Beneath the mystical gleam of the western rising moon, the magical companions relish in the delicious meals provided by their makers; a doggy bowl of plain boiled eggs and seasonless grilled fish for Birchie, a bowl cup mixed with blackberries and mulberries for Plum, a snack bowl with bitesize pellets of fresh chicken and lamb for Simmons…and a dead rat that Bella happily gobbled whole.
Holding his wand-like staff, the Fairy Commander stood quietly before the Council with a flattened brow to the ground. Having listened to their speech about how an enforcer of Da Rules should not be the one to break them, Jorgen was still waiting for the real verbal lashing, akin to a child in serious trouble anticipating the announcement of their punishment after sitting through their parents' lecture. Just as he had feared, the Council Members were well aware of Mr. Crocker's revival and the unlock of his repressed memories. Only a matter of time before he was caught.
"Though your actions should not be forgiven, we can now understand your intent after witnessing what we have today." Birchwind confessed to Jorgen, levitating slightly in front of the other Council Members. "In fact, you have inspired us in a way that we would have never considered before."
Jorgen's death grip around his staff loosened as one brow arched.
"…hence why we give you full permission to heal Denzel Crocker and alter his memories so that he may relive happier times with his previous godparents only in his dreams."
Puzzled, Jorgen lifted his gaze to meet theirs. Certainly, they had to know the repercussions "…would that not just make him even more fairy obsessed?"
"Alter his memories to where fairies and magic are nothing more than mere folklore." Persimmons elucidated, folding his arms. "That should rectify that issue."
As Jorgen averted eyes back to the ground, the thinning of his lips and the deeper crease in his brow did not appear to be as satisfied as the Council had assumed him to be. Jorgen may not always voice his opinions, but his facial expressions spoke louder.
"…what are your qualms, Jorgen?" Treebelle addressed him, hands behind her back.
His hesitancy stalled, bowing his head subtly "…if…I may speak freely?"
Birchwind cocked his head to the side, intrigued by what was to be said. "You may."
Taking a breath, Jorgen straightened his posture, meeting the yellow eyes patiently waiting for him to proceed "…Denzel Crocker's previous fairies are not happy with your current decisions..." the subtle downturn of his lips lingered beneath his otherwise composed expression "…and, frankly…a part of me is not happy, either."
"Meaning?" Persimmons probed.
"They have expressed their grievances about this probation." Jorgen elaborated. "How you stripped him of his fairies right after the death of his biological parents, a time where he needs his fairies more than ever."
"Timmy must learn that he cannot just say and do what he wants without being willing to face the consequences." Plumfrost justified.
"But if you truly understood why I did what I did to Crocker, why would you take his godparents away?" Jorgen opposed. "Do you want Turner to end up like Crocker?"
"Of course, not." Birchwind denied. "Hence why we added a stipulation that Timmy must inform someone if he is ever in that low a mindset."
"Did you consider that Timmy would not have those thoughts if he had his fairies?"
"He had those thoughts even when he had his fairies." Plumfrost countered.
Respectfully, that wasn't a good enough justification. "Forgive me, but I have to question if you are seeing my point." Jorgen shifted in his stance, expanding his chest. "Fairy godparents are to bring happiness to a miserable child, and now that Timmy Turner is possibly twice as miserable than he once was, taking his fairies away could hurt him more than teach him a lesson."
"Sometimes, you must hurt in order to know, fall in order to grow, and lose in order to gain." Persimmons stated. "Life's greatest lessons are learned through pain."
Jorgen half-snorted "…and what exactly is this lesson?"
"To deal with himself and to confront his own emotional pain and trauma so that he shall not unjustly inflict it onto others." Treebelle rejoined.
"Y'know, that would make sense if godparents were not assigned to children!" Jorgen retorted, aggravation raised in his voice. "Even the most mature child lacks the emotional depth and the mental capacity to learn that complex a lesson, and by stripping Turner of his fairies after everything he has been through, the only lesson he will learn is that his pain and suffering does not matter!"
