Chapter 154 - Ours

Delia tried to find the words to help Cordell understand why she had to perform the ritual. Because I can. It was as simple as that she thought. “Cordell, I just found my family and have a chance to get my mother back. My family can be complete. I can have both a father and a mother. I don't think you have anything to say about it. This is my decision.”

Cordell was furious. They were going in circles. “So me and our seven children and grandchildren are not enough family for you? We mean so little you would risk death to bring back your mother? NO Delia! Your grandmother can do it. She broke this, let her risk her life to fix it. This isn't your wrong to right or your life to risk!”

Delia leaned into his face, “That is a death sentence for her and you know it! How could you ask me to do that? If you loved me, you would understand. You just love the idea of me - this life. This was just a little fantasy you played out so I would release you from that damned lamp. Have you used mind control on me all this time?”

Cordell knew Delia was being irrational but her words still stung. “We had this conversation when I revealed all of my powers to you. I have never used mind control on you or my family. Yes, I wanted to build a life and have a family. I went so long without companionship or love in my life that I became mean and vindictive. That is why Genies are feared amongst other occults. We can control others minds and make them do things for our entertainment.

When you wished for love I thought it would be fitting to hook you up with someone that wouldn't really love you or want you. I didn't know anything about you. Fairies are so damned secretive, but I did know Troy was a witch. He was supposed to marry a witch. And you would screw with him not only because you were human but because he could never really want you.

That is how we grant wishes. Mind control. I made him want you when he touched you. I made him say some of the things he said to woo you. And I made him want to make love to you. But when he wasn't touching you he was repulsed by you. He was a witch so he figured it out. He knew it was some kind of magic that was causing what happened. He thought it was you. He ran and hid. Jewel wasn't part of it. But I revelled in the misery I was causing by what I felt like was a selfish wish. I wanted to punish both of you. Him for having love and you for begging for it. Is that what you wanted to hear? Is that who you think I still am?"

Delia couldn't speak so he continued. "Well I am not. Delia, once you freed me and I was no longer bound to the lamp my eyes were opened. When I could touch you and feel the pain I caused and saw how terribly hurt and alone you were...all I could think about was fixing it. Delia I have been living every day of my life to make up for that pain. I fell in love with you that first day. And Jewel, when I held her in my arms I fell in love again. Troy should never have kidnapped her. He caused that himself. I had nothing to do with it. Delia, I can't lose you. It's just that simple. You are my life. Without you in my life, I have no life.”

Those last four words were like sandpaper on her already frayed nerves. Delia jumped up, totally incensed. “Wrong! Newt said exactly the the same thing. How is it suddenly that I am responsible for everyone’s well being? How is that fair?  I am not what defines your life. You must do that. Without me, you would survive. You lived for 1,000 years without me and you would live another 1,000 if I cease to exist. How can I even breathe under the burdens you want to impose on me. I have survived after countless losses. Everyone needs to stop saying that I am what defines them. I am NOT!”

Cordell stood up too. It seemed they were at an impasse. “I am being repaid for all the hurt I caused. How fitting a punishment. You don't need me Delia. I love you and will always love you but I can't stay here and watch you self-destruct. You are pushing me away and I don't understand why. Perhaps you have simply moved on to the next big adventure in your life and I have no part in it. Well, you have a little piece of me memorialized in your “parlor” along with the rest and maybe in another 100 or so years when the next man stumbles into your life you can tell him about the Genie you released from the magic lamp. Enjoy the rest of your life pretty lady.”

Delia watched and listened in horror at Cordell's words. Could he be right? She was pushing him away. But why? She couldn't move. But when he turned and started to walk out she knew she couldn't let him leave. She ran over to him and grabbed him, “Genie, don't go.” She managed to squeak out. “I love you too. I am afraid.”

Cordell's heart began to race. He turned and put his hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eye. “Afraid? You?”

