Closed Spain with an S.

[Elio Zephyr]

Spain. They'd come to Spain.

Elio had never been here before despite living not too far away growing up. He wanted to arrange a holiday though for his family, something that until recently Elio was too nervous to put a title on it. He'd had a family once before, as unconventional as it was, although one could argue that he still had part of that family given that Honey had sat next to him on the plane. They'd taken the muggle route on holiday, because as nice as it was to be able to use magic to make their lives easier, to be able to spend time just living without the additional worry of whether they were going to be spotted doing something they shouldn't be, meant they could enjoy the holiday for what it was.

And what it was? It was a chance for the girls to meet. Elio had already met Aelin, and he'd already introduced Honey to Killian. The same was true for Aelin too, however Killian's daughter and Elio's own ward hadn't properly spent any time together, even if they may have happened to meet in passing.

Once they'd reached the house they'd be calling home for the next week, overlooking a pool and the sea beyond, the sun was already heavily beating down. This would be a chance for just the four of them to get to know each other better, and to make a new set of memories.

"Those suit you," Elio smirked to Killian who was now wearing a large pair of sunglasses that Elio had bought for him and made him wear since they'd left the airport. Perhaps this was going to be the cheesiest holiday of his life, but Elio felt more normal around these people than he had in a very long time.

gm approved​

 

[Professor Killian Fox]

Killian wasn't too nervous about the travel itself, both him an Aelin were well versed in both types of travels, magical and muggle so there wasn't any additional fuss. Besides of course what you would expect with a toddler, but lucky for everyone in that plane Killian had had the sense to come prepared. Most of the flight he'd focused on entertaining Aelin while she was awake and while she was asleep, he'd either stared at Elio and Honey in sort of awe of how natural and at ease they seemed with each other.

It was a nice change of scenery and to get away from the routine, plus after the holiday it'd be nice to return back home to those very routines. So in the Professors books it really was a win-win situation. It was also a chance for their girls to properly meet, Killian liked Honey and he had no doubt Aelin would love her as well and this idea of a holiday had been quite a smart one from Elio.

Grumbling Killian turned to look at his boyfriend, having to aim his gaze downwards ever so slightly to meet his eyes, who was complimenting the ridiculous glasses he had made Killian wear. "They make me look like a douche bag and they are useless," he said quietly before taking the glasses off. Only that had been a fatal mistake because next thing he knew he was being blinded by the sun and he had to squint his eyes before putting the shades back on. "Fine... Maybe they aren't completely useless... Glad you think they suit me, would hate to disappoint you my love." Finishing his words by pressing a small kiss on Elio's head Killian turned to the girls. "Alright girls, who's hungry and what do we want to eat?" He asked with a smile, they had made a quick trip by a grocery store to get some essentials before going to the house they'd be staying at.

 

[Honey Rowan Kaster]

Honey had never been on a plane before. She’d been in the air before, since she’d been on a broom before when she’d gone flying with Luna. She’d been a little… well, she’d made her dad promise he wasn’t going to let her do it again, because sometimes Honey forgot when she didn’t like things and tried to do them again, and she still felt queasy thinking about the broom ride. Luna was good, of course, she was a Professional, but Honey liked her two feet very firmly on the ground thank you very much. She didn’t mind the plane too much, because her feet were still on the ground… er, sort of. She felt better about it because she had sat next to Elio the whole time, and it had been an interesting flight. She’d never been above the clouds before.

She was still sort of thinking about the flight over when Mr. Foxy addressed them, and Honey turned, her kneazle backpack still slung over her back because she’d been too distracted to put it down. She knew they wanted her to get along with Mr. Fox’s daughter, but Honey didn’t know what they had in common. Aelin had a dad that loved her, Honey had a dad that… well, sometimes she barely had a dad. She had Elio, but she didn’t live with him anymore. Her dad tried, but sometimes she felt like she was living with a stranger. Maybe things would change with his new job.

