The Moreau Witches Trilogy
Part One
The Legacy
by Julien Gregg
Part One
The Legacy
by Julien Gregg
Copyright © 2025 by Julien Gregg
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact the author by email. The link is below.
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Six
They stepped off the plane and Quinn was home. Kim met them with a van of all things but it was big enough for all of them and their bags. He nodded to each as he was introduced and then he drove them to the house. Quinn took Charlie up to his room and assigned rooms to each of them. Camilla and Giselle had to share because the house wasn’t as big as any of the family homes in Moonlight Bay.
“So we’re here,” Charlie said.
“Yes, now I have to deal with Vera,” he said.
He pulled out his phone and dialed her number she answered and he told her that he was at the house and invited her and her sons to dinner the next day. She was sickeningly sweet to him on the phone he knew he was in for it.
“Well you called her,” said Charlie. “That’s the first step.”
“Yeah,” he sighed. “I could kill her I suppose.”
“Quinn Moreau,” Charlie said, playfully slapping him.
“I’m only kidding,” he said. “Mostly.”
“Well I don’t know about you but I’m nodding here,” Charlie said. “The others were going to bed, too.”
“All right you talked me into it,” he laughed. They got ready and went to bed.
The next morning Lilly served them eggs, sausage, hash browns, and toast with coffee and juice. Quinn thanked her and she kissed his head. The others were shocked by this. Well Giselle wasn’t and Charlie wasn’t but Revanche, Pierre, and Camilla were shocked. Of course they’d grown up in houses where the servants were treated like the help.
“Did you talk to evil Miss Vera?” Lilly asked.
“I called her and invited her to dinner tonight,” he said.
“Why you invite?” she asked.
“Because it’s better to know what she’s up to other than to let it be under my nose,” he said.
“You very smart,” she said and kissed the top of his head again. “I miss you in house.”
“I’ve missed the house and you very much, Lilly,” he said. “How would you and Kim like to move to Moonlight Bay and take care of a bigger house?”
“This house big enough,” she said.
“Yes but I have to live in Moonlight Bay,” he said.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I’m really important there, Lilly,” he said. The others smiled at this.
“You important here too,” she said.
“Not like this,” he said. “There I’m the heir to the Legacy of the Moreau family.”
“I remember Moreau family,” she said. “Maria was bad.”
“Maria is dead,” Quinn said.
“Did you kill her?” she asked, shocking him completely.
“Yes, I did,” he heard himself saying.
“Good, she bad,” Lilly said. “Don’t look so shocked. I know you are witch. Kim and I always know. Miss Constance was bad too. You kill her. Now it happy here.”
“Yes,” he said and felt like he was living in an alternate reality. Lilly and Kim knew?
“You others witches too,” Lilly said. “I see you like Quinn.”
“We’re his siblings,” said Revanche.
“Mr. Bart your father too?” she asked him.
“No, Quinn and I share a mother,” he said. “Giselle and Pierre are Bart’s children.”
“Miss Constance not know you had older brother,” Lilly laughed. “Joke on her.”
“What joke, Lilly?” he asked.
“She had Bart cast spell that she be safe from first born child,” she said. “She not safe from you because you not first born child.”
“That’s right,” he said. “You mean that Constance made my father spell her?”
“Not her,” she said. “Ring she wore.”
“The ring that I sent to Vera?” Quinn asked.
“No, she buried with ring,” Lilly said.
“Well that’s a relief,” he said, looking at Pierre.
“So you’ve known about Quinn and Bart the whole time?” Pierre asked.
“I witch too,” she said. “Kim witch too. We not as powerful as Mr. Bart or Mr. Quinn. But we witch too.”
“Well color me surprised,” Quinn said. “Was I the only one in the family that didn’t know I was a witch?”
“Mr. Bart no want that life for you,” she said. “No offense but Mr. Bart say Moonlight Bay bad and you no go there if he could help it no matter what.”
“I’m starting to see what he meant,” he said. “So you won’t come to Moonlight Bay to be with me?”
“I not say I not go,” she said. “I said Mr. Bart no want you there. But you there so that’s out of hand.”
“So you and Kim will come to Moonlight Bay?” he asked. “You won’t be the only ones working in the house. I’ll have more people to help.”
“I speak to Kim,” she said. “How do we keep Ms. Vera from taking this house?”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” he said. “I’ll come up with something.”
“I know you will,” she said. “I go talk to Kim.”
She walked out of the room after that. They were witches? She knew about all of them? And she knew Maria? How did she know Maria? He was so confused. He wasn’t sure that he would get the answers to his questions from Lilly.
“Well that was informative,” said Camilla. “I for one like her a lot, Quinn.”
“Thank you,” he said distracted.
“Quinn are you all right?” Charlie asked him.
“I’m a little shocked,” he said, looking at all of them.
