"I think this might be the worst week ever. But Dad left me this book. I can't wait to read it." 10-year-old Luz shut her laptop, the tears finally taking her. Her papi had just passed away. He was gone, and there was nothing she could have done. What had started as a few tears spilling turned into huge racking sobs and wails. The door opened and in ran her mami. Camilla Noceda held her daughter tightly and was almost about to break down herself when the house began to shake. Luz screamed out, but the tremors subsided fairly quickly. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Camilla looked into her daughters' eyes, a sad smile coming to her lips. Without saying a word, Camilla grabbed Luz's hand as she led her to the door. When they finally reached the door, Camilla finally spoke.
"Luz, mija, I'm sorry this all happened so quickly. There was so much me and your father wanted to tell you before today came, but his sickness...Luz, no matter what happens when I open this door, I want you to know how much I love you...and how much your other Mother loves you too."
Before Luz could say anything, her mama had opened the door and in stepped a literal Goddess. The woman was tall, over six feet tall easily. Her skin was alabaster white, symbols slowly drifting across her skin like boats on water. Her eyes were deep pools, containing a myriad of stars within. At first her hair looked black, but closer inspection showed it was the darkest of blues, the true color of the night sky. Her outfit was a long black gown, and the more Luz looked at it, the more figures appeared within. The woman didn't walk, she glided along the floor to Camilla, her hand clasping her face softly and pulling her close into a deep kiss.
"Camilla I came as soon as Uncle Hades informed me of Manny's journey down the Styx. I tried to get here sooner, but there was a battle and Hermes was busy fetching thunderbolts for father and-"
Camilla silenced the other woman with another kiss, her tears mixing with their shared saliva. "Querida its ok. I know you tried your hardest to be here. Manny and I knew the risk when we fell in love with a Goddess."
Luz had been silent as she stared at the new arrival, but upon hearing her mother call the woman a "Goddess" she decided to say something, "Mama...what the hell is going on!? Who's that? What do you mean Goddess? Why did you call her my 'Other Mother'!?"
Camilla shushed her, planting a light kiss on her forehead. Taking a deep shuddering breath, Camilla began her story, "Mija, do you remember all those stories your dad and I would tell you about the Gods? About how they would sometimes come down and have children with mortals? Those stories were all true. The Gods exist, from Zeus and Odin to Ra and Arawn. Nobody really worships them anymore of course," the other woman raised a finger about to interrupt before Camilla shot her a glance, "but even the little things we do can venerate the gods. Let someone in during rush hour traffic? You just protected a fellow traveler and venerated Hermes. This woman is Hecate, Goddess of magic, crossroads, night, ghosts, and a few other things beside. More importantly, she's...my wife and your other biological mother."
Luz's jaw dropped, "Are you telling me...YOU'RE BISEXUAL!?"
Hecate and Camilla nearly fell over in shared laughter, before their tears once again came unbidden to their eyes, "Oye mija, that's what you got out of that entire explanation? Yes, I'm bisexual."
Luz managed a smile, something she hadn't done since Manny had first gone into the hospital over a month ago, "Sorry. Anyway, how can you both be my mother? I mean you're both girls. Don't you kinda need another person to make babies? And if you're really my mom, why did you leave us...leave me," she whispered, the tears once again threatening to overwhelm her.
Hecate ran her finger down Luz's face, catching her tears, "Luz, my Little Light, I am a Goddess. Binary genders don't really...apply to me. Moreover, I am the Goddess of Magic. Do you honestly think there is anything I couldn't do if I put my mind to it? The time I spent with Manny and Cami was the happiest I have ever been, no matter how short it was. Five years of joy, love, acceptance...I would have traded all the previous millennia I have lived for just one more day, one more hour with them. However, I had a duty to fulfill, and they understood our time together was finite. So, I gave them a gift to remember me. I gave them you, my Little Light, and I never left you. I have watched you your entire life, and I will watch you until the day you join me on Olympus. Now, there is someone else here who wanted to meet you."
The door opened again, and in walked the biggest man Luz had ever seen. Easily 7 feet tall, he was so tall he had to lower his head to enter, and he looked like he was chiseled from marble. His eyes were storm clouds, lightning flashing in them every so often. His hair shifted color from bright white to steely gray, and his beard looked like it was made from clouds. His skin was a deep olive brown, calloused and leathery. He didn't have to say his name for Luz to immediately know who he was.
