Page 64 of Ashes of Us

Danica and Emilia were on the road by ten the next morning, and the first thing Emilia did when she got aboard the Firebird, before she even put on her seatbelt, was ask if Alex had mentioned the camping trip to her.

“So, you're going to come, right?” She looked at Danica pleadingly. “Because I sort of invited myself along, and Alex was going to back out because he didn't want to be the third wheel.”

“He did mention that but he didn't say you invited yourself along, just that you wanted to go with them.” She glanced at Emilia, wondering what she was up to. “I didn't realize you like camping so much.”

“It's not about the camping,” She watched in surprise as Emilia slumped in on herself.

“It was more about the fact that Xavier was getting four days away, completely kid-free.” She sighed, running her hands through her hair.

“And I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it, or I don't want him to go, because he does, and he did offer me a chance to take a weekend away with you to make things fair, it's just we haven't had time away together as a couple or even just as adults since Gracie was born.

We've given each other breaks, but...” She trailed off and looked so sad that Danica knew she was going to give in and say yes, her comfort be damned.

“I just miss my husband, and I feel like we're roommates who sleep in the same bed.

I know he loves me, and I still love him, but we aren't connecting the same.”

Danica nodded as she listened to Emilia continue her explanation, understanding how the intimacy would have gone down between them since Gracie's birth.

“And since we've been able to leave Gracie with my mom or Rita for extended periods with minimal meltdowns lately, and this week we're moving to trying overnights, I figured a four-day weekend away would be an excellent chance to test things, plus spend some adult time with Xavier. But when Alex offered to back out, I felt bad for encroaching on their trip and suggested we ask you to join us.”

Danica wrinkled her nose. She was going to say yes, but she didn't really like the idea of being there while Emilia attempted to reignite her spark with her husband.

“I'm not sure having me and Alex there will be conducive to romance.” She teased, trying to keep things light.

“If Alex offered to back out, why don't you take advantage of that and spend time alone with Xavier?”

“Because it was supposed to be a motorcycle trip.” She muttered, folding her arms and staring out the window.

“And Xavier said he was happy to have me come along, but if something happens with Gracie, because the original plan was for me to stay home, he wants me to drive to the campground in the Enclave so I can go back.” She rolled her eyes.

“Well, that and the fact that I'm not one hundred percent comfortable on the back of the bike, and he doesn't think I'll be able to handle the three-hour ride.

Which is fair, because after an hour or so, I'm ready to get off.

But I think he really just wants me to take the camping gear, because now instead of hammocks with special covers, we'll need tents, air mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, plus bags of clothes and other necessities for four people instead of two.”

Danica smiled. “Actually, one of the reasons I was hesitant to say yes was because I've never camped in tents before and didn't want to be stuck without a way home if I didn't like it, so hearing you're going in the Enclave, I feel better about it.” She also felt better because it meant she could have her own tent and wouldn't have to worry about keeping the gear to the minimum that could fit on the bikes.

“I can't promise I'll drive with you the whole way, because I desperately want to get a chance to be a passenger on a motorcycle, but I'll switch back to you when we stop to pee.”

“You're gonna come?” Danica saw Emilia's face light up hopefully, and she nodded, confirming that she would go with them.

“Yay!” She wrapped her arm around Danica's and hugged it tightly.

“I think an adult weekend will be more fun than whatever those two had planned.” She pulled out her phone, and Danica watched as she sent Xavier a text confirming that Danica was joining them.

Somehow, she didn't think it would be more fun, just different fun.

Alex had told her the original plan had been to use the campsite as a home base and to do mini road trips each day, but if her and Emilia were going to join them they would adjust, only doing one mini road trip just the two of them, and then doing a shorter one with her and Emilia on another day.

Danica knew she had made Emilia's day, because the rest of the forty-minute drive to the Mystical Emporium was spent looking up the campground, what they offered for activities and what was close by that could be done by all four of them and just her and Danica.

By the time she found a parking space near the store, Emilia had a whole itinerary for the four days, which she claimed was flexible so Xavier and Alex could have a say, but Danica wasn't so sure about that.