A harsh memory entered his mind of the day he had no choice but to abide by Da Rules after Denzel's false proclamation of no longer needing his fairies. "Just like Crocker's pain and suffering did not matter!"
When silence fell upon the Council in response to Jorgen's words, Jorgen worried he may have overstepped. Gripping his staff, he bowed as he groaned "…forgive me for my disrespect."
Three of the Council Members then looked to the Head Councilor rubbing his chin dimpled in consideration, curious of what his response would be.
Seated in a semi-circle along aquamarine grass with the eastern setting sun providing a bit of warmth from the chill of the crater's faint breeze, the fairy godparents held their respective godchildren as they observed Jorgen and the Council from a football field away. In full view of their commander speaking to the Council with words that were too far a distance to hear clearly.
"…what chu guys think Jorgen and the Council are talkin' about?" Irving asked the other fairies, his one arm holding Dwight whose head was lolled on the right shoulder of his cardigan.
"Whatever it is, it must be pretty important for how long it's taking…" Swizzle shrugged, her fingers absently brushing her godchild's swoop bang with Molly's cheek flat against Swizzle's left thigh.
Nyekundu sat beside her girlfriend supporting Hazel who rested limp against her shoulder, arms slack at her sides. She gave a glance to the Hispanic fairy on her left. "Juandissimo…were you able to see the baby?"
"Briefly." Juandissimo replied, one arm holding a motionless Remy against his chest.
Next to Juandissimo was Susie, cradling Chloe like a slumbering ragdoll in her arms. Since Wanda's premature child survived birth but was in intensive care, she had to wonder "…what did he look like?"
"Muy pequeño." Juandissimo made a gesture of holding a tiny ball with his hands before he upturned a palm. "He possibly could have fit in the palms of my hands."
"How are Cosmo and Wanda taking this?" Rose asked from one end of the semi-circle, holding her godchild's temple to her chest with motherly arms wrapped around Tootie's slump shoulders.
"They are worried for their son." Juandissimo admitted with a low sigh. "But doctors believe Wanda should be more concerned about herself."
"Señor Jorgen had told us that Wanda would make a full recovery…" Alondro mentioned softly, seated with a space between himself and Rose. Gary's head of jet black lay drooped against Alondro's right thigh.
Juandissimo fixed a wary stare on Alondro. Aside from speculations, he did not have too much of a reason to distrust Alondro. Yet when he took a brief side glance at Susie's knitted brow in Alondro's direction, his suspicions lingered even as he then addressed him directly.
"Si, but it will be quite the road. Her magic is extremely weak and is not regenerating properly for her body to heal."
Irving puckered his lower lip. "Damn, poor Wanda…"
Susie turned her empathetic glance to the boy isolated from the rest. "Poor Timmy…"
The fairy-less boy held absent eyes to the artic azure stream in front of his feet, a glum chin crumpled on folded arms atop upturn knees. If there was a definition for despising absolutely everything in life, you would see 'Timmy Turner' written in bold letters along with a photo of blue eyes glassy and red from silent tears.
As the other fairies turned their attention in his direction, their gaze extended sympathy. Jorgen and the Council were tightlipped as to why Timmy would not receive his fairies. Their godchildren had mentioned something about probation, though certain details were omitted as to why the probation came about. Nevertheless, the bottomless, guttural void left from Cosmo and Wanda's absence was palpable in Timmy's stare, and as far as the fairies knew, he shouldn't be all alone.
"Hey, Timmy." Rose decided to speak up, loud enough for him to hear yet soft enough to hopefully not disturb her sleeping godchild.
Timmy slowly turned his head towards them at the call of his name, reddened eyes rimmed with insufferable gloom.
"Come join us." Rose motioned with a welcoming hand, patting the empty space beside her that was conveniently wide enough for a certain ten-year-old to sit.
