"Love you too, Mom. It's going to be fine. Better than fine - it's going to be amazing."
After hanging up, Mandy sat quietly for a moment, the phone clutched against her chest. Mozart bumped his head against her hand, demanding attention. She scratched behind his ears automatically, her mind still processing the conversation.
The familiar zing of Djinn magic prickled across Mandy's skin moments before Jacinth materialized in a swirl of bright colors and jingling bangles. Her dark eyes sparkled with excitement as she bounced on her toes, her long black hair swaying with the movement.
"Oh my goodness, Kieran just told me about your wish!" Jacinth clapped her hands together, her entire being radiating joy. "I'm so thrilled for you!"
Mozart and Bach scattered at her explosive entrance, diving under the furniture. Mandy couldn't help but smile at Jacinth's enthusiasm, even as her own nerves fluttered in her stomach.
"You should have seen Kieran's face when he told me." Jacinth dropped onto the couch beside Mandy, her bangles chiming musically. "He was trying so hard to maintain that stern expression of his, but I could tell he was pleased. And a checklist!" She dissolved into musical laughter. "Only you would create a detailed timeline and checklist for a magical transformation."
"Well, someone has to think these things through," Mandy said, heat creeping up her neck. "It's not like there's a guidebook for 'How to Explain Your Magical Makeover to Friends and Family.'"
"But that's exactly what makes it perfect!" Jacinth grabbed Mandy's hands, practically vibrating with excitement. "You've thought of everything - the cover story, the timeline, even arrangements for these precious babies." She gestured toward the cats, who were cautiously emerging from their hiding spots. "Most people just blurt out their wishes without considering the consequences. But you..." She squeezed Mandy's hands. "You've planned it all so carefully. I knew you were the right choice for Kieran's vessel!"
The pendant pulsed warmly against Mandy's skin as Jacinth's joy washed over her. The younger Djinn's enthusiasm was contagious, making her own carefully contained excitement bubble to the surface.
"I just got off the phone with my daughter," Mandy admitted. "Telling her about my supposed surgery. She's so excited about all the things we'll be able to do together at Christmas."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Jacinth bounced in her seat. "Just imagine her face when she sees you! And think of all the adventures you'll have once you're free to move without pain. Swimming, dancing..." Her big eyes sparkled. "Maybe even a trip to Cairo?"
Mandy threw up her hand, halting Jacinth's enthusiastic planning. "Wait, please. I can't... I can't think that far ahead yet." Her voice trembled as the reality of what was coming crashed over her again. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that I'll be able to walk without a cane."
"Just... let me start small, okay?" Mandy's voice steadied. "Let me get used to the idea of standing up without calculating pain levels first. The rest... the rest can wait."
Jacinth nodded, her long black ponytail swinging with the movement. "Just one step at a time, I got it."
"Yes." Mandy smiled, relieved at Jacinth's understanding.
"So tell me how you've planned it out!" Jacinth leaned forward, eyes sparkling with interest.
"Well, I found this gorgeous AirBnB," Mandy showed Jacinth the photos on her phone. "But it's not available for four days. So I found this luxury hotel in Oro Valley for the first couple nights." She switched to the hotel photos. "Look at those mountain views! And they have both indoor and outdoor pools. The location is perfect too - close to shopping centers where I can get new clothes. Because obviously nothing I have now will fit after..."
Her voice trailed off as the reality of the changes ahead hit her again. She took a deep breath and pulled up the AirBnB listing again. "But look at this place - it's worth waiting for!"
Jacinth's eyes widened as she studied the photos. "Oh, it's beautiful! Very Spanish colonial."
"Exactly!" Mandy's excitement bubbled up again. "It's not all that large, only two bedrooms, but it has a study, and this gorgeous courtyard with a pool, and it's completely private. No shared spaces or nosy neighbors to notice anything unusual. Plus, it's pet-friendly so the boys can come with me." She scratched behind Mozart's ears. "I've booked it for three weeks, which should be plenty of time for my supposed 'rehabilitation.'"
"You really have thought of everything." Jacinth's smile radiated warmth.
Mandy caught a familiar gleam in Jacinth's chocolate-brown eyes, one that reminded her of Mozart right before he knocked something off a shelf. The younger Djinn's smile turned sly as she tilted her head.
"Would you like some help packing?"
"Sure," Mandy said, curious what the mischievous Djinn had in mind. "Though I warn you, I'm very particular about how things are organized."
"Oh, I know." Jacinth's bangles chimed as she gestured toward the bedroom. "Why don't you get your suitcase and show me what you want to bring?"
Mandy retrieved her largest rolling suitcase from the closet, laying it open on the bed. She began gathering items - comfortable loungewear, her favorite nightgowns, the loose cotton dresses she wore around the house. Each piece she folded carefully and placed on the bed beside the suitcase.
Next came her toiletries bag, filled with essential medications, makeup, and skincare products. She added her laptop, tablet, and their chargers to the growing pile. A few books joined the stack, along with her journal and favorite pens.
"Is that everything?" Jacinth asked, those dark eyes sparkling with barely contained glee.
"I think so." Mandy surveyed the neat piles. "Now I just need to pack it all properly so everything fits-"
Jacinth waved her hand in an elegant gesture. The items rose into the air, swirling like autumn leaves caught in a magical wind. Mandy's jaw dropped as she watched her belongings dance through space before settling perfectly into the suitcase - clothes folded with military precision, toiletries nestled securely in their proper compartments, electronics cushioned between layers of soft fabric.
