing the scene in her mind knowing her fourteen-year-old cousin must be disappointed.

"… She was lucky she didn't break her neck, we're lucky it wasn't any worse."

Noel had been snowboarding for as long as Vivian could remember. When her brothers had taken up rollerblading, skiing, snowboarding and hockey (both on ice and off) Noel had followed suit. Vivian knew her cousin was a tomboy and always had been so it was only natural that she ended up doing sports and being very good at it. She had qualified for the senior circuit only six months ago and would be eligible for the 2018 Olympics in only a few short years.

"… I just thought you would want to know." Her mother continued.

Vivian nodded reflexively, even though she knew her mother couldn't see her.

"I'll keep her in my prayers, maybe send out a prayer request to the church."

"That be nice." Her mother said mildly.

Vivian didn't mention that she would be in St. Louis in a few short months. She had yet to tell her parents specifically about her trip with Nathan and what it entailed, she usually kept most of Nathan's activities that she knew about regarding him speaking out about his sexuality on the down low both out of respect for him and because she wasn't sure how most of the people she knew would take the news.

She and her mother talked for a few more minutes before Vivian hung up. Glancing at the clock she knew it was only a little bit before noon, she was going to call Nathan, but figured he was probably still at work for at least another five or six hours and she wouldn't be able to call him until later that evening.

 

It was after dinner before Vivian called Nathan. She had made good progress on her new story by then was pleased with it. Of course she wouldn't be able to continue it until things actually happened since she wrote most of her stories off of her real-life experiences. She would be cutting it close for her deadline, but if she wrote straight for the next three months, but she should be able to make it… She hoped.

Absently, she scrolled through her contacts until she located Nathan's number, which she punched quickly as the phone began to ring. He answered on the third ring.

"Hello?" Nathan answered.

"Hey Nathan, it's Vivian."

"Hey V, what's up?" Her friend questioned.

Vivian paused, unsure of how exactly to broach the subject of her cousin and what she had in mind.

"Nathan, about our trip to St. Louis…"

"Oh, that's bad." Nathan said sympathetically as soon as Vivian had explained what it happened to Noel. "Absolutely, we can go see her, just go check with your aunt before hand and see if she wants visitors."

Vivian nodded.

"Don't worry, I will, and hopefully we can see her before or after the conference." Vivian shook her head, smiling to herself, "Nate, it's going to be one busy summer."

Nathan chuckled.

"Yeah, it sure is."

3: Chapter 2-Coincidence

Chicago

"Michael!" Elaine Charles called to her boyfriend, "We're going to be late!"

Michael Eckhart appeared from where he was currently exiting the bathroom.

"No were not," he replied evenly, "we don't have to board for almost another hour and we don't have to leave for another fifteen minutes."

Elaine huffed.

"Well, same difference, and by the time we actually get there… We're going to be late." Elaine replied stiffly. "Just because you're an expert on frequent flying doesn't mean the rest of us are."

Michael chuckled, a lock of his dark brown hair falling over one blue eye. He walked up to his girlfriend and kissed her on the nose.

"Have I ever been late before?"

Elaine glared at him.

"Other than when I'm coming over here." Michael added with a smile.

"No… Not that I know of." Elaine finally admitted.

Michael smiled.

"See, I haven't steered you wrong yet."

 

The flight from Chicago to West Virginia was about one Elaine had expected-long and boring, but after a few listens to her iPod, a few doodles, and an in-flight movie later, they arrived at their destination.

They were staying at a stately hotel (which also hosted the reception) as soon as they got their room keys and checked in the woman behind the desk stopped her on her way to the elevator.

"Are you Elaine Charles?" She asked.

"I am." Elaine replied, instantly feeling confused, "who wants to know?"

"Miss Desiree Johnson left a note for you a few hours ago. She said to come up to her suite as soon as you were available."

Just as she finished speaking, the concierge handed Elaine a small white envelope. Stepping to the side as they were still people checking in, she opened the note, it read:

 

Elaine,

Come up to my room as soon as you arrive; we have much to discuss.

Bring Michael as well.

Desiree

PS. You can find me in the room 206.

 

I showed the note to Michael, thanked the concierge, and headed for the elevator. As soon as Michael and I had dropped our bags in our rooms we headed for the second floor and the large suite at the end of the hall.

Elaine knocked on the door twice before the large heavy door was flung open at an astonishing speed, there on the other side was Desiree Johnson, the ex-fairy formally known as Desmell. Desiree hadn't changed in the year since Elaine had last seen her, her hair instead of being chestnut brown was now streaked with blond highlights, she was currently wearing a tank top and fitting jeans which only accentuated her model like physique.

"Come in, come in! Oh, I never thought I'd see you two again!" Desiree exclaimed. Clearly her enthusiasm for life had changed much either, Elaine observed.

Elaine, along with Michael, found herself in an overly enthusiastic hug which nearly cracked her ribs; something she wouldn't of expected of the slender woman standing before her.

"Hello, Desiree." Elaine finally managed between gasps, "It's good to see you too."

Finally Desiree released her and looked them both over critically.

"So, how are you doing? You're still together I take it?"

Elaine looked at Michael and nodded.

 

"It was a bit of an adjustment the first few weeks, but we're managing, but enough about us, I believe congratulations are in order."

For the first time Desiree grinned. A smile so wide Elaine thought it was going to split her face in two, and she knew her friend was truly happy.

"Oh, yes, I am getting married tomorrow." The other woman all but squeaked, her blue eyes sparkling.

"How's Corey?" Michael asked, "I haven't talked to him since before he got his tux."

"He's doing wonderful!" Desiree enthused, "I'll be seeing him tonight for the rehearsal, and then of course we won't be seeing each other again until tomorrow afternoon when the wedding occurs." As she spoke Desiree spun dreamily.

"Well I suppose we better let you get back to getting ready if you have to go to your rehearsal…" Elaine began.

"Well don't you want to see the dress?" Desiree asked as if it were perfectly obvious.

"I'll see you tomorrow when you walk down the aisle," Elaine assured her, "I promise, pictures to go up on Twitter and Instagram later."

Desiree looked somewhat disappointed.

"Alright then, but you're missing out, it's positively radiant! I'll see you tomorrow and hopefully you'll get to socialize with the other guests, you'll find you may have a lot in common. Oh, and Elaine…"

Elaine turned just as Michael was leading her out the door.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I'm hoping you would meet another one of my acquaintances, her name is Vivian, you may find you have a lot in common. In more ways than one." As she finished speaking, she winked at Michael, which only added to Elaine's confusion.

 

The next afternoon, the small church that Corey and Desiree had booked for the ceremony was overflowing with people, possibly more than was legally safe. Elaine wondered why they had booked such a small venue when they clearly had a large wedding party. However when she actually walked into the building she gasped.

 

The interior of the small church had been expanded, or at least gave the impression of being much larger than it was. She wondered if Desiree had recruited a few of the fairies to "cheat" a little bit. The building was more than big enough to hold all the guests Corey and Desiree had invited.

As Elaine and Michael made their way into the chapel to be seated Elaine looked around her off to one side leading into the chapel was a small table with a guest book on it. Making a detour, she signed it, Michael following close behind her, dressed in a neatly pressed charcoal gray suit.

As soon as they sat down in the fifth row Michael turned to her.

"Elaine, I'm going to go see if I can find Corey, he sent me a text last night one of the groomsmen came down with the flu and he's wondering if I can fill in."

Elaine smiled.

"Well, by all means, I'm sure I can find somebody else to sit with… I'll see you at the reception.

Elaine watched as Michael made his way back up the aisle and disappeared in the direction of what she assumed were the dressing rooms behind the main chapel.

Left alone in the row by herself Elaine made her own pitstop. She had decided now was a good time to retouch her makeup and fix a strand of her dark hair that had been bugging her for the past twenty minutes. The entire task of reapplying her makeup and fixing her hair took her a total of less than five minutes and she was just making her way out of the bathroom when she bumped into someone.

The girl she bumped into looked to be about her age with hair a few shades darker than her own. She was wearing a magenta color dress and looked distinctly uncomfortable on a set of 4 inch stilettos.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't see you there." The girl apologized profusely.

"It's alright," Elaine replied as she reached out to steady the other girl who was still teetering on her high heels, "I'm Elaine Charles, by the way, my boyfriend is a friend of the groom."

The other girl shook her hand firmly, smiling. It was a professional smile, Elaine thought, but not unfriendly.

"Vivian Peters." She said, "I'm here with my friend Nathan, my encounter with the bride to be didn't go so well, so I have no idea why I'm here."

"Well you must made an impression on Desiree if you're here, you wouldn't be otherwise. I think she takes her friendships very seriously."

"You know her?" Vivian asked.

"Too well, I'm afraid." Elaine replied with a wry smile, "she was dragging me all over multiple dimensions for almost 3 months before I got what I wanted, not that some of that wasn't my fault."

Vivian frowned.

"Other dimensions?"

Elaine gave a crooked smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Time space continuum, time travel yada yada yada!" She replied flippantly, "you get to know magic quite well when you're best friend gets lost in the time stream, but I'll spare you the details, it's a long story."

"I can imagine," Vivian replied with a small laugh, "but I'm not complaining considering I have one just as long."

"I'd like to hear it some time." Elaine responded, and she sounded genuinely interested.

"Yeah," Vivian replied, "maybe over coffee." As she finished speaking she began looking around. "Where the heck is Nathan? Isn't the wedding supposed to start in ten minutes."

Elaine chuckled.

"Apparently I'm not the only one who lost my date." She smiled at Vivian, "I'm sure if we look for them together all four 's of us can get back to our seats before the bride comes down the aisle."

4: Chapter 3-Speak Now

I hated high heels! I hardly ever wore them, being a writer and sitting behind a desk all day didn't find me conducive to wearing pumps 24 7. The only time I ever wore high heels was when I had a meeting with my editor or publisher, and even then they were a mostly kitten heels not the ridiculous stilettos I was currently wearing.

"You are so stupid Vivian." I muttered to myself in the mirror of my hotel room, "when did you think wearing heels when you're going to be on your feet all day and all night was a good idea?"

Still muttering under my breath, I fixed one more strand of hair before preparing to leave the room. Just as I grabbed my purse there was a knock on the door.

Nathan's muffled voice came through the closed door.

"It's Nathan." He called.

"Coming!" I called back as I hurried to the door.

Nathan was dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, and outfit that seemed quite out of place with his usual attire of jeans and T-shirts.

Nathan looked me over.

"You look… Nice." His eyes took in my magenta cocktail dress and matching heels.

I flushed slightly, any time he remotely noticed my clothes it made me feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Don't let the clothes fool you, these heels are going to be killing me by the end of the night… I am so going to the spa after this even if I have to book an appointment before we leave tomorrow."

Nathan grinned, shrugging. "Well I don't know about going to the spa, but these shoes are pretty comfortable." He gestured to his polished dress shoes which matched the rest of his ensemble. Now it was my turn to look him over.

"No math shirt." I teased.

