Tonight, is very important, just as we did when you were babies we now do with your babies," Lionel said.
"It's been done long before our family was enslaved," Shawna replied.
They watched as Shawna poured a circle of salt all the while mumbling an incantation.
"Now place the babies inside the circle," Lionel ordered.
Standing in a circle formation outside the salt circle Lionel began to chant and the others followed behind them.
The children of different age groups barely made a sound but they too could feel the power swirling around them.
A phantom wind and a glowing sphere grew around the salt circle as the chanting continued.
Once it was over. They gathered the children heading for home.
"What exactly, does this ritual do? "Cherice asked.
"It's a ritual that taps into their powers and will help them find their soul mate," Lionel replied.
"But not only that it will help them to learn who they are," Shawna said.
"Mae Hellerman was my grandmother she was a slave that taught my mother everything she knew preparing her.
"My mother was visited by the God Orunmila he is the African god of visions so to speak.
"My Mama was chosen the moment she was born to be the mother of the child who would be destined to have descendants who would-be guardians of the light side witches because of their African demigod status," Lionel replied.
"When they are grown the world will face a drastic change," Shawna said.
"For now we just keep doing as we are," Lionel replied.
"Your father is right, we have to set things in motion for them when they grow up," Shawna said.
"Now come on, we don't want them getting sick," Lionel replied.
Lionel Shawna Cyrus and Cherice walked into the Thornton house Cyrus and Cherice putting their kids to bed.
"Goodnight Mama and Daddy," Cyrus said.
"Goodnight son. "Lionel and Shawna replied.
As the Thornton went to bed that night they were unaware of the soft glow surrounding the babies almost like a force field but not.
The next morning dawned Shawna and Cherice prepared breakfast while Cyrus feeds the children.
"So what's the plan for the day? "Cyrus asked.
"Well Cherice and I will be harvesting the garden and your daddy has some meetings to attend," Shawna replied.
"I've got quite a few errands to run so ill be gone most of the day except to bring back the things you asked me to get at the hardware store," Cyrus said.
Soon the two women and children were all that was left in the house.
The children were placed in a playpen that was sat in the shade while the woman worked.
"Mama are we doing enough for them? "Cherice asked.
"Baby, we are doing what we can. Mama Mae did what she could to protect her babies Lionel and I did the same and we are doing it for all of yours. "Shawna said.
"I know mama, "Cherice replied.
They continued their work under the Louisiana sun and the song of birds flying overhead with the shuttle gurgling of the babies in their pen.
Before they knew it Cyrus returned with the supplies from the hardware store.
Once that was done he kissed his mother wife and babies on the cheeks and set off to get the other things he would need.
They watched as he pulled out of the driveway heading to his next errand.
They continued their work in silence for what seemed like hours.
"So Mama what else was the ritual for? "Cherice asked.
"It's been a tradition in the Thornton family since Grandma Mae's time. You see part of the Thornton family power is to see what trials we and those of our family will face the difference being you and I married into the Thornton family and in doing so if we didn't have powers we would have gained them by binding ourselves to our husbands. "Shawna said.
"Cyrus and I felt the power of our babies the moment they came into the world, "Cherice replied.
"Yes, that's natural it was the same for me the moment Cyrus Ruby and Lettie were born," Shawna said.
"Wouldn't that mean Ruby and Lettie could see what would become of their kids? As"Cherice asked.
"Yes but if they are blind to it they won't see it," Shawna said.
"Then Mama, the answer is simple we don't leave them in that environment we provide a home for them here we all know this house will be theirs one day," Cyrus replied.
"Cyrus Thornton, I didn't raise you to but into my conversations. "Shawna scolded.
"Now Shawna, leave him alone you didn't say it was a private conversation besides he's right," Lionel replied.
"Hush I wasn't talking to either of you so go on about your business," Shawna said.
"Come on son let's get to putting that frame together before your mama starts fussing," Lionel replied.
Father and son went about their work of putting together the posts.
Meanwhile, Shawna and Cherice took the babies inside the house.
"All you kids are going to make big differences in our town and for our family," Shawna said as she placed her granddaughter in the playpen.
Two hours later Lionel and Cyrus came into the house taking things to the basement they went to wash their hands and then joined the ladies as they were continuing their work.
Hours past and Cyrus wanted to make his parents understand what he was trying to say.
"Mama Daddy I know you're worried about Lafayette Rashawn Sasha and Tara I know you're worried more so for Lettie's babies but let me say this the moment I see any kind of abuse on those children I'm moving them in here and have Lettie put in a hospital," Cyrus said.
"We know you will do what you feel is best for them all," Shawna replied.
"We wouldn't expect less son there is no way we want Lettie's children abandoned to a fate of abuse," Lionel said.
"No, we wouldn't that is something we know for certain son," Shawna replied.
