Chapter 21
It shouldn't have surprised Sabrina that her family was all too invested in her sex life. It is, afterall, witch way. Still this was something she wished her family would be a little more like mortals about. She wanted to be understanding, but she struggled. She also felt like she shouldn't have to be understanding when the intimacy involved was her own. It was times like this she really missed her mom. She desperately wanted to be able to talk to her about these monumental moments in her life. She wondered how she would react. How would her father react? Would they like Nick? Would Edward try to intimidate him?
No. Edward would have loved Nick. The young warlock basically worshiped Edward Spellman. Nick would probably have been the son Edward never had and he would have gladly approved of his relationship with Sabrina. In fact, she wouldn't have been surprised if he pushed marriage on them. Her theory was backed up by the brief moment she witnessed between them in Hell. Her father had cared for Nick in Hell. He protected him. Edward Spellman would have gladly blessed the union with no doubt. As for Aunties, that was a 50/50 chance as in a no from Zelda and yes from Hilda.
Sabrina let out a sigh as she pulled the sheets off of her and tossed them into the corner of her room. She imagined the downside of sex was having to change your sheets after. It was a chore she didn't particularly enjoy to begin with. She was struggling with the bedsheet when she heard a knock at the door. She really didn't want to have to see anyone right now. She was a bag full of mixed emotions right now and she wasn't sure which emotion would lead the talking.
"Sabrina, honey, it's Auntie Hilda," a voice called from the other side of the door.
If it were anyone else, she probably would have told them to buzz off, but not Hilda. "It's open, Auntie," she replied.
The door opened a little and the older witch poked her head inside. "Hey there love, I just wanted to come check on you." Hilda was the sweetest woman you could ever meet. She always had a smile on her round, bubbly face. She always had a positive attitude, even when Zelda would kill her and bury her in the yard. She was a mother with no children. The thought made Sabrina sad.
"I'm ok, auntie. I promise," Sabrina replied with a smile. "I'm just a little…" She didnt finish her sentence. Instead, she just shrugged. If she was being honest, she wasn't sure how she was feeling. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"Oh, love." Hilda hurried into the room, shutting the door behind her. She put her arm around her niece, sitting down with her on the half-made bed. "What's the problem my little lamb?"
"I don't know," Sabrina laughed as the tears started to fall. "I just feel so much right now. I'm happy that Nick and I finally…you know. But at the same time I'm mad that it's the topic at the breakfast table. I'm also sad. Sad because…because I can't talk to my mom about how happy and in love I am. I always knew that she wasn't going to be here to talk, but now it's happening and I…I'm…"
Hilda pulled Sabrina into a hug as the younger witch cried. She knew it had to be hard for Sabrina. Aspects of her mortal and witch lives were always colliding, forcing her to question what she thought was right and wrong. But what was right to a witch wasn't always right to a mortal. She wanted to be the best in both worlds, but that meant abandoning one for the other and that inner torment must have been hard to deal with. Especially without one's mother.
"Oh my darling, I wish I could take this pain from you," Hilda sighed as she rubbed her niece's back. "I cannot imagine how you must be feeling. I may not be your mum, but I'm always happy to lend an ear or a shoulder."
Sabrina looked up at her aunt and couldn't help but smile. Hilda may as well have been her mother. She raised her and Ambrose since they were little. They only knew Hilda and Zelda. The former was much more gentle and understanding, but they both loved her unconditionally.
"You're as much a mom to me than you'll ever know, Auntie," Sabrina smiled.
Hilda felt the tears forming in her eyes. She laughed as she wiped them away. "Oh now, dear, only one of us can cry right now." Sabrina let out a giggle. Hilda always knew what to say to make her feel better. "Alright, now, let's start with the family issue."
Sabrina let out a sigh as she rested her head on Hilda's shoulder. "I know that witches are very…open about talking about sex and all that, but I just didn't want them to talk about my sex."
Hilda chuckled, "I agree with that. There are some things that should be private and stay that way. That being said, you also know that Ambrose is intent on poking fun at you. He can make innuendos until the pun is mong dead - mind you, he very well will. But I will speak to him about your…first time being an off limits subject."
