M om I'm not going." Liam lay on the sofa; his
mother stood over him glaring down at her
stubborn son.
"Of course you're going. It's his first birthday.
You have to be there for him as well as his father. You
are, in effect, his Wahjee godfather. It is up to you to
see that his age progression is suitably honored for
what he's accomplished in the previous year."
"It is also up to me to make sure he lives for
another age celebration." Liam closed his eyes. The
past few months had taken a toll on him. The
Chambers clan never seemed to give up in their quest
to take down anyone Liam loved. "I'm not so sure my
being there for his birthday celebration is going to
help accomplish that."
"Liam, this is not negotiable. You will be at
Shays birthday." Morgan Taylor knelt down beside
her son. She was no sooner down when Killer
bounded over from his observation post on the steps
up to the bedroom. He had grown taller than most
266 Magical Moonlight
dogs. His long legs seemed almost foreign to his body
and Liam was sure he had an extra joint in them. He
was a gentle giant though and was under the
impression he was the size of Ty. So he constantly did
his best to sit on anyone who paused long enough.
"Killer, go sit down." Morgan said with a smile.
She waved her hand to magic him tenderly back to his
perch. Killer thought of this as a game he could play
with Liam's mother, so he rarely stayed long wherever
she put him. "You know Liam, Aiden should take that
dog to obedience school."
"You tell him, he won't listen to me." Liam rolled
over on his stomach. "Don't you have something to
do? I mean, better than hanging around the loft
bugging me?" The buzzer sounded and Liam groaned.
"I bet that's Dakota to take over nagging. You can
leave now."
"Liam, that's no way to talk to your mother." She
walked over to the intercom to see who wanted in.
"Hello."
"Hi, can Liam come out and play?" Dakota
answered, way too bubbly for Liam's taste.
"Come on in, Dakota." Morgan laughed. "Would
you like a cup of tea or something Liam?" she asked,
heading for the kitchen.
"Mom, what is with this penchant for hanging out
here?" Liam sat up exasperated. "I mean I don't see
you for weeks and then all of a sudden, I can't move
without tripping over you."
ER Bryant 267
Morgan laughed. "I like to see you Liam, you are
never available. Aiden suggested that I beard you in
your den so to speak."
"Aiden, you asked Aiden?" Liam's mouth hung
open.
"Of course I did. He is your partner after all." She
put the kettle on to boil.
The man in question walked through the door that
he'd had built on the far side of the loft, Ty perched
on his shoulder as usual. It was barely noticeable and
led not only up to the roof, but to a private and rather
hidden office area. "Hey Morgan." He kissed her
cheek. "Is the Brat giving you any trouble?"
"No, of course not Aiden." She smiled up at him
not, surprised when he headed for the loft door to pull
it open to a surprised Dakota who'd been about to
knock.
"Dakota, what a surprise." Aiden smirked. "I see
Morgan has called in reinforcements." Aiden and
Morgan had been working on Liam to attend the
birthday party for the last couple of days.
"For what?" Dakota asked, looking at Liam and
then back at Aiden and Morgan. "Liam, you said we
were going shopping. You aren't even ready."
"That was yesterday Dakota. When you blew me
off for some guy, I figured you didn't want to go."
"Get over yourself." She snorted. "You know I
had to do that project with Sean. You could have
helped."
"I have my own projects." Liam did bounce over
and give his friend a quick hug, before turning and
268 Magical Moonlight
giving Aiden one of his famous smiles. "Okay, I'll go
to Shay's birthday party."
"Just like that?" Aiden turned to Morgan who
shrugged.
"Cool, we're going to a birthday party." Dakota
clapped her hands. "When?"
"This afternoon. It's for Shay, he's one today."
"Oh my gawd, I can't believe he's one year old
already." Dakota beamed. "Did you finish that…" she
didn't get any further before Liam had claimed her
lips with his to silence her. "Are you out of your
mind?" she asked, wiping her mouth with the back of
her hand.
Aiden snickered and Morgan shook her head.
"He's young and impetuous." Aiden offered.
"He's crazy." Dakota, her original thought
forgotten. "You know Aiden, it's kind of weird how
you let that cat sit on your shoulder all the time."