"Yeah, kiddo." Irving waved for Timmy to come over. "We don't bite."
Timmy wavered, biting down on his bottom lip. If he couldn't have Cosmo and Wanda, then all he wanted was to be left alone. Then again, he'd hate to be on the bad side of friendly fairies who've done nothing to deserve disrespect. Enough feathers were ruffled today.
With a heavy sigh, he forced himself to his feet and plodded the fair distance towards the empty space between Rose and Alondro. Carefully lowering himself onto his backside, Timmy then wrapped arms around bent knees, shooting his cousin resting on Alondro's lap a somber glance before his gaze averted to the grass.
The fairies observed the boy's silence, noting the bloodshot in the whites of his eyes. The holes burned from their piercing stares made Timmy's throat clench, wanting nothing more than to crawl under the biggest rock and cease to exist.
"…are you alright?" was the one question he wished Alondro wouldn't have asked, because while he wanted to lie despite being under obligation to tell the truth, he saw his vision blur and felt the threat of tears that were difficult to shove back behind his eyes.
Dragging fingers along his bottom lashes, he wiped at another onset of overwhelming sadness as he croaked "…no."
"…would you like to talk about it?"
Tears raised their gaze at Rose's question, once again torn. His heart screamed at him to just bottle his truth and squeak out a lie, yet he knew the risks between losing his fairies temporarily versus him and the other kids losing theirs forever. Grr, stupid freaking Council…why can't they just let him suffer in his own pain!? Not like he had his fairies to wish it all away, anyway...might as well keep his true pain inside, all to himself.
"…Cosmo and Wanda are better off without me…" Timmy dropped his chin, toneless in his voice.
"…Cosmo and Wanda miss you greatly." Juandissimo spoke earnestly in a way that rose glum eyes to him, hoping it would help give a bit of solace. "They would be better off if you were with them."
His shoulders hunched involuntarily, insides clenched with contempt. Had his parents had the chance to live out their dumb vacation, they would not have thought twice about his disappearance. That's if they even cared to learn that he was missing. And now, he was forced to face life's hardships instead of taking the easy way out through death. All without his fairies, the pink and green magical creatures that loved him more than his sperm donor and womb bearer could ever think to fathom.
Blue eyes pooled somberly. It was no secret that his parents wouldn't miss him, even if they drew breath. Heck, not even Cosmo and Wanda should miss him. He didn't deserve to be missed…
"…even if that's true…everyone else is better off without me…" he hid damp cheeks into folded arms "…I deserve to be dead…"
Rose extended an arm of comfort to his shoulder as Timmy dissolved into crestfallen whimpers. Surrounded by people who seemed to care…utterly alone in a dark labyrinth from which there was no escape.
Some of the fairies frowned while others expressed their disappointment of the situation in low groans, commiserative of Timmy's anguish. It was likely that complications of childbirth would've granted Cosmo and Wanda time off anyway, but probation? Whatever Timmy had done couldn't have been to that extreme…right? Because it just didn't make sense; why would the Council take away what could be, or, in this case, 'is,' the only thing to shine light in his darkness?
"…hey, Timmy." Irving softly spoke to the desolate boy, making Timmy lift his shameful head. "No matter what bad stuff you do or have done…no child deserves to die."
The last phrase of his sentence led his saddened gaze to Dwight's subtle stir before he went still. Such a good kid, plagued by a troublesome disorder. A kind boy who felt that erasing himself was better than continuing to be a burden to everyone around him.
Timmy's watery gaze hardened. Yeah, sure…no child deserved to die. Except for him.
"That is true." Alondro agreed as Timmy swiped at the sorrow streaming down his cheek. Alondro lowered his gaze to Gary, a child blamed for his mother's death simply by being born. Punished and tortured by his father's begrudging wrath. "If anything, the world, your world…does not deserve children."
