chapter 13

Vanessa's POV

The soft rustling of pages filled the quiet room as I finished reading the chapter. I let out a small sigh and closed the book, placing it gently on the wooden table beside me. My gaze shifted to the little figure comfortably settled in my lap.

"So, how was this chapter, Abel?" I asked, a small smile playing on my lips.

Abel's eyes lit up with excitement as he clapped his tiny hands together. "I loved it!" he beamed.

I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement. "Well, looks like we have another Potterhead in the family."

"You sure do," came my mom's voice from behind. I turned to see her standing with Aunt Eva, both watching us with fond smiles.

"Aunt Alisa!" Abel scrambled off my lap and ran toward my mom, his little arms wrapping around her legs in an affectionate hug.

Mom ruffled his soft honey-blonde hair, making him giggle. "Did you enjoy reading with Vanessa?" she asked.

Abel nodded eagerly. "Yep, she even made faces and funny voices!" He giggled before pausing, his brows furrowing in curiosity. "But... what's a Potterhead?"

I stifled a laugh at his innocent confusion. "Well, Potterheads are people who love Harry Potter and his adventures," I explained, watching as Abel's mouth formed a small 'O' in realization.

"Then I'm a Potterhair too!" he squeaked, raising his arms in triumph.

Aunt Eva laughed. "A Potterhair, huh?"

Abel turned to me with wide, hopeful eyes. "Ness, are you a Potterhair too?"

"Of course, I am!" I nodded with a grin.

"Then I'm also a Potterhair, just like Ness!" he declared, his voice filled with so much excitement that I nearly melted on the spot.

I ruffled his hair, giggling. "Alright, for now, you're a Potterhair."

"Abel, why don't you help me set up the dining table?" Aunt Eva offered, reaching out her hand.

Abel immediately latched onto her fingers and started walking toward the dining room. "Okay, Mommy!"

As they disappeared into the next room, Mom sat beside me, her presence warm and familiar.

"You enjoying it here?" she asked gently.

I let out a small chuckle. "Thanks to Abel, I can say I am."

Mom exhaled softly, a trace of relief in her expression. "I was worried you wouldn't like it here. That's why I didn't tell you before we left home."

"Tbh, when I first realized where we were, I was this close to running away." I held up my fingers for emphasis, making Mom laugh.

"Well, looks like you met Aunt Eva and Abel before," she said, amusement still in her voice.

I nodded. "Yeah, a few times."

"But you never asked me to bring you here. Why?"

I hesitated for a moment before sighing. "I thought Aunt Eva wouldn't want to see me either, just like Grandma. I didn't want to force myself on her if she didn't want me around."

Mom smiled, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Eva loves you, Vanessa. She always wanted to spend time with you, but she had the same fear—that you didn't want to see her."

I let that sink in for a moment. "Ugh," I groaned, leaning back against the couch.

Mom laughed softly. "I had to practically drag her to our house to convince her."

"Well, you really did," came Aunt Eva's voice from the doorway. She stood there with a warm smile, arms crossed over her chest.

"Aunt Eva!" I got up and rushed to hug her. She wrapped her arms around me tightly, one hand resting protectively on the back of my head.

"Aunt Eva, let's hang out sometime! Just you, me, and Abel. I want to spend time with you," I said, looking up at her hopefully.

Her hands cupped my cheeks, her eyes glistening. "I would love that, Nessa."

Later at Dinner

"Oh God, and then your dad—" Aunt Eva was laughing so hard she could barely get the words out. "Your dad was crying!"

"M-Mom!" I gasped between fits of laughter, nearly choking on my drink. "You seriously did that?"

Mom groaned, covering her face with one hand. "Eva, please," she whined, playing with her food in an attempt to distract herself.

But Aunt Eva was on a roll. "Your father tried so hard to calm her down, but she just kept yelling, 'I love you! YOU ARE MY MAN NOW!' while doing the hand dance!"

I lost it.

"OH MY GOD—WHAT?!" I nearly fell off my chair laughing.

Aunt Eva wiped a tear from her eye. "And after struggling to make her stop, he just gave up and joined her!"

Mom groaned louder, her face burning red. "Eva, of all the stories, you had to tell this one?!"

"Oh, come on, Alisa, it's hilarious!" Aunt Eva said, pouring herself a bit more wine.

"Mom, you have to show me the hand dance," I teased.

"First, we have to get her drunk," Aunt Eva joked, winking at me. "Here, have some more wine, Alisa."

Mom shook her head, pushing her glass away. "Nope. I have to drive back home."

"Stay the night!" Aunt Eva insisted. "Let's have fun, and besides, Vanessa still has many stories to hear."

I perked up at that. "Oh, hell yeah! I need more embarrassing Mom stories."

"Absolutely not," Mom muttered.

"Please?" Aunt Eva pouted, giving her best puppy eyes.

Mom scoffed. "That doesn't work on me, Eva."

"It's working," Eva deadpanned, widening her eyes dramatically until it was more creepy than cute.

"Now you just look scary," I snorted.

We all burst into laughter, the warmth of the moment filling the room.

Vanessa's POV – A Sudden Thought

As the laughter faded and the dinner conversation turned to softer topics, a thought crept into my mind. A place. That place.

I glanced at the clock. If I left now, I'd have enough time to go.

"Well, ladies," I announced, stretching, "my stomach is full. Thank you for the amazing lunch, my cool aunt."

"Always, sweetheart," Eva said with a grin.

I hesitated for a moment before turning to Mom. "Uh, Mom… can I step outside for a bit? Just to look around?"

Mom raised a brow. "Why do you suddenly want to go out?"

I scrambled for an excuse. "I just… want to see something."

Mom's suspicion grew. "See what exactly?"

I bit my lip, trying to come up with a quick response, but thankfully, Aunt Eva jumped in. "Oh, let her go, Alisa! She probably wants to refresh old memories, just like us."

I nodded quickly. "Yeah! Exactly!"

Mom sighed, watching me for a long moment before finally relenting. "Fine, but don't go too far."

"Got it!" I grabbed my jacket and hurried to the door before she could change her mind.

I needed to go there.

Before I left this place, I had to see it one last time.

...

HELOOOOOO there here comes another chapter of 18 to 80

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