“Of course you are,” said Pierre.
“How does Lilly know Maria?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Pierre said. “But there was a Lilly on staff before I was born. She left the employ of Angelique right about the time I came along.”
“Maybe that was her,” Quinn said.
“It could have been,” he said.
“Well the world just got smaller,” Quinn said.
“Tell me about it,” Pierre said. “I recently found out that I have another brother.”
“Thanks Pierre,” said Revanche.
“Rev, you had to know that wasn’t going to change just because it’s not a genetic reality,” he said, smiling at Revanche.
“I hoped but in this family nothing is certain,” Revanche said.
“That’s true but you can count on me,” he said. “I’m the exception to that rule.”
“Yes you are,” said Quinn. He looked at Camilla. “You are a very good person too.”
“I don’t know about that,” she said. “A good person wouldn’t have been happy that you killed her mother.”
“That doesn’t make you a bad person,” he said. “You were there in the doorway. You heard what she told us.”
“I did,” she said. “It was so much worse than killing my father.”
“Yes, it was,” he said.
“But she’s dead now and I’m free,” she said.
“You were away at school,” he said. “Weren’t you free there?”
“Of course I was but I’ll go to school in Moonlight Bay now that Mother isn’t around to drive me to craziness,” she said. “Living with Pierre is good. He’s a sweetheart.”
“Thank you dear sister,” Pierre said. “So we’re having Evil Vera over for dinner tonight? What are we doing?”
“We may have to display our power,” he said.
“Show and tell?” asked Revanche.
“Something like that,” Quinn said. “She’s afraid of witches. I know she is. She’s the lone daughter of a dead hunter.”
“Well when you put it that way,” said Pierre. “But my power is mind reading.”
“Mine is empathy,” said Revanche.
“Unless you want me to electrocute her you don’t want her to see my power,” said Giselle.
“Maybe I do,” he sad. “Of course I don’t want you to electrocute her but maybe you could show some electricity. Pierre you can read her mind, and Revanche can sense her emotions. Camilla I’m not sure what your power is.”
“Oh I do a little of this and a little of that,” she said with a smile. “Officially I’m a medium.”
“So you talk to the dead,” he said.
“Yes, but I can do so much more than talk to them,” she said. “They do things for me.”
“What kind of things?” he asked.
“Mostly find things that I’ve lost,” she said. “But they’ll do pretty much whatever I ask of them.”
“So you have sway over the dead?” Quinn asked.
“Yeah more or less,” she said. “I can’t do anything to show her that. There are no ghosts here.”
“Yeah the place is majorly protected,” Pierre said.
“That had to be Dad,” Quinn said.
“Or Lilly and Kim,” said Revanche. “You and Bart weren’t the only witches in the house.”
“Yes, there’s that,” he said.
For the rest of the day Quinn stewed on the fact that Lilly and Kim were witches and had known that he was his whole life. That Lilly knew Maria and apparently disliked her was also on his mind. She was happy that Quinn had killed her.
Then there was the fact that Constance had a spelled ring that protected her from Bart’s first born child. The joke really was on her. His first born child was Pierre. That was why Quinn was able to kill her. He didn’t want to think about what would have happened if he had been Bart’s first born child.
Then he remembered the historical society wanted the house. His dad had said that the had made a low ball offer for the house but he had bought it out from under them. He called the historical society and asked if they were still interested in the property. They offered five million. He accepted and told them that he would be out of the house tomorrow.
By the time dinner time came Vera and the twins were in the house. He noticed a change in the twins though. Gone was the greasy hair and spectacles. They were dressed in different clothes that didn’t match. They had contacts and hair product. He was impressed. They looked normal.
“Quinn it’s good to see you,” Vera said. So they were going to continue with the sweet disposition.
“It’s good to see you, too Vera,” he said. “John, Steve.”
“Hello Quinn,” said John. “You can say it. We look different.”
“Yes, they do,” Vera said with a hint of disapproval.
“Really Mother can’t you let it go in front of Quinn?” Steve said. “Or are you still so sure he’ll sell you the house?”
“Steven, really,” Vera said nearly at the end of her patience.
“I’m not selling anyone this house,” he said. “I’m donating it to the city as a landmark.”
“What?” Vera asked in shock.
“Yes,” he said. “I just got off the phone with them. As of next month this is the property of the city of Rochester.”
“Quinn are you mad?” she asked.
“Quite the opposite thank you,” he said. “What do I need with this house when I have one twice this size in Moonlight Bay?”
“You shouldn’t be living in Moonlight Bay,” she said coldly. Gone was the sweetness and light.
“Why is that, Vera?” he asked, throwing all pretense away.
“Because their witches,” she snapped.
“But I’m a witch too, didn’t you know?” he asked.
“Of course I knew,” she snapped again. “My sister tried to kill you because you’re an evil witch with powers unknown.”
