Ty heard the garage open again, and went downstairs to join June and Dustin in the living room. Soon Mark walked in. "Is that your new car parked out front?" he asked Dustin.
"Yes, Ty just gave it to me just a few minutes ago," Dustin confirmed. "Thanks again, Ty, and thank you, Mom and Dad, for allowing it, and for taking care of the registration and insurance. I haven't driven it yet, other than to back it out of the garage onto the street."
"You're welcome," said Mark. "And I double checked with the DMV web site and our car insurance web site. We have a 30 day grace period on both registration and insurance for a new car, so you actually can drive it. Would you like to drive us to Lisa's house for dinner?"
Dustin's eyes lit up. "Would I ever? Wow, thank you!"
"OK, we've got just a short while before it's time to head over, so let's get ready," Mark said. "And I'll start the ball rolling on the registration and insurance on Monday. Just text me the VIN number." Dustin headed to his room.
"Mom, Dad," Ty said. "I'd like to ask a small favor."
"Sure, Ty, what can we do for you?" Mark asked.
"Well, you remember how I made some changes to each of you, at your requests?" Ty asked. "And then did a little... more?"
"Yes, and thank you again!" June said.
"Well, I offered to do the... more... part, the physical de-aging, for Maria and Diego. I was careful to offer it in a way that didn't make it seem like I was suggesting that they were... old. Anyhow, they said that they'd think about it, and they haven't yet told me their decision. I suspect that the only reason they didn't immediately accept is Maria's dislike of my magic.
"Anyhow, Mom, if you don't mind talking about it, and you have a chance to talk to Maria alone, could you please tell her about your experience? Or maybe call her on the phone some time? And Dad, the same with Diego. You can tell them as much or as little detail as you like, about any or all of your changes. I just think that if you talk to them, it will put their minds at ease."
"I'll be happy to do that," June said. "It is very kind of you to offer to do that for them, Ty."
"I agree," Mark said. "I'll definitely talk to Diego."
Ty went to his room, and created some new slightly dressy clothes to wear to dinner.
After a few minutes, they gathered again in the living room. "Lead the way," Mark told Dustin. They went out the front door, Dustin unlocked his car, and they piled in. "Love that new car smell," Mark said. Dustin started the car, and after verifying that everyone had their seat belts fastened, drove to Lisa's house.
They walked up to the front door, Ty in the lead. He rang the doorbell. Soon Lisa opened the door, in normal human form. Ty handed her some flowers that he created on the spot, and tried to kiss her, but she didn't let him. "Thank you for the flowers," she said out loud. "Please come on in." She whispered to Ty, "I'm still angry with you."
Diego and Maria greeted them in the living room, and they sat and talked, mostly about work and school. Ty and Lisa were both quite surprised at something Maria said. "I'm still amazed at the new form Lisa came up with for herself, and Ty, thank you for making it possible. Lisa, if you don't mind, why don't you change, so our guests can admire you?"
"OK, Mom," Lisa said, a little embarrassed, but she went upstairs to change, and came back in her upper body aquarium form, with a bikini top.
"I was a little shocked at first, but now I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing my little girl this way," Maria said.
Lisa saw that Dustin was staring at her again, and winked at him.
"Well, I should start putting dinner on the table," Maria said.
Lisa and Ty both got up to help, but Diego said, "No, Maria and I have this. We'll have things ready in just a moment," and followed Maria into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Maria and Diego called everyone to dinner. As usual, they all enjoyed Maria's tacos. Dinner conversation was a continuation of the prior conversation, but when an opportunity arose, Dustin said, "After dinner, you should come see the new car Ty gave me."
After dinner, Dustin, his parents, and Lisa's parents went out to look at the car, while Lisa and Ty sat in the living room. "I'd hoped that you'd be over being upset with me now," Ty said. "I apologized and agreed to discuss... potentially dangerous things... ahead of time with you. Is there anything more I can do that would ease your anger?"
"If you're serious about it, then no, I don't need you to do anything else," Lisa said. "It will just take me a while to get over my anger. I can't just turn it off and on light a light switch."
After a moment, she continued, "But as quick as you are to jump into doing any new thing you come up with, I wonder just how serious you are."
"Lisa, you know I usually discuss new ideas with you," Ty said, "and I intend to continue doing that, and more so. I'm sorry about what happened, and that I didn't listen as much as I should have before going out the second time. I guess I was caught up in the excitement of doing something new. I really will try to be more cautious, and more communicative, instead of jumping headlong into new things."
"Thank you, Ty," Lisa said. She moved to his side, and kissed him.
After a while, Dustin and their parents came back. "I took them for a short ride," he said.
"That's a very nice car," Diego said. "Ty, it's amazing that you are able to give such gifts."
"Remember that I'm willing to do that for Lisa, as well," Ty said. "Perhaps after the other... thing... we discussed."
"Right," Diego said. "Maria and I discussed that, and while we find the idea rather disconcerting, since your parents are OK with it, we've decided that we'll let you do it. You can transform yourself into a car for Lisa to drive."
Maria added, "We just want you both to be careful."
"Thank you," Ty said.
"We will," Lisa said.
They continued with various conversation for a while, then June said, "If you'll please excuse us, I think we'll go back home now."
"I'll stay with Lisa for now," Ty said, "If that's OK with everyone." No one objected.
Maria and Diego walked June, Mark, and Dustin to the door, and bid them good night.