Myka's Tail Ch. 06

"And if you keep insisting that it was your fault that your father is dead," mom continued with iron in her voice. "Then I will slap you again and again until you get it through your head that you are completely wrong about that."

"But if he wouldn't have been there, or maybe we should have skipped the ritual, then dad would still be alive, and that's on me. It's all on..."

And then I collapsed into my mom's arms and started to sob. It wasn't just crying, rather it was the kind of emotional grief that you could barely draw breath through, and that caused your body to shake uncontrollably until you were too exhausted to move. Mom managed to get us both to the ground before my strength gave out, and Kelli came and sat beside us as I finally howled out all of the pain and hurt that I had forced myself not to feel. The three of us sat there in the middle of the room, weeping together for I don't know how long, and I registered the sounds of everyone else but us moving to another part of the house so that we could be alone with our pain that had finally begun to heal.

After some time, I was able to compose myself enough to say good bye to everyone who was leaving. Ali and Jess were going to find some quiet place and transport back to wherever they were going, while Paul and Kass were going to stay in the guest room of Kelli's parent's place so that they could talk to us before they left for the long drive home. Finally I said good night to my mom, and made my way down to our bedroom, where Kelli held me close while I cried myself to sleep. For the next week, that pretty much became my routine, but once I had started dealing with my emotions rather than hide them, the power they held over me slowly dissipated.

A few days later my mom sat Kelli and I down after we had eaten dinner so that she could talk to us. For a moment I was nervous that I was still doing something that was pissing her off, but once we were all comfortable, the smile she had on her face relieved me.

"So, girls," mom began. "I talked to Kass today, and she let me know that there was only three weeks left until the spring equinox, so she let me know that you both have that long to get your act together. That was mostly for Myka."

"So they still want to go through with it," I asked after we all quit chuckling at mom's joke. "Even after all I put everyone through? And do we even have enough time."

"Dear god, Myka," mom replied in exasperation. "Your friends love you both, and they want their happiness to be part of your happiness and vice versa. Also, you guys had already planned the whole thing anyway, so it was just a matter of shifting the dates a bit. Also, Paul managed to beat his sister into submission over the last week, so it will certainly be a three couple ceremony."

"And I talked to Millicent a few days ago," Kelli added, much to my surprise. "She is still ok with being the priestess at the ceremony if we still want her."

"I don't know of anyone else that should marry us," I giggled, and I realized that I was feeling happier than I had in a long time. "But will it be legal?"

"Actually," she continued with a mile wide grin. "Millicent told me that Ali had nearly beat her over the head in front of one of those infernal computer contraptions, and that was a direct quote, and watched while she struggled to become ordained online to legally perform the ceremony. From what she said, the credentials will be finalized in the next few days, and then she just registers with the county and state. Then we all get marriage licenses. So no problem."

Once Kelli explained how that last problem was now pretty much solved, we all spent the next little while just talking about what the ceremony would be like, and what we might see there. I mentioned that the Circle, and all of the covens that we now knew, still viewed the existence of their craft and powers as a secret to be carefully guarded, and because there would be others there that did not know what we knew, that nothing strange would happen at all. Then talk turned to the after party, and eventually where Kelli and I would spend our honeymoon, and that was the point mom became suddenly serious again.

"There is something I need to tell you both," she said to us, and I could tell that whatever she had to say was pretty difficult for her. "And I wasn't sure how to begin, but now is the right time."

"Whatever it is, mom," I replied as I laid a comforting hand over her own. "Just tell us. It can't be that bad."

"Well, it's not bad. It's just a really big change that I'm not sure you are both ready for yet. While you are gone on your honeymoon, I will be moving my things out of the house here."

Kelli and I immediately opened our mouths to protest, but mom just held up her hand and stopped us with our mouths hanging open.

"This will include my clothes, most of the furniture, books, and other things that were personal to both Dan and me."

