About time I updated this! Sorry that this hasn't been active like it should've. I've been working on my Disney Renaissance AU (make sure to check that out btw) while also facing some writer's block.

So since the last chapter, a lot of things have happened in the show and most goes against what I have planned for this AU. I already explained the King situation in the previous chapter and I feel terrible for portraying Luz's dad as a deadbeat in the first chapter when canonically he's not only deceased (Luz is a classic Disney protagonist lol), but it's heavily implied that he and Luz had a great relationship before his passing.

I probably shouldn't stress over this since it's an AU after all.

Anyways, let's get to the new chapter!


Luz: Age 3

It has been one year since a little human named Luz snuck her way into the Boiling Isles and within a sack belonging to Eda Clawthorne; The Owl Lady. Unable to find the child's home, Eda decided to keep Luz and raise her until she's old enough to take care of herself before returning to the human realm. And Eda still has over a decade before that will ever happen.

This past year has been quite an adventure. Ed taught Luz the best she could (with some help from Granny Gwen who visits from time to time) and so far, she has helped Luz learn how to speak and introduced her to new words. Luz has a little more to go before she can speak in a complete sentence, but she's getting there.

But the biggest highlight of Luz's development is that now she's fully potty trained! No more dirty diapers for ole' Eda!

Speaking of which, the witch in question is currently busy in the kitchen preparing a small cake for the little girl. Everyone should have a birthday and that includes Luz. The only problem is that Eda has no idea when Luz's actual birthday is, so she resorted to using the night she first arrived in her home as the set date.

And with some help from her mother, Eda found out that Luz was only two-years-old, now three today. Again, with some more assistance from Gwendolyn, Eda found some more food on the Isles that the human stomach can, well, stomach safely.

Eda just finished putting the icing on the cake and is now adding a dash of sprinkles on top. The witch smiled at her handywork.

"Is it almost ready, Eda? I can't keep the birthday girl occupied for long!" King yelled from the living room.

Eda chuckled as she imagined whatever mischief Luz is putting King through.

That little girl is a handful. She had her fair share of tantrums and even some trips to the timeout chair situated in the corner of the living room, but Eda would be lying if she said she hasn't been having fun with the ball of energy.

But the only thing she wishes Luz wouldn't do is call her "Momma". Eda knows for a fact that her own mother had something to do with that given she openly calls herself "Grammy Gwen".

Eda has told her multiple times that she didn't want Luz to call her anything besides her first name because if Luz sees Eda as her mom then she won't want to leave. Her leaving will be hard enough, but this isn't Luz's home.

Luz is a human and humans belongs in the human realm. That's what Eda tells herself every day at least.

"It's ready. Bring her in." said Eda

King entered the kitchen, following behind Luz whose eyes were covered by King's paws. Since last year Luz has grown a few inches taller and her hair is now long enough to reach her back. Eda has attempted to cut it with some success, but she's no barber.

"What's happening?" Luz asked innocently as she tried to peek past King's paws.

Eda smiled down at her and told King he could move his hands. He did so and Luz's eyes lit up once she saw the cake.

"Wow!" said Luz as she raced to the table.

"It looks so good!" she said as she licked her lips.

"And it's just for you." Eda responded as she picked Luz up and sat her in her high chair.

"For me?" Luz asked, pointing at herself.

Eda nodded.

"Yes. It's your birthday."

Luz tilted her head aside, confused.

"Birthday?" she asked

"It's a special day that marks the anniversary when you were born." King answered from behind.

Luz looked back at King and then to Eda.

"Born?"

Before King could explain, Eda scooped her up from the floor and held her in her arms.

"Let's not get deep into it." the witch said as she sat Luz in her chair.

"Besides," Eda knelt down to King and whispered towards him. "the last thing we want is luz asking how babies are born."

King silently agreed.

Suddenly, the dining room door leading outside swings open to reveal Gwendolyn Clawthorne holding many bags in her hands.

"I'm here!" she sang.

Luz turned in her seat and smiled wide.

"Grammy!" Luz cheered which caused Eda to cringe.

Gwen immediately raced towards Luz and hugged her close and began assaulting her little face with kisses.

"My grandbaby is one year older!" said Gwen as she kept kissing Luz which made her laugh in delight. King smiled at the scene before him as Eda just watched patiently.

"Thanks for coming, mom. And I see you brought a ton of gifts." The witch pointed out.

Gwen released Luz from her embrace and nodded.

"I take gifting seriously." she said confidently.

"Yeah. More like spoiling." King replied which made Eda chuckle.

Gwen ignored King's sarcasm.

"Welp. Let's get this party started! Oh, but I do wish your father could've come, Edalyn." Gwen said sadly.

Eda nodded but she didn't waver.

"The less people who know about Luz, the better." she said sternly.

Gwen didn't argue.


A hour passes with the cake now gone because of Luz and her appetite for sweets. Then everyone moved onto gifts which Luz was happy to see she got some new toys and clothes. And while Gwen and King were distracting Luz by playing games with her, Eda came in with something behind her back.

"Thanks for the gifts, mom. They all pale in comparison to what I got her." Eda explained.

"It's the thought that counts, dearie." Gwen reassured.

Luz stopped playing with one of her presents to look up at her parental guardian (Eda's words)

Eda knelt down in front of her and started speaking.

"Luz... This has been quite a year for me. One night I was out scrounging for stuff to sell and the next I was making sure my corrosive potions were out of your reach. We had our ups and downs, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some fun along the way."

Eda traced her thumb across the surprise she's holding behind her back.

"My gift isn't flashy, nor did it come with a price tag, but I made it with the best needle and thread I could find."

Eda revealed a stuffed owl that looked similar to Owlbert in her hands. It was small in size and looked like it has been re-worked again and again, but it was enough to make Luz excited.

Luz grabbed the owl from Eda and hugged it close to her, snuggling with it. She then stood up and hugged Eda.

"Thank you, momma!"

Eda's eyes widened. Luz has been good with calling her just 'Eda' the last few months. This is the first time Luz had used that word, most likely repeating it from her grandma... I mean, Gwendolyn.

She wanted to be annoyed. She wanted to correct Luz. But she could tell that Luz was happy and was enjoying hugging her.

Eda could tell that her mom was holding back tears and King was snickering, but passed it off.

The witch embraced Luz in return, holding her in her arms.

Maybe for this one time, she'll let Luz calling her that name slide.

Just this once.


Now after this is where the whole time skip thing I mentioned before will start. Luz won't immediately go to fourteen-years like in canon because I do have some ideas for her in-between the ages of 3-13. Now I have to start planning for when this AU matches up with the canon timeline with The Collector and other stuff. Wish me luck!

...

Oh! I should also tell you what the next chapter will be about!

Next time, Luz will make two new friends. Can you guess who they are?