“Nothing with nuts,” she reminded the man, just in case he forgot. She’d lived with Elio and Rowan long enough to know Elio couldn’t have nuts.​

 

[Aelin Fox]

Aelin was so so very excited, her daddy and Mr. Lio had decided they'd be going on a holiday!!! And not only that there was going to be an older girl too, Aelin was dying to make better friends with Honey. She was determined to be friends. They had gone by a plane and that was fun, it always was because daddy always brought plenty of snacks and games and books for whatever reason. Besides he also always gave Aelin the window seat which the girl made good use of, staring at the clouds and imagining flying unicorns. She had also managed to nap every now and then but never for too long, the excitement was quite literally too much.

Once they had landed the blonde had been trying not to shot off left and right and tried to stay with her dad, Elio and Honey. The house they were at was so big and pretty and IT HAD A POOL! She'd make great use of that one surely. Aelin was carefully approaching the older girl when he dad asked them a question and Honey mentioned something about nuts. Making a face she nodded her head in agreement, she didn't like nuts they tasted too... nutty. "I want ice crem pleaseee!" The 5-year-old saw her chance and took it, technically her daddy had asked what they wanted and she wanted ice cream so why wouldn't she get some! "You have the pretiest hair!" She said turning back to Honey.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

"Not sure that's possible babe," Elio grinned as Killian tried to survive without the glasses, before quickly sliding them back onto his nose. He closed his eyes for a moment when Kill kissed him on the forehead. He liked that, small shows of affection that made the man feel as though for a moment he was the most important person to his boyfriend. Elio watched as he moved to get the girls started with some food, and the man swept across the room to scoop up the youngest under her arms and lifted her up into one of the bar stools overlooking the kitchen island.

"Right, no nuts," Elio clicked his tongue and winked at Honey, who often reminded him of Rowan in that way that she looked out for him. Honestly if it wasn't for the girls over the years, he probably would have consumed something he shouldn't have. "What do you fancy baby girl?" Elio asked the blonde, ruffling her hair as she stood in the kitchen. She seemed to be unusually off at the moment and Elio wasn't sure if he was just imagining it, or whether Honey was feeling a little overwhelmed around those she didn't know so well yet.

"Ice cream?!" Elio suddenly turned back to Aelin, who was looking at her dad with a little too much hope behind her eyes for his liking. The professor leant on the kitchen island watching Killian's daughter, a large smile on his face at her optimism, "Well only good girls get ice cream! Have you been good?" he asked Aelin, before glancing across the kitchen back to Killian. "Maybe we should make some pizzas, and have ice cream for dessert?" he suggested. Elio did feel like spending some time outside that evening, by the pool having some drinks, but they should definitely make sure the girls were feeling accounted for first.

godmod approved​

 

[Professor Killian Fox]

Killian smiled watching as Elio picked his daughter up with ease. Him being so good with her was one of the things Killian loved maybe the most. It was important to him that the person he chose to bring to his daughters life would be good to her too and Elio had just been that. Killian had once even spied him reading a bedtime story to Aelin and that had made his heart melt like never before.

The professor turned his head to the older girl who reminded him of the no nuts rule, in his opinion it was sweet of her to look after the man. "Not nuts, thank you." He smiled and nodded in agreement also thanking the girl in the process. Killian was about to tell Aelin no on her request of ice cream for dinner before Elio got there first and even suggested pizzas, which was a great idea. "That works for me, you girls can help if you want? How about we can all have our own Pizzas and put whatever toppings we want? And yes Aelin you'll get ice cream for dessert, how does that sound?" He offered giving Elio a smile. "Alright, Honey what would you like on your pizza?" The professor asked as he went to the fridge to pull out the ingredients, he took out cheese and tomato sauce, which he had no idea who had put it in the fridge but whatever, while he waited for the older girls response.


