Page 42 of Charmed, I'm Sure
With a gentle shake of my head, a soft smile on my face, I just take a moment to sit with her and her love. She’s the reason I love the way I do, with adoration, cherishment, and undying devotion. My mother loves with a fierceness that I only endeavor to give to my mate.
“I would never dream of faulting you. As for the ninemillion questions…” She opens her mouth to debate my over-exaggeration, but I only smile at her and her shoulders drop. She knows I’m teasing her.
“Pumpkinridge has been such a drastic difference from Jasper. I’ve been adjusting pretty well. Did you know that there are ghosts that hang out here as if they are still citizens of the town? Imagine if Uncle Earl was still lingering around?”
We both shudder at the mere thought. He was loud, obnoxious, and loved the bottle. So yeah, I’m glad it’s only a thing here…I think.
“As for shifters, wolves aren’t the only ones here. There are witches, vampires, faeries, and a few odds and ends creatures that have called this place home.”
“That’s crazy! I didn’t even know those were all real. I mean, I guess if we exist, they certainly can too.”
“Yeah, I’ve not come across any of the vampires yet, but from what Adren said, I won’t unless I’m out late at night. Something he didn’t recommend attempting.”
Her eyes bulge. I can’t help but chuckle.
She sits quietly, watching me in that motherly way, and I already know what’s coming.
“Have you found her yet…you know, the one that drew you to that town?”
I feel my smile falter a bit. Yeah, I’ve found her alright, but I think the Goddess might have gotten it wrong. I can’t tell Momma that. She will only worry I made the wrong decision coming here. But before I can say a word…
“She didn’t get it wrong, Miles. Even though it feels like the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced, she never gets it wrong. Everything happens at the exact moment and in the way it’s meant to happen. Not a second more. Trust in her guidance; she’ll never lead you astray.”
“But, Momma…”
“There are no buts about it. Each person has challenges they must face in order to achieve their ultimate goal. For some, it may seem small compared to others, but if she’s truly worth the wait, then stay true to yourself. Tell meabout her.”
“Well, first off, she’s a witch.” My mother gasps before she claps giddily. “Second, she has to be the most stubborn person I’ve ever met in my life. She hexes me almost daily, but I look at them as her flirting. Probably,” I scratch the back of my neck as I feel the blush spread across my face, “not the best thing or the sanest. But to me, if she is sending a hex my way, then I’m doing something right. She’s stunningly beautiful, like you. Long black hair that curls down to her waist. She always has a mischievous glint in her eyes. What I would give to know what she’s thinking. There are at least five walls between me and that beautiful mind of hers.”
My mom has a dreamy look on her face. As if she is reliving her own time meeting Dad. “It’s not like your story, nothing even close.” I know the story by heart, something my mom has repeated countless times over the years to me.
“Shake that dreamy look from your face.” I chuckle. “Our story is nothing like yours and Dad’s. She doesn’t even know that we are fated mates, at least I don’t think that she does.”
Her head whips back as if I slapped her. “You haven’t told her she’s your mate? The entire reason you traveled across the country to a new town, to be with her?”
A crow caws from my windowsill. I forgot I left the window open; he winks before he flies off the sill and off to spread that nugget to the entire town. I drop my head down into my hands. My mom looks around, confusion written all over her face.
“No, I haven’t told her. She isn’t exactly warming up to me, and I’m just getting her to even allow me around her for more than a few moments. So, no, I haven’t mentioned it or that she’s the entire reason I’m here.”
“Oh, my sweet boy, no wonder you look so glum. I’m sure you were expecting the moment of her seeing you and the bond snapping into place. It won’t be long until you get that. I have no doubt.”
Sir Hops-A-Lot makes his presence known, deciding nowis a great time to wake up from his nap at the perch at the end of my bed. I’ve actually grown to enjoy his company, even if he only talks in Toadanese and judges me for everything I do.
My mom’s eyes flick between him and me as if I might not see him sitting here. He just sits there staring back at her, daring her to say something about the bow tie I finally wrapped around his neck.
“Oh Momma, meet Sir Hops-A-Lot, my…uh…familiar.”
“Your what?”
“Familiar. It’s a sort of magical best friend. Except I can’t understand what he’s saying. I think we’ve come up with a response system, at least I hope that’s what is happening.”
She slowly nods her head, as if she can’t quite wrap her head around it.
Trying to steer the topic away from the toad and how I have him, I pull my checklist out and I’m just about to show her when Matilda appears in the chair across from me, smoke billowing above her head, and her hair is in rollers now? Wait, they can change their outfits?
I’m not really ready to explain who Matilda is or really the whole matchmaking thing, so I work quickly to think of a reason I would need to get off the phone.
Pretending to swipe away a text message, I tsk.