CHAPTER 16
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
Ian rolled over, “I still don’t know why we have to do this on my birthday,” he pouted as he handed Jo back her cell phone.
“Because the rehearsal dinner follows the rehearsal and seeing as the rehearsal is tonight, so is the dinner, that is why it’s called the rehearsal dinner,” Jo repeated for what felt like the tenth time. “I thought you didn’t like celebrating your birthday anyway.”
“I don’t usually but this year I have you to celebrate with,” Ian said, as he snuggled closer to Jo and nipped at her neck playfully.
Jo knew the real reason that Ian did not like celebrating his birthday was because his mother had died giving birth to him, and so in his eyes the day had no cause for celebration. She had wanted to plan a party for him without pushing him into it and the rehearsal dinner seemed a good way around the situation. Jo knew that no matter how much Ian had denied it, he was upset with Marcus and Isabella for planning any celebrations, even a rehearsal dinner, on this day.
“We can have our own private celebration if it makes you happy,” Jo said.
“That would make me very happy,” Ian purred in her ear.
Jo leaned over the side of the bed to grab her purse. She opened it, took out a small box and handed it to Ian.
“I told you not to get me anything,” Ian said, fumbling with the box, clearly unaccustomed to receiving gifts.
“Just open it,” Jo said.
Ian opened the box and glared inside.
“Do you like it?” Jo asked nervously. She did not know how Ian would react to being given a gift. Marcus had advised her against it, but she wanted to do something to make this day as special for Ian as she could.
Ian took the gold band out of the box and held it up. “I love it,” he said with a look of utter surprise on his face.
“Read it,” Jo said, indicating the inscription engraved inside.”
Ian looked closely at the band and then turned to face Jo. “Forever,” he said, with slightly misted eyes.
“I know we already have bands but I wanted to get you one from me that wasn’t made with magic.”
Ian slid the band onto the ring finger of his right hand, “I’ll never take it off,” he said, leaning in and kissing Jo whole-heartedly.
Jo looked seriously at Ian, “I love you so much, please never forget that.”
“That is the one thing that I will never forget. I don’t think you realize the difference you’ve made in my life; I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you so much.”
Jo smiled sweetly at him and placed a hand on his cheek, “Happy birthday Ian.”
They spent the next hour intertwined in such a fit of passion that they had fallen back to sleep and were awaken by a thunderous banging on the bedroom door, and the sound if Isabella’s frantic voice.
“Will you two get up already? I am going to give you twenty minutes and if you’re not downstairs I’m coming in to get you, and I don’t care if you’re naked Ian!”
Jo stretched her arms and yawned, “I don’t think she’s joking.”
“No she’s not,” Ian groaned.
Ian and Jo walked into the kitchen both showered and refreshed. Ian poured Jo a cup of coffee and himself a glass of juice before Isabella had a chance to get into a steady tirade of scolding.
“Do you two have any idea how much we need to get done today?”
Ian held up a finger to silence Isabella and she stopped short. He downed his cup of juice and refilled his glass, “Okay, go,” he said pointing his finger at her to indicate that she could resume her ranting.
This act of defiance seemed to fuel Isabella’s fury all the more, “Ian do you think this is a joke? You still have to go with your brother and my father to pick up the tuxes and the centerpieces, Jo and I have to pick up the dresses and take them to her house and then we have to stop at the florist, and may I remind you that the two of you have volunteered to make dinner for tonight!” Isabella swayed slightly, it seemed that the absence of breath between words combined with the stress of the day, left her unbalanced.
Jo walked over to Isabella and handed her a cup of coffee, “It will all get done even if I have to do it myself.”
Ian rolled his eyes, “That’s all she needs is more coffee, it looks like she’s had ten cups already.”
Jo gave Ian a reproachful look just as Marcus came in the front door accompanied by a short slender man with a substantial mustache.
“Daddy!” Isabella squealed, as she ran to embrace her father.
