A/N: Hello ladies and gentlemen! Please accept my humble apologies for the delay in updating my stories...

There are reasons for the delays but I will not bore you all with them.

This chapter and the next chapter were originally one chapter, but yet again, the characters just kept talking so I split it up. And let's not even talk about the research I put into these chapters...lets just say that 1.) I now know more about Wiccan practices than I did before and 2.) for a tomboy, I know more about dresses than I ever hoped to know!

Also, major shoutout to MsWitsEnd for her general badassness...did you read her update for Stonem House? If not, you totally should;D and also because she helps push me when I'm stuck and I don't think I'm writing well enough for you lovely readers :) So, thanks babes!

And who hasn't ready the new one-shot that popped up the other day? It's called Dirty Girl and totally worth the read...written by fragrantlily90 ...seriously, check it out...

One more shout out to TheAeacusProject! The Ultimate Currency and The Loudest One In The Room are works of art...masterpieces! You should seriously give them a read!

All errors are mine...

Disclaimer: I am gonna have a nasty ass weird triangle burn scar because a stoner knocked over a lighter on my hand yesterday at work...and Skins has never been mine!

Chapter 28: Confessions and Rituals

Can we please go on the boat tour now?" Jamie asked on Friday, as he climbed up onto the bus. "We've spent ages here and I'm bored."

"Don't whinge, Jamie my boy, I've got plans for you and me." Cook told him as the younger boy slid into the seat next to him, before lowering his voice in a mock whisper. "Besides, Naomi's doing this to impress Emsy and get into her knickers."

Naomi and Emily were walking past the boys just as Cook spoke, and whilst Naomi's face turned a slight shade of pink, Emily smirked and winked at Cook, but then Jamie added his own dig.

"If Naomi was any more into Emsy's knickers, they'd be attached at the hips!" He stated not so quietly. "Fucks sake, I heard them going at it in the hall cupboard last weekend," he told the whole bus, then switched to a higher pitched voice, "'Oh, Naomi! That feels so great! Yes! Yes! Yeeesss!'. At one point, I'm pretty sure Emily found God in there!"

Now it was Emily's turn to blush, as Jamie and Cook grinned like the perverts they were and everyone else chuckled along.

"Shut up, James!" Emily muttered as she quickly made her way to the back of the bus. "Ya fucking perv!"

Naomi followed, less embarrassed than she was before and sat next to her girlfriend, whilst Jenna reprimanded her son for his comments. "Don't worry, Ems. I'm pretty sure I found God in that cupboard too." She whispered into Emily's ear, making sure no one else could hear.

Emily could only smile as the bus departed another stop along the Beatrix Potter trail and meandered over to Windemere.

The rest of their time in the Lakes District was spent hiking and seeing the sights. They went into Hawkshead village and strolled through the shops before making their way to Coniston and the Ruskin Museum where they took in an exhibition about Sir Donald Campbell, who was killed in 1967 making an attempt on the world speed record in his speedboat Bluebird. Naomi told them how her father was convinced that they were related to the man, but when she was eleven she had done some research on the matter and found out it was impossible.

"I don't know, Naoms...long lost cousins maybe?" Emily questioned her playfully, as they walked around the museum.

Naomi followed with a smile, as they walked through the rest of the museum hand in hand, absolutely content for the first time since her father disappeared.

"Katie? Can I have a word with you?"

Jenna's request caught Katie off-guard, as everyone was settling in for the evening on Friday. She cast a nervous glance around the room, her eyes settling on Effy before she nodded wordlessly as she stood up and followed her mum.

They walked outside and Jenna took a seat at the table set up on the patio and waited for Katie to do the same. She could tell that her daughter was nervous, it was obvious in the way she moved and how she kept shifting her gaze back toward the house.

"Let's not dawdle, Katie." Jenna stated, pointing toward the chair that Katie was having a hard time sitting down in.

"Sorry, Mum."

Katie sat and waited, eyes cast down, glancing at a spot on the table and Jenna let the tension build before speaking.

"Do I scare you that much, love?" Jenna asked outright, hating the way Katie had been acting around her lately and was satisfied when Katie's head popped up and their eyes met.

"What?"

"I've been waiting weeks for you to tell me about you and Effy, but you haven't, and the only reason I can come up with is that you're scared to tell me." Jenna told her. "Am I wrong?"

Katie was shocked...no, she was beyond shocked, as she sat there not able to answer. The tension she felt holding in her secret finally burst as she broke out in tears.

