Blue Moon

“Wow.” I commented as I stared down at the beautiful topaz diamond that hung heavily off of Lucy's ring finger. I wasn't sure why she called me to Daniel Cumberland's manor but she did, yesterday in fact. She requested to have brunch with me.

“I know, that's what I said.” She chuckled, “I honestly would have settled just fine for something more normal and well, something not to attention grabbing.” She shrugged as she took a sip of her tea. I would notice she would fidget with the ring, turning almost so the diamond was hidden but I don't think she noticed it.

“How's the wedding planning coming along?” I was desperate not to have a moment of silence between us, just in case it was awkward. It can't be a simple brunch when you're dining with the person you're in love with, former girlfriend. It would get in the way of being just normal friends. If Lucy hadn't been with Will and Will wouldn't be so infatuated with her still, I could see us becoming very good friends. But that ship has sailed for now.

“Oh you know, Daniel has professional planners all over it. All I have to do is decide between which shade of white I like the most, which in all honesty, I only knew of the plain color white. I mean there eggshell white, off-white, dull whites, one I swear is gray but they insist it is a white. But I just point at one or let them decide. It's exhausting having someone flutter around me twenty-four, seven.”

I couldn't help but crack a smile at this,”Yes, I would find that very annoying. It's not the scenery that makes the wedding, it's the people in it. In my opinion, that's all that really matters.”

She shook her head feverishly,”Exactly! I don't even know half the people going. I mean Daniel, bless him, but he just doesn't have many friends. They're all business men that he needs to impress and I get that but I just feel like it's not a wedding with them there.”

“Haven't you talked to him about this? It seems like he would at least know your feelings about the process of all of this.” I'm sure Daniel was a nice guy, but it seems like he would be very dense in the emotional area of a relationship.

“No, he doesn't have the slightest clue that I absolutely hate having his business partners around the manor almost every day. I know enough Daniel to know he's a good man, but a terrible fiance.”

“Talk to him, if he doesn't listen, then well corner him. He has be in touch with you if you're going to be married.” Something danced around in my thoughts when I realized, I pity her. She's doing what's for the best, not what she wants. “I mean, Lucy, do you fancy him at all?”

“When we were teenagers, we both were practically in love with each other but we got older. He inherited his father's business, I went on to other things. We've lost touch with each other. It's like he doesn't even remember that he was my first love.”

This saddened me. I've misjudge Lucy entirely, she's just as helpless as I am right now. Neither of us can seem to get the attention we desperately need. “Well Lucy, remind him. What's something that would be sentimental to you both?”

She pondered for a minute before a ghost of a smile crossed her face. “On my eighteenth birthday, I was embarrassed when a boy, named Jimmy Walters, rejected my advances. I'd fancied that boy for almost a year before I got the courage to go up and talk to him. After I was embarrassed and the party ended, I walked around our property before I knew I had to go back inside. I went up to my room and I saw a pink rose on my bed. It's my favorite flower, and a note was attached to it from Daniel saying that even though I wasn't Jimmy Walters girl, I would always be his.”

“That's so sweet.” I smiled, just thinking of how much that would have meant to me if someone did that for me.

Her smiled only disappeared and followed by her glancing down at her lap,”It was the sweetest, most kind hearted thing he has ever done for me. A little over a year later, we were arranged to be married. We we're both happy, we both love each other. Then though, he slowly started to decline into a Daniel that I didn't know. One that was all about business and less about us. So I broke the marriage off, I was bitter about the whole married for a couple years. I met Will and then I saw how you two were. It reminded me of Daniel and I, how you even if you didn't notice it, you always put each other first. So I went back to Daniel, willing to give it another shot. I'm starting to regret it, I fear.”
“Lucy. Don't give up on him, if you two loved each other once, you can love each other again.” I advised her, but it was hard to fish someone out of their own fantasy world.

“I'm trying so hard not to but it just seems like he is just slipping into this act of a complete business man. I'll just be left with being a trophy for him to show off and the mother of his perfect children. I'm worried, Elizabeth.”

“I know how you feel. Having to get Will back is the hardest thing I've ever had to do but I-” I shut my mouth, realizing that in Lucy's eyes, what I just said didn't make sense. I've done something that I've feared of doing for months now: I've slipped up.

“Getting Will back? I don't understand. Have you two finally gotten started to date? Or have you parted?” She tilted her head slightly, confused.

I got to comfortable with her. She was trustworthy, she knew about Will and kept it a secret. Could I trust her? It would clear the air between us and let her know that Will fancies me for a reason. She would already confused, so why not just try to explain it to her?

“Lucy, it seems like I can trust you.” She nodded her head, still wary of what I was talking about. “You know Will is a werewolf and Colin is a hybrid, so you should have no problem with believing supernatural happenings anymore.”

“Oh god! You aren't a werewolf too are you?!” Panic etched her features but I quickly assured her.

