Sorry this took me so long. The life of a college student can be rough, especially when you have a ton of papers due at once. Now that most of them are over (for now), I have a little bit more time for personal writing. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and I hope you enjoy this new chapter :)
The remainder of their lunch consisted mostly of small talk. Cordelia was too anxious to find out more about the other witch that she could not seem to come up with anything of substance to talk about. At least not in front of her daughter. It's not like Olivia doesn't know about witches, she lives in a house full of them. What she doesn't need to know right now is that Misty is one too. That's a conversation that Cordelia would rather not have in the middle of a somewhat crowded park. She also wanted to know more about Misty and her powers before having that conversation as well.
When all three had finished eating, Olivia let out a long yawn. "Are you getting tired, baby?," Cordelia asked. The only reply she received was a slight nod and the rubbing of eyes. Cordelia looked to Misty, "I guess it has been a bit of an eventful day for her. I should probably be getting her home, but I would really like to finish the conversation we were having earlier. Would you like to come by the academy? I have somewhere that we could speak in private." Misty thought about it for a second before replying, "Sure, we definitely have a lot more to talk about." At this, the two women stood up and collected their trash and dumped everything in a nearby trashcan. They made their way back to the table where Olivia seemed to be nodding off. Cordelia was about to wake her when Misty stopped her. Without saying anything, Misty stooped down and gathered the now sleeping child in her arms. She propped Olivia on her hip with her head situated on her shoulder before turning back to Cordelia. "Are you in the parking lot over by the gate?," Misty asked. Cordelia nodded before saying, "You really don't have to do that. I could have gotten her myself or she could have walked to the car before going back to sleep." Misty just shook her head, wild curls swaying back and forth. "Oh, shush. I can handle it and beside, just look how cute she is. I couldn't wake her up," Misty added. She looked down to her shoulder at the sleeping child to emphasis her point. "Whatever you want. Just don't complain to me when your arm goes to sleep or she starts drooling on you," Cordelia said before turning to make her way down the path toward the parking lot. "Did you say 'droolin'?," Misty asked before hurrying after her.
Once at the gate, Cordelia made her way over to her car with Misty tagging along behind her. They stopped at a sleek, black Mercedes that appeared to be almost brand new. Cordelia opened the back seat and pointed to the car seat in the back. "Do you know how to do it, or should I?," Cordelia asked. Misty studied the contraption for a few moments before looking to Cordelia. "How 'bout I put her in it and you do the rest," she replied sheepishly. Cordelia couldn't help but laugh before waving her hand to the car seat, letting Misty know to go ahead and set Olivia down. She did so without jostling the girl too much and Olivia remain asleep with her head now resting on the side of the car seat. Misty stepped back out away from the door to give Cordelia room to finish buckling her daughter in. Once she was finished, she too stepped back and gently closed the door.
"So…," Misty started, "should I just follow you or do you want to give me an address?," she asked. "You can just follow me and I promise I wont loose you. The house is in the Garden District if that helps you to know the direction we will be heading in. Which car is you so I know what to look for in my mirror?," Cordelia asked. Misty hesitated for a second before pointing to her old Mustang that was parked in the row behind them. "Before you say anthin', don't judge her. That car is like my baby so I will take personal offense to anythin' you may be thinkin'," Misty said with a playful hint to her voice. Cordelia looked to the car before cracking a smile at the curly haired blonde. "I've always had a fondness for older cars, especially those made in the 50s and 60s, so no judgment here," Cordelia said playfully putting her hands in the air in a mock gesture of surrender. The smile that Misty returned could not have been any bigger.
"Okay then, now that we've settled that, lets get goin'," Misty said and Cordelia nodded. Misty walked to her car while Cordelia got into her's. Cordelia took one last look in the backseat to make sure her daughter had not woken before starting the car and putting it in reverse. She backed out of her spot and waited for Misty to do the same. When the wild haired blonde's red car was behind her, Cordelia finally shifted into drive and headed for the main street. After a short drive, in which Cordelia managed not to lose Misty, they arrived at the academy. Cordelia pulled into the driveway with Misty following close behind.
Cordelia stepped out of her car and Misty did the same. "Am I good here, or should I have parked on the street?," Misty asked as she pointed a thumb toward the Mustang. "You're fine right here. You're only behind me and I don't plan on going anywhere while you're here," Cordelia added with a smile. "Great," Misty said before adding, "do you want me to get her again? I really don't mind." Cordelia looked back to her car and thought for a moment before nodding to the other woman. Misty walked to the car and opened the back door to unbuckle Olivia. She hoisted her up onto her hip again before closing the door with her other hip that was not preoccupied by a small child. While still asleep, Olivia wrapped her arms around Misty's neck to hold herself closer to the warm body. Cordelia watched the whole thing with a small smile on her face. Misty noticed the other woman staring and blew a strand of hair out of her own face. "Whatcha lookin' at?," she asked. Cordelia shook her head before replying, "Nothing; I must have just zoned out there for a second." "Hmmmm," was Misty's only reply as Cordelia walked past her to the front door of the giant white house.
As the other woman was unlocking the door, Misty took a second to take in her surroundings. The house was huge. Huge and white. Misty had to lean back slightly just to see the house in its entirety. "Do you want to come in or just stare at the house all day?," Cordelia asked with a smirk. While looking at the house Misty had failed to realize that Cordelia had opened the door and stepped inside. Misty followed her in and Cordelia immediately ushered her to the stairs. "I don't want to appear rude but I'm not really ready for the onslaught of questions the girls would have for me if they were to see you," Cordelia said as they reached the top of the stairs. "I can understand that," Misty said as Cordelia led her to a door near the end of the hall. She pushed the door open and Misty realized that they were in Olivia's room. "You can just lay her down on the bed. I think she's pretty worn out so she will probably sleep for a few more hours," Cordelia said as Misty followed her instructions. Misty unhooked the girl's arms from her neck and laid her down under her comforter. Cordelia took her place and tucked the girl in before placing a kiss to her forehead. The two women exited the room and Cordelia closed the door softly behind them.
"The place I had in mind for our talk is out back, just follow me," Cordelia said as she led the other woman back down the stairs. The two were able to slip out of the house before any of the girls could catch on to the new person within the academy walls. They continued walking until they reached an old wooden door which Cordelia quickly opened. They slipped inside and Misty was immediately sent into a state of speechlessness. Cordelia had brought her to her personal greenhouse. Misty was about to take off to explore but she had to stop herself. She looked to Cordelia and bit her lip. Cordelia could tell what she wanted and nodded with breathy laugh. That was all Misty needed and she wasted no time standing by the door. She walked the length of each wall, stopping to touch each plant, before looking to the wooden tables that also held a variety of potted plants. She noticed the viles that were intermingled within the plants and looked up to Cordelia with questioning eyes. "Alchemy," is all Cordelia said and Misty just nodded before going back to exploring the greenhouse. When she was done she made her way back over to Cordelia.
"So," Misty sighed, "where should we start?"