Elise breathed in the musky scent of Finnegan's neck. He was sweaty, but he was holding her so close and tight that she was starting to feel uncomfortable. She pushed away from him and would have tumbled into the floor off of his lap if he didn't catch her. Elise had her arms around Finnegan's shoulders, holding onto him. She looked into his tearful eyes, and she wanted to comfort him, but she suddenly also became aware that they were not alone. She looked around the room and saw three other people she didn't recognize standing around them and Finn's parents. She scooted herself onto the floor, off of Finnegan's lap, and blushed. Finnegan stood up and wiped at his eyes, then he helped Elise to her feet so he could guide her to a more comfortable seat at the couch. No one said anything. They all held their breath while they waited for Elise to react or ask questions.
Elise sat down and was handed a glass of water that an unfamiliar woman held out for her. She thanked her and drank the entire glass. Finnegan was sitting next to her, wanting to hold her, but waiting for her to reach for him. When Elise had finished drinking the water, she set the glass down on the coffee table and looked around again. The adults had walked over to the sitting area, but nervously stood rather than taking a seat.
Finnegan's mom decided to finally break the silence. "Hello, dear. How do you feel? You had us worried. Can you remember anything?"
Elise looked at her. "Um, hi. I feel groggy, I guess." Elise rubbed at her face with both hands, but then suddenly remembering she had put eyeliner on and she was smudging it, she stopped and said, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
"Certainly, of course. Go right ahead," Finn's mom said to her. Elise left the room and everyone else shrugged at each other. Finn's parents went about clearing things off the coffee table from their refreshments, while Celeste helped Dave and Desmond move the furniture back in place. Finn took the Book of Shadows to his room. When Elise came back into the living room, Finn's parents were picking up the candles and the sheet from the floor and almost no evidence remained of the ritual they had performed. Elise saw the light filtering in through the sliding doors. She jerked her head to the clock on the wall. It was almost 9 o'clock in the morning!
"Oh my gosh!" Elise exclaimed, and she began searching for her things. "My mom is gonna kill me! I need to check my phone, and..." Finn's mom laid a calming hand on her shoulder.
"It's alright dear, I called her last night. There was a storm and there was no way you could have driven home in it last night. I told her you were here and you were safe. She may be waiting to hear from you now though. Why don't you call her?"
Elise relaxed. She couldn't remember much from last night, but she definitely needed to check in with her mom. The rain had stopped, and the sun was shining. Only a few clouds remained in the sky, but everything was soaked that Elise could see when she stepped out on the porch to phone her mom. While she was out there, the others seated themselves on the couch and chair, while Finn's mom went to make more coffee. Finnegan pulled the desk chair from the computer over to the sitting area and sat keeping a peripheral eye on Elise through the glass doors.
Dave leaned in and whispered to the others, "What should we do now?" Owen held his hand in a staying motion, "We should see what she remembers. It's too much at once. Besides, she'll have to go home soon, and we won't have time to explain anything." Minerva and Celeste added, "She should know, though." Desmond said, "Owen is right though. We will tell her, but we need to know what she knows first. Let's give it a day or two. Finn, you'll have to keep a closer eye on her until Celeste and your mom finish the amulet. Finn nodded.
Elise came back in. "My mom says I need to come back home soon. Thank you for calling her last night. I can't really remember anything. I know I went out to the shed to surprise Finn, but I don't really know what happened after that. I'm sorry, I'm so tired."
Finn went to her side and placed a protective arm around her. "I'm just glad you're okay. We've been up all night. There was an accident last night, but you look better now." Finn told her. They were all too hesitant to tell her what really happened, especially if she didn't have time to ask all of her questions. The others smiled at her and Celeste said, "Yes, dearie, you look much better now. I'm Celeste, by the way. This here is Dave, and that brooding old man is Desmond. It's nice to meet you. Perhaps we'll have a chance to get better acquainted another time. We're all good friends of Minerva and Owen."
"Minerva and Owen?" Elise looked at Finnegan, confused"
"Those are my parents names," he explained.
"Ah, I guess I never thought to ask." She said sheepishly.
"That's alright, dear. Finnegan will see you out, but after you've rested, we'll be happy to answer any questions you might have." Finnegan's mom held her backpack purse and coat out to her.
"Ok, thanks," she replied. Finnegan guided her out to her car. When they got to it, Finn opened her door for her. Elise tossed her coat and purse and phone in the passenger's seat after pulling out her keys. It was starting to warm up outside.
"Hey, Finn?" She was still confused, but she didn't really know what to ask.
"Yes, Mo Cuishle?" he answered.
"What's going on? Why can't I remember anything? What happened last night?" She couldn't stop once the first question left her lips. Her brain was waking up a little and she realized she needed answers.
"I'm sorry, there isn't enough time to explain everything if you have to be home soon. Please, just rest, and I'll text you later tonight. I promise." He pleaded with his eyes for her to accept that for now. He wanted to be open with her, but he just couldn't stress her out about it right now. Besides, he needed more time to process and come up with the best way to explain.
"Ok, fine. At least today is Sunday. I'll try to call you if I'm not still asleep. I need a nap. But, were you at least surprised about my driver's license?"
Finnegan could have cried again. He laughed, "Haha! Of course. That's great news. I am going to miss driving you home, though. Be careful, Mo Cuishle." He pulled both of her hands to his lips and kissed her fingertips.
She smiled at him. "Ok, and I will. Bye, Mo Cuishle." She got into her car, and Finn waited for her to drive out of sight before he went back in.
Dave and Desmond were getting ready to leave, but they stood around discussing their concerns. Finn's dad stood between them, his head turning left then right as if he was watching a tennis match. Finn only caught part of their conversation.
"...if she transforms again before she has the amulet? Or before we explain?"
"We have to just trust in the God and Goddess to protect her. We can't do anything more right now."
"This has never happened before. We don't know what else will change with her now that she has a snake form. And what if she gets sick? She can't go to a hospital to be treated. No one else will understand."
"I'll call some of my friends from Arizona. Just try to calm down."
Finnegan went into the kitchen where his mom was with Celeste, washing the dishes.
"Mom..." he started to say. She turned, and when she saw him, she turned off the water and dried her hands on a towel hanging by the sink. She went to him and hugged her son.
"Oh, my son. I am both proud of you and worried for you. You and Elise are connected forever now. This is so much more than anyone could have ever expected." He held him and kissed the top of his head, burying her nose in his hair.
"I'm tired too. I think I'll go to bed now." he said into her shoulder.
"Of course, you must be so drained. I'll bring you something to eat later. Go rest." She let him go and he went off to his room.
Dave came into the kitchen and told Celeste it was time to go. Desmond followed shortly after them. Finn's parents went to their room as well. It had been a long night, and there was nothing they could do until they all had some rest. As they stripped down to their underwear and climbed into bed, Minerva told her husband, "I need to wake up by 4:30. Celeste and I are going to get together and plan the charm for the amulet. We may not have it ready by tomorrow, but we don't want to wait to long."
"Alright, Love. I'll set you an alarm." He leaned over and kissed her before laying his head against the pillow.