Tartosa, where the golden mountains of Terra Amorosa meet the shining blue waters of Il Mare. Legend says this is where the Goddess of Love, risen from the sea-foam, first set foot on land.
They are bound together, love and the sea - beautiful and tumultuous.
---------------
"I can do this, right?" Miranda asked.
"Of course you can," Cassie smiled. "You and Mariah love each other very much."
"No... I mean, yes. Yes, we do," Miranda smiled back. "But what I mean is... marrying Mariah isn't going to interfere with the whole Guardians of Glimmerbrook thing... will it?"
"Now she thinks to ask," Gwen said softly.
"Hush you," Cassie admonished her.
"I mean, you guys are married but you're both Guardians," Miranda continued, largely unaware of the interruption. "Mariah can't be a Guardian, because there are only three. Why are there only three Guardians? But she couldn't be one anyway. She's not even a witch... and she wants to get a job as a psychologist... so we can't even live in Glimmerbrook because they don't really need a psychologist in Glimmerbrook..."
"I'm not so sure about that," Cassie muttered.
"... so, we have to live somewhere else," Miranda rambled on. "How's that even going to work. I mean, I know I went off to college and that was alright, but I still lived at home, really. Can I do this?"
"Honey, breathe," Cassie said, "Just breathe. Yes, you can do this. Being married won't interfere with being a Guardian. Gwen, help me here."
"You are our daughter," Gwen said calmly. "You are a Guardian of Glimmerbrook Watch, a bound protector of the Portal between this world of Midgard and the Magic Realm of Tir Na Nog. Getting married and moving away will no more break your bond to the Portal than it will break your bond to us. You will always be our daughter. No matter where you go, or how 'grown up' you become, we will always love you and always be there for you."
Miranda gave a shuddering sigh as the tension flowed out of her.
"How does she do that?" she asked her mother.
"She's Gwen," Cassie smiled, embracing her daughter.
"I can do this," Miranda said confidently.
----------------------
"I can't do this!" Mariah Huntley cried.
"Hmmm," Danielle replied, distractedly. "I mean, after all, you wore that suit to the gala four years ago, dear. I'm sure we can get you a different one... or maybe even a dress?"
"What? No, I'm not talking about the suit, mama," Mariah blinked at her adopted mother. "Besides, it's... well, kind of a thing we agreed on... because we... Oh it doesn't matter. I can't marry Miranda! What was I thinking?!"
"I believe you were thinking that you loved her, dear," Danielle said patiently.
"Of course I love her," Mariah sighed.
"And I believe you want to spend your life with her," Danielle continued.
"Well, I did... I... I do," Mariah stammered.
"Well, there you are," Danielle smiled.
"But... but I..." Mariah continued to stammer.
"Oh good," Aadi said brightly as they swept into the room, "I see I haven't missed the Mariah Gets Cold Feet part of the show."
"No," Danielle sighed to Aadi, ignoring Mariah.
"I got this, mama," Aadi grinned.
"Aadi, what am I doing?" Mariah cried.
"Getting married," Aadi replied warmly.
"... and I need to get dressed," Danielle said, glancing at Aadi.
"I got this," Aadi repeated confidently.
"Aadi, I can't marry her. I can't!" Mariah wailed as Danielle slipped out of the room.
"Girlfriend, I am gonna to slap you," Aadi said firmly.
"Try it!" Mariah snarled, her temper flaring.
"There's my bee-yotch!" Aadi grinned.
"Girl, you are a hot mess," Aadi sighed.
"I know, I..." Mariah started.
"Shush, listen to your Aadi now," they interrupted. "You are a hot mess... and why shouldn't you be, bumblebee? You lost your daddy when you were little. The woman that birthed you... and she doesn't deserve to be called a mama... call you a monster because of who you loved. You were wild child and troubled teen. You went looking for your daddy's family and found gangsters instead. You, girlfriend, have Issues."
"You're going somewhere with this, yes?" Mariah sighed.
"Yes, I am," Aadi grinned.
"Because those issues are not all you are," Aadi continued. "Look around you. You got two real mamas now, Danielle and Londyn, who love you and support you. You got friends, like Genie and your very own Aadi, who put up with all your crap and still have your back. You got Miranda, who loves you and who you love. I've watched you two stand together through all manner of crazy. My little M&Ms."
"I should get away from all of you," Mariah cried. "Aadi, I didn't just 'find gangsters.' I became one. I got in deep with the Altos."
"But you got out. Girl, you put ol' Uncle Nick Alto in jail," Aadi said. "We all helped."
"That's my point," Mariah groaned. "I got you involved. I got you all involved... and that puts you all in danger. Sure, the Agency covered it up, but if the Altos ever find out, they'll come after me. If I marry her, I'm just putting her in danger."
"Because danger is a new thing for Miranda?" Aadi laughed. "Honey, I've heard her stories. Your girl was fighting monsters and saving the world when you were just a juvenile delinquent. If anyone can handle your crazy, it's Miranda. If anyone can handle her weird, it's you. My little M&Ms."
"You're saying were perfect for each other," Mariah blinked.
"Girl, I know you did not just figure that out," Aadi grinned. "You love each other. Your crazy fits with her weird... and above all, I have watched you both do the work to make this thing work through the kind of trouble they make movies about.
"Can't do this?" Aadi concluded. "Honey, you can't not do this!"
"What would I do without you, Aadi?" Mariah sighed, embracing her friend.
"Let's never find out," Aadi grinned.
