Chapter Text
Even with as much time as they had spent in the safe house, Enid was still glad to see it when they returned at daybreak. Pugsley parked the hearse and they all stumbled out sans Uncle Fester who was still at the compound.
“I'm going to get our tickets for the plane home,” Pugsley said and then yawned, “Wake me later if you guys get food.”
Pausing for a moment, he tugged Wednesday into a quick hug.
“Hands off, Pugsley,” Wednesday grumbled although she accepted it anyway. Pugsley laughed and then retreated to his room.
The rest of them stumbled into the kitchen and Bianca went to the liquor cabinet immediately. Yoko set out several glasses on the kitchen island and drinks were poured. For a while, they simply stood sipping on their whiskey in silence. After all the noise from this evening and morning, Enid was glad for it. Her head was hurting a bit.
“That's permanent now?” Bianca asked, surveying her over the rim of her glass.
Enid blinked and made to touch her face before realizing Bianca was talking about her eyes.
“I think so? Time will tell, I guess?” she said. Her voice was a little hoarse. And truthfully, it felt odd standing on two feet when she had spent so much time as a werewolf on all four paws.
“How was your end of things?” Wednesday asked in Bianca and Divina's direction, “Neither of you look injured.”
“It was a piece of cake,” Bianca said.
“It went smoother than expected,” Divina added, “They weren't expecting Sirens, that's for sure. Think only one escaped?”
“Barnaby,” Wednesday said, “He came to warn everyone before the bombs went off.”
Enid drained her glass. Thinking of her brother made her stomach twist and she leaned against Wednesday for comfort. An arm snaked around her waist and stroked her side soothingly. She zoned out as the girls all traded stories and caught each other up on details. She'd ask Wednesday for those later.
When the bottle was empty and everyone felt fuzzy and warm, they all looked at each other quietly.
“So, what happens now?” Yoko asked.
“Now, I'd like a shower,” Wednesday said, making everyone chuckle and nod in agreement.
“Definitely some rest,” Divina sighed, standing.
Chairs scraped noisily against the floor and they all separated for their own rooms.
“Come, querida,” Wednesday said quietly, taking her by the hand. She let her mate lead her to their suite. Quietly, they locked the door, drew the curtains on all the windows, and then stripped down in the bathroom.
“We owe Yoko and Fester new coats,” Enid said as she shrugged Fester's off of herself. Wednesday nodded, letting Yoko's hit the ground and kicking it away.
Wednesday started the water and they stepped into the tub. The warm water felt incredible on Enid's skin. They scrubbed blood and grime out of their hair and off of their skin. Only when that was done did Enid lock gazes with Wednesday.
“Want to soak for a bit?”
Wednesday considered it and then nodded.
The tub was soon filled with warm water. Enid lamented that there was no bubble solution but she supposed Wednesday would veto that anyway given her distaste for the sweet scents Enid typically used for such a thing.
Enid leaned back against the tub and drew the seer to rest against her, back to chest, in between her legs. Sitting like this, she was reminded of how minuscule Wednesday really was.
(And yet she had sliced her brothers open like a Christmas roast. It had barely taken her any effort.)
“Let me look at you, baby,” Enid said, drawing her mate close. She pressed a sweet kiss to her raven's shoulder and then ran fingers all over tan skin.
There were some light scars that were healing but her mate had successfully avoided being branded by any silver and Enid felt relief course through her at that. There was one other thing she was curious about.
“Can you open your mouth, baby?” Enid asked sweetly and Wednesday complied. Enid ran her fingers carefully over small, sharp canines.
(Canines that could bite into flesh so easily. Just like she had done. Tongue that could taste blood and iron with so much more nuance now. Had it even registered it was her father until she was done with him?)
“What do you think?” Wednesday asked, jerking her head back slightly.
“They're definitely coming in. Slower though. Might be an Omega.”
Wednesday nearly grumbled at that and then asked, “Do I have the scent of one?”
Enid giggled and wrapped her arms around Wednesday, clutching her close and burying her face in her mate's shoulder and neck, “Yeah. You smell delicious!”
“Off, mutt.”
“Well, you're one too, now!”
