Page 55 of The Witching Hours

It wouldn’t be any more reckless to accept his proposal than it was to quit my job, move to the other coast, and agree to move in with my Greek angel. So, I said yes while fifty fellow travelers waiting for luggage applauded and sang “Going to the Chapel”.

My folks weren’t ecstatic about the idea of a wedding date being planned before they’d met the groom. In fact, itwas likely they wouldn’t meet the groom until the wedding and then it would be too late to raise objections. That was not my mastermind plot, but if I had thought of it, I could’ve rightfully called it brilliant.

We didn’t want to go in debt a hundred thousand dollars for a traditional white wedding and we didn’t want to impose that kind of expense on our families.

So, after reviewing options, we decided on a civil service by the Santa Clara wedding commissioner at the County Clerk-Recorder’s chapel. Just families. The simplicity and frugality didn’t mean I’d miss my chance to don bride regalia. I splurged on a dress and persuaded Nick to wear a black suit with a calla lily boutonniere to match my bouquet of red roses, calla lilies, and tree fern. Of the two of us, I had no doubt he was the more beautiful. That was okay with me.

My parents and two cousins flew in. Nick’s parents, six siblings with spouses and children, plus aunts, uncles, and cousins also came. The chapel had a limit of fifteen guests. I claimed four of those spots for my family and sat back to watch Nick’s family argue over who would take the other nine. The fight was beyond fascinating. It was entertaining. My future in-laws couldn’t be more different from my family. When Nick caught my reaction, he just grinned and shrugged as if to say, “This is us!”

My mom played the traditional wedding march fromLohengrinon the upright piano that probably hadn’t been tuned in years. Somehow the flaws became part of the perfection of the moment.

We got an apartment overlooking the marina Nick had told me about when we met. I loved it because I had a picturesque view worthy of a jigsaw puzzle and that’s a plus for a freelance, remote worker like myself. When I needed or wanted a break, I donned tennis shoes and walked around the marina.

As days became weeks, I became a familiar sight. Casual, neighborly hellos grew into longer conversations. Longer conversations became invitations to board boats, or visit apartments, or get coffee at the marina shops. In other words, it was an easy way to make friends. Sometimes Nick and I had people over for dinner, which he made because I won the lottery when it comes to husbands who cook. Sometimes we’d get together with others in the complex and play board games.

Everything about my new life was better than the one I’d left behind. Lifestyle. Weather. Housing. And, no offense Big Apple, but I was enjoying the new faces I’d met.

Then there was Nick.Sigh.I should never have jinxed it by daring to think,“How did I get so lucky?”

A story about that rabbit island in Japan had come across my news feed and made an impression for good or bad, because I was dreaming about it when I heard a noise. Thinking it was Nick’s alarm, I groaned out loud. I was about to encourage him to hit the snooze button, when my eyes let in just enough light to make out Seven kneeling by my side of the bed with an ugly smile.

I jumped and shrieked at the same time. I knew it was Seven because he was wearing all black leather, the only color relief being a red numeric seven where a left breast pocket would normally be.

Nick scrambled to his feet almost faster than humanly possible. Even in the dim light coming from the marina I could tell he was breathing fast because his bare abs were working like bellows.

It was only in that moment I recalled Mr. Caras saying the barrier spell wouldn’t last forever. What was it he’d said? Perhaps a decade? Had it been a decade? Oh yeah. It had.

I guess I had some ‘splainin’ to do. “Nicky, I…”

“STAY WHERE YOU ARE!” he shouted.

I was touched more than I can say. He wanted to protect me.

Seven had moved away and was leaning against the wall still smirking. I turned on the lamp.

“Nick, I…”

“What do you want!?!” Nick demanded of Seven. My husband looked a little vulnerable wearing nothing but gray sweatpants tied at the waist with a white cotton cord.

Seven didn’t answer, but his smile broadened as more of his brethren filed into our smallish bedroom. They formed two parallel lines facing each other. I knew what was coming next.

“Yoohoo! Catty Cat! Meow. Meow.” The queen’s voice preceded her, but within milliseconds she appeared to make an entrance in the lane her guards had created. She sashayed in an exaggerated way that would be laughable if performed by a non-fiction human who lived in my reality.

Catty Cat was a far distant cousin of Catherine, but suggested enough familiarity for Nick’s head to jerk toward me.

“You know thesepeople?” he asked.

From where I still sat in bed, I said, “Um. Yes?” His jaw went slack. “But they’re not exactly people.”

At that the Queen of Hearts put on the most outrageous pout I’d ever seen.

Ace announced, “The human has hurt the queen’s feelings. Off with her head?”

“WHAT!?!” Nick shouted. Evidently, he’d had enough. Without waiting for an answer, he reached for his phone and dialed 911.

“What is he doing?” The queen asked Ace.

“Maybe calling someone on his communication device?” Ace answered.

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