Years had passed since the events that took place on the Witches Road, some 20 years to be exact. Sharon, now in her late 70’s, smiled to herself as she walked over to the oven, peeking in at the chocolate chip cookies that were baking inside. There was a plethora of food that awaited hungry bellies in the dining room that lay to the left of the kitchen and as she wiped her hands clean of the last remaining specks of flour, she got lost in thought for just a moment, pondering the changing weather and -. The back door slamming open brought her swiftly out of her reverie and announced the first of the arrivals.
“Nonna! Grandma! We’re here!”
Sharon spun around, arms spreading wide, grin splitting her face open as the first of the children barreled into her. Adonis and Beatrix each grabbed her, squeezing as hard as their little arms let them. Right behind them came Agatha and Rio, the latter carrying a bundled up Lillith and Alfonso demanding loudly for Mama to put his down so he can see his Gamma, as he still called her. Agatha laughed and set the squirrely boy down, attempting to fix his ruffled hair as he deftly dodged her and ran over to Sharon.
“Where’s Nonna,” Lucille asked, giving Sharon a kiss on the cheek, taking containers from Ronan before he ran off into the house. Sharon loved that the teenager still put her family over everything and was always ready to spend time with her. Guess she was a cool grandma after all.
“I’ll go get her,” he called out, “Me too!” Belladonna shouted, following behind her older brother. Sharon scooped up Alfonso, or Alfie as she affectionately called him, sneaking him a cookie she plucked from the cooling tray behind her. He expressed his gratitude with a chocolate covered kiss to her wrinkled cheek, screaming out in excitement as Billy and Eddie walked in with their less rowdy crew.
Rio scooped up Blaise, the youngest of their three, peppering kisses to the olive skinned little boy who happily exclaimed, “Oh Titi, I missed you so!” before snuggling deep in her arms.
“Teen!” Agatha called out, the old nickname having stuck to Billy who just smiled affectionately, and walked over, dropping a kiss to both her head and that of his niece Lillith.
“Is she sleeping?”
“Just woke up actually,” she grinned, peeling back the soft, lavender blanket a bit more to show off bright blue eyes that peered up at him, a tiny fist escaping the blanket. He reached out, taking his niece and giving her little nuzzle, looking over at Eddie who was helping their twin girls Ash and Raven bring in the last of their things.
“Honey? Let’s have another one,” he sweetly called out, laughing at the thirteen year old girls who instantly frowned in response.
“Aren’t you and Dad kind of too old for more kids Papa?” Ash question seriously, pushing her long braids over her shoulder. As the older twin, even if only by 3 minutes, she was often the one to voice her opinion without filter, while Raven like to ruminate on things a bit longer before speaking up.
“Well, he’s not too old per say Ash. I personally just don’t like the idea of upsetting our homes balance with incessant screaming every two hours. Don’t you remember the colic that Blaise had,” Raven reminded them, all the grown ups collective grimacing. The poor boy in questions grinned from under Rio’s long locks.
“Yeah, just enjoy cousin Lillith Papa,” Ash told her father, as she made her way to Agatha’s side, the older witch opening her arms and welcoming the girl onto her lap for snuggles.
“Are Alice and Jen here yet,” Eddie asked as Lilia breezed into the room, passing out kisses and cookies out to kids and grown ups alike.
“They should be here shortly, they had some issues with the rental at the airport and the pooches but they called and checked in a bit ago, once they got on the road,” Lilia answered, pulling out the last batch of cookies before the burned. “Shouldn’t be longer fifteen-ish minutes before they get here.”
She looked over at Sharon, who stood with Lucille and Ronan listening to their recent school exploits, catching the subtle wince of pain as she shifted minutely side to side. She looked back at Agatha and Rio, who also noticed but stayed silent, the worry on Agatha’s face disappearing completely when Belladonna called out to her.
“Mama, can we all move to the great room? Grandma got us all new ornaments this year!”
“Of course, baby” she answered, reaching out for Rio’s hand as all the children bustled their adults to the main gathering room of the house.
It was a room that held so many memories, years of laughter, love and tears. The roaring fireplace heating the large space while Christmas music filtered through the air. Alice and Jen arrived mere minutes later, their three dogs adding to the chaos of the joyous home. Everyone sat around in the overstuffed chairs, Agatha asking Teen about his brother Tommy, who lived in Maine with his wife and their two kids. The night was joyful and cozy, Sharon eventually falling asleep with Alfie on her lap, the two curled up in the loveseat closest to the couch.
