fae-ted

Cats all

"Why did the voice do that?" Sophie's own voice was sad and low. Hazel shrugged. "I'm not sure about a lot of that story, E. I'm not even sure what the moral was supposed to be since, as far as I can see Avey did everything I would have done."

"I don't think you're supposed to make deals like that." Charlotte said thoughtfully, her pale eyes, a mirror of her sister's, squinted in thought. "Sometimes, if you make a mistake, that's it. There shouldn't be second chances."

"Hmmm, I don't disagree Char but you'd be a stronger woman than me if, when faced with the chance to save someone you love, you turned it down.", Hazel smiled at them fondly. "Now, speaking of deals, bed!"

"Hazel," Sophie whispered as Hazel tucked her into her own bed last. She had another room but had been too scared to sleep alone, chosing instead to bunk with the twins. "Yes E?" Hazel bent forward so she could hear her. "Do you think there might be a well in this forest?"

"No silly girl," Hazel laughed, kissing her forehead, "and even if there were it would just be an old well." She stood up. "I'd save you, you know." Sophie's voice was quiet and heavy with sleep. "Even if it ended bad, I'd save you."

"Me too sweetie" Hazel smiled a sad smile, "me too.

...

"More surprises!" Her mother grinned in the middle of the living room a big box at her feet. She looked radiant, sun pouring through her curls and wrapping itself against the silhouette of her satin nightdress. Hazel noticed that Alan, standing beside her mother, was not smiling his usual smile. Instead he looked confused. "Tat, are you sure?" She shot him an impatient look. "We talked about this." He nodded, neck strained.

"Well I guess the cats out of the bag now, or should I say box!" Hazel's mother laughed as she tipped the box over gently, the flaps opening to reveal seven tiny kittens. The girls flocked over, oohing and ahhing. "One for each of you." Her mother nodded approvingly.

"Um, isn't it customary to just have one family cat?" Iyra looked at her mother sceptically, a tiny fawn kitten mewing in her hands. "It safer this way. For the cats." Hazel's mother stumbled, as if trying to work her way out of a blunder. "For you. Fights. There will be less fights this way."

"For us or the cats?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. Her mother opened her mouth as if to respond but a dark cloud passed over the face. "You know what? If you're all going to be like this I can just take them back..."

"No!" Sophie squealed, holding on to a little, snow white kitten for dear life. "Pookie is mine and I love her!"

"Pookie?" Iyra laughed. "Pookie?!" Suddenly the whole room was full of laughter and excited chatter, as the girls each chose their kitten.

"Hazel." Her mother beakoned her over. Hazel moved closer curious as to why her mother's hands were still behind her back. "I feel bad about our conversation the other day."

"It's fine." Hazel brushed it off. She didn't want to fight. "Well, in any case," her mother pulled her hands from behind her back, revealing a large and particularly fluffy kitten. "I'm sorry."

"Is that a Maine Coon?" Alan's eyes were wide. "Tat, where in the hell..."

"A gift from an old friend." Hazel's mother handed the kitten to her. They all were. All girls so they shouldn't wander far. Girls for my girls." She beamed. Alan melted in the face of her happiness, although Hazel still wasn't so sure. "What's a Maine Coon?"

"Look at her little paws." Her bother pulled one up pressing until the claws released. Hazel whistled. "They're big for a kitten."

"Big for a cat." Her mother nodded. "Mine Coons are the largest cats in the world. She may grow to be as long as Eloise if we feed her well." Hazel's eyes widened. Her mother giggled. "Did I mention you guys were taking care of the litter trays?"

Hazel looked down at the kitten in her hands. It's features were definitely small but it did not have the babyish quality the other kittens possessed. In it's brown and gold-flecked eyes Hazel thought she could see a thougfulness, an intelligence. "I'm going to call her Alessia." Hazel said with finality. She stroked the kitten's head. "Come on Lessi, let's get you settled in."