Godmod approved mwah <3

 

[Honey Rowan Kaster]

Honey blinked a bit confused when Aelin complimented her hair, absently reaching up to touch a strand. “Oh… um, thanks,” she said, a little uncertain. She smiled anyway, a little shyly, though she couldn’t specifically account for why she was shy when she’d had no problem taking charge in the daycare, maybe because she knew she was supposed to? She didn’t really know what the play here was, but she was trying to figure out the overall dynamic between everyone. She knew she was probably overthinking it, but she couldn’t help it, she loved Elio and she really wanted Mr. Foxy and Aelin to like her, so she was trying not to overstep and what if they didn’t like her clingy personality? Or the way she liked to jump on all the beds to make sure they were sturdy after that one time she broke hers? Or how she always took two sips of Elio’s drink before he drank it when he wasn’t looking so she knew whether or not she liked it before she asked for the same?

Aelin’s hair was cute too, blonde and bouncy - she wished she had hair like that, like the kind she imagined the little faeries had in the books. It wasn’t until the talk mentioned pizza that her eyes lit up a little. Merlin she missed pizza, when she’d been living with Rowan and Elio she didn’t get to have it often because Rowan always got vegan and frankly vegan cheese was just gross (a little part of me has died inside writing that) and she didn’t like it. Who wanted supreme with vegan cheese? She couldn’t even have meat because she usually shared with Rowan. Her stomach gave a little grumble and she dropped her hands to it with a bit of a laugh before looking up at Mr. Foxy, “Cheese and tomato’s please! Also… uhm… what are those little mincey things called Ellie? The little brown things that go on the meat pizza?”​

 

[Aelin Fox]

Aelin smiled broadly at the older girl as she thanked her. When Mr. Lio snatched her up she let out a small giggle before settling down and swinging her feet in the air. A frown appeared on her face when Lio insinuated that she was not a good girl. "But I am good, well I help clean up whenever I make a mess so I think I deserve ice cream for dinner! I was even good in the metal chicken!" She defended herself, calling the plane a metal chicken without any clue that chickens did not in fact fly. She turned to her father and narrowed her eyes, maybe pizza would do but only if she got ice cream after. "Okay." The 5-year-old said leaning her head on her hands that rested on the table. She didn't even bother to say anything about her pizza because she didn't know what all it was that her daddy put on it but she just knew he put the good stuff on.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

In truth, the way that Killian was with children just made him fall in love even harder. It seemed to come so naturally to him, and maybe if Elio hadn't fully realized it in the past, but having a family he could call his own was all he'd ever really wanted. He grinned at Honey as the noises of her impatient stomach gave her away, "Little brown things?" Elio jokingly shook his head at her lack of knowledge regarding Pepperoni. He was fully aware that she hadn't exactly grown up around it, and had only had it on a few occasions when it had just been the two of them in recent years, but still not knowing the name of one of the best pizza toppings was a crime. "Pepperoni. The spicy salami if you will," he grinned, looking back up to Killian.

Elio whipped round to Aelin once more, eyebrows raised upon hearing her talk about a metal chicken. "A.. what?" he asked, glancing to the others in the room, confusion written across his face. "Are you quite sure you clean up whenever you make a mess?" he asked somewhat teasingly, although he had no intention of denying her ice cream later.​

---

A short while later. Aka it's now later in the evening, thy sun hath set. It's outside, smol outside lights making the garden hugely cosy and pretty.

Elio's head broke the surface of the water as he rose out the pool in the garden of their home for the week. His hair slicked back from the water, the former Gryffindor was quick to head in Honey's direction before shaking it out like a wet dog. He loved to swim, but honestly he couldn't remember the last time he had. It was very likely to have been when Ava had pulled him into the lake, although if he were honest it was his own fault. He'd thrown her in and the only reason he'd gotten wet himself was because Ava had refused to let go of his neck.

The man pulled himself out of the water, to sit on the edge of the pool and look around at the company he was currently keeping. The lights were low enough right now that it was incredibly easy to get away with staring at Killian without being noticed. Even without sunglasses on he was risking his luck with the amount of observing he was doing that evening. ​

 

[Professor Killian Fox]

As Honey said what she'd like on her pizza Killian gave a small nod until she said something about little brown things, he assumed it'd be pepperoni or something but still gave his boyfriend a questioning look. Soon enough the man confirmed what he'd already suspected, his brows shot up as he shook his head. "Pepperoni it is," he got out before a strangled laugh made it out his mouth at Aelin's next comment. It took him a second to fully connect the dots and as he had everything they needed for the pizzas on the table he shook his head. "Love it's called a plane and chickens do not fly." The professor smiled before giving a little tap on the little one's nose.

