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Camila woke up early, rising from the warm mattress and decided to head down the hall and check to see if the kids were still resting or were already up.
She opened the door to her room, working down the hall when she stopped as she heard the voices coming the now communal bathroom on the end, the question she overheard stopping her in her tracks
“---You really aren’t going to say anything?”
Camila really shouldn’t eavesdrop, she knew that, but what if one of the kids had been hurt being transported between the realms and had been hiding it? She held her breath and inched towards the shut door
“We have other things to worry about, besides making everyone stop and fuss over me wouldn’t be fair considering what we have all been through.” Amity stated
“Luz would want to know…” Willow responded
“She already has enough on her mind, can we just…..keep this between ourselves?”
Camila frowned, she was about to knock on the door when Willow spoke up again, and the secret they were hiding was spoken aloud
“Okay, but regardless. Happy Birthday Amity….”
Camila’s eyes went wide, and stepped back from the door. If it was indeed Amity’s birthday, Camila wanted, no, needed to do something for her. Even if she did barely know the witch, maybe something small could brighten her spirits. She tapped at her chin when the idea hit her. She decided to head to the kitchen and get started on breakfast
After the kids had a hearty meal, and Luz got her things ready for school, Camila went to the second floor and tapped her knuckles against the doorframe
“Luz, I was wondering instead of riding the bus today ... .perhaps I could drive you to school?”
Luz turned and looked at Camila, “You don’t have too Mami, the bus isn’t that bad.”
Camila nodded, “I know, but I was hoping maybe….I just have some questions for you.”
Luz was dreading that, seeing as the last time she had seen her mother she had given her the impression that she had chose the demon realm over her. She wanted to avoid this conversation that she knew had been coming, but maybe just getting over with would be for the better.
Luz’s hand tightened around the straps of her backpack, and headed towards the stairs that led back down.
“Allright.”
Camila sensed the tinge of dread in her daughter's voice, and decided to make a note of that for discussion later
The witches and Vee were in the living room, and Camila told them that she was going to take Luz to school, but would be back shortly and that Vee was in charge while she was out. The kids nodded as the pair headed towards the garage.
Soon they were on the road, and to Luz the silence of the car between the pair was deafening
Camila drummed her fingers against the wheel of the car, wondering how she could be smooth about what she was going to ask
“So…………” She began, clearing her throat
Luz grimaced, here it comes.
“What can you tell me about your friends?” Camila asked, throwing Luz off guard
“What?”
Camila looked over at the shocked teen in the passenger seat, “Well, Since they will be with us for quite some time, I think it would be essential for me to know their likes and dislikes. I figured that I could ask you instead of peppering them with questions seeing as they need to get adjusted.”
Luz looked at the dashboard of the vehicle, pondering over her mothers words
“Okay, yeah. That makes sense.” She whispered
Camila smiled, so far her plan was going swimmingly.
“Okay, then. Let's go alphabetically, what can you tell me about Amity?”
Camila listened during the entire ride to the school, just taking in the information that her daughter was spewing. Camila swore that Luz’s cheeks were darkening as she talked about the young witch, but decided that she would look into that at a later time
“....She likes books, alot! She works at the library in the demon realm, and even hosts a story time for the little ones on certain days.”
“Really?” Camila asks, making Luz nod
“Yeah, she’s amazing…..” She states back, with a dreamy tilt to her voice
The school came into view, which was fine. She had gathered enough intel to hopefully achieve the plan she would enact later in the day, she pulled up to the designated drop off area, and Luz opened her door and climbed out
“Have a good day sweetie….” Camila said, making Luz look back into the car
“I will Mom.” She replied, closing the door and walking towards the front steps of the building
Camila pulled away, and headed back to the house
The rest of the morning was basically routine, the kids offered to help her with any housework that needed to be done. Hunter and Gus tidied up the basement seeing as it was their makeshift living area for the time being, Willow insisted on taking care of the small garden in the backyard, as Amity and Vee worked on cleaning the dishes from the morning breakfast
It was getting close to noon, when Camila walked up to Amity and tapped her on the shoulder. The witch turned around, a startled look on her face.
“Amity dear, I need to run out and get some groceries and I was wondering if you would care to join me?”
Amity nodded, making Camila clap her hands together, “Wonderful. This way we could also have a nice little chat….”
The statement made Amity’s heart sink, the memories of every time she had to have a talk with Odalia led to her getting punished for something. What had she done wrong? Was Camila mad at her? What could she do to fix her mistake?
The thoughts kept popping into her head as she followed the older woman to the garage and out to the car. Amity climbed into the passenger seat, staring straight ahead out of the glass as if in a daze. Camila however had not noticed the state the witchling was in
They sat in silence for most of the ride, to wherever they were going. Most likely that Amity was afraid that if she spoke up she might only upset Ms. Noceda more, however the unsettling quiet was broken when Camila spoke up
“So….Amity…..”
