#earthrunes

"Yeah. Anyway, thought you should know. I'll let you get back to work."

"Honey, come here, sit down for a sec" She motions to a free chair

"Why?"he can't help a little suspicion, but he does come and sit as bid.

"The rumors should be more like the family is getting together again. But yes. Your father and I will be living together again"

"You are?" cautious.

"we told you it was a temproary seperation when thie started. Sometimes one just has to be patient and let things unfold. Forcing it too soon can back fire' She says "I'm assuming you're still our son and all" a stroke of her his hair "We love you and you are part of our family"

"Well.... yeah. You're both ok with it? I mean, with each other and with being together again?"

"We had some serious discussions, and there are alterations in how we're going to live still, but yes."

"Anything Ineed to know about?"

"A lot of it is between your father and I" She answers but keeps her tone firm but not hostile.

"However." She adds "Yes. I've already set things up. On how long you'll be staying with us and so on."

"Yeah, Idon't need to know details between you, thanks." He takes a breath, holds it a moment. "Ok."

"A lot of your holidays, the mortal ones, Easter and Christmas and such...rather htan say Beltaine and Yule, we're going to want you to be with us for a few days."

He shrugs and nods his underestanding.

She notices the shrug, "You might even enjoy our company now and then." Wryly

"I'm sure I will."

A smile "Thanks"

"You're welcome. May I ask a question?"

"Yes." She says "But I reserve the right to not answer "

"How come I had to hear about this by rumor? "

She says "Actually? I'm kind of confused about that myself. I thought maybe a boggan had been at the door or something. It just happened today, your father and I had brunch. How'd you hear about it? it was litterally an hour and a half ago"

"I bumped into someone who congratulated me on it."

She does look perplexed "Velvet?" Guessing a sluagh

"It wasn't her. Does Lily know?"

"Actually, for once you're ahead of your sister. Your dad is going to tell her this afternoon"

"She'd hate to hear about it after everyone knew."

"Yes. So who told you?" She has not forgotten

"The Eiluned. Not the Seer, the other one."

"M-" She stops "Adam, you're still having trouble with that name?" She asks

"Ihave no trouble with it at all."

A brow "sounds like you do or you wouldn't call her 'the other one' when you know who she is. I was hoping you'd stop blaming yourself for her"

"Right now, I'd be more concerned about how she knows your personal business, but if you're not worried, I won't be. Congrats, mom, I'm happy for you."

"Well, hopefully you're happy for your father too. He's been very supportive"

"Yes, sorry, Imeant both of you."

his mom hugs him "Thank you. I do worry about you, Adam. But I think Bondraste has been good for us, both of us"

"She's the best."he agrees, hugging her back briefly.

" I missed you" An admission

"Imissed us.Like, all of us. And you, and dad, like, seperately."

"I know you did. But Adam, you can't bully people or play the bad guy to make things the way you want them. It made things SO much worse. "

She says "I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm blaming you, It was so manythings that were involved, but that approach nearly... it was like gas on an already dangerous fire"

"I never meant to make things worse; I think I've learned some important things that Iwon't forget."

"I know. You just wanted us together as a family, and maybe that's natural. Fiona only get scared when they feel a loved one is in danger so that might be a part of it. So I've learned." She takes a breath "What do you think you've learned?"

"I think I've learned a lot about how I should handle it when something is going on that I don't like. About how to get things done."

"mm well, that's a useful skill. " She admits "I've learned that being a changeling isn't a horrible fate and doesn't always make things worse"

Adam shrugs and nods.

"And don't worry, I'm not going to yank you to Rivervale"

"That -is- good to hear." he nods.

"Maybe just on holidays. But I'll be spending a lot of time here anyway. "

"Yeah?"

"I like it here better than Rivervale too. Made some contacts. Your dad and I maybe going back and forth a little"