Chapter 2

TWO

R elief flooded Fia. She’d been worried about raising a potentially powerful witch on her own, but knowing there was a community here to support them eased some of her anxiety.

As they ate – Kade insisting their meal was on the house – Fia found herself opening up to these newfound friends. She told them about her skincare line, Enchanted Skincare and Essences, and her plans to open a small shop in town.

“Wait,” Celeste gasped. “You’re the owner of the Enchanted Skincare and Essences line?”

Fia blushed. “Yes.”

“That’s my absolute favorite skincare,” Celeste squealed.

“Mine too,” Daisy said in awe.

“Celeste put me on to it and she’s got the entire town using your products,” Elsie gushed. “You are a very talented young witch. Your products are the best.”

“Thank you,” Fia smiled. “I created the products for Myla and myself when we couldn’t find clean skincare and essences that were good for our skin.” She laughed. “I told Myla I was going to take care of our skin while ensuring we aged gracefully.”

“I am so excited to have you here. And you’re thinking of opening a shop in town?” Celeste asked excitedly. “This is the best news.”

Fia nodded. “I’m debuting a baby line in the coming months. I wanted to create products for Vienna to use as well.”

Celeste turned to Kade. “Our baby is going to have the best products with her baby line.”

Kade chuckled. “Thank you for making my wife so happy. Anything baby related and she’s over the moon.”

“Oh, that’s marvelous!” Daisy exclaimed. “We could be neighbors! There’s a lovely little storefront available right next to my pharmacy.”

Elsie, who had been quietly observing the conversation, leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. “Now, dear, don’t think I haven’t noticed you dodging my questions about your love life. A beautiful, talented young witch like yourself – surely you’re not single?”

Fia felt her cheeks warm. “I am, actually. Between my business and now taking care of Vienna, I haven’t had much time for dating.”

Elsie’s eyes gleamed. “Well, we’ll just have to do something about that, won’t we? I happen to know several eligible bachelors in town who would be simply delighted to meet you.”

“Mother,” Kade groaned, but there was affection in his exasperation.

Celeste laughed, bouncing Vienna on her knee. “Don’t mind Elsie – she fancies herself the town matchmaker. But truly, Fia, if you ever need a break or just want some adult company, we’d love to have you join us for our weekly girls’ night. You’re welcome to bring Vienna along too.”

Fia’s heart swelled with gratitude. “Thank you, truly. I... I was so worried about coming here alone, but you’ve all been so kind.”

“That’s what Whispering Pines is all about,” Kade said. “We look out for our own here.”

As lunch wound down, Celeste and Daisy insisted on exchanging phone numbers with Fia. “I mean it about babysitting,” Daisy said earnestly. “My fiancé and I love kids. Anytime you need a break, just give us a call.”

With promises to stay in touch and plans for future get-togethers, Fia gathered Vienna and prepared to leave. As she buckled the toddler into her car seat, she felt lighter than she had in weeks.

The drive to Myla’s – no, their house now – was short. As Fia pulled into the driveway, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the flood of emotions that awaited her inside.

The house was charming, a two-story cottage with a wraparound porch and window boxes bursting with colorful flowers. Myla’s touch was evident everywhere from the whimsical wind chimes tinkling in the breeze to the small garden of herbs near the front steps.

Fia’s hand trembled as she inserted the key into the lock. The door swung open, revealing a cozy interior bathed in warm afternoon light. The entryway opened into a spacious living room, its walls a soothing sage green. Family photos lined a shelf above the fireplace – Myla’s smiling face beaming out from several of them.

A lump formed in Fia’s throat as she set Vienna down. The toddler immediately waddled off to explore, her delighted squeals echoing through the house. Fia moved from room to room, running her fingers along surfaces Myla had chosen with such care. In the kitchen, a half-finished shopping list in Myla’s handwriting still clung to the refrigerator. Fia’s eyes blurred with tears.

“Oh, Myla,” she whispered. “I promise I’ll take care of her. I’ll make this the home you dreamed of.”

