What it All Really Meant (Part II)

Laying beside a sleeping Charlee, Callum snapped his fingers. His magic seeping into her, she began to talk in her sleep.

She shivered, "I’m just a little different…but I’m good…I promise I’m good. Being different doesn’t make me bad…I’m good…” She cried in her sleep and she whispered, “Don’t hate me…I’m sorry for being different, but I can be normal Cal…I can be as good as you.”

Callum covered his mouth and shook his head. Charlee was one of the best people he knew, and her Gothic style was what attracted him right away. She believed in others when they didn’t believe in themselves, she showed forgiveness and compassion. From the first moment she’d seen him, she looked at his soul. And without knowing any of his past, told him he was good. And as the brother who carried the weight of letting everyone down, it split his heart knowing she’d thought she’d let him down.

The next morning, when Charlee awoke, she found herself in Callum’s arms. And upon seeing his eyes open, she began to cry.

"Lee…” She shook her head, and he wiped her tears, "Will you come somewhere with me?”

She hesitantly agreed. Callum already fully clothed, snapped and cleaned her up. She looked down, and her eyes widened, seeing what he’d put her in. It was her style, combat boots, fishnets, and shorts. A shirt that read. *What’s normal anyway?*

She looked up and him and he smiled, "It’s our day off, so let’s dress down a bit.” He pointed to his clothes. Her favorite pair of jeans of his, a t-shirt that showed his tattoos. Charlee face flushed when she saw that he noticed her checking him out. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Don’t worry, I’ll show you *exactly* what yours does to me when we get back.”

Taking her hand, he snapped, and they ended up in her office in the institution. She looked around confused and he laughed, pulling her from the room. "I was thinking-” He said walking down the hall, "We could have a special type of program.”

Opening the doors to one of the large halls, she saw a bunch of kids. Alternatively dressed, all different races, tattoos, piercings. All with uncomfortable looks that changed immediately when they saw her and Callum enter the room.

She heard a, “Wow…she’s really pretty.” And the girl quickly covered her mouth.

Callum nodded, "Yes she is…and she just so happens to be the director here.”

Charlee looked at Callum. "I don’t-”

"For the misfits, the ones who are different, for the ones who are just a bit misunderstood, but still good Lee. Some of them are homeless, some have never known what it’s like to be loved for just being them. You said that you wanted me here because I’m relatable, well for them, so are you.” Her hands shook and he turned to the group. "We’re testing a new support group idea that provides a safe space, not of seclusion but inclusivity. A place where you can share your thoughts, your words, and take that confidence out in the world.”

"Will she be here?!”

He turned to Charlee, "Well?”

She nodded feverishly, "I’ll run it.”

From around the room, she saw a lot of smiles, and sighs of relief. And as the days passed, what was supposed to be once a week, turned into Charlee and Callum seeing the group almost daily. Each kid eventually signing up for the institution and walked the halls with their heads high. Knowing that if Charlee was able to build something as amazing as she did while being her, then there was hope they could too.

They made friends, they laughed, they cried, they shared their trauma. And when the day came that Charlee shared what happened to her, she learned there were two kids in the program who were going through it as well. With Callum’s help, they got them moved to the institution permanently. And it was at that moment, Callum realized the significance of his new tattoo. There’s a bit of sinner in everyone, but that didn’t mean that there isn't a bit of saint too. And watching Charlee work through understanding she was different, but good, he grew to understand that so was he.

Charlee looked down at her finger and jumped up and down, "Callum my ring is gone!”

He saw her eyes tear and he hugged her, "Don’t worry about it, that damn ring is as mischievous as me. I’ll make sure to keep two or three handy when the time comes.” He pulled out his coin and tilted his head, "Now...Lee? Head or tail?”

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Waylon felt the heat permeate off of Willow's skin, the moment he held her as she slept. She shrugged him off, and he started to leave until he saw her wrap her arms tightly around her body. He pulled her in his strong arms again, she turned and buried her head into his chest and clung on tight. Every time, he moved an inch she pulled him back to her. He exposed his rubied fangs and gently bit into her shoulder. She held onto him tighter as his calm emotions pulled through her. The heat of her skin, now dissipated, he felt her emotions.