"I'm not saying it should be an off limits subject. I just want to be the one that brings the subject up and manages what is talked about. I don't want him asking what positions we tried or how many times I…"
"I…I get it, love. No need to…detail."
"Sorry," Sabrina apologized. Sometimes she forgot that before last night, she wasn't the only virgin in the home. Hilda had yet to, as Zelda would put it, enjoy one's carnal desires. "Part of me thinks I'm just overreacting. It didn't seem to bother Nick, so maybe it shouldn't bother me."
Hilda shook her head. "You're not overreacting, Sabrina. What happened between you and Nick last night was something very special and beautiful. If you want to keep that lovely moment between you two, that is your choice. Nicholas is still very much a warlock. This type of talk won't phase him. He's grown up not just listening to others speak of sex freely, but he's probably spoken freely about it himself with other warlocks or…friends."
"You mean Harvey."
Hilda just nodded. How could she not remember her current boyfriend was living at her ex-boyfriend's house and, as most men do, likely talk of sex. Would Nick talk to Harvey about last night? Would it be awkward? She could just imagine the two of them hanging out in the Kinkle living room talking about it. Even as a thought it seemed ludicrous. They had to draw lines somewhere. Right?
"What I'm trying to say, love, is that you are entitled to feel however which way you want about this," Hilda said. "If you don't want them gossiping like old maids, then you let them know." Sabina managed a smile and nodded. "Now, on to the next issue: your Aunt Zelda. Even I will admit she was out of line this morning. The things she did and the questions she asked are too intrusive to ask, however…"
"However?" Sabrina questioned. "How can there be a 'however'?"
"However," Hilda continued, putting her hand up indicating Sabina to let her finish, "there is a reason she asked those questions. The timing and place were wrong, but again not without reason."
"What reason can she possibly have?"
Hilda took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "For centuries, our kind and mortals did not…procreate. Mortals were seen as our lesser and they were unworthy of our seed. To dilute the unholy bloodline was an atrocity." Sabrina opened her mouth to speak, but Hilda shook her head. "However your father saw a flaw. Our numbers were quickly diminishing. More and more family names were dying off. Some families even began…marrying within. But when your father met your mother, he had found a solution. He knew when he found out Diana was pregnant that in order to save our kind, we needed to procreate with mortals. You and Nick having children is a very…important subject to your Aunt Zelda."
"She doesn't even like Nick. And we don't even know if we can. I'm still half-mortal and my parents had to make a deal with the Devil to have me. Heaven, let's not forget that Nick and I have only had sex once."
"Well…"
"You know what I mean, Auntie."
Hilda took Sabrina's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm not saying it makes sense to us, but it does to Zelda. Nick is the last of the Scratch line. Once upon a time, they were a very prominent family. Even your father knew that. We Spellmans are also a dying breed."
"Even if Nick and I were to have children, they would be Scratches. Isn't carrying on the family name Ambrose's job?"
Hilda's expression saddened as she fought a frown. "Sabrina, we aren't going to force you and Nicholas to continuously have relations and produce dozens of children for the sake of saving our race or our family names. I'm simply pointing out that this is what your Aunt Zelda is thinking. Again, not sound thinking, but thinking nonetheless."
Sabrina hated to admit, she did see her aunt's point - both Hilda and Zelda. For all the orgies and fornicating witches did, not many witch babies came from these escapades. Then there was the fact they lived much longer than mortals. There wasn't a rush to reproduce when you lived for centuries. She briefly wondered if witches reached an age where childbearing was no longer an option like mortals did. Zelda was thinking more so of the preservation of witch kind. Hilda was just the messenger. She was playing neutral ground and hoping not to get caught in the crossfire.
"I don't even know if he wants children," Sabrina admitted. Of course she had thought of it. What teenage girl wouldn't when they were head over heels in love? "What if he doesn't?"
"Then that's something you two would have to discuss, darling," Hilda said, her tone as comforting as she possibly could make it. "But it isn't something you two should fret about. You have all the time in the world to think about babies and…other things."
