John waited until the kids had all gone outdoors to play before speaking to his sister. They'd had their differences lately, but that didn't mean he didn't love her or want the best for her.
Olivia had a hopeful expression on her face and John was afraid that she was going to be disappointed that he wasn't asking to speak to her about June and the "big secret."
"Liv," he began, "I'm just going to start by telling you that I still don't want to talk about any rumors regarding June."
"Oh... okay," she said slowly, her face downcast.
"But this isn't bad news," he quickly assured. "In fact, I think you're going to be very happy as long as you're not upset that I overheard you and Jasper talking."
She raised an eyebrow. "Overheard us? Talking about what?"
"Winter. I know you're concerned about her."
Olivia nodded. "Yes, very concerned."
"And I know you've been reading tons of books on Ambrosia. So, I've been reading a little bit about it, too."
"How did you know about the books? I have them hidden all over the house!" she exclaimed.
He laughed. "We grew up in this house together. Do you think I don't know that trick of yours by this time? I know every hiding spot there is in this house." When she smiled, he continued, "Anyway, you need Life Fruit and Death Fish."
"I know, I know," she groaned. "And the grocery store doesn't exactly have those types of ingredients on hand!"
Olivia had a hopeful expression on her face and John was afraid that she was going to be disappointed that he wasn't asking to speak to her about June and the "big secret."
"Liv," he began, "I'm just going to start by telling you that I still don't want to talk about any rumors regarding June."
"Oh... okay," she said slowly, her face downcast.
"But this isn't bad news," he quickly assured. "In fact, I think you're going to be very happy as long as you're not upset that I overheard you and Jasper talking."
She raised an eyebrow. "Overheard us? Talking about what?"
"Winter. I know you're concerned about her."
Olivia nodded. "Yes, very concerned."
"And I know you've been reading tons of books on Ambrosia. So, I've been reading a little bit about it, too."
"How did you know about the books? I have them hidden all over the house!" she exclaimed.
He laughed. "We grew up in this house together. Do you think I don't know that trick of yours by this time? I know every hiding spot there is in this house." When she smiled, he continued, "Anyway, you need Life Fruit and Death Fish."
"I know, I know," she groaned. "And the grocery store doesn't exactly have those types of ingredients on hand!"
John grinned and handed her a pretty box. "This is only part of your gift."
She looked at him in wonderment and quickly opened the present. Inside were two Life Fruits. "Oh, John!"
He beamed at her with joy. "I just have to tell you that I have three Death Fish but I wasn't about to wrap them up in a pretty box and let them get all stinky. So, one's in the refrigerator and the rest are in the freezer, all ready to go."
"But - where? How?" she could barely get the words out.
"Don't ask, just say thank you."
She looked at him in wonderment and quickly opened the present. Inside were two Life Fruits. "Oh, John!"
He beamed at her with joy. "I just have to tell you that I have three Death Fish but I wasn't about to wrap them up in a pretty box and let them get all stinky. So, one's in the refrigerator and the rest are in the freezer, all ready to go."
"But - where? How?" she could barely get the words out.
"Don't ask, just say thank you."
She put the box down and gave him the tightest hug he'd ever felt from her.
"Thank you!" she cried. "Thank you with all my heart!"
"Thank you!" she cried. "Thank you with all my heart!"
John looked on as she immediately pulled out her cellphone.
"I'm calling Jasper," she said excitedly.
She only spoke on the phone for a few minutes, telling him the news in one breath. When she had hung up she seemed a little less certain, doubt clouding her eyes.
"Well, he didn't seem as excited as I am, but he's probably just shocked."
"Probably," John agreed.
"I'm calling Jasper," she said excitedly.
She only spoke on the phone for a few minutes, telling him the news in one breath. When she had hung up she seemed a little less certain, doubt clouding her eyes.
"Well, he didn't seem as excited as I am, but he's probably just shocked."
"Probably," John agreed.
"Have you already started making the Ambrosia?" Jasper asked as he entered the kitchen.
Olivia jumped slightly, startled to see him home early from work and by the tone in his voice.
"No, of course not," she answered. "The kids have all gone to a friend's house and since they won't be here, I was making dinner a little early, that's all.
Olivia jumped slightly, startled to see him home early from work and by the tone in his voice.
"No, of course not," she answered. "The kids have all gone to a friend's house and since they won't be here, I was making dinner a little early, that's all.
"Don't you want me to make the Ambrosia?" she asked after she put the dinner she had made on the counter to cool a little.
"It isn't that at all. I wanted to talk about it first before you do."
She nodded her agreement. "So, let's talk, then."