Camilla gasped, "Zeus? In my home!?"
The man glanced down at Camilla...and was suddenly before her, holding her in his arms gently, "Camilla, I'm so sorry about Manny. Believe me when I say, men of his kind only come around once every few generations. I should know. I know this doesn't change anything, but I wanted you to know that he has made his way to the Elysian Fields. My brother and his wife were very happy to meet the man who had made his favorite niece happy, if only for a while," Zeus smiled, hugging Hecate close to him, kissing her softly on the top of her head, "Now, where is my granddaughter?"
Luz stepped forward, in sheer awe at the man, no, the God who stood before her. Zeus kneeled down, but even then, he was still a good few feet taller than her. He reached for her and wrapped his arms around her. Luz couldn't handle it anymore, and broke down in her grandfather's arms, "WHY!? WHY DID PAPA HAVE TO DIE!? TELL ME WHY YOU BASTARD! HE WAS GOOD, AND KIND, AND... and..." Luz wailed into the father of the God's chest, punching him as she kept asking why he hadn't done anything and begging him to bring her father back. The God's grip didn't falter, as he held his precious granddaughter gently, letting her emotions pour out.
"Oh, Luz. If I could have done anything, I would have. The Moirai rule all, even we Gods. However, I did speak to him in Elysium, and he wanted me to pass on a message. He said to tell you to never lose that unique spark that makes you, you. That the road ahead may be lined with trouble, but to never let it get you discouraged. He loves you, Luz, and he will be waiting for when you can join him again in the Fields."
Luz sniffled, "Yeah, that sounds like him. So, uh...you're my Abuelo huh? Does that mean I am gonna get some cool presents for all those birthdays you missed?"
Zeus smiled, ruffling the young woman's hair, "Oh, don't you worry. I have someone I want to introduce you too," he snapped his fingers, and suddenly there was a large box by him, "You are a granddaughter of Zeus, and as such you will need a mighty protector. Open the box."
Luz opened it, and inside was a twin-headed dog with a snake tail. It leaped out, pinning Luz to the ground. Camilla jumped, trying to grab the thing before it hurt Luz, when it suddenly yipped and began drowning Luz in a series of kisses. Luz giggled, the Orthrus barking and running around her. Zeus laughed, happy to finally see his granddaughter happy again.
"Ok, go play outside with your new friend Luz, I want to speak to your mothers alone," He watched her run outside, before he turned to Camilla, all mirth drained from his face, "Camilla, you need to move. Now."
Camilla took a step back, running into Hecate, "I can't! Luz has school and friends here and-" A peal of thunder rumbled overhead, and Camilla knew she should be quiet.
"Camilla, war is coming. I don't know when, but I have been around long enough to know the signs. Ares and Athena both have been coming to me for the past few months to warn me of something brewing on the horizon, and if they agree on something you know it is bad. You are family Camilla, and I protect my family. You will move to Gravesfield, Connecticut. It is some kind of blind spot to divine beings, so you will be safe. Now, we need to leave."
As Zeus rose to leave, he looked at the mortal woman. His daughter was holding her, and they were whispering to each other as they both cried. He sighed deeply, "Hecate, you can stay for a while. I expect you back before the seasons change."
The Goddess of Magic glanced at her father, mouthing a soft 'thank you' before he walked out of the door. Hecate held her wife close, planting kisses on her cheek before finally reaching her lips. Camilla's lips parted, the two women's tongues dancing across each other. Camilla felt her wife's hands slowly begin to lift her shirt, which caused her to step back, "Querida, Luz is right outside. Let's wait till she's asleep, then we can...get to know each other again. Ok?"
Hecate smiled, "Sounds fine to me. I just wish we could just stay like this forever..."
Camilla looked into those mysterious eyes that held galaxies and kissed her divine lover again. Forever didn't sound so bad.
Author's note: So begins my first foray into Owl House fanfiction! I want to give a big thanks to MrHardcor3. His "Daughter Nature" story was what gave me the impetus to write this story. Hope you all like it, and please leave a rating and review! I appreciate it!