The Mandrake had typed the same sentence three times already, with only slight variations. His tea had long gone cold as it did not help him focus. He couldn't stop thinking about Rose and Dearwig. What might they be discussing? Would she divulge to the girl his role in her parentage? Unable to resist the temptation to check in on them, the Mandrake waved his hand in one long, circular motion onto the air front of his line of vision, thus conjuring an image of them with Bella in the workshop. He could see the three witches silently move before him, occasionally they appeared to chatter among themselves. He saw Rose lean toward Dearwig, holding up a jar, making a facial expression that had both of them laughing. He would not eavesdrop, as that would be unjustifiably rude. Seeing them was enough to give him some solace at the sight of them working together. It was good to see them, all of them, getting along so well, the way it should have always been, if not for…Suddenly all three witches looked toward him. Rose had stopped what she was doing, looking puzzled and unnerved. They must have noticed he was watching them, he would have to conclude his observation now and get back to work. He swept his hand through the image and it dissolved into thin air. Seeing all was well, Mandrake could now focus on his work and perhaps complete a few more pages without the bother of distraction.

"That's Mr. Mandrake. He's watching us," Erica told her mother, who continued staring at the two glowing red spots on the wall of Bella's workshop. Both Bella and Erica had already gone back to their tasks, appearing non-plussed. Apparently they were used to this sort of intrusion, but Rose found it beyond bizarre. She knew Mandrake was capable of all kinds of powerful magical abilities, but spying through the walls wasn't one in which she familiar. He had developed such an intimidating presence in this house, so different from how she last left him. What else had changed, she wondered. Upon finishing up for the day, the two witches and their young witching decided to take a walk around the neighborhood before dinner, at Erica's suggestion. Rose was eager to see more of this life her little Earwig had been living, and what had changed in the years since she had grown up here. The three of them shared stories and observations, and Bella appeared in better spirits once she was away from 13 Lime Avenue. Erica was pleased to see Bella laughing with "Redhead Rose", while Bella was glad to see the girl bonding with Rose, who, in turn, marveled at her daughter and friend.

"I think the two of you are more fond of each other than you let on", she joked with a sly smirk.

Bella let out a little huff, while Erica feigned mistrust.

"Only if she gives me broomstick flying lessons…", Erica flippantly remarked.

"Ha! Not on your life, girl", Bella replied. Erica turned her attention to her mother,

"Do you ride a broomstick?", she asked excitedly. Rose smiled gently.

"No", she answered. "I prefer motorcycles." Erica's eyes grew wide in amazement, then a smile grew across her face.

"Will you take me for a ride someday!?", she asked, barely able to contain her excitement.

"Or course, love. But it will have to wait awhile, until I get my affairs in order." Rose volunteered. Rose imagined a charming image of Erica riding along side her in a side car, and couldn't help but smile to herself. Bella looked at her old friend quizzically.

"What are your plans, Rose?", she asked. "I hope you don't plan to leave again." She was a bit hesitant when saying the latter part. She was finally coming around to embracing Rose's return to her life. Not only could she not bear to have the redhead witch leave again, but she didn't want her to take the girl away. Truth told, she had grown fond of the little sprat, as cunning as she was.

"No", Rose replied, "I have no intention of leaving you again. I hope you don't doubt my sincerity in that. But I think a lot depends on Mandrake…" Her voice faded as she gave this some reflection. After all, Mandrake was in control of their house, and he was the only one she still had not yet fully reconnected with, not in the way that needed to be done…not in the way that truly mattered. He was such still such an enigma to Rose. She had yet to fully understand or decipher him. Even though his glasses made it impossible to discern his eyes, Rose still felt as if his gaze was burning through her, at times. Plus he was just so…intense, unpredictable, so unlike before when "intense" and "unpredictable" were not really words most people would choose to describe Mandrake. In fact, she and Bella were the spirited ones in the band. Mandrake was the serious, brooding and steady backbone of the trio. He was the very personification of the phrase, "Still Waters Run Deep". Erica sensed her mother's concern and hesitation.

"Let's talk to him later!", Erica suggested. "He always listens to me", she stated confidently. Rose pondered those words, realizing that she was hearing her former self echoed back at her through the words of her daughter, remembering a time when she, herself, would have said the exact same thing. Now, however, she wasn't so sure.

When the three witches returned home to the cottage, they found the Mandrake sitting at the kitchen table, face behind a book, waiting for them. Thomas was nearby feasting one a mackerel. On the table lay four place settings, each outfitted with a freshly delivered helping of Shepard's Pie: from the children's home. Rose stared at this meal in disbelief. "Is that—-?"

"I remembered how much you always liked it", the Mandrake's low voice filled in the answer. "Like mother, like daughter…", he added, as he put the book down, his face calm and placid. Rose smiled and she gave Mandrake a look that made his heart skip a beat, a look he hadn't received in long time.

"Thank you", she said, "It was so sweet of you to remember." Mandrake blushed a bit and curtly nodded his head once with a quick grunt of acknowledgment. Rose then looked at Erica and gave her a smile and a wink, which the girl unexpectedly returned. Erica then walked around the table to approach the sitting Mandrake. He looked at her as her tiny frame stood beside him.

"Dearwig. Is something wrong?", he asked.

"Not at all, sir. Or should I say, Father?" Erica gave him her best doe eyes, blinking widely. The Mandrake inhaled sharply with a brief look of surprise. Then exhaled as a soft look of relief cast over his face.

"So she told you, then."

"Yes…", Erica paused a moment before continuing, "and I'm glad it's you." The Mandrake remained calm, but internally he was unsure of what to do. He raised one arm and went to place his large hand the girl's shoulder, when suddenly she threw her little arms around his torso, much to his surprise. After a moment of shock, he gently brought his other hand to her shoulder and returned the embrace. He looked over at Rose sitting next to him. She was watching this entire exchange and now he saw that she seemed pleased, but also very moved at this demonstration. Her bottom lip quivered just slightly and her eye was glinted with a tear. She then brought her attention back to her plate, not wanting to interrupt this beautiful scene with her reaction.

"Alright then", Mandrake broke in awkwardly, his hand ushering the girl to sit down. "Let's eat before it's gets cold." Rose couldn't tell for sure, but she thought she heard a sob almost catch in his throat as he spoke.