Magic in Milwaukee

Chapter 9

One month later, and Lila felt like a totally different person. She was going to court today, and, if all went well, she would officially be a Martian. Mr. Martian had hired a lawyer immediately after Lila told his wife her brother had died. The lawyer had been working hard with them to make sure Lila's adoption could be finalized before she and Kylie started high school in a month.

Lila looked down at the sleek black dress she wore, trying to look professional. Kylie and Faith wore pretty much the same dress, but Faith's was blue and Kylie's brown. Mr. Martian looked at her through the car mirror. "Feel ok?" He asked. Lila smiled weakly. "I'm fine. I just want to get this over with." She said. Faith squeezed her hand. "It will be over soon." She said as the car pulled into the courtroom parking lot.

Lila took a deep breath before exiting the car. Kylie grabbed one of her hands, and Faith the other. Mr. Martian opened the door for them, and all five walked in. They walked over to the bench and sat down. Lila's lawyer, Mr. Drake, was already there. He sent them a reassuring smile. Lila looked around, then, panicking, she did the only thing she knew to do. She recited a spell.

Time stop
Time slow
I need fix something
While others are frozen

Immediately, all but one person around her froze. Faith looked around, then, seeing Lila sitting there with tears running down her cheeks, she ran over to her. "Lila, what's wrong?" She asked. Lila looked at Faith. "I can't do this. I just want to run and hide. I want my brother back, I want my sister back." She sobbed. Faith held the young teenager close. "Lila, it's going to be ok. You will always have them, even if they aren't physically with you." She said. "It's not the same." Lila said. "You wouldn't know, you're life has always been perfect." She said. Faith looked at Lila sadly. "My life hasn't always been perfect, dear." She said. Lila looked up at the older fairy. "It hasn't?" She asked. "No. I'll tell you about it." Faith said. She sat down and set Lila on her lap. "Well, I was born about twenty-one years ago. And I was a fairy, because back then, so was my mother." She said. Lila looked back at Mrs. Martian, who sat frozen in her seat. Faith smiled. "When I was eight years old, my mother... Well, decided she was tired of being single. So she met Kylie's father. And to get him to like her," Faith looked at Mr. Martian, "She told him she was a fairy." She finished. Lila gasped. "But if she did..." Lila trailed off. "She lost any knowledge of the magic she once had." Faith finished. Lila looked at the woman again. "I was eight, and I had to make it through training all on my own, without anyone seeing anything, nonetheless." Faith finished. Lila looked at her. "And you did." She said. Faith smiled. "I did. I know you can get through this." She said. Lila nodded and wiped away her tears. Faith sat down, and Lila started time again. "Order in the court." The judge said loudly. After a quick glance at Faith, Lila looked at the judge.

After the judge heard Mr. Drake's explanation, she looked at Lila. "I see. But, you did nothing to find Lila's next of kin?" The judge asked Mr. Drake. "She has none. She told me as much." The lawyer replied. "Child, you have family." The judge said, looking at her.

The courtroom door opened, and two people walked in. Kylie looked at Mrs. Macy, wondering why her homeroom teacher was here. But, Lila didn't even notice Mrs. Macy. Her attention was in the woman standing next to her. Wordlessly, Lila let go of Faith and Kylie's hands, and ran to her.