“No! No! I was cursed, seven years ago I knew Will very well.” I settled in and told her the story. Not every detail but just enough for her to grasp why Will was how he is.

“So you and Will are soul-mates?” She questioned. I nodded,”Very much so.”

“You died and now you're cursed again and the penalty is death if you can't get him to love you again?” Again, I nodded.

She sighed,”Elizabeth-” I held my breath because I wasn't sure about how she was taking all of this. “You poor thing! I thought I had problems!”

I breathed a sigh of relive,”You do have problems. Normal problems that normal people can have.”

She laughed a little,”I actually feel better knowing that Will couldn't help what he was feeling.”

“The thing about Will is that he's stubborn and he has a lot of heart, Lucy. He's still hung up on you and I can't seem to shake him loose. I only have six months left before I lose him forever.”

“Liza, if I may call you that, I think Will is going to forget about me very soon. I mean I am getting married for heaven sakes.”

“Well, Emily and I have a plan to help persuade him in to cracking a little. We're going to make him jealous and I don't know if you've every seen Will jealous but it's much like him being caught up in his emotions. He can't keep them in.”

“If that doesn't get him, I don't know what will.” She chuckled a little, finishing her tea.

I looked at the clock and realized that if I didn't get going soon, Emily and Ia's plan will fall through. “Speaking of this plan, I should get going.”

She walked me to the door, and grabbed me in for a hug. “You must come back and visit, Liza.”

I released her,”Expect me then.” I waved as I walked down the steps and into the carriage waiting.
______________________________________________________________________________

“Where is he?” I asked Emily again. We were waiting in town, waiting for Tommy to show up. I was fiddling with my dress a little, mine nerves fooling themselves as if I was actually being set up with someone.

“He should be here any minute, I assume. I briefed him only enough for him to know that it's a win-win. He is scene with a women, you use him to make Will jealous.” Emily squinted her eyes and then widened them, tugging on my hand suddenly, and pulling me forward. “Tommy!”

Emily stepped forward and engulfed him in a hug, which he returned generously. Tommy was much taller than I remembered. His hair was controlled much more than he was when he was younger. It was swept over nicely and was dressed very nicely, very matched.

Tommy stepped towards me with a friendly smile. “Elizabeth, thank you so much for doing this for me.”

I couldn't help but smile. He was so innocent in a way, he wasn't bitter but he was so happy. Completely at ease with how he is, if didn't know him, I would have though he was as straight as a fence post. Well, straight with feminine qualities. “Don't mention it.” I grabbed his hand in mine, starting our act for the others.

He grasped my hand a little tighter, as we started walking. Emily and him talked and talked, without a pause. All Tommy and I had to do was hold hands and lovingly smile at each other every once in awhile. It was almost to easy, but I noticed how hard it might be when I saw people staring.

I didn't know any of them, but I knew Tommy did when his grip turned into a white-knuckle grasp. It clicked that these people must be questioning his sexuality. “Are you alright?” I asked him quietly.

He bent down as if to look like he was whispering in my ear. “They use to be close friends of mine, until they caught me holding hands with a boy years ago. They've treated me like dirt ever since and threatened to out me.”

I looked at him with pity and then the group staring at us as we walked by them. Without a word, I stopped Tommy almost right in front of them. I could feel their eyes judging us, so I decided to give them something to judge about.

I pulled Tommy's face down to mine and silently whispered, “Trust me.” Before connecting our lips. He got what I was doing and sweetly cupped my cheek. The kiss was short and sweet but it must have been convincing because when I looked back over towards them, they were turning away.

We continued walking, the hotel in the distance. “That was terrifying.” Tommy told both Emily and I suddenly.

“I thought it was convincing. No doubt they're telling people about it, your name should be cleared within a few weeks.” Emily reassured him and I can now understand why she wanted to help Tommy.

Tommy was just like me. Both of us are stuck in a unshakable abomination. I have no right to judge as more as he does to me.

We arrived at the hotel and Emily told us that Will should be at his house and that since Tommy can only be in town for a few days, we should go visit so Will has time to brew with jealousy.

We took a carriage over to his house and waited as I rang the doorbell. I felt anxious and very nervous that this would be horribly unconvincing to him. Helen opened the door and without skipping a beat told us that Will is out back chopping up wood since the air was suppose to be freezing soon.

Emily glanced at Tommy and I as she told Helen that she would like some tea and would meet us in awhile. I caught her drift, knowing that Will should see Tommy and I first and then have Emily come in and explain how we met.

As Tommy and I walked into the house and through the back doors, I was letting my nerves get the best of me. “I don't know if I can do this to him. It's unfair.” I stopped walking.

“Elizabeth, sometimes people just need a push. That's all you're giving him. If it makes you feel any better, I will make sure that we ease into it. Alright?” Tommy comforted me, probably knowing exactly how I was feeling at the moment.

