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Wednesday and Enid’s relationship began as a fake one.
“That’s it, I’m done. If my mom asks me about finding a mate one more time, I’m actually going to explode. Probably before my parents get to see me this weekend.”
“Just pretend for now,” Yoko had told her as if it was the most obvious answer. “Don’t you have someone you can trust? I’m off the table, though. Divina wouldn’t allow it.”
Enid cringed at the thought of acting with someone, and Yoko scoffed at her expression. “Come on, Parent’s Weekend only lasts for two days. You can put up a show for that long, can’t you?”
“Yeah, but our scents have to mix and everything, otherwise my mom would know! The only way that could happen is if I lived with someone.”
Yoko smirked, raising her eyebrows as she looked at Enid suggestively. “You already know what I’m thinking.”
Enid groaned in agony.
Just two days before Parent’s Weekend arrived, Enid blurted “Can you be my girlfriend?” to Wednesday’s face at six in the morning.
If Thing wasn’t still at home for physical therapy, he would have been laughing hysterically next to Wednesday.
“You want me to court you?” Wednesday asked curtly, and oh how grave her voice was to make Enid want to melt on the spot.
“Just for the weekend! Because my mom seriously hasn’t stopped bringing up the mate thing, and I can’t keep up a happy face in front of her anymore.” Wednesday’s silence reminded Enid of the time she asked to stay at her house for a week. “But, like, I totally get it if it’s too weird and–”
“I agree,” Wednesday interrupts, “Though my parents must see the act themselves. They have all but planned my marriage with you.”
Enid graced a wide smile on her face, saving Wednesday’s comment for later. “You’re my best friend, thank you! I promise I’ll be the best fake girlfriend ever.”
Enid’s mother didn’t doubt her performance for a second, immediately judging her taste. “Enid, an Addams? Even that gorgon you dated last time was better. She’s not even close to a werewolf!”
Wednesday’s parents didn’t doubt her performance either. “Oh, mia lupa, that’s so very wonderful. Gomez, don’t you think we should introduce Enid to my cousin Merlin? Oh, darling, you must come over another time, Merlin would be delighted to run with you on a full moon!”
“I must admit, you were an adequate fake girlfriend,” Wednesday declared the night of their parents’ departures. Enid had preened at the praise under a full moon, her wolf form leaning in to be petted. Wednesday sighed and gave in, “Perhaps we were destined to begin courting. I don’t expect you to give me an answer at the moment, but I would enjoy being more than an adequate girlfriend to you.”
Enid jumped onto Wednesday’s offer the next morning, kissing her with a fever she never experienced before.
Being the best girlfriend meant seeing Wednesday’s touch-starved side; how she loves the feeling of Enid’s heart beating under her and the soft plush of her pastel sweaters. It meant falling asleep next to her and waking up to the line of skin exposed on her hip, sunlight painting her features to be fit for a goddess.
Enid couldn’t help but fall in love.
Luckily, the Addams’ curse caused Wednesday to do the same.
++
“I believe I have fallen in love,” Wednesday murmured as she searched the aisles of the shoe store with Enid, “The baby is causing concerning symptoms for me.”
Enid giggled a little, amused by Wednesday’s commentary as always. “I thought I was the only one for you, Addams.”
“Of course you are, Sinclair,” Enid reached down to Wednesday’s lips for a chaste kiss in pride, “But this infant is making me question my ability to have a continuous sleep cycle. Even from the library, I could hear her screaming like a banshee in Weems’ headquarters. She only ever quiets when she’s around you.”
Enid inhaled, reaching for a set of black boots from a neatly stacked shelf. Wednesday’s eyes observed in approval, and Enid smiled a little. “I know, Weds, and it’s getting really out of hand right now. I hate the feeling of leaving her with Principal Weems. It’s obviously ruining Weems’ sanity, not to mention ours.”
“I am compelled to try those boots,” Wednesday took the box from Enid’s hands and sat down on the seat at the end of the aisle. “But I agree, our current arrangement is insufficient.”
Enid’s phone vibrated in her pocket. A message from Yoko, “where are you?? weems is getting on my nerves about rooming with bianca”
Enid replied with “i’ll come over when i’m back at nevermore” and tucked away her phone in favor of observing her partner. Wednesday had tied the laces of her shoes perfectly, letting her handiwork fall gracefully against the matt black of the boots.
She stood up and took two large, chunky steps toward Enid until there was barely any space between them. “We should bring these concerns to Weems’ attention, preferably before the full moon tomorrow. Speaking of, these boots are a perfect fit.”
So Enid and Wednesday hopped onto the shuttle heading back to Nevermore, bags of baby supplies and a set of boots in their hands.