"I understand what your reasoning is, Livvy, but we still don't know the long term effects. I mean, how soon are you thinking of doing this to Winter?"
"It isn't that at all. I wanted to talk about it first before you do."
She nodded her agreement. "So, let's talk, then."
"I understand what your reasoning is, Livvy, but we still don't know the long term effects. I mean, how soon are you thinking of doing this to Winter?"
Her back stiffened and her mouth tightened. "Do this to Winter?" she asked. "Is that what you think I'm doing? Not something that would be best for her and give her a good life but something I'm just doing to her?"
"That isn't what I meant. I'm worried, okay?"
"And I'm not?" she demanded.
He sighed. "Can't we ever talk about this without getting into a fight of some kind?"
"I don't know!" she heatedly answered. "Can't we?"
He ran a hand through his ghost-hair and thought for a moment. "Do you know what would be nice?" This seemed to calm her and get her attention. "It would be nice to be able to fully feel you in my arms. It would be great if we could gaze into each others' eyes and you could actually see what color mine are."
"What are you saying? Are you agreeing this would be best?"
"I think what I'm saying is that..." his voice trailed off as he thought about the gravity of what he was going to say. "I think it would be best if you make the Ambrosia."
Her eyes became huge. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You do?"
"Tonight," he said, nodding. "And I'm going to eat it. Then we'll see what happens. And, if the results are good and we wait a long while and everything is okay after a time, we'll make it again for Winter. That's the only way I will agree to this."
"That isn't what I meant. I'm worried, okay?"
"And I'm not?" she demanded.
He sighed. "Can't we ever talk about this without getting into a fight of some kind?"
"I don't know!" she heatedly answered. "Can't we?"
He ran a hand through his ghost-hair and thought for a moment. "Do you know what would be nice?" This seemed to calm her and get her attention. "It would be nice to be able to fully feel you in my arms. It would be great if we could gaze into each others' eyes and you could actually see what color mine are."
"What are you saying? Are you agreeing this would be best?"
"I think what I'm saying is that..." his voice trailed off as he thought about the gravity of what he was going to say. "I think it would be best if you make the Ambrosia."
Her eyes became huge. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You do?"
"Tonight," he said, nodding. "And I'm going to eat it. Then we'll see what happens. And, if the results are good and we wait a long while and everything is okay after a time, we'll make it again for Winter. That's the only way I will agree to this."
As the adults ate dinner, John stared at Olivia and Jasper. Neither had said a word. Even with the children absent for dinner, the family was loud and boisterous at mealtimes.
But tonight... nothing.
What could be wrong? John wondered. Had they had a fight? Was it because of the Ambrosia? Perhaps he should not have interfered.
But tonight... nothing.
What could be wrong? John wondered. Had they had a fight? Was it because of the Ambrosia? Perhaps he should not have interfered.
When Olivia was done, she silently stood up from the table and began clearing it. John noticed that she didn't even ask Jasper or himself why they hadn't eaten anything.
John glanced at Jasper. He was pushing food around his plate with his fork and hadn't even seemed to notice that Olivia was clearing.
With a deep concern, he watched Olivia work at the dishes and hoped he hadn't caused any serious problems.
John glanced at Jasper. He was pushing food around his plate with his fork and hadn't even seemed to notice that Olivia was clearing.
With a deep concern, he watched Olivia work at the dishes and hoped he hadn't caused any serious problems.
Olivia must have stared at the refrigerator for a good fifteen minutes. Or longer. To her, it felt like ages. The ingredients she needed were just a touch away from her hand. She had the knowledge to make the Ambrosia and now she had everything that went into it, thanks to John.
So, what was the hesitation? Was it the unknown? Jasper had mentioned not knowing what the long term effects would be. Was it fear that it wouldn't last once he ate it or that it would make him ill? No, it was the fear that it would not work at all, she realized.
She touched the handle on the refrigerator door and felt the coldness of the chrome against her delicate skin. Is this what Jasper felt when he touched things? Could he even feel the cold or heat? Could Winter?
When she held her little baby in her arms, could Winter feel the warmth of her mother's body against hers? Could she feel it fully when Olivia kissed the top of her head or stroked her little cheek?
Winter.... she had to help her daughter. There was no choice in the matter. She would make the Ambrosia and Jasper would eat it. There was no other solution.
So, what was the hesitation? Was it the unknown? Jasper had mentioned not knowing what the long term effects would be. Was it fear that it wouldn't last once he ate it or that it would make him ill? No, it was the fear that it would not work at all, she realized.
She touched the handle on the refrigerator door and felt the coldness of the chrome against her delicate skin. Is this what Jasper felt when he touched things? Could he even feel the cold or heat? Could Winter?
