“Torryn was right about how much you’d love this,” Olive agreed as I put my new picture aside and dug into the delicious chocolate cake.
“I hope they can send this back to the guys! We’ll never eat this much,” I said, my eyebrows furrowing as I looked at the decorations and things they’d put in here, wondering how the heck we’d get it cleaned up.
“Pardon me, ma’am, but we’ve been instructed that cleanup would be after you departed. I believe your gentlemen will be here to take care of it,” he said, giving me a wink. “It was our honor to serve a hero of our time.”
“Me?” I squeaked, my cheeks burning. “I’m not a hero!” It had been so long since I’d heard that phrase, I was thrown off completely.
“To us, you are,” he said seriously, waiting patiently while we gathered our stuff, then leading us to the front door.
“Thank you so much,” I said, giving him one last smile before Olive dragged us down the street. “Is the club even open?” I asked, realizing it was barely past dinnertime.
“Yup,” she promised, turning down a side street and stopping in front of a plain black building. The words Glitter and Charm sparkled over the doorway, and the sound of music drifted faintly through the closed door. With a murmured welcome incantation, the door changed from black to royal blue, then swung open. Music exploded onto the walkway as we hurried inside, my eyes wide as I took everything in.
The walls were black, and the ceiling was painted like a galaxy with the moon phases spread over the painted ceiling in a stark white. Glowing bursts of magic sparkled and spun through the room, drifting around the dancing bodies, and filling the space with a magical pulse that matched the music.
The bar was set up to look like an apothecary with mixed drinks in large spell bottles glowing on lit pedestals, the light from them giving the dark walls a soft wash of various colors. I had a flash of sadness I couldn’t try them and fully let loose, then my hands drifted to my stomach, and I thought of the perfect little witchling my body was already growing. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Olive disappeared to the bar, leaving Brynn and me to scout out a table. There weren’t many left, so as soon as a group of witches went to dance, we snagged the empty spot. A few minutes later, Olive came shimmying up with three glowing vials in her hand, giving the bright pink one to me.
“Alcohol-free for our bride to be! Hangovers don’t look cute in pictures, so no more alcohol for you!” she decreed, Brynn laughing and nodding as she took her own vibrant, blue drink.
“Cheers!” I said, uncorking mine and clinking it to theirs before we all emptied them. Strawberries and tangy sweetness burst over my tongue as I downed the fizzy drink.
“Now, blow like you’re blowing out a candle!” Olive said, demonstrating what she meant. As soon as she let out the breath, a swirling of blue stars formed for a few moments before dissipating. Brynn and I both followed suit, Brynn’s matching Olive’s, and mine with pink hearts.
“I thought these would be fun to start with,” Olive said, clapping. We were all smiling and enjoying ourselves, talking about anything and everything. Thoughts of the wedding and telling the guys our news became the furthest thing from my mind for the first time that day. It was nice to just let go.
Once we had another round, I was ready to dance, pulling both of them out with me. Being on the actual dance floor was so much more mesmerizing, the tendrils of magic energizing us as they swirled by. We danced together, the music guiding me as I swayed my hips and spun around with my two favorite girls.
Out of nowhere, a wave of nausea struck, and I froze. Olive immediately focused on me, her eyes wide with concern before rushing off to the bar again. She returned in a few moments with a glass of water and ushered me back to a table. Equally worried, Brynn followed us back to the table, hovering until I waved her off.
“No worries. It’s just been a lot of stress, I think,” I reassured her weakly, suddenly feeling drained as my stomach churned. The sweet smell of the drinks hit me as a burst of magic blew by, sending me running for the restroom. After I dry heaved a few times, I splashed my face with water and took a couple deep breaths, the feeling slowly fading until I felt mostly normal again.
“Come on, party girl. Time for us to head back. I called for a cart already,” Olive said. She and Brynn were waiting outside the bathroom door.
“I’m sorry the stress got to you,” Brynn said, looking so damn concerned, I felt a little bad for worrying her. I can’t tell her until I tell the guys.
“I’ll be okay, maybe just a good night’s sleep,” I said with a smile, pulling her in for a hug before Sebastian met her at the door. As they walked her back to their hotel room, Olive and I climbed into the waiting cart.
The ride back seemed to take forever, but the warm night air flowing through the cart felt amazing and helped me relax. Now, I felt exhausted and happy we were heading home.
“Thanks, Olive. You made today amazing,” I said, leaning my head on her shoulder and closing my eyes. Before I knew it, I was drifting off to sleep as we rattled back to the summer home.
What felt like only moments later, she was gently shaking me awake, helped me climb out, and led me inside. The smell of cookies hit me as soon as we opened the front door, and my stomach gave a loud rumble.
“Let’s find the source of that amazing smell,” Olive said, laughing as she linked her arm with mine.
“There’s my future daughter!” Lyra cheered as we walked in, her smile bright as she and Josephina rolled out some kind of dough. They were adorable in matching floral aprons.
“You look far too sober for a bachelorette after-party,” Josephina said, giving me a wink.
“I made sure she didn’t drink too much. Nobody looks good in pictures with a raging hangover,” Olive said, snatching a cookie off the growing pile and handing it to me before grabbing one of her own.
“That’s a good friend. I believe I was battling one on my wedding day,” Lyra laughed, shaking her head at the memory. “My poor mother had to give me a rejuvenating spell just to get me through the ceremony. By the reception, I was feeling normal again, at least.”
“Ours was a formal dinner. I didn’t get to have that kind of fun,” Josephina said as she lined up a row of fresh cookies to decorate.
“We’ll have to fix that with a girls’ night. The club Olive took us to was so cool!” I gushed, describing the decor and magic. I actually wanted to spend time with family, something still hard for me to wrap my head around. They were so different, but such typical mom-figures it was hard for me not to love them… especially after all we’d gone through together. It was more than that, though. Lyra was the mother hen, always feeding us and fussing over everyone. She gave the best hugs that made you feel like you were loved and perfect in her eyes… and you were. She was one hundred percent genuine in her kindness. Josephina was more of a modern mom, her love language shared through motivating talks and encouragement, but no less important. Where Lyra taught me I was worthy of a mother’s love, Josephina empowered me to be a better person, and there was something so wonderful about that.
“That sounds amazing. Next time you guys have a gathering here, we can go check it out,” Josephina said, letting out a happy sigh as she glanced around the room.