"I'm just making sure you know that," Cyrus said.
Cyrus went to bed that night glad he spoke to his parents he already knew what he would do for his family he loved his sisters and didn't like what the future held for them.
The next morning the family gathered for breakfast, as usual, getting ready for their day.
"Good morning." Shawna greets.
"Good morning." Cyrus and Cherice reply.
"They seemed to have slept pretty well," Lionel said.
"Yes, hardly a peep at all last night," Cherice replied.
"That's good I remember we couldn't wait for ours to sleep through the night," Lionel said.
"Were we that much trouble dad?" Cyrus asked.
"Not trouble son. When we had Ruby she would just babble to her toys in the crib at night then when Lettie came along she would not sleep she would just stare out the window at the moon and reach her little hand up like she was trying to grab it.
"Then when you came along you would have these laughing fits we couldn't figure out what had you laughing but we just figured you were a happy baby," Lionel said.
"Oh, I can understand that," Cyrus replied.
"I believe these two will give you plenty of good memories," Shawna said.
"Yeah, I think so too dad," Cyrus replied.
They sat down to a wonderful breakfast.
When it was over Cherice loaded the dishwasher while Shawna and Cyrus took the babies and cleaned them up and Lionel got ready to take care of the morning errands.
After a while, Cyrus and Shawna came back down with the babies placing them in their playpen.
Cherice finished in the kitchen and Cyrus went about his work for the day.
And Shawna went about her business doing things around the house.
The Louisiana heat could be a desert sometimes today was no different which was why Cherice turned on the sprinklers to water their lawn and garden in their backyard.
Then she went to the kitchen to make mint julep ice tea perfect for those blazing hot Louisiana summers.
Cherice quickly put the pitcher in the fridge wiped off the counters and then went to check on the babies.
She stood watching them play with their toys and appear to be having a conversation quick as a flash she got the video camera out of the closet and set it up to record the babies.
They were playing and cooing and suddenly their toys began to slowly float and spin them.
"Mama come quick!" Cherice shouted.
"What's the matter, Cherice?" Shawna asked.
"They just started floating and spinning," Cherice said.
"They are strong. and very focused it seems." Shawna replied.
"I wasn't expecting that though," Cherice said.
"It's not uncommon for this to happen the ritual we did will only make them stronger," Shawna replied.
"Really did Cyrus Lettie and Ruby do this Cherice asked.
"Yes, they used to do that quite often though never out where someone might see," Shawna said.
"What else will I have to look forward to?" Cherice asked.
"Well, when it comes to having magical children the challenges are a lot more difficult," Shawna said.
"How so?" Cherice asked.
"Well if we put one of their toys away they would have it again the next time we checked on them or if one was playing with a toy the other wanted they would use their abilities to take it," Shawna said.
"How did you and dad handle it?" Cherice asked.
"Like I said it proved to be a challenge but when they were old enough to understand right from wrong we explained things to them ultimately teaching them what was okay and what wasn't," Shawna said.
"I hope Cyrus and I can do that," Cherice said.
"You and Cyrus are doing just fine as it is these babies will grow up fine," Shawna replied.
"Thank you, Mama," Cherice said.
"You're welcome dear," Shawna said.
They went about finishing what they had to do for the day and before they knew it another hot day drew to a close the babies were fed and down for the night and the adults were busy getting ready for bed.
Watching the babies as they used their powers was exciting for the family especially Lionel and Cyrus.
As the next morning's sun shone on the house they woke up to start their day.
The house smelled of breakfast cooking and the sounds of cheerful babies cooing and laughing.
Cherice sat between the babies watching as they got food all over themselves.
The family ate breakfast Lionel and Cyrus left for their jobs and Shawna and Cherice went about their day taking care of the babies.
Shawna and Cherice enjoyed being home taking care of the babies but she also worked as a receptionist for the vet clinic Cyrus opened up after he and Cherice graduated vet school.
But she also treated patients on his days off.
They continued to prepare for days ahead making things ready for when the babies grew older.
Lionel, of course, did his part to stabilize the family he decided to make a business out of holistic medicine as well as protections for the home or person in particular.
Lionel sat in his office looking at the inventory sheets when a knock got his attention.
"Hey, Dad." Ulysses greeted.
"Hey, son how are Ruby and Lafayette doing?" Lionel asked.
"They are fine dad," Daniel replied.
"That's good to hear you should come and visit more the twins showed signs of magic it would be good to see if Lafayette will show signs," Lionel said.
"We'll come over later today dad," Daniel replied.
Seven hours go by Lionel and Cyrus return home followed by Daniel Ruby Jean and baby Lafayette.
Shawna and Cherice were in the kitchen organizing their ingredients for their remedies as well as cooking.
"Hey, Mama Daniel greeted.
"Well hello, son it's good to see you and Lafayette too, "Shawna replied.