“Why Vera, my power is that I can kill with my mind,” he said. “Constance found that out the hard way.”
“Really?” she huffed.
“I’d be careful, Vera,” he said. “You’re in a house full of witches.”
“Brought reinforcements, huh?” she asked.
“I don’t need reinforcements, Vera,” he said. “I could kill you here and now and no one would know I did anything.”
“Oh stop it,” she said in dismissal. “You can’t kill.”
He let his power touch her just slightly. He went for her heart which as far as he knew was completely healthy. He gave it a push. She gasped and grabbed her chest. She looked at him in horror.
“As you were saying, Vera,” he prompted.
“This is fun,” said John, smiling from ear to ear.
“You think this is fun?” she snapped. “Him trying to kill your mother?”
“He’s not trying to kill you, Mother,” he said, syrup sweet. “He’s not doing anything that I can see.”
“Quinn stop it!” she cried.
“Still not scared of me?” he asked.
“All right I’m terrified,” she said with tears in her eyes. “You please stop.”
“I stopped,” he said. “What you’re feeling is the after affect.”
“Why are you donating the house to the city?” she asked. “Why can’t I just buy it from you?”
“Where would you come up with the money?” he asked.
“I had a windfall,” she said.
“She means a new husband,” said Steve.
“Stop telling him everything,” she snapped.
“Dinner served, Mr. Quinn,” said Lilly from the doorway.
“Thank you Lilly,” he said and winked at her. She winked back.
They filed into the dining room. Revanche, Giselle, Camilla, and Pierre were already there. Charlie came around the corner from the kitchen a moment later. He smiled at Quinn and Quinn smiled back. He took his seat next to Quinn and put his hand on Quinn’s shoulder. Vera and the twins sat on the other side of the table.
“Vera wants to buy this house from me,” Quinn told the others. “Apparently she’s got a new husband with money. Tell me, Vera what’s wrong with the house you already own?”
“The bank is about to foreclose on the loan,” said John.
“That’s terrible,” he said. “Miss a few payments?”
“My husband is paying off the back taxes today,” she said.
“Good then you don’t need this house,” he said.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because I don’t want you to have it,” he snapped. “Careful Vera. That little push can get a lot harder next time. Don’t piss me off.”
“Quinn why are you trying to kill me?” she asked. “I’ve never done anything to you.”
“Never done anything to me,” he mocked. “You’ve tried to make me think you’re better than me my whole life.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t physical,” she whimpered.
“I’m not actively pushing on your heart right now so stop,” he said. “Besides don’t you want to know what the other witches in the room can do?”
“She’s terrified,” said Revanche.
“She thinks she’s going to die tonight,” said Pierre. “She’s thinking of all the ways to get out of it.”
“You will not die tonight Vera,” Quinn said. “You will stop badgering the staff about this house. They won’t be here to badger after next month. The city is taking over this house next month. That deal has already been struck. They’re issuing me a check for five million tomorrow.”
“Oh like you need the money,” she said.
“Oh but haven’t you heard? I’m to have a child,” He said. “I need the money for the child, Vera.”
“You have a child?” she huffed.
“He is about to have a child,” said Camilla. “My cousin stole his sperm out of a used condom and then got her mother to help her get pregnant with magic.”
“Well well,” she said.
“What’s the supposed to mean?” Quinn asked.
“Well that the witches are treacherous,” she said.
“You forget there are four witches in this room, Vera,” he said.
“Yes but they are all your siblings,” she said dismissively.
“Camilla is my cousin,” Quinn said.
“Quinn, I’d like to move to Moonlight Bay,” John said. “Maybe I can work for Moreau Medical. I do have my LPN.”
“What on Earth are you talking about?” Vera asked him.
“I’m not afraid of witches, Mother,” he said.
“What about you, Steve?” Quinn asked.
“I’m moving to Chicago to be with my boyfriend,” he said, shocking Quinn and apparently Vera.
“You’re not gay,” she said.
“You could’ve fooled me, Mother,” he said. “John knows and has known for years. We talk to each other, Mother. We don’t talk to you. And we don’t like your husband.”
“John you are more than welcome to join the witches and move to Moonlight Bay,” Quinn said with a smile. “I even have an apartment for you that’s affordable.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I’ll be packed and ready to go.”
“We’re leaving the day after tomorrow,” Quinn said.
“I’ll be ready,” said John. “Do I need a plane ticket?”
“I’ll have one for you don’t worry,” Quinn said.
“So you’re just going to take my son off to Moonlight Bay are you?” Vera asked with hatred dripping from her voice. He gave her heart another push. She clutched her chest and whimpered.
“Careful Vera,” he said.
“Stop,” she whined.
“I’m not bothering you,” he said. “But if you don’t stop you’ll leave this house in a body bag.”