“Semantics.”
Enid snorted and pressed a plethora of kisses to her mate's skin before her raven squirmed, overstimulated.
“Your turn,” Wednesday said.
“You've seen my fang-,” Enid began, confused.
“No. Other things.”
Oh.
“Before you ask, I promise I feel fine,” Enid joked as Wednesday got to work. Sure enough, she heard the seer tut at the newer scars and blemishes on her skin but each one had a kiss pressed to it and that was that.
Enid leaned back again. Wednesday settled against her. Their hands entwined.
“And you feel...okay with everything that happened?” Wednesday asked slowly.
“You mean with my family being dead?”
(Their bodies had been so still. Enid had never seen her family so still before.)
“Your blood relatives. Your family is waiting for you on the east coast.”
“So sweet,” Enid said, pressing another kiss to dark hair.
Wednesday twisted to look at her, dark eyes searching.
"Enid?”
“I'm okay. I'm really tired. And it feels weird. I don't know,” she sighed knowing she was rambling, “I imagined it so many times in so many ways. I can't decide if I'm happy yet.”
(She had laughed. She had giggled so hard when the bodies were burnt. She was so glad no one had watched her expression. She had felt light. Light as air! Light as ash! Light like fire!)
Wednesday nodded but she looked a bit conflicted.
“What is it, baby?” Enid asked gently. Dark eyes averted to the water. She felt small fingers run over her wedding brand. She waited.
“How are you feeling?” Wednesday asked, “About what I did. To your brothers?”
Ah.
Enid took in a deep breath and exhaled, “Like, am I said about losing them or sad you took the kill from me?”
“The latter, of course.”
Enid grinned and hugged Wednesday tighter, “I feel like you split the burden with me. And I can't even voice how appreciative I am of that. I don't feel alone. And I don't feel conflicted. I know I did the right thing even if it's...heavy right now.”
“I'm here for you, cara mia,” Wednesday whispered. And Enid just had to kiss her then. They lavished each other in warm kisses until the water cooled enough that they had to get out. They dried off and Enid took her time with her hair and skin routine.
When she emerged from the bathroom, she found Wednesday staring a bit uncertainly at the bed. Enid stepped close to survey what she had done. A mix of blankets and pillows were on their bed now. Arranged in an almost circular pattern. Her heart skipped a beat and Enid eagerly climbed into it. She felt sated in some bizarre way.
“Wednesday, this is- oh!” Enid paused, eyes wide and gawking. “Hey, come here.”
Wednesday did. In fact, she surprised Enid by initiating the cuddling immediately, pressing her back to Enid's chest and pulling Enid's arm around her waist.
“This feels right,” Wednesday said after a moment.
“Do you know why you did this?' Enid asked a bit hesitantly.
“I am not sure. It felt needed.”
“It's a nest. You're nesting. Which means, um, you've definitely presented as an Omega,” Enid said, nuzzling Wednesday.
Wednesday shuffled a bit restlessly but did not move away from her affection, “What does this change?”
Enid gripped her tighter, burying her face into her hair, “Nothing, baby. You're still my world.”
“I should research.”
“Mmhmm.”
Enid let rumbles escape her and it successfully lulled Wednesday into sleep. She held her mate close and drew absentmindedly on Wednesday's back. Wednesday began to purr lightly too, the low vibrations against Enid's skin making her heart skip several beats.
This was bliss. True happiness. Even in the wake of something that made her stomach churn a teeny tiny bit. As she felt her eyes get heavier and heavier, she wondered what exactly she felt bad about as she thought of her family's bodies burn.
There was so many things they had done, after all.
***
They parted ways when their flight in Newark landed. Yoko and Divina were off to Japan in another few days. Bianca was going to the Hamptons and then returning to work.
“We'll be there for a while so visit if you're able to, okay, pup?” Yoko had said.
Enid had nodded eagerly. She would miss them terribly but everyone needed time to adjust from everything that had happened.
Lurch had picked them up from the airport and they had been bombarded with questions the second they had stepped foot into the manor. Enid found it startlingly easy to simply fall back into the routine of things at the manor. Sometimes she found herself wondering if she had dreamed of the entire thing but every look in the mirror reminded her of the truth. Morticia had been sweet, saying Enid was their golden wolf. And soon, that too, became normal.
