Chapter 11: 40.13 -- Lexie's Story

It's funny. I just seen Roman Holiday for the first time about a year ago. It was a very good movie. Bittersweet ending, but good.

 

While I like the lines:

Princess Anne: Do you have a silk nightgown with rosebuds?

Joe Bradley: I haven't worn a nightgown in years!

 

I'm going to stick with the line:

Princess Anne: I don't know how to say goodbye.

 

I think it will fit in with my story better.

 

As for wineries, I looked up local wineries. I've never been to one as I'm not a drinker. There's this one place in Parrish, FL, that looks like fun. I Googled the pictures. The winery is called Bunker Hill Vineyard & Winery.

 

Chapter 11

 

 I awake to find myself roaming around outside. I would say that I'm dreaming, but I've been here before, I just can't pinpoint where I am. It's a bit foggy around, which means I must be in another realm.

"Alex," the familiar voice says to me.

"Dad?" I call and walk down the walk way.

The walkway turns into cobblestone, and I am approaching a cottage. I recognize it as our summer home from my childhood. My parents since sold that house years ago.

I stop and stare at the same wooden door with a small grid window on the top of the door. I watch as the door opens. My hands fly up to my mouth as I gasp. It only takes a few moments to register who is coming out that door. I run up to him.

"Dad!" I squeal. He grabs me and spins me around like I'm a child again.

"My darling Alex," he says. He puts me down. I take a look at him.

"How is this even possible?"

"Do you want some coffee?" He stares down at me. "Maybe some decaf tea."

I give him a strange look. Why is everyone so focused on giving me juice and tea?

"I know you must have a lot of questions." He looks around. I follow his gaze. "Come inside. We can talk more privately there."

"Are we not alone?" I whisper.

He smiles. "Come inside." He holds the door open for me.

I walk inside. The house is just as cozy as I remember it. There's a fire going on in the fireplace. There's no temperature where I'm at. I'm guessing it's just for show. I look up on the mantle to see all the pictures.

"I'll go make some tea," he tells me. I nod, and head over to the mantle.

I remember these pictures. I thought most of them were gone forever. There's a picture of the four of us around Christmas. There's a picture of myself with Amber when we were teens. And there's one picture of me with Carter. 

I have a brief flash of memory. It wasn't long after the day we met. We were at the Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery in Parrish, Florida. Just as I remember, the memory disappears, courtesy of the spell. There's one thing that the spell didn't take away. The conversations Carter and I have had.

I remember when he told me how he met my parents before they died. He has known me a very long time.

"Here we go," dad says, breaking my thoughts. He heads over to the nook area, and places a tray down on the table. There's two teacups, and a plate of cookies. I walk over to the table to sit.

"Sometimes we're not alone," he answers my question from earlier. "This is a realm, and sometimes some souls get lost here."

"Wait," I pause. "Am I?" The words fall on me.

"No," he quickly answers. "You're not dead. Although I must admit this is the first time a being alive has ever been here."

"Then how did I get here?"

He shrugs. "Maybe hearing my voice caused you to astral project onto this plane."

I'm recalling how I got here to begin with. "I used too much magic," I confess.

"You just have to get used to it. You will get stronger in a few months."

I give him a strange look. "Do you know something that I don't?"

He smiles and shakes his head. "I cannot tell you that. If I do, you may never break that spell."

I inhale sharply. "You know about that too?"

"I've been watching. You didn't even know," he breaks off. "I feel this is my fault."

I snort. "Now you sound like me."

"We are much alike," he sighs. "I have a confession to make."

I've never seen him like this. "What's wrong?"

"Well, I'm afraid you'll be mad or disappointed in me."

"Try me," I say.

"We are definitely alike," he mumbles. "You see, the count is not your father. I am."

I shake my head in disbelief. "I don't understand.

"Have you ever noticed how much Nancy and Catherine look alike?"

"I almost called Catherine mom."

"Well, you wouldn't be wrong."

I cock my head to the side. "What?"

He takes a deep breath. "When I met Nancy, I thought she was Catherine. Once I realized she really was who she said she was, I had to help her. She was in trouble.

"It seems that the count was stalking her for her child, for his child. This child was supposed to have been, not powerful like you, but powerful enough for the count to time travel."

"Wait," I interrupt. "What happened to the baby?"

"I brought her to an orphanage in the year nineteen forty-six."

"Then, if Nancy is not my mother, who is?"

"Nancy always loved you like you were her daughter, you do know that, right?"

I look down. "I know. I also know she was fearful of me with my powers."

"She just didn't know how handle the situation," he admits. "I should have been more considerate back then."

"And she knew that her baby was put in an orphanage?"

He nods. "It was the safest place for her, for the baby."

There's a few moments of silence. I'm taking it all in.

"I knew you were strong enough to stand up to the count," he continues. "My powers become minimal the longer I stay on earth, but I knew you would be powerful. You're not half human. You're half witch."

"Does this mean--

"Catherine is your mother," he interrupts. "She was so evil back then. She just kept a one track mind."

"Jeremiah," I say. He nods. "So if I'm half witch, what's the other half of me?"

"Angel."

"So is Amber half angel too?"

"No, she's not mine. I told Nancy I couldn't have children, so we decided to go to a fertility clinic."

"She's not even my sister," I say softly.

"She's still your sister in every way."

"Yeah."

"Hey, none of that," he pulls me closer into a hug. I didn't even realize I was crying.

I hold onto him. I always felt a connection to my dad, only now I know, he's my real father as well. He gently pulls away, and hands me a tissue.

"I don't know why I'm so emotional these days."

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Alex," I hear an echo of my name.

"He's calling you," dad says.

"But I'm not ready to leave. I have so many questions."

"I'll always be around when you need me." He smiles.

"I don't know how to say goodbye."

"Alex! Please! Come back!" The echoes shout.

"Darling," he says. "You have a lot to do. The longer you're up here," he pauses. "Well, it's not good for you right now."

I shake my head in disbelief. "I don't understand." I look up to see him fading.

"Please don't be mad. Know that I've always loved you, and had your best interest."

"I could never be mad at you," I tell him. There's more fog between us, and now I'm alone in the mist.

"I want to stay," I tried to say, but they died with the fog. I walk around, trying to find something, and then I make out something. It looks more like someone. I get closer to the dark figure.

"Carter?" I look at the foggy-like hologram.

"Alex," he says hoarsely. "Please come home." I turn my head in hopes to see the cottage one last time. There's nothing but fog.

I turn back to face Carter.

**********************

I'll finish the other half next time. It's been a mad crazy long week. I am exhausted!

DJ

Topic: Tyler

Picture: Colleen

Picture phrase guesses:

1. Fame

2. Insta-famous

3. Chilling

4. Zombieland

5. Zoned out

6. Out of touch with reality

7. Outside looking in

8. The Matrix

9. Blank screen

10. Tik Tok