Jenna jumped up quickly and hurried around the table to bring Katie into a massive Fitch hug. "What's wrong, Katie?"

"I'm sorry, Mum...b-but...I don't even know how to explain it!" Katie said into her mum's shoulder.

"How about you start at the beginning and go from there?" Jenna told her gently.

"I have all these feelings and I have been afraid to say anything to you about it because of what Emily went through, I didn't want you to be disappointed in me!" Katie cried harder, causing Jenna to tighten her hold around her.

"Oh, love." Jenna wanted to cry herself as she quieted her daughter's. "I'm so sorry that you felt that you had to keep this from me, but I'm also a bit angry that after everything our family went through and how I've changed since finding out about Emily that you would keep this from me."

Jenna's statement caused Katie sob louder. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it mum, she's just so...wonderful! It j-just...happened."

"Why are you apologising for that?" Jenna replied softly, hoping that it would help Katie open up, but the older twin could do was shrug. "So tell me about it."

Katie pulled away from her mum, drying her tears and took a deep breath, then told Jenna everything.

"I didn't expect to feel like this about her," Katie said after she was done, "but she more or less put herself in front of me and gave me very little choice, ya know?"

Jenna chuckled. "She does seem to be your match in that aspect." She replied, thoughtfully.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Katie asked, sniffing back more tears.

"Well, you're a powerful young woman, aren't you? You've always known what you've wanted and you've never been afraid to go after it."

Katie sighed. "But I've been terrified about this, Mum. Every look she gives me...every touch...it scares me!"

"I'm not surprised at all by that, Katie." Jenna said. "You've always been an "in charge" kind of girl...I can see this whole situation being out of your depth."

Katie was amazed that her mother had pinpointed one of the things that scared her. "Oh." She stated simply, contemplating what her mum had just said.

"Well, think about it, Katie? From the time you and Emily learned to walk and talk, you've taken the lead." Jenna told her when she saw the confused look on Katie's face. "We didn't think Emily knew how to voice an opinion until the two of you were seven, and you tried to make her agree to having a clown at your birthday party!"

Jenna laughed at the memory, causing Katie to giggle along.

"But what if...what if I'm not entirely sure, ya know? What if I'm only caught up in the moment? What then? What if I meet a fit lad or-,"

"What if it's exactly what you want?" Jenna interjected, watching her daughter gear up for another round of tears. "What if it turns out to be the best thing you've ever had?"

Katie didn't miss the similarity between her mum's words now and Naomi's words from a few weeks ago, but it didn't relieve her insecurities. "And then there's you!" Katie replied fiercely, grasping at anything she could now.

Although she and Effy had talked the day before about making things official, Katie was still afraid, even after they had slept together and Katie found out that sleeping with a girl was so much better than sleeping with a guy, and she discovered that she was actually pretty good at it.

"What about me?" Jenna asked, not surprised really, but a bit hurt. "I don't think I should have any bearing on your relationship, Katie."

"What if you can't accept having two gay daughters? What if it's too much for you to handle?"

"How about you let me worry about how I'll "handle" things, Katie." Jenna felt her frustration building, as she witnessed Katie use every excuse she could grab ahold of. "Don't put me in the middle of this and expect me to sit quietly as you use me as the reason for not facing your fears."

Katie was about to protest, when Jenna fixed her steely eyed glare on her.

"Don't you dare try and deny it, Katie!" Jenna warned her. "You think I don't know what you're doing? You think I don't know what you're going through? Just because I fell in love with your father at first sight practically, doesn't mean I didn't have moments of fear!"

Jenna gave Katie a few moments to process that information before continuing.

"Okay, let's get this out of the way right now," Jenna stated to get Katie's attention, "I would, at one point in time, have been disappointed, but Katie," Jenna smiled sadly when their eyes met, "that was ages ago, wasn't it? Haven't I changed?"

Katie didn't say anything. She couldn't, because her mum was right. She had changed in the years since the whole disaster with Emily.

"I'm sorry, Mum. Maybe I was using you as an excuse-,"

"Maybe?" Jenna scoffed and glared at Katie.

"Alright! I did, I'm sorry. And yes, you have changed since then." Katie looked like she was about to cry again, but she took a moment to control herself. "I've just been really confused about everything. And do I tell Effy how I feel? I don't know, because it's not like Effy's ever had a relationship before...probably the closest thing to a relationship was with Cook, but...," Katie trailed off, finding it hard to think of Effy and Cook together.

