Our Melody

Lilith took a deep breath as she approached her sister's house in the forest. Darius had a late meeting with his abomination trainees and that left her to collect their son today. Soon, she could see Raine leading Amber in a dance with their violin and Eda dancing to the side with Evan.

"Oh, Evan!" Eda grinned and turned, "Look who's here."

The two-year-old squealed and wiggled in his aunt's arms, "Mama! Mama! Mama!"

She couldn't help the smile that spread over her face as she hurried the last few steps to take her baby.

"Hello, Little Prince," She cooed, "Did you behave for Aunt Eda and Titi Raine?"

"He's a goody two shoes is what he is," Eda crossed her arms, "Too much like his Mama."

Evan stuck his tongue out at her. Lilith rolled her eyes.

"Aunt Lily!" Amber broke away from her dance to hug her aunt around the middle.

"Hello, Amber. Have you been having fun with Evan and Zaza?"

"Uh huh!" Amber's baby fangs were only just beginning to come in, "Evan's real good at dancing! And he really likes playing with Owlbert and Fidds."

Raine stepped up to Eda's side and whispered in her ear. She groaned and nodded, kissing them on the cheek.

"Actually, Lily, before you and Evan head out, there's something that I wanted to talk to you about." She stepped forward, "How about Rainstorm takes the kids inside for a snack while we talk?"

"Edalyn? Is something wrong?" Lilith didn't resist as Raine took Evan from her arms.

"Don't worry," They assure her, "I won't fill him full of sugar."

"Nothing's WRONG," Eda explained, dragging her sister closer to the trees while her partner took the children into the house, "It's just that we haven't really told anyone yet. Not even Amber. And YOU can't tell anyone either. Maybe Darius but definitely not Mom."

"Edalyn? What-"

"I'm pregnant."

Lilith stared at her, "What?"

"I'm pregnant," Eda repeated, "Raine and I are going to have a baby!"

Lilith continued to stare.

"Lily?" Eda's smile wavered.

She shook her head, "W-Who else knows?"

"Just Rainstorm and I," Eda admitted, "We're telling their parents tonight but, like I said, we haven't even told Amber yet. How do you even explain that to a four year old?"

Lilith shook her head again. She and Eda had only reconnected three years ago when Darius and Raine had forced them. Did that really warrant being the second person she told? Did she deserve to be in Eda's life at all after what she had done?

"H-How far along are you?" She eventually asked.

"About four months," Eda rest her hand on her belly, "We…We wanted to be sure that everything would be ok. You know, with the cure and everything. Just in case."

Lilith's stomach rolled.

"Raine even dragged me to see a healer," Eda continued, "They insisted she was safe. She even has a daughter Evan's age. Everything looked ok then but we decided to wait until we could feel them moving around in there."

Her carefully guarded walls broke. Lilith wrapped her arms around her sister's neck to hug her. She couldn't help the single sob that slipped past her lips.

"Lily? You ok? Pretty sure I'm supposed to be the emotional one here!"

Lilith nodded and leaned back, "I-I know. I'm just so…so happy for you."

Eda grinned and squeezed her tight, "Thanks, Lils. Hay, any plans for you and 'GooDaddy' to give Evan a little sibling?"

"Absolutely not," Lilith shoved her away GENTLY, "Never. He'll just have to be ok with the outrageous amount of cousins you and Raine will give him."

"Ha! No." Eda shook her head, smile never dropping, as she led the way back to the house, "Like I told Raine: one and done. I am perfectly happy with just Amber and this one. And I was just teasing you, you know."

Lilith sighed and rolled her eyes. She smiled as Evan wiggled out of Raine's arms and toddled towards her.

"Mama! Mama!"

She stooped down to catch him once more, "Now, Little Prince, you know better than to run away from Titi Raine like that."

"I run to Mama!" He insisted.

"Yes, well, now we get to run home to Papa."

"Papa!"

"That's right," She booped him on the nose, "Now say goodbye to Amber, Aunt Eda, and Titi Raine."

"Buh Bye!"

"Bye Bye, Evan!" Amber waved, still holding onto Raine's led with one hand, "Mama, Zaza, can we have an Evan that stays here?"

Lilith bit her lip and turned to go. Raine laughed behind her.