So, Enid resigned herself to not hearing about the San Francisco pack ever again until one fateful morning, a week after they returned.
“There's a strange fellow outside,” Pubert announced, running into the dining room where they were all eating breakfast.
“Oh? I wonder who that could be,” Morticia said, looking up from where she had been braiding some of Enid's hair.
Gomez appeared then and said, “One of Fester's boys is with him. Might he be from the old pack Sinclair?”
Wednesday glanced to Enid sharply, “Shall we, my love?”
Enid swallowed and nodded. She extricated herself from Morticia's hold, face set, “We'll be right back.”
Enid led the way to the foyer, her heart pounding fast. Wednesday slipped her hand into hers and squeezed tight. That helped.
They saw the werewolf in question. A portly man with a briefcase that was trembling at the sight of Lurch. Enid relaxed a bit. He was not the fighting type. She sniffed the air and determined he was a Beta. She could handle him.
“Hello,” Enid said, stepping into view with Wednesday.
He grinned and tipped his hat, “Ah! Hello! You have a lovely home, ladies!”
“Spare us the pleasantries. What business do you have here?” Wednesday asked.
He cleared his throat, “A man named Fester directed me here. Well, I say directed but he blindfolded me and had someone drop me off. Think we were on an unauthorized plane for a while but uh, regardless...”
“Sounds like our uncle,” Enid said with a wry smile.
“I am presuming you are Miss Enid Addams, formerly Enid Sinclair?” he asked, fumbling with the clasps of his briefcase.
Enid straightened up, smile gone again, “I am.”
“Then... this is for you!” he said. With a flourish, the man pulled out a thick yellow envelope and held it out.
Enid hesitantly took it, “What is this?”
“Not sure actually! The last will and testament of Esther and Murray Sinclair directed me to give this to the oldest living heir of the Sinclair family. I am aware that there are no others although no certificate of death will be provided, I assume,” he said with a wink.
Enid passed the envelope to Wednesday to hold on to.
“Tell me, did you serve my parent's long?” Enid asked.
“I have always been the executor of the account. I am from the pack down in Long Beach. It was important to the Sinclairs that it be somewhat impartial,” he shrugged, “Makes sense. These things can get ugly but you have, uh, made it exceedingly easy.”
“What do the other packs know about what happened to the Sinclairs?” Wednesday asked.
“Ah, quite a bit. The commotion was hard to ignore for anyone in the area,” the man said, “But really just that there was a change in leadership. A much needed change, if you don't mind me saying.”
“Did they decide on anyone?” Enid asked. Many times throughout the last week, she had wanted to call Fester and ask about the compound state. But Wednesday would always draw her attention away, trying to get her to relax.
“Er, young fellow? Says he's a cousin of yours? Georgie?”
Enid gawked, “Georgie!?”
At Wednesday's look, she waved a hand, “Um, I'll tell you later. Much later!”
Lurch appeared again and groaned. The man hurriedly put his hat back on.
“Er. Well, that was all I came by to do. I think I have to blindfold myself before I go out. Would one of you....?”
Lurch stepped forward instead. He gently affixed the blindfold around the man's eyes and one of Fester's henchmen dragged him outside to take him all the way back to California.
“Would you like to open this later?” Wednesday asked, holding up the envelope. Enid shook her head.
“Let's open this with the family.”
They returned to the dining room where everyone was seemingly waiting, plates having remained untouched. Wednesday placed the envelope down where everyone could see it.
“He dropped this off,” Enid said, gesturing to the envelope.
“A letter?” Gomez asked.
“More than a letter,” Morticia said, peering at it.
“I'm gonna open it,” Enid said, determinedly, extending a claw.
“What if it contains something unsavory?” Pubert asked.
“It's just papers,” Pugsley sighed.
“Enid?” Wednesday asked, noticing the blonde had already sliced it open and was intently reading the contents.
Enid knew she had gone very still. But she took a deep breath and looked up to meet her mate's gaze.
“It says I've inherited my family's fortune. All of it.”
