A/N After the latest arrival it's time for a focus on Abby. This is going to be a three chapter story, starting from when she has just turned twelve with the second two chapters focusing on her thirteenth birthday. FYI, I'm not going to give a lot of physical descriptions of Zara and Ava in this story but in the next short story (Christmas two shot) there will be pictures to show what the younger Drill girls look like.
I hope you enjoy this, reviews and ideas are welcome as always.
It was a quiet Saturday afternoon in the Drill house. Abby was upstairs in her bedroom, Imogen had taken the two younger girls shopping and to the park and Constance was re-reading her paper in advance of that evenings Cauldronite event. A little bird had already let slip that she was to receive an award for her previously published paper, "The Witches of Tomorrow", and although it was silly, she couldn't help feeling excited about the evening ahead.
She hadn't told Imogen the news, wanting her to find out at the event but she already knew how happy her wife would be for her. She also was proud, she would be going to the celebrations with the most beautiful woman she could imagine and thanks to Jamie and Sarah taking the girls for the night they would be coming home to an empty house where they could hopefully do some celebrating of their own afterwards.
As her mother was anticipating the evening ahead, Abby was in the bathroom feeling decidedly strange. She reached into the cupboard for what she needed, followed the instructions on the package as best she could before washing her hands and staring at herself in the mirror. Did she look any different? Did she feel any different? She wasn't sure but knew she needed to talk to someone.
"Mama, are you busy?"
Constance looked up from the paper she was staring at, "Never too busy for you dear. What's the matter?"
Abby sat next to her mother on the couch. She took a deep breath before replying. "I, well, I just started my period."
There was a split second of silence as Constance looked at her twelve year old daughter. It was a sentence she was used to hearing from students. You didn't teach in a school for young witches for twenty-something years without someone having had to utter these words to you, although generally it was Imogen they came to. This was different though, they had known it was coming but it was yet another sign that their eldest girl was growing up fast.
"Oh Abby." She wrapped the nervous looking girl up in an embrace before kissing her forehead. "Are you okay? Did you find the pads in the bathroom? Tell me what I can do."
Abby cuddled closer, she didn't think she would ever be too old for these hugs. "I found them, thanks. I feel a bit strange Mama, it's a bit weird. My stomach feels tender and I noticed I felt a bit sore earlier but I didn't expect this to happen today. As for what you can do, this is nice."
Constance pushed the curly hair back and smiled reassuringly. "I can understand. Do you have any questions?"
"Not really, you and Mum have explained a lot to me plus we learned about periods in school. And Lily started hers a few months ago so she told me a bit. I kind of thought it would just come one day but now it has, it feels like something big has happened."
"Well it has, this is your body changing just like it's supposed to. It's all completely natural and its normal that you feel a bit out of sorts, I remember that. But Abby, you don't need to feel any discomfort, I have a potion to help with any of the symptoms that your mother uses. Would you like me to get that?"
Abby thought for a moment, "Not just yet, I just feel a bit crampy but its not too bad. It might sound silly but I sort of want to see what it feels like. Do you think it will get bad though?"
"That's not silly but you don't have to suffer. In answer to your question, it may not. You know Mum has heavy periods, I on the other hand don't, mine last less than a day. it's impossible to know what yours will be like. It may take a while for your cycle to settle down so I suggest you mark down the days in your calendar so you can keep track of the frequency and the flow. Stick with pads initially but when you feel ready, if you want to, you can move to tampons like Mum uses. But right now, I want you to relax and let me look after you."
"But you and Mum are going out tonight aren't you?"
Constance thought for a moment. The Cauldronite presentation had completely gone out of her head, this was far more important.
"Well, we were going to but not to anything special. If you like we can stay here tonight and arrange for you and your sisters to go to Jamie's next Friday or Saturday instead?"
Abby nodded eagerly. She loved Jamie and Sarah but would have felt a bit strange staying at their house tonight. Besides, she really wanted to be with her mothers and sisters.
