A Familiar Experience 6: A Dark Realms Tale

Taylor was nervous. In itself, this was hardly new. Grooms have been nervous since time immemorial. It wasn’t that he wasn’t sure, of course. Taylor was truly in love with Laura, and he had no doubts on the score. He was impatient for things to get the whole thing over with, but he knew that weddings were really for the bride. He chuckled. Honeymoons were for the groom, he told himself.

*Patience, my love. Honeymoons are for the bride, as well!* She giggled.

*Well, that’s hardly fair!* He chuckled. *Is there nothing for the Groom, then?*

*Well, of course there is, Silly!*She said. *Someone has to pay the bills, Darling.*

He laughed out loud. He knew this was an excellent match. Laura made his heart light. She had a wonderful, quick mind, and a sense of humor that promised to make their marriage an extremely happy one.

She had insisted that it was bad luck for them to see each other before rhe ceremony, which left him and his best man Jamie to welcome the guests, mingle, and keep everything flowing smoothly as they waited for darkness so they could begin the ceremony.

He may not have been able to see his bride as they waited, but they were in constant communication, and he frequently had a hard time keeping a straight face after one of her pointed comments. She seemed to be doing her best to make him laugh at an inconvenient time.

*Be nice, dear! You’re making it very difficult to maintain my highly practiced facade of controlled British composure...but that’s exactly what you’re doing, isn’t it, Laura?*

*Thank you, my love.*

Laura knew he wasn’t bluffing. She could see in his mind exactly where the best mice were, and she knew his sense of humor.

Taylor moved to his appointed spot near the bonfire, and as Laura joined him, he was struck with her beauty. There was something quite familiar about her dress, but he couldn’t think of where he had seen it before. He loved the updo and the baby’s breath in her hair, and little hanging curls. With her 'off the shoulder' dress, it made her neck look incredibly
long, just like his mother had looked for her...

*Yes, it’s your mother’s dress, dear. She had it sent here express, and it fit perfectly. I hope you like it.*

*Why thank you my love. Now smile and focus, baby.*

Mrs White and two other witches led the group, as they guided everyone into a circle surrounding the couple. Laura and Taylor had chosen a simple and uncomplicated ceremony, in two parts. They held each other’s hands and repeated their simple vows to each other.

On this day

Now and forever.

And then, while everyone held their candles before them, and the flames of the bonfire crackled and burned away the darkness, Mrs. White and her assistants led the ceremonial blessing.

This Circle we surround,

As we will, so mote it be.

There was a small reception, where Taylor and Laura greeted their guests and had a wonderful time. There weren’t very many people, perhaps as a result of her being a witch
After the reception, as they sat around her mother’s table, they found that they were all very tired. Katherine was the first to go to bed, then Donna yawned and followed soon after, wishing Taylor and Laura a good night with a little smirk.

They knew that everyone would be disappointed, but it was quite apparent that they were both too tired to consummate their marriage. They both undressed and fell into the comfortably large bed, quickly falling to a deep sleep.

The following morning Katherine woke to squeals of laughter and the sounds of two newlyweds having fun. She smiled and went to the kitchen. Donna greeted her with an English muffin and a cup of coffee.

“They woke you too?” Katherine asked.

“No, I’ve been up for some time.” Donna smiled. “They make such a good, happy couple.”

“Yeah, they do.” Seeing a tear in her sister’s eye, Katherine hugged her. “Are you all right?”

“I know they need to go out on their own, it’s just going to be so far away,” Donna sobbed. “I worry so much!”

“They’ll be fine,” Katherine said. “We have something else to worry about.”

_________________________________ >.< ___________________________________

The warm afternoon found Laura on the hammock in the backyard. Mystic was asleep on her stomach, enjoying the shady spot with her. Every so often, Laura would stroke Mystic’s side. As the afternoon progressed and the shade receded, Mystic stretched out, and jumped down, then she bent and stood up as Taylor, who kissed his wife and woke her before her pale skin could burn.

“Ah, that’s the way to wake up from a nap!” Laura said, climbing out of the hammock.

“I have to agree,” Taylor told her. “We’ll definitely be installing one of these in a good spot on the estate when we got to England, although I don’t know how often we’ll get to use it.”

“Oh? Why is that?” Laura asked. “They don’t have many sunny days in England?”

“It’s actually not as bad as you might think,” He said. “We do get quite a few foggy days, because of the climate and England’s situation, bit it’s not terrible. No, I just get the feeling that Mother has some plans for us.”

“Plans? What kind of plans?”

“A were-cat with a telepathic link to a witch? Considering her and Father’s positions, I would be surprised if it hasn’t occurred to her that we could be of great help to her.”

“Oh, I had already thought about suggesting we volunteer to assist them. I’m sure our abilities would be very valuable, perhaps as investigators.”

“Let us never mention the word volunteer, love. I fully intend to drag as many euros out of them as their budget will allow.” He laughed. “After all, it’s not as if they can find another team like us.”

“You are naughty, dear.” Laura giggled. “But you’re also right. We will have a large home to maintain.”

“There is a question I haven’t thought to ask until just now,” Taylor said, looking thoughtful.

‘Really? I wonder if it’s the same one I’ve been thinking of?” Laura smiled. “Who's paying the bills?”

“Exactly. Is this Scotland Yard, or could we be looking at an Interpol operation?”

“We may not see our home much, in other words.” Laura smiled.

“Indeed.” Taylor said with a smile. “This could be a great deal of fun!”