The witch began to spout apologies like a broken dam, making the older woman’s eyes go wide
“WHATEVER I DID I’M SORRY…I CAN…I CAN FIX IT….” Amity whimpered, curling into the passenger seat
Camila taken aback by the outburst pulled over into a vacant lot, and stared in confusion at the witch
“Amity, do….you think you did something wrong?”
Amity just nodded, then Camila noticed the girl was shaking
“Honey, no…..everything’s fine.” Camila said, trying to keep her voice low and steady to not upset the girl anymore
“But…..Why did you want to talk to me alone?”
Camila stared at Amity, “ I…had a surprise for you.”
Amity blinked at that, making Camila tilt her head
Amity, did your parents only ever talk to you alone to….scold you?”
Amity nodded once more, “Well, mom did…. I would be lying if I said my dad and I ever talked.”
Camila frowned at that, if they ever got a portal to the demon realm working she WAS going to give this girl’s parents a piece of her mind, that was for certain.
“Amity, I assure you that you have been a joy to have in the house, and Luz seems to really care for you.”
The witch smiled, and a dusting of pink went appeared on her face, Camila looked at Amity, “Now, are you ready for your surprise?”
Amity nodded once more, making Camila put the car in drive and merge back into traffic
A short while later, the pair pulled into the massive lot, as Amity looked at the words on the side of the building
“Ms. Noceda, I think that Willow would be more suited for this surprise…”
Camila turned and looked over at Amity, “Why is that dear?”
“Well, she is good at plants, and seeing as this is a farm store, it might be up her alley….”
“Amity, this is not a farm store….”
Amity looked confused “Then why does the sign say they sell Barns?”
Camila grinned, “Just follow me dear…”
Amity looked around the space, amazed at what she was seeing. The entire building was nearly wall to wall books, and it had TWO stories! Camila patted the young girl on the back, gently guiding her forward
“Go ahead and pick a couple out….” Camila stated, softly
Amity turned, looking back at at the woman
“What?” Amity asked, she must have clearly misheard her
“Luz informed me that you like books, so why don’t you get yourself a couple?”
Amity blinked in confusion, then turned to look at the never ending sprawl of novels resting on the shelving before her
“I will be at the coffee bar in the corner, Come find me when you are ready to go, alright?”
The witchling nodded, still kind of in a daze from the kindness she was on the receiving end of, marching forwards to look at the selections.
Camla sat in one of the chairs, sipping at her cup of tea as she spotted the mop of Lilac hair coming through the crowd, so she rose from her seat to meet the girl halfway, and noticed that the book the girl was clinging too
“Did you find a good one?” Camila asked, giving out a reassuring smile
Amity looked at the book, “I…think so?” She muttered, holding out to the cover so Camila could look over it, seeing the words printed on the cover
LEGENDS AND LATTES
Camila nodded, “Oh, that looks like a fun one.” She nodded in approval which made Amity smile, and followed her up to the checkout near the exit of the store. With her new purchase in hand, Amity climbed back into the passenger seat of the car, as Camila entered the drivers side
“Thank you Ms. Noceda…” Amity said, prim and proper as ever
“You can call me Camila dear, and we have one more stop.”
Amity raised her eyebrow, unsure what they were going to be doing next as Camila put the vehicle into drive and got back onto the road
It was about two minutes later when she turned into a lot and something called a drive thru lane, then turned to Amity
“Tell me, do you like Ice Cream?”
Amity looked at Camila, “I….yes?” She responded as Camila drove up to a giant display board that showed many images of tantalizing treats, a voice spoke up almost instantly as the vehicle came to a stop
“Welcome to Cold Stone, what can I get you today?”
Camila drummed her fingers against the steering wheel of the car, and smirked as she placed the order
“Could I get a larger Birthday Cake cup?”
Amity’s eyes went wide, how did Camila know what day it was? She didn’t……..
Camila pulled up a window and handed young man some green paper, and moments later was handed a cup, she turned to Amity to see the young witches eyes were glistening
Camila pulled ahead and stopped in one of the parking spaces, reaching over and placing a hand on the young girls shoulder
“Amity, are you okay?”
The witch started to nod, then shook her head
“Yes? Mayber I….don’t….I
Camila gave the shoulder a gentle squeeze “Take your time,,,,”
“I shouldn’t be…..celebrating, not when everyone else is….”
Camila raised her hand, “After everything you kids have been through, don’t you think you deserve a little happiness?”
Amity stared at the dashboard, “But, everyone else….”
I will try to cheer them up, but when I heard it was your birthday I thought I should at least try to do something…..”
Amity nodded, “That seems like something Luz would do, I see where she gets it from.”
Camila smiled, She did learn from the best, now why don’t you have some of this, Ice Cream always makes me feel better.”
Amity took the cup from Camila’s hand, digging out a small spoonful as Camila started to head back towards the house
It was strange, it took being stuck in another realm to feel what a loving mother was like, and Amity could not help but think she could get used to it