Waylon looked down at her, her sadness and fear making him want to wake her up. Without words, she told him all he needed to know. She pushed him away and prepared herself to be all alone as she always was. And when he came back, she clung to him for dear life afraid he’d leave like everyone else. And as the brother whose hidden loneliness landed him on the ledge, the fact that he hadn’t given her a sense of protection that he’d been afforded, left a lump in his throat. Because she had not only tried her best to protect him, but she loved on him even when he was afraid to love on her back.

The next morning, Willow woke and her arms searched for Waylon. Her eyes grew frantic, and she covered her face to keep her emotions inside.

She sighed and muttered, "Right…,” and prepared to get out of bed.

Hearing Waylon’s voice boom from the corner, "Right what?”

She shrieked, “DON’T SCARE ME LIKE THAT DAMMIT!” She glared at him, with her hands balled. He smirked and walked over and picked her up and placed her in his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered softly. "Don’t scare me like that dammit…”

He breathed her in, ?Sorry, I was just getting everything ready."

She looked at him in confusion, "Getting what ready?”

He laughed, "Since you don’t like when I wave and get you ready-”

She glared at him. "No. I. Do. Not.”

Laughing again, Waylon walked to the door and turned around, and waved his hand. Feeling refresh with new clothes on her body, she blew steam from her nose.

"WAYLON!” She roared and he winked.

"There it is.”

Storming behind him downstairs, Willow continued to fuss. "You get back here jerk!”

He grabbed his chest. "Lolo such vile language.”

"I’ll give you vile language you big-”

"SURPRISE!”

Willow almost jumped out of her skin, seeing everybody in the living room. Her eyes widened. "What is this?!”

Waylon pulled her to him, "For you.”

Fiona stepped forward, "Willow, you know we’re your family, right?”

She looked down at her shoes, "Yes…," she whispered.

Charlee gave her a long hug, "Then start acting like you know we are.”

Desiree joined them, "We love you so much. You’re our sister okay?-And these four…especially that one-" She smirked at Waylon’s reddened face, "Love you too. Okay.”

Alaric and Eva moved through the crowd and held her tight, "Your parents are so proud of you, and we are too.”

Willow finally let go of her tears. Because for all the people who had left her, some because they didn’t have another choice, she realized she had nine others who loved her deeply.

Waylon kissed her head, "Never alone again…okay?” Hearing his words, she clung to him, and he held onto her just as tightly.

Finally releasing one another, Waylon rubbed the back of his neck, "Um….” She tilted her head. "I have another surprise for you, but I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about it.”

She hugged him, "I love it already.”

His father laughed, seeing the happiness cross Waylon’s face. His family saw his blue eyes gleam, and they knew that in making her feel safe, he finally realized security of his own. One with his favorite person, and nine others he adored. And he no longer had to hide his feelings, because he understood he was in a safe space to share them. Each took their partner's hand, and they vanished from the house.

Landing in a graveyard, Waylon pointed to two graves. The first of her mother and the second made her cover her mouth. She looked at him and he nodded his head, "I got him and brought him home.” Her hands shook, her father’s body was really there. Each stepped forward and placed a flower on her mother and father’s grave. Waylon handed her a pen and paper, "Write to them” and he kissed the top of her head.

Saying nothing else, they walked away and left Willow to properly grieve. She wrote a note of appreciation to both her parents and one of forgiveness to herself. And rolling both tightly, she placed them both in the small boxes she realized Waylon left for her. "I love you both always and I promise to visit again.” Running her hands across the tombstones, she stood and looked to Waylon. Her green eyes flashed blue, and he gave her a small smile.

Enveloped in the love of their new extensions of family, Waylon and Willow finally found a sense of peace. And as the days went by, Willow and Waylon opened up and talked about their emotions. Both understanding the rage is a part of them. Willow joined him in therapy, and they had sparring sessions in the gym. And though they still had an *interesting* sex life, it grew to be healthier and full of communication.