---

Dinner had went well, Killian had made the pizzas for himself and Aelin, knowing if his daughter was let anywhere near that tomato sauce it would be everywhere except the pizza. They had now settled down by the pool, Aelin swimming with her little floaties on and Elio and Honey doing their thing. Killian stayed on the side, not being one to really like swimming since his teens. So he stuck to observing and by the feel of the pair of eyes on him way too many times in the evening so far someone else was being quite observant too. He stole small glances at his partner every chance he could as well, but mostly with Aelin in the pool Killian's full focus was on his daughter. The atmosphere was quite nice and calm though and perhaps for the first time in a long time the former Pukwudgie felt content and like he was forming his own family and he knew that this was the family he wanted. He wanted Elio and possibly Honey too to be a permanent part of his life and his family.

 

[Honey Rowan Kaster]

The sun was dipped pretty low as they splashed about in the pool and Honey was glad that she was here. She hadn’t been entirely sure at first, it could be hard to know how things were gonna go when they were all together like a little family and honestly she’d been hesitant to let Mr. Foxy in. Her dad had let her down enough times, Rowan had let her down enough times that she was weary of new people, but Ellie liked him, so, that had made her want to try. She liked how he was with Aelin - she liked Aelin a lot actually - and she could appreciate, even in her young age, that he wanted what was best for her - and he seemed to think that was her Ellie.

She could understand a little bit, she thought, because Ellie was fun and she loved him a lot, she felt like maybe Ellie just got her like no one else ever did, even her dad. She loved her dad of course, but Ellie had raised her from a baby, with Aunt Rowan, it was hard not to think about that when she thought about everything else. The big things she had been worried about was whether Ellie would let her go like Rowan had, especially when Mr. Foxy got there, and then she thought maybe he would replace her with Aelin when she’d learned about her. But that didn’t seem to be the case because he always made time for her. She didn’t know what she was so anxious about honestly.

A surge of confidence shot through her, and she tried to get Aelin’s attention as Ellie left her side (not before shaking his sticky wet hair at her) and she dropped herself into the water from where she’d been curled up on one of the floating bed things to head towards Aelin. “Hey, do you want to play a game with me? It’s called mermaids,” she wanted to get to know Aelin, and she hoped she would get the opportunity to do so with Mr. Foxy there too.​

 

[Aelin Fox]

Aelin loved the water honestly, her dad not so much he was always very strict about her wearing floats and being careful not to go too deep. So there she was floating around just enjoying the feel of the perfect temperature of the water and the slight waves as people moved around. She saw Honey coming her way and her eyes sparked with joy as the older girl gave her attention. She really liked Honey and wanted to impress her so bad. Blinking a few times Aelin thought about the question. "You want to play with me?" She asked, voice full of hope. "Mermaids? i thought they had tails and and they lived under water? How do we play fish-people? DO YOU HAVE A TAIL?" The blonde was very intrigued on how to transform into a fish, barely paying attention to the adults on the side. She'd play whatever Honey wanted honestly.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

"I think they're getting on swimmingly," Elio mused over his shoulder, half a grin across his face as he looked back to Killian. He always hoped Honey and Aelin would get on well, but it was still different to see it playing out in front of them as his eldest made a move to engage the younger girl in some games. He thought Aelin would appreciate her reaching out, and hearing her giggle about a tail he certainly thought she was enjoying herself. Elio considered his life turning out in so many different ways, but it had never resulted in this. Whatever Elio could ever have dreamt for himself, the reality of his life now was far outweighing anything in his imagination.