When she held her little baby in her arms, could Winter feel the warmth of her mother's body against hers? Could she feel it fully when Olivia kissed the top of her head or stroked her little cheek?
Winter.... she had to help her daughter. There was no choice in the matter. She would make the Ambrosia and Jasper would eat it. There was no other solution.
The recipe was difficult and detailed. It took over an hour for Olivia to prepare it. Then, it took another hour and a half for it to bake to the proper temperature.
When Olivia peeked inside the oven, the Ambrosia had a strange rainbow-like glow to it. It was beautiful. Had she made it correctly? She cringed as she thought about what might happen if she had missed even one step.
When Olivia peeked inside the oven, the Ambrosia had a strange rainbow-like glow to it. It was beautiful. Had she made it correctly? She cringed as she thought about what might happen if she had missed even one step.
Jasper insisted on being alone. He didn't want Olivia there to witness whatever was about to occur. If this went terribly wrong, for whatever reason, there was no way he wanted her to witness it. He already knew she would feel responsible, let alone having to see a disaster happen to him.
He stared at it for a long while. The glow of the food was mesmerizing. It didn't look particularly appetizing, but it was beautiful to look at.
He stared at it for a long while. The glow of the food was mesmerizing. It didn't look particularly appetizing, but it was beautiful to look at.
Finally, he put a bite of it into his mouth. Surprised, he took another bite. Usually, he could taste the food he ate, but just barely. This had a very strong taste. It was so strong, in fact, he began to eat it faster, relishing the pleasure of the sense of taste which he hadn't realized how much he'd missed until that moment.
When he was so full he couldn't eat anymore, he stood up. At first, he didn't really feel any differently. He waited and waited, but nothing was happening.
Then, without his having done it, his body floated into the air and hovered several more feet above the floor than usual. He felt a definite tingling that began in his abdomen and seemed to radiate upward and downward at the same time.
After a moment, his body floated higher off the floor and the rainbow glow that had surrounded the Ambrosia began to surround him. No, he realized, it wasn't surrounding him, it was coming out of him, radiating outward now! The tingling was stronger and he felt warm all over.
Then, the glow seemed to fill the entire room. It was so thick, he couldn't even see through it. His body felt even warmer as if real senses were returning to him. He tried to look at the floor, to see his feet, but his head wouldn't cooperate. It was as if the glow was not only surrounding him but re-forming him. He could feel a change happening but for some reason, it didn't scare him.
As the glow began to dissipate, he gently floated back down to the floor where his feet hit with a soft thud. That's when he realized it. His feet were planted firmly on the floor and he could feel them anchoring him in place! He wasn't floating!
He looked at his hands and couldn't believe what he saw. They were flesh colored and opaque. Could it be true? Was he human once again?
He looked at his hands and couldn't believe what he saw. They were flesh colored and opaque. Could it be true? Was he human once again?
Quickly, he felt his chest with his new flesh-hands and realized his hands didn't pass through his body like his ghost hands had. The realization that he was human was a slow process at first, but now he understood.
He leaped into the air, hollering and whooping with glee, and felt his feet once again hit the floor normally.
Olivia came running in when she heard the noise, but she stopped cold when she saw him. They stared at each other, neither speaking, both unable. It was as if they were seeing each other for the very first time.
To Jasper's surprise, Olivia grabbed him and pulled him into a deep kiss.
"I'm so glad you're all right," she whispered with relief. She nearly sobbed when she thought of what could have happened to him. Then she began to cry softly when she saw what did happen to him.
He wiped her eyes and his touch was warm on her face. This made her cry even harder.
"I'm so glad you're all right," she whispered with relief. She nearly sobbed when she thought of what could have happened to him. Then she began to cry softly when she saw what did happen to him.
He wiped her eyes and his touch was warm on her face. This made her cry even harder.
Then Jasper pulled her into a real kiss. The kiss he had always wished and imagined they could have if only he'd been human.
Staring lovingly into his eyes, Olivia whispered, "Blue."
"What?" he asked.
"Your eyes. They're blue."
"What?" he asked.
"Your eyes. They're blue."
He pulled her into a tight embrace. He couldn't begin to describe to her what this felt like to him. He had forgotten after all this time of being a ghost what it felt like to hold a woman in his arms and feel her holding him back.
She smiled at him and said, "You need to to go upstairs!"
"Why?" he grinned back at her.
"Because you need to look in a mirror. It's been a long time since you could see your own face."
He nodded in agreement and touched her soft hair. He could smell the honeysuckle shampoo she used and he breathed it in deeply. "I'll be right back."
