Tartosan Summer - Gala Night

 For Miranda, the summer had simply flow by and the night of the annual Charity Gala arrived far sooner than she would have liked. Still, there was a lot of be said for getting dressed up and going to a fancy event, especially when one has a fantastic new evening gown to show off.

"Ladies," Cassie said  "in case I'm too crazed to say it later, I really appreciate all of your help tonight."

"You've got this mom," Miranda smiled, raising her glass. "To us! Wyrd girls unstoppable!"

"Right," Cassie took a deep breath, "time to rally the troops."

"Alright folks," Cassie addressed the event staff with the attitude of a beleaguered general in the eve of battle, "this is it, the big night. I know you've all worked hard setting things up. We're ready for this. It's going to be great. Work the room. Keep those glasses full. Photographers, I want to see glamour. I want to see grace. I want to see beauty... and anyone who tried to peddle any 'wardrobe malfunctions' to the tabloids will never work again. Let's go raise some money for charity!"

With the same manic energy, Cassie leapt into greeting the guests as they arrived.

 "Good to see you, Luna," Gwen greeted an old friend soon after.

"Gwen, hi," she replied. "What has gotten into Cassie? She's a little... eeiiii."

 "I think she's worried that about the Gala not going well," Gwen admitted.

"Why?" Luna looked genuinely puzzled. "She hosted last year and everything was wonderful."

"Well," Gwen confided, "Judith Ward isn't coming this year. So, Cassie feels she has to prove that the Gala can still be great without her."

"Ohh," Luna nodded. "I'm sure it will be wonderful. Do you know why Judith isn't coming?"

"Her health," Gwen replied with a smile.

__________________ 

Inside, Miranda dutifully worked the room, greeting guests and smiling. 

"Miranda, I hardly recognize you. That gown is stunning," a woman greeted her with a wide smile.

"Thank you, Mrs Elderberry," Miranda greeted her, remembering her from among the VIPs. 

"Oh please, call me Luna," she said. "Whenever anyone calls me 'Mrs Elderberry' it makes me feel old. I understand you're off to university soon... Britechester, of course. I met you mother and Gwen there. We were all very close."

"Oh yes," Miranda nodded politely.

"My oldest daughter Genevieve is starting there in the fall too," Mrs Elderberry continued. "Maybe you two will become friends too. Wouldn't that be funny?"

"Oh yes," Miranda nodded again, wondering how to escape. "Maybe we will."

"Well, I must mingle," Mrs Elderberry smiled again.

Thank god, Miranda thought.

__________________

"Welcome again everyone to the annual Tartosa Charity Gala!," Cassie called out to the crowd. "I hope you're all enjoying yourselves. We are going to have a great night and I'll be looking for you to make it even better. Remember, this isn't only a party. Your generous donations tonight go to support bringing our world together in justice and equality. So dance, have fun and dig deep to make the world a better place."

 __________________

"Miranda's looks lovely tonight," Londyn quietly said to Mariah.

"Yeah," Mariah smiled, watching her dance.

"So, have you told her the big news yet?" Londyn asked.

"I... I'm waiting for the perfect time," Mariah stammered.

"Oh Mariah," Londyn shook her head, "you have to tell her."

"I just... everything's so wonderful, here... now," Mariah groaned. "What if... what if she isn't happy about it? What if I've ruined everything?"

"Mariah, you know how I feel about this. God knows we talked about it enough. It's too late to change anything now," Londyn said firmly. "For what it's worth, I really don't think she'll be upset."

"Maybe it can just be a surprise," Mariah said.

"Tell her," Londyn prompted, gently but firmly.

"Miranda," Mariah took a deep breath, "you think we can slip away?"

"Please get me out of here," Miranda smiled tightly.

 _______________

"So, that things about dropping out of the public eye and hiding out for a couple of decades," Cassie said. "Do you think we could do that now... Tonight. Right now!"

"Dance with me," Gwen laughed.

"Where do you think the girls have slipped off to?" Cassie wondered.

"Somewhere private," Gwen smiled, "so they can do the kind of things we did at that age... the things you don't like to think about Miranda doing."

"My little girl is all grown up," Cassie sighed. "She's going off to college."

"It's funny... there are Rohan and Luna," Gwen nodded to the other couple.

"My college fling," Cassie groaned, "and your college girlfriend... now they're married, have four kids and he's a leading politician."

"Who would have known we'd end up here," Gwen smiled.

"You," Cassie laughed. "You probably foresaw all of this, even then."

"No," Gwen laughed back. "Not all of it."

Tartosan Summer - This Kiss

 This Kiss - Faith Hill

It's the way you love me

It's a feeling like this

It's centrifugal motion

It's perpetual bliss

It's that pivotal moment 

 

It's, ah, impossible

 This kiss

 

This kiss... unstoppable

 

This kiss

  

This kiss

Tartosan Summer - Growing and Changing

 "Londyn!" Cassie smiled, embracing her friend and fellow actress. "It's been too long."