"In a way, he is right." Nyekundu rubbed delicate circles into Hazel's back. A little girl, sweet and innocent…a little girl shattered. "Unfortunately, there is no world without abuse."
"Or violence…" Swizzle murmured, continuing to stroke Molly's bang. A child denied a carefree life basking beneath the sunlight of a safe haven, casted within the shadows of harmful threats the length of a lifetime.
Juandissimo lowered a gentle cheek to the top of Remy's swooped spikes, weary eyes observing his godson's placid slumber. "There is no world where children are safe from predators…or a world where parents always make time for their child."
"And there's no world where kids can just be kids…" Susie's tender fingers danced around Chloe's bow "…not without having to constantly work to reach arbitrary goals that're impossible to reach."
"But there is a world where magic exists," Rose's tender thumb delicately brushed Tootie's cheek, a little girl scarred by ugly lies of 'the truth.' "and magic exists to take away the pain the world can cause…even if but for a moment."
"And if the Council wants ta take that magic away from you…" Irving gave a warm grin "…then we can be your magic for the time being."
Teary eyes widened, breath caught in his throat.
"Well…some more than others." Swizzle commented coolly, prompting an exasperated elbow from Nyekundu. "I-I mean…" she sheepishly coughed to clear her throat "…we're here for ya, kid."
"We all got cha back, Timmy." Susie affirmed sincerely. "It's what Cosmo and Wanda would want."
Thin lips quivered. While touched by their sentiment, he didn't have the heart to tell them that he was not allowed access to magic during his probation. Still, he didn't expect to be shown such compassion by fairies who were under no obligation to do so. Compassion that he didn't deserve…
With the back of his wrists swiping at salty streams of incessant sadness, the shake in Timmy's squeak could do nothing more but whimper "…thank you…"
Different pairs of oddly-colored eyes heard the thumping hoofs of heavy footsteps before their ears knew exactly who was coming, causing Timmy's backhands to erase what they could of his weakness. He turned to the humanoid statue of brute muscle approaching from behind as Jorgen Von Strangle exhaled a sullen sigh.
"So…does this mean we're finally free ta go?" Irving asked what everyone was likely thinking.
"After the children rest." Jorgen advised. "For now, I must have a word with Turner."
Well, that didn't sound good. "Great…" Timmy huffed. "What did I do now."
"You are not in trouble." Jorgen stated. "Just come with me."
"…why can't you jus' talk to him right here?" Susie probed.
"Council's orders." Jorgen grumbled for what felt like the umpteenth time. He then fixed his stern glare to Timmy before he began to walk away. "And I will not ask you twice."
Reluctantly, Timmy groaned as he stood to his feet, trailing behind the Fairy Commander far enough to where the fairies and other godchildren looked smaller than his fist. If he wasn't in trouble, then why did they have to be so secluded?
When Jorgen ceased his steps and pivoted towards him, Timmy crossed arms in a guarded stance towards Jorgen, gulping down as much susceptibility as possible. His bruised ego wanted to eliminate any more of his emotional vulnerability that can and will be used against him later.
As expected, Jorgen's stern stare was not phased, though not surprised by Timmy's defensiveness towards figures of authority. Especially after what the Council had put him through.
"Since the other godchildren are asleep, I will take you to visit Cosmo and Wanda in the hospital."
Unblinking, Timmy felt his lips part in silent surprise, trying to process what he thought he'd just heard. After what seemed like the longest pause, his skepticism grimaced. "I thought I was on probation."
"You are right, puny bucktooth child." Jorgen lightly sneered. "Cosmo and Wanda are still technically off duty. However, the Council has decided to reduce your probation to where you simply cannot make wishes until the probation is over."
"So…" his tense shoulders laxed slightly "…I still get Cosmo and Wanda back?"
"For the time being, you shall return to Earth solely with Cosmo." Jorgen clarified. "Only until Wanda and their son are strong enough for the both of them to be discharged from the hospital."