Suddenly it felt as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs, as she started gasping. The thought of Effy with anyone but her made her panic. And that scared her more than anything else.

"Katie? What's wrong, love?" Jenna saw her face turn white and her eyes widen, as her daughter started to hyperventilate. "What is it, Katie?" Jenna asked, starting to get scared herself.

"I-I'm...," Katie tried talking, and it felt like her throat was drier than a desert so it sounded husky, "Oh, fuck me! I'm in l-love with Effy." She stated, her voice barely above a whisper, but heard loudly in the quietness of the night that was settling around them.

Jenna soothed Katie as best as she could, when a movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. Looking over properly, Jenna saw Effy standing in the shadow of the house, her eyes wide in the dying sunlight.

"So I take it this is news to you, Elisabeth?" Jenna asked, and smiled as she felt Katie stiffen in her embrace and saw Effy stand up straight. "You may as well come sit down."

Jenna went back to her chair and watched as Effy sat next to Katie and reached out to take her daughter's hand.

Effy had never been in this situation before and she was trying her best to concentrate but Katie's words kept swirling through her mind. She was oblivious to the conversation between mother and daughter, as the emotions threatened to overtake her.

'I'm in love with Effy.'

Over and over, on a loop that played with the rhythm of her beating heart.

'I'm in love with Effy.'

"Effy?"

Effy was amazed by the feeling. Hearing Katie say those words was the best thing she had ever experienced, but Katie was right. She had never been in a relationship before, thinking that it was a load of bollocks, but a relationship with Katie made her believe in something more.

'I'm in love with Effy.'

"Effy!"

She was deep in thought, so deep in fact that she hadn't heard Jenna calling her name, until Katie poked an elbow in her side.

"What?" Effy blinked rapidly, looking back and forth between Katie and Jenna. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Jenna smirked at the blushing girl, knowing that it wasn't very often that she lost her mysterious cool. It was actually fascinating to witness, if she was being honest. "I was just wondering, and you can tell me to mind my own business if you want, but...," Jenna paused as she tried hard to find a way to phrase her words properly, "what are your intentions with my daughter?"

Effy felt her face heat up as Jenna's intense gaze lingered. "Well...I-I...sorry...," Effy hated being put on the spot, had always hated it, "w-what?"

Jenna couldn't keep the ruse going any longer, because both Katie and Effy looked as if they were about to throw up and she started laughing. "I'm just messing with you, Effy." She said, merriment shining in her eyes, as Effy visibly relaxed. "Look, obviously this is new territory for both of you, yeah?" Both girls nodded and she went on. "Just take it a step at a time is all I'm saying, because now your decisions involve each other. Communication is the basis of any relationship, so you have to take each other into account."

"So you're saying...," Katie couldn't believe it had been this easy, even though she really should have trusted her mum more.

Jenna looked at both girls as they hung on every word she was saying. "I'm saying, talk more!" She stated, looking at Effy whilst she did. "It'll benefit you both so much in long run if you talk to each other." She was satisfied with the conversation, saying her piece and decided to let the matter drop.

Jenna stood up and excused herself, content now that everything was out in the open. But she stopped halfway to the house and then turned around, looking her daughter. "Oh and, Katiekins?"

Katie looked from Effy to her mum. "Yes?"

"No more secrets, okay?" Jenna asked.

Katie felt shame all over again, but nodded. "Right. No more secrets."

Jenna smiled at the girls and turned around once more, but threw over her shoulder. "Besides, you know I have my ways and I'll find out eventually, so it's just easier to be up front about things."

Effy couldn't help but laugh as she watched Jenna step inside the house, leaving a shocked Katie and her alone. She could totally see where the twins got their spark from.

"And what are you laughing at, missy?" Katie asked, glaring at Effy almost playfully.

"She has her "ways"...," Effy used her fingers to make air quotes, then paused to give Katie a chance to catch on.

It took a couple minutes, and Effy thought she would die from cuteness overload at the adorable confused look on Katie's face, but when the older twin finally understood, confusion turned to rage.

Effy wasn't surprised at all when Katie jumped up and ran toward the house, flinging the door open and finding her target.

"James Fitch, you big mouth twat!" She growled at the youngest Fitch, who knew he was in serious trouble when he saw Katie's face.

With everyone else looking on, James took off running with Katie close behind.

The air was still and a mist covered the clearing deep within the forest, where Sophia and her family gathered in the early morning. They had all come to Aunt Millie's home in Ravenshead to perform the binding rituals.

