Daughter of a Witch

Christmas Decorating

The crisp winter air filled Westview with the familiar scent of pine, and Y/n could see her breath in little clouds as she stepped outside with Rio. A box of tangled Christmas lights sat at their feet, ready to be strung around the house. Their home looked picture-perfect in the snow-old-fashioned but cozy, like something from a postcard. The icicles hung from the eaves, glistening in the soft winter sunlight, and the blanket of snow gave everything a magical sheen.

Y/n zipped up her jacket and smiled at her mom. "You ready for this? I feel like we'll need magic to untangle these lights."

Rio laughed, her dark hair tucked into a festive knit beanie that added to her cozy winter look. "We can do this the old-fashioned way, mi cariño," she said, playfully nudging Y/n with her elbow. "Besides, it's more fun this way, right?"

Y/n shot her a look that said, "Really?" before kneeling to wrestle with the lights. "I guess we can try. But don't say I didn't warn you."

As Y/n began pulling out the long string of lights, trying to work out the knots, Rio stood back, assessing the house. It already looked charming with its natural holiday greenery wrapped around the porch railings and evergreen garlands framing the windows. But she had something flashier in mind that would make their house sparkle against the snowy backdrop. Y/n caught the look in her mom's eyes and grinned.

"Thinking about adding some extra sparkle, aren't you?"

Rio shrugged her expression one of pure mischief. "Just a little magic. Nothing too crazy." She snapped her fingers, and instantly, the lights Y/n was struggling with untangled themselves, lifting into the air in a graceful line.

"Mom!" Y/n exclaimed, laughing. "You couldn't resist, could you?"

Rio grinned, her eyes sparkling. "You're just like your mama, so traditional about these things."

"Well, one of us has to be," Y/n shot back playfully, watching as the lights began winding themselves around the house's eaves, casting a soft glow over the snowy landscape.

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Agatha stepped outside. She was bundled in her own winter coat, her hands full of wreaths adorned with festive red ribbons. She paused when she noticed what was happening, raising an eyebrow. "Cheating already, are we?" she called, her voice teasing.

Rio winked at her. "Just speeding things up a little, mi amor."

Agatha shook her head with a chuckle and returned to hanging the wreaths in the windows. "You two are terrible. I'll stick to tradition, thank you very much."

Y/n looked at the two of them and smiled. Their banter was always lighthearted and full of warmth, especially during the holidays. While Rio worked her magic on the lights, Agatha meticulously hung the wreaths, making sure each one was perfectly symmetrical.

As they continued decorating, Y/n noticed movement next door. The familiar sight of Wanda, Vision, and the twins, Billy and Tommy, outside decorating their own house made her smile. Wanda, bundled in a thick red scarf, was carefully stringing lights along the porch railing while Vision adjusted a wreath on the front door. The boys ran around, trying to "help" but mostly creating chaos.

"Hey, Wanda!" Y/n called out with a wave.

Wanda glanced over, grinning. "Hey, Y/n! Looks like you're getting a little magical assistance over there."

Y/n rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "You know how my mom is."

Wanda laughed knowingly while Vision, standing nearby with a ladder, waved as well. "Merry Christmas, you three!"

"Merry Christmas!" Y/n, Rio, and Agatha called back in unison.

Seeing the exchange, Tommy raced over to the fence separating their yards. "Hey, Y/n! Do your lights float? I want our lights to float!"