Marcus introduced his soon to be father-in-law, Dominic, to Ian and Jo. He was a handsome man apart from his lack of height; he had a full head of dark hair and eyes to match, and except for the mustache, it was apparent that Isabella got her looks from him.
Jo took a minute to remind Ian to be on his best behavior before he left with Marcus and Dominic, and once the three of them had left, Isabella seemed to simmer down slightly. She threw herself onto the couch and took a few deep breaths.
“Don’t worry, everything is going to be perfect,” Jo said, taking a seat next to her.
“I hope so, it’s all so overwhelming,” Isabella admitted.
“But it will be worth it in the end, don’t you think?”
Isabella smiled at Jo’s question. Apart from the obvious stress of planning a wedding Isabella couldn’t wait to be Marcus’s wife. Most of the planning had gone as smoothly as could be expected with almost all of the conflicts being between Isabella and her family. The particulars of the wedding did not matter much to Marcus, as long as Isabella was happy, and having no other family except for Ian, who really did not care one way or the other, there was nobody from the Marcellus family to raise any objections.
The wedding was being held at a large Catholic church, which also contained an elaborate hall especially for such occasions; this was one aspect of the wedding where Isabella’s parents were not flexible. Ian and Marcus would of course be dressing at home and Isabella and Jo would be dressing at Jo’s house. This caused a considerable argument between Isabella and her mother, who was insulted that her first born daughter would not be preparing for her wedding at home. Isabella on the other hand did not think she could take being primped and fluffed by so many people on the one morning that her nerves were sure to be severely stressed. So the compromise was that Isabella would get ready at Jo’s and then the two of them would go to Isabella’s house for pictures and leave to the church from there.
Isabella turned to Jo, “Thank you.”
“For what?” Jo asked.
“If it wasn’t for you I would have completely fallen apart by now.”
“No you wouldn’t have. You have a great family, they love you and they just want you to be happy.”
“Yes that’s true, but throughout all of this planning you are the only one, with the exception of Marcus, that has bothered to ask me what I want.”
“I’m the Maid of Honor, that’s my job.”
Isabella let out a soft laugh, “Well thank you for doing your job so well.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’m looking forward to having you as my new sister.”
“Yeah, but I bet Ian’s not.”
“Of course he is, he just doesn’t know how to show it. He knows you make his brother happy, and that makes him happy. Don’t let him fool you. We’re all family now we need to take care of each other.”
Isabella leaned her head on Jo’s shoulder, “I love you Jo, and I’m happy you’re the one Ian chose.”
“I love you too Isabella.”
Although the rest of the day went by quickly, Jo missed Ian so terribly and by midday she started to feel extremely uneasy. She had the strangest feeling that someone was watching her and she had become so jumpy that Isabella had to remind her that she was not the one getting married. There was a fleeting minute, while they were in the flower shop and Isabella was busy talking to the florist, when Jo could have sworn th
at she saw Mia looking in through the window but when she walked outside to confront her, there was nobody there. The strange feeling stuck with Jo for the remainder of their errand running and when they finally returned to the house Jo dropped her purse at the front door and ran into Ian’s arms with the same amount of enthusiasm as he returned her embrace with.
“You would think you haven’t seen each other for months,” Marcus said, as he began to unpack the groceries that he and Ian had picked up.
“That’s what it feels like,” Ian said tightening his hold on Jo.
“Oh for heaven’s sake will you two get a grip on yourselves,” Isabella said, “you’ve only been apart a few hours, and I don’t think I need to remind you that you have to cook dinner for all of our guests, who will be arriving in,” Isabella stopped and looked at her watch, “three hours! Oh my God I have to go get ready. Marcus we have to be at the church in two hours!” She looked at Jo and Ian with wide eyes, “Are you sure you are going to have enough time to cook dinner and be ready for the rehearsal?”
Jo reluctantly pulled away from Ian and made her way over to Isabella; she placed her hands on Isabella’s shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. “I don’t think that I need to remind you that you’re very soon to be sister-in-law is a witch and a very talented one at that, so please just go and get ready, because other than that you have absolutely nothing else to worry about.”