"No, it's just under here…" Nathan grinned, catching my joke.

"Shall we?" I offered him my arm, "hopefully if we leave early enough we won't get lost on the way to the church."

 

I wondered how so many guests managed to fit into such a small building, but the church was tastefully decorated with whimsical streamers and bows in shades of cream, seafoam green and a rich shade of sky-blue. People made small talk in the lobby outside the chapel before the doors opened and the ushers came forward to seat everybody, which was a long process because there were so many people.

Nathan and I continued making small talk as we were seated about 10 rows back on the left side. At some point Nathan excused himself to use the restroom and I followed suit a few minutes later, I had to retouch my makeup and fixed some of the bobby pins in my hair anyway.

I had just turned the corner by the bathrooms when I collided with someone; a slender girl in an indigo blue dress and high heel sandals. Her expression seemed to mirror my look of surprise as I wobbled dangerously on my high heels. I knew I was going down.

Just before my butt hit the floor her hand grabbed mine.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there."

I shrugged as I carefully got to my feet and straightened my dress.

"It's alright, wrong place at the wrong time I guess. I really shouldn't be wearing these shoes anyway." I laughed nervously.

The other girl seemed to realize things were getting very awkward so she made an introduction.

I'm Elaine Charles." She said sticking out her hand.

For the first time I really took in the person I had accidentally bumped into. She had dark, almost black hair and was a few inches taller than me, but not by much (I had a sneaky suspicion we were both wearing heels to compensate for our lack of height.) She was wearing a fitted knee-length blue cocktail dress and she looked like she had stepped out of a magazine, something I didn't look very often.

I returned her greeting. "Vivian Peters, so how do you know Desiree?" I managed as a way to keep the conversation going.

Elaine laughed.

"I know her almost too well, being dragged all over other dimensions for 3 months really helps you know a person. Then of course I had to rescue my boyfriend-friend at the time- Michael from being trapped in a timestream in the time space continuum…" She must have noticed my glazed over look because she stopped talking. "It's a long story." She finished with another uneasy laugh.

"I'd love to hear it some time," I found myself saying, "maybe we can go for coffee, if you're ever in Nashville look me up."

"I actually live in Chicago, I'm going to an art fair in Nashville in a couple of weeks," Elaine said with a smile, "maybe I'll take you up on that, and we can trade our stories about "disastrous Desiree"."

We both laughed.

"I seem to have lost my date…" I said, looking around, "My friend Nathan, he was headed for the restroom a few minutes ago."

"Maybe I can help you find him, he couldn't have gone far, the wedding starts in 10 minutes. My boyfriend had to be an emergency groomsmen… His former roommate is the groom." She said by way of explanation. "Come on, I'm sure he hasn't gone far."

Smiling at each other we headed for the chapel.

 

Finally music began to fill the chapel and a procession of people began to make their way down the aisle. A string of bridesmaids in flowy blue dresses came first followed by groomsmen in matching suits with seafoam vests. There was a flower girl and a ringbearer a little boy and girl between the ages of 4 and 6; I smiled at the sight.

Finally the pianist paused and the wedding march began. The entire assembly stood and turned towards the double doors, from which I knew the bride would come, and finally they opened, revealing Desiree. She was walking down the aisle alone, obviously having no family in the mortal world, but she seemed just as happy as any bride as her eyes quickly found those of her husband to be.

Her dress was every bit as extravagant as I had imagined, Pnina Tornai if I was not mistaken, it seemed to be the only designer that fit Desiree's extravagant tastes. She looked like a princess in the dress which hugged her curves and sparkled with a million crystals before flowing out into a long embellished skirt. The veil was just as spectacular, a long cathedral veil which snaked along the floor like a gossamer carpet.

Finally she reached where Corey and the others were standing, and smiling she reached for her fiancé's hands.

The pastor was in a simple gray suit, he had a receding hairline and reminded me of the little Monopoly man with his finely combed mustache and cherubic face.

He cleared his throat before opening the book in front of him as he began to speak.

"Dearly beloved--" He began, but he never finished; just as he was about to say the next word a plume of smoke erupted just where Desiree stood. This was so startling, so unexpected, everyone screamed. I hoped that someone would stand up and say this was a joke or some stupid prank, but no one did, and when the smoke cleared-Desiree was gone.

5: Chapter 4-Coffee with Elaine

The events after Desiree's would be wedding were lackluster. As much as Vivian sensed he wanted to, Corey vetoed calling the police because as he said they would all sound like a bunch of wackos if they said Desiree had just "disappeared".

At this point most of the guests including Nathan and Vivian were left at loose ends. Afterwards they had all been dismissed to their various hotels and while everyone recovered from the shock of the unexpected and abrupt ending to the wedding. Vivian returned to the hotel, and as she had promised Nathan earlier despite the lack of partying and dancing she's was still going for her massage.

Most of the guests plan to leave the following day, and Vivian's next move only depended on Nathan because the next thing on her agenda was their trip to St. Louis. Despite everything she was still frazzled by the events of Desiree's disappearance.

"Don't worry about it V," Nathan told her when they were both home a few days later, her back in Nashville, trying to beat her next novel into submission, and him back in the Wisconsin, as usual, working. "Things will happen when they're supposed to happen, our stuff and Desiree's wedding."

This was all said in a tone of voice Vivian was used to by now. His calm reassuring voice he used when he was trying to calm her down when she was being totally unreasonable about something.

"I know." Vivian replied, "it's just a little… hair-raising, you know."

Nathan chuckled in agreement.

"I know. God's in control of all this, they'll find Desiree."

"Not if we don't call the police, it's not like Desiree is just going to escape and show up and things will go on as planned."

"True." Nathan replied, "there's nothing you can do about it now, just keep praying and going on with your life and things will work out." His voice softened, "I promise."

 

The immediate concerns about Desiree's disappearance out of her hands, Vivian turned her attention to the other thing on her agenda; her coffee date with Elaine Charles.

Elaine Charles came to town a week or so later. The women had exchange cell phone numbers and so Vivian wasn't too surprised to hear from her, although frankly with all that had gone on since she had returned to Nashville she had kind of forgotten about it.

"Hey Vivian, it's Elaine, I got some time between the first and second day of the art show if you want to get together."

It took Vivian a moment to compose herself.

"Yeah, sure. There's a Starbucks down the block from my apartment… I can give you directions…" She rattled this off and they promised to meet in an hour. For the first time since the upheaval at the wedding Vivian found herself smiling.

 

As soon as she entered the Starbucks Vivian immediately spotted Elaine. She was dressed more casually than she had been the last time Vivian had seen her. She was wearing worn jeans and a coral pink peasant top, and when Vivian sat down Elaine was already nursing and iced coffee. After a few minutes of perusing the boards, Vivian settled on a similar concoction, choosing an iced latte laced with cinnamon and caramel.

"So how's the fair going?" Vivian asked by way of greeting.

Elaine shrugged tossing her dark hair over one shoulder.

"It's going." She chuckled ruefully. "I'm not selling as much work as I would like to, but I did sell a big piece for almost 300 dollars, which is more money than I usually have… So I'm happy."

Elaine turned her attention to Vivian.

"What about you? You're a writer correct?"

Vivian nodded.

"Going about as same as your artwork I'm afraid, slow and steady I guess. It's a process, but the happier I make my publisher the smoother things go."

The two of them fell into silence for a moment focusing their attention on the coffee.

"Crazy thing with Desiree." Elaine commented casually after a moment.

"Yeah…" Vivian murmured.

"You would almost think it was magic, but if I know Desiree it was probably a disgruntled customer."

Vivian chuckled.

"I don't know, could be. So what was your experience with Desiree like?" Vivian asked.

Elaine smiled.

"Where do I start! It all started when I was cleaning my neighbor's garage with my brother, his fiancée at the time and their friends. I ended up headfirst in this old dusty box and found this antique snow globe…" Elaine shrugged, "a plaque on the side of the snow globe told me to make a wish, so I did."

Vivian's eyes widened.

"I don't remember having that option, Desiree and her friend just showed up. Well, it went downhill from there. What did you wish for?"

A small smile touched Elaine's lips and she seemed very interested in the tabletop.

"I wished for my boyfriend-then friend-to be straight."

Vivian frowned.

"He's gay?" Vivian asked.

"No, he's bisexual, and well he just never saw me that way, never really could change his mind about that until…"

"Funny you should mention that. My friend Nathan, the one I brought to the wedding, he's bisexual too. When he first came out to me, well it was a rough few months. I felt like I didn't know how to act around him anymore, particularly since I was in love with him."

Elaine nodded in sympathy.

"Yeah, it wasn't as hard for me I guess since the entire thing with Desiree happened I kind of got a break, but that still didn't make things any easier… At least not at first."

"I had panic attacks for a while," Vivian confessed, "not even Nathan knows about that, and I certainly wasn't going to tell him he was the one that had triggered them in the first place."

Elaine bit her lip.

"That's rough, I had some anxiety too, but I guess I was so strung out by the time this stuff with Desiree happened I was relieved to have things changed up, even though the stuff scared the heck out of me when it first happened. You try being tossed into another dimension see how you feel."

Elaine and Vivian talked for what felt like hours. It felt like they had known each other forever and that their lives were eerily similar, they were both artists, had close male friends, both lived in apartments that had seen better days and were trying to make their way in the world the best they could.

"So where you off to now?" Elaine asked.

"Besides finishing my book?" Vivian asked with a chuckle. "Nathan and I are going to St. Louis to a conference for LGBT Christians in a few weeks. I practically begged him to let me come, particularly if he is speaking. My cousin is also having surgery, so I'm going to visit her while I'm there."

"Well I have to get back to my hotel," Elaine replied standing, "I got another day here and then it's back to Chicago. Hopefully by then Michael has managed to talk some sense into Corey, he is beside himself, but he still hasn't agreed to call the police."

6: Chapter 5-Regrouping

Desiree's wedding was everything Elaine had expected. She was wearing a dress that probably cost as much as a car and she looked every bit like a princess going to meet her prince. While it was unusual for a bride to come down the aisle unaccompanied by her father, Desiree made it seemed natural, like she had taken control of the entire situation and made sure everyone noticed her; it was hard not to.

Desiree was wearing a dress that shimmered with a train almost as long as the aisle; her blonde streaked brown hair was swept up into an elegant twist on the top of her head. Desiree was beaming as she approached the altar, the pastor looked at Corey, nodded and smiled as Corey lifted Desiree's long veil and took her hands.

The pastor cleared his throat before he began.

"Dearly beloved--"

Before he could continue however, there was a loud explosion which shook the small church smoke erupting from where Desiree had stood and when it finally cleared there was a horrified gasp from the crowd.

Corey just stood there looking lost; his hands now empty.

"Where is she? Where she go? What just happened?"

At the moment no one had any answers for him.

 

Only a few moments later Corey was pacing in front of the altar, the pastor watching him with a concerned expression.

"Now what am I going to do? We can't have a wedding without a bride, I don't even know what happened like somebody pulled some cheap magic trick!"