"Cassie," Londyn hugged back, "Yes, it has. You're looking good. How's Gwen?"

"She's good. She says hello," Cassie smiled. "She's off wandering around the hills, probably looking for someplace to paint her next masterpiece."

 "First, I have to say I'm sorry," Cassie continued. "I should have called you... I didn't realize Mariah had stayed over last night. I hope you weren't worried about her."

"It's fine," Londyn replied, "and it's me who should be apologizing. I expected she'd stay... and, in fact, she did call and tell me. I didn't realize she didn't talk to you about it."

"I think our girls are growing up," Cassie sighed.

"As Mariah constantly reminds me, she's legally an adult now," Londyn smiled a little sadly. "She's only been with us a few years, but she's my daughter and now she's all grown up. She's come a long way lately and I'm proud of her... like you must be of Miranda."

"Constantly," Cassie nodded. "I can't believe she'll be going off to college soon. Where did the years go?"

"Nowhere near you," Londyn laughed. "I swear you haven't aged a day since we met."

"Well, neither have you," Cassie said.

 "That's nice, but it's a lie," Londyn smiled. "In our business, they have ways to telling you these things. I don't get offered the lead anymore, you know. No, now I'm the supporting actress - the mature woman who mentors the young lead and usually disappears somewhere in Act 2."

"I..," Cassie paused, uncertain what to say. "It's not fair, is it? Men get to action heroes into their 60s and we get pushed out when we're 40."

"Cassie, I'm only 40 in my press releases," Londyn laughed. "Anyway, I'm thinking it's time to explore some other opportunities."

 "Oh no," Cassie said. "I'm sure we can still get your some good roles."

"Maybe," Londyn said. "I mean I won't turn them down if they offer, but I've got another idea and I'm excited about it. I'm going to start investing in an independent production company supporting LGBTQ actors, writers and directors. Something to give an opportunity to people the big studios still pass by or marginalize."

 "That's fantastic!" Cassie said. "Can I get in on this?"

"What?" Londyn blinked. "I mean... What? I didn't... I wasn't asking for money. I mean, I won't say no but..."

"Good," Cassie grinned. "We can do the whole 'my people call your people' thing to work out the details, but this sounds like a great idea and I want to help."

"That's wonderful!" Londyn laughed.

 _____

Later that evening, Cassie filled Gwen in. "So, I'm going to invest in Londyn's company. After all I've got all this studio money which, on top of your dragon's hoard or whatever, is more money than we'll ever need. It will be nice to do something positive with it."

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Gwen agreed.

 "It's funny," Cassie continued, "we got to talking about it because she said I haven't aged a day. I laughed it off, but... it's true. I haven't. I look in the mirror and the face there is the same one I had when Miranda was born."

"I told you before," Gwen said gently, "my potions will keep us young and healthy, baring injury or accident, forever or close to it." 

"I know," Cassie said softly, "but I never really thought about it."

"Unfortunately, people are starting to notice," Gwen went on. "Really, they have been for a while now but it's going to get harder to laugh off. Eventually, you'll have to..."

"Have to what?" Cassie looked puzzled.

"Withdraw," Gwen said. "Step back, out of the spotlight, away from the public eye. There's a reason most of us live around Glimmerbrook with other witches. Mortals don't understand and eventually it will become a problem. Not today, not tomorrow but sooner than you'd like..."

"You're right," Cassie said. "I don't like it."

"It's not so bad," Gwen smiled gently. "In a generation or two, you can come back and be that woman who looks so much like the famous actress and musician Cassandra Goth. That would be kind of fun, don't you think."

"I guess," Cassie sighed. "How are you so calm about all this?"

"Practice," Gwen said, getting up.

"Practice?" Cassie asked. "What do you mean practice? You haven't done this before. Have you? I mean, you can't have. We're the same age... Gwen! We're same age, right?!?"

Tartosan Summer - Morning After

 The warm sun was rising on another cloudy morning in Tartosa as Miranda and Mariah sat together on the villa's porch.

"So," Miranda said carefully, "the morning after... Uhhh, please don't take this wrong but you're not going to freak out on me, are you?"

"Freak out about?" Mariah asked, with equal care.

 "Well," Miranda said gently, "that was our second... time... and, you know, after our first... you kind of freaked out, ran away... the whole 'edge of the bridge' thing." 

"Oh," Mariah blinked, genuinely surprised. Then she smiled, "No... not going to freak out. It's taken me some time, some therapy... also a lot of yelling early on and the occasional supportive kick in the butt from Londyn and Danielle... but I'm in a better place. I've still got work to do but I'm getting there. Lesbian and proud!"

 "Oh good," Miranda sighed, "that's good. I was... well, I'm glad. I know we'd talked about it... the therapy I mean. OK, and the other stuff... but I..."