Isabella gave Jo a relieved smile and looked to Marcus, “Are you coming?”
“I’ll be right behind you, you go ahead.”
As Isabella left the room, Marcus leaned close to Jo and whispered as quietly as he could, “You will have everything ready right? You weren’t just trying to calm her down? You have everything under control don’t you?”
“Marcus I can hear you!” Isabella shouted from the stairs.
Marcus gave Jo a pleading look.
“Both of you need to have a little more faith in me,” Jo said, “I said everything will be ready and it will be. The only thing I don’t have any control over, is getting the two of you ready so please just go upstairs and stop worrying.”
Ian rolled his eyes and headed into the kitchen to finish taking out the groceries and look over the list to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.
Marcus turned to Jo, “Thank you so much.” Jo let out a laugh as he unexpectedly picked her up off of her feet and swung her around in an exuberant hug. “I love you Jo and if I wasn’t already marrying Isabella I’d steal you away from my brother.”
“I can still hear you!” Isabella shouted from upstairs.
Marcus set Jo back on her feet and skipped away like a little boy on his way to the candy store.
“One at a time in the shower,” Ian called to Marcus, “I’ll be listening to make sure you keep your vow of celibacy.”
Jo stood behind Ian and tightly wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his back, “Have I told you how much I love you?” She whispered as she took in his scent.
Ian turned to face her, “You may have mentioned it,” he said, thumbing at the band on his left hand, which had become such a habit that he did it absentmindedly.
Jo smiled and stared into his beautiful icy eyes, “I missed you.”
Ian kissed her in response. He ran his hands down her sides then pulled her close to him. He felt her warm breath on him, which drove him mad, and he slid his hands up under her top.
“You’re not the only one listening!” Isabella’s voice rang from upstairs.
Ian closed his eyes in exasperation, “We should definitely spend the night at your house,” he said, as he pushed a strand of hair from Jo’s face.
“Our house,” Jo corrected, “and you can’t because Isabella’s sleeping over tonight, remember?”
“That’s just great!” Ian pouted as he returned his attention to the groceries spread out on the counter.
“It’s just one night,” Jo said rubbing his back and looking over the food he had purchased. “I didn’t write strawberries and chocolate on the list.”
“I forgot we weren’t spending the night together,” Ian said sulkily, “you said we could have private celebration.”
“I thought we already did,” Jo smiled.
Once again a booming voice sounded from upstairs, “I don’t hear any cooking going on down there!”
Ian began slamming pots and pans onto the stove mostly out of anger, but partly to make sure Isabella had no further reason to scold them. Jo did not speak but made sure to touch Ian whenever the opportunity arose to let him know that she was there with him, and to reassure him that they had a lifetime of nights together. She wanted to be subtle with her movements so she did little things like patting his back as she walked passed him or rubbing her arm against his as they both stood chopping meat and vegetables. She leaned close to him on the pretense of rinsing her hands as he washed lettuce and with every touch she could feel his anger diminishing.
When a last everything was prepared and simmering on the stove, Jo leaned across Ian to pick up a dishcloth and was startled to feel him clamp a hand over her mouth. She looked up at him wide eyed as he placed a finger over his lips to indicate that she shouldn’t speak. He seemed to be listening for something and then looking satisfied he lowered his hand and motioned for her to follow him.
Jo knew that if Isabella didn’t hear the clinking of pots and pans she would get suspicious, so she raised her hands over the stove until all of the spoons were stirring the pots of their own accord. Ian smiled at Jo proudly and then scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. She had to stifle her scream as he tossed her onto the couch and pounced on top of her.
“Did you think rubbing up against me every chance you got was going to make things any better?” He whispered so quietly and so softly in her ear that chills ran down the length of her body and every hair on her arms stood on end.
Jo motioned to the stairs to indicate that Marcus and Isabella would be down at any minute. Ian smiled widely at this gesture almost to the point of laughing, which told Jo unmistakably that Marcus had about as much self-control as his brother did.
