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“You have everything?” Gwendolyn asked Lilith before she exited her childhood home one last time. “Everything is packed in the wagon?”
“Yes, Mom I have everything. Everything is in the wagon. I checked the list multiple times.”
“Okay,” Gwendolyn sighed as she wiped her eyes
“Mom,” Lilith laughed “I’m only gonna be in Bonesbourogh.”
“I know. It’s just… when Edalyn moved out, she isolated herself from the entire family for years.”
“Eda was going through it and you and Dad were not very helpful. She had just broken up with Raine. She was on wanted posters. But… she’s okay now. And I promise I won’t do the same.”
“Okay, sweetflea. Go on now.”
Lilith hoped on the front of the wagon that was lent to her by the Former Emperor’s Coven. She drove it forward and off to Bonesbourigh.
The ride by wagon was close to an hour. It took 15 minutes for Palisman to get to Lilith’s apartment from her parent’s place. The apartment she was renting was small, but Lilith and Steve agreed it would be perfect.
“Want any help?” Eda asked once Lilith arrived. Eda had brought Raine, King, and Luz with her. “Many hands do make light work and we have let's see… 9.5 arms
“9.5?”
“Yeah well since I lost my arm I have half an arm left.”
“Real funny,” Raine said rather sarcastically, “I only saved you from dying.”
“I know, Rainestorm,” Eda said “I was just joking.”
“Guys please can we unload the wagon in one piece please?”Lilith asked before more arguments could occur clearly sounding angry.
“Yeah fine,” Eda grunted as she was just yelled at by her older sister.
The five of them started to unload things from the wagon. The lack of magic and glyphs made it really difficult to carry everything up the stairs. Thankfully, Alador who lives down the street gave Lilith one of his abomination inventions to borrow. The tool is kind of like what Luz would describe as a human hand truck or a dolly [whatever you call it. It has wheels and a handle. You put what you want to move on the flat part and you can easily move it from point A to point B.]
“Okay this makes things so much easier,” Lilith said “Thank you so much!”
“Anytime,” Alador said “Do you want me to send the twins over? Amity isn’t home at the moment.”
“I think we’re gonna be okay,” Lilith said “Thanks,”
Once everything was brought into the living room, Eda and her crew left. Steve came in with his stuff. He did not have as much as Lilith, but his move-in was much easier because he had magic.
“Okay, Lilith said, plopping on the couch “I think that’s enough moving for one day.”
“At least we got most of the place squared away,” Steve said “Do you want me to heat up a good pizza?”
“Yes please,” Lilith said “I’m starving!”
“Good. I’ll put it in the oven and it will be ready in about 10 minutes.”
The apartment Lilith and Steve lived in was on the second floor. There was an open kitchen straight on when you walked into the place. To the left, there’s a small open living space. There is one bedroom and bathroom to the left of the living space. That will be Lilith’s room. To the right of the living room was the second bedroom with an en-suite bathroom—Steve’s room. There was also a balcony entrance in the living room.
Lilith went into her bedroom. All of her furniture was where she wanted it to be; she just had to unpack the boxes with her clothes and belongings. She laid down on the bed as she looked up at the ceiling. Finally out of her parent’s place. A place she can own herself. Thankfully rent went down dramatically after Belos’s defeat, The only reason it was up so high was because Belos would only give housing to those that were in a coven, and only those that were in a coven were paid well. That’s why there was a lot of homelessness on the Boiling Isles.
“Hey Lil, are you ready for dinner?” Steve asked
“Yeah. I’m coming.”
It’s been about two weeks now. Lilith and Steve are getting on well. It was a Friday night, and Lilith was getting ready to head out to The Owl House for King’s one-year adoption anniversary party.
Eda told everyone to wear semi-casual clothing, so not casual and not formal. Luz informed everyone that Camila, Vee, and Masha would also come. Eda invited Darius, Hunter, and Eberwolf, along with Willow, Gus, and Amity. Eda even invited Dell and Gwen since they are the grandparents of the young Titian.
Eda took the demon’s pie [The Boiling Isles equivalent to Shepard’s Pie] out of the oven and onto the table. Once dinner was ready she called everyone to the very large table that was set up in the kitchen. The table wasn’t big enough for everyone, unfortunately. So the kids sat at a table in the living room
“Do you guys remember when King was small enough to hide under Eda’s cloak?” Luz asked “He would just fall asleep right then and there.”
