The next morning they all got ready to go to work as they had over the last few days. Once they had arrived at the diner, while they were changing, Az and DG finally had a moment to talk alone. Az told DG of the gift Glitch had given her and hesitantly told her about how she had even kissed him on the cheek. In turn DG told Az about her conversation with Wyatt and rushed through the part about the kissing. She was a bit embarrassed talking about these things with her sister. She had never had anyone to talk to about these things before. It was nice, but certainly something she would have to get used to. But she was very happy to hear that things were going so well for her sister. She was afraid that Az would be too hard on herself and keep herself distanced from everyone. She certainly seemed happier since they came here to visit.
Once they were dressed they headed out to start their last day here. "Hey Carter, we found out last night that we are needed back home so this will be our last day helping out. We leave tonight. Hope you find someone else to help you out." DG said quickly hoping to breeze past all the questions about where or why they were going.
Catching her mood Carter didn't push. "Sure thing girls, as always there is a line around the corner waiting for this job. Hope you had a nice visit. Tell your parents hi from all of us here once you get home."
"You got it Carter. Thanks for the job while we were here." DG stuck out her hand to shake Carter's in thanks for everything.
Granny was there in her usual spot with her ever playful grandson. Wyatt and Glitch had already joined them at the table. Jeb had also decided to hang around this morning and joined them at the table. "Oh, who is this young man Mr. Cain? He certainly does look an awful lot like you!"
"This is my son Jeb. Jeb, this is Granny and her grandson. You gonna stay here with us this morning?"
"It's awful nice to meet you Granny. You sure it's ok if I join you for breakfast?"
"Of course Jeb. Would you like to have pancakes too?"
"Sounds delicious!"
Granny was glad to see that her grandson had taken so well to the newcomer. He was soon entranced by the outrageous stories Jeb came up with. "Well Mr. Cain, I didn't know you had a son, and so grown up too."
"Yes ma'am. He has been through a lot lately but he seems to have come through it all right." Wyatt smiled at his son talking and playing with the small boy.
"Well he sure has a way with that grandson of mine."
When DG came over to take their order she placed her hand on Wyatt's shoulder. "Hmm…let me guess. You want the usual. With extra bacon!" she whispered behind her hand. The boy nodded so enthusiastically that his whole body bounced with a huge grin on his face.
The bouncing boy turned back to Jeb for entertainment unable to keep his gasps of excitement at the stories of grand adventure being told. With a smile on his face, Wyatt turned back to chat with Granny until DG returned with their food.
As they all dug into their food Wyatt realized how much he was going to miss this place. It was such a nice place and he could see why DG had wanted to return here so much. Maybe they could visit again sooner rather than later…
"So how did you end up with an almost grown son Mr. Cain?"
"Well ma'am, it's a long story, but I'll tell you the short version of it. I married my school sweetheart and had Jeb shortly after. He was just a little thing when the witch gained control and I joined the resistance and the witch didn't much care for people resisting her so she sent her soldiers to our house and had me locked up and took them away. I thought they were both dead for years when we stumbled across him. His mother died but he had survived and joined the resistance. He had thought I was dead as well so it was a surprise for both of us."
"That's a pretty fantastic story Mr. Cain. You sound like your son over there telling grand stories of adventure and witches. This place you come from must be very different from here. How did you meet DG?"
"Well that happens to be part of the same story. DG was born there but taken away so she would be safer but the witch brought here back. She found me locked up and let me out. I let her tag along to look for her parents but once she started remembering her past I stayed with her to protect her. We were looking for her real father when we found my son."
"Well its luck you two have each other then."
"I agree. We seem to make a good team."
DG motioned to Wyatt that they were going to get changed to leave and she and Az headed for the back room, finishing up their last day working there.
"Well Granny, it has been a pleasure gettin' to meet you and your grandson, but we will be headin' home tonight. I'm sure we will be back for another visit before you know it though."
…o.O.o…
Once they were back to the house everyone went to gather all the things they wanted to take back to the OZ with them. Az decided to take her new clothes with her but that didn't take her long to pack up so she went up to DG's to see if she needed help with anything. Quietly she knocked at the already opened door before stepping inside the room. DG looked up and smiled brightly at her an motioned she come join her where she laid sprawled out at the end of her bed, head hanging off the edge.