“All of it?” Wednesday asked. “As in...?”
“The camps too,” Enid said.
The family was quiet for a moment. Enid set the papers down. She hadn't thought so far ahead when she was putting her plan together. A smile began to pull at her lips and when she looked up, the Addams were all looking excitedly at her.
“That's a lot of property to play with,” Wednesday said.
“It is indeed. Across the nation as well,” Gomez said.
“Think of all the good we can do,” Enid breathed, heart pounding fast.
She felt Wednesday take her hand and squeeze.
“What are you thinking?” Morticia asked gently.
“It's – my thoughts are all over the place! I want to knock things down, I want to rebuild, I want to-,”
“Pack your eye watering outfits?” Wednesday teased, “We will be traveling quite a bit to each camp, no?”
“I'll call our pilot,” Pugsley added.
Enid inhaled sharply and looked at Wednesday. Then her family.
“You'll come with!?” she practically screamed.
“Of course, old chap!” Pubert boomed.
Gomez winked, “Can't let you have all the fun demolishing!”
“Oh darling, did you think we would just let you go alone?” Morticia asked sweetly, patting her hand. Enid grasped it tightly.
Oh, how she would love to have her entire family with her! And they were just as eager as her! Oh but her mate's opinion mattered most. With puppy dog eyes in full place, she looked to her mate. Wednesday seemed to crumble immediately and grunted a yes.
“Yay!” Enid squealed, picking her up and twirling in place.
“The Addams are on the road!” Gomez boomed. “Grandmama, get your traveling cauldron ready!”
“If they annoy us we should leave them behind,” Wednesday said in her typical monotone even as Enid smothered her in kisses.
***
Dear Yoko,
Sorry I haven't written as much! I know I suggested the letters thing because it's soooo old school romantic (Wednesday's rubbing off on me) but I haven't really been anywhere close to a post office the past few weeks! Or even somewhere with good reception! We've been going from state forest to state forest to look into the camps my parents sponsored. There's so much I have to do. A lot of the spots we sold off to charitable organizations. Furs aren't the only outcasts that could use some private land. We've got builders for some already. There's one that I think you might actually like if you feel like going for that new build you and Div used to talk about. I call dibs on any guest room you guys build!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, so, other reason I'm writing: Enclosed are your invites to the ~wedding! I can't wait to see you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
I got away with almost everything I wanted! Colorful flowers! A super sweet cake! Balloons!!! It's totes gonna be eye-watering but I don't care! It's what I want! I want it to be loud for every sense. Does that make sense? Ha!
And guess what!? Wednesday took care of my dress! Can you believe it!? Around Christmas she was following me with a measuring tape and I really thought I'd just be getting a Christmas sweater or something but NO! My wifey got me a whole dang wedding dress.
AND IT'S PINK!
Give Div and Papa Tanaka hugs from me!!!
Love, love, love, love, love,
Pup
***
The wedding went off without a hitch which slightly disappointed Wednesday. But she should have expected as much from the way Enid had handled the tiniest of details.
The ceremony had taken place in the cemetery and was beautiful, restrained. Paganini had been raised from the dead to provide the most beautiful violin accompaniment to her beloved's walk down the aisle. Wednesday was dressed in a fine black suit with intricate white detailing made specifically for this occasion and for her eventual funeral. Her Enid was garbed in a floor length, off the shoulder dress that hugged her in all the right ways. It was in the most choking bright pink Wednesday had been able to stomach without going blind.
It had been quiet, romantic, and efficient. And then the guests had been ushered into the great Addams ballroom for the remaining festivities. The ballroom which had been decorated lavishly in every color imaginable with flowers and balloons and even bubbles in the air. It was hideous and absolutely breathtaking.
In total, Wednesday had not spent more than an hour or so by her love's side and that included the meal they had sat down for. But she found it hard to be upset. Despite her stoic façade, she had chatted a lot. Addams family members were eager to congratulate her. Weems even stopped by. After that, she found herself talking at length with Divina who shared interesting tidbits from her trip and Yoko who playfully threatened her. She agreed to dances with Eugene, her brothers, and even Barclay. Although, the latter had rapidly devolved into seeing who could step on each other's toes more.