“Alright.” I nodded and we continued down the hill towards where I had yet to spot Will. Tommy and I didn't hold hands as we approached the stable. “Will?” I called out, my voice sounded a little shaky.

I heard movement from the stables and Will walked out, trying to balance the small logs in his arms. “Eliza, I wasn't expecting you today.” But after Will dropped the logs to the ground, he dusted off his hands. He walked forward and I already saw Will taking notice to Tommy standing close to me.

“I thought it would be a nice surprise. Emily is here to but she wanted some tea, she should be out soon though.” Will smiled politely and had his eyes trained on Tommy. “Uh, this is Tommy.” I cleared my throat nervously. “He's a friend of Emily's.” I

Will stepped forward and shook Tommy's hand. “Nice to meet you. You visiting?”

Tommy nodded,”Yes, I've been in town for about two days but I've known Emily and Lizzie here for quite sometime.” I then felt Tommy's hand slip into mine and I gripped it back, almost to hard. Tommy gave a quick squeeze, telling me to relax.

Will's face faltered a little but he smiled brightly,”Well you're welcome here anytime during your stay.” Will turned around and picked up a log, and yanked the ax from the trunk it was stuck in.

The conversation grew, it went from small talk to a full conversation. Will wasn't showing any signs of being jealous but I could tell that it was bothering him a little by how hard he was swinging the ax down onto the logs of wood.

I felt Emily walk up beside me, greeting Will enthusiastically. “I see you've got acquainted. I hope you don't mind the sudden visit, I just wanted a chance for Tommy to meet you.”

Will stopped chopping the wood and swung the ax into the trunk and sat down on the edge of it. “Don't worry about it, I love it when you visit.”

Emily smiled and continued,”Well I just wanted to visit especially today because Elizabeth and I are doing a double date tonight and we wanted to invite you if you can find a date.”

My mouth almost dropped open, I didn't know about this double date deal. “Emily,” I said in a wary tone,”I thought we weren't doing that double date?”

“Eliza,” she raised her eyebrows,”we're doing it tonight, I thought I told you that because you and Tommy are courting now and all.”

There it was, I knew that's what she was aiming for. Will tripped up and dropped the logs he had split. But he continued as if it never happened. “I'll see what I can do, Emily. Right now though I'm swamped with work though. I'm afraid my chances are slim to being able to go.”
“Too bad.” Emily sighed. “Will would you mind if I gave Tommy a tour of the property?”

“No, not at all.” Will answered, busing himself with piling the wood up. He turned around just in time to see Tommy lean in and kiss me. Emily and Tommy departed, knowing that they would be talking about if they saw any flairs of jealousy.

I turned to Will, his jaw was tight and he sat down once again on the trunk. “So Tommy eh?”

I chuckled,”Yes, he grew on me quickly. He's so sweet, it's hard not to like him.”

Will scoffed,”Not that hard.” He barely spoke it but I heard it. “Is there a problem?” I asked, hoping he would say something.

“No, not at all. I'm just surprised you're courting. Last time I saw you, you were hunting for a witch, now you're courting.”

“Well I can court, can't I? It's been so long and I've just been lonely, that's all.” I shrugged.

“You have Emily and I.” He was obviously bothered by my courting. It was working, I could see some jealousy leaking through.

“Well yes, but I've been single for quite some time. I was lonely in that department specifically.”

“He just doesn't seem like your type. He's too brushed and clean, to proper.” Will wrinkled his nose at proper.

“And you know my type, Will? I'm failing to see why you don't like him. He's perfectly nice, he's loyal, and he's a gentleman.”

“I”m not saying-- Nevermind, it's stupid. You're happy, nevermind.” He got up and picked up a arm full of wood and walked into the stables. I thought he was going to admit it but I keep forgetting how stubborn he is.

I followed him,”No just tell me, Will. You can be honest.”

He sighed heavily and dumped the wood into an empty stable and turned around to face me. “You deserve better, Eliza. He's not bad, he's just not what you deserve.”

I nodded and looked down at my feet,”And what do I deserve, Will?”

He shifted his footing,”The best and the best one is out there for you somewhere. I'm telling you though, Eliza, it's not him. ” Brushing past me, I heard Will starting to talk to talk to Emily and Tommy.

I turned around, walking up. Will was talking to Tommy and Emily looked at me for an answer. I shook my head no. She looked disappointed, just as disappointed as I felt.

I should of known better. The Will I knew would have acted jealous right off the bat, but that was because I knew his feelings for me and he knew my feelings for him. The Will that stands next to me now is more controlled, more reserved. I guess I would just have to work a little harder at this. I would work until the end of the six months undoubtedly. Will wouldn't know it, how hard I was trying to win him over without being obvious. I fear though that him seeing Tommy with him might discourage him. What is he moved on even further? This whole thing is too unplanned, we need to work this out until I either lose Will or have him forever.