"I don't want to ruin everyones plans though."
"You are doing no such thing, in fact you're saving your mother and me from a boring evening of long winded speeches. Now, you stay there, I'm going to phone Granny and Jamie to tell them about the change in plans and then I'm going to get a few things organised for you alright?"
By this stage Morgana and Pixie had hopped up on the couch and were busy giving their friend snuggles and licks.
"Okay."
Rearranging the girls overnight trip wasn't a problem. Sarah said they would be just as happy to take them next Friday instead. Once that was done it was time to call Amelia and explain that they wouldn't be at the event.
"Yes, I know what you told me but something has come up. No, nothing bad, the girls are fine I promise but Imogen and I will be staying here tonight. I'll explain when you come for lunch tomorrow. Thank you, goodbye."
She hung up the phone before sticking her head back into the sitting room. Abby was playing fetch with Pixie while Morgana looked on. It may have been considered more of a dogs game but Abby's cat tended to like things a bit out of the ordinary so this was really no surprise. Happy that her daughter was alright for a couple of minutes Constance went upstairs to start on her plan. She had been working on something special for Abby for a while and now seemed the perfect time to share it.
"Abby, can you come here for a moment please?"
Abby looked up as she heard her mother call her before glancing at the two cats. "Better go, I'll be back later though."
She wandered upstairs, noticing her favourite music coming from somewhere.
"What's this?"
Constance smiled, "I thought you might like a nice bath. Sometimes it can help. I've also laid out your cosy pyjamas and when you come downstairs I'll have your hot water bottle and some peppermint tea ready. Now for your bath, I've been doing a bit of experimenting and this is something you might like."
Abby had become obsessed with bath bombs over the past couple of years and while Constance was happy to purchase them as gifts, she couldn't help but think she could do a bit better.
"I hope it's alright, you can tell me what you think later…"
She was cut off by a small body wrapping itself around her.
"Thank you Mama."
"You're welcome my beautiful girl. You enjoy your bath and I'll be downstairs when you're ready."
As she sat in the water, which was unsurprisingly just the right temperature, Abby already felt better. She reached for the small cube her mother had given her and dropped it into the water.
"Oh wow."
She looked down to find the water turning sunshine yellow, before becoming a sky blue tone. Then suddenly it was a sunset orange hue, then purple, then navy with little silver sparkles like shooting stars for the remainder of her bath time. It was like sitting in her own little galaxy and she enjoyed every single minute of it.
After about forty minutes Constance heard footsteps coming down the stairs before Abby padded into the sitting room.
"That was amazing Mama. How did you do it? I think it was the coolest thing I've ever seen."
"Well, I may have used a touch of magic for the space effect." She preempted the question that was bound to come. "And it might be slightly trivial but when it comes to my girls that's irrelevant. Besides, I enjoyed making them, there are a few more that you might also want to try."
"Definitely, though I think they're so great that they're for really special occasions. Have you made one for Ava?"
Constance laughed, "I have, it took a while to find the right shade of pink with sparkles but I got there in the end. I'll make some for Zara when she's a bit older and realises the bath is not actually some sort of torture device."
"It's the getting into it, she's alright once she's in there." Abby took a second to look around the sitting room. "Wow, look at this, its like you made a bedroom down here."
The couch had been set up with three comfortable pillows and a duvet. The tea was as promised waiting on the coffee table and alongside it was a large bar of chocolate.
"Well I want you to be comfortable, The hot water bottle is under the duvet so you snuggle down, I thought we could watch a film while we wait for the others to get back?"
Abby had always loved watching films and although she still loved the Disney films she had grown up watching, she had developed a liking for old films, something she and her Mama had in common. Once she was settled, choosing to put two pillows under her legs while she leaned back against Constance who was using the other one, they began to watch "The Red Balloon" yet again.
They were halfway through the film and the chocolate when the front door opened a certain little girl made her presence known.