“He’s serious, you know?” said Giselle. “If it were up to me you’d be dead already.”
As she said this electricity danced across her fingers. It was a neat trick. Apparently a new one because Giselle didn’t look completely comfortable. He felt for her. Getting the hang of a power like that would be hard.
“She’s terrified again,” Revanche said.
“She’s sure she’ll die tonight,” said Pierre.
“You don’t have to tell him what I’m thinking and feeling,” she snapped. “He knows.”
“No, I’m not the mind reader,” he said. “That would be Pierre, Bart’s oldest son. The empath would be Revanche my younger brother. Electro is my twin sister, Giselle.”
“And what do you do?” Vera asked Camilla. “Freeze dry my brain?”
“No, I talk to the dead and they do things for me,” she said evenly.
“How nice for you,” Vera said.
“I find it completely stupid that you can’t let go of the sarcasm and hatred when it might save your life,” Quinn said.
“You said you wouldn’t kill me,” she whined.
“I did say that but you’re making it really hard,” he said.
“I say just kill her and be done with this,” said Giselle, making the electricity dance again.
“Please, Quinn,” said John. “She may be a cold bitch who loves nothing more than money but she is my mother. Please don’t kill her.”
“I’m not going to kill her,” he said. “But I want her out of this house and she’s to stay away and leave the city alone when they claim it. They’ve wanted this house for years. They won’t give it up. And stay out of Moonlight Bay. The witches there won’t take kindly to a daughter of a hunter showing up in their midst.”
They watched as Vera got the hell out of the house. John smiled at them and told them that he would be back the day after tomorrow with his things. Quinn told him that the flight wold leave at six in the morning and to meet them at the airport.
Then they were all three gone and they were alone. Giselle finally let the electricity go and Pierre shook his head. He looked at Quinn and shivered. He apparently didn’t like Vera any more than Quinn did.
“Didn’t like her much huh?” Quinn said.
“Not at all,” he said. “The vile things that woman was thinking should have got her killed.”
“I don’t like to kill,” he said. “You know that.”
“But if ever a woman needed killing, Quinn, that was her,” said Revanche.
“Was John sincere?” Quinn asked.
“Oh yes,” said Pierre. “He thinks you’re the coolest guy in he universe.”
“That could be a problem, too,” Quinn said.
“He’s not that far gone,” said Revanche. “He still has a healthy amount of fear of he witches.”
“I’m sure he does,” said Quinn. “Especially me.”
“He’s not afraid of you,” said Revanche.
“He has no reason to be afraid of me,” Quinn said.
“Did you really donate this house to the city?” Camilla asked.
“I sure did,” Quinn replied. “They really have wanted this house for years. It was built in the seventeen hundreds.”
“Wow,” she said. “Cool.”
“It was the reason my father chose it,” he said.
“He liked the history?” she asked.
“He probably liked the power that’s radiating from under the house,” Quinn said, feeling it in his bones.
“I was going to ask about that,” Pierre said.
“It’s why I could make the electricity dance on my fingers,” said Giselle.
“It vibrates my bones,” said Revanche.
“I thought that was only me,” said Camilla.
“No there’s something under the house,” Quinn said.
“A power sync,” said Revanche.
“Probably,” said Quinn. “There are two of them in Moonlight Bay but they aren’t active.”
“There’s a spell in one of the journals that tells you how to activate it,” said Pierre.
“Well we could,” Quinn said.
“Yes, we could,” Pierre said. “But I wouldn’t try it with less powerful witches. You, me, Revanche, Giselle, and probably Lorette. She’s one the most powerful witches in the family. She doesn’t hold a candle to you but she’s powerful.”
“That will have to wait until after the wedding,” Quinn said.
“Of course,” Pierre said.
They left the dining room after that. Quinn and Charlie went up to Quinn’s room and closed the door. They showed love to each other for hours after that. They finally fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.
The next day an attorney for the city came with an assessor. They went over the property and then handed Quinn a cashier’s check for five million dollars. He went straight to the bank and deposited the check in his personal accounts. Then he purchased eight one-way plane tickets for the next morning at eight. He went back to the house.
“Mr. Quinn we come to Moonlight Bay,” said Lilly when he came in.
“Good, because I just bought you and Kim plane tickets to get there,” he said with a smile. “Mark boxes for shipping and pack what you need. There are six boxes upstairs that need to be shipped. The rest will stay put.”
“Yes I see to it,” she said and walked away.
“You got the tickets?” Pierre asked when he saw him.
“They’re waiting at the airport,” Quinn said. “Flight leaves at eight in the morning.”
“That’s better than six,” he said.
“Yes,” Quinn agreed. “I’ve taken the six am flight before. Twelve hours on the plane is not fun.”
“Well we just spent twelve hours on a plane and we’ll be doing it again tomorrow,” said Pierre.