I saw Michael attempt to console his friend.

"It's all right man, we'll find her there's got to be an explanation for all this."

"You should call the police." Corey's father called from the front row, "the more heads we put together on this the better."

Corey shook his head.

"No, no police, please. If I just say she disappeared they'll think I'm crazy!" He paced for a few more minutes before turning around, walking back up the aisle, and out of the chapel. I exchanged a worried look with Michael, this wasn't exactly going well. Shrugging and sighing, Michael exchanged a look with Corey's best man and the two of them also exited the chapel in attempts to reason with the groom.

 

Meanwhile Michael and Elaine returned to Chicago. As Michael returned to his work Elaine prepared for the art fair she was attending in Nashville; following the botched wedding she was looking forward to a change of pace.

The art fair in Nashville was a two day event. Every artist that worked in every possible medium had each set up tents and sold their wares. Elaine had gathered the paintings she had been working on for the past year or so hoping some of her big pieces would sell. The fair was teeming with people some stopping to look and others pulling out their wallets to buy, while still others would stop, look at something only to move on.

Elaine was about to pack up for the afternoon when a young woman a few years older than her walked into the tent.

"I would like to purchase this please." She gestured to a 20 x 30 acrylic painting Elaine had done the previous year, it was a skyline of Chicago with a couple looking out from a balcony in a semi-silhouette.

"I take cash, check or credit." Elaine responded and the woman nodded pulling out her credit card which Elaine swiped before handing her a receipt along with her business card.

"Enjoy," Elaine said with a smile, "Thank you."

After the woman walked away, Elaine resisted doing a dance around the tent. The Chicago skyline piece had been one of her largest pieces she had brought with her and she knew it wouldn't be something the average art connoisseur would buy.  It was only the first day of the fair and she was already making more money than she did when she was selling locally. As big as Chicago was she didn't have an opportunity every day to let this many people see her work.

Between her time at the fair Elaine made time to meet with Vivian Peters. They met at the Starbucks a few blocks from Vivian's apartment. The other woman hurried into the coffee shop, her brown hair tossed into a ponytail wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans and a pair of slip on shoes.

"Sorry I'm late." Vivian apologized.

Elaine only smiled.

"It's all right, I'm early."

After Vivian had ordered her iced coffee the two women sat down to talk. They talked about exactly what Elaine had promised-the odd things that had happened to them since Desiree Johnson had entered their lives. They discovered they had a great deal in common, like they were two sides of the same coin. Elaine found herself comfortable with Vivian, while she was much more reserved than Elaine was, they found the way they had handled their emotional curveballs was similar, although Elaine with a little bit more poise. Elaine found herself in good spirits when they left the coffee shop and couldn't wait to tell Michael what she had discovered when she called him later that evening.

…

Desiree

Desiree's next conscious thought was of a dark dank room. When she opened her eyes she was in a small dimly lit room with one tiny, grimy window. Instead of her gorgeous wedding dress she was now wearing something akin to a burlap sack (not her best look) but instead of discarding her wedding dress altogether her captor had neatly hung it on a hanger in a corner, veil and all.

"Where am I?" She muttered and she raised her head and looked around.

"You are, exactly where I want you." A voice from the shadows said.

Desiree gasped.

Out of the shadows came a slender young man with a thin pointed face and scraggly dark hair. He would have been good-looking if it hadn't been for his average looks and the scarring across the right side of his face that went from his hairline all the way down to his jaw.

Desiree squinted into the darkness.

"Who are you?" She whispered.

"Don't you remember me? Thomas Collins? I was supposed to marry the love of my life but instead she was trapped in a burning building and I barely escaped with my life, she however did not thanks to your clumsiness."

Desiree bit her lip, it was all coming back to her now, one of the few people she couldn't help.

"I was really disappointed I didn't receive an invitation to your lovely nuptials. Mortality suits you well, Desiree, now, is it?"

"I wanted this to be a happy time for myself, my fiancée and all of the people involved. Most of the people I have helped if I have had any shortcomings have forgiven me… You however… I only figured my happiness would serve as a reminder of what you had lost."

Thomas Collins only grunted. Desiree wondered if he had dabbled in magic to keep his youthful looks because he would've been dead by now by her calculations since he had been born in the 1800s and have lived well before any modern convenience.

She thought it well not to ask.

"I think your grievance has already been used by the Brothers Grimm for their fairytales, so you probably wasting your breath." Desiree commented lightly. "So if you could just let me go and return me to my fiancée and friends…"

"No," Thomas replied shortly, "I think I'll make your fiancé suffer a little bit more."

"Making others suffer for your loss won't bring Ana back." Desiree said firmly.

"I've studied myself in every possible magical remedy since I was nineteen," Thomas continued, "if I can't bring the love of my life back you are going to show me how."

7: Chapter 6-Meet Me in St. Louis

Almost another three weeks later found Nathan and Vivian on their way to St. Louis. One minute Vivian was thinking about the trip in the next it was actually here. She was almost relieved to be packing her bags and getting into Nathan's car, it was just a change of pace and after what had happened that was exactly what she needed.

"We could have flown." She commented to Nathan as he settled into the driver's seat.

"We could have." Nathan reflected, "but this is better, and besides, it's not that far."

Vivian nodded, he had a point.

For the next few hours, what wasn't spent drafting notes for her book or listening to music, was spent in silence watching Nathan drive. For the first time in a while she didn't know what to say to him, some time she felt as if their friendship had hit a wall ever since a little pesky thing called attraction had entered the equation.

Finally Nathan broke the silence.

"V, what's wrong? You're hardly ever this quiet."

Vivian shrugged.

"Nothing, just thinking."

Nathan momentarily averted his eyes from the road cocking his head at her.

"About what?"

"Nothing," Vivian murmured again, "it's just… Complicated."

Nathan arched an eyebrow.

"Us…" She whispered "I don't know who we are-where we are anymore. We used to be friends but now we're something else and I don't even know what that is."

Nathan only made a noise in the back of his throat like "hmm" before falling in the silence again finally he spoke, his voice low and quiet.

"Vivian, I told you where I stand on this. I can't date you, I respect your feelings but I just can't."

"That's not going to stop me from loving you, I just can't turn my feelings off Nathan, I wish I could but I can't."

Nathan sighed.

"Look, Vivian, I don't want to talk about this while I'm driving… Can we talk about it later?"

"Okay." Vivian replied meekly, feeling somewhat deflated. The remainder of the next few hours except for comments about bathroom breaks, road directions, and food, were made in silence. As comforting as her music was Vivian knew it was going to be a long drive to St. Louis, and she wondered if she would ever get her relationship with Nathan back on track.

 

It was early evening when Nathan and Vivian arrived in St. Louis. The conference didn't begin until the following morning and by Vivian's calculations it was too late to visit the hospital so she and Nathan headed for their hotel, and Vivian hoped that they could resolve the conflict they had run into earlier that day.

They had booked a suite which was two distinct rooms, while there was a wall between them, it felt weird sharing a room. Even as her mind ran wild with "what ifs" she knew none of them would ever come to pass; she and Nathan were nowhere near any of that.

Her mind drifted back to a time shortly after Nathan had come out to her. They had shared a few brief kisses but they hadn't really meant anything; it was just her trying to figure out her feelings. If everything with Nathan was black and white and would've gotten a lot easier, she could've gotten over it eventually, but this felt so much more difficult.

For a while she and Nathan were absorbed in their own activities, he was updating his blog and social media, while she was working on her writing; another few scenes she didn't want him to see.

Finally it was shortly after 5 PM before they broke with their activities and Nathan asked if she wanted to go out to dinner. As he spoke he was scrolling through his phone.

"There's an Italian place around the corner if you want to go." He offered.

Vivian looked up from her laptop shrugging.

"Yeah, sure, that be fine." She was tired of the stiff air that had hovered between them since that morning, like they were caught between two planes and couldn't get back on even ground.

The trip to the Italian restaurant was made in unnatural silence, and Vivian felt even more awkward when they had requested a table for two, the hostess automatically assuming they were on a date and, feeling irritable from a long day of travel, Vivian didn't bother to correct her.

As soon as their waiter had disappeared after delivering water and bread and taking an order for drinks Vivian spoke up.

"Okay, what's the problem Nathan, you've been kind of quiet since we got in this afternoon."

Nathan made a face before he spoke, a face Vivian couldn't quite define.

"I wish you would stop trying to make this trip something it's not, it's not some romantic getaway. You know why we're here you know why I'm here, or did you think it was something else."

Vivian blushed pressing her lips together.

"No, I know, it's just I don't know how else to make sense of my feelings without testing things out first."

To Vivian surprise, Nathan's voice softened.

"You know I can't do that, if I don't feel that way… That wouldn't be fair to you."

Vivian stared at the table top playing with her folded napkin.

"You're right." Once again she shrugged and dissolved into silence. They were once again back at square one.

Things were quiet between Nathan and Vivian for the remainder of the evening it was only as she was getting ready for bed Vivian poked her head into Nathan's room.

"Of course you're still up." She said lightly, "just promise me you won't be going crazy at 4 AM, some people actually need their beauty sleep."

For the first time that day she actually managed to draw smile out of him.

"No wild parties tonight," Nathan replied his blue eyes twinkling, "I think I'll actually be getting to bed at a decent time tonight, the conference starts tomorrow at ten."

Vivian nodded.

"Noted. If you need me, I'll be on the other side of the wall working on my plan to seduce you."

The words were out of her mouth before she realized it Vivian abruptly shut her mouth figuring anything else she said would just make it worse. When she looked back over her shoulder Nathan had a strange expression on his face, part embarrassment and part amusement she couldn't decide which was the dominant emotion.

"If you start talking like that we might do something we'll both regret." Nathan said seriously, "if it wasn't for the separate rooms I'd be next-door right now."

Vivian chewed on her lip debating what to say next, her mind was spinning and she didn't know which direction she should take the conversation.

"I just-really want to kiss you… I'm too curious about it. I realize that could totally ruin our friendship, but if I ever act weird again that's why."

Nathan nodded, that strange smile still on his face. It wasn't a happy smile exactly but it was something and as she walked away his answer wasn't what she expected either.

"Thanks for telling me that, I'll keep that in mind."

Vivian made her way to the door again before Nathan's voice once again stopped her.

"It's not that I don't want to be kissed, just by the right woman, at the right time."

Vivian didn't reply, she knew what he meant by that.

"Good night Nathan." She finally said her voice sounding flat and toneless, then she walked back to her own room before she could convince herself to stay.

 

The next morning was uneventful as Nathan and Vivian prepared to leave for the conference. They took the car Nathan had rented for the occasion with directions printed from Google. They hadn't spoken much, the discussion from the day before still left a sour taste in Vivian's mouth and she didn't know where to pick up the conversation.

The venue they pulled up to was about what Vivian had expected, a conference center with a full parking lot with people crisscrossing the street talking animatedly, she and Nathan joined this crowd as they made their way towards the entrance.