"Yes sweetpea, I'll change you in just a second. Good girl poppet, you take your wellies off. Let's say hello to Mama. Oh, what's going on here?"
Imogen shifted the wailing baby in her arms as she entered the room. Constance, knowing that Abby might like to talk to her other mother in private got up from the couch and reached for an unhappy Zara.
"Shh little one, let me change you. Did you have a lovely time?" She paused to kiss both the baby and her wife. "Abby's had an eventful afternoon but I'll let her tell you about that, I've kept the seat warm for you."
She left to find Ava sat on the bottom step, struggling with her left wellington boot.
"Hep me Mama? Peeese."
Despite her extensive vocabulary Ava was still having a bit of trouble saying the 'l's that came in the middle of words. Neither parent was very worried, she'd get there soon enough and it was very cute to hear.
Constance reached down and tugged the shoe off before kissing the two year old. "There you go, let's get your sister changed and get you something to drink while you tell me all about the park."
"Zara did poos."
"I know dear, that's why we need to change her, quickly judging by the smell."
Meanwhile Abby was receiving another cuddle. "Oh honey, I'm so proud of you."
"Well, I didn't really do anything."
Imogen kissed the chestnut hair, "Yes you did, you told Mama what had happened and you've acted in a very mature way about the whole thing. I'm glad she was here and that we're both with you now. Our girl is growing up. We love you so much, you know that don't you?"
Abby squirmed a little although she loved the words. "I do and I love you too. I'm just happy it happened here and not when I was at Jamie's tonight. I know he would have been cool with it but I would have been a bit embarrassed. I feel bad about you and Mama missing out on your night out though."
It was no surprise to hear that Constance had rearranged their plans. Imogen would have done the same although she hoped missing the Cauldronite event would not disappoint her wife too much.
"We only want to be here with you. Now, I see you've already had some chocolate but I'm guessing you'll still want something nice for dinner. What do you fancy? You can have anything at all."
Abby thought for a moment. "Chicken pasta bake?"
Imogen kissed her again. "Of course. We'll watch the end of this film once Mama is back and then I'll make it. Anything special you want to do tonight?"
"Well, we haven't watched The Sound of Music for ages. Remember we watched it the first day I met Mama?"
"I do honey, I'll never forget that day as long as I live. We can definitely do that. I'll run down to the shop and get some film night supplies while dinner is in the oven. You seem to be running dangerously low on strawberry laces, we can't have that."
"Ha! You say that like you don't love them. But yes, strawberry laces would be very nice, thanks Mum."
For a moment Imogen thought of the tiny little tornado that had come into her life twelve years beforehand. She may have evolved from Mummy to Mum but Abby would always be her little girl. Speaking of little girls, the living room door opened to allow Ava run in.
"Abby! Oh no, Abby's sick?
Constance, who was following the toddler, picked her up and placed her on the couch where she immediately curled up against her big sister.
"I'm feeling a little unwell Ava but I feel loads better now that you're here. And I'll feel even better once we've had a little cuddle while we watch the end of the film. Okay?"
Ava, with her strong empathic abilities was very sensitive to other peoples discomfort, especially the people she loved. What her family had found worked best was acknowledging that for whatever reason they did not feel too great and reassuring her that her presence was already helping. It wasn't a lie. Even for someone so young, Ava had a real ability to make people feel better.
She beamed at her sister before kissing her cheek as the film began again. "Okay. Oooh ba-oons."
"Where's Zara?" Imogen whispered as Constance sat on the floor in front of her.
"Sleeping, you must have worn her out."
"That was my aim."
An hour later Imogen had woken their youngest from her slumber and deposited her on the floor. Zara crawled to the couch where once picked up as required she got busy chewing Abby's hair and having a staring match with Pixie. The cat lost every time but it was fun for everyone to watch. Once dinner was in the oven Imogen walked down to the local shop to pick up the requested supplies, including a custard tart for Constance.
