ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ʜɪꜱ (ʜᴘ x ꜰᴇᴍ! ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ)

Y3 જ⁀➴ Tilly

(A/N): ugh this chapter is so short but im sooo busy :(

Im sorry but i'll try to update more!

"Aubree!" Auntie Zarah grinned, walking towards me as her boots clicked along the ground. Auntie Zar always loved calling me by my middle name when I was younger, because we both have the same one. (Y/N) Aubree Celeste, Zarah Aubree Hansley. 

"Hey, Auntie Zarah!" I smile with enthusiasm, and I run over to give her a big hug. It was like we immediatly clicked, disregarding the fact that I haven't seen her in ages. 

"Call me Zarah, or Zar - anything!" She winks.

The last time I saw her was when I was seven years old, for Christmas when we visited her in Connecticut. She had a great, big house, all homey and comfortable. Auntie Zar had three cats in that house, Tilly, Daisy, and Winnie. They loved to roam the porch by the small Jacuzzi, while I sat near them, and I would pretend to be invested in the latest fashion magazines. Lots of plants would hang form the porch ceilings, and there were numerous flower hedges in the front garden. 

It was a very different life style from the hustle of Manhattan when mother, father, and I would go there on weekends. Possibly to go to the newly opened diners, or to art museums. We would always ignore Times Square, mother thought it was too busy, she still does. 

It was not like we didn't want to see Auntie Zarah after Christmas of '87, it's just that we couldn't find a lot of time to meet her. 

"So!" My aunt clapped her non gloved hands together. "Want to head back to my place?"

"Ooh, really? I didn't get many details about this meet up, am I staying with you?"

"Why not? Unfortunately, only for five days though; your mother said you have to go back to your boarding school after!"

"Oh? I mean, oh, oh yes. Sorry, how silly of me..." I waved a snowflake off of the tip of my nose, I readjust my jacket. "Lead the way!"

"Alright then!" My aunt replies, and she takes off ahead of me, and I catch up to her.

"So, I'm assuming you don't live in Connecticut anymore?" I ask, looking up at the slim, tall, lady.

"Nawp."

"Still got the cats?"

"Yawp."

"Still interested in gardening?"

Auntie Zarah's eyes light up. "Of course! My entire house is decorated with plants from all sorts of places, I have a plant from..."

And so we talk about her sweet plants for the rest of the walk, Zar asks if I need help with my trunk, but I tell her I'm fine. We cross River Thames, to the south side of London. It's a fairly long walk, but enjoyable. We head over to Battersea, and once I see her lovely house, I smile broadly, knowing that even with the location difference, it's going to feel all the same. 

Now, Auntie Zar doesn't have a husband, or children, so that might be why she's so into cats. Mum has got to be one of Zarah's only sources of comfort and love, giving that the two sisters are fairly close. It was mum that actually got Auntie Zarah Tilly the cat, which was a friendly, small grey kitten when I first met her. Tilly loves head scratches and cuddles, and she always tries to grab onto Daisy and Winnie though the two like to jump away. 

I hear a jingle of keys and see my aunt open the big house door. "Home, sweet home," she sighs, and turns on some of the lights. Giving that it's winter in London, it's already gotten quite dark. I hear a high pitched 'meow' from below me. I crouch down, feeling something tickle my leg. 

"Hey, Tills." I pick up the now adult cat, swing her around and pull her in. She still acts the same. Tilly has a curious and excited look in her big, brown eyes, and she yawns sweetly. "Aw Tilly." I stroke her back and scratch the top of her small head, and she relaxes into me. I hear a few more accompanying 'meows', and Daisy and Winnie step into the light. I feel like a mother. "Awh, look at you guys. All grown up.." I pull the other two cats in for a hug, it seems like they don't hate it, and they kinda like it. I place the now grown up cats down, and pick up my trunk. "Sorry, Auntie. Where can I place my trunk?" I call. 

A voice comes from down the hallway. "Oh of course, I have set a room for you upstairs. Second door on your left once you reach the top of the staircase. The cats are sometimes a little clingy, they're not allowed in the bedrooms, though."

"Got it, thanks auntie!"

"Go set yourself up, Aubree!"

I can almost hear her smiling. Gosh, other than cats, it must be a little lonely living here in this big house. Hopefully, Auntie Zarah is excited to have me stay. 

I heave my belongings up the padded staircase, which interestingly lights up as I step on the steps. Very cool, I must say. The trunk bangs against the staircase as I drag it up, but thankfully the echo is suppressed due to the carpeted steps. I make it to the second floor, and locate my room. Tilly follows me up the stairs, and I have to point her the other way.

I open the door and find a very well set up room. There is a queen sized bed, filled with an array of colorful, big pillows, there's a ducal pine desk, a mirror built in. There is even a private bathroom - and in there is an opulent bathtub with coconut and vanilla scented soaps. 

This place feels like a hotel, even. I explore my room a little more, looking for cabinet space to place my things. I leave the bathroom, and hear a knock. I amble over to the door, and open it. But Auntie Zarah isn't there. 

Another knock. 

More like a-

Tap tap.

There it goes again. I turn around, it's coming from behind me.

Tap tap tap.

I look out the window, could be rain. But it's not. 

An adorable looking bird has a note in it's beak. 

Wow Enzo, you surely are a quick traveller.