Chapter 2

Isabella woke up suddenly and jumped up, looking around the room. She was disoriented, but then remembered a witch had found her and had been kind to her. She hugged herself and sighed, biting her lip.

Just then, a nearby light turned on and she looked to see it was a python from earlier. The creature got on the bed and began gently nudging Isabella's shoulder with her nose, gently pushing her to get up. Curious, the child did and the python continued the behavior, gently pushing the child down the hall to a room, which the python skillfully opened with her tail before gently nudging the girl inside.

Isabella cautiously moved towards the bed where the witch and magician were sleeping and saw the witch sit up, blinking before she turned on a nearby light, seeing the python nearby. "Py, what is it?" She asked before seeing the child standing there. "Oh, honey, are you okay?"

The child didn't look certain and the witch turned to the python. "Bad dream?" She asked.

The python shook her head and indicated waking up suddenly and gestured around. "New surroundings and an unfamiliar place," the witch said, making her helper nod before nudging the child's shoulder again, pushing her closer to the bed. "Thank you, Py. We'll take care of her."

As the helper left, the witch lifted Isabella up into her lap and hugged her like a mother hugs her child to comfort her. "It's okay, sugar dumpling," she soothed before settling back down in bed and setting the child beside her, placing the covers over them both. "There we go. All cozy."

The child snuggled into the blankets and noted the pillow smelled like vanilla. She rested her head on it before feeling her new mother gently stroke her hair in a soothing manner. "Sleep, my sweet Isabella," the woman said soothingly, kissing her daughter's head in affection.

The child settled down and soon felt another hand pat her head before a finger tickled her ear, making her giggle a little. "We'll keep you safe, sweetie," her new father said gently.

Their encouragement and promises helped the child and she fell asleep again, the sunlight making her stir a few hours later. She saw her mother was still asleep beside her and she hesitantly reached out to hug her, feeling her mother hug her a moment later. "Good morning, sugar dumpling," the witch said with a smile, giving Isabella a playful boop on the nose. "How's my little girl doing?"

The motherly tone made Isabella feel happy and she hugged her mother again, not speaking, but conveying what she felt in the hug. Another arm wrapped around the child and witch and the magician smiled at his wife and daughter. "I can put a nightlight in your room, sweetie, that way it's not so dark at night," he offered.

She looked a bit pensive before nodding. "Okay," she said softly.

Her father gently pinched the left side of her face with a smile. "Are we being a bit too pushy, kiddo?" He asked.

"No," she replied. "I...I've never had parents before."

"Ah, so this is all new for you," her mother said in understanding. "So you wonder if your father and I are being truthful."

Isabella looked a bit afraid, but then giggled at feeling something tickle her feet and she saw it was her father, who had put on silk gloves and was tickling her feet, making her giggle and squirm to get away. "Oh?" He asked with a grin. "Is my sweet little muffin ticklish?"

The witch smiled. "Sounds like it," she said. "Maybe see if her tummy is ticklish?"

"Good idea," he said with a smile before tickling Isabella's stomach, which made the child break out into more giggles as she squirmed, but her mother held her securely. "Tickle, tickle, tickle, little muffin," the magician said playfully. "Who's my cute little muffin?"

The girl continued to giggle before her mother tickled her neck and she squealed. "Oh? My sugar dumpling has a ticklish neck," she said playfully as she tickled her daughter's neck.

Isabella laughed, but noted that her new parents were gentle, never once pinning her down or hurting her. After a bit, both let her up and she giggled a bit longer before feeling her father pick her up and hug her. She hugged him back before looking curious. "Do I have to call you my father right away?" She asked.

He looked surprised, but smiled. "Not unless you want to," he said. "If you don't feel comfortable calling us 'Mom' and 'Dad' yet, that's okay."

"You can address us as 'ma'am' or 'sir' for now until you're ready to call us 'Mom' and 'Dad'," her mother said gently.

Isabella didn't look keen on that idea, but then she perked up. "What about Mrs. Witch and Mr. Magician?" She asked.

"That can work too," her father said, smiling before his magic swirled around the child, making her float in the air upside down and she giggled as not only was it funny, but the magic was tickling her a bit too.

"Careful she doesn't stay upside down too long, honey," his wife said.

"Of course, my love," he said, his magic setting Isabella back upright again and she giggled happily. "Well, we best get to the kitchen before Dylan and Amy wake up."

Small feet pounded on the stairs right after he spoke. "You were saying, Tom?" Susan asked with a smile.

"How do those two always know when we're up?" He asked with a mock groan that made Isabella giggle.

She chuckled before poking her head out the doorway. "No running on the stairs, kids!" She called out in a firm, yet even voice.

"Sorry, Mom!" Dylan called back.

"Sorry!" Amy echoed her brother.

Susan chuckled again before turning to Isabella. "Why don't you go get dressed, sweetie, and come down to the kitchen to have some breakfast?" She said gently.

Isabella nodded and headed back to her room, finding a blue shirt and a black pair of pants. She put them on and then headed downstairs, meeting the same Ogre she had seen the night prior and he smiled at her kindly, gesturing to the kitchen, where she could smell some really delicious smells and the cooked food she saw looked wonderful. The Ogre led her to a chair and lifted her up into it, to which she smiled. "Thank you," she said.

"Kids! Breakfast!" Susan called out to Dylan and Amy, who were in the basement.

"Coming, Mommy!" Amy called out as she and her brother came upstairs.

Tom began serving everyone, placing a heaping plate of food in front of Amy first, then Isabella, and then Dylan. He then served Susan before serving himself and they all began eating. Isabella slowly ate at first, savoring the food, which Tom noticed and he smiled. "Is it good, muffin?" He asked.

She nodded. "If you're still hungry after you finish what's on your plate, you can have seconds," he continued.

"No one leaves our table hungry," Susan said, smiling.

Dylan and Amy were eagerly eating and soon, Isabella began to eat her food at a moderate pace, still enjoying each bite. By the time she finished her plate, she looked up to see what food was left and Susan smiled, serving her new daughter some more food, which she ate before feeling full.

The Ogre cleaned the table as the family finished and put the leftovers away. "Alright," Susan said, standing up and making the others look at her. "Dylan. Amy, I expect you two to be nice to your sister and let her play with you two."

"We will, Mom," the boy promised.

"Deliveries today, Mommy?" Amy asked.

"No, but there will be some people visiting to pick up some things they ordered," Susan said. "So I'll be in the shop if you kids need me."

"And I have to be off to my work shift," Tom said, giving his wife a tender kiss. "I'll be home later, my love."

"Have a good day at work, handsome," she said.

Tom turned to his kids. "I expect you all to be on your best behavior and Dylan, help your mom watch over your sisters," he said.

"Yes, Dad," Dylan said with a nod before Tom vanished into thin air, making Isabella jump.

Amy smiled. "It's okay. Daddy always does that," she said.

"Alright, you kids go outside to play," Susan said. "Remember not to go beyond the fence and I'll be at the shop if you need me."

"Yes, Mrs. Witch," Isabella said.

The kids headed outside while Susan headed for the shop that was right next to the house. She opened the window so that she could keep an eye on the children while checking on the wares and getting the orders ready for pick up.

She could have never anticipated what was about to happen.

Uh-oh! Looks like some trouble might be brewing already.

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GoldGuardian2418