"Oh Dee I'm so excited n' anxious, I can hardly wait till she gets here!" Misty squealed, nuzzling her face into the warm skin of her wife's neck and squeezing tighter around her waist.
Cordelia set the book they were reading: "Learning American Sign Language" onto the bed and chuckled as she looked down at the Cajun, leaning to place a soft kiss on top of blonde curls. "Me too Mist, me too. But she's coming in 7 weeks so we'll have to be patient!"
With every new girl that showed up at the academy they wondered whether she would be the one. Misty and Cordelia had been married a little over a year and we're looking to expand their Goode-Day family, it was something Cordelia especially, had wanted all her life. However all their students had some form of family, if not parents to go home to in the summer, until Olivia came to them.
They had learned from the social worker who contacted the school that the child had been given up at birth due to her lack of hearing. From there she was bounced from home to home, and when her powers came and she was accidentally catching things on fire or transmutating when she got scared or upset she was put up for adoption once again.
To most she was seen as "the heaviest of burdens". No family would talk to her at the adoption center, they only talked about her, no one wanted to adopt a deaf 7 year old. Olivia knew once a family, especially young couples, decide to adopt one of the orphans they go for the babies and perfect packages: good-looking, healthy. She had seen enough children come and go to prove this.
The supreme and swamp witch knew that just because she didn't have family didn't mean she would want to be part of theirs, but they didn't lose hope. They talked to the social worker again and were set to visit the center and see Olivia in 4 weeks.
Knowing that their newest arrival to the coven was deaf they had rushed out to buy every sign language book they could get their hands on.
The two were curled up in bed with a large book in their lap and tons more scattered around them. The first page depicted the entire alphabet and signs that went with them. Misty raised her hands and attempted each one, so did Cordelia. Once they had practiced a while they tried spelling out simple words to each other, Misty smiled wide when Cordelia signed "I love you." And Cordelia returned the bright grin when Misty signed "I love you more."
It took them the entire day, and with a few necessary bagel breaks and a Starbucks run they managed to sign half the alphabet.
The next day mandatory signing lessons were put into action. During half of Cordelia's potions class and half of Misty's botany class.
Most of the older girls were picking it up, not fluently yet, that took about ten weeks, but they could form sentences. And the littler girls were giving their best effort, practicing finger signing for what they couldn't sign fully. However some of the crueler, brattier girls would barely lift a finger. Complaining about it being "a total waste. Who would want to talk to some lame, freaky deaf girl anyway?" This infuriated Cordelia and Misty so much that they gave the girls a stricter curfew and extra homework for the next few days, making it clear that if they we're mean to Olivia they would have hell to pay.
As the weeks passed everyone was progressing and finally it was time for Cordelia and Misty to visit Olivia.
The supreme was pacing the floor nervously, stopping only to fidget with her pants and blouse.
"What if she doesn't like us, Misty?" She muttered.
Misty poked her head out from the bathroom, toothpaste dribbling down her chin. "Of course she will, she's gonna love us!"
"But what if she doesn't? I-I want to make a good impression." Cordelia mumbled, running a hand nervously through her hair.
Misty sighed and wiped off her mouth before going to her wife and leading her to sit on their bed. She reached out and gently took the older witch's hands in her own, giving them a reassuring squeeze.
"She's gonna love us, -love you, sugar. Anyone who doesn't from the moment they see ya ain't in the right state of mind!"
Cordelia's lips turned upwards into a slight smile and she laid her head on Misty's shoulder. "Look at me, I'm a mess and I haven't even seen her yet!"
Misty pulled back and placed a sweet kiss on her girlfriends lips, never letting go of her hands. "We're gonna be just fine, just take a few deep breaths."
"Okay, I believe you, I'm ready. Let's do this."
The swamp witch peered deep into her eyes, searching for any sign of uncertainty and when she saw none she leaped up, blonde curls bouncing as she pulled her wife down the stairs to the car. "Let's go meet Olivia Hayes!"
When they arrived they met with the the social worker, Holly who wanted to explain all she knew about Olivia in person. "She was sent to us about a month ago, due to her habit of setting things on fire . She is shy, she doesn't take well to men-"
"Why doesn't she like men?" Misty interrupted with a frown.
"Most of her foster parents were neglectful and abusive." Misty felt Cordelia tense beside her and found her hand, rubbing it gently. "We're guessing the father did something to her. She won't talk about it to anyone. I think she retreats into herself, you can always find her curled up in the corner of the play room reading or drawing."
Holly regarded them with a sad smile "If you have any more questions feel free to ask."
Misty turned to Cordelia with unshead tears in her eyes. "Poor baby, she's so young and she's already experienced so much trauma.." The Cajun but her lip in an attempt to keep her composure. "My heart is breakin' for her Dee, we're gonna help her, we'll be her mamas' right?"
"Only if she'll let us Mist."
