The next day was a whirlwind of shopping for ingredients, consulting my recipes, and putting the final plans together for Mrs. McIntyre’s gourmet dinner. As I would be doing much of the preparatory work in my own kitchen, I called upon some magic to enchant my stove. I wanted this dinner to be perfect. Robin was counting on it, and he’d given so much to me already with his friendship. I did not want to disappoint him or his mother, so I called upon every resource I could.

I hummed to myself while I cooked, losing myself as I often did when preparing food. I was in my natural element. Everything was flowing nicely. I was so lost in my work that I was startled when my phone buzzed in my pocket. When I glanced at the screen, I smiled to see a message from Robin.

Robin: How’s it going, my time traveling friend?
Alina: All is well, Constable. I am thinking your mother will be pleased with dinner this night. Are you well?
Robin: Very well, thanks. It’s been a little rough with all the car accidents happening. I wish people would be more careful when driving. These are dangerous weather conditions.
Alina: I would be sore afraid to drive in such conditions, not that I know of driving these strange beasts you call cars.
Robin: I’ll teach you once this snow lets up and melts.
Alina: I would like that very much.
Robin: Good. Say, Alina, since this weather is so crappy, how about if I pick you up and help you bring the stuff for dinner tonight? I don’t think you should take a cab.
Alina: Och, Robin! It is tempting, but it would not be right for you to fetch me for a dinner you are paying me to prepare.
Robin: It wouldn’t be right for you to be stranded in a cab in the middle of a snowdrift while my mother waits for her dinner. My mother can be quite grumpy when she’s hungry. 🙂
Alina: Well then, we cannot let your mother starve. I shall have everything ready by half past five and can finish everything within half an hour in your kitchen.
Robin: I’ll pick you up at five fifteen then in case you get done a little early. See you then, Time Traveler.

I grinned giddily as I slipped the device back into my pocket. I could not believe my good fortune to have Robin enter my life as he did. He was such a handsome man with a good, warm heart and kind nature. It is astonishing to me that he is unmarried, for I reckoned that many a fine lady would fancy him.

The thought of Robin being married or betrothed to anyone brought a heaviness to my heart that I could not explain. Of course Robin would marry one day. His wife would be a beautiful, fine lady who would give him many babes to love. The heaviness in my heart grew, for I knew it would not be me who would marry Robin. I was too plain and ungifted for the likes of him. Robin would want a lady of the court on his arm, not a bumbling, misplaced girl or a servant he employed to prepare dinner for his much cherished mother.

He did call you beautiful, Blankenship. Have you forgotten? I frowned at hearing the thought enter my head. Robin was only being kind. We would share friendship and nothing more.

I put those thoughts to rest as I returned to my food preparation. Futile thoughts were just that; futile. There was no purpose in giving in to musings of my being married to Robin one day, for it would never happen.

Time passed quickly, and it was five fifteen before I realized it. My doorbell rang, signaling Robin’s arrival. “Wow! It smells great in here!” he said as he walked into the kitchen and kissed my cheek.

I smiled and felt warm color arise to my cheeks. It seemed I always blushed when Robin complimented me. “Thank you kindly. I do hope you and your mother will be well pleased.”

“If it tastes as good as it smells, I’d say you’re a miracle worker,” Robin said.

“You are much too kind, but I would not be opposed to more such kind words.” I smiled shyly and felt my cheeks color again. Och! I could not believe I had said something so brazen.

Robin smiled at me, his twinkling eyes making my pulse accelerate. “Why Ms. Blankenship, I do believe you are wooing me.”

I gulped and backed away. “Och…nay. I was…oh, please forgive my…er…”

Robin took my hands and pulled me closer, his warm smile widening. “Hey, it’s okay if you are. I don’t believe I have ever been wooed by such a beautiful woman.”

I looked down at our joined hands, blushing yet again. “I am not beautiful, but I be thanking you for such sweet words. ‘Tis my mother who is beautiful and much more poised than I.”

“You are beautiful, Alina. One thing you’ll figure out about me is that I say what I mean and mean what I say. I find you very beautiful and enchanting. Plus, you can cook circles around any of those audacious chefs with big egos who flaunt themselves on TV. You’re beautiful, enchanting, and very gifted. I’m sure your mother would be very proud of you.”

“Th-thank you kindly,” I said, unable to think of anything else to say. Tears stung my eyes then as my mind formed an image of my mother.

I tried to turn away to hide my emotions from Robin, but he pulled me into his arms. “Hey, what is it? Why the tears, Alina?”