After that, Wednesday had been led off the dance floor by her own wife, still feeling smug.
“You know I picked those shoes out for you!” Enid said, passing her a cup of water and forcing her to sit.
Wednesday grumbled an apology but Enid cleared her throat, “What was that, babycakes?”
“I'm sorry,” Wednesday said more clearly. Her wife grinned and then leaned in to fix her tie a little.
“A few more hours and we'll be off to Madrid,” Enid sighed.
“I look forward to ravishing you,” Wednesday said earnestly eliciting hysterical giggling from Enid who went pink enough to match her dress.
“Oh! Do you see that guy over there?” Enid said, gesturing to a young man at the bar.
Wednesday scrutinized him for a moment before she shook her head, “He is not familiar to me. Did we add him to the guest list late?”
“Sort of! He's Georgie! My cousin! And the new pack leader for the San Francisco wolves.”
Wednesday raised a brow, “You did not mention you invited him.”
Enid clasped her hands behind her back and bounced in place a little, looking a bit scared of Wednesday's reaction, “I didn't know if he would want to come. Um, but he accepted. And well, it's kind of nice to see someone from that group? Just a bit?”
Enid looked almost shy. But Wednesday would deny her wolf nothing.
“My love, I will not judge you for wanting a Sinclair here,” Wednesday said, cupping her mate's face and pressing a quick kiss to her chin. “I assume this invitation was out of good will?”
End nodded happily, “He and I weren't close. But we would see each other sometimes. At the camps.”
Wednesday hummed thoughtfully. No wonder Enid hadn't spoken of him until now. The camps were still a hard subject to broach.
“Well, I would like to speak to him and judge his character,” she said firmly.
“Please do,” Enid said, smiling happily and giving her a loving kiss.
Wednesday squeezed Enid's hand once and then stalked over to the young man. She tapped his shoulder making him jump and yelp,
“Ah!”
“Hello,” Wednesday said, as cordially as she could muster.
Enid's cousin shared some features with her beloved. His hair was blonde and in short curls. His blue eyes were reminiscent of Enid's before hers had become gold. He was about Enid's height and a bit awkward in that he seemed not to know what to do with his hands. In the time they were surveying each other, his hands had moved between messing with his already messy hair and going for his drink before thinking better of it.
Wednesday nearly rolled her eyes at his jittery movements but stuck her hand out, “Wednesday Addams. Enid's bride.”
He gave her a nervous grin and shook her hand enthusiastically, “Pleasure to meet you! I'm-,”
“Mind if we walk?”
The gulp he gave was satisfying but he agreed and they walked out of the ballroom.
“You are Enid's cousin,” Wednesday said as they strode down the halls to nowhere in particular.
“I- I am!” he stuttered and then stood up straight, “Yiorgos Sinclair! Uh, but everyone calls me Georgie. You can too! Er, if you want.
“I will not.”
He cleared his throat and scratched at his neck.
“You are young,” Wednesday said.
“Um, I'm 25.”
“Young. And you were elected?” she pressed.
“Yeah. Everyone was thinking they should still have a Sinclair and, well,” he gestured to himself, “I know I'm not perfect but they were really insistent.”
Wednesday marveled at the frivolous need for retaining a certain bloodline in charge.
“Hm. I suppose I wouldn't expect the pack to change.”
“Well – they kind of- See, I'm not even an Alpha. I'm an Omega,” he confessed, blushing.
Wednesday blinked. How peculiar.
“As am I,” she admitted eventually.
“Oh! Hey, wow! Um, so, so, we've got some stuff in common then!” he said cheerfully.
Wednesday nearly denied it but then it occurred to her that Yiorgos would be a good source of information.
“Omegas are not typically in charge?” she asked, “Of the pack, I mean?”
“Er, no. During Esther's time in charge, Betas and Omegas were kind of frowned upon. Which is stupid. We can't control what we are,” he huffed, “Um, I left the pack for a long time because of that. Then they called and well, all the elder pack members agreed to turn over a new leaf. They don't want what happened to the Sinclairs to happen again...”