As they crossed the foyer and leading from the lobby Nathan straightened and waved as he spotted one of his friends.

"Leslie," he called as they shook hands, "good to see you again."

"Same." Leslie replied, a wide grin stretched across her face. She reminded Vivian of your stereotypical cheerleader; straight blonde hair, with perfect features and bright sparkling blue eyes. Beside her was a woman with chin length dark hair and serious dark eyes who Leslie introduced as Melanie.

"Leslie lives in New Orleans." Nathan explained, "we met online a few years ago." Vivian shook the other woman's hand. She still hadn't said anything because at the moment she had nothing to say.

"Vivian Peters." She finally replied, for some reason she didn't want to launch into her entire history with Nathan, pushing 15 years it was a long story and she didn't want to get into how it had gotten progressively more complicated in the past few years. That was a story she was keeping herself-at least for now.

"Nice to meet you." Leslie said and after talking to Nathan for a few more minutes she wrapped her arm around her friend and they walked away. At the moment Vivian was beginning to feel like a third wheel, Nathan knew all these people and she didn't, while she knew most of them by name or from pictures on Facebook and Nathan talking about them she didn't really "know" them let alone any of their history.

As they made their way to the main part of the conference hall Nathan introduce her to more of his friends and it was only as they made their way into the first conference room for the first of 5 keynote speakers Vivian spotted Leslie and Melanie again. They were talking amongst themselves Leslie fanning herself with a program she had acquired while walking around.

Still loosely holding her hand Nathan made his way towards them and they ended up sitting in the same row. When Leslie saw Nathan she looked over at him, waved, and smiled. The smile made Vivian feel a little bit jealous and she knew the reason why, but she didn't want to look too far into it.

After a while Vivian found herself only listening to the speaker with half an ear, not that she was bored with the subject but she couldn't directly relate to it, and while she supported Nathan in every way she possibly could, she could never truly understand what he had or did go through as being something other than straight.

The next speaker didn't speak until after lunch, so she and Nathan took more time to walk around and even suggested they meet a few people for lunch at the café nearby, Vivian agreed, even though she still felt vaguely out of place.

Vivian continued to follow Nathan around the floor as he continued talking to people, he only stopped to buy her a hat she liked, even when she insisted she could pay for it herself.

"It looks good on you," he said with a smile, "it's different, I like it."

Vivian ducked her head so he didn't see her blush, even so simple a statement could affect her, but she wouldn't let him see that. She was happy he had started talking to her again, but they were still hopelessly deadlocked in that place no friends wanted to be.

 

"So when are you speaking?" Vivian asked when she finally had Nathan to herself as they made their way to meet his friends for lunch.

"Tomorrow afternoon." Nathan answered, "I'm just talking about my experiences," he shrugged, "nothing you haven't heard."

"Good," Vivian replied, "that will give us just enough time to go to the hospital and visit Noel, her surgery is on Monday, I'll probably come back and see her sometime then afterwards if you don't mind."

Nathan gave her an easy smile.

"No problem. Sure, we can do that."

 

The people she and Nathan met for lunch were Leslie, Melanie, and two other guys named Carter and Dave. Carter look like he was no older than Nathan while Dave looked to be a little bit older maybe in his early to mid thirties. The two other men greeted Nathan while Vivian stood by, waiting to be introduced.

"Hey Nate, whose your friend?" The guy named Carter asked.

It was only then Nathan ushered her forward making introductions afterwards, Vivian still felt weirdly uncomfortable and she wasn't even sure why. She felt so unnaturally transparent around these people, it was like they could see right through her to see her innermost thoughts and everything she felt-particularly about Nathan.

It was only after Nathan was busy chattering away with Carter, Leslie came up to her, the other woman's expression concerned.

"Vivian, honey, what's wrong? You look as uneasy as a cat on a hot tin roof."

Vivian let the other woman's informal tone pass, but she was so emotional right now she figured she would spill her guts at the drop of a hat anyway.

Leslie looked from her to Nathan and back again.

"You like him, don't you?"

Reluctantly, Vivian nodded, biting her lip.

"How does Nate feel about this?"

"He doesn't." Vivian responded flatly, "he likes our friendship just the way it is and he's not interested."

"It's just sometimes he does something really sweet and…" Vivian shut her mouth, afraid she was going to burst into tears. She liked Leslie and could see the other woman as a confidant, someone who knew both sides of the equation, but she would have to know Vivian much better to understand truly what was going on in her head and heart.

"When he speaks tomorrow I'm going to be a mess and I thought it was bad when he came out to me…"

Leslie gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Well let's break up the guys little powwow, I'm starving."

 

Vivian was sitting in the living room of the suite browsing her phone when Nathan appeared.

"Hey." He greeted simply.

"Hey." Vivian replied in an identical monotone, the same tone they had been using with each other for the past day or so, when things had settled into that awkward rut.

"What are you doing?" Nathan asked.

Vivian shrugged. "Nothing. You?"

Nathan returned her shrug.

"Just hanging I guess."

They fell into silence once more.

"Hey…" Nathan finally spoke, "I'm sorry if today was kind of awkward for you."

Vivian shrugged again.

"It's okay, I had a nice time and your friends are pretty cool."

"V, you know I don't want things to be awkward between us right? I don't want this relationship thing to get between us."

"Neither do I." Vivian replied in a small voice. "I meant what I said before in the car I can't just turned my feelings for you off. I don't know what to do anymore Nathan, I don't want to stop being friends with you but I can't move forward so…"

"I'm just worried you're going to see everything I do as a romantic gesture of some kind, when it's not."

"I know that." Vivian replied softly, "then I'm constantly second-guessing myself wondering what ifs this ever happened and I never had the chance to figure out what we could have been."

Nathan's expression was surprisingly open.

"Is that all? Is that all you want to know?"

Vivian nodded, at the moment not trusting herself to speak.

"It's that connection you want, right?" Nathan continued, "I know you're pretty isolated most of the time."

Vivian nodded again, finally he was getting it.

Then she felt Nathan's arm around her shoulder, a hand on hers and finally-even though the sensation might have caused her heart to burst out of her chest his lips on her cheek, slowly sliding down to somewhere along her jaw.

"Oh." Was all she said. When he pulled away they just stared at each other trying to make sense of what had just happened. Then slowly, Nathan leaned forward his lips softly pressing against hers. It was like that first and only kiss they had shared down the block from his first apartment when Vivian had still been trying to make sense of everything, when everything had been new and raw.

 

"By the way, thanks for the hat." Vivian smiled up at him.

Nathan nodded. "You're welcome, glad you like it." Then he drew her close to him squeezing her shoulders, Vivian resting her cheek against his shoulder, for now she was glad to just be. Finally she sighed pulling away slightly.

"I better call my aunt, she probably won't take kindly to us busting in without letting her know we're coming first. I talked things over with Noel, but I haven't spoken my aunt since last summer, not directly anyway."

"You do that, and then maybe we can watch a movie." Nathan suggested, "We got a busy day tomorrow I don't think I'll be staying up that late tonight."

…

This chapter ended up being much longer than I anticipated; almost double the length. I originally had them going to the hospital and this chapter, but I decided it was better suited to its own chapter and there was too much going on in this chapter to begin with.

8: Chapter 7-Brave Face

The first stop Nathan and Vivian made the next morning before heading to the hospital was a flower shop. Nathan wanted to do something nice for Noel and her mother although he neglected to mention to Vivian what he was going to buy.

"Go head and head to the hospital, I'll take the bus and catch up with you." Nathan said when he stepped out of the car in front of the flower shop.

After a few minutes Vivian agreed and turned her attention back to the GPS, which was giving her directions to the Children's Hospital.

Vivian gave Nathan a small smile.

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

 

Vivian arrived at the hospital shortly after 10 o'clock, and once inside she made her way to the pediatric floor before asking the nurse on duty where her cousin's room was.

"Noel Branson, room 616." The nurse answered after Vivian had explained to the nurse who she was and why she was there.

She nodded in gratitude and thanked the nurse before heading in that direction.

As soon as Vivian knocked on the door she saw her aunt's face brightened. Her Aunt Caroline was a short, average looking woman with shoulder length reddish hair, her cousin was the same except her hair came down past her shoulders.

"Noel, look who's here."

Her 14-year-old cousin promptly rolled her eyes.

"Mom, I knew she was coming I heard you talking to Aunt Jen a couple of weeks ago!" Then Noel's face relaxed and she smiled, "Hey Vivian, what's up? You'll have to excuse her, she's been like this since the accident happened-treating me like I'm about 5." This was followed by another eye roll.

Vivian shrugged, suppressing a smile.

"Not much, I've been pretty busy." Then remembering something Vivian turned to her Aunt Caroline, "Hey Aunt Caroline, I got a friend coming by is that okay? We won't be here long, but he just wanted to say hello before we headed out for the day."

"That's fine with me dear, as long as it's fine with Noel." Her aunt answered before turning to her daughter.

Noel shrugged.

"Fine with me, I'm pumped up on painkillers so I really don't care."

While Vivian waited for Nathan to return she got an update from her aunt on Noel's condition.

"Her surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 8 AM, surgery prep starts at 6."

Vivian nodded, taking in the information.

"Nathan and I should be able to stop by on our way out of town, we were only in town for the weekend, if I don't talk to you again until after the surgery keep me updated on Facebook."

"Well I'm sure Noel or your Uncle Joel will be happy to do that, you know your uncle is much more adept with technology than I am."

Vivian chuckled, knowing this was true.

When her aunt stepped out of the room to get a cup of coffee, Vivian turned her attention back to Noel.

"So who's this guy you're with?" Noel asked as soon as her mother had left the room.

Vivian shrugged, trying to keep her face impassive.

"He's just a friend." She replied.

Noel snorted.

"Uh huh, sure." The teenager replied.

Vivian grinned in spite of herself. "I'm not lying, honest! I've been friends with him since before you were born."

Despite what she said, Vivian knew Noel didn't believe her and that she was running out of ways she could spin the story.

"You so have a thing for him, I can tell by the way your face lights up every time you mention his name." Noel continued in a tone of voice that said she knew everything.

"It's more complicated than that, and will you shut up if I told you he wasn't interested."

Noel was about to reply when Aunt Caroline breezed back into the room.

"Vi, look who I found! Such a nice young man and he brought flowers too."

Behind her aunt was Nathan who was holding a vase and two were bouquets of flowers, the large vase being carried by one of the pediatric nurses, who set it on a nearby table.

"Who are the other flowers for?" Vivian asked somewhat confused.

"The large bouquet in the vase is for Noel," Nathan replied with a smile as he gestured to the arrangement the nurse had just brought in. Over the assorted bouquet Vivian's cousin shot her a smug smile, "the large bouquet is for your aunt, and these," he handed her a small bouquet of carnations, "are for you."

Vivian did her best not to have her mouth hanging open. Looking over at Noel, she saw her cousin look like the cat who had eaten the canary and conspicuously mouthed: "I told you so!"

Now it was Vivian's turn to roll her eyes.