I found I could not hold the words back. “My mother. I long for her with such intensity that my heart cries out in pain.” I wept unashamedly against Robin’s shoulder, feeling his soothing hand rub my back.

“I’m sorry, Alina. I’m sure it had to be hard leaving your time knowing your mother would be hundreds of years dead,” Robin said softly.

“Och! No. I do not believe she is dead. You see, she…” I explained about my mother being an immortal, thinking that this time Robin would think me truly addled.

Robin pulled away and studied me intently. Mounting dread filled my soul as his eyes narrowed in what looked to be deep thought. “Alina, what is your mother’s name?” he asked me.

“M-Mathilda. Mathilda Blankenship is her name,” I said.

Robin took me by the shoulders, his eyes alight with something I could not read. “Why didn’t I put it together sooner? I’d been meaning to ask you if you were related to Mathilda but never got around to it. Blankenship is not really a common last name although it’s been around a while. Alina…I know your mother very well.”

I felt a rise of euphoria enter my chest, but it died as quickly as it came. “I am afraid she might not be the one. You see, there are hundreds, mayhap thousands, of parallel worlds, alternate universes as my mother calls them. Mayhap a counterpart of my mother is on this world somewhere. If she were truly my mother, she would have found me before now. I am afraid this Mathilda you say you know would have no recollection of me.” More tears fell down my cheeks as I spoke these words.

Robin, however, was unfazed. “I’m sure we could find out easily. Even if the Mathilda I know isn’t your mother, I’m sure she could locate your mother in a heartbeat. Mathilda is quite a goddess and the most powerful witch I know, perhaps the most powerful in the universe. It won’t hurt to try, right?”

“Aye. I would like to try. I would like to know one way or another. Dost thou knowest where she is?” I asked, slipping into the pattern of speech known in my time. That always seemed to happen when I was feeling intense emotions.

“She lives in Aurora Skies where most of my family is,” Robin said.

“I attempted to find her there but could not. The people I spoke to over the telephone were of no help. Directory Assistance was not very…assisting.”

Robin’s arms were still about me as his deep laughter filled the room. “Directory Assistance! Oh, Alina, the Internet is where it’s at now. Well, more about that later. I know exactly how to get in touch with her.” He pulled away to fetch his phone.

I could hardly breathe as Robin engaged the speaker so I could hear, too. However, the phone rang and rang until a voicemail greeting picked up. My breath caught on a sob as I heard the beloved familiar voice of my mother. “This is Mahilda. I’m unable to take your call at this time, so please leave a detailed message, and I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Thank you and have a blessed day.”

“Mother!” I breathed through a constricted throat when the message beep signaled.

“Hey, Mathilda. It’s Robin here. Would you give me a buzz as soon as you can? I have someone here who is very anxious to speak with you.” He ended the call and grinned at me. I, however, was shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. Once again, he pulled me into his arms. “It’s okay. It’s okay, Alina. Go ahead and cry it out. I have a very, very good feeling about this.”

“But…but…dinner,” I sobbed.

“It’ll keep a while. This is important to you, which means it’s important to me,” said Robin.

I gave in to the pent-up emotions I had been carrying around so long. I had kept them inside for such a long time and did not realize how much they had built up over time. I wept for everything I had lost; my home, my time, my father, my second father and baby brother, but most of all, for my mother.

When the torrent of weeping ceased, Robin continued to hold me. The weeping had given way to soft sniffing and abdominal spasms that people in this time called hiccups. Robin retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped at my wet cheeks. “I must look a sight. I beg your forgiveness for my outburst.”

“No forgiveness needed,” Robin said. “I think this has been coming on for a long time now. It’s good to have it out. As to how you look, you are beautiful no matter what.”

My cheeks flushed and I cast my eyes downward for a moment. “I should freshen up. Your mother will be waiting for her dinner, and I should not wish to spoil your evening.”

Mrs. McIntyre’s dinner was well received. I served each course, explaining each dish to Mrs. McIntyre and her son. In deference to her station as the mother of a fine, wealthy gentleman, I bowed, spoke respectfully, and served her according to the customs of my own time. As I tidied up in the kitchen afterward, I could not help but overhear their conversation.

“Robin, I don’t recall the last time I had such a fine feast. I couldn’t believe you went to such trouble. That girl is a wonderful chef. My word! She treated me like a queen,” said Mrs. McIntyre.

“She’s pretty amazing. I know she worked her tail off to make it perfect. She…well…she’s pretty terrific,” said Robin.

“You’re quite taken with her, aren’t you?” his mother asked.

