The Shower

By Donna and Abs

Word spread through the town of Edan quickly that Father Philip and Fiona would be married as soon as his friends from the Legacy House arrived. The women of the town got together, and just as quickly threw together a bridal shower! The next day, all the women that lived in that area gathered together in the public gardens to make sure that Fiona was fully *prepared* to be married come the ‘morrow.  

Most of the women, of course, were fae, so it was kind of a family -run thing.  Fiona was their darling, and they wanted her sent off right.  Since the Gardens were not far from his home, Robert Helm offered to help bring some things over and help set up, but once things were ready he was chased off.  Definitely NO men were allowed to stay! 

Of course, that meant that every man in town tried to crash the party at one time or another, but they were all chased firmly away. All except for Gideon, that is. The fae were doting over him just as much as they were over Fiona, much to the gentle man's great joy.   

As they ate their potluck lunch, there was much good-natured advice being given to the bride-to-be, especially from the more *experienced* women.  

Of course, the whole "rumor" (for there were those in the crowd who did not yet know of the faes) that she was to have twins immediately got her plenty of attention, as well.  There were many growing bellies at the party! 

After their lunch, each of the women gave some type of gift to the bride. Some of them were hand made items, others from the mercantile. And all were delivered with a lot of good-natured teasing, especially the sheer white lace nightgown given to her by all the fae that shared her cottage with her!  

"We'll have to find a place to go that night!" said Vanessa.  Larina immediately offered them beds at her boarding house, if they could not find *other* places to sleep, that was!  Of course, that brought on a wave of winks, as the girls started thinking of which guy they would room with! 

Of course, some of the conversation got a little detailed from time to time, making some of the girls who had yet to experience the joys they were talking about blush crimson. During all this, Gideon sat in the middle of the giggling women, a broad smile on his face with not a clue what they were talking about! But Shannon stayed close, and as she was also expecting, and since some people knew the father, it was quite poignant. 

Some of the gifts were practical, such as dishware or linen. Hope gave them a painting that she had done of a seascape with a ship that looked a lot like the one that Connor captained. Sarah Jo gave her a large basket full of preserved fruits and vegetables, plus some carefully dried herbs for seasoning. There were quilts and household items and that sort of thing, too.  She was very pleased and touched by it all, but when it was over, the fae girls seemed to indicate she should wait a bit, after the rest of the girls left.  "The best is yet to come," said Quinn. 

She was curious, but did not press. Once the party broke up, she hugged and thanked all the women who had come, her eyes misty with happiness. She then looked at Fae to see what her fae friends were up to this time.  

Shannon took Gideon's hand.  "We're going to the Glen," she told him.  "Would you like that?" 

"Yes, Shannon," he smiled. "I would like that. Magic happens there, doesn't it?"  

"Very often.  Father wants to give Fiona a present, too," she confided. 

"He is a very nice man," Gideon said with a nod of his head. He, Fiona and Shannon got into a cart pulled by his trusted little gelding, and headed out to the Glen. The other fae took the *shortcut*. When they arrived, they found The Old One waiting. He was smiling, and Fiona knew it was just for her. 

She had seen the Old One wandering around the garden, but they had never actually talked to each other before. "Is it Himself then?" she whispered to Shannon.  

"That it is!" Her own Irish accent got stronger talking to Fiona.  "And doesn't he have a giftie for you?" 

She looked surprised. "Now why would one such as Himself be takin' notice of me?" she mumbled as she was ushered to where the Old One waited. Once there, she dropped a deep curtsey, and greeted in the Irish. It seemed appropriate to do so.  

He just continued to smile at her, finally touching her chin to raise it.  "First of all, I am glad to see you are not feeling guilt, but only love.  That is as it should be, here.  Next, my Fertile One has explained your . . . situation, and I have a special gift to bestow.  It is not exactly a wedding, but more a baby shower gift, but I do hope you shall accept it, for having befriended my lovelies?" 

"And who would not be friends with such grand lasses as yer daughters?" Fiona said with a sparkle in her eyes. Typical of the Irish, she was very accepting of anything to do with the wee folk, as she called them. "'Twas no spot of bother at all! But seriously now, yer Lordship, it would be an honor fer me babes to have a gift from one such as yerself!"  

"I was hoping you would think that way!" he smiled.  "Because when they get here - and possibly before - they will be looked after very thoroughly.  By this I mean I am going to give them both a psychic link to my girls.  Hopefully one will be on watch always, guaranteeing the wee ones' safety no matter what." 

Fiona dropped another curtsey. "That is a grand thing, indeed!" she said happily. "I would like nothin' better!"  

"It shall be done, then.  And in the not so distant future, I understand."  He smiled again, his eyes sparkling.  Human reproduction always did give him a chuckle. 

Her cheeks flamed. "Aye. Tomorrow night if all goes well!"  

He kissed her forehead gently saying, "It will." 

After that, all the fae circled around their human friend, giving her and the babies she would soon conceive their own good wishes and blessings.