Once they signed the papers they were lead into a room in the back of the agency, tons of children were running around the room but they picked out Olivia easily. A lanky girl with blonde curly hair that trailed to her waist, sat at the table with Miss. Holly, engrossed in the drawing she was coloring. Her eyes were huge, tired, as though she hadn't gotten sleep in a while. She wore jean capri's and a light blue t-shirt covered in pink butterflies.
Slowly they both made their way to her, a pad of paper in hand in case she wanted to write out her words. Cordelia crouched down and Misty stood next to her, with her hand on the older blonde's shoulder.
Holly tapped the girl on the shoulder and she looked up, green eyes widening at the women before her.
'Hello Olivia! I'm Cordelia and this is my wife Misty.' Cordelia spoke and signed simultaneously, gesturing to her smiling wife who signed hello, before the supreme flashed Olivia a bright grin.
It was such a genuine smile that Olivia couldn't help but give a shy smile in return. She was in awe at their kindness and the fact that they knew so much sign language, Not many of her foster families attempted to learn. It wasn't perfect, but it was understandable, maybe she could help them work on that.
'Hi, it's nice to meet you both.' She extended a hand hesitantly to the pair, who exchanged an excited glance before looking back at her tiny hand.
She shook Cordelia's first, then Misty's. She couldn't believe a persons hands could be so soft! Cordelia's were softer than her Pluto stuffed animal had been the first day she got him. Misty's were rougher, dirtied under her nails and calloused like she worked with tools, or maybe she just didn't use hand lotion. 'Whoa you garden?'
'That and a bunch of other things pertainin' to nature.' Misty gave her a warm smile, she liked this girl already.
"Why don't we go sit in the next room and get to know each other?" Holly spoke, then signed to Olivia who picked up her drawing and slipped it into her pocket as she walked.
She watched curiously as Misty and Cordelia practically set in each others laps on the sectional across from them. Cordelia was leaning into Misty, hands intertwined. And then it dawned on her, Cordelia had said they were married? But they were both women..
'H-how are you married? I thought only men and women did that?' Olivia signed, raising her brows and tilting her head questioningly.
She felt Holly stiffen beside her and noticed a wrinkle appear in Misty's forehead. Immediately she felt ashamed, of course I would screw up. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do anything wrong!' Her eyes were wide with fear that she upset the kind women, she was shaking. 'way to go Liv, they probably won't come back now.' She scolded herself.
Misty who was directly across from the distraught child shook her head and slowly placed a hand on her knee before beginning to sign. 'Oh Olivia, ya' didn't do anything wrong. Cordelia and I are married because we're in love.' She stopped, and placed a kiss on Cordelia's cheek. 'Sometimes men marry men and women marry women, it's perfectly normal.'
Olivia appreciated that Misty communicated to her the same way she did to Holly or Cordelia, like she was normal. She didn't go extra slow or move her lips exaggeratedly so as to help the 'idiotic deaf kid'. Nobody had ever spoken to her that way and it made her watch carefully, really mulling over her words.
They sat and talked for a good amount of time. Misty asked her what she liked besides drawing and she saw the Cajun's eyes light up when she answered, nature and Disney.
She learned that Misty and Cordelia has visited both parks a few times. Cordelia even pulled out her phone and showed her pictures. Olivia especially liked the group picture in front of the castle. There were people she didn't recognize and assumed lived at the school but she was distracted by the two witches. Cordelia had the brightest smile and an arm wrapped tightly around her lovers waist. Misty had one hand on her hip, and the other was forming bunny ears behind the unsuspecting supreme.
'I like your hats!' Olivia signed with a genuine grin. 'Minnie is cute but Pluto's the best! I always wanted a dog but we aren't allowed to have them around at the center.'
Cordelia broke into a wide grin and scooted closer, extending a hand for a high five that Olivia happily returned. 'Pluto's my favorite too. I always yearned for a dog of my own, now we have one… Actually we have a lot of pets at the academy.' She shot Misty a playful look and the swamp witch rolled her eyes and let out a chuckle, smirking at her wife.
'We have dogs, cats, fish, frogs, lizards, Misty here even tried to bring in one of her alligator friends. That's when I put my foot down.'
The young witch let out a gasp at the new information, an excited smile on her face. 'Can you bring one the next time you come?' She looked at Misty, Holly and Cordelia hopefully, green eyes as wide as saucers.
After getting a nod from Holly Misty smiled, her eyes crinkling a little. 'Course we can sugar. We'll bring anything ya' want!" Misty leaned into the girl's personal space, and for a second Olivia didn't know how to react and shrunk away. Cordelia noticed and was about to pull her wife back when Olivia began to giggle.
Misty had one hand blocking Cordelia's view and the other signing something she couldn't make out, she should have known Misty would get her scheming. 'After ya get situated at the academy I can take ya' to my swamp to see my friends. They're harmless but it's pretty funny to see them give Cordelia a scare!'