"DG, can I help you pack anything? I'm sure there are plenty of things you want to take with you." Az asked after joining DG on the bed.
"That's okay, I am probably only going to take some clothed back with me. Nothing else will really work too well in the OZ." DG sat up as her painting caught her eye. "Az, have we ever been to a place that looks like this before? It seems familiar but I don't know why it keeps popping in my head."
"I don't recognize it; perhaps it is a glimpse from the future. Mother used to get those from time to time. Just an image in her head that would turn up later… Maybe you got that from her?
"I guess I will just have to keep an eye out for it then. Every time I picture it I get such a happy feeling."
They were both pondering on the picture when a loud knock sounded from the front door. They both got up from the bed and headed down stairs to find out who would be visiting them here. Wyatt had already answered the door and Gulch was standing there glaring at him.
"What are you doing here Gulch?" DG asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs and slipped under the outstretched arm Wyatt offered her. At that moment she didn't really care why Gulch was here, she was too distracted by this new side of Wyatt offering affection openly.
Eyeing the two of them together suspiciously, "I heard word that y'all were heading out tonight, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay. Is Emily or Hank picking you up?"
"No, were going to sort of just catch a lift….."
"Well I think I will stick around until you leave to make sure everything is locked up and safe. It looks like a storm is starting to brew out there…"
DG's eyes widened in surprise as she peeked around him and noticed the black swirling clouds starting to form.
Ignoring Gulch she shouted at the house in general, "Everyone get you stuff, It's almost time to go!" And with that she ran back upstairs to grab her stuff.
In the rush that everyone made to gather their things to go no one noticed the Gulch hadn't left and that he didn't intend to. Something funny was up and he wanted to know what.
Gulch sat quietly on the porch looking at the clouds grow more threatening by the minute, while one by one the group joined him on the porch, still not noticing him as they were too preoccupied with the storm. DG was the last out of the house and turned to lock everything up. Once that was finished she grabbed Wyatt's hand and began running towards where the storm looked the worst.
Still watching them, Gulch noticed the black clouds begin to spin and lower to the ground in a ferocious twister. He tried to yell over the storm at them to come back but whether they heard him or not the continued running to the twister. They ran directly into it and as soon as they had entered it the storm vanished from the sky leaving nothing behind, not even a single dark cloud. Shaking his head in disbelief, Gulch left the house. Next time they came back he would have to find out what was going on.
…o.O.o…
They all arrived home safely, with their mother and father there to greet them where they fell out of the storm. Lurline hugged her daughters and thanked the Cain men and Glitch for taking care of her daughters. Once the reunion was over they all followed her back into the castle. They each headed the direction of their room, all but Wyatt. Smiling at him, Lurline looped her arm through his.
"I think it's time for that talk now Mr. Cain."
"As you wish your Majesty" he slightly bower as he was led by the queen to a meeting room followed by Ahamo. She offered him a seat which he quickly accepted. He was nervous about the outcome of this meeting but was anxious to have an answer one way or the other. Regardless of what DG had said he would not go against her parents.
"Mr. Cain, what was it you wanted to speak to us about?" She smiled at him with a knowing smile.
"Well, it's about DG…and her future." He nervously cleared his throat before continuing. "I care greatly for your daughter and, while I realize I might not be the ideal match for her I was hoping to get your permission to court her."
"Mr. Cain, we have all seen the way you two look at each other. I could never make her marry someone she didn't love. That would be a bit hypocritical of my since I didn't exactly follow the rules either. But you shouldn't thing so poorly of yourself. Besides DG loving you, you are the hero of the OZ and I don't think anyone would think you out of place with DG."
Relief coursed through him at her words. He stood smiling and gave the queen an unexpected but affectionate hug and shook Ahamo's hand.
"Thank you. If you don't mind I'm going to go find DG."
"Of course my dear, thank you for being so honest with us. You have our blessing so long as DG accepts, which I have no doubt she will."
Wyatt left the room and hurried to DG's bedroom where she was waiting at the door for him. He didn't say a word to her or bother closing the door behind him as it no longer matter who saw them. He swept her into his arms and kissed her with all the happiness he felt.
"I know we haven't really known each other all that long but I want you to know my intentions. I want to marry you and to be with you forever. There is no rush or anything, but I wanted to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into."
She smiled mischievously back at him. "Well…. " She wavered indecisively "I suppose I can go along with that."