Daughter of a Witch

Home-Cooked Love

Y/n unlocked the front door and immediately inhaled the warm, savory scent drifting from the kitchen. Garlic, herbs, and the slight smoky edge of something roasting filled the air, making her stomach rumble in anticipation. She dropped her backpack near the door, called out, "I'm home!" and heard the gentle murmur of her mom's voice coming from the kitchen.

She paused just outside the door for a moment, peeking in and grinning at the sight. Agatha stood at the stove, completely focused as she stirred a creamy sauce in a skillet. A few inches behind her, Rio wrapped her arms snugly around Agatha's waist, her head nestled against Agatha's shoulder, watching the food with a look of pure mischief.

Smiling, Y/n stepped inside, drawing her mom's attention. Agatha glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes lighting up when she saw Y/n. "Hey, sweetheart. How was school?"

"It was good. Better now that I'm home," Y/n replied, setting her books down on the kitchen island. She took another deep breath, grinning. "Whatever you're cooking smells amazing. Wait... Mom, you're not cooking tonight, right?"

At this, Agatha chuckled, arching an eyebrow and nudging Rio with her elbow. "Nope, I've got it under control," she said with a playful look in her eyes. "After last time, I thought it might be safer."

Rio gave an exaggerated gasp, pressing a hand to her chest. "Ouch! I burn spaghetti one time, and suddenly, I'm unqualified to boil water?"

"Burning spaghetti was an accomplishment," Agatha replied, her voice dry but affectionate as she stirred the pasta sauce, folding in finely chopped rosemary and thyme. "It's impressive to ruin a dish that practically cooks itself."

Rio scoffed, planting a kiss on Agatha's cheek. "You wound me, darling. It's my creative spin on traditional cooking-abstract pasta, I call it."

Y/n laughed, moving around the island to snag a bite of a carrot slice from the cutting board, dodging Agatha's playful swat. "Well, I'm glad you decided to handle things tonight, Mama. It's like a whole gourmet experience in here."

Agatha gave her a quick smile, focusing mainly on the food, but her eyes were warm as she watched Y/n. "I'm making a creamy garlic and herb chicken pasta with roasted vegetables and a salad," she explained. "It'll be done in just a few minutes."

"Are you sure I can't do anything?" Rio asked, dropping her arms from Agatha's waist and leaning over the counter with her chin in her hands. "I feel like I should be more involved in the dinner process."

Agatha let out a soft sigh, shooting Rio a fond look. "You want to be involved?" she asked, turning off the burner under the pasta and reaching for a spoon to taste it. "Set the table. Think you can handle that, love?"

Rio shot her a dramatic, hurt look but straightened up and took the challenge. "Setting the table? Please. I'll do it so well you'll think we're at a five-star restaurant." She sauntered to the cabinet, pulling out plates and glancing back with a mischievous smile. "I'll even do fancy napkin folds. Watch me."

Amused, Y/n settled at the kitchen island and pulled out her homework. She watched as Rio arranged the plates meticulously, folding each napkin with great care. Every so often, she'd toss a look over her shoulder to see if Agatha was watching, as if she wanted to ensure she was getting full credit for her efforts.

Between math problems, Y/n kept sneaking glances at her moms. Agatha was stirring the pasta and gently folding in a sprinkle of grated parmesan, her concentration absolute. But Y/n could see the slight, amused smile on her lips whenever Rio made a particularly theatrical gesture with a napkin or plate.

The quiet warmth of the kitchen, the soft sounds of sizzling, and the comfortable chatter made Y/n's heart swell with gratitude. This was her family. Their love and quirks were all woven together in a cozy, imperfect tapestry that felt like home.

Rio finally finished with the table and returned to Agatha, wrapping her arms around her from behind once again. Agatha didn't miss a beat, not even looking back as she continued cooking, though her smile softened, and she leaned into Rio's embrace.

"Now, I think I deserve at least a taste test," Rio murmured, her chin on Agatha's shoulder as she watched her finish the pasta.

"Oh, do you?" Agatha smirked, holding up the spoon but pulling it back at the last second, just out of Rio's reach.

Rio pouted, her face a perfect picture of exaggerated disappointment. "Please?"

Agatha rolled her eyes, laughing as she finally brought the spoon to Rio's lips. Y/n watched as Rio took a taste, her expression transforming into pure bliss as the flavors hit her tongue.

"Oh, that's incredible," Rio murmured, her voice a low, content hum as she savored the taste. "You're a genius, you know that?"

"Just wait until you try the finished dish," Agatha replied, but she couldn't hide the pleased flush on her cheeks as she turned off the stove. "Now, go sit down before you distract me."

With one last squeeze around Agatha's waist, Rio backed off and joined Y/n at the table, winking at her as she sat down. "Don't mind me, I'm just here to enjoy the artistry."

Y/n snickered. "More like you're here for moral support. And snacks."

Agatha brought the food over, setting down a heaping bowl of golden and creamy pasta with flecks of green herbs. The roasted vegetables-caramelized carrots, Brussels sprouts, and bell peppers-added vibrant colors to the table, and the salad was crisp and fresh, tossed with a simple vinaigrette that sparkled with a hint of lemon.

They all sat down, and Y/n's heart fluttered with happiness. She loved this most: a delicious home-cooked meal, her family gathered around the table, and the easy warmth of home.

They served themselves, each taking generous portions, and soon, the kitchen was filled with sounds of delighted munching. Agatha took a sip of her wine, smiling at the table as if savoring the food and the entire moment. Y/n noticed and felt her heart warm even more.

"This is incredible, Mama," Y/n said through a mouthful of pasta, savoring the rich, creamy flavor. "Like, restaurant-worthy. Right, Mom?"

"Absolutely," Rio agreed, looking at Agatha with a fond gaze. "How lucky are we, huh?"

Agatha's eyes sparkled with a hint of pride as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, loves. Cooking for you both is one of my favorite things."

As they ate, conversation flowed naturally, moving from Y/n's school day to Rio's latest project and finally landing on a funny story from Agatha's past. The laughter was easy, and every so often, Y/n caught her moms exchanging soft glances, their hands meeting briefly across the table.

When the meal was finished, Y/n stood up and cleared the plates, but Rio held up a hand. "You did your share-homework and all," she said, rising to her feet. "I'll handle the cleanup."

Y/n beamed, still tasting the comforting flavors of the meal on her tongue, and headed to the couch to read while Rio and Agatha tackled the dishes. But even there, she could hear the faint sound of water running and their voices murmuring, breaking into soft laughter every so often. There was something in those quiet moments, the little sounds of love and companionship, that made everything feel right.

Later, after the dishes were done and the kitchen was tidy, Agatha and Rio joined Y/n in the living room, each settling on either side of her. They watched a movie together, Agatha's hand resting on Y/n's shoulder, Rio's arm draped over the back of the couch. The warmth of the kitchen, the laughter, and the love they shared lingered in the room, comforting them like a warm blanket.

And in that perfect moment, surrounded by love and laughter, Y/n thought about how lucky she was to be a part of this family, where love was as rich and sustaining as the food they shared.