Melanie sighed, “Just one normal holiday… it wasn’t a big ask really.” Someone cleared their throat and pointed to the clock. Uncle Aiden said, “Ahhh, it’s almost midnight. No one can deny this has been quite the start to what promises to be a fun year. You all will see in a few days what my sister is capable of.”
“Many of you have already, but this will be a show for you all to witness. The O’Toole’s chose to hide our past with partials and turned many against them. We have seen over these last twenty-six years why that was their folly. My sister and cousins are among some of the most talented Fairies we have seen in centuries. If the O’Toole’s think they can challenge the promised siblings, they are far more deluded than even I thought.”
“We will stand firm in this place. The Holloran’s will reign in Faerie from now until the end of time. We will NEVER live in those dark times again. We begin the New Year declaring thatwill reign. That ANY and ALL who come against us will suffer and ultimately perish!”
“We will wage war to keep our peaceful life. The O’Toole’s will NEVER rule in this castle again. The Holloran’s will rule this land forever and always. No amount of hatred and prejudice can undo that. We will never see that kind of disruption to our beautiful homeland repeated.”
Cheers rang out. Several people yelled out, “Long live the Holloran’s! Long live the King! Long live Princess Haley!” I felt my mother’s shock. The cheers continued, “Death to the O’Toole’s!” Everyone screamed in excitement.
The atmosphere had become very charged. People often forget that Fairies loved to fight too. Especially a fight they knew they were on the winning side of. No one would ever rule Faerie, whose last name was not Holloran.
When Exsis and Aiylee had their wedding celebration for the realm, his last name would change to Holloran to keep that tradition going. They were already married, but they hadn’t done the big ceremony. People started to count down to the New Year.
Phil linked, “I’m going back to my mate. Do try not to be crazy anymore today. Also, no getting shot OR GRAZED by bullets! K? Ok.” I replied, “Have fun and I’ll do my best.” I turned to Melanie who was biting her lip.
When the clock struck twelve, I nibbled on her lip. My wife gasped in surprise and devoured her mouth with mine. I pulled back saying, “Happy New Year.” Melanie frowned, “Umm Happy New Year. Is it really happy though? Because … your Uncle just declared war.”
I told her, “We’ve been at war since the Ring took you from Red Run. Battles might not have been fought; however, the light and dark have been officially at war since we discovered what the Ring had done to you. They might not be fully aware of it, but we are prepared. We are at war. This is a formality.”
Melanie looked and felt shocked, but I wasn’t sure why. She had to know that I would never allow what happened to her to stand. Oden replied, “Mate was waging war the whole time. If mate goes to war, so do we.”
I linked my wife adding, “Plus, the Resistance has basically been at war the whole time. Which means my family stands beside you.” That my mate seemed to agree with me on. EJ and Elise came over and Melanie studied Elise.
My wife quickly said, “Elise and I will be right back.” Melanie grabbed Elise and dragged her away. I asked, “Any ideas on what that’s about?” Gage groaned, “Please don’t be anything to prevent me from ringing in the New Year with my mate.”
EJ admitted, “I have no clue.” Gage huffed, “Great.” Abigail said, “Sierra said no codes were sent out. We’re good.” Thank god. EJ asked me. Are you ok?” I sighed, “My mate lit up like a glow stick and shot people with volts of electricity. Not to mention she got my power to make it rain. We’ll have to work on training that ability with her.”
EJ snorted, “Dad said Dylan is excited Ladybug’s powers are coming out. He says we will need to work on her powers right when we get home.” I told EJ, “We aren’t coming home right away. It’s our honeymoon and I’m not going to forget or take that away from her.”
“I already messed up once. I won’t ever do that again and not just because my Beta and Gamma have their plans. We grew up with dad always doing romantic shit for mom. I’m not going to have Melanie think I forgot her. I know everything is crazy right now, and we have a lot to do….”
EJ held up his hand interrupting, “I was already going to tell you that you guys needed to take some time to connect. I could feel how happy you were when you found Ladybug, even when I wasn’t with you. From what Phil says both of you were far morerelaxed on vacation. You need to take time like that. I can handle things for five days, it is my job after all.”
I snorted, “Plus, you’ll pull me if you need me.” EJ agreed, “Then there’s that detail.” My phone rang and I pulled it out. I answered, “Jase, what’s going on?” Tristan said, “It’s me too.” I asked, “Why? What’s wrong?”
Jason answered, “Nothing. We are just making sure you remember you told our sister you’d take her on her honeymoon.” I replied, “Thanks for having my six and Mel’s, I remember though. Go enjoy the New Year.” Both said, “Good.” Then hung up.
I looked around then asked, “Did dad take mom somewhere?” EJ snorted, “You can feel how pissed off he is.” I winked saying, “I can feel that morphing into other things.” Wesley came over to say, “Dad should’ve seen that throw down coming from a mile away. He’d have challenged the guy too and we know mom will be fine. I don’t like it, but she’ll do what needs to be done.”
EJ said, “That Fairy won’t plan to fight fair.” I reasoned, “Which mom will know.” Uncle Bjourn said, “Damn straight she will. I taught her how to fight after all.” I turned and hugged him. I greeted, “Happy New Year Uncle.” He smiled at me.
Before he could say anything in reply to my Aunt Lucinda popped to me and grabbed both my hands. She squealed, “PROMISE ME that you and Melanie will ALWAYS be here for New Year’s Eve! GOSH! This has been the BEST one since your mom brought the Black Arrow for her first one here.”
“That was and always will be one for the record books. We’ve always had some sort of excitement, but this has just blown some out of the water. WOW. You guys have to come every year. Because I had myself a chat with Abigail. According to her drama follows your mate, nephew, and I adore that.”
I laughed, “We are always here, Aunt Lucinda.” Aunt Lucinda squealed, “Babies being born, Goblins, the name O’Toole being said again, your mate lighting up the room, literally, and your mother challenging and O’Toole.”
“Though this move was not very bright on the O’Toole’s part. I’m surprised after all this time they thought to show themselves. It appears like centuries of planning down the drain. They were smart to stay off the radar for so long.”
I thought about it then reasoned, “They won’t know we know about their plans. They had no reason to think anyone would know something on that Fairy’s belt buckle was hiding his true identity. They don’t know about what my mate can do.”
Lucinda smiled agreeing, “That is true and I do like that. We deserve to have something up on them and that wretched family not knowing about it.” She kissed my cheek before saying, “She’s a rare one, Alexander.” I smiled, “I know.”
Melanie and Elise came back holding hands. EJ picked Elise up and spun her around as Melanie dropped her hand. EJ asked, “Are you ok?” Elise smiled at Melanie before saying, “I am. Nothing my little sister couldn't knock some sense into me about.”
EJ laughed, “Alright. I’m curious and intrigued.” Elise tapped his nose declining to say, “It’s girl talk.” EJ smirked, “I bet Ladybug will talk about it.” Melanie gasped, “What? Me? No… that’s… Elise’s business. I mean… kind of your business… yes... no… a little? Maybe… I don’t know… I know that it’s Elise’s decision to talk about it… that is a thing that I know for sure and….”
Hastein yelled, “Cousin, she’s rambling again.” I heard several snickers before I leaned down and kissed my wife gently. When I pulled back Melanie sighed, “So… do we pop home now?” I snorted, “We are staying here, remember?”