Actually, Mia Piquena, your mama and I have something we wanted to talk to you about."

LLB

Darius looked up from his pan when the door opened.

"Welcome home," he leaned back to look into the living room, "Dinner's nearly done. I wasn't expecting you to stay at your sister's so long."

"Hi, Papa!"

His smile softened, "Hello, Little Prince."

Lilith settled Evan into his playpen where Bell and Socks were quick to join him. Then she went over to her desk and pulled out her paperwork. Darius stepped up behind her and put one hand on her shoulder.

"You didn't fight with Edalyn again, did you?" He asked.

She shook her head, pulling over a new paper.

"Ok. Not that. Bad day at the Palace?"

She shook her head again, "No. It's…It's good news mostly…"

"Then what–"

"Would you be willing to make another baby blanket?" She turned to look at him.

Darius straightened, "What?"

Lilith broke into a shaking smile, "Edalyn and Raine are going to have a baby. I think it would be nice if you made them a blanket like you did for Amber and Evan."

"Oh…" He looked down at Evan in the playpen, "Oh. Yes. I could do that. But where does the 'mostly' come into play?"

Lilith turned back to her paperwork and hung her head, "Belos still wants me to bring Edalyn in."

He closed his mouth with a snap.

"He says he can cure her curse. I WANT to believe him. I WANT him to be able to cure her," the edges of her paper crinkled under her grip, "But I don't. I can't. Not after what he did to Jesper. I can't trust that he wouldn't hurt her. Or Raine, or Amber, or the baby. If he even found out who Evan is…"

Darius nodded slowly and looked over his shoulder into the kitchen. He hugged her around the shoulders, the rough fabric of her wool dress prickled his arms in a way that nearly made them burn but he just squeezed her tighter. Lilith lift one hand to rest on his arm.

"Then we'll just have to make sure they're safe." He whispered.

Lilith sat up and looked at him, "Are you suggesting…"

"If it will keep them safe," Darius stood back up, hands still on Lilith's shoulders, "He lied about Jesper and Evan. He's lying about Edalyn. What else is he lying about? What else would you recommend?"

Lilith gaped up at him before turning back to her paperwork. The room was dangerously quiet for a moment.

"As long as you can PROMISE the children will be safe," She conceded, "I don't want any of them hurt but, knowing Raine and Edalyn…"

"That's the whole point," Darius assured her, "Keeping our Little Prince and the others safe. You know that, ever since Jesper, Raine's the closest think I have to a sibling. But, you're right. They'll probably want to help."

Lilith nodded, "Alright. Then I propose we tear Belos down from the inside. Make it to coven heads and corrupt our respective covens."

"We'll see if we can bring anyone else ove as well," Darius smiled and kissed her hair, "And I promise Evan and the others will be safe."

Lilith nodded again. She watched Evan play with Socks and Bell for a moment before sighing. She frowned.

"What's that smell?"

Darius gasped and dashed for the kitchen, "The food!"

LLB

Lilith burrowed deeper into her blanket. It was her one day off and she had every intention of staying in bed until Evan woke up. Even if her internal clock still woke her up at five o'clock.

"Caw! Caw!" A crow phone flew in through the window and landed on her bedside table. "Call from Raine Whispers."

She groaned and rolled over, "You better have a good reason for calling me at SIX IN THE MORNING, Whispers."

"I'm sorry," Came the reply, "I just couldn't wait to invite you to come and meet your niece."

"Raine, I love Amber but this REALLY couldn't wai–" She sat up and grabbed the crow, "Wait! Meet!?"

Raine laughed, "Yes! You don't have to come over NOW but Eda and I wanted you to come over and meet her when you and Darius get the chance. I was trying to catch you before you went to work."

Lilith threw herself out of bed, "I'll be on my way in just a minute!"

Raine laughed again, "Alright. Just be quiet when you get here. We don't want to wake Amber up just yet."

"Of course. See you soon," Lilith released the crow and changed her clothes.

"What's going on?" Darius groaned from his bed on the other side of the room.

"Eda had the baby!"

"What?!" He flailed for a moment, throwing most of his violet blanket off the bed, "When?"

"Sometime in the night," Lilith threw her pajamas back on her bed and turned to wake Socks, "I'm running over there now."

