Chapter Seventeen #5
He was saying goodbye.
It was rare that he got emotional, but this was making him well up, and making him want to cry.
Michael knew he wouldn’t have this life without the Blackhawks.
And he was going to miss being there with them.
“I’m going to miss you. I think out of everyone, saying goodbye to you is going to be the most difficult. Please know that,” he said.
She let him talk.
“I’m going to miss the moments at three in the morning when you found me wandering around the Fort, and you talked me down.
I only made it because of you. I’m me now because of your heart and compassion.
No matter what happens in this world, or what is said, know that you have the most beautiful soul.
Thank you for sharing it with me when mine was dying. ”
God.
That touched her in ways he didn’t understand. What she gave out, she got. The only reason she could do what she did was the people who loved her.
It fed her.
Yeah, she loved him a lot.
And she’d not be saying goodbye.
It was more like ‘I’ll see you soon’.
Sooner than he thought.
“Saint Michael of the Blackhawks, they were my favorite moments with you, too. I’ll miss you, Cupcake, and I’ll always love you. It’s time, Michael. This is your moment, and you need to start that new adventure. You can always come home, but for now, make it a beautiful experience.”
He kissed the phone.
“I love you, Mom.”
She knew he did.
“I love you more, Michael Graves. I promise. Now that we’ve figured out where you’ll be, I want to give you something.”
Together, they waited.
Neither wanted anything.
They had everything they wanted. A family, a nice, haunted castle to crash in, and her.
“We don’t need you to give us something,” he stated. “You gave me my heart back. That’s more than a gift. That was a miracle.”
Oh, but she did.
Why?
Because it felt right.
“Michael and Graham, we all know Callen and Chris bought that monstrosity for me. So, I’m giving you a share of it for your wedding. You’re both now partial owners with those two nuts.”
Graham’s eyes went huge.
Did she just give them this place as their home?
“What?” he asked, astounded.
Yeah, Michael wasn’t shocked at all. What was ironic was she got antsy when her men gave her a house, but she’d gifted plenty of them.
Saint and Raphael got one.
Ivan and Blue got one in Damascus.
Now, he and Graham did too.
This family seemed to do that a lot.
Because she saw the surprise, Elizabeth was to the point.
“Now that you’re married, you need a nice nest to call your own, and I have my own nests all over the goddamn place thanks to those two.
You are getting a share of it, so that you two can run it, and make money on it after it’s renovated.
It was supposed to be a bed and breakfast, so use it as such.
Hell! Rent it out for ghost tours for all I care.
I’m sure Callen and Chris will work it out with you.
Trust me. They won’t be shocked that I’m giving a building away.
I’ve done that in California, New Orleans, and now here.
I can’t wait to unload a gold-baron’s haunted mansion next. ”
Michael didn’t know what to say.
“Elizabeth!”
She smiled at Michael.
“You have a piece of me now, Saint Michael of the Blackhawks. You’re home. Run it and enjoy this new part of your life. You and Graham aren’t just the caretakers, but you’re owners. From me, to you both. My inheritance to my two oldest sons is a castle that’s LOUSY WITH GHOSTS! Tag, you’re it!”
When the lights flickered again, she actually laughed and snorted.
“That doesn’t get old. I kind of like it,” she admitted. “Don’t tell Callen and Chris. It’s like parlor tricks. You now have ghosts who perform tricks on commands.”
Graham couldn’t believe it.
“You’re giving us a stake in Ravensmire? This place costs MILLIONS of dollars. It’s a historical castle. It’s more than a gift.”
She was honest.
“It means more to you than me. A gift should always be special to the recipient. To me, this feels right. I feel like you both need to be part of this for the long haul. There’s an adventure coming, but I just don’t know what.
Lean into it. Have fun with it, and in the end…
know that you’re both loved by us. You’re my children, and I want you to have a good start in your marriage. ”
Oh, Michael was definitely overwhelmed, and his husband was too.
“I can’t believe this,” Graham admitted.
Oh, Michael could.
This was typical, mom-behavior.
He kissed Graham on the forehead.
“I guess we are staying and running this place together with our new partners. I can make this place my home,” he admitted. “Because you’re in it.”
And it also meant he didn’t have to say goodbye. He was just living in a different place. That, to Michael, mattered the most.
Graham had tears.
“Thank you for this. I love this castle. She’s become part of my life. I’ve met my family here, and I married my husband here.”
She could tell.
“I love you, Sons,” she said. “Plural. Don’t forget it,” she offered. “I expect a call on Mother’s Day! Don’t forget that either,” she teased, making them laugh.
They heard footsteps heading their way, and then, Ian raced into the library.
Immediately, he blurted out the news.
“The witch psychic is coming in about an hour! We have to get the place ready so she can tell us what’s possessing this place, all about the curse, and maybe about the dead person in the lake!”
When she didn’t react on the phone, and Ian didn’t look horrified, Michael accused her.
Yeah, he’d been right.
She knew everything that was going on here, and already had spies in place.
“You got it out of Ian and Gryphen! They spilled the beans!”
She just laughed.
And laughed.
And laughed.
“Oh, no, whatever shall I do? I have more than one set of eyes in that castle. The men in this family should know better. I am back in charge,” she stated, winking at them. “See you soon, Baby Birds,” she added, blowing them both a kiss.
And then, she was gone.
Graham shook his head.
He couldn’t believe this. Today, he got engaged, married, and was given a stake in this magnificent castle. He and his husband had a home.
But he was curious.
“So are Callen and Chris dead or not? I’m not able to figure this one out. The Crazy Train is a wild card.”
The three men laughed.
Oh, she’d torment them, but there wouldn’t be any deaths on that side of the pond when it came to the Blackhawk men.
Elizabeth had a big heart.
And everyone was lucky because of that.