She smiled at him and said, "You need to to go upstairs!"
"Why?" he grinned back at her.
"Because you need to look in a mirror. It's been a long time since you could see your own face."
He nodded in agreement and touched her soft hair. He could smell the honeysuckle shampoo she used and he breathed it in deeply. "I'll be right back."
Olivia was amazed. Jasper was a human again. She could only hope nothing would go wrong in the future. This just had to work. It was the only thing she knew of that could help a ghost. She knew Ambrosia couldn't be given to Winter for a very long time, but that would buy them enough time, she hoped, to see if there were any bad side effects for what they'd just done.
Olivia had seemed so excited, John stopped working on his gardening and came inside. Grabbing a cold drink, he waited for her to begin.
"Okay," she said, barely able to contain herself. "Jasper ate the Ambrosia I made."
"And?" he urged.
"And it worked!" she exclaimed, wiping happy tears from her cheeks yet again.
"Oh, Sis! I'm so glad!" He smiled at her. "Where is he now? I want to see him!"
"Upstairs. He wanted to see what he looked like. Oh, John, he's so handsome - and his eyes are the brightest blue color you ever saw!"
"I'm so glad for you guys. This is such good news for my little niece, too," he added. "When does she get a bit?"
"Well, it's not something you can exactly put in a bottle," she explained. "And we want to observe Jasper for a while before we just give this to our daughter anyway."
"So, it will be a while," John shrugged, still with a smile. "At least you know it works and that I can get the ingredients when the ones you have go bad."
"Okay," she said, barely able to contain herself. "Jasper ate the Ambrosia I made."
"And?" he urged.
"And it worked!" she exclaimed, wiping happy tears from her cheeks yet again.
"Oh, Sis! I'm so glad!" He smiled at her. "Where is he now? I want to see him!"
"Upstairs. He wanted to see what he looked like. Oh, John, he's so handsome - and his eyes are the brightest blue color you ever saw!"
"I'm so glad for you guys. This is such good news for my little niece, too," he added. "When does she get a bit?"
"Well, it's not something you can exactly put in a bottle," she explained. "And we want to observe Jasper for a while before we just give this to our daughter anyway."
"So, it will be a while," John shrugged, still with a smile. "At least you know it works and that I can get the ingredients when the ones you have go bad."
"Thank you, John, for making this possible."
"It's no big deal. You don't have to thank me."
She hesitated. Was John in a good enough mood to discuss June? She couldn't stand the fact that he was dating a married woman with children who was a known gold digger. He wasn't even aware of it.
"I'm not trying to upset you," she began carefully, "but please let me finish. I don't want you hearing this from someone else around town. You need to hear it from me."
"It's no big deal. You don't have to thank me."
She hesitated. Was John in a good enough mood to discuss June? She couldn't stand the fact that he was dating a married woman with children who was a known gold digger. He wasn't even aware of it.
"I'm not trying to upset you," she began carefully, "but please let me finish. I don't want you hearing this from someone else around town. You need to hear it from me."
"This is about June again?" he said, raising his voice. "I'm so sick of this, Liv! This should be one of the happiest moments in your life and all you want to do is meddle in my relationship with my girlfriend!"
"No, please just hear me out -" she began.
"- No, you hear me out," he interrupted hotly. "I am through telling you that we're not having this discussion. You completely ruined any chance I had of ever getting back with Elisa and I loved her! Do you understand me? I loved her! I invested a lot of time into her and I could have possibly made amends with her. I am not letting you even one step into my relationship this time! Got it?"
"No, please just hear me out -" she began.
"- No, you hear me out," he interrupted hotly. "I am through telling you that we're not having this discussion. You completely ruined any chance I had of ever getting back with Elisa and I loved her! Do you understand me? I loved her! I invested a lot of time into her and I could have possibly made amends with her. I am not letting you even one step into my relationship this time! Got it?"
She sobbed, her breath catching in her throat. "Oh, John, I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say."
He let his breath out slowly, calming down. "I'm sorry for yelling. I just need you to understand once and for all that this topic is off limits. If I hear something around town about her, I'll decide for myself if it's worthy of my attention or not. Just leave me alone about it, though, okay?"
She nodded. "Okay."
He let his breath out slowly, calming down. "I'm sorry for yelling. I just need you to understand once and for all that this topic is off limits. If I hear something around town about her, I'll decide for myself if it's worthy of my attention or not. Just leave me alone about it, though, okay?"
She nodded. "Okay."
"I'm really sorry for yelling. I had no cause to do that," he said as he pulled her into an embrace. His love for her was clear.
She held him back. "I'm sorry for always meddling and trying to be in control. I know I have 'control' issues."
