Chapter 146 - Welcome to Lucky Palms

Delia woke early the next morning unable to sleep well even though she and Cordell made up the night before. She kept thinking about bringing her mother back. She went to the kitchen to grab some coffee and her father was sitting there as well.

"Morning Newt," said Delia as she grabbed a cup of coffee, "Can't sleep either?" she asked as she sat down at the table with him.

"No. A bit nervous about how your family is going to react to me....and well...and that we might be able to talk to Adele's spirit."

"You shouldn't worry about my children. They will love you. But you should know, as much as I want to help bring my mother back, I am not sure it's going to happen. Cordell is dead set against me using the Philosopher's Stone to bind Mother's ghost. He simply won't agree to it and well, I can't go against him. I simply can't. I hope you understand."

His expression told her everything - he was furious with Cordell.

Dee walked in as they were talking and sat down. "I see you found the coffee. We have a big day ahead of us. I am excited to meet the rest of your children and grandchildren Delia. How about you Newt?" said Dee as she tried to lighten the heavy mood that hung in the air.

"Of course Dee," replied Newt.

"Ah, here comes the rest of the crew!" exclaimed Dee as Niall and Cordell came in to the kitchen, "Time for pancakes before we set off."  Everyone sat down and began to eat in silence each lost in their own thoughts.

Niall, Dee and Newt were hoping that Delia would be able to bring back Adele, Delia hoping that she wouldn't disappoint and trying to figure out how to get Cordell to be okay with her doing it and Cordell trying to figure out to stop Delia from using the Philosopher's Stone without alienating her. He could use mind control on her, but then she would leave him and that wasn't acceptable either. He wished he had never searched for Delia's family. Finally Niall spoke up. "I am going to miss you Dee. How long do you think you will be gone?"

"I would expect at least a month. Maybe longer," replied Dee.

Delia looked up and said, "Niall, if it is longer, you are welcome to come visit. I know that is a long time to be separated from someone you love..." Delia gasped as everyone stopped eating and Newt glared at her. "Oh, Newt, I... I am sorry."

Cordell couldn't listen to anymore.  He got up without looking back, "I am going to get the bags. Are you through packing Delia?"

"Yes," she said without looking at her husband, not taking her gaze from her father. She felt horrible for her insensitive comments.

Niall began to clear the table and Dee just glared at Cordell as he left the room. The flight to Lucky Palms isn't going to be pleasant, she thought.

After everyone left to get their bags, Niall and Dee had a few minutes alone. Niall asked, "Dee, do you really think you will be able to bring Adele back to us?"

"Yes. I know Delia can do it. It's just Cordell. He is so controlling and afraid that he will lose her. I don't think she will go against him."

"What about her daughter, the one that is a witch? Could she do it?"

"I would need to know more about her, but do you really think Delia would allow her daughter to do something so dangerous?"

"Hmmm. Delia isn't a witch, but a witch could possibly do this with even less risk," suggested Niall.

"Well, even IF she could, not only would Delia object but that stubborn Genie would block us. I just don't know what to do about him."

Niall pulled Dee to him. "Promise me sweetheart that you won't do something stupid. Okay? No risking what we have to try to bring our daughter back as much as we all would like. We may need to accept that she is lost to us forever."

"Niall, now you sound like Cordell! Just stop it. But Delia was right, a month is too long to be apart from someone you love. You will join us if we are going to be longer won't you?"

"Of course," said Niall as Cordell knocked on the door and yelled, "Let's go. The taxi is waiting!" He quickly kissed his wife as she walked out in the rain to join Newt, Delia and Cordell as they hauled their luggage to the waiting taxi.

Dee was the last one to get into the taxi. She hoped the nasty weather wasn't an omen of things to come.

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The flight to Lucky Palms was quiet similar to their breakfast that morning. The cab dropped them off at Delia and Cordell's home. "Welcome to Luck Palms," said Delia. "We are going to put you two up in our rental home. It's only a block away. Corrie just moved out and we haven't had time to rent it again."

She gave them a few minutes to freshen up and then they headed over.

Everyone made themselves at home in the living area of the rental property. Cordell came in. "I checked the pantry and it looks like Corrie left enough food here to at least have a couple of meals. We can have hamburgers this evening."

Dee spoke up, "I am happy to prepare them. It will give me something to do," then got up and made her way over to the kitchen and began to cook.

"So there is only one bathroom," apologized Delia, "so you will need to share. But you do each have your own bedroom."

"What is the plan?" asked Newt.

"I thought we would go back to our house in the morning. The kids that are still living with us will be back home. You will get to meet Stone, Mira and Angie. Stone is a fairy and our only boy. Mira and Angie are both Genies. Mira is our youngest. She is 4 going on 10.  She thinks she can do everything her brother can do. He is 11 going on 16. Why do kids want to grow up so fast. And I can say the same thing about Angie.  17 going on 21! They just grow up way too fast."

"That sounds nice. What about the rest of your family?"

"We can go to each of their homes. I just found out that two of my daughters are pregnant! Joy and Alia, the twins are each expecting their second, well for Alia their third child since she had twins. Alia and Jaycen are the werewolves. I think they must have litters!"


"Come on everyone!" Dee called out as she put the hamburgers on the little table. "Dinner is ready."

"It smells heavenly! I think we are all starved. That tiny bag of peanuts and half a can of soda they served us on the plane didn't exactly hit the spot," complained Cordell.



Newt tried to make nice. "Cordell, I can't thank you and Delia enough for allowing us to stay here. This is so much better than having to sleep in a hotel. And I look forward to meeting your family. They sound lovely."

"What time will you be picking us up tomorrow?" asked Dee.

"Around 10:00. That will give everyone plenty of time to get up, have breakfast and get ready without having to rush."

"Wow. Sleeping in! I haven't done that in a long time...oh...sorry Newt..," said Dee.

Newt laughed, "It's okay Dee. I should probably try to take it slow as well."

After everyone finished, Newt and Cordell cleared the table and did the dishes. "You cooked Dee, let us clean up," said Newt.

 Delia and Cordell said goodbye after the dishes were clear and Newt and Dee sat down and began to talk.

"Newt, how are you holding up?" asked Dee.

"It's a bit overwhelming. We keep avoiding the elephant in the room. Adele."

"I know. But let's meet her family and just relax. We have waited this long, let's give them time to get to know us."

"Do you think Cordell will ever change his mind?" asked Newt.

"I don't know," said Dee, "But Delia may decide to help anyway and then there is her daughter that is a witch. She is Cordell's step-daughter so maybe she might not be as influenced by him. She just might be able to do it as well. Let's play it by ear and not be impatient."

"Okay. I am going to bed. Goodnight Dee. And Dee, thank you."

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