Olivia felt like she was going to be sick, all she could do was sob. Both of them were sobbing, curled into themselves in the middle of the playground.
She knew Misty and Cordelia would send her back for what she did. She had tried so hard to stomach the insults, but she had failed them.
Suddenly Misty and Cordelia were in front of her, grabbing her hands that were gripping her knees. Fingers combed through her wild curls and lips kissed her head to calm her. She felt Cordelia run a gentle hand along her cheek, catching any tears that fell, trying to coax her to meet her gaze. But Olivia kept her head down. She couldn't bare to see the disappointment she was sure was on their faces.
They are definitely going to give me away now.
'Sweet girl are ya okay, are ya hurt?' Misty signed and asked softly, brushing back some fallen curls with a careful hand so Olivia could see. Cordelia was beside her, checking for any damage.
They both were holding onto her hands like they were glass. Like she was something precious, something to protect. That made Olivia's heart warm with what she was quickly realizing was 'love', and she found enough courage to look up.
'Can ya tell us what happened Liv?' Misty signed worriedly.
They had an idea but didn't want to tear into the kid without knowing the true incident.
'We won't punish you or anything for telling the truth, no matter what occurred.' Cordelia assured, looking just as worried as her wife.
They waited a moment for Olivia to answer, in shaky writing the note she handed them said 'I was chasing Buckingham around and he accidentally knocked a boy over. I felt so bad, I would've apologized a lot if I could've. But everyone laughed at it and he was mad and very hateful. He called me a deaf freak. And made fun of me a lot, but then he made fun of you.'
It stopped there but they knew by the tears and the pain in those beautiful green eyes, there was more.
It hurt Olivia just to think about how he said her moms were disgusting dykes. Whatever that meant, she knew it was an awful thing to say. How could anyone say something so horrible about the sweetest, funniest, most caring people in the world?
"Whatever it is..you can tell us baby, we can take it." Cordelia cooed, caressing the young witch's cheek before letting her hand fall to her shoulder.
Olivia took a deep breath and scrawled out her response. 'He called you disgusting dikes. And he came closer and I thought he was going to hit me so I pushed my arms out and yelled for him to stop and get away and he flew into the air and hit the swing set. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.'
Both women knew they would have to have a discussion about this later, but for now they were going to focus on consoling their daughter.
She shook in silence for a moment, trying to cease her sobs but nothing worked.
"Hey, hey, hey." Cordelia soothed, draping an arm around Olivia's shaking frame and pulling her into her chest. "It's okay, it'll be okay, he won't be bothering us anymore."
The supreme pulled her closer, and Olivia didn't protest, listening to Cordelia's heartbeat was helping to calm her.
'How do you know?'
'Cuz' I'm gonna do somethin' about it.'
"What?" Cordelia asked in confusion, turning her head to get a better look at Misty, while continuing to rock Olivia gently in her arms.
"Dykes Delia, that little jerk called us dykes!" Misty seethed, teeth clenched in fury. Cordelia placed a hand on her wife's and gave her an understanding nod, her jaw set in a determined line.
Misty stood up and faced the boy and Cordelia gave Olivia's head a light kiss and told her to stay here before standing to join her wife.
/
"Get up." Misty snarled to the boy who was still curled into a ball on the mulch.
He did, and Cordelia circled him to make sure he wasn't seriously hurt so the parents wouldn't get into a fight.
The boy shifted side to side and he tried to sidestep Misty, who easily caught him and pushed him back a few feet. "Stay."
"Who the hell do y' think ya are? What makes ya' think it's okay to talk to my daughter like that?" Misty spat, her voice steely.
"To talk to anyone so rudely for that matter, you should be ashamed of yourself." Cordelia added, giving the boy a cold glare.
He was shaking like a leaf, afraid that they would curse him or worse. "she knocked-"
Misty shook her head and let out a dry laugh. "We don't want any excuses kid, jus' listen."