“Don’t remind me,” he said with a smile.
“Are you shipping a lot from here?” Pierre asked.
“Probably, why?” Quinn asked.
“I just wondered what you were taking,” said Pierre.
“I’m taking all of Dad’s journals and some things from my room,” Quinn said. “Lilly is going around packing boxes for shipping.”
“All right,” he said. “I was wondering about Dad’s journals.”
“Well they’re all boxed and marked to ship,” Quinn said.
For the rest of the day they just stuck around the house. Giselle looked at all of the books in the library with wonder. Revanche was entertaining Camilla. Charlie was in the kitchen with Lilly, and Quinn and Pierre played Chess.
For dinner that night Charlie and Lilly made a rack of lamb with whole roasted carrots and roasted potatoes. He was quite proud of himself. Lilly told them that the food in the kitchen had already been picked up and donated to the soup kitchen. Quinn was happy with that. This was their last meal in the house so it was fitting that it was a great meal.
They ate heartily and had a good time together. Quinn was sure that they would be together forever. They seemed to fit like no other friends in the world. He wished that Lorette was there with them but he couldn’t have everything. In the end he was happy with who was there.
John showed up at five the next morning. They were all packed and ready to go. They headed to the airport in the van that was a rental at seven. They got their tickets, checked in and hung out in the club until the plane took off.
Once they were in the air they were all doing different things. They were served lunch and dinner on the plane and when it landed in Santa Barbara they rented another van to get them to Moonlight Bay. Quinn told John to just spend the night with them and he’d introduce him to Jean Luc in the morning. He also told him he’d put in a good word for him at Moreau Medical in Keller Village.
Lorette showed up to tell them that the family was up in arms over what Angelique and Josephine had done. They weren’t all in agreement with binding their powers but said they understood why he’d done it. The main thing was that the family was behind him. He was overjoyed by this.
He talked with her about who to talk to about John joining the staff at Moreau Medical in Keller Village. She told him to talk to none other than Amily Moreau who was Chief of Staff over there. She gave him her number but Quinn thought it would be better to go and see her and take John with him.
She asked about his trip and he relayed all that had happened. She congratulated him on making five million on the sale of his house and for making it a protected space. She thought it funny that he’d scared the daughter of a hunter so bad that she whimpered and said she would have liked to have gone with them but her case was still on-going and she didn’t have the time to travel.
Lilly and Kim were accepted by Donetta and Larry. They got right to work when they arrived. Donetta was happy for the help. They’d all be going over to Moreau Manor when it was finished. Lorette had told him that they’d put up the first paintings and she’d gone over and seen them. She’d said they were nearly finished with the decorating.
Quinn took John to Moreau Medical and talked with Amily who was a short woman of about five foot three with dark hair and icy blue eyes. She wore no make up but she looked out of place in her scrubs and white coat. She interviewed John and hired him on the spot. He’d come with excellent references from New York and she said they were lucky to have him. She also encouraged him to continue his education and become a Registered Nurse. He said he was open to that and she smiled.
He took John with him to see what was done at Moreau Manor. John was impressed by the now brick three-story house with a slate roof and a solarium. They went inside and Quinn was impressed with the wood panels that had been installed. He loved the marble flooring in the entry way and the grand hall.
The parlor was done so he went in there and saw the painting of Abigail Moreau that was on the wall in the parlor. He was really pleased with the refurbished paintings and this room had the first round of antiques in place. He loved the side board and the tea tables. There were refurbished easy chairs in this room.
Next was the office and the desk was Mahogany and had new varnish. There were two matching ladder-back chairs in front of the desk and a brand new office chair behind the desk. Paintings of Lucille Moreau and Grayson Moreau were in this room and they were perfectly restored.
They saw the kitchen with it’s brand new appliances, marble flooring and tile walls. There were pots and pans hanging from a rack suspended from the ceiling. The double sink was deep on one side and shallow on the other. They’d even installed a pasta arm. He was happy with the kitchen.
The dining room had hardwood flooring and a Mahogany table that was six feet long. Matching ladder-back chairs lined the table with larger chairs with arms at the ends. The chandelier was beautiful as it hung above the center of the table. None of the paintings for this room were done yet so their places were empty. Their name plate were already in place though.
The living room was finished but without furniture save for the antique side board and end tables. He’d have to shop for furniture soon. The hardwood floor begged for an area rug in the styles of the time when the house was last lived in. He thought they’d told him that had been in the fifties.
They didn’t go upstairs so Quinn didn’t know if the bedrooms were finished or not. He did go to the solarium and found that it was full of plants and white wicker furniture. He liked the nature smell in the room and the large ceiling fan was perfect. The floor was stone work in diamonds. He loved this room.
They left the manor and went to check on Josephine. She was still pissed off about being bound and Angelique didn’t even say a word to him. He didn’t care. Josephine was still doing good and that was all that mattered.