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The next couple of days in the Calderou-Davis home were busy and yet, relaxing. Kids and dogs filling the house with laughter, video games being played in the great room, books being read in the many nooks and crannies of the large Victorian home. The coven had sprung and invested in the large home, Agatha and Rio living with Sharon for the first few years before building a smaller, yet still pretty large house in the back of the property. Billy and Teen lived just a few blocks away and Jen and Alice lived the town over.
Christmas Eve morning arrived with a gentle flurry of fat snowflakes, the grounds glowing white under the moon that was fading from the night sky. Rio found Sharon out in the large sunroom, the older woman swinging softly in the porch swing Eddie had installed about ten Christmases ago. Rio tucked a leg underneath her as she sat, her arm going around Sharon with practiced ease. Sharon smiled at Death, her head leaning to rest against the ancient being.
“You are in pain my dear,” Rio’s voice rumbled softly across the dewy morning. Rio could feel the heartbeats in the home, deep and steady, everyone still asleep.
“Oh honey,” Sharon smiled, “it’s not so bad right now.” Rio rubbed her arm, pulling the older woman closer to her.
Death held a special place in her heart for Sharon, the little unassuming pseudo green witch who had taken her wife under her wings as a daughter. Sharon’s love had healed pieces of Agatha that only a mother’s love could, and she felt indebted to the older woman for helping her wife become the best version of herself. In Sharon, Agatha had found the true love of a mother and Sharon, who couldn’t have kids of her own, was able to know what a daughter’s love was. They were all Sharon’s kids, but everyone knew, Agatha was Sharons baby,
“I know it’s almost my time. I know it, I can feel it in my bones,” she sighed, heavy and deep, before a small smile graced her aged face. “I’m glad it will be you I take my final walk with. I’ve always enjoyed our walks in the woods.” She patted Rio’s leg affectionately, her mind wandering.
Rio gave the swing a gentle push, the two of them enjoying the sunrise as it painted the sky, light shining on all her snow covered flowers. Rio and Sharon spent many hours in the lush gardens that spread out around the home. She pressed a kiss to the side of Sharon’s head as they were joined by Lucille, Rio and Agatha’s oldest. At only fifteen, the young girl still held some of her youthful features while nature pushed her body forward in time. She was the perfect mix of Rio and Agatha, the smattering of freckles on her nose drawing your gaze to her jade eyes, reminiscent of a dew-covered morning, bright like Agatha’s, her hair as black as the midnight sky. She was a green witch, inheriting Rio’s powers, so in tune with every living thing that surrounded them. She also loved to spend time with Sharon in the gardens, the young witch using her magic to create new and vibrant flowers and plants for her beloved Grandmother.
“I will walk with you also, Grandmother.”
Sharon lifted her arm, the girl tucking in next to the older woman she had loved since the moment she was born. Alfie might think he’s the favorite, but Lucille and Sharon, there was no tighter bond Lucy held close to her heart outside of her mothers.
“I would love that my girl,” came the soft reply. “I’m so tired… and I’m ready. I’ve lived a great life, I was able to experience so many wonderful things with you all by my side, things I never could have imagined. I’ve got 13 amazing grandkids, counting my fur babies of course, and the most wonderfully wild and wicked sons and daughters. I am so blessed, but I am ready.”
“It will be ton-,” Lucille started to say, a stutter to her voice that filled with tears, the hot drops falling fast down her cheeks. “It will be tonight.”
Rio sat back a little, letting Sharon pull the young girl closer to her, whispering gentle reassurances that were privy to only the two of them. Eventually Agatha joined them, the witch coming and kneeling in front of Sharon, tears spilling over before she could stop them, Sharon’s hand stroking her hair even as her pants soaked up the stray tears. Jen and Alice joined them, Teen and Billy not far behind, all of them having been looking for the matriarch of the family.
“Now, now my girl, dry those tears,” Sharon sniffled, wiping her own face. “Let’s deal with the here and now, shall we? Let’s go inside and celebrate and make merry. I want this to be the best last night I have with my family.”
They all stood, waiting as Lucille helped Sharon up and walked with her into the house. Alice and Jen walked in first, with Eddie following close behind. Teen hung back with Agatha and Rio, the lanky teenager turned tall, handsome man opening his arms and welcoming Agatha into his embrace. The two held each other while they cried, the two peskiest of the bunch sharing their sorrow over the impending loss of the family matriarch. Teen and Agatha had walked many paths together, most importantly bringing Tommy back to this world and giving him a chance to live as Teen was given a chance.
