WITCH SHIfT

JP

I was in love. I had a girlfriend. I was on top of the world, so it shouldn’t have been a huge surprise when it all got ruined with one phone call. That one phone call was from my mother. She said the whole family was coming and that I should make arrangements because she wouldn’t stay at my place.

To be fair I didn’t want them to, but she had never even seen my place. Let alone visit me here, in this town. So why now, and I was so high from Mar and me I came right out and asked that question.

“That is the reason why young man,” she had said. “It is time you remembered your place in this family.”

Well in Mar’s words her whole attitude pissed me off. So of course being pissed and full of myself I told her ‘great, look forward to seeing you and for you to meet my girlfriend.’

Shit, fan, you can imagine. My parents were the type that they wanted everything perfect and this was definitely throwing a spanner in the works. “We will talk of this when we arrive.” She informed me not nicely.

“Mom, how do you even have time to come here? In case no one has noticed we are in the middle of a countrywide catastrophe.”

“Don’t be flippant young man. We will be there in a couple of days, have arrangements made.” Then she hung up on me.

So today was going to suck. How could it suck just after having the night of my life? Mar went down to breakfast with her parents so they could plan out the day when she saw who was calling me. I didn’t want to ruin everyone’s day but they had a right to know.

I reached the lounge and the four of them were already there and eating food that Harper must have had brought in. I was famished, but I walked up a little sheepishly after what happened between Mar and me yesterday.

“About time you got here,” Harper said standing up giving me her seat. “The sheriff called. There are a few outlier places that were hit from before and they may have a few cases today, but Thomas says his group can handle it. You and Mar have more pressing matters.”

The words flowed from Harper like water and I wondered how she knew about the visit. I just nodded and sat down. Everyone looked at me. I don’t know what was on my face but it couldn’t have been good.

“Hey,” Mar started. “She just means you and I are going to work on getting medical supplies. We are getting low and we can use the warehouse as a storage sight. Harvey called this morning and he is already moving things around to accommodate things.”

I just nodded.

“Ok big talker, what is wrong?” Mar asked.

“My family is coming,” I said quietly. Everyone must have heard me though because Harper let out a curse.

“They are not staying here.” She said point blank.

Everyone but me looked at her.

“They are terrible.” She said with no sympathy at all. Of course I agreed with her about my parents but my brother wasn’t like that. “If it were up to them Witch’s would rule the world and everyone else would answer to them. I bet the president kicked them to the curb.”

I would have said something but Mar spoke up quickly. “It doesn’t matter. They are JP’s family and we will try and be nice until they prove they can’t be.”

“Mar,” I said taking her hand. “She is right. My brother is good, and we are close, but my parents, well, she is right in everything she just said. They believe Witch’s are a step above and it drives me absolutely crazy. You should have seen how my mom reacted when I told her she could meet my girlfriend.”

“What did she say?” Mar asked in a very slow controlled voice highlighting each word.

“It was one of those that if they didn’t pick you, then you were not my girlfriend. I don’t think they understand I am not a little boy anymore. It is going to be a fight and I am not giving you up for anything. I’m sorry Mar, but I won’t, even if it means we have to fight my parents, or at least I do.”

“You aren’t fighting anyone without me. If it comes to that, then we do it together.” She said taking my hand making me see her. “They don’t want to mess with MarJon.”

Oh my god I busted up laughing. “You did not just give us our couple name?”

“I sure did, and of course I am first. It sounds stupid if you say Jonyse. Besides, I like my name first.”

“Well I agree it sounds silly, all of them. I can’t believe we have a couple name. Oh Mar.” I said pulling her close and hugging her.

A slight cough caught my attention. Shit I forgot about her parents eating with us. “I’m sorry” releasing Mar quickly.

Mar laughed and hugged me anyway.

Her dad smiled and said “I only coughed to get your attention. Mar loves you and you obviously love her. I only wanted to make it known that no one, not even your parents can break what you too have unless you let them. We will stand with you if you have to face them about it. We Oliver’s are no slouches.”

“No sir, I mean yes sir, you are no slouches. I appreciate that but I should confront my family first. They need to know that they can’t control me and that I can make my own way.” I explained.

“That’s very noble of you young man.” Mar’s mom said looking at the two of us. “You have to understand that we have always looked out for Mar and we always will. Without magic she has always been vulnerable.”

I felt Mar tightening her pressure on my hand and I applauded her for not immediately lashing out at her. “I understand your concern,” I started. “Mar is a very resourceful woman, and magic or no magic, she is more than enough woman to take care of herself. To believe anything less doesn’t give her credit for how awesome she is.”