"Alright." Darius chuckled and leaned back against the headboard, "I'll bring Evan over once he wakes up."

"Thank you!" Lilith sprinted down the stairs and out the door before mounting her staff.

She flew over Bonesborough and most of the surrounding forest before she had to walk the rest of the way. Hooty was liable to snatch her out of the air if she tried to fly directly to the owl house. And she still had to contend with him once she got there.

"Please, Hooty, "She begged, "I'm just here to see the baby. Just tell Raine that I'm here."

"Hooty, let her in," Raine called from the other side of the door.

"Alright. Alright," Hooty swung open, "I'm just a little about someone else trying to get in."

"We know that," Raine waved her in hastily, "And we appreciate that, Hooty."

They closed the door and led Lilith into the kitchen, "Sorry about him. He's just been extra protective lately. Some coven scouts followed us home last week."

Lilith hissed through her teeth, "I can't imagine how horrifying that was."

Raine nodded, "I'm glad Hooty was here. There's really no getting past him once he decides you're not getting past."

Lilith nodded, "How's Edalyn?"

Raine smiled and poured her a mug of tea, "Oh, she's exhausted. They're both asleep right now."

"I can imagine." She took the mug. "And how are YOU?"

Raine sat across from her, "I'm…tired?"

"How much sleep did you end up getting?"

Raine looked up at the ceiling while they thought, "We went to bed around eleven and she woke up at round…two?"

"Why don't you go back to bed? Sleep with Eda and the baby. I'll call Darius and spend some time talking to Hooty."

They shook their head, "No. Amber will be up soon. She'll be excited once she realizes that her sister is here. I don't want her to wake them."

"I can keep Amber quiet."

Raine chuckled and shook their head again, "I'm really too excited to sleep…I-I have a daughter. ANOTHER daughter. Amber has a sister! The woman I love is asleep in our nest with our baby that she gave birth to only hours ago and…and…I'm SO happy, Lilith. Happier than I've ever been."

Their shoulders began to shake, "I love them all so much. I don't even know how to COMPREHEND how happy I am and how much I love them. It almost doesn't feel REAL."

Tears began to well in their eyes and they covered their mouth with one hand. Lilith stood and put a hand on their shoulder. The magnitude of the evening was hitting them with the full force of an angry griffon.

"Zaza? Why are you crying?"

Raine sat up and turned. Amber was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. Fiddlesticks was at her feet and the pink, bat patterned blanket Darius had made for her cuddled in one arm. Lilith backed away as Raine stood up and went over to their daughter- their elder daughter.

"Nothing for you to worry about, Baby Bat." They scooped her up and kissed her soft white hair, "Zaza's just so happy right now that they're crying."

"Why?" Amber rest her head on their shoulder.

Lilith smiled and reached to take her niece, "Because Zaza and Mama didn't get a lot of sleep last night. So how about you and I have breakfast while Zaza goes back to bed, ok?"

Amber nodded and reached out to lean against her aunt. Lilith put a hand on Raine's shoulder and turned them towards the stairs.

"You go. Sleep with them and decompress. I'll stay with Amber, we'll call Uncle Darius. Do you want me to call your parents?"

Raine shook their head, "No. Thanks. I'll-I'll call them once everyone's awake."

Lilith nodded again and sat Amber at the table. Raine smiled over their shoulder for a moment longer before heading up to the bedroom they shared with Eda. They sat on the edge of the nest and smiled.

"How long have you been up?"

Eda moved her finger in Melody's grasp gently, "Not long…She's so tiny…"

Raine nodded.

"She did not feel this tiny two hours ago." Eda looked up at them, "I feel like I was hit by a giraffe."

Raine chuckled and ran their fingers through Eda's hair, "I'd imagine so. But here she is. Tiny and perfect and all ours."

Eda hummed, "Where's Amber? Still sleeping?"

"Nah, she's eating breakfast with your sister," Raine reached forward to stroke the baby's cheek.

"Have you held her yet?"

Raine lift an eyebrow, "Eda, I handed her to you, remember? And we did have to get her and you cleaned up after."

Eda rolled her eyes, "Other than that? Have you REALLY held her yet?"

They shook their head. Eda smiled.

"Then get in here and hold her, ya dingus."

