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Stiles called Elisabetha and started by apologizing. He knew she'd be annoyed since he had said he'd likely call her the previous afternoon.
"I am sorry to not get back to you yesterday," he said, to forestall any complaints. "But Maria isn't well and I couldn't talk to her until this morning." Not to mention he had wanted to 'chat' with the Nemeton first.
There was a restrained hrmph but no overt complaining. Stiles took it for a win.
"We know you've come a long way and will want to get back to your home as soon as possible, so we have Maria resting now and she's agreed to meet with you this evening, back at the Sheriff's home," Stiles went on. "Will seven work for you?"
"That will be fine," Elisabetha agreed reluctantly.
"We will see you then!" Stiles replied cheerfully. He sighed when he knew the call was disconnected.
Thank goodness Derek was around, they left him at the Den with Jamie. They asked Julie and Rob to help take Maria to the Sheriff's. They would also be extra security in case anything went wrong, not that Stiles was expecting anything.
Elisabetha arrived promptly at seven.
"Maria! I could have come to you!" Elisabetha protested when she saw how wan Maria looked in her nest of blankets on the love seat. "We didn't have to meet here!"
"I will be fine. Although it will be a while," Maria answered softly. "Alpha Hale and his Mate have been taking very good care of us."
"You have a child," Elisabetha said. "Would it be possible for me to meet her?"
"Him," Maria corrected gently. She held out a hand. "Luis, this is your Tia Elisabetha."
Luis nodded his head and said, "I am pleased to meet you." He did not let go of his mother's hand and stood next to Marie's chair.
Stiles saw the flash of... disappointment? distaste? flash across Elisabetha's face. She managed her face back to neutrality quickly.
"It is good to meet you, Luis," Elisabetha said blandly. She looked back at Maria. "Do you know when you might be able to travel?"
Maria shook her head and looked to Stiles.
"Several weeks," Stiles replied. "Maybe longer."
"It looks like you will be well taken care of here," Elisabetha said to Maria. "I need to return home by the end of the week. I cannot offer much in the way of support, but you are welcome to call."
"That is kind of you to offer," Maria replied gently. "I will do that if I find myself in need of anything."
Stiles thought that was a pretty polite way of saying You're the last person I'd ever call.
Elisabetha stood and bade everyone good night.
Stiles walked her out to her car. "Safe travels."
Elizabetha nodded. "Thank you for taking care of my cousin."
Stiles thought it was interesting that the Fae used the same word -- cousin -- in regard to Maria. He watched the car drive off and went back into the house.
"Does this mean we can stay with you?" Luis asked.
"Yes, it does," Stiles nodded.
"Yippee!!" Luis whooped.
"Luis!" Maria chided.
"He's fine," Peter assured her. "Let him be a kid."
Back in the Den that night, Stiles snuggled up to Peter in their bed.
"What didn't you tell them?" Peter asked.
Stiles sighed. "Elisabetha essentially has no one to go back home to. Not only is she the last member of her coven, there are no female candidates in the local community for her to even try to recruit as new members. She also cannot have children of her own. Maria really was her last hope for a family connection."
"Is the coven worth saving?" Peter asked.
Stiles shrugged. "With Elisabetha's singular focus on female members? Not really. While a single-sex coven may be stronger, there are perfectly functional covens of mixed sexes. She's the one who can't see past gender."
"Looks like we'll be keeping Maria and Luis," Peter grinned.
"Jamie can use a big brother to follow around." Stiles smiled. "Luis will like that." Stiles poked Peter. "And you love having more pups around."
Not having a good answer to that, Peter silenced him with a kiss.