Sophia was saddened after the first ritual, even knowing that whilst her grandmother did harm with her magic and she deserved to have her powers bound. She felt guilty because of it. After the whole family talked it over, still trying to come up with a solution for Millicent's behaviour, it was finally agreed upon that a blood binding was the only choice.

"Sophia, are you alright, love?" Alicia stepped over to where her daughter sat against a tree, and took a seat next to her on the forest floor.

The brunette nodded. "Yeah, I just can't help feeling guilty, that's all." She told her mum. "Grandmother is going to get a rude awakening today and it's all my fault."

Alicia scoffed. "Don't take the credit for her misdeeds, Soph. Just...don't! She wouldn't give you a thought if the roles were reversed!"

"But-,"

"But nothing, Sophia! My mother is a selfish, selfish woman! She always has been!" Alicia told her, feeling the need once again to defend their actions this morning. "Look, she did this to herself, Sophia and you need to let it go now. Alright?"

Sophia sighed and nodded. "Well, at least I'll only be without my powers for a year, right?" She stated, taking her mum's advice. "It won't be that bad."

Alicia found herself laughing despite the situation they were in. "Yeah, you're right, love. It won't be that bad at all." She agreed and hugged her daughter.

"Alicia?" Her sister, Alice, called softly, drawing her and Sophia's attention toward the rest of the coven. "It's time."

Sophia sighed again and stood up, taking care to brush off her robes. "Let's get this over with, yeah?"

Alicia smiled sadly at her daughter, but got up herself and walked toward the circle. "Sophia, please step into the centre of the circle, please." She told her daughter, feeling the weight of each word. Once Sophia had come to a stop, Alicia address the rest of the coven. "We stand here today after having all agreed that Sophia has broken the laws of the coven; do harm to none, using Dark Magic and for her association with Millicent O'Dowd. I ask you all again, my sisters and my family, do we still agree?"

One by one, the rest of the family stated their yeses, until it came back to Alicia.

"Since we are not binding Sophia's powers permanently, the use of blood magic is not needed for this spell. Sophia will use her time wisely by reflecting on her deeds and studying for the initiation ritual, which she will be expected to perform again to reclaim her powers. Let's begin."

As the sun started to fully rise and shoot through the trees that surrounded the clearing, silence fell for a split second. Sophia could hear her heartbeat as the blood rushed through her veins and she wondered if the rest of the family could hear it.

It started softly at first, as Alicia began to cast the spell. "In Hecate's name we bind Sophia to the flame. May she bring no nightmares, depression, and pain."

And then everyone else joined in.

"We cast Sophia to the wind, that all know her shame.

May Hecate envelope Sophia in the threefold law.

May all forget Sophia's shame, their harm, their call.

May her ability to raise magic fall on deaf walls

We join our energies, fellow friends in the Craft

May Hecate stop Sophia's harm in the future, present and past

Only after a year and a day, will this binding be uncast

So Mote It Be!"

Sophia wasn't conscious of the tears that spilled down her face, as she could feel the power that had lived inside of her for as long as she could remember drain slowly from her with each word, until by the end of the spell she felt nothing at all.

The sunlight filtered through the curtains and threw bolts of soft sun rays across the room, as Emily was slowly waking up. She laid there, staring up at the ceiling watching the shafts of light dance across the room and thought about things.

She thought back over the months, all her time spent with Naomi and wondered when exactly she fell in love with the blonde. Was it after their first huge fight, when Naomi saved her from that group of guys? Or was it when Naomi gave her her father's study? Or maybe it was on their first date.

It could have been a number of things, small and huge, but the more Emily thought about it, the more she realised that she probably fell in love with Naomi the very first time she looked into her eyes at the charity ball back in December.

Emily felt the bed move and turned her head to look at her girlfriend.

"Happy birthday, Ems." Naomi said softly, smiling, her eyes lighting up whenever a ray of sunlight scattered across her face.

"Thanks, babes." She replied with a kiss. "So what's on the agenda for today?"

Naomi rolled over onto her back and stretched, moaning softly as she did, causing shivers to course throughout Emily's body. "I thought we could take one more trip into Potterland, as a last day birthday present. Whatdya think?"

"Mmm...that sounds wonderful, but ya know what I'd really like to do right now? In this very moment?" Emily asked, her voice low and even more husky than normal as she rolled over and covered Naomi's body, sending ripples of pleasure through the blonde when she started to grind against her.