Sabrina knew what 'other things' were. It was a touchy subject. Marriage wasn't something Sabrina and Nick discussed. Without Zelda's approval, it wouldn't matter. Nick would never strip Sabrina of the Spellman family and marrying without Zelda's consent was basically getting Sabrina disowned. An old tradition that both witches and mortals had carried on over the centuries.
"Now," Hilda smiled as she turned to face Sabrina, her tone once again cheery and a smile plastered across her face, "the last thing we can talk about is you and Nicholas." She took her niece's hands in her own. "How are you feeling? How was it? And please do spare me the gory details."
Sabrina laughed out loud, her smile growing as she thought of Nick. "I'm feeling great. A little sore, but nothing incapacitating. It was…" Her smile grew. "Amazing. I don't know how to describe it, Auntie. Last night just felt right. Perfect."
"Seeing you this happy and in love reminds me of your mother," Hilda admitted. "She was absolutely in love with your father. She would have done anything and did anything for him. And Edward…there was no one and nothing Edward loved more than Diana. You're proof of that, Sabrina."
Growing up, all she wanted was a storybook romance like her parents had. She had dreamed of finding her own true love that would fall for her and move mountains just to be with her. A man that would defy all odds just to be with her. At one point in her life, she thought that man was Harvey. Sweet, gentle Harvey Kinkle. She had honestly believed their love could survive anything. But she had made too many mistakes. She hid who and what she was from him for far too long. The damage was too great to repair. But things happen for a reason. Harvey had found his princess in her best friend, Roz. They were happy and she was happy for them.
Enter her very own (dark) prince charming. She and Nick had their own problems to deal with, but Nick never gave up. He risked life, limb and eternal damnation for her. He had proven that not even death would keep him from her. Sabrina was his saving grace; his piece of mind; his sanctuary. To Nick, Sabrina was home.
"Auntie Hilda, I think he can be it," Sabrina said softly. "I think Nick and I can have what mom and dad did. I love him, I really do. And I think we can finally be happy."
Theo hurried into Dr. Cee's. He was supposed to be meeting up with Harvey and Roz, but he had lost track of time and was running late. Nick and Sabrina were supposed to be hanging out with them as well. However, when he spoke to Harvey, the other boy had noted that Nick wasn't feeling well and wasn't joining them. There was still a chance Sabrina would show, but with Nick opting out the chances were slim. Besides, Theo was convinced that it was an excuse for the couple to have alone time. It hadn't been confirmed, but the group was positive that Nick and Sabrina had taken things to the next level.
Theo was happy for his friends. Harvey and Roz were doing good and Nick and Sabrina were stronger than ever. Still, he was constantly reminded that they were a group of five. There was always an odd one out and he was always that odd one. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever find someone. A small part of him had even been interested in Billy, but there was no way in Hell that would happen. Billy came from a different world. He had expectations to live up to; people he couldn't disappoint by being seen with a transboy.
They had spoken briefly last night at prom. Billy had apologized for his recent behavior and claimed to miss hanging out with Theo, but actions spoke louder than words. Just being seen with Theo was something that Billy worried about. He worried what people would think. What would it do to his reputation? That was something Theo couldn't back. If people couldn't know they were friends, then it was probably better if they weren't at all.
Theo wasn't sure why he was upset about the situation. He and Billy were just friends. Sure, there were things Billy had told Theo that he supposedly never told others about, but he could have just thought since Theo only had four other friends his secret would be safe. Theo let out a sigh. Sometimes he wondered what was wrong with him and he hated that question to his core. There wasn't anything wrong with him. Not now, not ever. He had a right to feel whatever he wanted to feel. He had a right to feel upset that people didn't want to be seen with him. He had a right to feel sad that his friends had found love and he hadn't. He had a right to want to be loved too. And he had the right to feel worried that he may never find someone he loved and loved him back.
The thought depressed him. He was still young and figuring out who he was. He shouldn't have to be worried about never finding someone. Yet, he worried about missing out on all the teenage experiences like taking someone to prom, first kisses…first times. Sure the last two would come eventually, but he still felt like he was missing out. He sighed as he turned the corner and headed to the counter. He was a little shocked when he ran into someone, knocking the drink they were holding onto the other person.