After they had eaten it was time to say goodnight to Zara, as tempting as it was to keep her up they knew it was best for this particular Drill girl to stick to her schedule otherwise nobody would get any sleep. Ava was a different story, she could fall asleep anywhere and right now they knew she wanted to be as close to her sister as possible.
Before they watched the second film of the day Abby had a couple of questions.
"Do I have to tell Granddad, I feel a bit weird about it, though I'd like to tell Granny."
Imogen shook her head, "No honey. He wouldn't mind you telling him, he knows girls get their periods but I understand how you feel. Though you want to tell him at some point, he was very nice when he found out I had mine"
"How old were you again?"
"Oh, a little younger than you. My Mum was away so I had to tell him, It was a little awkward but he went to the shop to buy towels and I remember he came back with a massive bar of chocolate and said it was all for me. Stephen was so annoyed, I did share it though."
Abby could only laugh as she imagined her uncle's annoyance. "And Mama, how old were you? Who did you tell?"
Constance tried not to let the bad feeling at the memory show on her face. "I was thirteen dear and because I was at school I had to tell my tutor." She felt Imogen's hand reach for hers, they both knew who that tutor was.
"Well I hope she was as nice to you as you were to me."
Mistress Broomhead had in fact not been nice to Constance. She had made her wear an old fashioned sanitary towel belt, even though everyone else had access to the more modern stick on pads. She had then given her a lecture about how she needed to make sure she was clean at all times, especially now and said something that the teenager really had not understood.
"Just because the parts are working does not mean you have to test them out."
Her spitefulness had stayed with Constance and once she had her own daughters she had promised that when this day came she would make them feel special, clean and beautiful.
"That was a long time ago dear and today is about you. Shall we watch the film?"
They snuggled together as Maria left the convent, by the time she and the Captain had fallen in love Ava was fast asleep and at the end Abby wasn't far off. Imogen switched the TV off before picking up Ava and following her other two girls upstairs.
"Can you come in and say goodnight to me once Ava is down?"
"Of course, you get into bed and we'll be in in a moment."
Imogen placed Ava into her bed and pulled the pink duvet over her before both she and Constance gave her a kiss goodnight.
"Sweet dreams little one, you did a great job this evening."
Even though Ava was fast asleep there was still a hint of a smile at her Mama's words.
Abby was also curled up in bed, but grinned as her mother's entered.
"Are you okay honey?"
"Yes, I just wanted to say thank you again for today. It was just what I needed and I'm so lucky to have the two best mothers in the world."
Constance blinked back a tear at the words. Abby may not have been biologically theirs as Ava and Zara were but they loved her every bit as much.
"You are very welcome. You're turning into such a wonderful young girl and we're just happy that we are here to help you do that."
She was already half asleep as she felt the two kisses on her forehead. "Love you Mama, love you Mummy."
A little later Imogen and Constance were in bed themselves.
"Did you mind not going tonight Sweetheart?"
Constance smiled, "No, I wouldn't have missed this for the world."
"Well." Imogen cuddled closer. "In case you haven't realised this just yet, you are an amazing mother and our daughters are so lucky to have you. I remember what you told me about your first period and I know that you did everything you could to make Abby feel good today. Our girl is growing up so fast."
"I love you, and I love our daughters. I always want them to feel safe, happy and loved."
"They do. So do I, though I wouldn't mind a fancy bath bomb myself you know." Imogen had heard about the special treat from Abby and was intrigued.
"I haven't forgotten about you Darling. Maybe we can share one tomorrow night?"
"Hmm, we could but it might be a bit of a waste when I get too distracted by the hot, naked woman in my bath." Even though she was expecting the pinch she still jumped but both were smiling as they dropped off to sleep.
The following morning Abby accepted Imogen's invitation and the two went for a walk. She loved pushing Zara in her pram and it was such a lovely, fresh day so she felt even better by the time they arrived back to the house.
