TUS NUA - ch 58

TUS NUA – ch 58

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Mickey wanted so much to interrupt his wife but at the same time, knew she desperately needed to speak with his aunt. His concern would soon be addressed.

“Aintin, first and foremost, thank you so much for helping me with my son. I know I don’t have to tell you how much that means to me – and Mickey. But, yes, I’m still worried. I know you have the ability to do what I’m about to ask.”

Jules took a breath and chuckled lightly. “What am I thinking? You have the ability to read my mind and know what’s in my heart, but at the same time, I’m glad you’re allowing me the privacy and time to form my own words. Yes, I needed the time to get my thoughts straight and know how to express what’s in my heart.”

“Mo stor, you’ve the right of that. I can read your mind and while I know what’s in your heart, your heart has screamed them loud enough. I also know you’ve the need to verbalize what you’re about to ask. Go ahead, mo mhuirnin (my darling).”

Jules grabbed Mickey’s hand, looked intently into his eyes, and sighed deeply.

“Aintin, I want to forget – forget all that happened. I don’t want to forever look at my son and be reminded of how he was conceived. Mickey is his father, but not his sire. It was a painful time for me, and I don’t want it to tarnish the rest of my life. Please, Aintin. Wipe my memory so I can start over.”

There was a hitch in her voice and a few tears rolling down her cheeks. Mickey pulled one of his hands away and wrapped it around his wife’s shoulders as he looked at his great aunt. “Aintin, you’re Fey. Is this something that the God and Goddess would allow? If so, can you do it? Would you do it?”

Finola gently ran the palm of her hand down Jules’ cheek and wiped away a few tears. She looked at her with utmost love, but not pity. Finola knew of a more appropriate way to handle the heartache Jules carried with her.

“Jules, mo neacht mhilis (my sweet niece). Yes, as Fey, I have that ability and under certain circumstances, the God and Goddess would insist on this. But mo stor, allow me to speak freely about the situation and then let you think about your request.”

Jules felt her heart crack a bit. All she wanted was to live the wonderful life Mickey and his family offered her with no sad or angry memories to mar it. And yet, through the last three months, she’d gotten to know Finola and accepted the wisdom of the witch she’d grown to love.

Taking another deep breath, Jules replied, “Aintin. Yes, I do trust your judgement so, please, explain to me what I’m not understanding. I need your guidance and help.”

Finola smiled and thought, “Now, that’s our girl!”

“Before I begin, can I beg another cuppa tea from Mickey? Then, I’ll explain my thoughts to both of you.”

A few minutes and a few sips of tea later, she began. “Jules, you’ve been through an experience no young woman should ever know. You were celebrating your eighteenth birthday when you were taken. You won’t be nineteen for another nine months and your heart hasn’t had time to heal. However, I’d like you to consider what I’m about to say.”

Mickey squeezed his wife’s hand and said, “Aintin, my only concern is the wellbeing of Jules. You know me and how I feel. I’ll agree to whatever makes Jules happy.”

Finola smiled. “Yes, mo ghra, I know that and what I’m about to say has much to do with your feelings, as well.”

She took another sip of her tea and continued, “Jules, if I erase your memory of that incident, not only would you forget what happened and the men who hurt you, but you’d also forget the other young women who came soon after you. Think of the twelve that were taken before you. All thirteen of you forged a family. You’d have no knowledge of any of them. You’d have no memory of your parents. Nor would you remember why you came to Ireland. To erase that incident, would be to erase it all, not just pick and choose what you don’t want.”

Jules’ eyes widened, partly in disappointment and partly in fear. Before she began to cry, Finola continued. “I know when you asked your parents for help, they turned you away. But what would happen if someday your son asks about them? You’d have no memory to share with him, no good times to fall back on. And I’m sure there were some good times when you were much younger.”

Jules hung her head and agreed. “Yes, Aintin, there were many good times. With all that’s happened, I’d forgotten.”

Finola nodded her head and began sharing her thoughts. “Here’s what I’m proposing. Don’t erase that problem, use it. Keep the friends you’ve made. Be available should one day your parents want to find you and reconcile. Rather than look at your son and remember his sire, look at him and think, ‘if it weren’t for you, I’d never have escaped and come to Ireland. Then I’d never have married Mickey and have the life I now have with the family I now love.’ You have a beautiful son, mo ghra and a wonderful man who loves you. Turn the sad into glad and remember, if not for Finn, you’d still be in New York. But now, you’re here with a family that loves you – unconditionally.”

Jules looked at Finola with wonder and love. “Oh, Aintin, I was so caught up in the hurt, fear of them finding me, embarrassment for what happened, and anger because it happened that I never thought I could turn it around into something positive.”

She stood and then took a step toward the wise witch. “Aintin, how can I ever thank you. I can actually feel a lightness in my heart.”

Then Jules knelt at Finola’s feet and placed her head in the witch’s lap and began to cry.

Mickey stood and approached his wife who turned her head to look at him. “Don’t worry, my love. These are happy tears. I love you so much.” Then she looked up at Finola who was softly stroking the back of her head and said, “And Aintin? That goes double for you and your family. Thank you, for everything.”

With that Finola stood and before she left, said, “Mickey, our snow may have slowed, but Tus Nua is expecting another storm. I’d best get going.”

With that, she used her orb, opened her portal and in the blink of an eye, she was gone. Gone to attend to other matters.