"You were worried," Mariah said. "Mia amata, it's OK. Also 'the other stuff' ... is called sex."

"I know that," Miranda blushed. "I just... you know..."

"You are so funny sometimes," Mariah said. 

"You know, I was worried about you too," Mariah continued.

"About me," Miranda looked puzzled.

"Do you have nightmares like that a lot?' Mariah asked softly.

"It's... it's nothing," Miranda's reply was quick, breathless. "It's just a dream."

"Have you talked to anyone about it?" Mariah said gently.

"It's just a dream," Miranda repeated. "It's nothing."

 "OK," Mariah nodded. "but if you want to talk... about anything... I'm here. Or... you know... have you considered, maybe talking to a therapist yourself."

"What," Miranda blinked, "No... why? I mean... I don't mean... It's not a bad thing... therapy... but I..."

"It's OK," Mariah said, "I get it... but you've been through a lot in the past couple of years. Big, serious stuff. Talking to someone might help."

"Yeah, well," Miranda sighed, "my 'big, serious stuff' involves vampires, werewolves, and ancient magic... I'm thinking your average shrink wouldn't believe me..."

"Maybe," Mariah nodded, "or maybe not. Anyway, it's just a thought. It's really helped me, so..."

"I..." Miranda stammered, "thank you. I mean it, I do... I'm just not... not yet. Maybe... but not yet."

 They sat quietly for a while before Mariah finally said, "So, if it clears up later, you want to hit the beach?"

"Yes," Miranda nodded. "Yes, please."

Tartosan Summer - Nightmare

Authors Note: This chapter contains content that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.

Gasping, Miranda clawed her way out of darkness.

"Please... no... please," she panted to herself, the shreds of the dream still clinging to her "I'm... it's just a dream.... it's not real... just a dream.... I'm OK... please, please... oh God..."

"Shh, hey, mia amata," Mariah wrapped her in her arms, "I've got you. I've got you."

"I'm sorry," Miranda muttered, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Not the important thing right now," Mariah said. "What happened?"

"It's nothing," Miranda took a deep breath, "Just a bad dream. It's nothing."

"You can tell me," Mariah said gently, "You don't have to... but you can."

"Just a bad dream," Miranda repeated. "I get them sometimes... sometimes he... it's just a bad dream."

Mariah gently held her hands, saying nothing, waiting.

"Sometimes," Miranda's voice quavered, "Sometimes, I remember... Always the same... trying to fight him... but I can't. I just freeze. He's so strong. So cold. His breath on my face, cold and sour... the smell of old blood."

 "I just surrendered... like part of me wanted... wanted... it hurt." She sobbed, "It hurt so much. Fresh blood... my blood... on my mouth. Oh God."

 "Shh," Mariah soothed. "You're safe. I've got you. You're safe with me."

"It's just a bad dream," Miranda's panicked breathing slowed, steadied, "I get them sometimes."

"I do too," Mariah said. "I've got you. I've got you mia amata. I'll keep you safe."

Tartosan Summer - Arrival

 "Smell that sea air," Cassie grinned. "I love it here."

"It is nice," Gwen agreed.

 "Why is always cloudy the first few days?" Miranda wondered.

 "Anyway, you guys should go unpack," Miranda continued.

"Oh... Mariah will be here soon," Gwen smiled.

"Yes," Miranda said, "and I don't want you embarrassing me. So shoo."

"It's so good to see you," Miranda sighed as she embraced her girlfriend at last.

"I missed you," Mariah replied.

 "God," Miranda smiled, "we've talk so much on the phone... now you're here and I don't know what to say." 

"Don't worry about it," Mariah said. "I'm just glad to be with you... so I can keep you out of trouble."

"I... I haven't gotten into trouble... lately," Miranda stammered.

"Oh no," Mariah gave her a look, "hooked up with any big-bubbled actresses?"

"Jenny is a friend," Miranda said firmly, "I've never hooked up with her."

"Right," Mariah hid a grin, "instead you go down on some little blonde strega." 

"I... we didn't... I mean, we did... but I didn't do that!" Miranda groaned, "and I said I was sorry... and it was a spell!"

"I'm teasing you," Mariah said, "but you definitely need someone to keep you out of trouble."

"Right, and you're perfect for the job," Miranda said, "because you never get into trouble."

"I don't get into trouble," Mariah countered. "I make trouble. There's a difference."

"Did you really sneak a llama into your school auditorium?" Miranda asked.

"No," Mariah laughed. "It was a goat. Where would I get a llama?"

"So," Miranda looked into Mariah's eyes.

"So," Mariah looked back.

 "Here we are," Miranda said, "together."

"Si mia amata," Mariah whispered.

 "Mom," Miranda called out, "We're going upstairs to... talk. Don't wait dinner or anything."

"We have a lot of catching up to do."