Shawna took Lafayette and placed him in the playpen with the twins.
"Have talked to Lettie since the night of the Ritual?" Cherice asked.
"Yeah, actually she brought the kids over to have a playdate with Lafayette a couple of days ago," Ruby replied.
"How was she?" Shawna asked.
"She seemed fine," Ruby replied.
"What about the kids?" Shawna asked.
"They seemed fine they had fun playing with Lafayette," Ruby replied.
"Really has their magic started up?" Lionel asked.
"Yes it has a few days ago we put Lafayette to bed without his favorite toy he started crying so we go to get the toy but stop in our tracks when we see it floating up the stairs down the hall to his room the door opened and the toy floated inside and ended up next to Lafayette we were stunned, to say the least," Ruby replied.
"That's really impressive," Lionel said holding Lafayette in his arms.
Baby Lafayette looking at Lionel smiling as if he understood what his grandfather had said.
Lionel set him down next to the twins and watched as they played.
They sat in the living room talking until dinner while the ladies worked in the kitchen the men watched the babies.
Dinner turned into a celebration for the family knowing that the babies were powerful it would be interesting to see how powerful they would be when they grew up.
Though they wondered about Lettie and her babies as well.
But their absence though felt deeply they put it aside for the sake of the babies playing there with them.
"Something is very fishy about Lettie," Cherice said.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.
"You remember when we were first married the three of us sat out there on that porch talking about raising our kids together having playdates and all those things then bam we all have kids, in the beginning, we would all be here with the kids then Lettie started to sporadically come over here.
"I know Joe has to be the reason for it," Cherice said.
"I think you're right the other day at my house she was anxious ridden she claimed she was up with Rashawn he had a sudden fear. But I think it was more to it than that." Ruby replied.
"Yeah, and his name is Joe Thornton," Cherice said.
"She won't be able to keep a lid on this we all know that," Ruby replied.
"Nope but we will help her pick up the pieces," Cherice said.
"Come on you two come look at this!" Cyrus shouted.
"Were coming, honey," Cherice replied.
Cherice and Ruby walk back into the room. "Okay, what did we miss?" Ruby asked.
"Look," Cyrus replied as he pointed at the kids.
The babies giggled as the toys that sat around them floated around them causing them to giggle uncontrollably.
"It seems the ritual worked to a certain degree," Cherice said.
"Yes the other part did as well but we won't know about that until they have grown," Lionel replied.
"I think we should visit Lettie tomorrow something isn't right with her and we need to see if the baby's powers started up," Cyrus said.
The next day Ruby Daniel Cyrus and Cherice pull up outside of Joe and Lettie's house.
Joe's car was gone but Lettie was home they could see her hanging up the wash in the backyard.
"Hey, Lettie how you been? "Cyrus asked.
"Hey, Cy I'm doing good." Lettie greets.
"Were good Lettie we came to see about you and the babies. Our kid's powers have shown we were wondering if yours has yet?" Cyrus asked.
"Oh yes, they have been really testing them out," Lettie said.
"Really what did they do?" Cherice asked.
"Well toys that they couldn't find suddenly end up right in front of them Joe was upset last night he misplaced his keys and they turned up where he usually left them this morning," Lettie said.
"Interesting you should bring them by the house Mama and Daddy would love to see them," Cyrus replied.
"Yeah, ill figure something out," Lettie said.
"Lettie you know you are not powerless if Joe gives you trouble you have the power to protect yourself or you just call Daniel and me and we will gladly handle him," Cyrus replied.
"I know Cyrus but he doesn't know that about us," Lettie said.
"I don't see how that's a problem, Lettie you've been holding yourself in check with him we hardly see you or the kids and that's not right," Cyrus replied.
"You make it sound so easy," Lettie said.
"It is easy you don't let him hurt you or the kids because Daniel and I will show him who he is messing with if he does it again," Cyrus replied.
"I know Cy but it's more complicated than that," Lettie said.
"It's only as complicated as you allow it to be," Ruby replied.
"What are you saying this is my fault?" Lettie asked.
"I'm saying you have options all you have to do is take advantage of them," Ruby replied.
"I hear you," Lettie said.
The group went inside to see the babies just as they walked in the door they heard hysterical giggling and baby chattering as toys moved by themselves.
"Yes just like the others they are strong and will only grow stronger," Cyrus replied.
"Really what did they do?" Lettie asked.
"Levitating their toys not unlike what just happened here," Cherice replied.
"It's incredible that they are that focused and have such control over their powers being as young as they are," Lettie said.
"You would be right granddaughter if the babies were just regular witches and warlocks however because of them being gods and goddesses it boosts their abilities," Orunmila replied.
"Granddaddy what do you mean?" Lettie asked.
"Lettie I mean witches and Warlocks magic is controlled by the person's emotions," Orunmila said.