Eventually they all made it inside and spent the day ordering take out from any and every place that anyone wanted, playing board games, opening presents and trying very hard to just be present in the moment. The younger ones could sense something was off and as the night grew darker, the stars peppering the night sky, it was Raven who first raised her suspicions.
“Why is every adult here so sad,” she asked, looking around at her family, all of whom held their grief in varying degrees. Agatha’s tears fell, which made the girl even more nervous. Rio stood, motioning for all the children to come close. She sat down next to Sharon, who took her hand in her own, not sure if she was holding on for herself or Rio.
“Tonight, Grandma will take her final walk with me,” she spoke softly, her words strong and sure even as her heart ached. It was never easy when it was someone she loved.
“She’s going to the veil, ‘cuz she’s going to die tonight?” Beatrix questioned, unsure if she was understanding right. Alfie stood at this, his eyes bright with unshed tears. He knew death. He was familiar and experienced with death but this would be his first big loss.
“Gamma, go away to beyond?” his little head tilting, trying to make sense of it all.
“Yes baby,” Sharon replied, opening her arms to the boy who launched himself at her, “Grandma is going to the veil, it is my time.” She pressed a kiss to his dark curls, a single tear falling.
The rest of the children kind of mulled it over, as they came one by one and sat next to their beloved grandmother, who poured as much love and care and kisses and hugs as she could onto all the children. They were no strangers to death, having Death as your mother and aunt lent to their astounding knowledge and comfort with the process but they would still miss her and made sure to let her know this over and over before they were ushered out by their adults. When the last of the coven trickled out, all that was left with Sharon in the great room where Rio, Lucille and Agatha, the latter who was trying very hard to keep it together.
Sharon patted the seat next to her, taking her woman she called daughter in her arms, holding her close. She ran her fingers through her long locks, pressing a kiss every so often to her forehead, reminiscing over various adventures they had gotten up to, times they found themselves in a spot of trouble that Rio or Teen had to come bail them out of. Agatha laughed and cried, holding her mother closer.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to let you go Mama,” she cried softly, not bothering to wipe away her tears.
“I know my love, I know. But it is the natural way of things, it is meant to be. I will be with you always, my sweet girl. You are so special, and getting to love you and watch you grow, and getting to be a part of that journey has been my upmost blessing. You were the first to call me Mama and I knew in my heart you were meant to be my daughter.”
Sharon pulled a ring from her right hand, a white gold band with diamonds and a bright blue sapphire gem adorning the middle, pressing a kiss and a blessing to the stone before sliding it on Agatha’s finger.
“This ring has been in my family for years, passed down from mother to daughter. I am passing it to you now, and I hope that it provides you some comfort and that one day you are able to pass it down to Lucille, when it is your time. I love you so much my sweet girl.”
Agatha looked at the ring on her hand, a smile gracing her lips, “I love you too Mama, so much. Thank you for loving me when you didn’t have to and for always believing in me.”
“It was my honor to love you,” came a soft, breathy reply, before Rio stood. Lucille came over and covered her grandmothers’ body with her favorite blanket, before looking at her mother.
“It is time Mother, to rise and walk with us,” Rio voice, echoed softly across the room, deep and full of magic.
The doors to the garden opened and the veil glowed a soft sort of green from within. Sharon’s spirit rose, smiling as she took Lucille’s hand, looking back at her body only briefly, before blowing a kiss to her daughter, who watched with a heartbroken smile. Death and her young daughter walked forward with Sharon, the veil closing behind them. Agatha adjusted Sharons body to lie more fully on the couch, even as the rational part of her knew that she wouldn’t be uncomfortable but still wanting the older woman to know rest even in death. She dimmed the lights and made herself comfortable as she waited for her wife and daughter to come back. It would be a while, she knew, but she couldn’t bring herself to walk away from her mother’s body.
When the sun rose the following day, Agatha would begin to make the necessary preparations for her burial, she would guide the family as they shared memories, cried and laughed at the retelling of the many adventures they had, but for tonight, Agatha let herself feel and mourn the loss of the woman who shouldn’t have ever set foot on the witches road but whose presence had changed everyone’s life for the better.
Sharon Davis, beloved mother, grandmother and witch.