"Oh, I am so sorry," Theo apologized. "I didn't see you there."
"That's alright," the stranger said, wiping the liquid off their shirt.
"Ah crap." Theo let out a heavy breath realizing what he had done. "I'm really sorry."
"You really don't have to worry. It's just a milkshake."
Theo grabbed some napkins from a dispenser on a nearby table. He held them out to the other boy, getting his first glimpse of him. He was tall and a little lanky. His shaggy green hair poked out from underneath his red baseball cap, covering most of his ears. There was something about him that felt almost whimsical. Whatever it was, Theo was captivated by it.
"Um," Theo stuttered, "here. For the…milkshake."
"Thanks," the boy smiled.
"Can I get you another one? I feel terrible because it looks like it was full."
"You really don't have to do that."
"I know I don't, but I want to."
The boy raised a brow at Theo before slowly smiling. "Alright, I'll take you up on that…"
"Theo." Theo extended his hand to the other boy.
"Robin." He took Theo's hand and shook it gently.
Theo could feel his heart racing all of a sudden. He was nervous all of a sudden too. Why was he nervous? Did Robin notice? Why did it matter? He shook the thoughts from his head and led the way to the counter. Dr. Cee was behind the counter in his usual Dracula costume, complete with makeup and fake fangs.
"Good evening," the older man greeted in a cliche accent. "How can I help you boys?"
"Hey Dr. Cee, I'm picking up that order I called in earlier and I wanted to add a milkshake for my friend Robin here."
Dr. Cee looked back and forth between the two boys, a smile creeping across his face. "Of course, Theo. It's nice to see you with a new…friend."
"What? Oh, no. Dr. Cee…"
"I'll be right back with that milkshake." He gave Theo a wink before heading to the back.
"He's an interesting character," Robin laughed.
"Uh, yea. He's my friend's aunt's fiancee," Theo explained.
"Ah. One of those."
Theo laughed. "Yea. One of those. He's really nice though."
"I'm sure. Do you come here a lot?"
"Kind of. There isn't a lot to choose from in terms of food in Greendale. It's popular among teenagers and the strange." Robin chuckled at Theo's attempt at a joke. "So, are you new in town? I've never seen you around."
"You can say that," the taller boy responded. "I've been here before, but it's been ages. It's changed."
"Really? Not much around here changes and I've lived here my whole life."
Robin just looked around, taking in all of his surroundings. "Maybe it's just me. Time seems to move at a different speed for me sometimes."
Theo wasn't quite sure what Robin meant, but before he could ask he heard the chimes above the door ring and Billy soon came into view. Their eyes met briefly, but Theo quickly looked away. This didn't go unnoticed by Robin. He looked over at the blond boy, then back at Theo.
"Do you know that guy?" Robin asked.
"Yea. We're…" Theo stopped himself from finishing his sentence. "We used to be friends."
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's hard when friends drift apart. Were you close?"
"Not really, but I guess I thought there was something there that wasn't."
"Well, if it's worth anything, he's the one missing out."
"Thanks. That honestly makes me feel a little better," Theo smiled.
Before the conversation could continue, Dr. Cee emerged from the back with a milkshake and a bag of food. "Here we go, gentleman," Dr. Cee said with a smile.
"Thank you, sir," Robin thanked as he grabbed the milkshake.
"Thanks, Doc," Theo said as he took the bag and handed some money to the older gentleman. "How much do I owe for the milkshake?"
"Don't you worry about that," Dr. Cee insisted. "It's on the house."
"Thank you." Robin motioned for Theo to walk ahead of him and followed shortly behind. "Well, I'm this way." Theo pointed in the direction of Harvey's house.
"I'm that way," Robin frowned, pointing in the opposite direction.
"Oh, ok. Well, it was nice meeting you. And sorry again about the milkshake."
"Like said, it's ok. Plus you replaced it so no harm no foul."
Theo nodded, not really wanting to walk away from Robin. "Um, well, I hope I see you around."
"Me too. It was nice meeting you, Theo." Robin waved at Theo and headed down the street, looking back once and smiling before turning the corner and out of sight.
