ONE
Beinga witch was all about freedom and being in charge of one's choices...but that didn't mean there weren't traditions and customs that needed to be followed.Like asking someone to become a lifelong partner.The informal conversation we had wasn't enough to establish our relationship.No, in this instance, it was only traditional to prepare a proper proposal.
I fiddled with my hair, dragging my fingers through it to flatten the unruly waves.My stomach and knees felt weak in a way that I could only attribute to extreme stress even when everything was ready and set.My gift was waiting on the kitchen table in a small box, I'd rehearsed my speech, and I was dressed in one of my nicest dresses.
I was even wearing my lucky burgundy boots.
Voices drifted up from the stairwell and I tensed even more, knowing that I was moments away from having to pop the question.
"You can do this," I encouraged myself, drawing a few deep breaths to calm my nerves.
The kitchen door opened and Gran came through first with a bag of groceries in one hand while carrying Betty in the other.They were followed by the individual I'd been waiting for all day and my stomach got even tighter.
Gran let out an exhausted sigh."Those stairs, they're going to be the death of me someday."
I cleared my throat."As much as I sympathise, could I have some privacy?"
Her gaze went to the box on the table and her eyes widened."Oh, of course.Sorry, I didn't realise you were popping the question right now."She dropped the bag and hurried out of the kitchen.
Now it was just me and...theroyal orangecat who had come in with them.
"Hi," I squeaked out."It's good to see you."
Balthazar gave me a dismissive look."Why?"
I swallowed hard and picked up the wooden box from the table, wishing I'd made myself flash cards with my speech because my mind had gone blank.After all that practising and preparing, I was going to have to improvise.
"Balthazar, I have to ask you an important question," I said, kneeling down so I was on eye level with the grumpy cat."I know we haven't known each other very long but I really like having you around.It always brings me a lot of joy when you join us for breakfast and I worry about you when you're gone."
He gave me a look as if he'd just bitten into a rotten mouse but didn't say anything so I kept going.
"I know that some people might think we're an odd fit but I think we can make each other happy.I'm not asking you to forget about Viktor, I know he'll always be important to you so I'm asking if we can remember him together."I opened the box, revealing a red bow tie."Balthazar, will you become my familiar?"
The cat wobbled his whiskers and chose that moment to clean his front paw, acting as if he hadn't heard me.I shouldn't have expected anything less from this cat that liked to test the limits of my patience.
And yet, I waited, hoping that everything we'd been through together had forged a bond strong enough that he wouldn't just deny me.
After what felt like forever, Balthazar finally looked at the new bow tie and me.The pupils in his yellow eyes were thin slits but he didn't seem on edge or uncomfortable.Instead, he licked his paw a little more.
"You're a strange witch," he said eventually."You have no money and a sad job and you stick your nose into affairs that aren't your own."
I could only nod.Nothing he said was a lie.
Balthazar continued, his tone softening somewhat."But I guess you're reliable.You've not missed a single day of feeding me tuna and you bought me a nice bed."
"And I'll buy you lots of tasty treats in the future!"I promised, not sure if a familiar proposal usually involved bargaining.
He cocked his head."And you'll install a cat doorbell at the coffee house?"
I nodded enthusiastically."I'll even install one outside my window so you don't need to bat at it like, you know,street cat."
"Will you take me on adventures?"he asked, a sad tone entering his voice.
I set the box with the bow tie down, taking the opportunity to pat his head.Gently."I'll do my best.I'm not sure what the future will look like but I want it to be filled with fun and excitement and joy."
"Hmm."He wobbled his snout and looked away, clearly avoiding my gaze."The bow tie looks a bit shabby but I guess I accept."
If cats could blush, I was sure he would be beet red.
