CH 36: Mother

~ Louisiana, 1931 ~

Esme smiles as she brings Geneviève to the bedroom, laying down in bed with her and pulling the covers over them both. She kisses her head, "Did you have fun with Daddy today?"

Geneviève smiles widely and nods, burrowing her body into Esme, and snuggling up close. The little angel enjoyed the sensation of being in her mother's arms, feeling safe and warm. "Mhm, Dada had chocolate milk!" She sits up and smiles proudly.

"Oh my goodness, that's such an exciting day! Wow!" Esme smiles and looks towards Alastor who is leaning in the doorway, "Would you care to join us?" She motions to the extra spot on the bed.

"Of course, I shall, mon amour." He chuckles as he climbs into bed with the two of them, wrapping an arm around Esme and watching their little girl bouncing happily on the mattress.

"Oh my, Daddy is so warm. Come, let's snuggle up." Esme motions Geneviève to get close and the two of them nuzzle into his side.

He wraps his arms around both of them, practically shielding them with his warmth. This was something he would never have imagined for his life, but he was willing to lay down his life for both of them at any moment. "I am a rather warm person." He scoffs, "I make the ideal blanket."

There's a pause before...

"Oooh, Genny I have a very important question," Esme says with a mischievous tone of voice.

She looked up at her mother with big, wide eyes, curiosity drawn all over her face as she listened intently, "Yes, mama?"

"Who is the best at giving cuddles, mommy or daddy?"

Alastor huffs and rolls his eyes playfully, "Oh come now..."

She looks extremely conflicted by this question and looks around the room with her sweet innocent eyes deep in thought. "Both!" She says quickly with a cheerful smile.

"Ahh, smart kid." Esme laughs.

Geneviève smiles at her mother, turning to Alastor as he speaks, "Quite the smart kid indeed." He ruffles her hair gently.

"I'm shocked, usually she picks Daddy for everything. I'm honored~"

"Of course she picks me." Alastor smirks, as Geneviève crawls on top of him and lays her head on his chest. "I am the favorite after all~" He turns his attention to his daughter and runs his hand through her hair affectionately.

Esme doesn't answer him, just lays there and stares at him with a loving expression across her face.

He can feel his wife's eyes looking at him and he turns to see her letting out a soft, slightly dreamy, sigh. "Something wrong, sweetheart?"

"Not at all..." Esme says, admiring him. She wanted to take in every moment with their family, and remember every detail so she could burn it into her memory forever.

"Then why are you staring at me with such a loving expression? Don't tell me you're just admiring me..." He scoffs in amusement.

"Hmm, Genny?" Esme asks, causing their daughter to peak up from her father's shirt, "Isn't Dada handsome?" She asks.

Geneviève smiles and sits up on her fathers chest, squishing his face with her hands, "Mhmm" She has an enthusiastic smile across her face, "Dada is super handsome!" She cheers, freeing his face from her grasp.

"Ahh seeee SUPER handsome, nonetheless." Esme grins as she connects with his eyes once more. "What a lucky woman I am..." She whispers as she leans in close to peck at him, until she feels Geneviève push her away.

Alastor opens his eyes to see their daughter with a pout on her face, staring at Esme. He chuckles softly, "Now, now, little one, mama was only trying to give me a kiss."

Geneviève grunts and pushes Esme away in an annoyed huff.

"Hey now, no pushing." Alastor says sternly, holding her hands in his.

"Okayyy miss ma'am, I got your point." Esme puts her finger to her chin, "Hmmm, I do wonder~"

Geneviève tilts her head to the side.

"What if I kiss you instead?!" Esme shouts, grabbing her daughter and pulling her close. She plants several kisses across her face, causing the young child to squirm and erupt with laughter. She kicked and wiggled, struggling to get out of her mother's hold.

~ Present Day ~

Esme freezes at the feeling of a tight hold on her leg. She looks down to see it's the little angel from before. She's beautiful with golden caramel tint to her skin, large green eyes, small white dots across her cheeks. She had a little black nose with two tiny ears at the top of her head. "Oh..." She whispers, mesmerized by the fawn's beauty.

"I'm so sorry." Sera takes a step forward to separate the two, "This one is always looking for her mother, I do apol-"

"Wait." Esme interrupts her, shielding the child from her with her body. She bends down and looks deeply into the little girl's eyes, noting their vibrant green color. She looks at her hands and notices a few small scales going up her wrists. She looks back up, "No, sweetest, I'm not your mother."

The young girl raises an eyebrow, one ear flopping down in confusion as she tilts her head to the side, "Mommy..." She repeats softly.

"No, dear, but perhaps I could help you find y-"

"Esme?" A voice says from behind them. Esme's body tenses up at the voice as she looks behind her to see...

"Margo?" Esme asks breathlessly, seeing her sister walking out of the shop that the older woman was standing outside of. "Margo!" She jumps to her feet and sprints to her, nearly tackling her to the ground. "Oh my goodness..." She cries, holding her sister close to her body.

Margo chuckles softly, a few tears leaking from her eyes, "Esme....oh god, it's so good to see you." She keeps Esme in a tight embrace. 

"Sorellina...(little sister)." Esme whispers into her hair. This was what she had been missing for nearly a hundred years. The warmth of her sister in her arms, never to let go, knowing that she was alright. She was beautiful and vibrant, nothing could hurt her anymore. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry I -"

"Shhh...that doesn't matter now." Margo says calmly, her fingers running through Esme's hair.

"Mommy?" The fawn pleads from her leg.

Esme's eyes can no longer hold her tears as she looks back down.

No, it can't be....You can't be....

"She's beautiful Esme..." Margo says proudly, "So much like you in every way." she bends down and tucks a curl behind the young girls ear. "You did such a great job."

Esme's eyes stare at the beauty in front of her. She was perfect in every single way. Her hands are shaking, but she can't help by kneel down to the small angel to admire her. "Hi...." Esme says softly. "What's your name, honeybee?"

"You don't?" Margo tilts her head to the side, "Esme...what happened to you? Why don't yo-"

"I think that's quite enough." Sera says from behind them. "We must be going. Esme, if you would."

Esme glares at her, her hold on the small girl's wrists tightens, "I'm not leaving her..." She growls, her fangs shining under the heaven light, causing Sera to tense up.

"That's alright!" Emily beams, walking forward, "Genny, why don't we follow your mommy inside, hmm?" The little girl claps and takes Emily by the hand, walking away.

Esme stands up watching as Margo and the young girl walk willingly with Emily. She jumps at feeling a hand on her shoulder, spinning around to see the older woman once again next to her, "Let's go then, you have much to remember." She smiles sweetly.

She smells like cinnamon and comforting old spices.

"Who are you?" Esme asks, her voice shuddering.

"You know who I am, sugar."

"I'm afraid I don't, I do apologize. My mind can be a lit-"

"No, no.." She gets cut off by the woman reaching for her head and tapping her temple gently with her finger, "Not in there." She says, moving it to her chest and tapping on Esme's heart. "In here."

Esme freezes, her heart quickening small tears forming in her eyes.

"Mommy, come!" She hears in the distance, causing her head to snap in the voice's direction.

"Come now, Cher." The woman smiles, leading her away, "Your life awaits..." 

🖤Words: 1406🖤

~ Artemis🦌💗