"I agree." Aiden said with a shrug. "But have you
ever tried to teach a cat to not do something? It's
damn impossible. Ty decided from the start that this is
where he should sit when I'm home. It was cute when
he was younger and smaller, but I swear now he
weighs twenty pounds. I'm going to be permanently
lopsided."
"Why doesn't he sit on Liam?" she asked,
scratching the cat under his chin.
"Because he's my cat." Aiden smiled as if his
words explained everything. "So Dakota, do you want
to come to Shay's party with us?"
"Sure, but let me go and find him a present first."
ER Bryant 269
"He's one, he won't care if you don't bring him
anything." Aiden said.
"But I'll care." Dakota looked over at Morgan.
"What do you think he should have at his age?" she
asked.
"Well, that depends I suppose, on the child."
Morgan looked thoughtful. "I bought him a game to
develop his motor skills."
"Liam and I have something for him that he'll
grow up with." Aiden smirked. "But you'll both have
to wait until its time for presents to see it."
"You guys are no fun." Dakota pretended to pout.
"I'm going to get him a book. Kids like books."
"You'd better find a book with an interesting
story. I think he's gone through all his real baby kind
of books." Liam laughed. "He's like ready for War
and Peace."
"Slight exaggeration there Sunshine." Aiden
ruffled Liam's hair.
Three hours later everyone trooped into the back
yard of Shay's home. The party was in full swing.
Evan, dressed in his best idea of garden party finery,
was fluttering around making sure everyone had
drinks or food.
"It's about time you got here." Rosalie started.
Liam gave her a quick hug. "Sorry we're late
Rosalie, but we really couldn't help it.
"DA, Li" Shay shouted from his place on the
grass where he'd been playing with bits of paper and
ribbons. He stood up on uncertain legs and began to
toddle toward his two favorite men.
270 Magical Moonlight
"Hey there Sonny Boy." Aiden smiled as he
watched his son make his way to him. He squatted
down, but made the boy walk all the way on his own.
Shay needed the practice. Shay finally made it and
threw himself into his father's arms.
Aiden lifted him up and swung him around. "One
year old Seamus my boyo. Imagine that." He kissed
him on the forehead, making the child giggle.
Liam leaned over and kissed his young friend.
"Happy birthday Shay." He touched the heart shaped
mark he'd placed a year ago, reinforcing the
protection power for another year. "You will be safe
and you will be loved." He murmured. His ward
laughed with the warmth that flowed through his body
at Liam's touch. Aiden flushed with pleasure knowing
Liam felt about Shay the same way he did.
"Nanny." Shay said, wiggling in Aiden's grasp.
"Hello Master Shay." Margaret Mac Ruaidhri
said, walking up to Aiden and Liam. She kissed her
grandson and issued his birthday blessing, her words
fast and sure in the ancient language of the Wahjee.
Seamus was twice blessed on this special day. Aiden
relaxed for a moment knowing his son was sure to be
safe for another year.
"Mom, you were able to get away." Aiden said.
"Nice to see you Mrs. Mac Ruaidhri." Liam
kissed her cheek. Aiden, despite the past year and his
knowledge now of his childhood and the part his
mother played in it, still had some issues not resolved.
"Liam." She smiled. "I wouldn't have missed this
birthday blessing for anything. I understand you and
ER Bryant 271
Aiden have gifted Shay with his own Wah cat. When
is the gifting ceremony?" she looked around. The yard
was filled with humans. No gifting ceremony would
take place this afternoon.
"Good question." Aiden glanced over where
Vanessa and Rosalie were arguing about something.
"What's their problem?"
"I'm not sure." Margaret glanced their way.
"They've been rather testy with each other all
afternoon. It didn't help that the two of you were late."
"Blame our lateness on the drama princess here."
Aiden hip checked Liam who laughed. "Go diffuse the
moms, why don't you Liam my boy."
"Aye, aye Captain." He saluted before heading in
the direction of the food table and Rosalie and
Vanessa. "Hey guys." He said. "Nice party." He
reached for a plate and began to put some of the food
on it.
"Liam, thank you for the painting." Vanessa
gushed. "It's brilliant."
"Not bad Liam." Rosalie admitted. "Though I'm
not so sure about the cat in it. We don't have one."