Raine slid into the nest carefully and lift Melody into their arms. She cooed quietly but didn't wake. Her skin was the same medium brown as their own, her light fuzz of hair the same mint green, but when she had opened her eyes earlier they were the same brilliant gold as Eda's. Raine felt their chest tighten once more.

'Not now.' They silently begged, 'Not yet.'

But their heart was having none of it. Tears filled their eyes again and they clutched Melody tighter.

"Rainstorm?" Eda curled closer until her head lay in their lap, "Are you ok?"

They nodded even as they began to rock. Eda chuckled. They did their best to keep their sobs quiet as they pressed their lips to the baby's forehead, tears coursing down their cheeks.

"Oh, My Rainstorm," Eda cooed, reaching up to wipe the tears away, "So emotional."

They chuckled and leaned down to kiss her.

LLB

Darius rolled his eyes as he watched Amber and Evan run around the yard with Bell and Socks.

"Yes, Edalyn. I'm sure Amber will be fine with us for a few hours." Lilith was still talking to her sister and in-law at the front door, "You two go get your running done and try and get a nap with Melody in. I managed to swing working from home for the day and Darius will bring Amber home around six."

He twirled his finger for a moment and watched as both toddlers slipped on the thin layer of abomination that covered the ground. They both squealed with delight and tried to get to their feet. Darius grinned and strode over to them as if the abomination goop wasn't there.

"How do you do that, Uncle Darius?" Amber demanded as he set her back on her feet.

"A lot of practice, Amber," He insisted, picking up Evan and gliding across the slime. (1)

He leapt into the air, turning to glide backwards. Amber tried to mimic his movements but was sent sprawling after only a moment. Darius twirled his finger once more and Bell doubled in size beside her, offering her a hand. With her new friend to keep her busy, Amber was perfectly happy slipping and sliding over the goo.

"Faster! Faster, Papa!" Evan cheered as Darius continued to dance over the abomination.

"Did you turn the backyard into an abomination skating rink?" Lilith appeared in the doorway, arms crossed.

"I'll clean it up when they go down for their naps," He promised, gliding up to her, "For now, it'll keep them occupied out here so you can get your work done uninterrupted inside. And, with Bell and Socks watching them, I can even go inside to make lunch without having to worry about anything happening to them."

She rolled her eyes, "You spoil them both."

"It's a simple spell, Lily! One of the first we learned at Hexside!"

She was already gone. He shrugged and set Evan back down, pushing him across the slime like curling stone. The two-year-old squealed and fell back as he slid. Darius had no qualms about using his magic to create an abomination slime world for his son and niece to play in. With them occupied, he could read his book or check on Lilith and not have to worry. Around noon, he went back into the house to make lunch.

"Did you have any preferences for lunch?" He called into the living room, "Because I was thinking of just making some scratch n' cheese since I know both of- Lily?"

Lilith was hunched over her desk, face in her arms as she sobbed. A crow phone hung its head by her shoulder.

"Lilith?" He knelt by her side, "What happened? What's wrong?"

She shook her head for a moment, one hand coming up to cover her mouth. He wait, sending a quick message to Bell to keep a closer eye on the children.

"Sh-She's gone," Lilith croaked.

"What?"

"Melody! She's gone! Someone took her!"

Darius could have sworn his heart stopped beating, "Someone took Melody?"

Lilith nodded and leaned forward until she was resting against his shoulder, "A group of coven scouts attacked them while they were at the market. Raine and Eda tried to hide her but then she was gone."

Darius rubbed her back and looked around. He wanted to run to the backyard and pull Evan and Amber straight into the house. He wanted to hide them both and make sure they were never away again. He had promised that the children would be safe and already Melody was gone.

"Eda and Raine are going to search for her in the human realm, "Lilith's voice was hoarse and barely more than a whisper, "I told them we would keep Amber for a few days while they did. They…Don't say anything to her yet. We don't want to worry her if they find Melody."

He nodded, not trusting his own voice as he tightened his hold on her. Amber and Evan laughed and cheered in the yard as they played with Socks and Bell, none the wiser to that had happened.

LLB

1) Because snow and ice only really exist on the knee, I decided that it is possible to use certain abomination spells like an ice rink. But easier to clean up. Darius was a very good ice dancer as it kind of went with the territory of being the best abomination witch.