"But where will you go," I nearly cried, and I could feel my world beginning to crash down on me again. "I need you here. We need you here."

"Oh, my sweet little girl. I'm not going anywhere. Steve and Amanda are going to let me move into one of the guest rooms, and I am going to live there from now on."

My mom just chuckled when the only thing Kelli and I could do was stare at her some more with our mouths open once again.

"The other thing I am going to get done while you are both away, is to have the deed to this house transferred into your names, whatever you decide your married name will be. You can both sign the paperwork when you get back, and then I can help you pick out and buy a new interior so that you can make this place your own."

"But why mom," I asked, feeling confused.

"You need to understand, Myka, that there are an awful lot of memories tied up in this house for me, and probably you too, and I am having a really hard time dealing with it right now. That's why we are going to change furniture, paint, and whatever else we need to do, so that the memories will become new and be yours and Kelli's. I loved your dad, with all my heart, and I need some time to come to terms with things and I can't do it here. We did very well for ourselves, so it's completely paid off, and you can both think of it as an early wedding present."

After mom helped us accept the major change she was making, the three of us just sat there for a while, laughing, crying some more, and talking about dad and the future. She somehow managed to squeeze in a question about when she could expect grandchildren, and even though I tried to deflect that one by pointing out Kelli's and my similar gender, mom was a bit too shrewd. Before we quit for the evening she made sure we had heard about adoption, various medical procedures that could be used, and she even had us laughing out loud when she suggested that we could just magic one up for her.

The next couple of weeks went by in a blur, and none of us really knew how we got everything in our lives, much less every detail for the weddings, done in the time we had. Getting my current research turned in was not a problem due to the fact that for a long time it was the only thing I had been doing. I was also able to get the remaining work done for the classes that I had taken incompletes on, and I managed to find an hour to meet with my advisor to go over schedules for the summer and the next year.

Because it was short notice, and also because the six of us had decided several days back, the guest list for the wedding remained small. Other than family, the members of the Circle, the band, and Avery the only other ones that were going to show up were the people getting married. Once the ceremony was finished, the plan was to head back to what was going to be Kelli's and my house for some really good food that Stuart McAlister had arranged. We all knew that at some point there would have to be a large party for extended family and such, but everyone involved was ok with the intimacy that we would have for ourselves.

The thing that amused me most, however, about the days leading up to our ceremony, was actually the night before. In many ways, I realized that more went on during the midnight hour that night, than would actually happen during the next day. Since it was the Vernal Equinox, many of the witches from the other covens, and especially those who had come to our aid, had asked if they could use the circle of power that we had created for the spring rites. Millicent was ok with that, but apparently since it was my blood initially, and my dad's blood that finished off the creation of the circle, it was my duty to be there to give permission.

The rites performed were, for the most part, pretty simple. There were several blessings, and a couple of banishments, but the highlight of it all were the four initiations that three of the covens performed. Four young, and very new witches entered into their chosen sisterhood, and the joy and singing of the event resonated through the very earth itself, and I had a sense that these sorts of things were one of the many reasons why creating the circle had been necessary.

Being there for the rites that the women performed was amazing, and I truly learned a lot about how different witches viewed the same magic in different ways. But because I decided to stay there so very late after I had granted the covens permission to use the circle, I woke up with only two hours to get ready and be at my own wedding, and I had had only 3 hours of sleep. The only thing I could think of that first hour was thank god for makeup.

My dress was a simple strapless affair with a minimal amount of embroidery, and the lower portion of the dress ended at about the mid-calf level. The trick, however, was that the front of it split in a wide V at what would be a regular mini-skirt hemline. This open style in the skirt left my legs bare, and drew people's eyes to them in a slightly naughty way. Because I still felt the need to feel the earth as I walked, I had decided to skip the shoes, but the anklet that I wore that matched Kelli's glinted in the light with each step.

