The Great Daddy Search

Hello again! Wow, it's been forever since I updated, huh? Anyway, this story is a sequel to The Life within. It's set 3 years later after the last chapter, and shows what happens as the children grow older.

Disclaimer: I do not own WITCH or any characters therein.

Rating: T.

Chapter 1: Life without a daddy

Cornelia straightened her shirt, flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and smiled confidently at her reflection. It will be a sheer miracle if I don't get this job. She thought happily. She turned to tell her 3 year old daughter it was time to leave...and found herself staring at an empty chair, diaper bag and bedraggled teddy bear.

"Ivy!" She called. No answer. "Ivy, you come here now! Mommy doesn't have time to play!"

A small, blonde head popped out from behind the sofa. "Why not?" Ivy inquired. "Can't mommy go work other time?"

"No, honey." Cornelia lifted the disappointed 3 year old and grabbed the diaper bag. "Mommy has to do this now. But you get to see Ian! Won't that be fun?"

"No." Ivy buried her face in Cornelia's collarbone as her mother carried her down the stairs and to a small, cheap chair.

Cornelia found herself staring into Ivy's green eyes, downcast with disappointment. It was the only thing that Ivy had gotten from her father, Caleb; everything else was a trait of Cornelia, from her long blonde hair to her winning grin.

Quietly, complatively, Cornelia drove down the street to a quiet neighborhood. Children played in small yards, flowers bloomed in quiant gardens. She parked in front of a white and green house, climbed out, and picked up Ivy.

Will opened the door. "Cornelia! I was wondering when you'd get here." She took the child from her mother. "Ian is waiting for you in the living room." She added. Her disappointment forgotten, Ivy smiled and raced down the hall to the living room to find her half brother.

"Can we talk for a moment?" Cornelia whispered.

Will shrugged. "Sure." She agreed. Quickly she lead Cornelia to the kitchen and poured two hot mugs of coffee before speaking again. "What's wrong?"

"Well, Ivy's been asking me a lot of questions about families. Yesterday night she asked me why she and Ian had different mommies, and today she asked me why she doesn't have a daddy." Cornelia whispered.

"But she does have a daddy. Caleb and you made sure she knew that he was her daddy and he loved her very much." Will objected.

Cornelia shook her head. "She means a daddy that lives with us. It's got to be hard on her. All of her friends have a mommy and daddy, and she doesn't."

"It's been 3 years. Maybe it's time you found her one." Will commented as she walked to the living room. "Either way, it's time for a change."