“Smells like it too,” I said. I glanced at Courtney. “Do you think we should heat it up? I could make her some tea and pour this in it.”
“Probably.” Courtney shrugged. “I mean, I would.”
I busied myself making the tea, trying not to look at the clock and count down the minutes. I just wanted to make sure that Bella was okay since she wasn’t the one who conducted the spell on her. I wanted to make sure I had done it right and hadn’t completely messed her up.
When the tea finished, I grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured the tea inside. I left some space so I could add the potion to it as well, and stirred it in slowly, methodically. I spoke a quick spell and the mug warmed even more. I didn’t want her tea to be lukewarm because the potion had been refrigerated.
“Done,” I said, nodding once. “Now we just wait for her to wake up.”
On cue, a groan came from upstairs. Carefully, I took hold of the mug and climbed the steps to her bedroom. I could hear her moving around the room and, if she was anything like me, she wouldn’t be able to stand up straight, much less remember what was going on.
“Bella?” I called when I got close to her room. “I’m coming in.”
I opened the door. She knelt over, one hand gripping the quilt on top of her bed. I rushed to her and held out the mug.
She struggled to sit up on her bed, dripping in sweat and moaning softly in pain. I had never seen her like that. Worry filled my system. Even though I knew she would be better once she took a drink of the potion, it still tore at my heart to see her in pain.
“Here you go, Hun,” I said, practically forcing the mug in her face. A couple of drops spilled onto the quilt.
Bella took the mug, smiling weakly but gratefully. She let out a breath of relief, and I was suddenly aware that maybe she thought she wasn’t going to get her drink because she actually hadn’t told us what to do. I frowned. I had hoped Bella knew she could rely on me whenever she needed me, but maybe she didn’t. I promised myself right there that I would start pulling my own weight so she wouldn’t think she was in this alone.
She downed the tea in a few swallows. I hoped I hadn’t heated up the wrong potion and poured it into the tea. I probably should have asked her before handing it over.
She smiled and didn’t throw up, so I took that as a good sign.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. I didn’t want to crowd her, but I wanted her to know I was here and ready to help with whatever she needed. She had already done so much for me—so much for us.
Bella stretched her neck from side to side and blinked a few times.
“Surprisingly good, especially after my tea,” she said.
“I’ll have you know that I did my best,” I said.
Bella smiled. “Thank you for bringing it straight in.”
“No problem,” I said. I leaned back on the bedspread, making sure to keep a safe distance from her. I didn’t want to overwhelm her so soon after she went through the transformation. “I knew how much it helped me yesterday, so I wasn’t leaving you to fend for yourself.”
Bella smiled and got to her feet. I sat up but didn’t leave the bed.
“I suggest a shower, then maybe something to eat,” I said. “As someone who has experience, let me just tell you with all the love and affection I have for you in my heart, you smell.”
Bella laughed. “I appreciate your honesty,” she said. For a moment, the two of us stared at each other. “I’ve missed you, Ava. I’m glad you’re back.”
She turned from me and wandered off to her bathroom. I sighed and forced myself to stand up.
An incredible wave of relief coursed through me. We’d made it, all three of us.
I walked out of the bedroom and fo
und Courtney munching on French toast downstairs. My stomach rumbled.
“Please tell me you saved me some,” I said as I plopped on the couch. Mother would have had a fit if we had eaten anywhere but the dining table, but Mother wasn’t here to enforce the rule and Bella was in the shower.
When we finished eating, we both decided Bella would want something as well so we forced ourselves to wobble into the kitchen with our full bellies and start thinking of what she would want.
We began to magic up some hot pies and a salad, and cut up some fruit from the fridge. Bella tended to like quote-unquote healthier things than French toast, even if we lathered the bread with berries.
By the time she came downstairs, we had it all done. I stood back, proud of myself. It wasn’t like I cooked anything, but it still amazed me what a little conjuring could really produce.