The former Gryffindor was lightly kicking his legs in the cool water, leaning back on his arms. Despite the lack of the sun the air was still warm against his wet skin. He didn't want to interrupt the girls, and he knew Killian was too nervous of the water to come any closer. Perhaps it hadn't been wise to get a house with a pool knowing Killian's fear, although in truth he hadn't realised how bad it was. He lifted his legs out the pool before trudging his way across the patio, "Are you, quite sure you won't join us?" Elio said quietly to his partner, leaning down to kiss him once he was close enough. "I promise we'll look after you," another smile on his face. In truth he knew if someone had said the same thing to him while standing at the top of a building it wouldn't have helped, but Elio had to ask.​

 

[Professor Killian Fox]

Killian kept his eyes on the girls as he sat on his seat. Seeing Honey approach his daughter flooded his chest with warmth, he'd hoped they'd get along but seeing her include Aelin who had never before Eden truly had many friends made the man quite happy. Giving a soft chuckle at Elio's lame joke he nodded, they indeed seemed to get along and he couldn't be more proud of both the girls. He may not have known Honey too well, may not have been in her life for long but he had began to care for the older girl a little and he felt proud of the way she was handling things. It hadn't been a question whether or not Honey would be part of their family for Killian, he knew her importance to Elio and thus he considered the girl important to both of their lives.

Looking up at his boyfriend Killian gave a small smile and a shake of his head. "No thank you love, though it is not me I am anxious for it's her safety I worry about constantly." He said quietly nodding towards his daughter. He could swim fine himself probably but just the thought of what might happen if he focused on anything else but watching his daughter was what got to him. It was better to be on the side keeping an eye constantly on the girl just in case. The offer of Elio looking after him though warmed his heart, he'd always been the protector never had anyone offered to look after him. With his sister he'd been the older brother, always there to protect her. With his previous partners and friendships he'd always assumed the role of the protector and obviously with Aelin it was his job to protect her from anything and everything. It was strange that someone would want to look after him and that was what made his eyes soften and solidified his decision. Patting the pocket of his shorts Killian sat up a little more straight. "Actually speaking of looking after each other, there was a question I wanted to ask you." He spoke still looking into his blue eyes as he slid out the small box. "I was planning on doing it at some point where I could do the whole down on one knee thing you know but this moment just feels right so, Elio Zephyr will you marry me?" Killian started off with a joking tone but soon the joke faded as he asked a question he was dead serious about. It wasn't a question he had to be asked twice, the professor knew that if he were ever to marry anyone it'd be Elio. Whether this relationship had been expected or not it was one that Killian wanted to have preferably for the rest of his life thank you very much. To solidify the question he opened the small box revealing a black ring, one that his partner had mentioned before that he'd like.

 

[Zennon Baros]

Zennon is not here, he is at home with his snakes.

 

[Honey Rowan Kaster]

Honey was so glad that Aelin was eager to play with her, and she flicked a little bit of water in her direction, though made sure not to splash her in the face. “Of course I want to play with you!” she said, surprised it was even a question. She let her arms float across the surface of the water like it was jelly and grinned at Aelin, “And no tail just yet, but I think I read somewhere that mermaid-ness is totally contagious if you laugh enough. So you’d better be careful,” she told her and gave her a playful wink in case she thought she could laugh herself into a tail. Honestly that would kind of actually be really, really cool, she was going to have to ask Ellie and Mr. Foxy if they could just turn into half fish people at this point. “We could play that we’re sisters from different coral kingdoms who have to team up to stop a jellyfish invasion. Or maybe you’re a princess and I’m your bodyguard fish-lady. Your call, Your Majesty.” Honey gave her a dramatic bow in the water, giggling.