Since my hair had never changed from the short bob style it had been in when I first transformed, it only took a few minutes to make sure that it was brushed right and shined a lustrous purple like my ears and tail. Gina had helped to make my veil, and my breath was taken away again as I looked at myself in the mirror after I had put it on.

She had taken a simple piece of sheer white lace and had fastened it to what I could only call a crown of flowers. The circlet of ivy that was woven large enough to fit over my ears sat comfortably as it encircled my head. Laced within the ring of bright green ivy were sprigs of lavender and lilacs, and Gina had spaced occasional orchids within the pattern as well. The varying shades of the purple flowers went well with my hair, but the bright white lotus blossom that rested in the center of my forehead was the dazzling jewel that capped off the beautiful arrangement.

I knew that I didn't have much time left, but I did want to stand in front of the mirror for a little longer and make sure that the image of being dressed for my wedding was burned into my mind forever. While I was going over every last detail that I could, I saw my mom walk in behind me with a huge smile on her face. She was wearing a light sleeveless sundress that was decorated with a stylized leafy green pattern and low heel sandals, and my grin stretched even further when she put her arms around me in a hug.

"My god, Myka," mom cried out in joy as she embraced me. "You look like you are shimmering right now, you're so radiant."

"Really mom," I joked back at her. "That was the best you could come up with? Sooo cheesy."

"Hey, a mother is allowed to say her daughter is radiant on her wedding day," she countered and we both broke out in laughter. "Really, though. I don't think I have ever seen you more beautiful my little girl."

"Thanks mom," I whispered and squeezed her arms in a return hug.

"On a serious note, however, are you really sure about..."

"Yes, mom," I interrupted, and I saw a slight sadness in her eyes. "It's just something I need to do."

"But surely one of the other boys there could walk with you," she replied, and I could hear the hitch in her voice. "I know it won't be your father, and I know that Steve and Stuart need to stand with their daughters at the altar, but one of the others could give you away. Even Kass is having that huge softie, Mark, give her away."

"I know all that mom, and I have been giving it a lot of thought over the last several days. I miss dad. God how I miss him, but he is the only one I would want there by my side, other than Kita here."

At the mention of her name, Kita raised her head from where she was laying and let her tongue fall out of the side of her mouth in a wolf's version of a grin. Since dad was gone and couldn't walk me to the altar, I had decided to make that long walk on my own. It was Kelli that had suggested Kita walk with me, and I had instantly fallen in love with the idea, so that is what we had planned, even though it bothered mom a lot.

"Well, as long as you're sure. It is your day, and it should go how you and Kelli want it to go. And speaking of going, we need to or else you will be late to the ceremony. And you're going barefoot?"

"Yes, mom," I replied to her raised eyebrow and frown. "I am going barefoot. I currently carry the aspects of earth and water, along with love, my own aspect, and I feel much more at ease when I can touch the soil with my skin. Besides, this is going to be a binding ceremony performed by a very powerful witch and priestess, so the normal wedding rules don't apply."

"Yeah. You are probably right, but still..."

We both laughed again, and then made our way out of the house, holding hands as we walked towards the clearing. We had planned to start at around ten in the morning, so that the ceremony could be completed before noon, and the chill moisture from the morning dew that had not yet evaporated felt wonderful between my toes. Mom and I took the time to talk a little more about things, and remember good times with dad, but we knew we had to be careful so that crying wouldn't ruin our carefully done makeup.

Soon enough we were walking out of the trees and into a covered pavilion that Stuart had brought with him, and that the boys had erected that morning. It was at the opposite end of the clearing from the altar, so that we could all wait in the shade and have a seat before everyone arrived. As I moved into the small covered area my eyes fell on Kelli and my heart nearly stopped.

She had been adamant that I would not see her dress, and she would not look at mine, before we had arrived for the ceremony, and the beaming look of joy on her face as she felt my burst of love flow over our bond was worth that wait. Hers was a white halter style dress, also with minimal embroidery, and the shimmering cloth clung to her sides leaving her bare, almost to the top of where her beautiful ass joined to her back. The hemline was also much further up her thighs than mine was, but the whole thing was finished off by a sheer flowing skirt that almost hid her bare legs.

