Chapter Twenty-Five.

The drive back to Harlow's house was quiet, but in the best way. The kind of comfortable silence that only comes when you're completely at ease with someone. Sage focused on the road, one hand on the wheel, while Harlow lazily traced circles on Sage's thigh, her head resting against the car window. The grocery bags rustled in the backseat, filled with essentials and a few impulsive snacks Sage had tossed in while Harlow wasn't looking.

When they finally pulled into the driveway, the warm glow of the porch light welcomed them home. As they stepped inside, the sound of laughter rang through the house. Harlow furrowed her brows, exchanging a glance with Sage before kicking off her shoes.

"Who is she talking to?" Harlow muttered under her breath.

Theresa sat at the kitchen table, her phone tucked between her shoulder and ear, giggling at something the person on the other end had said. "Oh, stop," she drawled, a little too playfully. "You're ridiculous."

Harlow made a face and crossed her arms. "Mom?"

Theresa turned toward them, her eyes widening slightly as if she'd forgotten they were coming home. "I'll call you back later," she said into the phone, her voice light and teasing. "My daughter's giving me the third degree."

She hung up and set her phone on the table. Harlow raised an eyebrow. "Who was that?"

Theresa leaned back in her chair, smirking. "His name's David."

Sage glanced at Harlow, immediately noticing the way her jaw clenched. "And?"

"And… I've been seeing him," Theresa admitted, watching Harlow carefully. "He's nice. Makes me laugh. It's not that serious, though."

Harlow narrowed her eyes but didn't immediately respond. Sage could tell she was holding back, trying not to let her emotions get the best of her.

"Look," Theresa sighed, standing up, "I know it's weird. I know you miss your dad—I miss him too. But… I think he'd want me to be happy."

Harlow exhaled through her nose, some of the tension in her shoulders easing. "If he breaks your heart, Sage and I are gonna beat his ass."

Sage nodded in agreement. "No hesitation."

Theresa laughed, shaking her head. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, are you two just gonna stand there, or are you gonna help put away these groceries?"

Sage grabbed a bag, grinning. "Yes, ma'am."

They all worked together to put everything away, falling into an easy rhythm. Harlow still looked a little unsure, but as she caught her mom humming to herself, she softened. Maybe Theresa did deserve this.

Once everything was put away, Harlow and Sage retreated back to their room, shutting the door behind them. The second they were alone, Harlow turned to Sage, looping her arms around her waist. "So…" she mused, her voice dropping to something softer, more teasing, "you and my mom are on the same page now, huh?"

Sage chuckled, slipping her hands under Harlow's shirt, fingertips tracing lightly over her skin. "Guess so."

Harlow grinned and leaned in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to Sage's lips. The kind that made Sage's head spin, made her want to get lost in this moment forever. Things escalated quickly, hands roaming, breaths hitching, bodies pressing closer until Sage pulled back just enough to whisper in Harlow's ear, "If I could, I'd get you pregnant right now."

Harlow gasped, her grip tightening on Sage's shirt.

Sage pulled back slightly, her golden eyes dark with intent. "I know you heard what I said earlier about us in the future."

Harlow swallowed hard, her face burning, but she didn't shy away. She leaned into Sage, her lips ghosting over her jaw as she whispered back, "Yeah. And I liked it."

Sage smirked, pleased. "Good."

The night blurred into warmth and whispered confessions, until exhaustion finally took over and they fell asleep tangled together.

The smell of food woke them up. Sage stretched, groaning, while Harlow blinked blearily at the door. "Mom's cooking," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Sage smirked. "Guess we should make sure she doesn't burn the house down."

Harlow rolled her eyes, swatting at her. They got up and made their way to the kitchen, where Theresa was stirring something on the stove.

"Morning, lovebirds," she teased, throwing them a knowing glance.

Harlow groaned. "Mom."

Sage snickered but didn't push it. They sat down, waiting for the food to be done. After a moment, Harlow nudged Sage's knee with hers. "So," she murmured, "what exactly are you going to the demonic temple for?"

Sage hesitated, twirling a loose thread on her sleeve. "It's a surprise," she said finally.

Harlow frowned. "You know I hate surprises."

Sage tapped a finger against her chin, feigning deep thought. "That's true. But I think you'll make an exception for this one."

Harlow narrowed her eyes. "You're being awfully cryptic. Are you summoning some ancient demon? Making a deal?"

Sage snorted. "I don't need to summon anything. I am the ancient demon."

Harlow rolled her eyes but smiled. "Okay, fine. Give me something."

Sage leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if I told you that the thing we were talking about earlier… y'know, if I could, I'd get you pregnant right now—" she smirked as Harlow's face instantly flushed "—what if I told you I can make that happen?"

Harlow nearly choked on her own breath. "What?" she whispered, eyes wide.

Sage's smirk deepened. "There's a ritual. It's old magic. But it's possible."

Harlow stared at her, her mind racing. "You're serious?"

Sage nodded. "I wouldn't have brought it up otherwise."

Harlow's face was on fire. Her heart pounded in her chest. The idea of a future with Sage—one they built together, where this was a reality—sent a rush of emotions through her.

She swallowed hard, trying to compose herself. "How… how does it work?"

Sage just smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief. "You'll see."

Harlow groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You're evil."

Sage laughed, nudging her playfully. "Duh."

Theresa turned around, looking at them suspiciously. "What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing," they said in unison.

Theresa shook her head, muttering something about "young love" before turning back to the stove.

Sage leaned in closer, her lips brushing against Harlow's ear. "We'll talk more later," she promised.

Harlow swallowed hard, trying to calm the rush of anticipation flooding through her. She wasn't sure how to process everything Sage had just told her. The idea that what they had talked about in the heat of the moment—what had seemed like a far-off fantasy—could actually happen was overwhelming in the best way.

She turned to look at Sage, searching her face for any sign that she was joking, but all she found was certainty. Confidence. That playful spark in her golden eyes, like she knew exactly what she was doing to Harlow.

Harlow bit her lip, her heart hammering. "We better," she murmured back.

Sage smirked, pleased with her reaction, and gave her thigh a quick squeeze under the table before leaning back in her chair like nothing had happened.

Theresa turned around with two plates in her hands, setting them in front of the girls before grabbing her own. "Alright, dig in before it gets cold."

The smell of her mom's famous breakfast-for-dinner casserole filled the air, and for a few minutes, conversation was light. Sage and Harlow stole glances at each other between bites, their private conversation lingering in the space between them.

But as the meal wound down, the weight of everything crept back in. Sage's upcoming visit to the demonic temple. Whatever she was planning. The possibility of what she could give Harlow.

Harlow pushed her food around on her plate, her mind spinning.

Sage, sensing her shift in mood, nudged her foot under the table. When Harlow looked up, Sage just gave her a small, knowing smile, like she was telling her without words—I've got you.

And Harlow believed her.

After dinner, the two of them lingered at the table while Theresa cleaned up, chatting about small things—movies they wanted to watch, what they should do with their next day off. But beneath it all, there was something unspoken, something electric in the air between them.

And as they finally stood to head back to their room, Sage shot Harlow one last smirk. "Get some rest, angel. You've got a lot to think about."

Harlow rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the flush that crept up her neck.

As they walked down the hall, hand in hand, Harlow tightened her grip just slightly. Sage squeezed back.

Whatever was coming next, they were in it together.