"I see the cat is out of the hat." Fiona cut them off, a cigarette lingering between her fingers.
Misty internally cringed when she heard Fiona's voice. She instantly pulled away from Cordelia, but still lightly held her one hand. She didn't know what to say to the older woman.
Cordelia knew that voice. And she certainly knew the way her heart was beating so incredibly fast and her hands began to sweat. She tightened the grasp on Misty's hand, even though she had jumped away from Misty. The other position was way better. In her head, she saw her mother. Fiona. It looked like she had come back early. "Hi, mother," her voice was stern although it shook a little. She gulped.
Misty bit her lip as she looked down nervously. She didn't want to say anything or do anything to make things harder on Cordelia.
"Misty," Fiona gave her a nod.
Cordelia's stomach clenched. Fiona was hard on her, yes, but she wouldn't allow Misty Day to get involved in that. She was her responsibility now. "I thought you were out."
Misty bit her lip as she softly looked up, meeting judgmental eyes.
"I was... but I came back. Someone told me you haven't been taking care of the house." Fiona said.
Cordelia took a deep, quiet breath. She could see Fiona's eyes in her mind. "I haven't been i-in my best state."
"Don't you act like a coward, Cordelia!" Fiona's voice came loud and harsh. "You are my daughter. How can you be so weak?"
Misty felt her blood boiling. She didn't understand how someone could be so cruel to someone with such a pure heart as Cordelia. "She's tryin' her best... ya don't see what she's been goin' through cause ya ain't here. Maybe if ya were, ya'd understand, but 'til then, ya ain't got no room to judge anyone but yaself." She said.
Cordelia's body shrank. She squeezed her eyes. It made no difference. Her stomach squeezed itself.
Fiona chuckled before taking another drag of her cigarette. "Do you think you know my daughter better than I do? Huh? Just because you're here, helping her finally get out of her bedroom?"
Misty's eyes dropped. "I may not know her better, but I do know the good, pure parts of her that matter the most." She said.
Cordelia's eyes grew teary. She focused on not allowing her tears to fall down. "Misty and I are on our way out." She managed to croak.
Misty nodded softly. She gently squeezed Cordelia's hand.
"Okay, whatever," Fiona said with a wave of her hand before walking off.
Cordelia's free hand moved to put her hair behind her ear. She sighed, subconsciously loosening the grip on Misty's hand.
Misty frowned before turning toward the stairs. "I'm sorry... I thought she was gone."
"I-it's not your fault," Cordelia shook her head softly, hesitantly starting to walk downstairs.
Misty took small steps. "Still... she's such a bitch." She said softly.
Cordelia chuckled before sniffing. She didn't say anything just yet.
Misty smiled sadly before guiding Cordelia to the end of the stares. "Uh, just remembered we'll have to walk... I don't know how to drive..." she said nervously.
"That's alright, lo... love," Cordelia said softly. She caressed Misty's fingers and focused on taking deep breaths.
A new swarm of butterflies invaded Misty's stomach as she looked down with a small blush on her cheeks. "I'm glad it's okay... plus, this way we can enjoy the autumn air."
