The Magic of the Full Moon

Chapter 10

Amelia sat with her mother, her cousin Rose, and Jonah as they discussed the design ideas for the new studio spaces and art center. She loved how things were coming together as she and Jonah sat on the floor, using the coffee table as a desk to spread out the lists of ideas, rough sketches, and plans. Over half of the building would have glass walls and ceilings. Within that space, Amelia would have a studio walled in with glass and have curtains that could be closed for privacy if she chose. Rose and her mom would each have studios built in the other half of the building where they could have more privacy and isolation to allow them to focus. It was perfect until she had a thought.

"I hate to do this, but could we make it so there are empty studios for others to use later on? I know Aggie makes pottery from time to time. She might want to have a place there and do classes, too," Amelia said.

"That is an easy thing to fix. We can expand this half as much as we need. It is a relatively standard structure. All the floor-to-ceiling glass looks impressive, but the basic frame is nothing special," Jonah told Amelia with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I would like to suggest that each studio also has an exterior door. That way, if you only need to go to your studio, you don't have to go through the entire building. It would also help if the building ever needs to be evacuated. We can also do all the exterior walls in glass, like a storefront. We could potentially do all of the ceilings in glass, too. That would allow for natural light throughout the building."

"Yes! Let's do that," Amelia agreed. "Mom, would you call Aggie and see if she wants a studio or knows of anyone else who might?"

"I have already sent her a text," Olivia replied as her phone beeped. "Aggie says she would love a studio there to accommodate her pottery. Her two fey dragons like to knock things off tables like cats do."

"Can you ask her to send you a list of things she will need to have built into her studio and if she has a particular position where she would like it to be located?" Jonah asked.

Olivia quickly sent the message to Aggie. A flash of light filled the living room before she could even tell Jonah it had been sent. Aggie now stood beside them, wearing the brightest smile they had ever seen on her as she rubbed her hands together in front of her.

"Sorry, but I thought it would be easier if I were here instead of trying to send messages back and forth. I hope you don't mind," Aggie said as she pulled a footstool over to sit beside the coffee table.

"Of course, we don't mind," Olivia said. "There is coffee, tea, and cookies over on the side table if you're interested."

"Oh, thank you, but I am too excited for any of that. When did this idea come about? Have you been planning it very long?" Aggie asked as she waved her hand to gesture at all the drawings and notes for the art center on the coffee table.

"Amelia thought of it last night after the party," Rose told her.

Aggie, grinning at Amelia, "I always knew you were the smartest one in the family. You thought of something that allows you to do what you love and helps all of us. You are such a precious child. Bless you."

Amelia laughed, "You give me too much credit. To me, it just makes sense. We all do some form of art and often work together on projects. It will be easier to do if we are all in the same space. There won't be any more forgetting something important where we have to stop everything and go halfway across the territory to get what we didn't bring with us," Amelia explained. "Plus, I would really like to teach some classes, and right now, I don't have any place to do that. This way, I will. There will be enough space for all of us to have studios and a large area for groups and classes."

"I think it is perfect! However, I suggest my studio space be away from the others because I can sometimes be noisy. Especially if things don't fire right in the kiln and I smash them into a million pieces," Aggie said.

"Oh, that's no problem," Jonah told her. "We can add soundproofing during the design and construction to minimize all noise. I am going to design it to have studios for the four of you and several additional ones that are empty. That way, new artists can join the group later without needing major renovations that could interfere with your work."

"The soundproofing is perfect because there are times when I blast my music and get in the zone, which would drive everyone crazy," Rose giggled.

"So, this is my rough sketch to show my thoughts. Tell me what you like and don't like, along with a list of everything you want added to your personal studios," Jonah told them.

For the next hour, they discussed the specifics of what each needed. They also gave input about things that might help each other and what they needed in the glass common area where the classes would be taught. By the time they were finished, Jonah was ready to do the first renderings of the facility to present to Tyson.