After one of those very moments, she clung to him.

"What’s wrong?” He asked

"My ring…it’s gone. I don’t know what happened. I keep it around my neck…you know I keep it there I-”

Waylon grabbed her shoulders, “Hey relax it’s okay Lolo. You’re getting a new one anyway, only this one I’d prefer if you wore on her finger instead of your neck.”

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Waylon worked every day on his anger and was controlling it well. Until the day came, where he walked into the living room to find his brothers tense and glaring hard.

"What’s going-”

He looked at saw his grandfather, his aunt Lucifer and Uncle J.C. Saying nothing, his eyes reddened and he punched his grandfather hard in the face.

His grandfather held his chin. "If I wasn’t who I was, you would have certainly broken my jaw.”

Waylon cut his eyes, "Because you are who you are, I know you only LET me hit you because you deserved it.”

"Fair point.”

Fabian and Declan looked at them deadly. "You. Are. Not. Taking. Them. From. Us.” Their grandfather shook his head no, "We. Are. Not. Leaving. Them.” Lucifer shook her head no, as well.

Callum stood and cocked his arm back and punched his uncle hard in the face.

“WHAT DID I DO?!”

"Stand there and look stupid! And get your mangy sandals off my floor. FLOAT OR SOMETHING I DON’T CARE! Matter fact stand outside-” Fabian grabbed his arm and he blew steam from his nose, "He came just to piss me off.” His uncle J.C stood and laughed, making Callum mad all over again.

Fabian folded his arms to his chest, “What do you all want? If it’s some dumbass test. We’re not putting them through that again. We’re not putting anyone here through suffering. This place is so full of life and its own pain and happiness, it deserves to stay.”

“Even if it means destroying everything?” their grandfather enquired.

Waylon rolled his eyes, “You mean to tell me all of us, plus the three of you and mom and dad can’t figure out how to stop us from turning?”

His grandfather eyed him, “It’s not our fight it’s yours!”

Waylon exhaled deeply, “We want to stay and keep everyone safe. You can help us protect this place, I know you can. Either we’re family or we aren’t. You don’t get to play that card when it’s convenient."


Lucifer glared, “WE ARE FAMILY!”

Matching her glare Declan challenged her. "THEN HELP US OR GET OUT OUR WAY!” He exhaled sharply. “We need your help please; we love it here.”

Their Uncle J.C raised his brow to Callum, "And you have nothing to say? Isn’t like you to be so quiet.”

Irritated Callum closed his eyes and opened them, his face calm, "I’m with them. Whatever happens, we’re in this together. I may not hold as much decency in me as anybody else, but that doesn’t mean I want this world to end. It’s the one place I’ve been able to do good…to help others.”

Their grandfather looked from one to the other and waved his hands. Four rings sat in his palms. "Good…that’s all I needed to hear.”

He gave Callum his ring, "The one who feared being decent because he thought he could never be good. You are good Callum, and this world deserves to see it.”

He gave Fabian his ring, "The one who was so empty inside, he couldn't understand the completion of emotion. Fabian, you’ve learned both and as such, can help others become whole again.”

He smiled at Waylon and gave him his. "The one with the MEAN right hook.”

Waylon rubbed the back of his neck, "Sorry granddad.”

He laughed, "That’s okay. The one whose anger led to his loneliness, Waylon you’ve learned how to open up and allow others to provide you security as you provide it to them. This world deserves your protection and newfound gentler nature.” He handed Declan his ring. "Could you imagine if we’d honored your request? This world NEEDS the one who finally learned to ask for help. Declan, there is not one perfect person in this world, but that doesn’t mean they aren't worthy. You can teach them *you don’t need to be one to be the other* and to lean on one another for support.” He clapped his hands together, "Now, do I have to wait all day? Or are you going to ask them to marry you, so I can officiate it?”

“NOW?!” Wayon shouted

He laughed, "Unless you want to wait…we could always wait since you passed and-”

"NO!” Callum looked at his brothers nervously, "We’re ready now…we just hope they feel the same."