A peal of laughter from Vienna drew Fia back to the present. She found the toddler in what was clearly meant to be her nursery, gleefully pulling stuffed animals from a toy chest.

Fia scooped her up, pressing a kiss to her curls. “What do you think, sweetie? Shall we make this our home?”

Vienna responded by patting Fia’s cheeks, her hazel eyes – so like Myla’s – sparkling with joy. In that moment, Fia’s grief was tempered by a fierce love for this little girl who now depended on her.

A knock at the door startled Fia from her reverie. She opened it to find two women standing on the porch, both smiling warmly.

“Hello, there,” the taller of the two greeted. She had long flowing blonde hair and bright blue eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled. “I’m Tabitha Greer, and this is Luna Nightshade. We live just down the street and wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.”

Luna, a graceful woman with striking violet eyes and silver-streaked black hair, held out a basket. “We brought some homemade bread and a few magical herbs to help cleanse the energy of your new home.”

Touched by their thoughtfulness, Fia invited them in. As they chatted, Vienna became fascinated with Luna, reaching for her repeatedly.

Luna chuckled, her voice melodious. “She has a strong magical aura, this one. You’re going to have your hands full with such a powerful little witch.”

Fia nodded, a mix of pride and trepidation washing over her. “So I’ve been told. I just hope I’m up to the task of raising her.”

Tabitha reached out, squeezing Fia’s hand. “You’re not alone here. Whispering Pines takes care of its own. Whatever you need, you only have to ask.”

As the afternoon light softened, casting a warm glow through the living room windows, Fia found herself curled up on the plush sofa, Vienna dozing peacefully in her lap. Tabitha and Luna sat across from her, their laughter filling the room with a comforting melody.

“Oh, you simply must hear about the Great Gnome Incident of last summer,” Tabitha exclaimed. She leaned forward, her pale hair cascading over her shoulder. “It all started when old Vincent Shaw decided to ‘improve’ the town’s lawn ornaments...”

Luna rolled her eyes fondly. “Vincent and his ‘improvements.’ I swear, that gnome has more ambition than sense sometimes.”

“Gnome?” Fia asked, raising an eyebrow. “You mean he’s like the little garden statues?”

Tabitha burst into giggles. “Oh honey, Vincent is very much alive and very much a gnome. About yay high,” she held her hand at waist level, “with a beard you could lose a cat in.”

“Anyway,” Luna continued, her violet eyes dancing with amusement, “Vincent got it into his head that the town’s decorative gnome statues needed an upgrade. So he enchanted them to come to life and help with gardening.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Fia mused, gently stroking Vienna’s curls.

Tabitha snorted most unladylike. “It wouldn’t have been except he forgot to specify when they should stop. We woke up the next morning to find the entire town square had been transformed into a jungle! Vines crawling up the clocktower, pumpkins the size of cars, and don’t even get me started on the man-eating petunias.”

Fia’s eyes widened. “Man-eating petunias? You’re joking, right?”

Luna shook her head solemnly, though her lips twitched with suppressed laughter. “I wish she was. Poor Mr. Whiskers - Elsie’s cat - nearly lost his tail to one. It took the combined efforts of half the witches in town to undo the damage.”

“And Vincent?” Fia asked, finding herself drawn into the tale.

“Oh, he hid in his workshop for a week,” Tabitha answered. “Came out eventually with a new line of ‘Gnome-Proof’ garden shears. Sold like hotcakes, actually.”

Fia couldn’t help but laugh. It felt good, like stretching a muscle long unused.

“Speaking of hotcakes,” Luna interjected, “you simply must try Molly’s magical muffins at the Bewitched Bakery. They have a way of knowing exactly what flavor you need that day.”

“Though be careful if you’re feeling lovelorn,” Tabitha warned with a wink. “Last time someone went in after a bad date, their blueberry muffin started serenading with break-up songs. Quite mortifying, really.”

As the conversation flowed, peppered with more tales of magical mishaps and local gossip, Fia felt a warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the tea Luna had brewed. These women, with their easy laughter and welcoming smiles, were already starting to feel like old friends.