“Who’s talking about me?” King asked as he perked his head up after hearing his name.
“All good things, King.”
“I remember that.” Gus said, “That was the night you invited me and Willow to the Moonlight Conjuring.”
“And we possessed the house!” Willow added
“Never again! Please!” Hooty shouted. He had come in to check in on the kids from the kitchen where the adults sat.
“You guys successfully performed a Moonlight Conjuring?” Hunter asked “Weren’t those illegal at the time?”
“They probably were.” Vee said, “Lots of things were illegal.”
“I wanna do that,” Masha pouted next to Vee “I wish the human world was magical too. I mean it is. In its own way. But…”
“If you become powerful enough you can be a physic in the Human Realm,” Luz assured her sister’s partner.
“Luz’s right,” Amity said “We’ve seen the Human Realm for ourselves. You can totally train here in oracle magic and return to the Human Realm as the most powerful physic Connecticut has ever seen.”
“Or the country,” Willow added
“Or the whole world,” Hunter agreed
“Okay maybe not the whole world,” Masha laughed “There are several fortune in eastern Asia that are way more powerful than I will ever be.”
At the adult table, conversation was a bit more civilized. Though Lilith was the main focus of the conversation.
“Tell us, Lily,” Eda started “Is living with Steve everything you wanted?”
“He’s a great roommate. It’s nice to have someone who knows what it’s like to have been a Coven Guard.”
“I bet owning your own place is a dream come true,” Camila added
“It really is. I finally own a home.”
“But don’t you wish there was more going on with you two?” Gwen asked, “You know you haven’t switched your address yet, and those spider bouquets keep coming in.”
Lilith started to sink into her chair. Why are those stupid spider bouquets still coming in? And why hasn’t her mom stopped them after the move? Lilith looks around. She sees Darius giving her a knowing smile. A smile that said ‘It’s okay. I’m here for you.’
“I don’t,” Lilith finally spat out
“What–”
“Just because Steve and I are living together does not me we’re a thing. We’re ROOMMATES.”
“That’s how Eda and Raine started their relationship when they were in Coven Training.”
“But I’m not Eda. I know you’re trying to improve at being a mother, but in the end, you can’t stop comparing me to Eda when it comes to my love life. I’m sick of it.
“I’m sorry, sweet flea. I’m trying.”
“I know. And… I want you to stop the spider bouquets from being delivered to your house.”
“But what about–”
“No. I don’t want to have a romantic relationship with anyone. It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s that… I can’t.”
Eda placed a hand on Lilith’s shoulder, assuring her that whatever their mom would say everything would be okay after that.
“What do you mean ‘can’t?’ I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Look at you and Dad. Eda and Raine. Luz and Amity. Willow and Hunter. Romance comes easily to people who feel it, but I don’t feel it. I never had and… I never will.”
Gwen is slightly taken aback by this. She looks at her husband for reassurance.
“Lilith,” Dell spoke,” We love you no matter what. I don’t care if you don’t find a soulmate to settle down with and spend the rest of your life with3. As long as you’re happy”
“I am happy. I have Hooty, my best friend. And Steve, another really close friend. I have Eda, Raine, Darius, Eberwolf, and the rest of the former C.A.T.Ts. My friendship with those people is more important than anything else in the world.”
“Then it is settled. You live the life you want to live. But always remember that whatever you do must lead to happiness in the end.”
“Thanks, Dad. I promise I’ll be happy.”
“Alright then. Who wants some cake?” Eda asks, changing the topic back to the primary celebration.
Lilith walked into her apartment after the party. Steve was sitting on the couch watching a horror movie Luz had lent him. He looked up when Lilith placed her keys on the table next to the door and took off her shoes.
“How was it?” Steve asked
“Horrible.”
“How so?”
“My mom kept thinking that were dating because we agreed to move in together. I told her that wasn’t the case and I expressed my feelings too about I feel about romantic attraction.”
“Do you want to watch a movie to clear your mind?”
“Yes, please. But not what you had on.”
“Okay. Let’s watch… Harry Potter? Another movie Luz lent to me.”
“Sure.”
Lilith settled under a blanket next to Steve. All of her worries disappeared from her mind as she watched the young boy on the screen travel to a magical alleyway with the man who saved him from his horrible family. This new life was an adjustment for both Lilith and Steve will be difficult, but they will always be ready for what comes their way.