"Yes! Granny and Granddad are here already."
Sure enough Amelia and Tom were sat at the table, drinking tea and listening to Ava's chatter about the park.
"Then we came home cos Zara did a smelly nappy." Ava grinned from where she was sat on Tom's lap.
"Remember we talked about discussing toilet habits too much poppet? Besides we were coming home anyway. So, did you have a nice time last night?" Imogen enquired as she made herself some coffee.
"Yes, as these things go it wasn't bad. We had a good laugh with Davina and Elizabeth." Tom wasn't overly keen on Cauldronite events but at least that pain in the backside Hellibore hadn't been there. "Was everything okay here? I was a bit worried when you couldn't make it."
"Oh fine, we just decided that we'd rather have a night in with the girls." Imogen winked at Abby as she sat down.
Amelia cleared her throat. "Well we did miss you and the committee did as well. Constance, they've asked me to give you this. I had thought about doing something in assembly but I know that everyone you really care about is right here. Congratulations my dear, your paper was named "Worldwide Witch's Writing of The Year."
Constance blushed as she took the plaque from Amelia.
"Yay!"
Ava clapped from her seat while Imogen hugged and kissed her wife.
"Oh Sweetheart, that's so wonderful. We are so proud of you aren't we girls?"
Ava clearly was and by the way she was waving her arms and giggling, Zara was too. It was only Abby who was quiet.
"I'm sorry."
To everyones horror they realised she was crying.
"Abby, why on earth are you sorry dear?
"You missed out on your big moment because of me. I'm so sorry Mama."
Constance immediately knelt down in front of Abby's chair.
"You did no such thing. Yes, the recognition from my peers is nice but you know I don't like being the centre of attention. Receiving the award here, from Granny, in front of the people I love is exactly what I would have chosen."
"Promise?"
"Promise. Witch's honour. Now, dry your tears and why don't you go and show Granny the new bushes we planted outside?"
Both her parents knew that Abby wanted to tell her Granny as soon as possible and by the looks the hugs they saw exchanged from the kitchen window, Amelia was very glad to have been included in the news.
Before they sat down for lunch Imogen pulled Constance aside.
"You knew didn't you?"
There was no point in lying. "I may have but I meant what I said to Abby, I would have chosen what happened today over any big presentation."
Imogen wrapped her arms around her love. "I know you would have Sweetheart and it reenforces what I said last night but I still think you deserve a fuss being made of you. This is a big deal, even I know that. So here's the plan. The girls are going to Jamie's on Friday and you and I are going away. I don't know where yet but I do know that I have a new dress and some very sexy underwear that I was planning on wearing last night and I don't want it to go to waste."
"That would be a shame."
"So you'll let me organise something?"
Constance whispered happily. "I am at your mercy."
"Oh you will be. Now, let's eat. I'm starving. And you know, I keep saying it but I'm beyond proud of you, you are amazing,"
Blushing again Constance sat down with her family. For all those years she had been made to feel inadequate and unwanted but now every day she felt loved, appreciated and cherished. It was a marvellous feeling.
Once dinner had been served Abby cleared her throat.
"I just wanted to say congratulations again to Mama. You are an incredible witch, we all know that and I'm glad that the other witches see it too. But we're luckier than they are, we see what a great mother, wife and daughter you are as well and that's why we love you so much."
"Well said honey."
Imogen watched happily as the two first loves of her life embraced each other again. She knew that Abby was growing up but something told her that the little girl who had assumed Constance was a princess on their first meeting would always be there. Both had suffered difficult starts in life but in a way that bonded them just as much as a past history or blood tie could.
Abby settled back into her chair and smiled across the table. She wouldn't change her family for anything, weekends like this reminded her why. Growing up was a little bit scary but she had her parents and her grandparents and when her sisters got to be her age she'd also be there to help them. There was so much that she wanted to teach them as they got older but the biggest thing was something she was sure they already knew.
It was good to be a Drill girl.