When Marcus and Isabella finally made it downstairs they both looked positively stunning. Marcus was extremely well groomed, he was clean-shaven and his hair, which usually had a purposefully messy look, was smooth and stylish. He wore black pants and a black shirt that made his emerald eyes stand out incredibly. The tie that he wore matched his eyes perfectly as did the sleek dress that Isabella wore. She looked equally striking in her long dress, which apart from the color, reminded Jo of the dress Mia had worn when she had seen her at Stephanie’s funeral. Isabella rarely wore her hair up, seeing her now with her hair swept up off of her face was breath taking, and Jo wondered why she didn’t wear her hair up more often.
“Wow you two look amazing,” Jo said covering the final pot.
“Thank you Jo,” Isabella said looking Ian and Jo up and down, “I hope you two are not coming dressed like that.”
Ian was staring at Isabella like he had never seen her before.
“I never thought I would see the day when Ian Marcellus would be at a loss for words,” Isabella teased.
Jo nudged Ian and he snapped back to attention, “I have to say, you really do look great,” he admitted, “both of you.”
“Thanks Ian, that’s a real compliment coming from you,” Marcus said, half smiling as if he was waiting for something, maybe an insult or snide remark, but none came.
Ian just smiled at the two of them before taking Jo’s hand and leading her to the stairs.
“We have to leave soon, so there’s no time for…well you know, so hurry up,” Isabella called after them.
Ian stopped and turned in the direction of Isabella’s voice, “Lucky for you we had some time while we were cooking, but I guess you wouldn’t know that, seeing as you were so busy getting ready.”
“That’s disgusting! My parents are eating that food!” Isabell
a called back to him.
“I told you he would hear us,” Marcus whispered.
By the time Jo and Ian were finished they looked just as stunning and Marcus and Isabella. Ian, at Isabella’s insistence, dressed the same as Marcus with black pants and a black shirt, the only difference was that Ian opted for a black tie instead of emerald, and Jo did not miss the meaning behind this choice. She herself also dressed in black, not only had she wanted to make sure that all attention was on Isabella but she wanted to impart her loyalty to Ian in some way; although she knew that the evening was about Marcus and Isabella it was after all Ian’s birthday and the day that he and Marcus had lost their mother, a fact that had haunted Ian for over a century.
Ian smiled broadly when he saw Jo, “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“You may have mentioned it,” Jo said, stifling a laugh. Her smile faltered almost instantly as she rushed to the window.
“What’s wrong?” Ian asked urgently.
“Mia!” Jo said, scoffing as she leaned out of the window.
“What?”
“That’s the second time today I’ve seen her. The first time I let it go, but now I’m sure it was her.”
“You saw Mia today?” Ian asked.
“Yes, at the florist, but when I went to look she was gone. I just saw her again out the window. She’s up to something; I know it! I’ve been feeling uneasy all day.”
“Do you think she’s planning on sabotaging the wedding?”
“Over my dead body!” Jo said resolutely, and then suddenly lowered her voice, “Do you think they heard us?”
Ian listened intently for a minute, “No, they’re too busy sampling our cooking.”
“Good, don’t say a word, I don’t want to ruin their day.”
The rehearsal went well apart Jo having to constantly remind Ian to smile.
“Why do I have to smile? My job is to stand next to Marcus and hand him the ring.”
“That’s your job as the Best Man, your job as his brother however is to support him and not make him feel uncomfortable in front of Isabella’s family. It’s only one night Ian.”
“Are you forgetting about tomorrow?”
“Okay, two days, isn’t your brother worth two days?” Jo placed a hand on Ian’s arm, “I know that your mother’s gone, but he’s still here. Try not to forget that.”
Ian looked down at the floor knowing that Jo was right, “I would feel better if we weren’t spending the night apart. You know how uneasy I get being away from you.”
“Not any more uneasy than I feel, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the ones we love.”
“There are some sacrifices that I am not willing to make.”
“Please can’t you just pretend to be happy for them?”
“I am happy for them,” Ian said, turning to face Jo.