Timmy's features softened, blinking with disbelief "…really?"
"Yes."
Only for a second did the pink-hatted boy show an ounce of hope before cynicism narrowed in his eyes. "You're lying."
"I am a man of my word." Jorgen stood firm in his statement, and Timmy squinted at Jorgen's grave mask, trying to find any hint of deception.
"And why should I believe you?"
"Because I can confirm that Jorgen tells no tales."
Timmy and Jorgen turned to the Head Councilor's approach, seeing a blue robe levitating towards them.
"After some…'minor'…convincing…" Birchwind snuck a quick side glance to his descendant before fully addressing Timmy. "Jorgen has been instructed to take you to Fairy World so that you may meet your godbrother and spend time with your godparents."
As if given the confirmation he was looking for, a swelling warmth melted the ice casted around his heart. Filling his chest with the first slither of hope that he'd felt in forever. His backhand quickly swiped at the gloss of relief pressed behind his eyes, thinning lips trembling.
"This does not exclude you from upholding your end of the deal." Birchwind made sure to remind.
"…that's fine." Timmy sniffed in his nod. How could he ever forget that suicidal thoughts were no longer his to suffer in silence?
"Oh, before I forget…" Jorgen reached into the pocket of his camouflage pants, digging for what Timmy soon saw was a pocket-sized star of gold metal with a purple button in the center. The long-lost magical transporter that transported godchildren between Earth and Fairy Fort.
"You, along with the other godkids, will still have access to Fairy World with these transporters until you no longer need your fairies." Jorgen explained to him, handing Timmy his transporter. "Use it wisely, yes?"
Staring at the transporter in his palms, he took it all in, a newfound sparkle in his eyes that did not solely come from the remanence of shining tears. He then lifted his chin to meet the vigilant eyes of the Councilman and Fairy Commander, a bit of hoarse laced in his small voice as he gave an honest "…thank you."
While Jorgen simply laxed the subtle harshness in his features, Birchwind's response was a faint smile of his own. "You are most welcome."
Dull rumbles of sea-form crashed gently against the sand, beige grains of rock and coral warmed by the brilliant stretch of golden orange across the horizon of salty sea. Watching the waves from the shore, the slender man sat with bent legs crossed, palms planted within the sand. Kept company by the fairy forms of his most loyal green and pink companions, dressed in early 70s fashion.
Time was but a mere concept in this dreamscape. An ethereal world free of strife, free of pain. He hungered for nothing, for he was now full of the love that his heart starved for. Thirst did not ail him, for his soul was quenched of the dire need for affection. In this world, he was not Mr. Crocker, the crazy nutjob obsessed with mystical creatures of children's fairytales. He was not Mr. Crocker, the lunatic not worth giving the time of day…
…he was simply Denzel. A soul once lost, reunited with his found family.
"…I don't wanna leave…" Denzel murmured quietly, shadows of dejection darkening the space beneath his eyes "…I never wanna live a life without you two ever again…"
"Oh, sweetie…" Wanda's pulled brows knitted in the middle, her motherly voice laced with remorse. "We're so sorry…but you can't stay here forever."
He shot his fairy godmother a furrowed brow. "What do you mean I can't stay?"
"You know this is all a dream, right?" Cosmo's question caused Denzel to grit grains of sand into his fists.
"…which is why I never wanna wake up." he muttered to his fairy godfather, his crinkled nose wincing when the crack to his spirit ached in the center of his chest. "It's too painful..."
"Denzel…" Wanda lowered a tender hand to his fist. "…this is not the last you'll see of us."
The muscles in his jaw tensed.
"Yeah; we can be together just like this every time you go to sleep!" Cosmo beamed, but Denzel grimaced.
"If that's the case, then why would I ever stop dreaming?"
"Because there are people who care about you." Wanda stated solemnly.
