The kids are off on a mission, so I’m spending some much-needed time with my mom. It’s weird to be spending time with my mom. I hardly saw her growing up and for a while I wasn’t sure I’d ever see her again. Once the Enchantress took over my body, I didn’t know if I would ever see anyone in my family again, but thanks to my Little Bird, I have another chance to start over with my family.
Mom and I decided we would start over and forget the past. I let go of my hurt, anger, and resentment I had towards her. My mom and I are different and that used to be a problem, but now we are just happy to have another chance. I get to really spend time with my mom, and my brother. I realize that growing up there was so much I didn’t know, but now nothing is hidden from me. The air has been cleared, which allows for new beginnings.
Vivian and I are sitting on the patio taking in the lovely summer breeze. We are drinking tea and eating scones. Kenzie and Jason have temporarily moved into the manor while the war is going on. Jason and Travis have been working with the Reapers, while Kenzie and I have been helping my mom with the coven. It’s nice having everyone under one roof, even if the kids aren’t with us at the moment.
Kenzie is visiting with a family from the coven at the moment. Travis and Jason are off taking care of some issues out west, so that leaves mom and I to have some bonding time. It’s funny that Jason and Travis are working together on projects and missions, they normally can’t stand each other, and they are opposites, but they work so well together. I love seeing them work together. It makes me feel like my family is whole again.
My family and I have been through a lot over the years, from losing my dad, to Jason’s mom getting sick, to my mom being a wild woman, to everything Travis and I went through, now our kids are going through hell. I hate that my kids have such a heavy burden on them, but I have to trust that Fate knows what he’s doing. I’m proud of my kids. They have come a long way.
I smile to myself thinking of Emmy and Calder. I love my kids. I look over at my mom who is enjoying the brief moments we have together. I’m glad to have another chance with my mom, to work on our relationship. I guess I changed my tune when I had to lie to Emmy about who she really was, and who her father was. I realize now that my mom didn’t leave because she didn’t want me, she left me because she didn’t think she was capable of being a good mom. I understand that fear because I have it too with my own kids.
It’s funny how I see my mom in a different light after being possessed by the Enchantress. I was so angry for so long at my mom, but the Enchantress changed all that for me. I hated being possessed by the Enchantress, and I still haven’t fully come to terms with things I’ve done while she had control of my body. I know it wasn’t my choice, but I still did things that I wish I never had done. I can’t get rid of the memories, but I know I’m much stronger because of what I’ve gone through.
In the end I have my family, and that’s all that I’ve ever really wanted. I know my kids and husband love me. I love them so much. Life is so precious, I guess I never paid much attention till my life was threatened. I wish I had appreciated life before I found out about the prophecy, but I was young then. Now I’m older and wiser.
“Gemma, darling what are you thinking about?” My mom asks in a sweet tone.
“Just how happy I am that I have another chance at life.”
“I’m happy for you. You and Travis deserve a peaceful life after everything you two have been through. I do love Travis by the way. He’s so good for you. Your grandmother would have never approved though.”
I laugh.
“No, she wouldn’t have. She would have had a heart attack if she found her precious granddaughter was with a dark warlock. I think she might have come around for the sake of Emmy and Calder. She would have loved them.”
“Yes, she would have loved them. I think she always hated that I never had more kids. She loved being a grandmother.”
“Do you ever wish you and dad never went your own ways?” I ask.
I’m feeling brave, and I’ve always wondered about my parents. I only know that they didn’t want to stay together. My dad moved on and found Beth, Jason’s mom, and my mom went off to be a Reaper.
“No. It was better that we didn’t. Henry and I couldn’t stand each other. That’s the truth. When we found out we were soulmates, the two of us tried to make it work because that’s what we thought we were supposed to do. After I found out I was pregnant we realized we wanted different things. Henry met Beth soon after we broke up. I was so happy when he married her. Beth is a lovely woman. Henry and I were never really meant to be. I think the only reason we were meant to come together was to bring you into the world.”
“Why keep Jason a secret?” I ask, curious as to why she would hide him from me.
“I wanted to tell you about Jason when you were young, but your grandmother insisted it wasn’t the right time. I never understood why she didn’t want you to know right away. I like to think there was a good reason, but honestly, I think your grandmother was ashamed of me, and the life I chose. When I came back after we thought you were dead, your grandmother was distant with me. I don’t think she ever forgave me for leaving Henry and you. Your grandmother was a traditional witch, and I was like my father, ready for adventure, completely wild. Gemma, I have to ask you something.”
“What mom?” I’m not sure I will like her question.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about who should take over as leader of the coven for me. Naturally your grandmother wants it to be you, but she never got a chance to groom you. I honestly had a crash course in learning how to run the coven. We thought you were dead, Emmy was way too young, no one even knew about Calder, and your grandmother was getting older, so I took over. I never thought I’d like being the coven’s leader, but I was wrong. I know once the war is done you may not want to be the leader of the coven, especially with everything you have been through, you and Travis really deserve some time together, besides you’re still recovering, and we don’t know if you will ever fully go back to your full strength. I was thinking that Emmy should take over the coven for me when the war is over.”
“Why Emmy and not Calder?”
“Well Calder is being looked at to be the commander of the Reapers if he wants it. I know he hasn’t had much time to be free after being a prisoner for so long. Griffin Woods, the current commander of the Reapers, is very impressed with Calder.”
“Being the commander of the Reapers is a big deal. Calder would be the leader of the whole organization.” I’m amazed at my kids. Calder and Emmy are truly gifted.
“I know. I found this out shortly after Lynden told Calder about the Phoenix. Perhaps this is what the prophecy was talking about. Either way Emmy and Calder both have the choice to back down from the offers. With Calder being looked at for commander, I thought Emmy would be a good choice for the coven.”
“I think it’s great. The kids will be honored. I know they have a lot on their plates at the moment, but perhaps Travis and I can feel them out to see what they are thinking about doing once this war is over. Who knows how long this war is going to last?”
“By the stars above I hope it doesn’t last too long. This will take some time to clean up, that's for sure. Talk to Travis and let me know what he thinks.”
I nod my head. We clean up and head inside. My mom has a meeting at the Reapers headquarters in NYC. The big coven leaders from across the country are meeting to come up with ideas, and strategies to help contain the Enchantress’s army. I have to keep the coven running while she is gone. Helping my mom with the coven has given us something to bond over which is great.
I also have the matter of my kids and their possible futures to deal with. I’m apprehensive to ask the kids to do anything so major in the magical world after they have already done so much, but they are good kids. I know they love helping people, so maybe this is what they are meant to do. I will have to run this by Travis first to see what he thinks. I think Travis will be honored for his children, and proud of them, which I am too. Despite everything I guess our kids turned out pretty good in the end.