“She was a real bitch to you,” John said as they left the house.
“Yes,” he said. “But in fairness to her I did bind the powers of her and her mother.”
“You can do that?” he asked.
“Powerful witches can bind anyone’s powers with a spell,” Quinn informed him.
“Good to know,” he said. “Do you have to be a magical witch to study witchcraft?”
“No,” Quinn said. “Talk to Pierre about that. He teaches the witches and gets them ready for initiation. He’ll fit you in the novice class if you want. It meets on Thursdays.”
“What about the advanced class?” he asked.
“They meet on Saturdays,” he said.
“Which one are you?” he asked.
“Advanced,” Quinn said. “I learn quickly.”
“Good for you,” he said. “I think I’m going to love it here. It’s so different from home.”
“It’s always nice and warm here, too,” Quinn said. “Rains occasionally but I don’t think it’s seen snow in decades.”
“That’s good,” he said.
“We’re about to meet with Jean Luc and find your apartment,” Quinn said.
“That’s exciting,” he said. “My own space that I don’t have to share.”
“Looking forward to that are you?” asked Quinn.
“You bet I am,” John said with a big grin.
Jean Luc Moreau had extreme features, a pointed chin, a narrow nose and large eyes. He was clearly a child born of relatives that were too close. He shook Quinn’s hand and then John’s. Then he showed them the first apartment. It was on the ground floor right near the medical center.
The whole thing was white from the walls to the carpet. Jean Luc said that John could paint or change carpet as he wished. It was a long living room that also served as the dining room, the kitchen was small but functional, and the bedroom was large enough. The bathroom had a tub and shower combination and a vanity with lights all the way around the mirror. The toilet was in the corner.
“This is an end unit with two and three bedrooms in the middle,” said Jean Luc. “I can show you a middle unit but it’s the same thing in a slightly different layout.”
“This looks great,” John said. “I’ll take it. I have some money left to me by my father. It will be enough to pay the first month’s rent and deposit and to buy furniture to furnish it. Tell me does the furniture store deliver?”
“It does, and it’s only six blocks that way,” Jean Luc said pointing west.
John wrote him a check for first month’s rent and deposit and was handed the keys to the place. He was happy. Quinn took him to the furniture store where he bought basic furniture, love-seat, recliner, coffee table, end tables, kitchen table and chairs, and a bed with a night stand it all came with lamps. It would be delivered in two hours. Quinn dropped him off at his apartment to wait for the delivery.
He went back to the house and found Charlie sitting in the dining room watching Giselle paint. She’d asked for paint and an easel and Quinn had gotten them for her. She was happy and could really paint.
“She’s really good at painting,” Charlie said, grinning at Quinn.
“She is,” Quinn agreed. “What are you working on, Giselle?”
“A landscape,” she said. “It’s the beach.”
“Cool,” he said. “I went to the manor and looked around. They really are nearly done. We’ll be in before Thanksgiving.”
“Well maybe they’ll have it done after our honeymoon,” Charlie said.
“Where are you going?” Giselle asked.
“Hawaii,” Quinn said.
“That sounds great,” she said. “Too bad we can’t go with you.”
“We’ll take another trip as a family before the baby is born,” Quinn said.
“Did you check on Josephine?” Charlie asked.
“I did,” he said. “She’s fine. Still being a bitch about her powers but oh well.”
“How long do you plan to leave them bound?” Giselle asked.
“I don’t know,” Quinn replied. “I hadn’t thought of it.”
“I say leave them forever,” she said.
“I just might,” he said. “Or I’ll strip their magic.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Giselle.
“I’m weighing my options,” he said. “Some in the family think it was wrong to bind them. Imagine what they’d say if I stripped them.”
“You mark my words, Quinn,” she said. “If you don’t leave them bound or strip them we’re all going to pay for it one way or another.”
“I hear you,” he said and left the room.
He hung out in the living room watching television. He wasn’t really paying attention to it. He was thinking about Angelique and Josephine. He really didn’t know what he wanted to do with them. He couldn’t let them run around with powers to cast spells on him. But he couldn’t just leave them bound either. He didn’t know what he was going to do.
Instead he thought about the wedding. He was excited about it. Franklin would officiate and everyone in he family was invited. It was on the beach so he couldn’t keep them away anyway. He was sure that Angelique and Josephine would stay away from the event but he wasn’t positive about that. He supposed he couldn’t do anything about it.
The reception was being thrown at Keller Center. He’d paid the caterers and the band. He’d even bought liquor which was hard because he was only nineteen. Lorette had taken care of that for him. There would be liquor at the reception. He’d even paid the photographer, a Moreau of course. All of them were Moreaus.