“You have a funny way of showing it,” Marcus said, walking up behind them, “Isabella’s dad keeps asking me if he’s offended you.”
Ian looked truly embarrassed by his own behavior, “I’m sorry Marcus, and I’ll talk to Dominic. By the time I’m finished, he’ll wish I was the one marrying his daughter.”
“Let’s not get carried away,” Marcus said, “just make nice with everyone, it will all be over soon enough, is that asking too much?”
“No it’s not. Don’t worry I’ll behave, I promise,” Ian said, slapping his brother on the arm.
For the rest of the evening Ian was as pleasant as could be and by the time they had returned to the house he had Isabella’s dad laughing so hard that tears ran down his face and he had to grab a hold of Marcus for support.
“You’re husband is quite the charmer.”
“Lena!” Jo exclaimed, as she threw her arms around her friend, “I didn’t know that you were coming.”
“Isabella thought that since you have no family close by, it would be nice for you to a least have a friend here.”
“That was thoughtful of her.”
“She’s very fond of you,” Lena said, as she helped Jo set the table.
Dinner itself was a huge success. Isabella’s entire family ranted that they had never tasted such authentic Italian food, apart from that which they had made at home, and could not believe that Jo and Ian had cooked the entire meal.
Ian took it upon himself to make a rather impressive speech and he toasted the happy couple at least ten times throughout the night. He became increasingly social with each glass of wine, and even danced with Isabella’s mother as well as her sister, which impressed Jo most of all because having met Patricia before, Jo knew that she could be wearing on even the calmest of nerves.
“Well you certainly kept your promise,” Jo said striding slowly up to Ian, who was leaning casually against the kitchen counter.
“What promise would that be?” Ian asked.
“Your promise to make nice with everyone.”
“Well a promise is a promise,” Ian said, “but you’re the only one that I really want to make nice with,” he whispered in her ear.
Jo was astounded that after having had so much to drink Ian was still completely steady on his feet and not even the slightest bit tipsy.
“Don’t forget you also promised that you’d behave.”
“Ah yes I do recall saying that, but I don’t recall saying for how long,” he said, as he pulled Jo into his arms and ran his hands slowly down her back. “Did I mention how absolutely delicious you look this evening?”
“No I don’t think you did,” Jo said, laying her head on his chest.
“Well let me tell you then,” Ian said, raising Jo’s chin so he could look at her, “you look absolutely delicious, and the only thing stopping me from throwing you onto the dining room table and having my way with you, is the fact that I said I would behave myself, and I am true to my word,” he said proudly, placing a hand over his heart.
“That’s the only thing that’s stopping you?” Jo asked, cocking her head to one side.
“That and the fact that you would probably curse the heck out of me.”
“You are a wise man Ian Marcellus.”
It was unbelievable how fast the evening had gone by, and everyone was extremely tired by the time Isabella’s family had even begun to say their goodbyes. There was a lot of kissing and hugging and shaking of hands, and it seemed that every time they had said goodnight the conversation would start up again and then it would be back to the kissing and hugging and shaking of hands. The vicious circle just kept repeating itself, and it must have taken close to and hour before the last car had finally driven away.
Lena had offered to stay and help them clean up. She said that the whole process would be much quicker with two witches in the house, and it turned out that she was absolutely right. It took less time to clean up the entire main floor than it did do say goodnight to Isabella’s family.
The music was still playing softly in the background, lulling everyone into a deeper exhaustion. Ian, it seemed was the only one not eager for the night to be over. He walked over to Jo and held out a hand and bowed down in front of her.
“Would you care to dance my lady?”
Although Jo was extremely tired, she stood and curtseyed. She was well aware that Ian was prolonging the moment when she would have to leave him for the evening, “I would be honored my lord.”
Ian spun Jo around and caught her tight in his arms, “This is the closest we’re going to get until tomorrow night after all.”
“You act as though tomorrow will never come.”
“It feels that way. Every moment I’m away from you, is like a life time.”
Jo smiled, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re feeling, I hate being away from you too.”