 

It was only after she and Nathan had left the hospital Vivian realize she couldn't tell her 14-year-old cousin everything. While she was sure Noel had an opinion on LGBT issues, she was sure she was not mature enough to understand what Vivian was talking about. Vivian was sure at 14 she wouldn't have understood the idea of sexual orientation either. The situation really was much more complicated than the average person could understand in passing, it made Vivian realize how much she had grown up in the past 10 years.

When they were once again alone Vivian turned to Nathan.

"Why the flowers?" She asked.

Nathan gave a small shrug.

"Just a thank you I guess for being supportive." He smiled at her, it was the type of smile Vivian loved, the type of smile she would hope a boyfriend would give her.

"Thank you, I appreciate it. I haven't gotten flowers from you since we were in school."

Nathan chuckled.

"I guess so, just don't read too much into it I meant what I said before."

However, Vivian couldn't make herself content with that statement, how could it be that simple when it seemed Nathan was constantly contradicting himself.

 

The next morning, Vivian had decided to head to the hospital early before Noel went into surgery. Nathan was still asleep when she left and she left a brief note and saying she would be back before checkout time, leaving him plenty of time to get dressed and take a shower.

Even for the early morning hour the hospital was busy and after explaining why she was there to a smiling nurse she was led to the curtained off area.

"Noel, you have a visitor, your cousin's here."

"Hey…" Noel greeted groggily.

"Early huh?" Vivian quipped with a grin.

"No kidding." Noel muttered, "they were waking me up at 4 AM!"

Vivian talked to her aunt for a few more minutes as doctors and nurses continued to check Noel's vitals. She stayed until they were ready to come get Noel at ten to eight. As they rolled her cousin to the O R, Vivian reached down and squeezed Noel's hand.

"Time to put on your brave face okay? Everything's going to be alright, you'll be back on the slopes before you know it. Just dream about getting that gold medal in Korea, okay?"

Noel nodded, smiling.

"Okay." She whispered and Vivian watched until the rolling bed had disappeared down the hall and around the corner.

9: Chapter 8-The Raven's Message

Chicago

Michael Eckhart wasn't the type of person that was usually proned to random outbursts, but at the moment he was coming close. Since the time he had gotten up that morning he had been continuously receiving texts from Corey, who, even though he was six states away seemed close to the point of a nervous breakdown.

Between business meetings Michael dealt with these texts, short messages to the point in attempt to defuse the situation as he saw it.

Pull yourself together man, either call the police and have them deal with it or don't. Find someone to talk to, but I can't help you.

I thought I could count on you…

You can, I just can't help you, I'm too far away, you know that.

It was a childish exchange Michael found tiresome, and it was after this exchange he called Elaine, for the first time in a while he was the one that needed to vent and have a person listen.

"Michael," Elaine seemed surprised to hear from him, "this is unusual, not that I'm complaining, but it's barely noon, don't you have a meeting or something?"

Michael sighed.

"Not till one, thankfully. I don't know, Elaine… It's Corey, frankly he's driving me crazy! He's been calling and texting nearly every day. I feel really bad about what happened to Desiree, but I can't help him from here I have no more answers than he does!"

"Did you tell him that?" Elaine reasoned.

Michael sighed again.

"Tried to, but he is beside himself."

Now it was Elaine's turn to sigh in his ear.

"Well, looks like we'll have to give this one to God, not much we can do and I'm sure even Corey knows that… He simply needs to be reminded of it."

 

Corey

Corey felt like a spring that was being wound too tight. He felt like that at any given moment he would explode and fly off in a million different directions. He felt so helpless since Desiree's disappearance and while his brain knew the logic of prayer his mind and heart felt hopeless to utter a word.

He wasn't a drinking man, but had he been now would have been the time he would have poured himself a stiff drink and downed a couple of glasses without a second thought. He now understood why so many people turned to sex and alcohol to dull their wounds, in his mindset now it made perfect sense. Corey had been texting Michael most of the time since Desiree had disappeared, he was one of the few people Corey felt could be a comfort to him, but even now that seemed out of his reach. Michael had explained he couldn't help him, which logically Corey knew but he wanted someone-anyone to be there for him, even his former roommate Darren was a few states away, which did nothing for his current situation.

He had stopped going to work for the time being, and while he knew it probably wasn't the smartest decision he had ever made he felt it was the only choice he had. For his peace of mind he had to get away from everything, at the moment his apartment was his only solace, but even then it held too many reminders of Desiree and the life he hoped they would one day share.

Over the past few weeks he had secluded himself in his apartment, he was lucky if he got up and dressed most days, like if he waited and slept long enough he would wake up and she would be there walking through the door waiting for him.

Corey would have been content to stay like that had it not been for the urgent pounding on his apartment door hours, days maybe weeks later he didn't know.

"Corey, dude, you have to open up!" A voice called through his closed door.

Corey groaned, rolled over, and made his way towards the door and sighed before swinging it open.

 

Desiree

Over and over again, Thomas continued to ask her. His request was always the same "bring the love of my life back" but of course Desiree's hands were tied because she no longer had her magic. She'd given up the magic when she had agreed to a life with Corey, which was a trade she would gladly have made for anything in the world.

It would be a long explanation if she explained to Thomas why she couldn't fulfill his request, and her reason why would only rub salt in his wounds and that wasn't something she wanted to do, so she was stuck in the dark, dank cellar until such time in the future when Thomas saw reason.

At the moment, however, Desiree was hunched over a cauldron which sat over a fire. The cauldron bubbled and sparkled with a multicolored potion. The only thing the potion was doing for her was making her already unkempt hair more frizzy. Most of these potions and spells Desiree hadn't even heard of, and it was way beyond her scope of magic; even as she had known it.

Desiree knew she needed Cynthia or Cora, but she had been cut off from the fairy world for almost a year. They were the only ones who would know how to control this dark, mysterious magic or they would know someone who could, if only she could get a message to them.

Desiree turned herself towards the only light source in the room. For the first time in a long time all she wanted was to go home, back to where everything was bright and familiar.

 

Corey

The full force of cold water hit Corey straight in the face. He yelped in surprise which drew a chuckle from the other person in what he had now realized was his bathroom.

"What the--geez man, I'm not drunk!"

He blinked the water from his eyes and turned his head to look at the person that had unceremoniously tossed him in his shower. Looking back at him, his dress shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, was his coworker Mark.

"You haven't shown up to work in almost a month. It's only a few people's fast talking and your stellar reputation with the clientele that has kept you afloat. The boss is getting pissed man, this isn't like you."

"My fiancée was kidnapped!" Corey all but shouted.

"Well that doesn't mean the rest of your life has to stop." Mark tried to reason.

Corey's voice softened, as he realized all he had been doing since he is gotten up that morning was shout at people.

"Well it feels like it has… Even if I know God's out there I don't know where…" Corey shook his head.

"Well, take a shower, clothes off this time, and get dressed. I'll make a pot of coffee, you look like you could use a cup or two."

Mark nodded and left the bathroom.

Automatically, Corey did as he was told, he peeled off his wet clothes and warmed up the shower. Then he took a long hot shower before drying off and digging around (still in a towel) looking for clean clothes in the mess that was on his floor. Finally he located what seemed to be the last pair of clean clothes in his entire apartment, only then realizing he needed to do laundry.

Finally he emerged, dressed in a wrinkled button-down shirt and a pair of jeans. Mark, who had gone to work in the kitchen fixing a simple breakfast and a pot of coffee looked him over.

"Well you look better, way better than you did when I found you this morning."

Corey nodded and sank down into a nearby chair. A few minutes later Mark handed him a cup of coffee, black, and set down a plate with toast, and bacon and eggs on the coffee table. Slowly Corey began to eat, and gradually the food began to taste less like cardboard in his mouth.

"I'd call in if you still want your job by the end of the month." Mark advised, "Yesterday was the last straw, the boss has threatened to fire you at least three times… And since you haven't been answering your phone… Well…"

Corey nodded.

"Maybe I'll take some time off, real time off, I just can't work right now…" Corey shook his head, "my head isn't in it, you know."

Mark nodded.

"It's been almost a month, why haven't you called the police?"

Corey shook his head.

"It's complicated."

He was saved from explaining further when there was a tap on the window behind him. What Corey saw surprised him so much he had to take another look to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

On the sill behind Corey was a large black raven. In its beak was a small scroll, looking at him with large beady eyes it tapped the glass again.

"I think it wants you to let it in." Mark murmured.

Numbly, Corey nodded and walked over to unlatch the window.

The raven flew into the room, perched on the coffee table, it's feet scrabbling on the slick surface of the glass, dropped the scroll it was holding and flew over to perch on a more suitable chair.

Carefully, Corey unrolled the message.

"Now I know how Edgar Allan Poe felt…" Corey muttered, before glancing at the message in his hands, upon reading it, he almost dropped the paper.

It read in a fluid elegant script:

if you wish to see your fiancé again please send the wedding bands with the raven… More to follow.

Corey's hands tightened on the paper.

"What is this creep what with our wedding bands."

Mark shrugged.

"Better do as he says, it seems pretty serious, you never know, he may send one of her fingers next."

Corey only nodded, then rose and headed in the direction of his bedroom where the wedding bands were still in a box on his dresser.

Upon his return, Corey glanced at the bird, which was still waiting patiently in his living room, back at the letter and then at the wedding bands in his hand. Sighing, Corey held them out towards the bird. Just as he did so he saw a postscript to the short note. At the bottom of the page were written two words:

a token

Curled in the ends of the paper was a small lock of brownish blonde hair.

Slowly, Corey picked it up.

"Desiree…" He muttered, and looked up in just enough time to see the black bird taking off, the wedding bands clutched in its pointed beak.

 

Desiree

Thomas's rhyme or reason had eluded Desiree, other than his initial demand what he was trying to do made no sense to her. Was there a spell or potion he hoped would bring his dead love back to life; with the magic he had immersed himself in she figured anything was possible. Thomas had stood in the cellar without speaking to her for almost an hour, he seemed to be waiting for something and finally she understood what when she saw a large raven fly through the solitary window. Thomas only took something small and metallic from its beak, nodded, gave her a grim smile before uttering softly.

"Until tomorrow, Ms. Johnson." Then he retreated through a door at the opposite end of the room and shut it firmly behind him.

Desiree glanced around, she was becoming more and more desperate and Thomas's cryptic actions only worried her more. While she wasn't restrained in any way within the small room Desiree had nowhere to go. At the opposite end of the room was the desk Thomas had written the note he had sent with the raven. There was a quill pen and scrolls of parchment, a bit old-fashioned Desiree surmised, but it would work for what it was used for.

Once she was sure Thomas wouldn't come back, Desiree made her way over to the desk, sat down, and began writing.

Dear Cynthia and Cora,

I know I'm not supposed to contact you, but I am in desperate need of your help. Here, in the mortal world I have encountered an individual (a former client of mine) with access to unparallel dark magic. How he came in contact with this magic I have no clue. He kidnapped me from my wedding and demands I restore his dead love. I have been here almost a month and would be most grateful for your assistance, as quickly as possible.