“Well I know, but,” she was cut off.

“Mom, I am fine.” Mar said smiling.

“Yes you are,” I said out loud without thinking and she giggled against me. “Um, I better arrange a place for my family to stay, but I can do that once we get to work.”

“If you’re ready we can go now,” Mar said looking at me.

“Yes maim,” I said standing back up. I would grab something to eat at work. Mar joined me and we said goodbye and we headed out the door. Maybe the day would be better than it started?

Mar

So, is it too good to be true when the man of your dreams looks good, works hard, and respects the hell out of you comes to your defense? God I fucking hoped not. We walked hand and hand as we made our way down the street toward the warehouse. JP had to arrange lodging and it was clear Harper wasn’t going to help in that regard.

I was going to work on all the other issues we had plaguing us. Harvey was waiting when we walked in and I could see he had been busy. A third or more of the warehouse was cleaned out and everything was in the other parts were still well organized and not crowded. He was amazing.

“I’ve got supplies being sent in from Supernaturals all over the state. We should have enough to really get a small medical site up and going in no time.” Harvey said with his proud smile, and he deserved it for all that he was getting done.

“Good job Harv. I still got to get the regular work going so I will see what I can do.”

“Sure thing boss lady,” he said walking back to his desk as I headed for my temporary office, or maybe it was just my office. I wasn’t planning on going anywhere now, so we would see.

The number one reason I went to my office was I wanted to also do some homework. JP’s family was coming, and I didn’t want to get caught unaware so no sooner did I get inside I fired up the computer and asked the search engine for everything on the entire Worth family.

I wasn’t surprised when it all the information was on his parents and brother. It looked like JP really did try to stay out of the light. Which was fine with me, I didn’t like spotlight any more than he did.

His parents while not only the inventors of the witch rating system they were also instrumental in arranging the witch’s councils and bringing the witches into more of a powerful role in dealing with the country. Currently both of his parents served on the presidential executive council.

Charlie on the other hand was the enigma. He had his mistakes, but it was obvious he was being trained to take over their roles upon retirement and all the tabloids were hot on news of who his future match would be.

I snorted. Charlie looked like a great guy and everything, but JP was the catch. I knew I wasn’t the only one that would think so, but the sooner before anyone realized it the better off for me. I was still waiting for him to realize I was too flawed for him. Damn that day would suck.

Reading into the family history a little bit more I did get a little nervous. It seemed whenever a witch, or assembly of witches didn’t agree with the Worth’s, they were never heard from again. Um, that was not good. Would they do something to their own son?

Why the hell was all this happening now when we didn’t need it? I’d grab JP and make a run for it but how far would we get? I knew running wasn’t the answer, but neither was a confrontation, JP would be heartbroken no matter what happened. I just didn’t know what to do.

JP

“Thanks LeBeouf, I really appreciate this.” I said to my favorite Elf and the owner of the Forest View Retreat.

“It is not a problem,” he said into the phone back to me. “Besides, you are paying well for the use of the main lodge. Tell me, is it worth it?”

“To keep them out of my house? Without a doubt,” I said laughing.

“I meant the girl. Is the girl worth the fight with your family?

“You have no idea.” I said smiling. “Oh, that was insensitive, I am sorry my friend.”

“It is ok. I do not wish to ruin the mood. I do hope someday to be willing to risk what you have to find my own happiness. If you need the elves, to face off with your family, you have only to ask.”

“You have no idea what that means to me. Your friendship and Harv’s is what has kept me sane ever since I got here. Thanks’ buddy. I’ll call you later.” I finished and hung up.

I wasn’t kidding when I told him that. This place in the beginning was a rough and tumble town. It took a long time to bring it to the semblance of normalcy that it was today. Now if we could only get more women to move here. The male to female ratio was still heavily tipping all our way.

Of course, my complaining now would be silly since I found the woman I was meant to be with. I really believed that, or I wouldn’t have told her that. I sent Charlie the information on the lodge and he sent me back a happy face emoji. Oh he was so not right in the head.

I still needed to inform the Sheriff and the Deputy Sheriff that my family was coming. When presidential advisors were visiting the town, it was best to let the local law enforcement know. My family was also the type that you would want to be prepared for. They caused trouble wherever they went.

I really hoped Charlie took my side in this. If he sided with my parents I would be devastated. I prepared myself to lose my parents over Mar, but I didn’t want to lose Charlie as well.