“But why keep a Sinclair? I thought the more prominent families in the pack rotated leadership.”
“They said something about that too. They wanted the people to vote and I kind of mentioned that it would be nice if the last Sinclair in charge was one that fixed the previous Sinclair's errors.”
“Last Sinclair?” Wednesday questioned.
“Yeah. Enid is the baby of the family and her brothers didn't have kids. Um, others have also left the pack to start their own or join other packs. I'm the only unmated Sinclair left,” he said.
Wednesday blinked, “I see. Do you feel...lonely?”
Yiorgos shook his head, “The pack is meant to be family regardless of blood. I want to make that happen again. I don't want us to discriminate against classifications or species or anything!”
Wednesday felt a certain amount of respect for Yiorgos then. He was idealistic in the way Enid might have been once but perhaps they could aid him in his efforts.
“You have met my Uncle, yes?” Wednesday asked, beginning to lead them back.
“Oh the funny trench coat guy? Yeah he's been updating all the electrical wiring and such lately. The compound is fully functional again, though. We're just... healing ow.”
Wednesday stopped at the ballroom and crossed her arms. With her dark, heavy gaze, she surveyed him. He met her gaze head on this time and grinned. She nodded.
“Yiorgos. You have Enid and my's support. We will...visit when we can. I would hate to keep Enid away from the one family member that appears decent.”
“That's awesome!” he grinned, “I only saw Enid here and there at the camps so-!”
“Bear in mind,” Wednesday began lowly, as she stepped forward, “If I even get a hint that you are as awful as her mother or as loathsome as the brothers she had, there will be consequences. And the next time, the pack will be rebuilding their homes from ashes.”
Yiorgos gulped and nodded, practically shaking in her presence. How satisfying.
“Let us return.”
She turned and briskly opened the door to the ballroom, Yiorgos followed behind despite his longer legs.
As it happened, the first person she bumped into was Bianca.
“Barclay,” she greeted.
Bianca smirked, “Done getting scolded by your wife?”
"How predictable that you stooped to such a lowly tactic,” Wednesday said.
“So lowly that you participated? Seemed like it made perfect sense then,” Barclay sneered.
“Er...”
Wednesday pinned Yiorgos with a look before gesturing to him, “Ah, Barclay this is Enid's cousin, Yiorgos.”
“Call me Georgie. Wow you have – you're really – um, hi,” Yiorgos stuttered as Bianca turned to fully face him.
Yiorgos continued to blush like a buffoon and Wednesday saw something flash in Bianca's eyes as she looked at Yiorgos up and down. After a moment, the siren offered a hand,
“Bianca Barclay.”
“Y-Yiorgos Sinclair!”
Wednesday felt a shiver of cold dread run through her and nearly opened her mouth before arms draped around her and hugged her tight.
“Baby! We've been looking for you!” Enid said as she pressed kisses against Wednesday's face. “Hey Georgie! Are you gonna dance?”
“Uh-,”
“Yes. We were going to dance,” Bianca said, and then looked at Yiorgos, smirking, “Right?”
He nodded dumbly and followed Bianca. Wednesday flared her nostrils but Enid held her tight.
“Enid! We cannot allow this to happen,” Wednesday said urgently, “If Barclay successfully woos your cousin she will also eventually attain the power to shift. All my physical advantages will be negated then! I cannot-,”
“Babycakes.”
Wednesday stopped immediately. Enid looked highly amused.
“I suppose it is nice when our friends are getting along,” Wednesday muttered darkly.
“Good girl,” Enid winked and Wednesday felt herself flush. “Now, come here. Someone wanted to see you!”
Enid dragged her over to a table where Sheriff Donovan Galpin was waiting for her.
“I'll be back! Your brothers promised me a dance too!” Enid said and left her on her own. Sighing, Wednesday steeled herself and then sat down by the Sheriff.
Donovan smiled, “Congratulations. You make a beautiful couple.”
“We do. My wife is mostly responsible for that,” Wednesday replied smoothly. She glanced over at her bride and nearly smiled at how she was enthusiastically dancing with Pugsley.
“Don't sell yourself short,” Donovan said, chuckling.
