“Oh my God,” I cried out as I threw my arms around her and held her tight. “Why? How?”
“Sorry, I’m a little late,” she said, smiling at me. “I kept trying, but I wasn’t able to age until now.”
Gideon was completely shell-shocked. He stared at our daughter in wonder. She glanced over at her dad and smiled.
“Hi, dad,” she greeted him.
“Umm… hi,” he choked out. “Is this… you know… umm… permanent?”
Alana Catherine shrugged. “Not sure, but I’m here for a reason. We have work to do.”
She took each of our hands in hers and led us to where Jennifer lay dying in Tim’s arms. The sight was heartbreaking, and my tears wouldn’t stop. I immediately dropped to the ground and put my hands on her cold body. With all I had, I let my magic flow into her.
Shitty Ritchie and the grown version of Alana Catherine stood together side by side. They looked down at Jennifer with pure sadness in their eyes. I wasn’t convinced that Jennifer was the third of the Trinity, but their expressions gave me pause.
“Her chest isn’t moving,” June said in a hushed tone.
Charlie touched Jennifer’s forehead and closed his eyes. “She’s not gone yet.”
Heather was still frantically trying to stop the blood seeping out of Jennifer’s chest. “How is she still alive? A human can’t withstand that kind of Celestial blow.”
“Welp,” Candy Vargo said, staring slack-jawed at the computer screen. “I do believe I can answer that fuckin’ question.”
We all looked at her.
“Remember when Tim said he donated some little swimmers about sixtyish years back?”
“Yes,” I said, feeling weird and wonky about where this conversation was going.
“Well, it’s lookin’ like Jennifer’s bitch of a momma paid a visit to that there sperm bank to get herself knocked up. Says right here in black and white that Tim’s her pappy.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Heather squealed.
“Do I fuckin’ look like I’m fuckin’ kidding you, assface?” Candy Vargo shot back, pulling a sharp jeweled dagger from her belt and handing it to Heather. “Slit her open. I’ll take care of Tim. You start cuttin’ on my word.”
Heather nodded and held the dagger poised above Jennifer’s already bleeding chest.
Tim was speechless, but ripped off his mail uniform jacket and shirt with haste. “Jennifer’s my daughter. Jennifer’s my daughter.” Tears flowed down his face. He was devastated and thrilled. “Jennifer’s my beautiful daughter. I love my daughter.”
“Mazel tov, cake hole. Now, shut it, so I can work,” Candy Vargo snapped. “And I don’t need ya nekkid. I just need your wrists, jackass.”
Without hesitation, Tim offered Candy both of his wrists.
I had no clue what was about to happen, but it wasn’t going to be pretty. However, I wasn’t moving. I might be needed. I’dslit my wrists for Jennifer any day of the week. I didn’t think I could gut her, but it was looking like Heather was up for the job.
Shitty Ritchie and Alana Catherine began to glow. They both looked like ethereal rainbows. Tendrils of their magic filled the air and danced on the breeze.
“Keep that up, kids,” Candy Vargo instructed. “Okay, Heather, on three… You’re gonna slice her from collarbone to belly button. Tim, I’m gonna slit your wrists like they ain’t never been slit. With the left hand, you feed Jennifer your blood.”
“And the right?” he asked.
“You're gonna punch it right into the hole Heather’s about to cut.”
Tim nodded. Heather nodded. I almost puked in my mouth.
“Charlie,” Candy said. “Get your ass up by Jennifer’s head and make sure Tim’s blood goes down her throat.”
“On it,” Charlie said.