As the shuttle hit a particularly large bump, a pastel pink onesie fell from Enid’s bag, and she rushed to pick it up alongside a tall woman standing next to her. The woman picked it up first, and Enid looked up.
“Minerva?” Enid whispered when she caught a glimpse of the scales on the woman’s neck.
“Enid,” Minerva said, running her fingers over the onesie. “Do you have Ivy? Is she alright?”
The rest of the shuttle disappeared, Enid’s vision tunneling on her cousin. “Tell me you’re okay, Minerva. Ivy’s safe, you can come to get her whenever you’re ready. Just tell me you’re okay?”
Minerva smiled gently, almost sadly, before placing the onesie in Enid’s free hand. “Take good care of her, Enid. One day it’ll all be okay and she can see me. Not today, though.”
Enid pushed the onesie back into Minerva’s hands, “No, no! You have to see her! You’re her mother. You can probably stay at Nevermore, I’ll tell my parents about your husband and it’ll be fine–”
“Hush, Enid,” and then the unspoken spell was broken, Enid automatically stepping out of the shuttle after Wednesday.
Minerva took the onesie with her.
++
The soft lighting in Yoko’s room was comforting.
“So… you’re telling me,” Yoko drawled, eyebrows raised higher than any of the Stoners, “you accidentally adopted your niece? Who’s a Siren and a Werewolf?”
Enid stopped her frantic pacing and nodded desperately.
“And you just saw her mother? Who’s also a Siren and Werewolf?”
More nodding came from Enid. She wanted to say more about Minerva, but her mouth became dry and her throat clenched up; almost as if a curse was holding her back.
Yoko sat in silence, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Are you sure this actually happened? Have you been hallucinating or something?”
Enid threw her hands up and huffed, “Yes, Yoko, this happened! I’m not making it up, I promise. Do you want proof?”
Yoko sat up, intrigued. “Do you think Weems would allow it?”
“She should. You’ve looked after my brothers before, and Ivy will be able to smell enough of my scent on you to trust you.”
So the pair walked over to the headmistress’s main office, avoiding bumping into any of their friends on the way. The closer they got, the louder Ivy’s routine cries became.
It barely took a second for Weems to open the door. “Enid! Thank goodness, my patience was running out.” Ivy, snuggled within a blanket Enid had purchased just hours ago, immediately stopped crying as her nose sniffled lightly from her position in Weems’ arms. “And Yoko… Enid, I thought we discussed this earlier on.”
“I come in peace,” Yoko raised her hands in mock surrender, following Weems into the office.
“Principal Weems,” Enid gestured for Ivy to be transferred into her arms, “I think whatever we’re doing right now is really hard on everybody. I figured it would be a good idea to get some extra help!”
Weems sighed as she handed the infant to Enid, “I suppose that is true. I was hoping to discuss future arrangements with you soon. Ivy’s assessment is complete; I declared her a Werewolf in the official admissions paper, though I am sensing some signs of a Siren. Perhaps you can provide more insight on this in private.”
“Oh, it doesn’t have to be in private, Principal Weems, I totally trust Yoko–”
“In private, Miss Sinclair.”
Enid blinked, confused by the demand, but nodded anyway.
“Alright!” Yoko clapped her hands together, exaggerating a smile, “I just came here to see the baby, I’ll leave.”
“No, no, no, stay!” Enid insisted, turning towards Yoko. Ivy whined at the sudden movement, nuzzling against Enid’s chest. Enid gave her a kiss on the forehead as an apology. “You have to try to hold Ivy. Just try, please?”
Yoko crossed her arms and smiled teasingly, “If this works out, I’m not a free babysitter for you and Wednesday.” She walked towards Enid regardless, taking a seat near the fireplace. “Now where’s my niece?”
Ivy didn’t mind Yoko’s presence, but she hated the feeling of her synthetic puffer jacket. Enid had half the mind to think the preference resembled Wednesday’s.
“It’s rather pleasant to see the baby have so much support,” Weems said from behind Enid and Yoko. “Yoko, you mustn't tell anyone about this, do you understand? We have to work together to keep this child from the throes of the modern world. If Ivy truly is what I think she is, we will all be put in the face of grave danger.”
The space between Yoko’s eyebrows crinkled as Ivy began to whine again. “What do you mean by grave danger?”
Ivy’s whines became louder. Almost as though she was summoned, Wednesday appeared from the doorway. “Yes, Yoko’s question is worthy of an answer. What are you implying by that statement, Principal Weems?”
“We need to talk about this in private. Preferably within the next two hours.” Weems turned to face Wednesday and whispered, “Enid can’t be near Ivy during the full moon.”
Ivy broke out into thundering cries.