Chapter 24

When the King, Queen and Emily had left the room, tension replaced them. Jax, Bonnie and Tulip stood in awkward silence, until Tulip finally spoke up. "When I told you I loved you I meant forever. I know what happened with Nox, and I know it wasn't your fault. If it is anyone's fault, it is mine. He was my brother, I should have stuck by him to make sure he was alright" Tulip explains. Jax whispers, "Tulip you wouldn't hurt a fly, you can't blame yourself. Listen, I have been dating Bonnie since I left Brendlewood-" "But, you and I never broke up, this whole time I thought we were still together" Tulip says with sadness in her voice. Bonnie puts her hands on her hips and interrupts, "I'm going to make this really easy for everyone. Jax, we're done." 

I glance at Cade who gives me a smirk and whispers, "Why don't we take a little walk." I silently nod, and we leave the room. Out in the hall he turns to me and says, "I thought you might want to get out of there. Those three have some things to work out. Maybe we could visit the library, if you enjoy reading." "I would love to!" I reply, and with that we're off to the library. 

"Wow! It's a huge library! Oh, Hey! Are there any newspaper clippings kept here?" I ask. Cade answers yes, taking me by the hand to where they are. Butterflies rush through my body as his hand touches mine, and I quickly pull my hand away. I blush and give him a smile, clasping my hands together. "I-I just thought I would show you my wedding picture" I tell him. I leaf through the newspapers searching for the date. Suddenly I stop and just stare at the paper in front of me. "What is it Nora?" Cade asks. I say nothing, and just hand him the article. 

It reads :  '24 hrs After Wedding Bride Found Dead; Wedding Annulled' 

The article had a picture of me, laying dead in a coffin, family, and friends gathered around. "This can't be right" I whisper leaving through more articles. I come across more shocking information, 6 months after my annulled wedding, my best friends became husband and wife. "Freddie and Betsie were married?" I ask aloud. "Freddie? He remarried?" Cade asks astonished. Suddenly I feel light-headed and my vision becomes blurred, the overwhelming information becomes too much and I can feel myself falling. 

Opening my eyes I find myself lying on the library floor, Cade looking over me, a worrisome expression on his face. "Nora" he whispers, "Are you alright?" Remembering what I had just read I sit up and tears spring from my eyes. Cade looks into my eyes and wipes the tears from my cheeks. "I just can't believe it. They were my best friends" I say somberly. "Thank you James" Cade tells a middle aged man that has joined us. The man hands me a tissue, looks at the article and says, "Ah, my parents."

"What!?" I shout jumping to my feet. "Shh, shh! We are in a library. Yes Fred Warner was my father, and Betsie Warner is my mother" he tells me. "What do you mean Freddie was your father?" I ask earnestly. "Well he died quite some time ago, Mom's still around. She lives a few hours from here at the senior home" the man explains. This man has raised many questions and after about an hour I found out a few things. Things that made me realize that I could never go back to 1945. The man, James Warner, told me that Freddie died from a heart attack about seven years ago. James explained that years after the annulled wedding they learned that a girl named Margo had placed a spell on a dead rabbit to resemble me, but they were never able to find me. "I know they both loved you, you know how it is to have a broken heart" he tells me. 

"Cade, is Jax with you? Were you able to find him?" James asks. "Yes sir! He's just off dealing with a bit of a love triangle at the moment" Cade says cautiously. "Love triangle, eh? Did Jax find a new lady to replace my daughter while he was gone?" James questions. "I think I should find Tulip and Jax and let them talk with you about it" Cade offers and takes off to find them. "A very good idea!" James calls out to him. "Wait so let me get this straight. Your parents are Freddie and Betsie. You and Bonnie are step siblings? Tulip and Nox are your kids, making them my step niece and nephew?" I ask bewildered. "It seems that is the way of it" James replies. 

Cade soon returns with Bonnie, Jax and Tulip. We explain to James about Bonnie and I being sent through time, which oddly enough doesn't surprise him much. "Being a human and marrying a fairy, you learn alot about crazy stuff happening" James chuckles. "Oh! So that's how your children ended up with fairy genetics" I pipe up. James approaches Jax and says very sternly that he wants to speak with him. "Daddy no! You can't keep blaming Jax for Nox's death, he didn't know about his faulty wings" Tulip pleads. "Tulip this man is responsible for your brother's death and has been seeing your step aunt behind your back. He isn't for you!" James snaps. Bonnie chimes in, "If it helps, I didn't know that Jax had been seeing anyone, or about his past. I have no interest in dating him." Cade once again leans over and whispers to me, "I think it's time to take off again."   

