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."

 

Tartosan Summer - Summer Plans

 "Miranda," Cassie called. "Could you come here for a minute."

"What is it?' Miranda stalked into the dining room. "I'm busy with my hair."

 "It looks lovely dear," Cassie smiled. "Doesn't it look great, Gwen?"

"I've always liked it," Gwen replied.

"It's different!" Miranda burst out. "It's a completely new style and it's blue!"

"Wasn't it blue before?" Gwen looked puzzled.

"How!?" Miranda demanded of her mother. "How does she know everything but she never notices my hair?"

 "Anyway," Cassie shook her head, declining to even attempt to answer something she, herself, didn't understand. "I need to talk to you about this summer."

"What now? Zombie apocalypse? Alien invasion? A new boy band trying for world domination?" Miranda groaned. 

"Not that I know of," Cassie replied, trying not to throw Gwen a questioning look. "No, it's just that the studio wants me to host the Tartosa Charity Gala again this year, so we were thinking we'd rent the villa and spend the summer."

 "Oh," Miranda said, with sudden and complete cool. "That's nice."

"Now, you wouldn't have to come," Cassie continued, "if you didn't want to. I know how these studio things bore you."

"No, no, that's fine," Miranda said. "I... um... I don't mind. Um... excuse me... I need to go wash this dye out of my hair." 

 "Do you think she'll wait until she's in her room," Gwen whispered, "or call from the stairs."

"Room," Cassie replied, "but only because she doesn't have her phone... because she's wearing a towel! Seriously, how do you know everything and not notice things like that?"

 "Yes!" Miranda cheered. 

Despite her plans, Miranda hadn't been able to see as much of Mariah as she'd hoped over the past  months.  The demands of school, her theater group and her family obligations meant that she hadn't actually been able to just magically "pop" over to Tartosa regularly. It also turned out that repeated long distance magical travel was a greater strain than Miranda had expected. Mariah had said she understood but Miranda knew she'd been disappointed. 

 "We're coming," Miranda gasped as soon as Mariah answered the phone.

"Maybe you are," Mariah teased. "Did you start without me?"

"What? No," Miranda blushed. "To Tartosa. We're coming to Tartosa... for the summer. Mom's hosting that gala thing again and we're renting the villa and everything. So, no teleportation migraines. No weekend plans I can't get out of. We can spend some real time together."

 "Roba forte," Mariah cheered. "We can..."

"What? Sorry," Miranda said. "I missed that. I will pulling my shirt on."

"You didn't have one on before?" Mariah asked softly.

"No, I... um... I didn't... I... shower... um," Miranda said. "I was dyeing my hair. Stop doing that!"

"You're cute when you get flustered," Mariah laughed. "I'll see you soon."

"Yeah," Miranda smiled. "I love you."

"Ti amo," Mariah breathed.