They both took a step closer, and Misty bent down to his level, her heated gaze piercing his. "If ya don't go find your parents in the next three seconds, I'm gonna make what my daughter did to ya look like heaven."
Olivia was sure that the fire in both of their eyes would turn the kid to dust right now if he didn't scram.
But he did, as fast as his legs could carry him, no doubt blubbering to his mama, Olivia thought.
Misty got back up and turned to Cordelia who gave her wife a proud smirk.
"I think that went pretty well, except for the fact that Olivia seems scared to death." Misty sighed, arms wrapping around the older witch's neck.
"You didn't kill him like I thought you would so I say we were successful." Cordelia joked, eliciting an chuckle and a smirk from Misty.
But the supreme's smile quickly turned into a frown. "I think she's afraid we'll be immensely upset with her."
"Me too, I know she didn't fling him like a rag doll jus' for fun, she did it out of self protection, so I'm not mad."
"I'm not mad either, I'm more worried about getting her powers under control." Cordelia admitted, looking up to see the same fear reflecting in Misty's eyes.
"But we're going to help her Mist, don't you worry." Cordelia stood on her tip toes to give Misty a reassuring kiss. Then she wrapped her arms around Misty's waist and drew her into her chest, and she melted into the embrace, nuzzling into the space between her neck and shoulder. "I know, I can't wait to see what her powers'll be like when she can bend them to her will."
Cordelia pulled back to meet Misty's gaze, an excited grin on her lips. "It'll be astounding, our daughter is a little badass remember."
Once Olivia saw the two witches hug she wanted to express her gratitude so she joined in, wiggling her way between them to reach her arms around their backs.
Misty and Cordelia let out a simultaneous 'awww' and leaned into Olivia, stretching their arms to encircle both their daughter and each other. The three stayed cocooned together for a little longer before pulling away and deciding it was time to call it a day.
The young girl walked ahead to their spot under the oak tree, collecting all of their items from the picnic. And Cordelia and Misty took a second to decide that before they brought her home, they needed to let her know that they were nothing but concerned, and would do anything to help her and keep her safe, that she was their main concern, their family and that they loved her more then anything.
Misty found Cordelia's hand and intertwined their fingers, giving them a squeeze. "We can do this."
Cordelia brought Misty's palm to her lips, kissing it softly before motioning to the wild haired girl.
'Hey, why don't we go sit on a bench before we leave, we need to have a family gathering.'
And just like that all the fear that she was going to get sent away came flooding back, Olivia knew that was most likely her punishment.
They took a seat on the nearest bench, all three sitting knee to knee. Cordelia spoke up first.
"Olivia, you know that we love you right? Even though we haven't been with you for more than a matter of hours you have our hearts, you won them the day we met you. You are the most important thing in our lives, and we would do anything to keep you safe. " Olivia nodded but didn't look Cordelia in the eyes, she only moved her head to see her hand movements.
"Hey sweet pea, tell us what's goin' on up there." Misty signed, pointing to her head. When their little girl didn't respond the swamp witch placed a finger under her chin but she shrank away.
Even though she wanted to do nothing but lean into Misty and Cordelia she knew she had to distance herself as much as possible if they weren't going to be her mothers.
Growing up in the foster system she learned that it was vital to be able to distance yourself from the ones you care about, no matter how painful it was. Because one day you were going to leave them, or they would leave you. She knew it only a matter of time.
'You're going to give me back now aren't you?' Her eyes were still trained on on the swamp witch's hands.
Misty and Cordelia felt their hearts break at these words, they wouldn't give her up if their lives depended on it.
'Oh baby girl of course not, Olivia look at me.' Misty signed, lifting her chin so she was looking into her eyes. Her fierce gaze held Olivia captive as she spoke. 'You're our family now, we are never ever lettin' ya go.' Misty affirmed, her voice raspy with emotion.
Cordelia moved her head to place an affectionate kiss on the young girl's head, causing her to look up at the supreme. 'Misty and I love you, and we adopted you. That means we are keeping you forever.'