Delia swallowed the lump in her throat before speaking. “Yes, afraid of losing you. I have loved and lost so many times, as you so eloquently pointed out, and none of that is your fault. Even Troy. I asked for that, but look, my wish did come true. We found each other. You are right. I think I was preparing myself to lose you and maybe for you to lose me too. I don't know. All I know is when I see you walking out I can't breathe anymore. And in all of this, I seem to have forgotten that it was you who found my family in the first place. And look how I repay you. By shutting you out. I need, no, not need, I want you in my life. Forever.”

Cordell wanted nothing more than to kiss her but he held back. “Then, pretty lady, let me help. Let me be a part of the discussion. This is our decision. Not yours. Not mine. Ours.”

“Yes, Ours,” said Delia.

 As soon as she uttered the words Cordell began to kiss her. “I have missed you. Missed this,” he mumbled as their clothes began to form a pile in the floor.

“Me too," said Delia as she melted into her husband's arms.

Cordell scooped her up and carried her to the bed and laid her down gently.

The couple slowly and sweetly reaffirmed their love to one another.

 It was as if this were the first time and neither of them wanted the moment to end.

He and Delia had always had a healthy sex life, but this was different. They weren't just satisfying lust, they were giving themselves fully and completely to one another. Delia lay sleeping after their lovemaking while Cordell thought about how close he had come to walking out. Never again he thought as he kissed his wife one more time.  

Cordell turned out the lights before finally surrendering to sleep keeping his pretty lady pulled as close to him as he could.

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Chapter 153 - Help Me Understand

Almost three months had passed since Delia’s father and grandmother went back to Moonlight Falls. Angie had moved out leaving just the four of them, Delia, Cordell, Stone and Mira living in the large house. Delia was constantly on edge because Jewel's baby was due any day. In spite of what Delia told Newt about trying to repair her relationship with Cordell, every conversation still turned into an argument with Cordell and Delia still at odds about binding Adele's ghost.

Stone and Mira just left to meet Cheyenne at the park to give her mother a break. Delia was alone in the house with Cordell but he was purposely avoiding her. With everyone gone, the house that had always been so full of life and love was eerily quiet. In the quietness, the pull of the basement was overwhelming and Delia found herself heading into her hidden room.

Delia stood in the doorway and tried to see the room through the eyes of the other three people that had been in here just a few months ago. As she looked around the room she tried to imagine what Dee would have thought and smiled. She was fascinated and curious, even proud. Then she thought of Newt. He was heartbroken to see what her life had been and that he was not a part of it. She knew she would have to mend his broken heart.

Delia ventured over to the Philosopher's Stone and gingerly reached down to touch it. She imagined herself invoking the incantations that would bind her mother's ghost so they would be able to talk to her. A chill ran through her as if her mother was standing there now. She looked around expecting to see her ghost, but no one was there. This felt right. It could work. She had an idea but would need to run it by Dee and Jewel.

Then she walked over to her mother’s urn and began to talk to her. She had never done that in all the years since she passed. “Mom, I wished you had told me about yourself before you died. I think you tried in your own way but I was too young and blind to see. You were so strong and brave. I met my Father and grandparents. Imagine my surprise after so many years. Mother, he loves you so much but you know that. I see why you were so sad. My husband helped to find….wait....”

Delia suddenly stopped short thinking about Cordell. She looked around the room again. She knew Cordell hated this room and suddenly it dawned on her why. She had always thought it was the magic. She was so foolish. If Cordell had a room full of dead lovers and pictures of children from his past, how would she feel? She always wondered why he seemed jealous of something that happened before she ever knew him, but the ghosts of her past were alive in this room. That was why he didn't want her to revive her mother. He was afraid if she did she would revive her past husbands. Selfish bastard. Delia suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe and had to leave that room. The piano would calm her.