Denzel snorted, calling Wanda's bluff. "You're lying. I swallowed those pills for a reason…"
"You'd be surprised of who does."
"Yeah? Like who?"
It was then that the fairy godmother curled the most tender smile to her former godchild. "You're only as blind as you want to be."
His face scrunched before it went slack, thrown by her solemn words.
"Open your eyes, Denzy…" his fairy godfather rose from his seat in the sand along with his wife, an echo entering in his voice "…and you'll see."
A luminant brightness grew around the fairy couple, blinding Denzel to the point of his eyes squinting from how much they began to water. The light spread further, consuming green in pink in an aura of white. A whiteness that felt as if a magnetic pull tied a rope around his soul, sucking his sense of self into the silver void…
Gags choked claws around his neck. He could vaguely make out the shrill voice of someone calling his name over the reflexive expulsion of air in his lungs that shook his entire core. Just when he thought the strange object lodged down his windpipe would send him back to limbo, a cold burn shot through his veins, crawling up to his neck. Numbing the muscles in his throat to where the clenching coughs soon came to a halt.
A heavy fog blurred in his swooshing vision, barely able to make out the fluorescent lights that he did not recognize as the dimmed darkness of his bedroom. Tingly prickles poked needles in his mind, struggling to put a distinct face with the deep, feminine voice that sounded oddly familiar...
Heavy, unfocussed eyes tilted towards his right, seeing two other outlines of blurry figures. The only thing his haze could distinguish between the three figures were the two sets of black hair next to the shorter head of silver curls. Thoughts struggled to comprehend themselves let alone the strange dream he had, his mind swimming through a fuzzy cloud. All his waning consciousness could grasp was the numbing shocks of pain that forbade him from fully sinking back to the solace of eternal slumber…
The boom of a mushroom cloud materialized within the hall that, luckily, had no roamers to scare off. When the smoke cleared, Timmy looked up to Jorgen's staff in the shape of a big wand. To his surprise, Jorgen did not need the aid of Timmy's transporter to bring them to Fairy World. Eh, guess he shouldn't be that surprised. He is the 'toughest fairy in the universe' as he so proclaimed.
"…my godbrother's in there?" Timmy pointed to the door of the brightly colored NICU.
"We're lucky to have made it within visiting hours..." Jorgen grumbled. All the back-and-forth travel between alternate dimensions was starting to wear on his energy. Wasting no more time, he tapped his wand-like staff, sending magic steel-blue sparkles that cleansed the child of any dirt and germs he must have accumulated.
Once finished, Jorgen noticed Timmy's apprehension when he hadn't moved from his spot, cocking a brow.
"What are you waiting for, puny earth boy?"
Bowing his chin, Timmy tapped the tips of his index fingers, his voice faltering "…you're not coming in with me?"
"This is your godbrother, not mine. Now, go on." Jorgen motioned with his head towards the open door. "I will be right outside."
Taking a short scan of the numerous incubators, Timmy turned back to Jorgen, uncertain of where to go. "Um…which baby is it?"
Jorgen used his finger to point at the incubator near the center of the room. "The one with the last name 'Cosma.'"
Taking this into account, Timmy inhaled a breath before entering inside, seeing fairies dressed in nurse scrubs tending to other babies housed in incubators. His slow strides made him appear to be wandering aimlessly despite traveling in a clear direction, his heart racing the closer he reached the tiny ball knitted with a blue cap. Why was he so nervous? It's not like he was meeting the Queen of England. This was just a little baby…
His fairy godbrother.
Stopping at a close enough distance, Timmy stared at his brother through the plastic glass. A baby who was once immobile as he squirmed with shut eyes, almost as if he'd sensed a new presence. This baby looked so tiny and weak, seeing him swallowed in all the multitude of tubes and wires. He knew how tiny preemie humans can be, but even that wasn't the best comparison.