There were caterers, bands, bar tenders, and photographers in the family. Of course there were. There were so freaking many of them after all. Of course there were also doctors, lawyers, electricians, lawn care specialists, and every other kind of professional in the family.
But the wedding was in two days. They’d chosen the cord for the handfasting and their style was going to be on display. Quinn had his tux and so did Charlie. With Pierre and Revanche on his side and Corbin and Dale Moreau on Charlie’s side it was well balanced. Corbin and Dale were both in the novice class with Charlie and he’d gotten to know them pretty well.
They all had their tuxes and Giselle had her dress. She was going to walk Quinn down the aisle because both of their parents were dead. She was looking forward to it and so was he in so many ways. It was scheduled to happen on Sunday which was two days away. He couldn’t believe it was coming so fast.
He thought about what he’d done to Vera and was still shocked by the twins and having John in Moonlight Bay had shocked him. He was happy that he was already fitting in and that should be making John happy. He’d gotten him a job, and apartment, and a class. He hoped he found what he was looking for.
Now all he had to worry about was Angelique and Josephine. He kept coming back to them because it was a continuing problem. She’d stolen his sperm and impregnated herself with magic. He’d bound both of them for their role in this violation. At least the rest of the family saw it for the violation that it was. He was still angry with both of them for doing it but happy about the baby to come.
It was too fast for them but the baby was coming. There was nothing they could do to stop it and if there was he wouldn’t do it. He had thought about having children but he wasn’t sure when or how it would happen. He’d never dreamed that it would happen this way.
Sunday dawned bright. Quinn and Charlie spent a long time getting ready and getting ready to leave. Giselle knocked on their door several times. They finally came out dressed in their tuxes. Giselle was there to walk Quinn down the aisle and Lorette was there to walk Charlie down the aisle. They took their hands and walked to the truck and car.
On the beach the canopy was set up with the stage and the chairs in rows. They were all full. There were family members and probably curious townspeople standing in rows behind the chairs. Quinn smiled at this. A keyboard and speakers were set up beside the canopy. A musician, this one not family was sitting at the keyboard playing music for the crowd.
Then they got out of he car and truck and began their descent down the aisle. Charlie went first with Lorette and his groomsmen. Then Quinn went next with Giselle and his groomsman. They walked up to the stage where Franklin stood, smiling at him. Behind him was a table with candles that stayed lit because they were spelled and a green clay jar that the cord would be wound and placed in after the ceremony.
"Dearest friends and family, We've come here to show these two beautiful people our love and support today! To celebrate them as they join their lives together in marriage.
Marriage isn't something to be entered into lightly. The uniting of two paths into a single journey asks us to be thoughtful, intentional, and honest. Marriage brings with it a deep realization of our responsibility and commitment to our partner, and the understanding that love, loyalty, compassion, and compromise are the foundations of a happy and enduring home," said Franklin with a smile on his face.
"Quinn, do you come here today to marry Charlie, and to join your path with his?"
"I do," Quinn said, smiling at Charlie.
"Charlie, do you come here today to marry Quinn, and to join your path with his?"
"I do," Charlie said, smiling back at Quinn.
"Quinn Moreau and Charles Bennett will now exchange rings, and the words they've written for each other. These words are promises they make to each other, to keep each day of their lives together," Franklin said.
Quinn placed the ring on Charlie’s finger and said, “With this ring I tie myself to you in every way possible. You are my soul’s mate and I love you more than you could ever know. I promise to be by your side in sickness and in health. I promise to be by your side until the end of time.”
Charlie placed the ring on Quinn’s finger and said, “With this ring I tie myself to you in every way possible. You. All I ever wanted was you. Before I even knew you were in the world my heart was searching for yours. I love you more than you could ever know. I promise to be by your side in sickness and in health. I promise to be by your side until the end of time.”
"And now, Quinn and Charlie have asked us to join them in a handfasting to symbolize that their union takes place on a spiritual as well physical level," Franklin asked them to place their hands together and began to wrap the cord around their wrists.
"Handfasting is an old tradition. With each wrap of the cord, you deepen your commitment to each other, vowing to respect and support one another, to grow with each other, to offer each other compassion and understanding, and to take each new challenge and adventure as it comes, together. Let this bond be strong and loving!" Franklin said loudly.
Quinn held Charlie and kissed him fully and deeply. They hugged each other with one arm while the arms that were now wrapped together in cord were between them. Then they took it off their wrists and wound it to put in the cup.
“I now pronounce you husbands in the eyes of the Goddess may she bless and keep you forever and ever. Blessed Be,” said Franklin.
“Blessed be,” said the crowd.
Quinn held his and Charlie’s hands up to show them that they were united and the crowd cheered. They made their way to the limo that was waiting for them with “Just United” printed on it in white. The limo took them to the Keller Center where the party was just getting started.