Ian stared into Jo’s eyes. No matter how many times he looked into them, the mixture of brown and green always fascinated him, and they made him feel so serene. “I love you so much,” he said holding her as tightly as he could.
“Oh Ian,?
?? Jo sighed, “I love you too,” she took his right hand and kissed the ring on his finger, “forever.”
“Definitely forever,” he said kissing her.
Marcus’s voice startled them, “I hate to interrupt but we all have a big day tomorrow and it’s really late.”
“Of course, I’m sorry. Everyone must be so exhausted,” Jo said. “I’ll go up and get my things.”
Ian scowled at Marcus as Jo left the room then he glared at Isabella, who was sitting on the couch with her bag by her feet, anxiously waiting for Jo. For the second time that night Ian was ashamed of himself. Looking at Isabella sitting on the edge of the couch like a nervous child and Marcus standing next to him shuffling his feet reminded him how excited they must both be. He felt a wave of guilt for being so selfish, he was so angry at having to spend the night away from Jo that he completely forgot how the two of them must have been feeling.
Ian sensed that Lena was staring at him and he shifted his gaze to her. She inclined her head slowly and smiled at him as if she had known exactly what he was thinking, and from what he knew about Lena, she probably did.
The smile suddenly disappeared from Lena’s face. Ian’s stomach abruptly churned and he went numb from head to toe. How could he be so stupid? He let her go by herself.
“Jo!” Ian screamed at the top of his lungs as he bolted for the stairs. The intensity of his scream sickened Marcus and Isabella, who were completely oblivious to the exchange that had taken place between Lena and Ian.
Jo walked into the bedroom feeling completely exhausted. It had been such a long day and she was feeling the toll of making sure that everyone was happy, and that Ian was on his best behavior. She grabbed a bag and half-heartedly threw a few things into it. Most of her things were at her house but there were a few essentials that she had left in Ian’s bedroom that she would need in the morning. Once she had what she needed she sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. This was the first night she would be spending away from Ian since their very first night together, and now that she was alone, it weighed on her heavily.
“You look like you could use a friend,” said a menacing voice from the doorway, “too bad I don’t see any around.”
“What the hell do you want?” Jo said, getting to her feet.
Mia slammed the door shut, “The same thing I’ve wanted since I met you, I want you dead.”
Mia smiled threateningly and reached out for something, it looked like a branch or some sort of heavy stick but the end was sharpened to a deadly point. She walked slowly towards Jo and then lurched at lightening speed. Jo stretched her hands out in front of her and Mia flew backwards crashing into the door that she had just slammed shut.
“You’re not going to kill me Mia,” Jo said, trying to hide the fact that she was out of breath from exertion. She was tired, and combined with the magic she had needlessly used several times that day she felt completely drained.
“No I’m not,” Mia said, grinning and cocking her head to the footsteps outside the door.
Jo suddenly realized that Mia really did not intend to kill her, “Ian!” She cried out, as the door flew open.
Mia turned as swiftly as the wind and plunged the stick heavily into Ian’s chest. She pulled it back out and licked the blood dripping from the end, and as Ian fell to the ground she plunged it in again, and then she disappeared.
“No!” Jo ran to Ian and dropped down at his side just as Lena, Marcus and Isabella came to a halt in the doorway. “Ian! Ian can you hear me?” Jo’s tears fell onto his face, “It’s okay, I’m here.” Jo could not see, the room was cloudy and she held Ian’s face in her hands as she gasped to catch her breath.
Ian’s eyes blinked, and his face still held the shock of being taken off guard. He reached up for Jo but his arm fell back limply to his side.
Jo took a shuddering breath, “Ian, Ian listen to me, hang on okay,” her voice faltered, “just hang on, I’m here,” she was looking desperately around the room not knowing what to do.
She looked to the three statues in the doorway; no one moved a muscle. Her head was spinning, what was she going to do? She refused to sit here and watch Ian die, even now she could see his chest slowing as he made to reach for her once again. She felt so helpless; she just had to do something.