“I…um…” He cleared his throat.

“Ah yes, quite taken,” said Mrs. McIntyre. Was that a smile I heard in her voice? My heart began to thump madly in my chest.

“I…I guess I am, Mom. I’ve never met anyone like her. She’s different,” Robin said.

“Yes, I think you’re right. I sense something about her that’s…” Her words trailed off for a moment. “I can’t put my finger on it, Robin, but something about her is very different.”

“You don’t know the half of it, Mom,” Robin said on a small laugh.

“I sense a story,” Mrs. McIntyre said, her voice laced with excitement.

“Oh, there is. It’s a fascinating one, but I don’t want to reveal it without Alina’s permission. I’ll just say she’s been through a lot,” Robin replied.

“Well, get her in here!” his mother commanded. “You know I can’t pass up a good story. Besides, I want to get to know this enchanting creature you’ve become so besotted with.”

When Robin entered the kitchen, he found me with my face hidden from embarrassment, buried in a stack of dish towels. “Alina? You okay?”

“I…um…och!” I stammered.

“You heard us talking,” Robin said simply.

“I beseech thy pardon. I did not intend to permit my ears to wander such a far distance,” I said in a small voice.

Robin simply laughed and gently took the towels from my hands. “No pardon needed. I would have told you the very same thing face to face.”

I gazed at him, my mouth ajar. “You…you mean that you are…besotted…with me? You…care for me?”

“Guilty as charged,” Robin grinned. “Now, let’s go back into the dining room so my mother can personally thank you for such a fine dinner.”

“Robin…I…”

“Don’t worry. My mother will love you,” Robin said, sliding his arm about my waist.

“‘Tis uncustomary for a servant to socialize with the upper crust. I–”

“You are not a servant,” Robin said, interrupting me. “Times are different now. My mother and I don’t judge people by wealth. There are other more important qualities by which we judge who we like. Come on now. It’ll be okay.”

I smiled shyly as I entered the dining room with Robin. I prepared to bow and address Mrs. McIntyre formally but never got the chance. She pushed back her chair and was before me before I could even blink. Taking my hands in hers, she smiled a warm smile at me. “I don’t recall the last time I enjoyed such a delicious dinner. My compliments to the chef. Let’s sit down and have a chat, shall we?”

“I am thanking you kindly, Mrs. McIntyre,” I said in barely above a whisper.

“It’s Theresa, and it’s I who should be thanking you. Come now. Let’s dispense with the formalities.”

I could not help but like Theresa McIntyre. She was warm, beautiful, and friendly, but her eyes were that of an eagle; sharp and observant. It was as if she could look into my soul and read my every thought.

“Tell me about yourself, Alina?” Theresa requested once we were all seated.

“It’s okay, Alina. My mother knows of time travel herself,” Robin said.

And so, I told Theresa my story. Again, I was met with kindness and understanding as she nodded and patted my arm. I could see why Robin loved his mother so much.

“You’ve had quite a time of it,” Theresa said compassionately. “I can’t imagine having to leave my own time and live in a strange new world. I admire your courage, Alina.”

“I have been plenty frightened and still am, I confess,” I said, feeling my face flush with pleasure at her compliment.

“Naturally so,” Theresa replied. Then, her phone rang. “Excuse me a moment.”

She put the phone to her ear, smiling and nodding as she talked. “Hello, Lenora. Yes, I’m fine. Robin is settling in well. In fact, he hired a wonderful chef to cook for us personally…Yes, I will have to spend thirty hours straight on the treadmill to work it off.” Laughter followed. “Sure, Lenora. I’ll tell him…Oh…hang on.” She raised an eyebrow when Robin waved his hand at her.

“Ask Aunt Lenora if Mathilda is around,” he said.

Theresa put the phone to her ear again. “Lenora, is Mathilda around? Yes, Robin wishes to speak with her…Okay, Lenora, no problem. I’ll be back in a couple days. Give Tyrone and the kids my love.”

Theresa gave the phone to Robin, who engaged the speaker. I gasped when I heard someone speak on the other end. “Hello, Robin. It’s Mathida. Is everything all right?”

“Oh, I’d say it’s more than all right. Listen, Mathilda, I don’t want to shock you or anything, but I don’t know how else to do this. Did you have a daughter named Alina?”

There was a gasp of surprise on the other end. “Why…yes I did. Robin, how did you know? The only ones I ever spoke of Alina to were Lenora and Liam.”

“I know because she’s sitting here next to me,” Robin said.

“Mother!” I choked out on a sob.

“Can this really be?” my mother’s voice shook with emotion.