She headed for the music room where Vladimir’s red piano was calling to her, but as she approached, she saw Cordell through the window pouring a glass of wine for himself. All alone. And she stopped. For a split second she wanted to go to him and reassure him, but then she remembered how controlling he was being.

Before she could decide whether to go in or leave and go to the music studio instead, he saw her watching him. The hope in his eyes was hard to see.  But he only hoped she had decided to give in to his demands. Not happening Genie. He didn't care about Newt or her grandparents, only about his own desires.

Delia couldn't do another fight so she turned to go but not before he called her to join him. That look on his face made it hard for her to turn around so she took a deep breath and walked in.

"Delia. It's so quiet. Like a morgue with everyone gone. Why don't you join me for a glass of wine? Please?"

"Sure. I could use a drink."

Cordell handed her a glass. "Delia, you know we need to talk. Jewel's baby is due any day. Before you know it Newt and your grandparents will be expecting to come back and do the rituals. Delia, I don't know how we are going to come to terms on this. I can't risk losing you or Jewel. It doesn't seem right."

Delia took a gulp instead of a sip before she attempted to answer her husband's question. "Look Cordell. I AM going to do this and I don't think Jewel is going to back off either. We have talked about it. And guess what Cordell...HER husband supports her decision!"

Now it was Cordell's turn to force down a huge drink of wine. "When did you talk to Jewel? You didn't tell me that. Delia, we have to talk this out. I don't want to fight with you anymore. God, I thought you came looking for me. Let me guess, you came in here to play HIS piano."

"Yes, I came to play. It relaxes me and helps me think. I am always upset. I feel like I am doing this on my own. Why can't you just support me?" asked Delia, "You only think about yourself. What about Newt and my mother's parents. They are hurting. They want things to be right and together, Jewel and I can do this."

"I can't do this Delia. I can't fight with you anymore. I'm leaving. I will move into the rental house until I can find my own place."



When Cordell turned to walk away, Delia got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach and reached out to Cordell to stop him. "No. Cordell. No. Please. Don't leave me."

Cordell stopped for just a minute and looked at her over his shoulder. "Why Delia. Why do you want me to stay. You have your ghosts to keep you company. You don't need me." He pulled out of her grasp and continued to walk.

Delia felt like she just got hit by a truck. Cordell was really walking out on her and the kids. NO!!!! she thought. Not again. She needed him. She loved him and he loved her and their children. How could he just leave. Was she THAT bad?

Delia ran to catch up with Cordell before he could leave the room. If he left the room it would be too late. She just knew it.

"Cordell, please...." pleaded Delia, "Don't do this. I need you. Stone and Mira need you. It would break their hearts if you left. Stay. Please."

Cordell stopped walking. "Then you will talk this through with me Delia. Now. Let's go upstairs in case the kids get back and talk."

"Okay, just please don't leave me," said Delia softly.



Carrying their drinks they headed upstairs without another word.

They sat down in the bedroom. Cordell on the couch and Delia in the chair. She felt manipulated and sat with her legs crossed not looking at him. Finally, he broke the silence. "Delia, this isn't talking. This is called sitting," said Cordell.

Delia just rolled her eyes so Cordell got up and waved her off, "I thought you wanted to talk Delia! If this is the best you can do then I should go."

Delia jumped up. "No Cordell! Sit back down, please. We can talk. I promise. It's just hard."

"Fine, but this is it," threatened Cordell and sat back down.

"What do you want to know," asked Delia when they had both sat back down.

"I need to understand why you think you have to save everyone. What about us Delia? Can you try to save us because I think I am the only one doing that."

Delia was surprised by what he Cordell had just told her. She sat back. "Cordell, I have been looking for a place to belong my whole life. When I was growing up, well you know, it was just me and my mother. I had no family and she was so frail and mysterious. I had to take care of her when she fell ill and I was only 17. I got married as soon as I graduated. And God, Cordell, you know the rest of the story. My life was full of running scared. And now..."

