Chapter 11

ELEVEN

F ia stepped into the community center, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The room buzzed with laughter and chatter, a kaleidoscope of colors greeting her eyes. Stations were set up around the space - tables laden with blank mugs and plates, easels holding pristine canvases, and a corner dedicated to friendship bracelet making.

Daisy bounced over, her pink hair a whirlwind of energy. “Fia! You made it!” She thrust a colorful apron into Fia’s hands. “Here, this is yours. Personalized and everything!”

Fia unfolded the apron, seeing her name embroidered in swirling script surrounded by tiny glittering stars. “This is beautiful, Daisy. Thank you.”

“Oh, that’s not all,” Sera chimed in, appearing at Daisy’s side. She held out a delicate necklace, a small crystal pendant catching the light. “This is for you. I had them made for everyone - they’re attuned to our individual energies.”

As Fia slipped the necklace on, a warm tingle spread through her body. It felt like a gentle hug, a reminder that she wasn’t alone anymore.

The other women gathered around welcoming Fia with hugs and kind words. Ellie, her belly round with pregnancy, grinned widely. “We’re so glad you could make it. Come on, let’s get you some food before we start creating masterpieces.”

Fia’s eyes widened as she took in the spread. A pizza station steamed with fresh pies while a pasta bar offered a rainbow of sauces and toppings. A salad station burst with crisp greens and vibrant vegetables. Ivy stood proudly behind a tea cart, the aroma of her special blends wafting through the air.

“Don’t forget dessert!” Molly called out, gesturing to a tower of cupcakes that looked almost too pretty to eat. Next to it, Mari unveiled a tray of what looked like tiny edible works of art.

“The boys really outdid themselves,” Celeste laughed, patting her own swollen belly. “Roarke and Lark hired chefs for the night. I think they’re trying to fatten us up.”

As Fia filled her plate, the women peppered her with questions about Vienna and her settling in. Their genuine interest and offers of help warmed her heart.

“If you ever need a break, just call,” Tabitha insisted. “Bram and I would love to babysit.”

Luna nodded in agreement. “And if you need any magical advice for raising a young witch, my door is always open.”

Fia felt a lump forming in her throat. “Thank you, all of you. I... I can’t express how much this means to me.”

Molly appeared at her elbow, offering a cupcake with a knowing smile. “Here, try this. It might give you a little peek at what’s to come.”

As Fia bit into the cupcake, the world around her shimmered. Suddenly, she was in a sun-dappled meadow. Sayer sat beside her, his golden eyes warm with love. Between them, Vienna giggled, reaching out to touch the tiny hand of a baby girl nestled in Sayer’s arms. The image was so vivid, so filled with joy and love, that Fia felt her knees buckle.

The vision faded, and Fia found herself back in the community center, tears streaming down her face. The women surrounded her, concern etched on their faces.

“Fia, dear, what’s wrong?” Luna asked gently, guiding her to a plush armchair in the corner. The older witch’s eyes, deep and wise, searched Fia’s face with concern. She knelt beside the chair, taking Fia’s trembling hands in her own.

The other women gathered around, forming a protective circle. Celeste waddled over, her pregnant belly leading the way, and perched on the arm of the chair. She draped a comforting arm around Fia’s shoulders.

Through her tears, Fia tried to explain the vision, her voice catching on every other word. “I saw... I saw a future. With Sayer and Vienna. And a baby... our baby.” She took a shuddering breath. “It’s everything I’ve ever wanted,” she confessed, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “A family, love, belonging. After losing Myla... I never thought I’d have that chance again.”

Elsie, her silver hair glinting in the soft light, pushed through the group and knelt on Fia’s other side. She patted Fia’s hand, her touch warm and reassuring. “Oh, sweetie. That’s not just a vision - that’s a promise.” Her eyes twinkled with certainty. “The universe doesn’t show us these things unless they’re meant to be. Trust me, I’ve been around long enough to know.”

Fia’s lower lip trembled. “But... but what if I mess it up?” she whispered, voicing her deepest fear. Her fingers twisted the hem of her apron nervously. “What if I’m not good enough? What if Sayer realizes I’m too broken, too damaged?”

A chorus of protests rose from the women, but Mari stepped forward, her expression fierce and determined. She crouched in front of Fia, grasping her shoulders firmly.

“Now you listen to me, Sofia Barlowe,” Mari said, her voice steady and strong. “You won’t mess this up. You know why? Because you won’t be doing it alone.” She gestured to the circle of women around them. “We won’t let you. You’re one of us now, Fia. We’ve got your back.”

Molly nodded vigorously. “That’s right! Need babysitting? We’re there. Magical emergencies? Consider them handled. Relationship advice? Well...” she grinned mischievously, “maybe ask someone other than me for that, but you get the idea.”

As the women murmured their agreement, pledging their support in various ways, a loud pop echoed through the room. They all turned to see Elsie, who had quietly slipped away, standing by the painting station. She was covered head to toe in splotches of bright blue paint, holding the sad remnants of an exploded paint bottle.

For a moment, there was stunned silence. Elsie blinked owlishly behind her paint-speckled glasses, looking for all the world like a very surprised blueberry.

Then, as one, they burst into laughter. It started as a giggle from Daisy, then spread like wildfire until even Fia was clutching her sides, tears of mirth replacing those of emotion.

“Well,” Elsie chuckled, wiping paint from her face and only succeeding in smearing it further, “I guess I’m going for the Smurf look tonight. Always wanted to try blue hair.”

Tabitha snorted, nearly choking on her tea. “Elsie, darling, I think you’ve gone a bit beyond hair. You’re giving Avatar a run for its money.”

The tension thoroughly broken, the women drifted back to their art projects, still giggling. Fia found herself being gently steered toward a canvas, a paintbrush pressed into her hand.

“Now then,” Ivy said, “let’s talk about something really important. Like how we’re going to get you and that delicious lion of yours together properly.”

Fia’s eyes popped wide. “Oh, I don’t know... We’re just co-parenting, really...”

“Co-parenting, schmoe-parenting,” Daisy scoffed, waving her paintbrush dramatically and nearly splattering Sera with red paint. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. That man is one roar away from claiming you as his mate.”

As Fia spluttered, trying to form a response, the women launched into an animated discussion about Fia and Sayer’s budding romance, their art projects all but forgotten in favor of increasingly outrageous matchmaking schemes.

“You know,” Ivy mused, painting delicate flowers on a mug, “if Sayer asks you out, you could always suggest a picnic in the enchanted glade. Just be careful not to sit on any fairy rings - unless you want your date to last a hundred years.”

Ophelia snorted. “Please, with the way those two look at each other, a hundred years might not be long enough.”

“Ooh, I know!” Daisy exclaimed, nearly knocking over her easel in excitement. “You could go stargazing! I hear lion shifters are great at connecting the dots... if you know what I mean.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Fia’s face flushed hot enough to melt butter, but she couldn’t help laughing. As the night wore on filled with increasingly outrageous date suggestions and heartfelt advice, Fia felt better about relationships with others. Maybe she was deserving of happiness.

As she painted a mug with tiny lion paw prints, Fia made a silent promise to herself. She would embrace this new chapter, fears and all. After all, with friends like these and a future that bright, how could she not?