"I think that is all I need for now," Johan said as he put everything in his messenger bag. "Rose, Aggie, I pass by both of your houses. Would you like me to walk you home?"

Rose nodded as Aggie answered as she hiked up her long skirt to show her bare feet, "Oh, that would be lovely, Jonah. Thank you. I need to feel the earth under my feet, and that would be perfect."

The trio quickly said their goodbyes to Amelia and Olivia and saw themselves out. Amelia dropped onto the sofa beside her mother and began to imagine how everything would look when the art center was completed. Her father had promised to fast-track everything to finish before she graduated from high school.

As she thought more, she began to feel guilty for using her parents to get what she wanted. It was a fantastic idea that would benefit everyone in Obsidian and beyond. Still, she couldn't help but feel like she should have found a way of doing it on her own instead of letting her father pay for the center.

"Lia, why do you feel so guilty? I can feel it oozing out of you," her mother asked as she turned to face her daughter.

"Nothing. It's dumb," Amelia told her mother.

"No, it isn't. You don't even have to tell me what is bothering you for me to know that if it bothers you, it is not dumb or silly. It's important, and if I can help you feel better, I will."

Amelia sighed, "I was so happy about the art center. Then I got in my own head. I feel like I am using you and Dad to get something and benefit, and I don't want that. Maybe that's why the thought of being the Alpha of Dark Moon was always so repulsive to me. It was going to be given to me because of who fathered me, not because I deserved or earned it."

"Amelia Jade," her mother said sternly, which was a rarity. "Your Dad and I are doing this because you have earned it. You deserve this. Anyone can do what I do with some practice and the right equipment. What you do is pure talent. You can pick up a pencil and a blank sheet of paper and turn it into art that can rival anything found in galleries worldwide. You want to teach others and help bring joy to everyone. Your idea of an art center will help so many people. Please don't feel guilty because we can help you by building the structure. Feel proud that you have the talent and drive to make us want to build it for you. We know you will put in the work needed for the center to succeed and for you to thrive. That is why we are doing it."

"You're my mother. You have to say things like that."

Olivia scoffed, "Oh no, I don't! There is nothing in the parenting handbook that says I have to tell my child that every idea they have is a good one. How many times have we crushed the dreams of all three of you?"

Amelia looked at her mother for a moment and shook her head, unable to think of anything.

"Well, then let me refresh your memory," her mom told her. "Remember when you wanted us to pay for you to take voice lessons so you could be a pop star? I love you with all my heart, but that was a big no because, honey, you can not carry a tune in a bucket."

Amelia laughed as she remembered going through that phase. Her mother had been correct in refusing. Now that she had her wolf, every time she sang, it was so bad that it made Lily howl in her head.

"And what about when Logan wanted to quit school last year so he could be a professional gamer? Nope. Sorry. Dropping out of high school to play video games is not an option. Considering he almost always loses, even against your dad, who is notoriously bad, it will likely never be an option."

Amelia began to laugh harder at that.

"Then there is your baby sister, Everly. Sweet, precious, manipulative, conniving, Everly. Do you remember when she went to your dad and asked him to buy her all kinds of toys so she could review them online? She did that because she knew I would not hesitate to say no. Your dad is a softy when it comes to his kids, so she almost got what she asked for. If I had not walked in and heard what was happening, I'm pretty sure he would have given her his credit card to order anything she wanted."

Amelia was wiping tears from her eyes as she laughed. Her mother always had a way of putting things in perspective. It was clear if they did not have faith in her idea and plans for the art center, they would not be helping her. Her mother had taken the guilt away and replaced it with joy once again.

"Oh, Mom. I love you," Amelia said as she hugged her mom, still giggling at the stories she was told. "I know you have editing that you need to do, but I am going to go raid the kitchen before my brothers and sisters get here from Nick's house. Care to join me in annoying Lucy and catching Blueberry in the act of his thievery?"

"I would love to! I could use some chocolate," Olivia said as she stood and pulled Amelia to her feet.

"Yes! Chocolate!"