This time our walk leads us out to the courtyard, where Cade and I stroll along talking and enjoying the beautiful gardens. "I'm sorry to hear about your- eh, Freddie" Cade says softly. I stare at the ground silently thinking for a moment. "Thank you" I whisper. Gazing at a flower bush I quietly reflect on the recently discovered information about my life. After learning that in my absence Freddie and Betsie grow close and have a family of their own, the love I have for Freddie feels so cold, so far away. The longer I spend in the future the more my life from the past feels more and more like a fading dream than reality. 

I must have been thinking aloud because Cade gently rubs my shoulder, and looks into my eyes. As soon as our eyes meet I feel a wave of peace wash over me. It seems he is the anchor that holds me balanced as the whirlwind of emotion speeds around me. Our lips are so close that I can feel his breath lightly on my lips, and in that moment he leans in and presses his lips tenderly against mine. My heart is filled with electricity. All of my thoughts vanish, as does the garden, the only thing that matters in this moment is Cade. 

"Cade..." Tulip says quietly as she approaches us. Cade and I break apart and Tulip stands in silence waiting for a response. "Tulip! Uh, hey. Have any news about Emily?" he asks. Tulip informs us that the recovery transformation has been completed, and while it is considered a success, the procedure has left Emily very frail. "The nurse said they aren't sure how long she has, could be months, could be days. I came to find you two, to take you to her" Tulip explains.

As we turn to leave I overhear Tulip whisper to Cade, "What are you doing!? You know that can't happen. Don't make Nora just another notch on your belt, she's important." Cade softly chuckles and whispers back, "It's not like that Tulip, I promise. Something's...different with her." Flustered by their conversation I quicken my pace as we head to the castle.

Arriving in Emily's room, we find her talking with Jax and Bonnie. "Hello everyone" Emily greets from her bed as we enter the room. "Emily! Tulip has told us about the recovery transformation..." Cade trails off. "Don't worry everything will stay on course" she tells him. He smiles and kisses her forehead. "You just get your rest! I've got some things to take care of, but I'll stop in later" he tells her before leaving the room. 

"The transformation has unfortunately left me powerless, though my wings are intact at least" she tells us. "Well I'm glad you have your true form back. I just do hope you recover fully" I say. Emily nods and continues talking with Jax and Tulip. Bonnie gets my attention and we step out of the room as she begins talking about Jax. "Nora, I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. It was uncalled for, and I am truly sorry. Seeing this place, and the magic, makes me think that anything could be possible, maybe your story could be true. Maybe you are my real mother" she says.

"Bonnie, you don't have to apologize. I know what I told you is a shock, and I want you to take your time finding the answers you need. I want you to know that I am here for you if you need anything, ok?" I say sympathetically. "Well actually, there might be. Jax came to speak with me about the whole he and Tulip situation, and I get the feeling that he is leaving some information out. A few days ago we were very much in love, now everything is different" she replies.

"What do you mean different? How can I help?" I ask. "He told me that he cares a great deal for me but that he has to figure out things with Tulip. He told me he could never be with me, but I don't understand. Like I said, he was very vague, and I think he isn't telling me everything. Maybe you could talk to him? Find out the whole story?" she asks me. "Ok, I will see what I can find out" I reply. 

"There you two are" Emily says smiling as Bonnie and I return. Bonnie smiles and says, "Only stepped out for a minute. Don't worry we're here for you. "I'll go let the cook know you'll take your dinner now" Jax suggests. "That's kind of you Jax, thank you" Emily says. "Well, I'd like to know where the kitchen is, never know when you will need a snack! I think I will go with you" I offer, and he agrees. 

Just on the other side of Emily's bedroom door Jax turns to me, "I know what you are going to say Nora. Tulip told me all about you and Cade sharing a kiss" he says. I blush lightly and reply, "Well, yes we did, but that isn't what I was going to discuss." "Nora listen to me, you need to forget Cade. Trust me. He's got kind of a ladies man reputation not to mention-" Jax tells me before I interrupt. "Jax this is about you and Bonnie, what is going on? She feels like you aren't telling her the entire truth. I thought you loved her?" I question. Jax sighs, "I love Bonnie, but I also love Tulip. I had never been with a human and when I left Brendlewood I met Bonnie and fell for her instantly. But, I can never be with Bonnie. Just like you can never be with Cade" he says. "B-but, why Jax? Just tell me, I know you're holding something back" I demand. Jax places his hand on my shoulder and softly says, "Listen I know about Freddie and Betsie, and about your annulled marriage. I gathered you and Cade have feelings for each other, but it's just as a I said... Bonnie and I can't happen, you and Cade can't happen. Tulip is pregnant with my child, and Cade is to be married soon."