She glanced over to Ellie and Mr. Foxy, about to ask -at least Elio - if they wanted to join, but as she turned to head toward them, something caught her attention and told her to stop. She was good at reading people, she’d had to be, and so she analysed them. She’d never seen anyone get engaged before, but she’d watched movies, she’d read books, and so when she saw the soft glint of the ring in the firelight her eyes went wide, her hands shot up to cover her mouth and she splashed water everywhere in the process. “OH MY GOSH!” she squealed, startling a few nearby seagulls and maybe a fish or two. “Aelin!! Our dads are getting married!” she whispered to the girl quietly, because she definitely thought of Elio as her dad sometimes, quietly, where no one could hear her

“That’s… that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and I saw a duck eat spaghetti once.” She quickly rushed over to the side of the pool, gesturing to Aelin to come with her as she got out of the pool with haste, dripping and barefoot, “HE SAYS YES! RIGHT ELLIE?!”​

 

[Aelin Fox]

Aelin's smile widened as Honey confirmed she wanted to play with her. She hadn't had a friend close to her age before Eden and now she had another one! The five-year-old giggled at the older girl's comment and then tried to stifle her laughter not to laugh too much, maybe what she said was true and she'd become part fish. Would she still be able to see her dad? As Honey presented her with options she made her mind up quickly, it was an easy one. "I want to be sisters!" She exclaimed with excitement. Being a princess would be fun but she had always secretly wanted a sibling and even playing one to Honey would fulfill some of that dream.

As Honey's attention faltered Aelin too turned to look at her daddy and Mr. Lio, her daddy was pulling something out looking very happy but serious. Then Honey told squealed and Aelin got a splash of water on her face which made her giggle. "Oh? OH THAT MAKES US REAL SISTERS!" Aelin had heard of marriage before it was something that connected families and because Honey was Mr. Lio's family that would make her hers. Did that make Lio also her dad? She'd share her daddy with Honey, would Honey share hers with Aelin. The blonde was left behind to paddle her way to the shallow bit to get out the pool as the older girl rushed over. As soon as she was out Aelin made sure not to slip on the way as she rushed over to see what Elio would say, she hoped he would marry her daddy. He made her dad so happy and he made Aelin happy too.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

The way that Killian would let Aelin do what she wanted, even if it was something that scared him, just showed to Elio that he cared a great deal about his daughter, that he wouldn't let his own fears dictate Aelin's life. "If it helps, Honey is an excellent swimmer," he noted, glancing across toward the pool as she was laughing with Aelin about what it was they were going to play. It was good that Aelin would have someone her own age looking out for her, and Honey was taking on the role of big sister incredibly well too.

Elio's face softened as Killian sat up a little straighter, and suddenly he realised things in the conversation had taken a different turn. The way in which Killian wanted to ask him a question, before rummaging through his pockets for something had Elio's heart immediately hammering in his chest. He knew what was coming before it was even happening. Elio was still stood next to Killian when he proposed, and for the first time in his life the former Gryffindor was caught speechless. "Wait.." it was the sound of Honey's voice, shouting that he said yes, that broke his attention. He hadn't realised there were tears brewing in his eyes, a glassy sheen now over his blue orbs. "Wait here," he told Killian, not that he assumed the man would be go anywhere, but with a small squeeze to his shoulder Elio moved to jog back inside the house.

This wasn't how things were planned, but then again if Elio had learned anything then it was that life had a funny way of making things happen in both the ways you least expected, and for an outcome better than the one you'd ever pictured for yourself.

Elio had been gone for less than a minute, but hoped by the time he returned he hadn't made things too awkward for his family. He swiped at his eyes as he reapproached Killian, before swiftly crouching down onto one knee in front of him. "Killian Asher Fox," he said, revealing a small box of his own that he'd brought with him on the trip, because as it happened Killian wasn't the only one who had had such a plan up his sleeve. Elio hadn't realized how breathless he'd become, until he was knelt there and opening the box with slightly shaking fingers, before another wide smile appeared on his face as he looked into the eyes of his boyfriend, "I will if you will."​

 

[Professor Killian Fox]

As Elio mentioned that Honey was an excellent swimmer Killian couldn't help but glance at the girls who were giggling and what not, he smiled at the sight. It did make him feel slightly better too, but he'd still keep an eye out because it was not Honey's responsibility and he'd never make a child responsible for another. As adults they were there to protect the kids and he'd do that to both the girls to the best of his ability too, but he didn't doubt by the looks of it that Honey would be there to look after the younger one.