And perhaps it was in the way his eyes were overflowing with warmth that made Wednesday tilt her head and say, “I am surprised you came.”
Donovan stiffened for just a second and then looked down, shrugging.
“You know everything, don't you? Why don't you hate me?” Wednesday pressed on, “You never said or did anything. I assumed you would one day. Perhaps even today.”
“You predicted someone would ruin your wedding?” Donovan asked with a frown.
“I hoped.”
“Right. Addamses and all,” he muttered.
They sat in silence for a moment before he cleared his throat and spoke again, “I told Enid this: I felt relieved that he was gone. And nowadays, I don't feel bad about that. Feels like a fresh start almost. I think maybe...you almost died that night, but he definitely did. So, I did my mourning. He hurt this community. He hurt me. He hurt you. Just the way it is.”
“And none of it was your fault,” Wednesday said.
He sniffed and grunted, shaking his head. “Thanks for saying that but I don't know if I was always a good fath-,”
“Stop,” Wednesday said, holding up a hand. When he looked at her, she continued, “As children we try very hard not to become like our parents and yet sometimes, it is inevitable. Because we start to see that they may have been right about certain things. For me, it was love.”
Wednesday watched Enid in silence for a bit longer. Her heart felt so full. How could she not have wanted this so long ago? Then she continued, “And if we can come around to decide on what is sound advice coming our parents, we can certainly decide what is not. At some point, we are responsible for our own worst traits.”
Donovan watched her with wide eyes before he ducked his head. Then he laughed a bit, surprising the both of them, “Sorry, I just- I think I understand the Addams respect for death. This world is so convoluted and people are impossible to understand sometimes but the one reliable thing is everyone dies, huh?”
“You're awfully morbid today,” Wednesday said evenly.
“Coming from you!?” Donovan guffawed and Wednesday did crack a smile at that.
After a moment, Donovan wiped at his eyes and then stood up, “You owe me a dance. Then, we're even.”
Wednesday let him take her hand and they danced to a slower number that had just started.
“What are you doing after this?” Wednesday asked curiously.
He shrugged, “I'll take off. I like to be alone most days now. I think I understand that part of you now too.”
Wednesday nodded, “And your scheduled weekly visits with Enid do not encroach on that desire for privacy?”
“I couldn't say no to that kid,” he chuckled, “She's worn me down and she makes a great lemonade. Will you ever join us?”
“Would you want me to?” Wednesday asked.
“Honestly, yeah.”
And Wednesday could not detect any hint of the contrary.
“Perhaps next time then,” she agreed.
The song came to a close and after it ended, Donovan shook her hand. Then he leaned in to say, “Remember, Wednesday, marriage is all about compromise.”
They glanced over to Enid who was now approaching.
“Compromise,” Wednesday repeated.
She held out her hand and Enid took it.
“Don!” Enid grinned.
He smiled and they exchanged pleasantries but Wednesday was focused on her love. She looked angelic.
Donovan bade his goodbyes not long after and Wednesday tugged Enid close to her for one more slow dance.
“Today was magical,” Enid smiled, kissing Wednesday's temple as they spun in lazy circles.
“I agree.”
“What were you two chatting about? Everything's okay?” Enid asked.
“It is, he was offering advice about marriage,” Wednesday replied.
Enid giggled, “And were you paying attention?”
Wednesday scoffed, “Please, it is in my blood to be at your service every minute of every hour of every day of-,”
Enid interrupted her with a passionate kiss. Wednesday heard Pugsley whistle and flipped him off.
“You're too sweet!” she exclaimed when they broke apart for air. “Ugh! Bet he gave you the schpiel about compromise, huh? I keep hearing that from everyone!”
Enid continued on, chatting animatedly about what unsolicited wisdom everyone else had given her. And as she did, Wednesday simply watched, taking in her love's beauty and exuberance. Enid seemed to catch on at some point and bashfully smiled.
“What? You're not listening, are you?” she giggled, lightly swatting Wednesday's shoulder.
Wednesday could not help smiling back and shook her head, “I swear, Enid, I have been hanging on to your every word since we met.”
And the resulting smile Wednesday received was better than anything she could have hoped for.
The End