Chapter 199: Final Goodbye
*Grams always said that if anyone was still sober after her wake, do it again until we did it right. – Papa Dean*
The day after the wedding, the family, coven and close friends gathered at the alter again. The simple wooden box containing Gram’s ashes sat on the alter and the group faced west. As the sun went down, a lone piper played a mournful tune.
Grandmother Olivia stepped forward and placed Gram’s medallion on the box. “We are here to say goodbye to our sister, mother, grandmother, friend and confidant. She was our guiding light and the wisest of us all. She was also the oldest of us all. Blessed be, Mother.”
Others stepped up and shared simple words and memories. Seanair placed a whiskey bottle next to the box and hoped that she would never be thirsty.
“I’m going to miss yeh, mum.” Seanair said and Knuckles thought back to when he lost his own mother.
Instinctively, Nessie moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He hugged his wife close to him and kissed the top of her head.
Papa Dean’s story had everyone in stitches as he remembered her going toe to toe with a protester outside a bookstore. He didn’t remember exactly what book they were upset over, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, something like those. But Grams, already a century old, suggested that the woman needed a man to occupy her time.
“Don’t yeh worry none, because when the woman said she had a husband, Grams had a solution for that also.” Papa Dean grinned at the group gathered around him.
“Perhaps a boyfriend? Or a girlfriend? Maybe both? Find a fecking hobby. Discouraging children from reading is the real problem.”
The crowd roared with laughter as several people remembered the incident.
“From then on, any book that people were objecting to, Grams would donate several copies to local libraries.” Seanair chuckled. “Including her private library in the Manor.”
“She loved a good book.” Fiona agreed. “What are we going to do with her other library?” she asked in reference to the large collection of erotica.
“Please don’t get rid of it.” Elsbeth pleaded. “I’m almost old enough to read them!”
“Don’t start with Fifty Shades.” Nessie advised. “Although there are some fine ideas.”
Several of her female relatives agreed with the sentiment.
“We’re not going to get rid of the instructional manuals.” Papa Dean assured the group. “I’m getting too old not to refer back to them.”
His wife, twenty years his junior, scoffed at that idea. Several people around them laughed at this.
Nessie squeezed Knuckles before she went and laid a hand on the box.
“Yeh warned me. Yeh broke the rules and told me what lay ahead of me. Yeh bid me to be careful. I did not heed yer warnings.” She spoke softly, only those closest to the alter could hear her.
“When yeh knew that I wasn’t going to listen, yeh gave me an escape plan. Yeh told me where to find sanctuary. And I found so much more. Did yeh know this also? Did yeh know what’s next?”
“Grams, I’m so sorry I didn’t listen. Tell me what I need to do. Guide me, Crone. Protect my child. Forgive me my youth.”
Strong arms encircled her waist. “Rest easy, Grams. She’s protected and loved. Blessed be, Crone.” Knuckles said as Nessie leaned into his chest.
“Blessed be.” Nessie repeated.