This was the last thing Olivia expected to hear. 'So…so you're not mad?' she signed pitifully, to which the two gave a gentle laugh.
'No we're not mad you sweetie.' Cordelia signed with a warm smile, pulling the young witch against her and ruffling her hair.
The warmth in Olivia's chest came flooding back full force. She had always wanted a family who would love her, and who she could learn to love in return, and as she looked between the two smiling witches, she knew she had found them.
'I'm so glad.' She signed with relief, resting her head on Cordelia's shoulder and intertwining her fingers with Misty's.
'But we are a little worried. We want to help you control your powers. It isn't your fault, you haven't had any teaching. It takes practice but you'll get the hang of it, I promise.' Cordelia signed, looking to Misty as they recalled the countless hours they spent in the greenhouse trying to control Cordelia's second sight.
'I would like that very much, as long as you both are the ones to help me.' She responded, nuzzling her head into Cordelia's shoulder.
'Ya know what I'd like?' The swamp witch mused, leaning over and wiggling her eyebrows mischievously at the two.
'Let me guess… Sugary food of some sort?' Cordelia teased, getting a vigorous nod from the Cajun and a giggle from Olivia.
'Okay, but we should let Olivia pick where we go.'
When Olivia's face lit up Cordelia gave Misty a thankful look that read I'm so happy she's smiling.
'Is it okay if we get ice cream?'
'We can get whatever ya want, ya deserve it.'
Once they were on their feet Olivia pulled both women into a tight hug.
Her arms wrapped around Misty's waist and the swamp witch had her arms around the girl's neck. She then moved to hug Cordelia, who let her hands fall to Olivia's shoulders before slipping them around her back. The three didn't need words, they knew the gesture meant 'I love you' and 'I love you too.'
/
Cordelia glanced in the rear view mirror and smiled at what she saw before pointing it out to Misty, who burst into laughter. Olivia was buried in a heap of fur and 200 pounds of golden retriever. Buckingham was sitting on top of Olivia, the side of his body pressed against her and his head happily out the window.
But then she watched Olivia poke her head out the window with their dog, giggling with the biggest grin on her face. Her wild hair was whipping in the wind and she had a hand on Cordelia's sunglasses she was borrowing as she watched downtown New Orleans roll by. And the supreme's heart melted just a little bit more.
/
"What kind did ya get? It looks so tasty!" Misty exclaimed leaning onto her elbows to inspect her wife's ice cream closely. The sweet aroma of vanilla and other complex scents filled her nose and she licked her lips.
Cordelia eyed Misty playfully and scooted her cup closer to Olivia, who was watching the conversation unfold curiously.
"Vanilla hazelnut." Misty's face was so close she was about to get ice cream up her nose.
"Here, before you drool on my food." Cordelia joked, holding up a spoonful and offering Misty a bite, who swallowed it with the goofiest grin on her face.
"Damn, that's somethin' tasty, I shoulda' got that n' double fudge instead of my banana/chocolate combo." Misty said, looking back at the counter and then to Cordelia with a pout.
"Easy there, sugar rush." Cordelia teased lightly, placing a hand on Misty's shoulder and turning her towards her cup. "you've had 3 scoops, as your loving wife I'm cutting you off, it's not healthy!"
Misty sat in prolonged silence, pretending to pout, when Olivia signed 'I got chocolate fudge, you can finish mine if you'd like!"
Misty's wanted to dig her spoon into the cup but knew better.
She couldn't believe this was Olivia's first time having ice cream since she could remember and here she was offering it all to her, who eats way too much of it in the first place. God she's precious n' too pure for this world.
Misty was called out of her thoughts by a tiny hand grasping hers. She looked up to see gleaming green eyes and a wide smile. Olivia was gesturing to her ice cream and then Misty's mouth. 'Open up!'
Misty complied, giving the girl an open mouthed grin. Olivia's fed Misty some of her ice cream and even offered her the rest once more but she declined. 'You're so sweet, but save the rest for yourself!'