Theo let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. What the hell was that? He was sure how to describe what he was feeling other than it was different. Something he never had before. He wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but he definitely wanted to find out.
"He said he was sick?" Sabrina asked as she cradled her phone on her shoulder while she fixed the last of her pillows on her bed.
"That's what Harvey said," Roz replied. "I guess Nick got home first and when Harvey got home he just said he wasn't feeling good."
"So he's just in his room?"
"Apparently he said he didn't want to get anyone sick so he was headed to the Academy."
Sabrina frowned. Nick hadn't stayed at the Academy in years. The students may have felt more comfortable around him, but Zelda was a different subject. Sometimes it felt like she went out of her way to make sure he was uncomfortable. And there was no escaping her at the academy. That was her domain. Then there was the fact that most witches and warlocks never got sick unless someone hexed them. She couldn't think of anyone that would do that to him, but it wasn't impossible. Nick also seemed fine this morning. He didn't say anything about being under the weather and she was sure she would have been the first person he called.
Come to think of it, he hadn't called her like he said he would. She got a few texts from him saying he was caught up with something, but promised to call. That was hours ago though. Sabrina kept telling herself not to panic. She had a tendency to overthink things and there had to be a reasonable explanation for all this. Right?
"I'm sure he's fine," Sabrina said, trying to convince herself more than Roz. "I'll just stop by the Academy and check up on him."
"So does that mean you're still coming?" Roz asked. "Harvey seems to think you can't do anything without your boyfriend, but I reminded her that you are a strong, independent woman that is very capable of being her own person without her man."
Sabrina couldn't help but laugh. Roz would always be a feminist. Hell forbid someone make a comment that sounded even the least but misogynistic around her because they would never hear the end of it. "Yes," she responded. "I will be there, albeit manless."
"Perfect. Sometimes I think manless is the way to go. Oh calm down, Harvey. Hey, 'Brina, I gotta go. Harvey's being sensitive."
"I am not!" Sabrina could hear Harvey yell in the background.
"Ok, well you take care of that and I'll be there in a bit," Sabrina laughed.
"Ok girl, see you soon. Bye."
"Bye."
Sabrina shook her head as she laughed at her friends' antics. It was easy to forget that they were still just kids. They had been through so much over the years that it forced them to grow up. She felt guilty that she was the cause of a lost adolescence. Harvey, Roz and Theo could have lived very normal mortal lives if it wasn't for her. They wouldn't have known witches and demons existed. They wouldn't have had to travel to Hell to save her boyfriend who had her father trapped inside of him. She was pretty sure that she was going to have to pay for their therapy somewhere down the line.
She grabbed her bag off her desk and bounded down the stairs. She stopped for a moment, contemplating bringing something for Nick. Perhaps some of the muffins Aunt Hilda made earlier. Nick loved Hilda's baking. She turned to head to the kitchen when there was a knock at the door. She glanced at her watch. Who would be coming over this late in the day?
She opened the door and was shocked to see Nick on the other side. But it was his expression that had her worried. He looked like he had something on his mind. It was something serious. He didn't even have to tell her. She could feel it in the air.
"Nick?" she greeted more as a question. "What are you doing here? Are you ok? The guys just said you weren't feeling well."
"Yea, I'm fine," he said. "I just had to get outta there. Can I come in?"
The hairs on the back of Sabrina's neck stood up. "Yea." She stepped aside and let him in. She didn't like how this was going already. Less than 24 hours ago, they were walking through this door together and shared the greatest moment of her life. A few hours ago, they were still smiling as they kissed and promised to speak later in the day. Now the mood was dire. "Nick, what's going on?"
He took a deep breath and stood in front of her, taking her hands into his own. "Sabrina, last night I promised you I wouldn't keep anything from you. I promised no more secrets. Do you remember that?"
The sound of her heart beating pounded in her ears and it was deafening. "Yes," she responded hesitantly.
"Well, I don't want to keep anything from you. I want to be 100% honest. About everything." Thump, thump, thump. "Sabrina, I need to talk to you about something that happened last night." Thump, thump, thump. "I need to talk to you about Roz."