A trickle of blood began to seep from the corner of Ian’s mouth, and Jo felt faint at the sight of it. No, it was not too late! She refused to believe it!
Jo took a long breath and closed her eyes briefly, “I’m so sorry, please forgive me,” she said, as she yanked the stake from Ian’s chest and tossed it aside. Ian screamed out in agony.
“Jo?” it was Lena’s voice that came to her and she knew why, but she didn’t want to hear it.
“I get to chose Lena, it’s my choice.”
Jo shook uncontrollably as she placed her left hand on the wound in Ian’s chest and looked him directly in his eyes for a brief moment. She then laid her head down as close to his as she could and leaned her lips to his ear whispering in a trembling voice, “I love you Ian, forever.” She moved her lips to his and a steady stream of tears fell over him as she kissed him softly. Ian felt a shock jolt through his body and a burning on his left hand, and then all was quiet.
Ian slowly raised a hand to his wound; he felt nothing. Was he numb? Did he die? He couldn’t have. Marcus, Isabella and Lena were all moving close to him, if he were dead would they be here? He sat up slowly; his head was pounding. A phone was ringing, he looked around the room; the three faces were staring at him. Someone was lying beside him. Who was that? He tried to focus; everything was so fuzzy. Then suddenly he bolted upright.
“Jo! Jo, answer me! Jo answer me right now!” He shook her. He kissed her mouth; her lips were so cold. “No! No! No! Don’t you dare leave me! Jo, don’t leave me! Please Jo, I need you!” He picked her up and held her to his chest. Tears were now fogging his vision as he tried to look at her, he wanted to see her eyes; he had to see them. They were closed. He kissed her face, “Jo please don’t leave me! I need you! Please.”
He looked at the three figures standing over them. “Do something!” he yelled.
No one moved. Ian stood up and momentarily swayed on the spot, he picked Jo’s body up off of the floor and carried her to the bed; he lay her down so gently, as if he didn’t want to wake her. He stormed up to Lena, “Do something! Do something right now!”
Lena stuttered, “I… I can’t.”
“Yes you can! Do something now!” The tears were running down his face so quickly that there was a puddle on the floor by Lena’s feet.
“Ian,” Lena began, as her own tears fell swiftly off of her face.
“Don’t tell me you can’t! You’re a witch! Do something!” He grabbed at his hair in frustration, “Please!”
“It was her choice,” Lena whispered softly, “the final choice is hers alone.”
“What? No, don’t you dare tell me that!” Ian yelled, “Don’t quote some stupid poem at me! I want you to do something. Bring her back! Bring her back right now!” Ian fell to his knees in front of her, “Please, Lena please!”
Lena stood silently next to Marcus and Isabella, all three with unyielding tears falling from there faces, not one of them daring to move a muscle.
Ian slumped back to the bed and sat down, “Then get out. Get out! I want you all out of here! Get out!” He screamed.
“Ian,” Marcus began.
“GET OUT!” He picked Jo’s limp body up into his arms without looking at any of them and cradled her gently. He kissed her forehead, her eyes, her nose then he lingered on her cold lips. “Why Jo? Why? How could you just leave me? I need you. Why? Why?”
Ian’s cries could be heard throughout the house, no one was sure how long they lasted. The seconds melted into minutes and the minutes into hours and everyone was consumed by such grief that they didn’t bothered to keep track of the time. Once the sun had risen, Marcus wiped his face, gathered his strength and without saying a word to the other
s he headed up the stairs.
He didn’t bother to knock because he knew that Ian would not answer. He pushed the door open and stepped slowly inside. Ian sat exactly as he had the previous night, cradling Jo in his arms, he did not show any sign of knowing Marcus had even come in.
“Ian,” Marcus whispered as he sat slowly on the bed.
Ian did not respond; he just rocked back and forth with a glazed look in his eyes.
“Ian, we can’t just keep her here.”
Ian did not speak a word. He rose slowly, being sure to lay Jo as gently as he could on the bed. He leaned over her and studied her face for a few minutes then kissed her gently on the lips and left the room.