Please help!

Desiree, formally Desmell

 

Once the letter was complete Desiree found herself with another dilemma: how to send the letter. She was still mulling this over, when a series of flapping white wings flew through the cellar window.

The small white bird, which had come in for a crash landing righted itself then fluttered over to land on the desk where she was seated. The bird looked at her with beady orange eyes, cocked its head and made a small noise.

"Can you help me?" Desiree asked, as if the bird understood everything she was saying, "I need help, I need to get out of here… Please take this to the Fairy Council headquarters in Chicago; and hurry!"

The bird bobbed its head, took the small scroll Desiree had fashioned, and took off with a soft chirp. Desiree watched the small creature until she couldn't see it anymore and it had disappeared beyond the window and up into the sky.

 

10: Chapter 9-The Art of Recuperation

Following the conference in St. Louis, Vivian made up her mind to visit Noel and her family in Columbus. She was glad to be taking the trip even though Nathan would not be accompanying her, it wasn't like they were together anyway, she thought, he wasn't required to go with her.

So Vivian packed up her things. That was the good thing about being a writer, everything she needed was portable. Then she began the long drive from Nashville to Columbus.

Vivian was halfway to Columbus when she got the text, the first of many, from Elaine.

You mentioned on Facebook you were headed for Columbus, I have an art show this week if you want to meet up.

This was followed by a second shorter text.

I have news.

Vivian was at a rest area before she could reply.

What news?

You'll see… It has to do with Desiree's disappearance

So Vivian was left wondering, but whatever Elaine's news was it was going to have to wait, no news was worth getting into a car accident before she even got to where she was going.

 

Vivian let out a sigh of relief when she finally saw her aunt's house. The house was modest, a simple ranch with a neat, clean yard. When she finally pulled into the drive her aunt and uncle were there to meet her both smiling, ready to greet her with open arms.

"Vivian, how was your drive? Is your mother well?"

Vivian nodded and answered her aunt's questions, and hugged her before turning her attention to her uncle.

Uncle Joel was much like the area he inhabited, clean and simple. He looked young for his 41 years with his bright red hair still visible although it had thinned considerably. He was taller than his wife and his age had not lessened his tall, gangly appearance.

"How's the Great American novel coming?" He asked her with a big smile as he stepped back to look at her.

Vivian shrugged in response.

"I don't know about Great American, but it's coming. I feel like Damage Control was hit or miss."

"Nonsense!" Aunt Caroline interrupted, "It was a great book, a great story, I for one enjoyed it."

Vivian gave her aunt a grateful smile.

"Thanks, if you don't mind reading about me spilling my guts to the entire world."

"Well you said something about what's important to you and that's all that matters." Aunt Caroline said firmly, "Now let's all get inside before we all become extra crispy." She chuckled at her own joke before leading the way into the cool indoors.

 

The first thing that drew Vivian's attention upon entering her aunt's home was Noel. She was sitting on the couch with her leg propped up on a pillow. Her leg was encased in a immobilizer where the only bare skin on her leg was a bare foot which stuck out, thin and pale.

"This sucks!" Her cousin grumbled.

"Hello to you too." Vivian replied in greeting without missing a beat.

"You try recovering from surgery during the hottest summer on record, it sucks! All I'm doing is sweating; it's gross! I can't even take a shower whenever I want!"

Aunt Caroline seemed to overhear this because she jumped into the conversation as if she had been listening the entire time.

"Now, honey, it's only for another 3 weeks; remember what the doctors said, and then you can have the walking cast and crutches."

Noel crossed her slender arms.

"Well, that can't come fast enough." Her cousin replied sourly.

 

After exchanging pleasantries Vivian, her aunt and uncle along with Noel, who is now sitting in a wheelchair, sat down for lunch. As Vivian helped herself to pasta and salad she looked around.

"Where are the boys?" She asked, as she looked around for her male cousins. She should have noticed before, the house was way too quiet.

"With friends." Her aunt answered. "Nolan disappeared with his girlfriend a few hours ago."

"We should probably call them." Uncle Joel cut in, "I did tell them to be back about now."

Just as he spoke however there was the sound of a car turning into the driveway, the sound of a slamming door and loud voices and a few seconds later Vivian's teenage cousins burst through the front door.

All the boys seem to be clones of their father although at varying heights. Nolan, the oldest was 18 and his thick red hair was swept back in gentle waves. He was wearing a tank top and Bermuda shorts, and even as he crossed the room he was already making a beeline for the kitchen. Behind him, came his brothers, Chris, who was 16, was slightly less muscular he had a slightly bookish look about him, his face was splattered with prominent freckles. His thin glasses had slid down his nose. Still talking, he kicked off his shoes as he made his way into the house

The youngest of the boys was Paul. He was 15 and only a year and a half older than his sister. He still had the look of a boy that had grown into a man's body too quickly although he lacked some of the muscle definition of his older brothers. Much like the expression his sister had been wearing earlier, he had a glum look as he glared at his older brothers.

"Hey Nolan, why'd you have to drag me all over hell's half acre this morning? If you and Chris were going to hang with your girlfriends why didn't you just say that; and by the way what does Natalie see in you anyway Chris, you know she's only dating you so you'll give her the answers for the AP homework." His jabs at his older brothers were met with without response.

"Paul, stop your grousing!" Aunt Caroline cut in sharply, "if you would stop demolishing my kitchen you will notice your cousin's here."

It was only then Chris seem to notice Vivian was even in the room.

"Oh hey, Vivian, you still seeing that guy you wrote that book about?"

Noel was quick to jump to her defense before Vivian could even open her mouth.

"Shut up Chris, it's not of your business."

"Nice to see you too." Vivian replied dryly as she watched her cousin shove a handful of potato chips into his mouth.

"Hey Vi, forgot you were coming," Nolan commented offhandedly, " how long you staying hope this doesn't mean I have to bunk with Chris again, you know how much he snores."

Chris glared at his brother.

"I do not, you know how bad my allergies make my congestion, give me a break man!"

Nolan rolled his eyes.

When there was a break in the conversation and her cousins had (briefly) stopped bickering amongst themselves Vivian finally answered his question.

"A few days… I'm meeting a friend tomorrow for lunch, staying the weekend and then I'm gone. This book isn't going to write itself."

 

Whatever time over the next 4 days Vivian didn't spend with her aunt, uncle and cousins was spent writing. She was almost done with her revisions to her third manuscript which was due in less than a week. The only time she could blow off some steam was when she was talking to Nathan or looking forward to her lunch the following afternoon with Elaine.

Vivian and Elaine had decided to meet at a Mexican restaurant in town, which was down the street from where the art fair was being held. It was much like how their coffee date had been greeting each other with smiles and brief hugs.

"To what do I owe the honor of being graced with your presence for the second time in nearly a month?" Vivian asked with a small laugh.

Elaine shrugged then a slow smile began to creep across her face as she sat down.

"I have news." Elaine replied promptly. "Aside from the fact I had some really good sales yesterday."

"What news?" Vivian asked.

"Corey got a ransom note from Desiree's kidnapper, Michael told me before I left."

"Really?" I asked, "so what are you going to do now?"

Elaine smiled, her brown eyes twinkling.

"I think I have a way to get Desiree back."

Vivian's eyes widened, this had been the last thing she had been expecting.

"What? How?"

"I'm going straight to the top, I'm going to contact the Fairy Council directly."

Vivian frowned.

"How? Can you even do that; being mortal and all?"

"The snow globe." Elaine answered, "Miss Clementine gave it to me before she died, I think she knew what I had been through and that I would need it later," Elaine shrugged, "whatever that means."

"Do you think maybe I could go with you?"

"I don't see why not." Elaine replied. "You would have to come back to Chicago with me of course."

"I can do that, I guess all I would really need is some clean clothes if I can borrow your washer and dryer I think I'm good."

Elaine rose from the table.

"So it's all settled then? As soon as you're done here with your family we can both head for Chicago and meet up at my place; you can meet Michael and then we can try to straighten things out with the fairies and hopefully bring Desiree back before Corey loses his mind."

11: Chapter 10-The Backup Plan

Chicago-July 18, 2015

Elaine frowned at her boyfriend.

"Michael, what's wrong? You're usually not this… tense."

Michael shook his head, running a hand through his already tousled hair.

It's Corey, El, I've never seen him like this, and then the letter and the threat on top of that… I think he's headed for a breakdown."

"All we can hope is whoever took Desiree sees the error of their ways…" Elaine replied calmly, then she looked alarmed as if she had just realized something. "Wait-what letter?"

"Michael called the other night and said he got some mysterious letter delivered by a large black bird, a raven or something like that."

Elaine sat down, she was listening now.

Michael continued.

"He said all the bird wanted was his wedding rings and that whoever wrote the letter threatened to take more, but he doesn't know what that is yet."

Elaine shook her head again and she slid her hand into Michael's.

"Well all we can do now is pray… There's not much else we can do."

 

Three weeks later

Elaine paced her apartment, after checking her watch for what seemed like the twentieth time. Vivian had sent her an email a few days before that said she would be leaving soon and from there they would undertake Elaine's mission to contact the fairies.

This time, Elaine glanced at the wall clock, which, despite a minor difference, said a similar time to her watch, which she had checked a few seconds before. The clock read shortly after one, and there was no point in voicing her concerns to Michael, he was at work and wouldn't be able to take her calls or messages anyway. Finally, after a few more minutes of pacing there was a knock on the door.

On the other side of the door was Vivian Peters, smartly dressed carrying a small duffel bag her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, a casual look even for her.

"You ready?" Vivian asked.

Elaine nodded and Vivian walked inside, tossing her duffel bag on the nearest chair; she would figure out what to do with it later.

"So where's the snow globe of yours?" Vivian asked as she looked around the other woman's apartment curiously.

"Here." Elaine replied, grateful for something to do other than worry. She crossed the room and picked up an ornate, antique snow globe that looked out of place in the modern apartment. She turned the snow globe over and showed a Vivian a small inscription on the side.

"So I guess we make a wish then?" Vivian asked.

"Exactly." Elaine replied nodding.

Holding the snow globe out in front of her Elaine spoke in a firm clear voice.

"I wish to find the Fairy Council and find a way to rescue Desiree Johnson."

A few seconds later snowflakes began to swirl as if out of nowhere and Vivian's vision was so obscured she couldn't see anything anymore. She seemed to be floating, weightless through nothing at all, she only felt Elaine's hand grasping hers. It was as if all her other senses had been blocked somehow, as if the universe had a giant mute button.

When the snowflakes finally cleared Elaine looked around.

"We're just outside the headquarters, this way. I've only been here once, when I was rescuing Michael, but I think I remember where it is."

Vivian looked around.

"Here?" She asked, "It just looks like an ordinary alley, aren't you afraid of being mugged or something?"

Just as she spoke the wall next to Elaine shuddered and opened and the other girl smiled.

"Well, looks like they were expecting us, or at least knew we were coming."