A few minutes later the girl had finished and they were headed home, but first they helped to clean ice cream that had some how dripped down her chin. As Cordelia wiped away the chocolate she murmured an affectionate 'You are definitely Misty's daughter.'
/
Cordelia parked the car and she and Misty turned around to see that Olivia had fallen asleep during the ride, with Cordelia's large sunglasses covering her eyes and Buckingham covering her body. Little did they know Olivia had stirred, the sunglasses were just shielding her open eyes.
"Poor girl, Olivia must be tired from all the excitement that happened today." Cordelia whispered. Olivia kept her eyes fixed on their lips, and her body still as they talked, curious to hear where this was going.
"Yeah. I know I can't tell her this, but I'm real proud of her for standin' up to that little asshole today. She definitely taught him a lesson, I don't think he's gonna mess with our girl again" Misty said.
The young witch could see the pride on the Cajun's face and it took all the self control she possessed not to smile.
Cordelia giggled and prodded Misty's arm. "Mist! Don't encourage violence."
"She's asleep lovebug" Misty giggled. "She can't see our lips movin'. That's why I told ya now instead of earlier."
"Can I tell you a secret baby?"
"Sure Dee."
"I'm proud of her too. That little shit got what was coming to him."
"Why Miss Cordelia Goode-Day!" The swamp witch gasped, putting a hand over her mouth in feigned shock "Are ya condonin' violence?"
At this point the pair was still turned around, gazing between each other and Olivia as they spoke.
"Should I wake her before Buckingham does? We've been sitting in the car for a few minutes and he keeps shifting around, it's only a matter of time before he starts licking her face off."
"Aw can't we just soak up her adorableness a little more? she looks so peaceful, I think she'll be fiiiine."
Cordelia let out a chuckle and raised her brows. "Well, if it you say it's okay for our daughter to slowly get licked and crushed to death by Bucks while we stare at her, then okay." Cordelia replied, leaning over to kiss her wife.
"Mmm, our daughter, I like the sound of that." Misty sighed against Cordelia's lips, pecking her sweetly once more.
"Me too Mist, me too."
Olivia bit the inside of her cheeks to hold back her grin.
I like the sound of that, too.
/
When Olivia got out of the car her eyes widened, such a huge house. Once inside she continued to be blown away by it's beauty. Everything looked so sophisticated, so sleek, so white.
'Would you like me to show you your room now? You can rest more before dinner if you'd like.' Accepting a happy nod from the young witch, the supreme led the way to one of the many shared bedrooms. Olivia surveyed the room, the walls were stark white, there were two beds and a joined bathroom. Olivia put her bag in the closet and took a seat on the bed, glancing around the space.
'This is real nice, so much nicer and neater than my cramped rooms at the center.'
Cordelia gave a warm smile and went to sit by Olivia, resting a hand on her back. 'This is your home now, and this is your shared room, you can express yourself however you wish on your half of it.' The girl nodded and let out a yawn, quickly covering her mouth to hide her sheepish smile. Cordelia just giggled and ruffled her hair before getting up.
'Dinner will be ready in about an hour, most girls will probably still be out so it'll be just us. Get some rest Liv.' The child nodded but looked confused. 'Where are they?'
'Well since it's a Friday mostly all of the girls go out for dinner or to shop, they really don't come home until later.'
Olivia nodded again and Cordelia blew her a kiss and smiled one last time before going downstairs.
The young witch spent part of the time sleeping and part of the time looking around the room, wondering what her new roommates would be like. She sat on the queen sized bed and pulled her bag onto her lap, getting out an old, worn down sketch book, some artist pencils and a large eraser. Drawing was one of the only things she enjoyed and thought she was good at, no one knew however, no one took the time to notice.
/
During dinner the trio ate and laughed but mostly discussed classes and when they would start her training. Cordelia had put her in all the classes with the other seven and eight year olds except for art, who she was taking with some of the older girls per her request. Olivia was excited but nervous about how she would be treated but both assured her they shouldn't be a problem and if they were there would be major consequences.