Cordell looked at the ground. "I know you had a lot of ups of ups and downs Delia. But baby, I had no ups until you came into my life. I had 1,000 years of nothingness. I am terrified of losing the only good thing I have ever had. Surely you can understand that."

Delia moved next to Cordell at his words. He was right. How could she not see that. She was so blinded by finally having a sense of who she was that she pushed away Angie. Sweet Angie had turned bitter towards her. "Cordell," she said softly, "How do we get back? I am so sorry, but how do I reconcile what I have just discovered about myself and what I need to do with what you just told me? I feel pulled in two directions."

"Delia, I don't even know what needs to happen to bring back Adele. We haven't even talked about it other than to say it could kill you or Jewel. That simply isn't acceptable. How can you let that be okay? Stone and Mira need you. I need you. Hell, your grandparents and Father needs you. Why is it okay to risk your life. Help me understand."

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Chapter 152 - One Year

Delia was furious with Cordell and wanted to give him a piece of her mind. How dare he tell her father - yes, she was beginning to think of Newt as her father - that Angie refused her gift. As soon as the bookcase door swung closed, she glared at Cordell and demanded, "Make us some coffee Cordell. I have a few things I need to say!"

Cordell obediently sat about making coffee thinking he was in trouble for not telling her about Angie, But it was HER fault he thought as the coffee began to drip, I tried. She wouldn't even let me talk. 

Delia was silent while Cordell made the coffee and finally brought each of them a mug. They both took a drink to calm their nerves. 

Delia began, "How DARE you tell my father that Angie threw my graduation gift back in my face! I --"

"I didn't ---"

"Shut up Cordell. Don't you understand how bad that hurt me and to tell him something like that to make him think my own children hate me? I was humiliated!"

"Delia, I don't even know how to respond to that. I did NOT tell him that," said Cordell confused, "He probably just saw the whole thing."

"Don't start lying to me on top of everything else!" spat out Delia, "He was already headed to the car with Dee, Stone and Mira. You and I were the only ones there. And anyway, he said you told him about Angie."

"Shit...Delia, I may be a lot of things, but I am not a liar. What I told him about Angie is what I tried to tell you yesterday. She is moving out. I am sorry, I didn't tell him you didn't know."

Delia nearly choked on her coffee. "What? She's moving out? Why in the hell didn't you tell me?"

"Dammit Delia! Stop this. You know I came to find you and you threw me out!"

Delia shook her finger at Cordell and began to lecture him, "Then why didn't you just tell me anyway? Don't you EVER keep something like that from me again! Newt - my father - must have thought I was an insensitive fool. I blew off the fact that she was moving out.  I thought he was talking about the gift." 

Cordell just let her talk. There was nothing he could say to make it better. She knew it was her fault and nothing he could say would make it any easier. She needed to come to that conclusion herself. 

Cordell took a drink of his coffee while Delia went off on her tirade. "And one more thing, Genie," said Delia using her pet name for him as an insult, "I am going to sleep with Mira tonight. We will finish this in the morning. Good night!" 

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While Delia and Cordell were discussing Angie, in the other room Newt and Dee began to read Adele's journal. After the first few pages, Newt and Dee were very emotional. Dee couldn't do this with her son-in-law. It was too hard. She needed to leave and let him be alone with his emotions and she needed to get hers under control. 

"Newt," said Dee interrupting his reading.

"What?" he asked looking up at his Mother-in-law. 

"I feel like the rest of this journal is for your eyes only. You are the one who will be building a life with my daughter when we bring her back to this world. You are the one that will need to help her adjust and knowing what she went through will help you do that. Newt, I love you as if you were my own son. You truly love my daughter and it is obvious just from the first few pages that she loves you just as deeply and never stopped. I will see you in the morning." Then Dee turned and walked out.

After Dee left, Newt continued to read Adele's words. The beginning was so sad. Then Delia was born and her writing was joyful with some sadness throughout when she would mention his absence in her life. 

