Bad Moon Rising

A Reunion

When Mackenzie opened the door she was floored, literally. Her grandmother ran at her like a freight train bringing them both to the floor. Her grandmother was not a large woman by any means. Matter of fact, she was more on the svelte side so it was a shock to find that she was strong enough to knock them both on their asses. Needless to say they were a tangle of hair and limbs and the men had to help them up but Mackenzie's grandmother was crying and reaching for her. Mackenzie could do nothing but go to her and hold her. "As far as introductions go, it could have been worse. Nice to meet you Mackenzie, I am your grandfather, Giovanni Raymond. This crying mess would be your grandmother, Cecilia Raymond. We are so happy to see you again," her grandfather said with a laugh. Cecilia had finally calmed down and was able to reign her tears in but her eyes still had that watery look. "Let me grab some tissue. Why don't you guys have a seat?," Mackenzie said as she walked to her kitchen. She needed a bit of space to take it all in so the tissue and water gave her a little time to do just that. She grabbed what she needed and went back to sit with her family. 

As she sat down, she noticed her grandfather was watching her. His look was one of amazement. "You look exactly like your mother. You have grown up to be such a lovely, young lady. we have not seen you in so long," Giovanni said sadly. Cecilia took the tissue from Mackenzie and demurely wiped her eyes and nose. Both her grandparents had tears ready to fall but before they could Mackenzie asked, " How did you find me?" Her grandfather reached into the inside pocket of his suit and took out a letter. He handed it to Mackenzie and when she opened it, there was a picture inside of it. In the photo was the woman she had seen from her memories and what obviously had to be Mackenzie herself. She stared at the photo because now she knew the memories weren't fake. She opened the letter and began reading.

"Giovanni, I know you blame me for Micaela's death. Everyday, I blame myself as well but I promise that I did everything within my power to get her out of the fire. By the time I had the beam off of her, a stake of burnt wood had already pierced her chest. She could only beg me to get our little girl out. You were angry with me and you banished me from the coven which I understand completely. I had to leave Mackenzie somewhere safe where she would not be found. I left to find Micaela's murderers. I have been on a trail but it goes from hot to cold. I left my baby girl with strangers but it was a good place and it's called Great Heights Foster and Group Home. I'm sure by this time she has left there but it is a starting point. I will not return to the coven until I get my revenge. I lost my destined and my child in one foul act. I must repay them in kind. I love you both as though you were my own parents. I apologize for not being good enough."

The letter ended with just a name: Colin. Mackenzie had tears flowing freely from her face. She now knew her father had to be alive somewhere. Just the thought of him alone made the tears even more uncontrollable. Giovanni got up from dining table chair and joined her on the sofa. He wrapped her in his arms and didn't let her go until the tears finally subsided some 20 minutes later. The room was so quiet, that you could hear a pin drop. "I am so sorry. I have no clue what came over me," Mackenzie sniffled. Her grandfather continued to rub her back and Eli went and retrieved the box of tissue out of her bathroom. He handed her a few and stood against the sofa. She managed to clean herself up and was ready for a real discussion. Cecilia spoke and said, "Mackenzie, we know you have built a life here and we do not want to interrupt anything. We are your family and would love for you to come live with us at our coven."  Mackenzie had to take it all in and she really had no clue what to do. Everything was happening so fast and she just wasn't sure how she should proceed. "May I please have some time to think about all of this? Moving would be a big move. This is a lot of change at once," Mackenzie pleaded. Her grandfather and grandmother both hugged her close. She could feel nothing but love from them and it was something she knew she had been missing. 

"What should I call you guys? I mean you are my grandparents but you are also royalty according to Eli so I would never want to disrespect you," Mackenzie inquired. Giovanni smiled a genuine smile and it was blinding and beautiful even with the hint of fang. He said, "you probably don't remember, but you would call me Nonno, which is Italian for grandfather and you called your grandmother, Nonna." Mackenzie said the terms of endearment in her mind a few times and then out loud just to get used to the feel of the words. She decided that she liked those titles for her grandparents and would keep them. The four of them together hung out in her small apartment until just before the sun came up. They all promised to see each other soon and Mackenzie promised to make a decision about moving to the coven. Things were all in all coming together like a puzzle and the only missing piece was her father. She knew that finding him would be both of their salvation.