They also asked if Olivia wanted to try working on her powers tomorrow, assuring her she could wait if she needed to, but she was eager to begin working, and to see the greenhouse Misty and Cordelia always talked about as if it was the greatest place in the world.
Olivia was so happy to finally be able to enjoy a nice meal, with no fighting or yelling or things thrown at her, like most of her experiences with previous families.
It was only 8:30 but Olivia was worn out, so she went upstairs to change into her pj's. When she retrieved them she took off her shirt, revealing marks and scars all down her back. Little did she know Cordelia had walked past her room only to do a double take upon seeing her back. Before Olivia noticed she had already gone to her and Misty's bedroom. She had heard the social worker tell them that Olivia had something done to her, but that didn't prepare her for what she saw. As she entered the room and came to lay down beside the Cajun, Misty could see the concern and fear on her wife's face.
"Cordelia? Darlin', what's wrong?" Misty wrapped her arms around Cordelia's waist and pulled her into her chest, kissing her forehead to try and comfort her.
"I think they used to beat her, Misty," Cordelia whispered into the nape of her neck.
"What?" Misty asked, turning her body to look her at her wife. The tears in Cordelia's eyes were enough to bring tears to hers as well. "How could ya' possibly know that?"
"I was walking past Olivia's room to check on her and saw her back, it was covered in all these awful marks and scars…" Cordelia felt Misty's free hand clench the sheets, her jaw taunt and tightly set.
Misty shook her head, hot tears rolling down her cheeks, "I wanna find these bastards and make them feel as much pain as she does."
Cordelia sat up on her elbows and wiped away Misty's tears with a gentle hand before resting it atop her cheekbone. The supreme herself felt like bawling, but she needed to stay strong for Misty. "All we can do for her is be there and help her whenever she needs it, love her as much as we possibly can, Mist."
The swamp witch nodded and whimpered an 'I know' through her tears, and Cordelia placed a soft kiss to her forehead before continuing. "As much as we want to, we can't undo what has been done to her, it's beyond our control and you know that. We've just got to be the parents she never had, the ones she deserves." Misty kissed Cordelia lightly on the lips, and by then they heard Olivia screaming. With angry tears in their eyes they pulled themselves out of bed and went into her room. She was thrashing around in her bed, crying and pleading to an unknown person.
Her breaths were shallow and she felt the room spinning around her. Thoughts were crashing together in her mind, she could make out the voice of every foster parent she had ever had yelling.
You're not good enough. Worthless girl. You'll never be anything but a stupid deaf freak. No one loves you. Why can't you just be normal.
But the next thing she felt was pairs of arms encircling her. Holding her. Protecting her. And she felt warmth bloom in her chest.
She opened her eyes and saw Cordelia and Misty signing to her. 'It's all right. We've got you. You're safe. You're home. We love you.'
Warm, safe, love, home.
"Mama.." She croaked, moving to sit in Misty's lap, clutching her small arm around the Cajun's waist. "Mom.." She squeezed the other arm around Cordelia who was beside her wife on the bed. "I don't want to have any more nightmares. I just want sleep." She spoke, looking between them. Her voice hoarse from lack of use, her large green eyes heavy from exhaustion.
'We know, sweet girl.' They whispered and signed, Misty held her close in her arms and Cordelia stroked her curls. 'One day they won't even bother you, all you'll remember is living here with us. We love you, we love you more than anything in this world'
"You too," She said softly. "I love you guys too."
She felt her breath even out as they continued to sooth her, holding her and kissing her until she fell back asleep and Misty carried her to their bed.
When Misty set Olivia down in between her and Cordelia she stirred and looked around nervously before realizing where she was. "I hope ya dont mind, but we decided you're sleepin' here tonight." Olivia's nodded and nestled in between Misty and Cordelia, never feeling safer than in the two women's arms. They held their daughter close and kissed her forehead, all three of them slowly drifting off to sleep.