A couple of days quickly transforms into a week. In the blink of an eye a week morphs into the better part of a month. Hecate is standing near a tree in the summer breeze wearing a t-shirt, and a pair of shorts. A loose braid that starts at her crown, and curves around the side of her head rests on her shoulder. Izzy swings wildly on a tire swing that is secured to the branch with an old rope. With no notice Izzy dismounts the swing landing only a couple of feet from HB.

"At some point you must return to Cackles, you know."

Hecate finds herself caught off guard by this comment. "Do you find yourself in a rush for me to go?"

"Of course not."

"Are you simply baiting me?"

"You've not done an ounce of magic in quite some time. Have you considered that you will grow rusty if you do not return?"

"We made potions just yesterday," Hecate points out.

Izzy shakes her head, "I made a potion, and you supervised."

"Did your concoction meet your expectations?"

Izzy furrows her brow, "I hardly call oatmeal salve for a patch of dry skin magical. The mere fact that it is a salve suggests it is not in fact a potion."

"I seem to recall that we made a potion the previous day, as well."

Izzy groans, "An elixir that you pour into a spray bottle to ward of bugs is simply bug spray. We've not made a meaningful potion the entire time you've been here."

Hecate gently boops Izzy's nose, "My dear daughter that is where you would be woefully misguided."

"Mind games are not my forte."

"What potion is more powerful than any, and requires no potion at all?"

Izzy furrows her brow, "This feels like a pop quiz."

"It's love," Dave answers as he approaches them with a couple of glasses of lemonade.

Izzy shoots him a look. As she takes a drink of her lemonade she locks eyes with Hecate.

"He is correct," Hecate offers a warm smile.

"Izzy was predicting when you may return to Cackles."

"It would appear that the novelty of my presence has worn off, and this brilliant young witch wishes to bond with you."

Dave nods, "I hadn't looked at it in that light. Is that true, Izzy?"

"I do not intend to hurt anyone's feelings. This has been more amazing than I ever imagined. We've been a family, but… on both sides of the fence absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"Izzy can you run ahead and set the table for dinner?"

"I am not a child. I can take the hint when adult conversation is needed."

"Scoot, then," he smiles.

Once they are certain she is out of earshot Dave turns towards the potion's mistress. He offers her a smile.

"How do we move forward? I assume you are eager to return to Cackles."

She shrugs, "Some facets are appealing, whilst others are decidedly not."

"So what does this mean in the grand scheme of things? You go back to Cackles, and we hammer out some sort of agreement on how to co-parent?"

Her eyes nearly burrow through him. He clears his throat.

"Is that what you want?"

"No," she answers simply.

"You will never be fully content if your feet are planted here. It is plain to see that you are growing restless."

"I desperately desire to long for simplicity, but the truth is that I am not built to lead such a lifestyle full-time."

"I do not fault you for that. There is no judgement on my end. I just don't know how to proceed. It isn't as if we can put the genie back in the bottle. Izzy knows that you're her mum, and I… have grown quite fond of you."

Hecate smiles, "Don't be daft Cackles is just a few miles away. Technology, and travel are two easy methods of connection, Spike."
"It is probably for the best that you return before Izzy grows suspicious of your nighttime whereabouts."

Hecate arches a brow, "She is a perceptive girl. Some details cannot remain unnoticed."

"You think that she knows?"

"Perhaps she is too afraid to say anything."

"So just to clarify, we've landed on it being time for you to return to Cackles?"

"I will collect my things, and set out for the journey in the morning light."

"Then I guess it is settled. Before you go there is something I must ask you."

"I'll allow it," she responds with a devilish grin.

He gesticulates in the direction of the tire swing.

"Care to recapture your youth?"

"You're suggesting a go on the tire swing?"

"Haven't you heard it calling your name?"

"I am a bit rusty. I may not recall how to have fun," she jests as her eyes sparkle.

He rolls his eyes as she practically leaps onto the tire swing. He steps forward to push her, but she beats him to the punch. With a subtle hand motion she swings freely.