"…hi." He started with a soft greeting, giving an incentive for the fairy baby to flutter its squinty little eyes. A weak grin curved his lips "…you hear me, huh?"
His baby godbrother tilted his head towards him, his weedy blinks revealing slits of deep lilac that Timmy honestly didn't expect. His assumption was that the baby's eyes would either be pink or green, or an even combination of the two.
"I'm Timmy." Timmy continued speaking softly. "Your big godbrother."
Stubby arms and legs wiggled with the strength he did not previously possess.
"I wished for you because your mommy and daddy couldn't have you on their own…" Timmy watched his brother's great attempts to keep his eyes open. "And knowing what I know now…" he thought back to the reasons Cosmo and Wanda wanted a baby in the first place, dimly smiling at the memory "…I'm glad I could give Cosmo and Wanda a symbol of their love."
Timmy raised his hand ever so lightly, touching the plastic glass of the incubator. Deep lilac parted long enough to fix his stare into weary blue as underdeveloped fingers stretch, reaching to press his tiny stub for an arm to meet where Timmy's fingers touched. Timmy's dim smile widened; it was as if his brother seemed to be growing stronger just by his company.
"Yeah…I'm your brother…" he murmured. The baby squirmed again in response to his gentle voice before his tone grew solemn "…and this time…I hope I can be a good brother…"
[…you're already a good brother, Bubba…]
"…Sophie?" his eyes wondered at the distant voice in his mind. After the most heated argument ever between them, he'd assumed his sister would never speak to him again even when he'd eventually return to Earth.
[…I'm sorry I yelled at you…] his deep frown dimpled his chin; she sounded on the verge of tears. […do you hate me?]
Scanning his surroundings to make sure the nurses that were left in the NICU didn't seem to notice him speaking to someone invisible to them, Timmy responded "Of course, not…"
[…you sure?]
"Yes." He paused, chewing on his lip. Hoping she would believe him when he whispered "…I love you."
At first, the other end went silent, sinking his heart until he heard the faintest […love you, too…]
. . . . . .
Orange and magenta hues descended with the sun setting through the window, casting white walls and cold tile floors in a warm glow. The new father sat nearest his wife, his feet dangling off the edge of her hospital bed as he sandwiched her hand between his. Wrapped in baby-blue cotton above the incision beneath her hospital gown, Wanda had enough energy to curve a smile to her husband who lowered puckered lips to the back of her hand, planting the warmest, most delicate kisses along the subtle chill in her skin. He did this until he stopped before he could accidently hit the IV inserted in the protruding vein behind her wrist, caressing her fingers as their eyes met.
After Jorgen had taken Juandissimo to reunite with Remy, Blonda (reluctantly) returned to her jammed schedule of filming not long after. Schnozmo had stayed a bit longer before the emails and missed messages blowing up his phone had forced him back to the hustle and bustle of running a business. When Cosmo's magic had been restored and Wanda had the energy to travel, one of the nurses had wheeled her to her miracle child where Cosmo and Wanda nearly wept at the sight of him. It had been a difficult, painful, and downright scary road, but they had made it to the end of their journey.
At long last, they were blessed with the baby they'd always wanted. A child who would not have existed had it not been for their favorite ten-year-old boy…
A ten-year-old boy that they were not allowed to thank in person until their child turned two months old.
What made it all the more worse was that Cosmo and Wanda had no idea what Timmy could've possibly done to warrant that long of a probation. No matter Cosmo's efforts to demand a better answer other than 'Council's orders,' Jorgen simply wouldn't budge. It was so absurd; what the heck are the Council thinking?
The fairy couple looked up when they heard the hospital door creak open, and their qualms seemed to melt away the instant they spotted the sweetest pink hat behind their boss.
Though visibly feeble, new life smiled into Wanda's lips when she saw Timmy's mouth quiver. He took meek steps towards them after Jorgen's gentle push to the back of his shirt, and as Cosmo's gleam welled with gloss, there was no time for questions as the brightest smile released his wife's hand and flew to meet Timmy halfway.
