Sparkle (KOTLC) {Completed}

39

Amy was dropped off at the Foster/Freeman's new, fancy Tudor-style home by Sophie and Bronte, who firmly emphasized that neither of the sisters could visit the human family. Bronte insisted that it was too much of a hassle to bring Janessa in her wheelchair.

As Janessa did her best to wheel herself out of the house, Livvy, having taken off her mask once Damel left, grabbed the wheelchair from behind, taking over.

"You don't need to do everything yourself, you know." Livvy teased while Janessa reached back to hit her hand lightly.

"I don't!"

"Oh please, you treated yourself while you were dying and refused to let me help you until your friend was healed." Livvy rolled her eyes.

"Wha- I barely argued!" Janessa retorted.

"Oh please, you never would've let me help you. I just knew the only way I could help you was by fixing the Vacker girl first." Livvy sighed, pushing Janessa's wheelchair along the beach.

Janessa leaned her head back to look at her mentor. "Is there a reason we're on the beach?"

Livvy breathed out a chuckle. "You're getting some fresh air. You need some more colour."

Janessa looked out at the horizon, suddenly sullen. "Did I... worry you that much?"

"It's fi—" Livvy cut herself off, fidgeting with one of her braids. "Actually, yes, I was very worried. You're old enough that I shouldn't lie to you about something like this."

"You didn't need to." Janessa said softly.

Livvy sighed again. "I know you may only think of me as your mentor, but I care about you very deeply. It terrifies me every time you're injured and I might not be able to save you. I did watch you grow up, after all."

"I'm sorry." Janessa whispered, clasping her hands together in her lap. Livvy brushed a stray curl out of her face, walking around to crouch in front of her. 

"JJ... I know... I'm not the motherly type, the way Squall is. And I can't replace Calla, who I know nurtured you the way the rest of us didn't, but..." As Livvy trailed off nervously, Janessa looked up, eyes watering. "I should've come to celebrate you passing your final exams, and I want to try..." Livvy trailed off again, and tears were streaming down Janessa's face. "I really liked living with you and Amy, and I know you were just there for her, but I realized when you were hurt again... I was wondering if you would... consider staying."

Janessa had thought she had run out of tears after saying goodbye to her sister, but apparently she had plenty more to spare. 

"I... I would..." Janessa stuttered through tears.

"Don't feel pressured, JJ. I know I'm not the ideal mother figure in any sense of the word, I just wanna be there for you." Livvy assured, taking Janessa's hands in her own.

"You... don't need to be the perfect mom." Janessa managed to croak out, feeling Livvy's nerves and hope and warmth and terror all washing over her. She couldn't distinguish any of her own emotions other than shock.

"Is that... a yes?" Livvy asked hopefully.

Janessa nodded eagerly, unable to speak.

"I'm gonna do my best, JJ. You tell me when I do something wrong, cuz I have absolutely no experience, ok? Whenever you need anything, advice, whatever, you can come to me, right?" Livvy, confident, self-assured Livvy, had nerves written all over her face as Janessa gave in and wrapped her arms around her in a gentle hug. For a second, Livvy didn't seem to know how to respond, then hugged her back, letting out a deep exhale to relieve her nerves.

"You don't need to be so nervous, Livvy. This is new for me too." Janessa mumbled, her eyes focused on the wake hitting the beach.

"I just... want to do this right." Livvy murmured back, tightening the hug for a second before pulling away, a smile on her face.

"I mean, as long as you don't die, you're doing pretty well in my books." Janessa joked.

Livvy sighed sympathetically. "I'll do my best, JJ."

Janessa nodded.

After a short while longer walking on the beach, Livvy light leaped them to the entrance of Atlantis, levitating Janessa into the whirlpool first before following. It had been an awkward ride to Atlantis in a wheelchair, but Janessa managed to get out of the way before Livvy fell on top of her.

"Do you want to... go around Atlantis or something? I never really got to give you a tour." Livvy offered, before realizing. "Oh wait, nevermind, I'm sure you've seen enough of this city by now."

Janessa chuckled nervously. "Well, I mean, I've only really seen the bad parts. If you... wanted to show me the better side of Atlantis, that would be... nice."

Livvy smiled hopefully. "Really?"

Janessa nodded, smiling back.

Excited, Livvy began pushing Janessa all around Atlantis, starting with the best places to shop, next showing her all the business offices.

"Oh, here, this is super important!" Livvy said, pointing at the tall building, one of the biggest in the city.

"What is it?" 

"This is the Matchmakers building. Well, I mean, obviously my match failed, but it's still a type of rite of passage to get the lists and throw a Winnowing Gala. Oh! We could buy your gown together when it's time!" Livvy explained excitedly.

Janessa smiled at her excitement. "I've never really thought of getting my lists. Part of me wants to not get them to make a statement."

Livvy raised an eyebrow, though Janessa couldn't see her. "Someone on your mind already?"

Janessa scoffed, cheeks pink. "No, why would you think that?"

"After all that talk with Amy and Biana about who you had a crush on, you didn't figure anything out? At all?" Livvy pried, moving on past the imposing building.

"You really sound like a mom now." Janessa commented, laughing to herself.

"I can see you blushing, JJ!" Livvy sang. "Nice try to change the subject!" 

"Stop!" Janessa dragged out, hiding her blush behind her hands.

"Alright, alright. You tell me whenever you want to. Moms are supposed to respect your space right? Or am I supposed to keep prying?" 

Janessa laughed at Livvy's contemplation. "I think that's up to you technically, but I'd personally prefer respecting my space."

"Fine, fine. I won't be a helicopter mom then. You're too free-spirited already and it's too late for me to change that." Livvy shook her head, sighing exaggeratedly.

"Need I remind you who exactly encouraged that from me growing up?"

"Point taken."

The pair continued their journey through Atlantis, admiring the architecture and avoiding the damaged parts from the recent flooding. Though Livvy was nothing like the mom Janessa had pictured for herself, and there were a few awkward moments, Livvy had claimed her as her family, and that was all that mattered.

*End of Book 2*

I finally finished it! I probably won't start book 3 until after finals, since I won't have the brainpower to figure out where I'm going from here until after exams. Hopefully, I'll get started on it as quickly as possible though. I hope you all liked book 2, and let me know if there are things you want more of (like more interactions with some of the background characters like Linh, etc. or more angst, fluff, found family moments.)

Thanks for reading!

Minnie :)