Naomi had to clear her throat a couple of times before she smirked up at Emily. "Figure out a solution for world peace?" She suggested, as she pretended to think about her answer.

Emily chuckled as her hand started making a journey down Naomi's body, and she could feel the muscles undulating as she went, until she reached her destination and Naomi gasped loudly, followed by another moan of pleasure.

"Oh...happy birthday to me." Emily murmured in wonder, as she felt Naomi's arousal. She kissed her way along the path her hand traveled, until she could see with her eyes, the evidence of that arousal. She looked up into Naomi's eyes, watched how they tracked her every move, and smiled, making sure to put everything she felt into that smile. "Can I open my present now?" She asked, cheekily.

Naomi almost stopped breathing under the force of Emily's smile. It was full of light and wonder and hope for something more and she felt loved. That smile seemed to tell Naomi everything and instantly she felt lighter even as the pulses that had become a constant presence to both of them, upped their intensity.

"You don't even have to ask, my love." Naomi replied quietly, her voice low and strange sounding in her ears. "It's yours, along with the rest of me."

Emily blushed at the words, because really, it was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her. And she almost said the words, she really did, but caught herself in time. "Hmm...are you ready for this, baby?" She purred, making sure the confidence she had a moment ago was back in place, and when Naomi nodded, she dipped her head down and ran her tongue through the wetness she found, letting out a long moan that sent vibrations straight to Naomi's clit causing her to cry out loud. Emily took that as her cue to keep going, as both girls became oblivious to the rest of their families, as they started waking up and gathering below them.

Jenna and Gina were sharing a pot of tea at the kitchen table, when Effy and Katie joined them. Naomi's cry was heard just as Cook and Jamie entered the room and all eyes pointed toward the ceiling.

The silence was suddenly broken when Jamie spoke up with a filthy smirk on his face. "Looks like Emsy's preaching the gospel, because Naomi's finding her religion up there!"

"James Robert Fitch!" Jenna admonished her youngest child, but she couldn't help the giggle that came out when the rest of the room broke out in laughter.

Mandy was finishing up, taking in the last of the food that had prepared offsite, when Helena called her over.

"Jessie, dear, I want you to go over everything with the wait staff, yeah? Give them a last minute pep talk and stress the importance of this event." Helena implored Mandy, who fought the urge to roll her eyes and sigh.

"Yes, Helena."

The older woman smiled as she paced back and forth, completely unaware that Mandy had barely left the kitchen at all in the past three days unless it had been absolutely needed. "Thanks, love. This job could make us or break us, so we want professionalism at all times. Do you remember the instructions that Mrs Potts gave us?"

"Yes, Helena. No staring at the younger Campbell." This time she could stop the sigh earning a look from the older woman. "We've got this under control, yeah? Don't worry so much." Mandy said, knowing she had to smooth things quickly.

Helena stopped pacing and smiled shyly at the girl and taking a deep breath. "Yeah, you're absolutely right, Jess. We do got this!" Helena gave the girl a quick hug, ignoring the way Mandy tensed up, and then pulled away to reach for her bag. "Look, Dutch and I wanted to get you a little something, because you've been a massive help during all of this." She pulled out an envelope and held it out toward Mandy. "So this is a thank from both of us."

Mandy took it and opened it slowly. Inside was a thank you card and a hundred pounds. Her first thought was that she was worth more than a measly hundred quid, but she squelched that feeling and did her best to put on a grateful smile.

"I'm actually speechless right now." Mandy said quietly, the need to burn the card with the money inside was overwhelming her.

Helena waved her words away. "It's nothing, but if all goes well tonight, there's a full time job for you at the café." She informed Mandy before walking away, leaving her to stand alone in the kitchen.

'If all goes well tonight, Helena, I'll be back home and Emily and Naomi will be gone for good!' She thought to herself, as she went to check again that her bag was still in place.

Mandy smiled brightly as she left the house and got into the van, with Helena behind the wheel. Her mood was so good at that moment, not even Helena's annoying rambling on the way back to the café could dampen it.

So I apologize again for the delay with updates...I swear that I will get to them all, so please don't give up on me...if you want, send me a pm telling me to get my ass into gear, but I promise that I will never abandon my stories and I will never pull them from the site.

I know we've lost a few fucking phenomenal authors and stories recently and that makes me sad...

And now I'm off to read Come Back To What You Know by Hez-xx, because that's a great fucking story as well and it was just updated! you should join me and then share some love in the form of reviews ;)

Marci :)