“Oh!” Tabitha exclaimed suddenly, sitting up straight. “We haven’t told you about Jasper yet!”

“Jasper?” Fia asked, intrigued by the mischievous glint in Tabitha’s eye.

Luna chuckled, shaking her head. “Jasper Moon, our local librarian. He’s quite... unique.”

“Unique is one way to put it,” Tabitha snickered. “He’s a ghost, dear. Been haunting the library for, oh, a couple centuries now?”

Fia blinked, processing this new information. “A ghost... librarian?”

“Oh yes,” Luna nodded sagely. “And quite a stickler for the rules too. Heaven help you if you return a book late. Last time I did, he made all my bookmarks disappear for a week.”

“But he’s a dear,” Tabitha added quickly. “Just don’t get him started on the Dewey Decimal System unless you have a few hours to spare.”

As the afternoon wore on, Fia found herself inundated with advice on navigating life in Whispering Pines. From which days to avoid the farmer’s market (“Wednesdays are troll day, and they do tend to overcharge”), to the best shop for enchanted household items (“Madame Mirabelle’s Magical Menagerie - but watch out for the self-sweeping brooms, they have a mind of their own”), Fia’s head was soon spinning with information.

“Oh, and whatever you do,” Tabitha said, her tone suddenly serious, “don’t eat the glowing mushrooms that grow in the forest behind the old McAllister place. Unless you fancy spending a day as a talking toadstool, that is.”

Luna nodded emphatically. “Learned that one the hard way, didn’t we, Tabby?”

Tabitha’s cheeks flushed pink. “We agreed never to speak of that again!”

As Fia laughed at their good-natured bickering, something loosened in her chest. The grief was still there, a dull ache beneath her breastbone, but it was now tempered by something else. Hope, perhaps. Or the beginnings of belonging.

When Vienna stirred in her lap, blinking sleepily up at her, Fia smiled down at her niece. “What do you think, munchkin?” she murmured. “Looks like we might have found ourselves a home after all.”

As if in agreement, Vienna’s tiny fist opened, releasing a shower of sparks that danced in the air like fireflies. Tabitha and Luna cooed in delight, and Fia felt her heart swell with a mixture of pride and wonder.

Yes, she thought, watching the magical lights swirl around them. This is exactly where we’re meant to be.

By the time Tabitha and Luna left, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the town. Fia stood on the porch, watching as fireflies danced in the gathering twilight. For the first time since Myla’s passing, she felt a sense of peace settle over her.

That night, after tucking Vienna into her crib, Fia curled up on the window seat in the master bedroom. The stars twinkled brightly in the clear night sky, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of night-blooming jasmine.

“I think we’re going to be okay here, Myla,” Fia whispered to the night. “I’ll make sure Vienna knows how much you loved her, and how much you wanted this life for her.”

As she drifted off to sleep, Fia’s dreams were filled with images of the life ahead – Vienna growing into her powers, surrounded by the warmth and magic of Whispering Pines. And for the first time in weeks, Fia’s sleep was sound and untroubled.

The next morning, Fia woke to the sound of Vienna’s laughter floating through the baby monitor. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, filling the room with a warm, golden glow. As she made her way to the nursery, Fia felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

Vienna stood in her crib, bouncing excitedly as Fia entered. “Good morning, sunshine,” Fia cooed, lifting the toddler into her arms. “Are you ready for our first full day in our new home?”

As if in response, a small burst of sparks erupted from Vienna’s fingertips, showering them both in tiny, harmless flecks of light. Fia laughed, her heart swelling with love and a touch of amazement at her niece’s budding powers.

“Well then,” she said, pressing a kiss to Vienna’s forehead, “I’d say that’s a yes. Whispering Pines, here we come.”

With Vienna on her hip, Fia made her way downstairs. The morning light transformed the house, chasing away the shadows of grief and filling each room with promise. As she prepared breakfast, humming a tune Myla used to sing, Fia felt the first stirrings of true happiness since her sister’s passing.

This was a new beginning for both of them. And with the support of their new friends and the magic of Whispering Pines surrounding them, Fia knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.