He couldn't stop reading. It made him feel closer to her. His adrenaline had kicked in and he had no concept of the time. He just kept on reading. 

Finally, it got unbearable as Adele began to become ill. He couldn't read anymore and turned off the old PC. He sat there for a few moments to pull himself together.

Newt began to think about the time when they would once again be together. He scooted the chair and looked at their pictures from so long ago. His beautiful Adele. He wanted to have her now. He knew her soul was in this room. He could feel her. 

Newt got up and walked over to where her Urn was sitting on a shelf, over the little fairy house that she had longed to be able to inhabit once again before she died. He began to talk to his deceased wife. "Adele, my love, I can't believe I finally found you. I would give anything if I had been there with you when our daughter was born. You were brave and strong and set such a good example for her. She is beautiful. She has my eyes and your blonde hair and more importantly, your strength. Together the two of us and her beautiful daughter - who has MY hair - will bring you to me. I love you forever and always."

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The next morning Delia fixed crepes for Newt and Dee.  They were leaving today for Moonlight Falls. Everyone sat down to eat except for Newt. Angie spoke up, "Grandma Dee, where is Newt?" 

"I guess he is still sleeping. I left him...uh...reading when I left to go to bed," said Dee.

"Dee, he wasn't with you?" asked Delia.

"No, I figured he slept here." 

Angie looked at everyone. She knew they were hiding something from her. 

"I can't wait to get into my new house! This place is too weird!"

"Angie!" cautioned Delia then said, "Please excuse me. I will go downstairs and look for Newt. He is probably taking a...uh...shower."

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Delia hurriedly went down to her secret room. Sure enough Newt was still in there. 

"Newt! Why are you still here. Everyone is worried about you. Angie is downstairs and it is so awkward."

"I'm sorry Delia. I had no idea it was already morning," replied Newt.

"It's okay. Are you all right?"

"Yes, I am, pretty tired though. Thank you for letting me read the journal." Newt paused for a minute before continuing and began to beg, "Delia....Do you think you can do this now? I don't think I can wait until Jewel's baby is born.You are so strong. I know you can perform the ritual. Adele is so close. I can feel her but not touch her. I need to touch her Delia."

"Newt, either I or Jewel will perform the ritual. But not now. We need time to prepare."

"And besides, I need to try and repair my relationship with Cordell and the rest of our family. This whole situation is putting a serious strain on them and it's mostly my fault. Angie is moving out and Stone and Mira, well they need me too Newt. I need to make time for them. Please try to understand."

"I know, but Delia --"

"No. Jewel, she also needs to have time to settle in with her children and not be stressed over everything she just learned about her father. She and Donnovan need to understand what they are dealing with. We both need to do more research and practice before we decide which one of us is the right one to do this. But I promise you, one of us will do this. So, Newt, go back with Dee and Niall and start making a life for yourself. Have something to give to Adele when she joins you once again. I know you were hoping this would happen sooner, but we need a year Newt. Please, give us a year and take this time to make a home for my mother, your wife. Otherwise you will go crazy. She gave up everything for me. I fully intend to repay that sacrifice. You will have her back. One year Newt."

"Delia, once again, I am the child in this relationship. I know I am being impatient. You are right. I will wait. One year. God, it seems like an eternity, but when I read her journal, it's only a minute in time. Thank you sweetheart. When I look at you and this room and all you have been through, I feel undeserving to be called your father."

"Enough. Everyone is having breakfast. You must be starved. Come now and join your family."

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"Dee, how are you and Newt getting to the airport. Do you need a lift?" asked Delia once she and Newt got back to the table.

"We can take a taxi," said Dee.

"Why don't you leave a little early and let Angie take you by her new house. I am sure she would love to show you.  Right Angie?"

Angie almost chocked on her breakfast. What was her mother up to?

"Sure mom. What time do we need to leave?"

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