156 The white chest key

After dinner and Winona is back to herself. The ladies convene in the sitting room. It has had the bed removed and back to normal. Winona looks around not seeing the lady from before. Aisling lets her know she is there she just can no longer see her. They begin to chat about Valentine's Day coming up. 

"I am taking Audis to the inn for dinner. You know how he loves German food and I reserved a table over looking the river. " 

Norma tells them as she is digging in her purse. 

"I am going to go see Randy in New York since he can't come here. No telling my brothers though. They do not need to know that yet. We are still figuring out things. Not everyone falls instantly like you guys." Salali quips. 

Aisling looks at her hands pouting a little. 

"I haven't planned anything yet . Astila is on call that night. " 

Norma exclaims aha loudly. She pulls a box from her purse and hands it to Aisling. 

"I don't know if you have noticed it yet. There is a white chest in the attic. It was brought over by your German Grandmother on your fathers side. This is the key to it. I'm sorry I never gave it to you before but I needed a little spirit help to find where I put it. " she hands the box to Aisling. 

She opens it and it's a silver edelweiss like the necklace that she gave her. Looking at she wonders how it works. 

"Would you ladies like to go on a treasure hunt?" Aisling stands and asks everyone there.

Remi is anxious about going to look for it she asks. 

" Should we wait for Debra to visit? She has been feeling left out lately." Norma speaks up  

"That is a situation of her own making. This chest is not for her anyway. If it was I would have given her the key ." With that they all head up to the attic. 

Winona feels strange looking through the things in the attic . It should be for family only . Aisling goes over to the ornate white chest and fidgets with the lock. The pendent fits with the flower facing the chest. Once it is inserted it pushes the lock open. Inside the chest is layers of Cotten . Separating it she sees two lace and muslin christening dresses. One has celtic knots embroidered on it along with edelweiss flowers. The other has a seven point star along with edelweiss flowers. Looking at them they are the symbols for her Irish family and Cherokee not German. Why are these dresses in this crate.? She looks and in the bottom is a letter. 

My dear descendent 

The trunk is made of beech wood. In my dreams these babes are special and everything in the chest are gifts for them. Once I made the chest the dreams ended so I guess my job was done. I'm not exactly sure why but my mother always told me to do as the gods command . That they command us in our dreams. So blessing upon you my child. 

Lorelei 

when she finished reading she looked at aunt Norma and asked 

" what was Lorelei like? Besides seeing things in her dreams and being a talented dress maker?" 

Norma shrugs and answers 

"I don't know she died in childbirth having her third child. The only thing most of us know is that the edelweiss jewelry and this trunk was her legacy to be kept in trust until a special child was born. It was said this child would be born in the seventh generation of a male heir girl child born in the ninth month. That was you. You were of her seventh generation and you were the only one who was born of a male descendent in the ninth month. That is why I gave  you the necklace and the key." 

Winona listening time all of this is intrigued by the story and letter. She understands even more now why they believe the way they do. These are more than mere coincidences these are actual prophecies with in the family. This grandmother went on a dream and made these beautiful gowns and gave such a wonderful gift. Looking around the attic she sees how lovingly the memories and heirlooms have been cherished. This family embraces its past as well as the cultures of each of their ancestors. It's so rare to see it. When Aisling goes to place the items back into the chest the mirror on the lids falls. Picking it up there is a picture behind it. Looking at it she gasps. It is a woman with her husband in front of a ship. The man looks exactly like her father. The woman is very petite and curvy. She has a regal air about her. On the back of the photo is the initial LGH . Aisling looks closer at the photo with the light behind it. There are spirits hidden in the photo. Showing it to The others to see if they notice. Norma and Winona can't see them but the others do. They were the cause of the dreams. Moll speaks first. 

"the spirits in the photo I wonder who they were? I wonder what our little ones are in for?" 

maureen looks and she doesn't have a clue. Aisling goes across to the large mahogany cabinet that holds the oldest family pictures. Pulling it open she pulls out the ones from her fathers family. 

they begin to look to try to see if they can find anything on any of them. The oldest pictures are paintings and sketches from

before there was photographs. Remi calls Aisling to look at the one she found. 

there is a folded canvas. There is a painting of a woman with a feather cloak in a carriage with cats. On the back it says Freyja. This is Morrigan at least most of the features resemble her. The spirit in the pictures face was hidden by a feather hood. Could the goddess Frayja and Morrigan be the same. Just different name for a different people. Aisling shows the others. If it is Morrigan then she protected both her German and Irish grandmothers. To ensure she would be born but why?" Aisling sighs and goes to the attic door to call for the men to come up. She wants to show them the treasure they have uncovered. Crystal and Braydon join them the two kids go over to the corner and play with the old toys there. While playing Crystal finds a small box at the bottom of a chest. Opening it she screams. Remi rushes to her side. Her hand is red and beginning to blister. Looking at the small box she sees that it has some dried herbs in it. Moll tells them to get back not to touch it. Looking at it she notices it's nettles. 

taking crystal to the bathroom she washes her hands and they go back to the attic.

"who would leave stinging nettles in the toy box . "Maureen asks not really expecting an answer. Marshal answers sheepishly 

"I'm afraid that is one of our forgotten pranks. Dude and I would hide poison Ivey stinging nettles and such all over the place. We always were trying to prank the girls. Remi you remember when we gave you a bouquet of Queen Anne's lace with nettles. You burned and itched for two days. Your face was swollen and red. Man my Dad beat us good that day. " 

Remi giggles remembering their beating. Aisling started to laugh and injects another story. 

" I remember when you guys gave Debra a blanket with poison Ivey you two were so mean. I was lucky since I seemed to know what plants not to touch. I wonder how many more of your forgotten pranks are around here?" 

Crystal hearing this walks over to Marshal and gives him a quick kick in the shin. 

"I'm telling a Daddy Yona you are mean . " Marshal bends down and picks the little girl up. 

begains to tickle her and rain kisses on her face. 

"I'm sorry I really didn't know that one of our old pranks was still here. Forgive me my sweet baby. Please don't tell Yona on me." 

Crystal giggles and kisses his cheeks. 

"Marshal you are forgiven since it was not on purpose. Your punishment is that you have to take me for ice cream and a hike to the big rock. " she holds out her pinky for them to pinky swear. She grins and eagerly agrees. 

not putting her down he carries her around the room to give hugs to everyone and to say good night.

"Mommy can Marshal tuck me in tonight and tell me my story?" Remi nods ok and Marshal takes the two kids down to get ready for bed. Audis and Norma day their good nights as well. The others straighten up the attic and head down to clean the kitchen. Winona watches this family in awe at times. They seem to always turn even the most uncomfortable situations into one of laughter or hugging. They are a unique family. She is happy to be here it's been so many years since she felt such calm and peacefulness. Her son has even been a perfect child since being here. Who would have known that a boy who was always fighting and throwing tantrums. Hasn't had a single one in the weeks since being here. She stands at the nursery door watching the man she is beginning to like read to her son as he falls asleep.