Liam suppressed a groan. He should have known
the new Wah kitten would assert his presence as soon
as he'd been chosen. Cats have no idea of discretion.
"I'm glad you both like it." The painting had been a
family portrait done from a series of photos. It was of
Rosalie and Vanessa with Shay and apparently, the
damn Wah kitten.
"I really can't stand cats." Rosalie shuddered.
"They're so sneaky."
272 Magical Moonlight
"Shay loves Ty." Liam tried. "The two of them
play all the time. They even seem to talk to one
another."
"It figures Aiden would have a sudden urge to fill
his loft with animals." Rosalie glared. "He probably
knew Seamus would want to have his own menagerie
eventually."
Liam sighed; this afternoon's gifting of the Wah
cat was going to take some doing. And then there was
going to be the little problem of Rosalie. "A child
should have something to care for and love." He
began…
"Don't give me that shit." Rosalie snorted.
"Aiden Mac Ruaidhri just wants to make my life
miserable." She turned and walked away.
"That was pleasant." Liam smiled, helping
himself to a sandwich. "Yum, egg salad" he bit into it.
"Don't mind Rosalie, she never had pets when
she was growing up." Vanessa began. "Well neither
did I. I'm not so sure having a pet would be a good
thing for Shay. We aren't around to look after it
much."
"Cats don't need a lot of looking after." Liam
defended. "I mean, look at Aiden. He's like the poster
boy for being a workaholic, but he has Killer and Ty."
Vanessa giggled. "I still can't believe you got him
a poodle."
"Killer may be a poodle, but he's a big one."
Liam grinned up at her. "And he's good for Aiden. He
gives him something to think about besides himself
ER Bryant 273
and forces him to take a bit of leisure time that doesn't
involve heavy drinking at The Odyssey."
"Liam, Vanessa." They looked over at Morgan
who had joined them.
"Hey mom." Liam said.
"Morgan." Vanessa smiled. "I'm so glad you
could come. It's important that Shay has all of his
family around."
"He looks like he could use a nap." Morgan
observed. Shay had his head on Aiden's shoulder, his
thumb in his mouth.
"It's been a busy day." Vanessa admitted. "I
should maybe put him down for an hour or so."
"Let me. I don't get to see him that often."
Morgan offered. "You stay out with your guests."
Vanessa was content to allow Morgan to put Shay
down for his afternoon nap. With one thing and
another, she didn't notice that Aiden and Liam, as
well as Margaret Mac Ruaidhri, all disappeared into
the house with her son.
In Shay's room, once he was changed and made
ready for sleep, the Wah cat gifting ceremony began.
Part of that ceremony would be the naming of the
kitten. But that could only be done by Shay.
The birthday boy sat in his crib, interested in the
proceedings. One by one everyone came up to him
and blessed his birthday with their wishes for him.
Then they formed a circle with Shay and his crib as
part of that circle. The room darkened and then in the
center of the circle, seven Wah kittens appeared with
their mother.
274 Magical Moonlight
"The joining of Wah cat and Wahjee is a special
rite of passage. It can only happen once in one's
lifetime and must be equally the choice of kitten and
child. Rare exceptions have been made, but in this
case the power of Wah has come to request a gifting
to this child of the Mac Ruaidhri clan." The words
were whispered through the room, though not by
anyone who stood there.
Aiden glanced at the mother cat wondering if,
strangely enough, it was the cat that uttered the words.
"Seamus, will you choose your life companion."
The words resonate through them all.
"Wah, step forward." The kittens all stood up and
began to walk to small boy who watched them with
big round eyes.
"Dawg." Shay said and waved his hand. One of
the kittens immediately appeared in his crib. "Dawg."
He hugged the kitten to him. He had named his kitten
Doug, but to those watching, it sounded like Dawg.
"Dog, he called him dog?" Aiden looked at Liam
who shrugged. They looked down but all the Wah cats
and kittens were gone.
"Seamus, you made a wonderful choice." Morgan
said. "But to call him Dawg."
"Girl kitty." Shay grinned. "Dawg." He lay down
and closed his eyes; one arm around an orange kitten
that looked satisfied with her new person. The kitten
watched them for a moment before closing her eyes.
Though from the tilt of her small head, it was apparent
she was in guard cat mode.