Swelling mixtures of heartache and joy clasped Timmy's eyes shut as his godfather latched squeezing arms around him. A sob hiccupped in his throat when he felt a tender hand scratch the back of his brunette shag. He clutched Cosmo's shirt, swallowing another muffled sob as his tiny voice squeaked "…dad…"
Green orbs broadened, immediately snapping to his boss. Fairies are not supposed to get too attached to their godchildren, and he worried that the enforcer of the rules would disapprove of Timmy's endearing label.
Instead, Jorgen's stare remained stoic, giving a nod as if to give the 'ok.' As Cosmo blinked in confusion, Jorgen held back a snort. While the Council did not obligate him to secrecy pertaining to when these specific godchildren became too old for fairies, he figured it was more fun for him to keep the puny godparents on their toes. The look on their faces when they're scared of doing something wrong in front of him was quite amusing.
Deciding to dwell on Jorgen's strange behavior later, Cosmo chose to squeeze Timmy tighter, planting a soft kiss to his pink baseball cap. Clutching his godson to him for a few moments, he loosened his hold so that Timmy could sprint to his godmother, nearly tackling her with a hug that made her audibly flinch.
"Turner, be careful!" Jorgen chided, causing Timmy to pull back with eyes haunted with terror.
"I-I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, sweetie…" Wanda grinned through her wince, struggling to lift herself upright. "You just have to be gentle, okay?"
When tearful eyes nodded, Wanda patted the mattress as an invite for him to join her. Doing his best to avoid the IV lines and monitor wires, Timmy shifted to snuggle on one side, carefully laying his temple to her chest as a lacing arm reached to her neck. He choked back more sobs, tears flowing silently as he nuzzled to his godmother, whimpering "…mom…" as Wanda lifted his chin with a finger to peck her lips to his forehead.
Ignoring the pinching throbs in her abdomen, she then held his head against her as her husband joined her from the other side of Wanda's bed, wedging himself to the small empty space next to her. Timmy used a free finger to swipe beneath his nose, sniffling as half-lidded eyes stared out at the setting sun facing him from the window.
His godmother scratched the back of his shag with gentle fingers, and though strings of tears continued to damp his cheeks, he couldn't be bothered to wipe them. His instincts curled him further into her soothing warmth, stitches sewn into his wounded heart when he heard his godfather's quiet whisper "…we love you."
Timmy sighed comfortably as heavy eyelids pulled closed. He didn't care if he can never make another wish ever again. All that mattered was their love, whether he deserved it or not…
Sniffles faded into the faintest snore past loose lips. Cosmo couldn't help but smile as Wanda stopped her scratches in Timmy's hair to use a tender thumb that brushed away the last of fresh tears from his cheek.
"I will go check on the others." Jorgen's soft announcement had reminded the fairies that he was still in the room. "Give you guys some time before I come back for Cosmo and Timmy."
Cosmo and Wanda nodded in understanding before Jorgen tapped his staff to the tile, disappearing in a mushroom cloud that Timmy did not stir from. Feeling awkward shifting against him, Cosmo noticed when Wanda tried her best to conceal how much the pinching throbs in her torso bothered her.
"…want me to move him?" he whispered, concern etched in his gaze.
In spite of her discomfort, Wanda shook her head. Right now, Timmy's comfort was more important than hers "…I'll let you know if it starts to get too bad." she whispered back.
"…you sure?"
Wanda nodded to the scrunch in his brow, reaching with her free arm to pull Cosmo close so that she could lovingly peck his cheek as confirmation. He still had his concerns, but Cosmo took his wife's word for it. Settling down beside her, content in watching their godson's sound sleep.
Until their baby was strong enough to complete their Cosma puzzle, at least the biggest missing piece had finally fallen into place.
For anyone upset about Timmy, I hope this makes up for it.