She listened, feeling increasingly bemused as Emilia went on about hiking trails, canoeing, swimming in the ocean, sunbathing on the beach, campfires and going to see a nearby lighthouse.

“You do realize we're only going to be there four days, right?” Danica asked, only half joking, when Emilia finally stopped to draw in a breath. “Also, check to see if dogs are allowed, because I'll have to see if Maverick can take Indie for the weekend.”

“They aren't,” Emilia said after a moment of searching on her phone, then climbing out of the car.

“But I'm sure Mom or Rita, whichever one doesn't have the kids, will be happy to look after her; they both love dogs, and Indie is so well trained that she won't be a hassle for them.” Danica nodded as they approached the door to the shop, still thinking she would rather have Maverick look after her if he could, just because she had a feeling Rita or Hanna, Emilia's mom, would definitely overfeed Indie with treats.

“Does Mave know we were coming?” Her voice dropped to a hushed whisper, and her eyes went wide as she looked around, letting out a soft, amazed “Wow!” Danica could only nod in agreement with Emilia's 'wow' as she took in the store.

The Mystical Emporium was incredible, with dark blue walls and constellations painted in gold around the top, dark brown shelving that looked to be original to the building, full of stock lining the walls.

The right half of the large store was the clothing boutique, and the left half was Wiccan supplies.

Directly across from the doors was a counter with four registers, two for each side, all looking like antiques, dark wooden floors that also looked original, and more shelving and displays set up in loops that went to the left and the right, then led back to the registers.

Everything design-wise seemed to be done in the dark blue with gold constellations or sun, moon, and stars motifs.

There were a couple of employees milling around, with about a dozen other shoppers in various places, but Danica didn't see Maverick, his girlfriend or his sisters anywhere.

Danica wasn't sure where to look first, but Emilia immediately gravitated towards clothing, pulling her behind her.

They hadn't been looking very long when she heard Maverick calling their names and looked up to see him making his way toward them, a short, slender blonde she recognized as Antonia from the pictures in Mave's office, closely following.

“Hey! You guys made it.” He smiled warmly as he gave them both brief hugs and stepped back.

“This is my girlfriend, Toni.” He made a flourishing gesture to the woman standing beside him.

“Toni, this is Danica and Emilia.” Antonia left out a little huff and shook her head, looking amused by the way Maverick introduced her and held out her hand to Danica.

“It's nice to meet you finally.” Her voice was low, but clear as she shook both Danica's and Emilia's hands. “Mave has told us a lot about you.”

“So, I heard.” Danica smiled at her. “Thank you so much for the gift certificates, coffee, and basket; they were very much appreciated.”

“I can't claim the basket.” Antonia looked around and then pointed to a tall woman with long purple hair who was helping another customer.

“That was D'Arcy. And it was Raven’s idea for the gift certificates, but you're very welcome for the coffee, it's definitely become one of our bestsellers, and it's getting hard to keep in stock.”

“Are your sisters here, Mave?” Emilia asked, looking around excitedly. “I'm such a huge fan of their clothes that Xavier tried to hide my credit card before we left.”

Grinning Maverick nodded. “They are, they're just finishing up a meeting with someone from their production team and will be out shortly.” He looked around curiously. “No Indie?”

“No, I left her with Alex,” Danica explained as Emilia got distracted by a rack of clothes and drifted away from them.

“I think he's just as attached to her as I am at this point.” When she left to go pick up Emilia, Alex was getting ready to take her to the dog park.

“Your store is incredible, Antonia.” She looked around in amazement again. “I'm not sure where to start.”

“Thanks.” Antonia smiled at her, and she noticed it was very different from the polite one she gave her at first, warmer and more friendly.

“I guess it depends on what you're interested in.” She tilted her head as she looked her over.

“Mave said you weren't into witchcraft, but we have lots of items that aren't inherently related to Wicca or witchcraft, Notebooks, candles, jewelry.

.. even some home decor stuff if you're into whimsical or fantasy looks.”