“I think so,” Robin said. “She mentioned something about you maybe not being the Mathilda she’s looking for because of so many parallel worlds, but I told her you’d be able to locate her mother in some other dimension if that were the case. I thought you should know. Ah…I don’t know how you would know if this is the Alina that’s your daughter, but…” Robin shrugged and frowned, seemingly at a loss as to how to continue.

“I have been looking for my daughter for centuries. I have looked in this world and others but have not been able to locate her. Did she tell you how she got here?” Mother’s voice asked.

“She did. Alina, maybe you should tell her,” Robin said.

I quickly retold my story to the disembodied voice of my mother, who remained silent for a long moment. When she spoke, her voice seemed thoughtful and still a bit shaky. “Your story matches my recollections exactly,” she said to me. Then, she addressed Robin. “Something went wrong when Alina entered the time portal. The authorities were hot on our trail, so I had to work very quickly to get Alina to safety. It would have been more favorable to have more time to prepare and open the portal, but we didn’t have that luxury. The portal hadn’t yet closed by the time my door was busted down. They tried to arrest me, but naturally, I protected myself. Unfortunately, one of my spells went wide and hit the still open portal. It caused me to lose the fix I had on Alina. I was certain she’d gotten to the era in time I’d sent her to, but I could not discern which universe she entered. Over the centuries, I scryed for her, hoping to uncover which world she was in but have not succeeded. Sometimes I’d feel as though I were close, but nothing ever came of it.”

She heaved a long sigh. “Because Alina was ill, I had to temper the magic I used because I didn’t want it to tax her any more than she already was.”

“Would you like me to bring Alina to you so you can see if she’s your daughter?” Robin asked.

“That isn’t necessary. There is, in fact, a very simple test that will prove it one way or another. Once we know for certain, we will go from there.” She was silent another moment. “Alina, can you hear me?”

“Y-yes, Mother,” I said.

“All right. Alina…index,” she said.

I felt the world fall away in an instant. When I became aware of my surroundings again, Robin was holding me against him. I blinked at him in confusion.

“Alina?” Robin’s voice penetrated my bewilderment. “You okay? You were babbling what sounded like some kid of recipe, but you didn’t seem to know what you were saying. I called your name, but you didn’t respond. Mathilda, what was that all about? What happened to her, and why was she so far away?” His arms continued to hold me fast, and I felt too disoriented to pull away.

“As I said, it was a simple test, and now I know for certain. You see, while Alina was ill, I was making plans to send her through time. I implanted a recipe for one of my secret elixirs inside her brain, burying it in a section that is only accessible through either deep mediation or through an entrancement placed there by another witch. The only people who are aware of knowing this particular recipe is Liam and Lenora. Alina was not aware that her brain carried this knowledge. The only ones to know the keyword to trigger Alina to recite this recipe while she was entranced is myself, Liam, and Lenora. I know for certain that this, indeed, is my daughter.”

Tears flooded my eyes and my cheeks were soon wet as I wept. “Oh, Mother! How I have missed thee!”

“I’ve missed you too, child,” my mother said. I could tell that she, too, was weeping.

“I wish to come to thee. Mother…I…”

“I’ll come to you. Robin, would you mind if I popped in?” Mother asked.

“Not at all,” Robin said.

“I’ll be there in five minutes,”

Before Robin ended the call, I heard another voice in the background. “Ye found her! Mathilda, ye found her! Och! May there be rejoicing even in Heaven.” Whoever the voice belonged to was also weeping.

“Who…?” I managed.

“That’s Aunt Lenora. You’ll be meeting her very soon, I imagine,” Robin smiled.

As promised, Mother arrived five minutes later. I knew it was her the instant I saw her and flung myself into her arms, weeping afresh. She looked different, much like the image of her on the back cover of her books. The black dress she wore made her look formidable. Her hair was styled attractively to frame her face flatteringly. She had my mother’s smile and eyes, but they looked different than I remembered. They had an ancient quality that was not present when I last saw her. Even so, she was my beautiful mother whom I loved so dearly.

I clutched her as though I never wanted to let her go. “Oh, Mother…Mother! I thought I may never see thee again.”

She held me close, her embrace as loving as I remembered. “It’s all right now. Mother is here. I will never lose track of you again, child. Ah, how I have missed you, my darling girl.”

“I shall never wish to part from thee again. Oh, Mother!”

I clung to her and felt a piece of my soul slide back into place. My mother was back in my life and in my arms…and it came about through the kindness and generosity of a gentle man who possessed the key to my heart.