They waited until the other cars began to show up before they went in and sat at the table meant for the wedding party. The doors opened and the rest of the wedding party joined them. Camilla came with Lorette and Franklin who smiled and looked happy and loving. The music started and people began to dance.
Then the music stopped as they made their way over to the cake. They cut small pieces and fed them to each other being careful and thoughtful. Then they cut the cake each with a hand on the spatula. The people cheered this.
Then the caterers began to serve food. The bar tenders began to serve drinks. The music began to play again and people were on the floor. Quinn was waiting for his dance with Charlie. He nodded at the DJ and after the last song he announced the dance of he newly wed couple. He played “To Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.
He took Charlie in his arms and spun him around the floor slowly, looking into his eyes the whole time. They sang the words to each other and were happy. They danced to the end of the song. Then another slow one was played and other couples joined them on the floor.
They sat down after the third dance. They ate the food from the caterer. It was chicken and it was delicious. They had more cake and wine but they didn’t get drunk. They had a grand time. There was the dollar dance and the line dance. Then there was the men doing a line dance and then the women doing a line dance. It was all great. Quinn was having the time of his life.
They were congratulated by so many people. Lorette and Franklin hugged them and congratulated them. Revanche and Pierre hugged them and congratulated them. Camilla hugged them both and congratulated them. Then it was a steady stream of handshakes and well wishes from other members of the family. Being the heir really drew people.
Joseph and Leah made their way to them and shook their hands and gave them their congratulations. Joseph thanked Quinn for inviting him to the wedding. Quinn told him he held no ill will toward him. That made Joseph smile.
Then they danced with just about every woman in the family and some of the men, too. Quinn danced with Lorette while Charlie danced with Josette. They had a good time dancing with them but then it was on to others and Quinn found it awkward to be dancing with Amily. She was a bit too short for his six feet of height. They managed though and then he was dancing with Leah. She smiled the whole time.
They talked to so many people. Charlie was amazed by the size of the family but Quinn told him this wasn’t even half of them. Charlie looked amazed. He smiled and talked to the people about school and what he planned to do when he graduated. Several asked Quinn about Josephine and the baby. He told them what he knew. Thankfully none of them talked about his binding her powers or Angelique’s.
The youngsters left at eleven and went home to bed. They stayed on. They knew that they would be told when it was time to leave to catch their flight. Quinn continued to dance with this woman and that woman. He talked to more people and promised to make time for some of them.
He answered questions about the manor and when it would be completed. Would he have tours? Would they get invitations to parties? Would he throw dinner parties? The questions kept coming. He did his best to answer them and remain upbeat. His hand was getting sore from all of the handshaking. Charlie complained about the same thing.
Then it was questions about this or that event in the family. Would Quinn come to this event or that one. He was careful not to make a firm commitment each time those questions were given to him. He avoided the dinner invites he didn’t think he’d could eat in every one of their houses and still have time for Charlie.
Of course he danced with Giselle. She proved to be a very good dancer but she admitted that Pierre had been teaching her to dance. He found that funny and hugged her tight. He was so happy that he’d found her. He loved her so. She expressed her love when the dance ended. Then he was sitting in his seat with a glass of juice in his hand watching Charlie be practically mauled by Bernice Moreau. She was ever so close to seventy but she loved the men especially the young ones. Quinn laughed at her antics.
Then it was time to dance with Charlie again. He loved dancing with him. He loved to hold him close. He loved touching him. He just loved Charlie. They danced to a few songs before they sat back down. Quinn was happy to stay on the dance floor with him but he knew he’d pay for it later when he tried to sleep.
Finally they were left alone for a while They sat at the table with Pierre and Giselle and watched as the people ate, drank, danced, and made merry. Quinn saw that the Moreau family knew how to have a good time. He was having the time of his life and it showed. Charlie was still beaming from ear to ear every time he looked at Quinn.
Quinn looked at the ring on his finger in awe. Charlie was finally totally his. It was amazing and wonderful. He couldn’t wait to start their lives together. He was actually looking forward to being a father. He hoped that Charlie was, too. They would make excellent parents. Quinn was sure of it.
Of course Giselle would live with them until she felt comfortable enough to live on her own. She was already selling paintings at the gallery in Keller Village. She’d not gone to any of her showings though.
When it was time to leave they got in the limo. Both had packed for the trip and they had their bags in the limo with them. They were dropped off at the airport in Santa Barbara where they flew to Los Angeles and waited for the flight to Honolulu. It was a non-stop flight in first class. They waited in the Delta Sky Club. They had sodas and pastry while they waited.
On the flight they fell asleep worn out from all of the excitement. They woke up just as they were landing in Honolulu. They got off the plane to a balmy night but they found their shuttle to the hotel and boarded it. Twenty minutes later they were checked in and in the honeymoon suite of the Honolulu Hilton Hotel on the beach. They changed into swimsuits and hit the beach.
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