I saw that Kelli had also decided to go without shoes, and I was grateful because she would not be that much taller than I was. The most amazing thing about her, though, was her flowing red hair. It had been pulled to the left, and then was worked into an amazingly sexy one sided up-do which cascaded down her shoulder and rested in the middle of her chest.

"You look surprised, sweetie," she whispered to me, and brushed her lips ever so lightly over mine. "I take it you approve."

"Yes. Oh god yes! I most definitely approve," I breathed with my heart hammering like mad in my chest. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and I kind of want to get this thing over with so that I can take you somewhere and get that dress off of you."

"All in good time, my love," she giggled, and I could not help but join her. "But just so you know, I am thinking the same thing. But Cassandra is about to tell us it's time to start so..."

"Young ladies, if you could please take your places," Cassandra said to us, her voice as smooth as silk, and we all had a chuckle because of Kelli's prediction. "Millicent is ready to begin, and we shouldn't keep her waiting over long."

I gave Kelli one last kiss and let her go to take her place at the altar, and I took a look around at the others. Kass and Jess were both wearing more traditional sleeveless dresses, and their veils did not have the personal look that Kelli's and mine did, but both of them still looked incredible. Jess' long blonde hair was left mostly straight, but there were two artistic braids that ran from the sides of her head above her ears, until they joined and then allowed the combined weave to draw attention to her back. She had also braided a white satin ribbon in with the style, and the overall effect was stunning.

Like always, Kass' wavy brunette curls seemed to glow in the sunlight, and she had left it to hang naturally which always left her beautiful. Paul and his dad were dressed in classic black tuxedos, and the other moms had opted for comfort like mine had. Ali was the most striking, however, in her steampunk inspired dress. The skirt came to just above her mid-thigh, and was black, covered in ruffles and lace. But she had also added a brilliant white vest with brass buttons that glinted with reflected light. It was a shock, but it was also completely Ali.

Millicent was waiting at the altar when Ali, Paul, and Kelli finally took their places, and she looked as she always did, just like everyone's grandmother, even down to her trademark shawl. Even from this distance, however, I could feel some of her power as it radiated out to cover all of us. The smile on her face was genuine, but there was no doubt that she was in the role of the high priestess now, and once all of those who would observe were settled, she gave a nod to let us know it was time.

Jax was over by a small sound rig that Stuart had purchased for the occasion, and it was apparently connected to a pretty awesome solar collector so we didn't even have to bring a generator. He started up some music that the other girls had wanted to make their walks to the altar by, and even though I would have been fine with just the sounds of the world around us, I was glad that we could make the others happy.

Kass made her walk to where Paul was waiting for her, and she had asked their giant of a bass fiddle player, Mark, to give her away since she had no family left. The fact that she could be happy, even with all that had happened to her early in her life, gave me pause, and right then I realized that in a small way we were kindred spirits. Kass had discovered that life goes on, and made her peace with it, and so would I. Since it was only a short walk, she was soon holding hands with Paul, who had a completely smitten look on his face, and then she turned and faced back at the pavilion.

"Are you sure about this, Myka," Stuart asked me a final time before he would pass his daughter into Ali's responsibility. "I'm sure one of the other boys wouldn't mind, and I am also sure that your father is watching from wherever he is and would approve."

"You are probably right about dad, Stuart," I answered, and I managed to keep the hitch out of my voice. "But this is something I need to do alone, or really with Kita. That's what feels right."

"I understand, and I admire your strength for even being ready to marry today. I just thought I would ask."

"It's our turn daddy," Jess whispered and squeezed his hand for support.

"I know it's our turn honey, but I needed to make the offer to Myka. And to be honest with you, I'm really just being greedy and keeping a last few extra seconds with you as just my daughter."