Favorite school subjects were discussed, Olivia was into the arts but the pair could tell she liked to keep her creations private, she didn't dwell on them. Instead she talked about how much she didn't like math and Cordelia's eyes lit up at the thought of being able to help.
The two witches described life at the academy and so on and Olivia signed she couldn't wait to take their classes. They talked for so long finally it was time for lunch, and for Cordelia and Misty to go.
'Will you be my new mommies?'
Cordelia and Misty shot each other a wide eyed glance before walking back closer to the couch.
"Would you like us to be your new mommies?" Cordelia spoke and signed with shaky hands. When she fixed her eyes on Holly's and didn't reply the supreme almost started hyperventilating.
Thankfully Misty stepped to her rescue, bending down to the little girls level. 'The academy and our girls are a little work gettin' used to, but at the end of the day you'd have us, and we'll be here for ya, and we'll love ya no matter what.' The swamp witch said affectionately, evoking a small smile from the young girl.
'You both are real nice, I would really like to be part of your family.' She signed back, her adorable nose scrunching.
Misty couldn't resist her impulse to go in for a hug, Olivia flinched but after a moment she gave a small hug in return, arms wrapped around the wild blonde's waist. She normally detested close contact, avoided it with every fiber of her being, afraid she would be hurt or hurt someone with her powers. But with Misty she couldn't let go. She figured it was the warm and goodness that seemed to radiate from her, it was infectious in the best way.
When Olivia did pull away she looked up at Misty, then over to Cordelia sheepishly. 'Should I call you Misty and Cordelia or something else?'
Cordelia replied this time. 'Whatever you're comfortable with, you don't have to call us anything you aren't ready for.'
'Okay, I'll miss you guys.' This answer had earned her the brightest smiles she had seen from the older witches, and they had flashed her some pretty wide grins throughout the visit.
Later that day Cordelia walked into the kitchen to find Misty at the island, making toast with peanut butter and bananas while shuffling through Fleetwood Mac songs until she found the one she wanted, today it was everywhere.
"Why is that bread and not a bagel? Are we out or has the world just been turned upside down?" Cordelia played, quirking her eyebrows at the wild blonde as she took a seat next to her.
"Pfft relax Dee, the world ain't endin', I'm just tryin' somethin' new." Misty stated through bites of toast. After a few moments she held up the piece to examine it, scrunching her nose in contemplation. "Buuut I think plain bagels are better."
Cordelia let out a small giggle at her wife's adorableness. "Ya know what would be the best? All that in between a bagel."
Misty nodded in agreement. "Ya are by far the smartest human being I've ever met. And I know even though she didn't come from us, Olivia's like that too."
Cordelia blushed, flattered by her lovers sentiment. She leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on the Cajun's temple. "Olivia is very bright, just like you."
Misty munched on her snack for a minute before speaking. "It's amazin'."
"You mean the fact that our baby girl is going to have my intelligence?" Cordelia smirked. "Yeah that is amazing."
"No!" Cordelia felt Misty's fist land into her arm and she gasped in mock pain.
Misty moved her hands to cup the older witch's cheeks, locking their eyes in a serious gaze. "That's amazin' sure, but I was talking about the fact that she'll be ours, and in less than 3 weeks! We're finally gonna have a daughter!"
Thinking about them being able to bring Olivia home and call her theirs and finally start a family made the blonde's throat tighten and her eyes well with tears. She still couldn't believe it was all happening, she never thought her dreams would come true. She moved forward and dusted Misty's face with kisses, her eyelids, forehead, nose, finally settling on her lips.
Misty felt wetness dripping onto her leg and opened her eyes to see tears rolling down Cordelia's cheeks. She wiped them away gently with her thumb. "Why are ya cryin' sugar?" She asked, worry tinging her words.
Cordelia chuckled a little before replying. "I've been waiting for this… for so long and it's finally happening." Cordelia kissed Misty's lips softly and continued "I can't believe I'm married to the love of my life and we're going to start a family. I'm just….so…happy."
The swamp witch pulled Cordelia into a hug, letting the supreme rest her head on her chest. "Me too, I love ya. An' we're so gonna be the best mamas."
"I love you too, I know we will." Cordelia said between sniffles.
"Really Cordelia ya got nothin' to worry about. I can sense ya frettin', but you're nothing like Fiona." Misty assured, tightening her hold on the blonde.
"I hate it that you can read my mind without really reading it." Cordelia mumbled in spite of the fact that she actually found it adorable and considered it more proof that they were soulmates.
"Darlin' you've read every parenting book out there, you've even made an "Olivia prep list" for all we need to do before she arrives. And you're great with kids, you'll be the greatest damn mom in the universe." Misty cooed, carding her fingers through sleek hair. "Speakin' of the list, why don't we go shoppin'? I know how much that cheers ya up, especially when it's for adorable girl clothes!"
Cordelia lifted her head, grinning widely at the Cajun. "God I love you so much. And I think I am definitely in need of a shopping spree."
"I agree, since we are goin' to the 'happiest place on earth store.'"