Killian waited for an answer as he had asked the question and he heard Honey squeal something and it was a knee-jerk reaction to look their way only to see little Aelin paddling her way towards the edge to get out and the older girl rushing over. Killian gave a smile to Honey, "Yeah you think so?" He asked her ruffling gently her hair before turning back to Elio who still stood there with a sheen over his eyes. then he said wait and left Killian entirely too confused. After a blink he turned back to the girls with Aelin now there too. "Do you... You think he left?" He questioned Elio's oldest. A myriad of thoughts rummaged through his busy brain as the professor took in what had happened, his boyfriend had ran off to avoid rejecting the proposal and the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with apparently didn't want the same. Suddenly going for a swim didn't feel like too bad of an idea. It really hadn't been more than a minute when Elio reappeared and Killian let out a breath of relief.

He raised both brows in surprise as his boyfriend too was now seemingly proposing. A laugh crawled its way up his throat and he shook his head slightly. "Seems like we had the same idea then?" He said with a wide grin and then looked at both the girls, taking in the moment and wondering how he got so lucky. In the span of a year he had started a new job he actually loved, found his person and gained another daughter. "Well then I suppose we will be getting married because there is no way I'd ever say no to you my love." He finally said, though the answer was clear enough because both of them had rings out and asked the question already. Taking the former Gryffindor's left hand he slid the finger onto the ring finger easily and it looked as if it had always belonged to his now fiancé.

 

[Honey Rowan Kaster]

Honey had barely managed to make it half way across the patio before she skidded to a dramatic holt, arms skyward to balance herself. “Wait here” had her bouncing on the balls of her feet like a cork in the sea, she was barely able to contain herself. She didn’t think she’d seen him so happy before and she was only looking at his back. She hurried over to help Aelin out of the pool, annoyed with herself she’d momentarily forgotten her small new friend and helped her out. “Did you see that?” she asked the girl, grabbing her small hand in both of her own. “Come on!” she called to her, pulling her over to her father, Killian. Elio reappeared then, and this time it was apparently his turn. Honey let out an actual gasp and it definitely rivalled those ones in the soap operas she’d heard about. “HE HAS A RING TOO!” she yelled, covering her mouth with her hands.

Merlin this was so much better than playing mermaids, and she loved playing mermaids. When Mr. Foxy said yes, Honey looked down at Aelin with her whole face glowing. “That means we’re really sisters now. Like, actually. Legally. Spiritually. Magically, probably.” She nodded, as if confirming it to herself. “We’re gonna have sleepovers and family dinners and make matching bracelets and - Aelin, you have to help me plan the wedding.” She squeezed the little girl’s hand again. “This is the best day ever.”

She looked over her shoulder at Elio, “can I have glitter on my dress? And my hair?”​

 

[Aelin Fox]

Aelin stared at both the men in confusion and at Honey, who seemed to have an idea of what was going on unlike herself. She saw a black ring, she saw Mr. Lio have tears, she saw him walk away and her daddy looking so happy but also confused. What happened? Did Mr. Lio leave like her mommy had apparently? Did Elio not want to be in their family? The 5-year-old said nothing as she stared around her confused out of her little head, but then Elio was back. He too had a ring and was now crouched on one knee, that was nice Aelin was getting tired. Still keeping hold of Honey's hand she walked over to Elio and sat on the knee that was up, her confusion only growing. "Does that make you my mommy then Lio?" She whispered the question, but no Eden had two mommies so that would make Elio her other dad, she wouldn't need a mommy at all. Honey's words made her smile too, she'd have a REAL sister. Her brows furrowed slightly though, how was she going to plan a wedding? "Sleepovers!? Ooh can we please!!! But how do you plan a wedding?" The blonde asked her little voice full of confusion, she had never planned a wedding. Looking at Elio, whose knee she was still sat on she smiled, "You are marrying my dad even though it means having to be around me?" She had noticed how so many had mommy and daddy around, because that was how babies were created but something had made her mommy leave after she was born, even in her young age the girl had often thought maybe it had been her to separate them, though daddy said it was her job.