Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Moments That Matter

Chapter Forty-Two: Moments That Matter

The morning was bright and crisp, with a gentle breeze rustling the trees outside. Morning unfolded gently at the house, sunlight streaming through the windows and casting a golden glow over the cozy interior.

The scent of dew lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of pine drifting in from the woods. Birds chirped outside, their melodic tunes filling the otherwise quiet space. Agatha stirred first, her eyes fluttering open to a serene moment of peace. For once, the weight of their journey didn't press on her chest like it usually did.

The house seemed lighter today, as if the very walls had decided they deserved a reprieve. As she listened to the soft hum of activity downstairs, a small smile tugged at her lips. Perhaps today could be something special, a day just for them.

Agatha slipped on her robe, the soft fabric brushing against her skin as she tied it loosely at her waist. The faint sounds of movement downstairs piqued her curiosity and she made her way to the living room, her bare feet padding softly against the hardwood floor. There she found Rio sitting on the couch, her posture relaxed but her gaze distant as she stared out the window. The morning light highlighted the subtle curves of her shoulders and the strong line of her jaw. Smiling softly Agatha walked up behind the couch and leaned over, wrapping her arms around Rio from behind. She pressed a gentle kiss to the side of Rio's neck, her lips lingering for a moment.

"You know" Agatha murmured, her voice low and warm against Rio's ear, "even if you don't sleep, you're always welcome to just stay in the room with me. I don't mind."

Rio tilted her head slightly, her lips quirking in a faint smirk, though she didn't pull away from the embrace.

Agatha continued, resting her chin lightly on Rio's shoulder. "I was thinking... maybe today we could do something together. You, me and Nessa. Just a simple day out, nothing crazy. We all deserve a little break."

Rio turned her head slightly, meeting Agatha's gaze and for a moment, something flickered in her dark eyes something softer, unspoken. "You really think I'm the 'day out' type?" she teased, though her tone was devoid of its usual sharpness.

Agatha laughed softly, brushing a strand of Rio's hair away from her face. "You might surprise yourself."

By mid-morning, they had bundled up and headed into the nearby town, a picturesque place with cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and a small park tucked away at its center. The three of them wandered through the market first, browsing stalls filled with handmade trinkets, fresh produce, and baked goods.

"Can we get these?" Nessa asked, holding up a bag of caramel-dipped apples. Her eyes sparkled with hope as she looked between Rio and Agatha.

Agatha smiled warmly. "Of course, sweetheart." She reached for her purse, but Rio stopped her with a smirk.

"Don't bother" Rio said, snapping her fingers. A shiny coin appeared in her palm, and she tossed it to the vendor. "Keep the change."

Agatha rolled her eyes. "You know, normal people use actual wallets."

"Normal people don't get caramel apples with a side of flair" Rio replied with mock haughtiness, earning a laugh from Nessa.

They continued through the market, stopping to admire flowers, sampling fudge from a cheerful vendor, and letting Nessa pick out a charm bracelet from a jewelry stall. Every so often, Rio would catch herself glancing at Agatha and Nessa together.

Despite the gaps in her memory, there was a strange, unshakable warmth in her chest when she looked at them, a pull she didn't understand but didn't entirely dislike.

Eventually, they made their way to the park. A small pond glistened in the sunlight, surrounded by benches and willow trees. Families picnicked nearby and children fed ducks with bits of bread. Agatha spread out a blanket on the grass while Nessa ran ahead to explore.

Rio flopped onto the blanket beside Agatha, her sharp tongue ready. "I'm just saying, for all the supernatural drama we've been through, this town's idea of excitement is... ducks."

Agatha chuckled, watching Nessa giggle as a particularly bold duck followed her. "Not everything has to be exciting, you know. Sometimes it's nice to just exist."

Rio tilted her head, staring at Agatha thoughtfully. "Yeah, well you seem to make 'existing' look annoyingly appealing."

Agatha turned to meet her gaze, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Are you... trying to be nice to me?"

Rio shrugged, but a small, almost shy grin appeared. "Don't get used to it."

Their moment was interrupted as Nessa returned, breathless and smiling, holding out a handful of wildflowers she'd picked. "For you!" she said, offering them to both moms.

"They're beautiful, sweetheart," Agatha said, pulling Nessa in for a hug.

Rio took hers with a theatrical sniff. "Wow. Flowers. For someone who exudes literal death, this feels ironic."

"You're welcome" Nessa replied with a cheeky grin, sitting between them on the blanket.

As the afternoon stretched on, they shared stories, played silly games, and enjoyed snacks from the market. At one point, Agatha and Nessa teamed up to try and tickle Rio, who surprisingly put up little resistance, though her sarcastic commentary didn't let up.

When the sun began to dip lower in the sky, they packed up and strolled back through town. Agatha and Rio walked side by side, and Nessa skipped a few paces ahead.

"You're good with her" Agatha said quietly, glancing at Rio.

Rio looked surprised for a moment before shrugging. "She's easy to be good with." After a pause, she added, "I don't know why, but... being with her, with you, feels... familiar. Like something's trying to remind me of something."

Agatha's breath caught. She reached out, her fingers brushing Rio's. "It'll come back" she said softly. "I know it will."

They walked in comfortable silence until Nessa suddenly turned around. "Let's race to the house!" she called, already sprinting ahead.

Agatha laughed. "Cheater!" she shouted, taking off after her daughter.

Rio stayed behind, watching them. A soft smile played on her lips, and something deep inside her stirred a feeling she couldn't place but didn't want to lose. With a shake of her head, she jogged to catch up, her sarcasm ready as ever.

Back at the house, the three of them settled in for the evening, the warmth of the day still lingering. It wasn't dramatic or intense. It was simply perfect.

Nessa looked up from where she was sitting, her phone momentarily forgotten on the table. Her wide eyes softened as she glanced between Agatha and Rio who were standing near the doorway, talking quietly. Without warning, she stood and walked over to them, her voice quiet but unwavering. "I just... I just wanted to say I love you both. You're the best moms ever." Her words were simple, but the sincerity in her tone made them feel weighty.

Agatha's eyes shimmered with emotion, and she opened her arms immediately, pulling Nessa into a warm hug. Rio hesitated for just a second before stepping forward, her lips twitching into the faintest of smiles as she joined the embrace.

The three of them stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the room filled with a rare but comforting silence. Agatha pressed a kiss to Nessa's hair, her voice thick with affection. "We love you too, sweetheart."

Rio added, her tone softer than usual, "Yeah, we do. Don't ever forget it." For a moment, the world outside felt distant, and all that mattered was the warmth they shared in that perfect embrace.