 

Through the doorway Vivian was ushered into a large hallway that looked like that of a medieval castle. At the far end of the hallway were two thrones and on the thrones were two of the most beautiful women Vivian had ever seen. One was slender and tall with a wise expression and dark hair twisted elegantly on the top of her head; she was wearing rainbow hued robes like some sort of witch or wizard. The other woman was the exact opposite, she was short and plump with shimmering multicolored hair and robes of orange, red and blue.

"Elaine Charles," said the tall woman in a regal voice, "we saw you coming, although I have misgivings about your method of transport here."

"Cynthia," Elaine addressed the taller woman, "something has happened to Desiree, she disappeared from her wedding…"

"I know, child, she sent me a message begging for help a while ago, but I was thinking of the best way to address this, technically a fairy is banished from contact with the Council if they are made mortal, but there are extenuating circumstances."

"What extenuating circumstances?" Elaine asked, her eyes wide.

 

"Apparently Desiree has gotten caught up with some mortal practicing dark magic, nasty stuff… We may have to make an exception to our rule."

Vivian continued to stand there next to Elaine unsure of what to do next. She was overwhelmed by all she had experienced in the past few minutes. Suddenly the other woman sitting next to Cynthia spoke, her voice calm and gentle.

"Vivian Peters, you're the last person I expected to see here… Considering your experience with Desiree was less than favorable, I'm sorry we couldn't help you, but that friend Nathan of yours is an independent young man and is set in his ways be it for good or bad."

"Nevermind," Vivian muttered, "I'm not here for me anyway, and there's not much anyone can do."

The fairy with the shimmering reddish hair looked at her quizzically, her round face showing nothing but concern.

"You're still in love with him." She said softly.

Vivian didn't answer. She had nothing to say.

 

Finally the fairy Cynthia straightened, her elegant wings buzzing importantly, rising from her throne she rolled up her sleeves as she descended to the floor.

"Come Cora, I'm going to need an extra set of hands in this, but first let's do our homework and find out more about this young man who thinks himself capable of practicing dark arts."

Cynthia strode from the main hall, Cora, Vivian, and Elaine trailing after her.

12: Chapter 11-The Sad Story of Thomas Collins

They were led into a small chamber similar to the one Elaine remembered from when they had gone into the timestream to retrieve Michael a few years ago. This room was similarly fashioned only a large bauble that floated in the center. It was surrounded by a fountain of sorts (minus the water) that was engraved with strange symbols.

"So this is where it all happens." Cynthia explained her arms extended to encompass the room. "From here we can watch the mortals and see what they are doing and what effect their wishes are having."

She continued across the room to a large, old book Elaine had seen before although she didn't know what was it.

"This is the book of wishes, it is constantly updating itself every time someone makes a wish and it is listed by date, the person that makes the wish, and subject. If we are lucky this person, Thomas should be in here."

Cora turned her attention to Elaine and she seemed to take in the confusion on her face not to mention that of Vivian, who looked lost, her eyes still looking concerned.

"Everyone's wishes and here, even yours and the young man of yours Vivian."

Elaine glanced over at Vivian, who blushed.

"He was never mine." She mumbled.

Cora fluffed her short, curly hair.

"Well," she said brightly, "that remains to be seen, your wish was never fulfilled, dear."

Peering over Cynthia's shoulder Vivian saw it was opened to the following page.

 

Vivian Peters

location: Nashville, Tennessee

occupation: writer

wish: boyfriend, husband etc.

status: incomplete

 

"So where is this Thomas?" Elaine asked changing the subject.

"Now, let's see." Cynthia replied and she waved her hand, the pages of the large heavy book turning by themselves as they glowed and shimmered. Finally, at the very back of the book she found what looked to be a very old entry.

 

Thomas Collins

Location: Salem, Massachusetts (1818-1839)

occupation: blacksmith

wish: bring lover back from the dead

status: incomplete

 

"He died young…" Elaine mused, "wait a minute-if he's dead, how is he up walking around able to kidnap Desiree?"

"That's one question, isn't it." Cynthia replied grimly.

Once again, Cynthia waved her hand, this time three chairs appeared in front of her.

"Everyone, sit down. Cora, you already know the story but let me enlighten our visitors here."

After taking a deep breath, Cynthia began in a grave voice.

"Thomas, was one of Desiree's first wishes. Granted, I had reservations about giving such a tall task to such a novice fairy, but you know Desiree, she was so eager to please so eager to make the Council proud. I knew how things were going to end before I sent her out, although I couldn't see how bad. Thomas had begged one of us to save his fiancée's life, unfortunately all the magic in the world couldn't save her from that fire and she was too far gone by the time anyone could get there."

"So what happened to Thomas?" Vivian asked.

"He committed suicide a short time later, hung himself in his shop… Baker's wife found him… Nearly scared the daylights out of the poor woman."

"So how--?" Elaine asked.

"Desiree, was so desperate to fix her mistake she tried to turn time back, but that only made things worse. Thomas, by the time the magic had revived him had only become obsessed with the dark arts and bringing his fiancée back, and he's been like that ever since, but I didn't think he would go this far. I figure he's been lying in wait for Desiree and had only managed to just track her down."

"That's a sad story." Vivian said quietly, "Reminds me of some Shakespearean tragedy, or some movie I never want to watch again."

Cynthia nodded, her expression solemn.

"Indeed." She replied.

"So how do we fix this?" Elaine asked, "Can it be fixed?"

"It can, but it's a tricky piece of dark magic, something no self-respecting fairy would ever attempt. It involves bringing together pieces of the wish itself, in Thomas's case that is his thwarted wedding."

"That's why he kidnapped Desiree and went after Corey," Elaine exclaimed, "he needs the wedding stuff."

"We believe he also went after Desiree because he blames her for the death of his fiancée," Cora interjected, "which was why she was so instrumental to the completion of his wish."

Cynthia began to pace.

"The only way to stop Thomas is to stop his spell, to turn the magic back on him. It will kill him of course, but that can't be helped, no mortal-at least none that I have met so far- can survive a full blast of magic, good or bad."

"So what are we waiting for, let's go get Desiree!" Elaine was already walking towards the exit as if she knew where she was going.

"Hold on Ms. Charles, first things first we have to locate Thomas, if I know him he probably hasn't gone very far, if we're lucky he's still in Salem."

Cynthia spun the orb several times studying it intently before it stopped and she looked somewhat relieved.

"Yes, he's still in Salem… In a graveyard of all places…" She muttered.

"There is one more thing he needs though," Cora spoke up softly, "the body of his love, he is going where she is."

 

Desiree

She couldn't decide which was worse, the morbid scene before her or the rancid smell that filled her nostrils.

"Is this really necessary?" Desiree grumbled, "I'm starting to prefer the cellar right about now." She looked disgustedly at the charred human remains in front of Thomas.

"Absolutely, I can't have my happy ending without my dear Priscilla, now all she needs is a little makeup."

"Well, she needs more than that." Desiree muttered dryly.

"Precisely," Thomas agreed, "which is why you're going to help me, show me the restoration spell-NOW!"

"I can't do what you're asking!" Desiree exclaimed desperately, "Let me reiterate, I no longer have my magic!"

"Show me then!" Thomas demanded, "which book, which page?"

Sighing, Desiree finally gave in.

"The one with the purple binding." She gestured to the stack of spell books on the ground Thomas had brought with him. Desiree couldn't really do anything, her hands were tied-literally and figuratively. She didn't think it was a good time to tell him the spell was mostly used on flowers and dying plants. "… Page 278." She added. Desiree wondered how long it would actually take him, the potion was usually done in small doses, to make enough to revive a human being would take most of the night.

Well, all she could do was wait.

13: Chapter 12-The Wedding in the Graveyard

Desiree

She had to admit, the corpse looked better then when he had started, but magic tended to do that (you could revive a dead rat and have it look halfway decent).

While the corpse technically wasn't "alive" it looked it, Priscilla had some color back to her face and she only looked as if she were asleep-instead of dead. The magic had repaired most of the physical damage left from the fire and even though the corpse was many years old everything physical had been repaired, as it should.

There was only one problem, Priscilla was still dead.

Desiree watched as Thomas continued to busy himself as he prepared a larger cauldron for another spell; the spell that would solve all his problems (or so he thought). She continued to watch as he tossed ingredients into a cauldron; she knew everything else he needed was somewhere, but she couldn't say where. Perhaps he had secreted it away to be brought forward at the appropriate time.

The last ingredient Thomas needed was something from Desiree, of course she didn't think of this until the last minute when he was coming towards her with a knife. At first, she thought he was going to kill her but he merely slid the blade along her forearm making a slice taking the blood he needed. She gritted her teeth, at the moment she was so emotionally and mentally horrified she couldn't even scream. She couldn't think of what would happen to her, what would happen to Corey, or if she would ever get back to him. She only hoped she would.

Upon adding her blood, the potion began to bubble and froth then shimmered and turned a beautiful golden hue. Thomas scooped this up in a goblet and brought it over to Priscilla, who was lying on a stone slab nearby. Gently and carefully he forced it down her throat whereupon she began to glow and the spell began to expand as Priscilla's body hovered in the air.

Then everything seemed to happen at once. The wedding garb appeared out of thin air, hovering nearby and the doors of a large expensive looking mausoleum opened revealing a pastor who was bound and gagged. Thomas unbound the man, who looked as scared as Desiree felt.

The rags Priscilla was wearing disappeared only to be replaced by Desiree's wedding dress and Thomas was wearing Corey's tuxedo. The site repulsed Desiree, to think her entire special day had been tainted by this-this atrocity. She glanced up at the night sky silently praying for some sort of intervention, although she didn't know what kind.

She watched as everything was positioned under a tree surrounded by gravestones. It was under this tree Thomas had set everything up, the pastor was fumbling for his Bible and his notes, even from where she was Desiree could see his hands were shaking. Priscilla, now alive and well was looking around studying the dress she was wearing with interest.

Within a few minutes Priscilla and Thomas were standing before the pastor, whose expression had cleared somewhat, although he still didn't look comfortable. Finally he cleared his throat and began.

"Dearly beloved," he began, "we are gathered here today--"

Unfortunately he never finished because there was a sound like a cannon and Desiree saw something like a gigantic shooting star arc over the cemetery and finally descend (just as loudly) a few feet away.

When Desiree turned there were Cynthia, Cora and the two human girls she recognized from her wedding. While the two girls looks slightly ill, the heads of the fairy Council were standing tall and finally Cynthia spoke in a loud voice.

"I highly object!" She said her tone firm, her wand outstretched.

Thomas whirled around his face a few shades paler than normal but his expression was one of rage.

"How dare you! How dare you!" He roared, "you claim to support happiness, why not let me have mine!"

This time it was Cora who spoke.

"This is not the way to go about it, Thomas you know that."

Thomas is lips tightened but he didn't make a sound.

"I'm going to have to break your spell," Cynthia continued in a no-nonsense voice, "let yourself have some peace Thomas… Something that should've happened a long time ago."