"You do?" he asked with a mocking smirk on his face.
She laughed a little at his goofy expression. "Yeah, I've been told a time or two."
"Well, that's just outrageous. Whoever said that should be flogged."
He kissed her lightly on the cheek and she rested her head temporarily on his shoulder. No matter what happened, whether she would ever be able to tell him what she knew about June or not, she knew they would be okay. They could fight and he could get hurt by this woman, but they would survive and still be brother and sister. Nothing could change that, she knew.
She held him back. "I'm sorry for always meddling and trying to be in control. I know I have 'control' issues."
"You do?" he asked with a mocking smirk on his face.
She laughed a little at his goofy expression. "Yeah, I've been told a time or two."
"Well, that's just outrageous. Whoever said that should be flogged."
He kissed her lightly on the cheek and she rested her head temporarily on his shoulder. No matter what happened, whether she would ever be able to tell him what she knew about June or not, she knew they would be okay. They could fight and he could get hurt by this woman, but they would survive and still be brother and sister. Nothing could change that, she knew.
The children were baffled as they came home from their friend's house and were immediately ushered toward the staircase.
"Now, stand right here and wait for just a minute," Olivia instructed with a smile on her face. "Lacey, hurry and get over here, please."
They could tell she was excited and they couldn't help but glance at each other with a growing frenzy when they saw the twinkle in John's eyes, too.
"Now, stand right here and wait for just a minute," Olivia instructed with a smile on her face. "Lacey, hurry and get over here, please."
They could tell she was excited and they couldn't help but glance at each other with a growing frenzy when they saw the twinkle in John's eyes, too.
Jasper walked down the stairs, carrying Winter and the kids' mouths gaped wide open when they saw him. He was walking, not floating. And they couldn't see through him. His skin was pink, his hair was black and his eyes were blue.
The children gawked at him, unable to speak.
Finally, Jasper said, "Something wonderful has happened. But, for the life of me, I can't remember what it is. Do you remember, Liv?"
Olivia grinned. "No, I'm sorry. I know it's something important but I guess it's slipped my mind. What did we gather these little yard apes around for? Should we just go in the family room and watch some TV before bed?"
"You're not a ghost!" little Bram exclaimed, unable to contain himself. He hopped from foot to foot like a bird in his excitement.
All the adults laughed heartily.
"Oh yeah," Jasper winked at his son. "That's what it was!"
Olivia beamed as she said, "Now, really, go into the family room and we'll explain everything."
Finally, Jasper said, "Something wonderful has happened. But, for the life of me, I can't remember what it is. Do you remember, Liv?"
Olivia grinned. "No, I'm sorry. I know it's something important but I guess it's slipped my mind. What did we gather these little yard apes around for? Should we just go in the family room and watch some TV before bed?"
"You're not a ghost!" little Bram exclaimed, unable to contain himself. He hopped from foot to foot like a bird in his excitement.
All the adults laughed heartily.
"Oh yeah," Jasper winked at his son. "That's what it was!"
Olivia beamed as she said, "Now, really, go into the family room and we'll explain everything."
John stood off to the side as he watched Olivia and Jasper explain to the kids what had taken place and what it meant for Jasper, their family and eventually for Winter, too.
He couldn't help but be filled with wonder regarding his sister's strength and determination. When Olivia had it in her mind to do something that would help someone, especially one of her children, he knew she would get it done. He was more proud of her at that moment than he'd ever been in his entire life.
He couldn't help but be filled with wonder regarding his sister's strength and determination. When Olivia had it in her mind to do something that would help someone, especially one of her children, he knew she would get it done. He was more proud of her at that moment than he'd ever been in his entire life.
The children actually took the news quite well and, it seemed to John as he looked on still, they were acting as if this was an everyday occurrence. Yes, he laughed inwardly, people just changed from ghost to human everyday.
Jasper gave Blessing a tight hug, enjoying this special first human hug with his daughter.
"I love you, Blessing," he said to her as he stroked her silky soft hair.
"I love you, too, daddy."
Jasper gave Blessing a tight hug, enjoying this special first human hug with his daughter.
"I love you, Blessing," he said to her as he stroked her silky soft hair.
"I love you, too, daddy."
Then he embraced his son, noting that the child smelled like Doritos and chlorine from swimming in the pool earlier that day.
"I love you, Bram," he said.
"I love you, too, daddy. Even if you aren't a ghost."
Jasper laughed softly and tousled Bram's hair.
"I love you, Bram," he said.
"I love you, too, daddy. Even if you aren't a ghost."
Jasper laughed softly and tousled Bram's hair.