Jackie and Felicia didn't have to wait long for Katie and Kellie to arrive. Obviously the two college age women were as they arrived in less than 15 minutes. An excited knick on the door sent Jackie and Felica hurrying for the door. Pulling it open the two girls could see an obviously worried Katie and Kellie.
"Okay," Katie exclaimed. "We're here, now where's Gloria?" Jackie and Felicia now pointed to a middle aged woman cleaning up the kitchen. Gloria turned towards the door, letting out a gasp of surprise.
"Kellie," she stated in surprise. "Oh my goodness I wasn't expecting you this weekend and you brought Katie with you."
Katie and Kellie paused as they gave Gloria a curious look. "Um yeah," Katie stammered. "I...was just swinging over with Kellie to say hi."
Gloria smiled warmly as she walked from the kitchen, embracing Kellie in a tight hug. "Well it so nice of you to walk Kellie over here Katie before heading home," she said. "Kellie dear your sisters will be so excited to see you. Those two have been at eachothers throats all night."
Katie and Kellie stared slack jawed at Gloria as she headed towards the stairs. "Lisa, Ann can you two come down, theres someone here to see you."
Katie and Kellie followed slowly, gazing up at the two young teens standing sullenly next to eachother. As the girls noticed them their faces brightened as they bounded down the stairs. "Kellie," they screamed in unison, embracing the shocked woman in a bear hug.
Kellie returned the hug, a confused look fashioned on her face. "What. The. Hell," she mouthed to Katie. Katie stared dumbstruck at her fiance, unable to come up with a reasonable answer.
"Kellie dear," Gloria stated. "Maybe you could try talking with your sisters. You know they think the world of you, mayne it can help calm things down." Kellie stared dumbly at Kellie unable to answer. "I think your um...mom has a point," Katie answered. "Why don't you talk with Lisa and Ann. They probably just miss you."
Kellie nodded numbly as Lisa and Ann now began talking excitedly to their big sister. Katie now watched the family wall away, realizing she was somwhow no longer a part of this family.
"So this is bad huh," Jackie said meekly. Katie turned, still dumbstruck. "Yeah reall bad," she whispered. "I need you two to go with Kellie while I talk with Gloria. I need to get a hold of her ring and see what happened."
Jackie and Felicia nodded solemnly as Katie now turned towards the kirchen where Gloria was. As she approached Gloria stopped what she was doing, giving Katie an almost motherly smile.
"Katie," she said warmly. "So happy you two could stop by. Things have been really crazy around here since your proposal. Lisa and Ann have been fighting more than usual. I think their worried you might take her away from them."
Katiebstared dumbfounded at Gloria trying to quickly come up with a response. "Ummm sorry," she said sheepishly. "I..um..didnt mean to cause so much trouble." Gloria smiled, giving Katie a warm pat on her shoulder. "No trouble at all," she said happily. "We're just all so excited about the wedding. It will be so nice to have you as part of the family."
"Thanks Gloria, I mean Mrs Turner," she said quickly. "That reminds me can I see your ring for a moment?" Gloria gave Katie a curious look as she looked down at the Ring of Age. "Okay sure," she said. "Can I ask why though?"
"Kellie and I are trying to decide on wedding bands," she said quickly. "I...um always liked yours and I kinda want to take a closer look."
Gloria gave an understanding nod as she took off the Ring of Age and handed it to Gloria. Katie now held the ring tightly wanting to know how this happened.
"Okay you," she thought. "I know you can here my thoughts so start talking." Slowly, Katie now heard a whisper in her mind, telling her the ring was answering.
"Hello Katie so good to see you once more."
"Dont you hello Katie me," she thought, narrowing her eyes. "What are you up to. You've really messed everything up here."
"Sorry," the ring whispered. "This was a necessary action. It was not my intention to undo all the good we have done but Lisa and Ann need to make peace....with their real sister."
Katie felt the color drain from her face as she realized what the ring was doing. "But we changed that," Katie thought ferverishly. "Kellie isn't my mom anymore. We're supposed to be getting married. How...how is this good for anyone?!"
"Kellie...your Kellie is no longer your mother that is true," the ring whispered. "However your aunts have not been able to cope with her loss. This has poisoned their relationship. To bring thhem closer together they need this time together and with her."
Katie felt her eyes dampen with tears as she gazed at the ring. "Katie please do not cry," it implored. "I will not change what has already been done. You will still have Kellie and no one will know what she was before my magic was used. For this weekend though support Kellie and your aunts. Let them have this time together."
"So things will remain as they are," she thought wiping her eyes. "Yes," the ring whispered. "The wish to give Kellie her youth back has brought so much good to the world that changing things back to how they were would cause great suffering. Besides the Kellie that was your mother still lives."
"Where!" Katie screamed in her mind, unable to process what the ring was saying.
"Somewhere else, talk with Merlin."
Karie bit her lip, giving a slight nod in response.
"Do nit worry Katie," the ring said. "Yoir acrions have made me what I am today. I woild never harm you. Oh and by the way don't worry about Gloria, she'll remember who she is as soon as you return me to her. I just needed to ger your attention first."
Katie gave a small laugh inspite of herself. "Next time just call," she thought with a laugh.
Katie now smiled as she stared at the ring in her hand. Obviously this was going to be a weekend she wouldnt soon forget.