Finally Desiree spoke up, speaking for herself for the first time in all over a month.

"And by the way, the wedding stuff comes with us." She stated. "How will dare you take my dress, it doesn't even suit her."

Thomas seemed to deflate, and after a moment he gave an imperceptible nod.

Then Cynthia pointed her wand at Thomas, the smile she gave him was sad.

"You've earned this Thomas, it won't hurt I promise."

She said the counter spell, a spell Desiree didn't even know and there was a blinding flash of light which encompassed everything; Desiree couldn't even see across the graveyard anymore. There was something anti-climatic about it while she was expecting some big protest from either Thomas or Priscilla there wasn't any and she only realized then how tired they both were, that they only wanted to be together, to die in peace.

When the bright light disappeared and everyone looked up Thomas and Priscilla were lying side by side back in their old style clothes looking peaceful. Once again, Cynthia waved her wand, opened the grave nearby and placed the bodies in fresh, but simple caskets. Upon closing the grave she waved her wand once more and a small headstone appeared.

Stepping closer, Desiree could just make out what the neat writing said.

"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo"

RIP Thomas and Priscilla, who proved true love is eternal

Cora clasped her hands.

"A nice sentiment, don't you think."

Cynthia nodded in satisfaction, as she tucked her wand inside her robes.

"I think so, it's the best we can do for them now, but at least they're together." Then she turned to Desiree and the two human girls who still hadn't moved from where Cynthia's initial spell had deposited them. "Let's go home, I think a few people have some unfinished business."

 

Vivian

Sometime later (she wasn't quite sure how much later) Vivian found herself once again in Elaine's living room. Her head was still spinning, and she was trying to process everything she had seen. Beside her was Desiree who had been given new clothes by the fairy Council while Cynthia had promised to return her wedding attire to its proper location.

The three girls spent the rest of the day together. It was calm and peaceful after what they had endured and they spent the night together before Vivian and Desiree caught flights home the following morning. As she went to bed that night Vivian had a thought she hadn't had in a long time, she wasn't stressed, not about her writing and not about what was going on with everyone else, for once, everything was as it should be.

...

*Quote from "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare

14: Chapter 13-Reunion

"In all good (and bad) things, there is always the chance for new beginnings."-Cora, co-head of Fairy Council

...

Desiree and Corey

Her reunion with Corey was one of the most emotional experiences of Desiree's life, both mortal and immortal. He had been there to pick her up when she had returned from Chicago that Friday and it was like something out of the chick flicks she never watched. They were running towards each other as soon as they saw each other without even realizing it. His arms were around her just as quickly and she buried her face against his shoulder as he stroked her hair.

"Thank God, thank God, thank God." He kept muttering over and over again and Desiree knew he meant it.

Then he was looking her over with concern in every inch of his face.

"Are you okay? That guy, he didn't hurt you, did he?"

Desiree shook her head, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"No, Corey, he didn't. He was just a lonely person wanting some answers; while his methods were a bit extreme I don't blame him."

Corey nodded slowly his arms still protectively around her shoulders, as if daring someone else to take her from him. She would tell him about what happened in the graveyard, someday, but not now. Right now they had more pressing matters.

 

"The wedding stuff make it back to Virginia alright?" She asked once Corey and helped her into the car, she had no luggage since she hadn't left with anything to begin with.

Corey nodded.

"Safe and sound," he gave her a wry smile because he knew she was already concerned about her $1200 dress, "not a Swarovski crystal out of place."

Desiree gave him a dazzling smile and a peck on the lips before he moved around to the driver's seat. "Good."

Vivian

Vivian's journey home was a bit more complicated. She was still waiting to board her flight out of O'Hare when it happened. She knew what was coming even before the "fairy dust" had settled and a second later the plump, but striking looking fairy she had encountered earlier was standing in front of her.

The rosy cheeked woman fluffed her hair and looked Vivian up and down before speaking.

"Vivian Peters right?" The other woman extended her hand, "Cora."

Vivian blinked, unsure of what to say next.

"What are you doing here?" She asked looking around, "What if somebody sees you."

"Don't worry about that dear, anybody that looks this way will just see a nice middle-age woman possibly talking to her daughter, nothing to worry about." She paused before continuing. "I am here because I have a proposition for you."

Vivian frowned.

"A proposition?" She repeated.

"I want to fulfill your wish, dear."

Vivian's face fell.

"You can't help me, no one can… At least not right now. I think I'll leave that one in the hands of God."

"Very well." Cora replied and Vivian saw her reach into her robe and retrieved her wand. She waved at once and a small bottle with a thick purple liquid inside appeared in the air. "However, if you change your mind I want to give you this. You say you want a home and a family, take this potion and that should set you right."

"How?" Vivian asked, she still felt vaguely confused.

"Well, that all depends on the magic now, doesn't it, but you may find yourself with a husband and 2.5 kids sooner rather than later."

"Oh." Was all Vivian could manage, then she took the small ornate bottle with the purple liquid in it and shoved it inside her purse. She was still standing there when Cora disappeared (not that any of the passersby would have noticed) and it was only after the airport intercom started squawking that she snapped out of her reverie, grabbed her carry-on and went on her way.

Elaine and Michael

Life for Elaine was simple following the entire fiasco with Desiree. For now, at least until the wedding she wanted to keep things as uncomplicated as possible.

She was glad, everything had worked out for everybody although she surmised Nathan and Vivian were still a work in progress, but who knew what the future held for them; there was definitely potential. Her life had settled down into its normal humdrum routine, she was working on a couple of new paintings, one for Vivian and another for Desiree and Corey. While the painting for Desiree and Corey was almost finished (a young man looking up at a sparkling sky with a fairy in green was descending in a shower of sparkles) the painting depicted how Corey and Desiree met and she had little surprises in the painting things only they could figure out.

Elaine's painting for Vivian was smaller and less elaborate, but no less meaningful. The painting, although still in progress, was of a fairy drawn from the shoulders down stopping at about bust heighttight stopping at about bust tight. In one hand she was holding a book and in the other hand her arm cradled to her chest she was holding a small child. She painted things she knew meant something to the other woman and things she hoped Vivian would one day find. Elaine had simply entitled the piece "Finding Balance".

Elaine had never told Michael about the scene in the graveyard. She figured he had had enough of the other dimension the last him a lifetime. She couldn't even begin to explain (even to herself) what it happened there and the barrage of emotions that had transpired within her. She only hoped she could find a love like Thomas and Priscilla had shared. These were emotions she couldn't even express to Michael, although she loved him more than she could ever say, she hoped to tell him someday.

15: Epilogue: Save the Date

Corey and Desiree's wedding was rescheduled for October 4, 2015. The wedding was everything Elaine had hoped it would be, fortunately this time Michael was present at her side as Corey's one groomsman had recovered from his bout with the flu.

 

Desiree looked radiant as she made her way down the aisle, she was smiling which she hadn't had much reason to do lately. Her beautiful dress seemed no worse for wear after it's adventure, but Cynthia had made sure it looked absolutely perfect. The heads of the fairy Council were somewhere in the wedding guests Elaine knew, but you would never know it by looking at them.

Corey and Desiree stood looking lovingly into each other's eyes as the minister began.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bear witness to the union of Corey and Desiree…"

Then the vows were recited in the beautiful rings exchanged. The inside of each ring, Elaine knew, was engraved with the day Corey and Desiree had met. Elaine remembered that day even though she had been so wrapped up with her own problems at the time. With Corey and Desiree it had been love at first sight (literally) they had been inseparable from the moment they had met and it had taken everything for them to part when she and Elaine had to return to Chicago. That was a long story in and of itself.

Desiree's wedding band was set with a ring of diamonds, while Corey's band was relatively simple only with a simple engraving.

"I give you this ring, as a sign of her my love and fidelity…" Desiree recited, as she slipped the ring onto Corey's finger. She bit her lip and smiled up at him, the gesture seemed somewhat out of character for her.

They continued to smile at each other, so lost in each other they barely heard the minister's final words.

"You may kiss the bride."

 

The reception was every bit the party Elaine expected it to be. After the wedding party and the guests had gathered in the banquet hall the festivities began. When the wedding party had been introduced Desiree and Corey shared their first dance; Elaine recognized the opening chords of one of Corey's favorite songs. She smiled as she continued to watch the couple move across the floor.

Dinner and dessert came and went, Asian grilled salmon with rice pilaf and a collection of mixed vegetables (among other things). This was followed by the cutting of the cake which was done with the usual flair and laughter, Desiree didn't miss a beat as she pretended to shove it in Corey's face, but he was laughing just as hard as she was.

Afterwards the guests began to fill in on the dance floor including Nathan and Vivian and Michael and herself. Off on the other side of the dance floor Elaine saw Nathan and Vivian were talking, they seemed to be arguing about something but it was quickly resolved and she noted Nathan had a somewhat resigned look on his face.

 

Later on when things had slowed down some and couples had vacated the dance floor Elaine saw Nathan and Vivian dancing awkwardly in the corner of the room. The song coming from the DJ booth was one she recognized, something soft and gentle that had "slow dance" written all over it. Vivian was moving slowly her hips swaying in her midnight blue cocktail dress, Elaine smirked as Nathan's hands fumbled awkwardly on her back. Vivian's face was buried in Nathan's shoulder and Elaine couldn't see Nathan's face, so she wasn't sure how he was taking it because he seemed a little bit out of his comfort zone.

After a while Elaine turned her attention to Michael and they danced until Michael said he was getting tired of it and went to converse with his other friends. By then, Elaine had lost track of Nathan and Vivian, but soon she found Nathan who was sitting at a table talking to one of Michael's friends… Vivian was nowhere to be found.

Elaine didn't see Vivian again until much later when a lot of the guests were leaving, she had only seen Nathan hurry after her at some point as they grabbed their coats and headed for their rooms at the hotel. She made a mental note to call Vivian later, something was definitely up.

 

She didn't get the entire story until a few weeks later. It had been a little over a month since Corey and Desiree's wedding when she got the phone call and it wasn't what she had been expecting when Vivian's name popped up on her caller ID.

"Hey Vivian, what's up?"

"Oh Elaine, I've made a horrible mistake, I'm in such a pickle right now."

"Vivian, what's going on?"

The story came out of Vivian in pieces, her encounter with Cora in the Chicago airport, and the mysterious potion.

"I'm not going to say I was drunk, but I was buzzed enough I seriously wasn't paying attention, the potion to was in my purse and I grabbed it by mistake when I was looking for something to take with a couple of aspirin…"

"And?" Elaine prompted.

"Nathan and I kissed, that's all… And-and-"

Elaine waited.

"The potion was supposed to grant my unfulfilled wish in one way or another, I think it reacted with the last person I touched and I don't even want to know what the alcohol did to it. What I'm trying to say is-oh Elaine, I think-I'm pregnant."

 

This is where I'm leaving the story for now, I seriously don't know where it's going here. I'm considering a sequel but I don't know what that would entail exactly. I needed something drastic to happen to Vivian because her storyline was getting a bit stale.