Already, the stress of being a Mama Emeritus is piling up. A ghoul who introduced himself as Cowbell knocked on the door this morning, waking Y/n and Terzo, "Good morning Mama and Papa." Cowbell bowed, "Mama is needed in the preschool." Y/n looks over at Terzo confused as to why she already had Prime Mover duties, she wasn't married to him yet, "She'll be right out." Terzo assures and shuts the door,

"You didn't tell me that I already have to raise ghouls!" Y/n grows through gritted teeth, "I didn't realize it would be so soon either." Terzo admits, looking slightly scared. Y/n sighs and hugs him, "I'm sorry that I got angry, I'm just nervous, I've been around kids but never to raise them." Terzo hugs her back, "Don't worry, I know that Maria will be there, she'll help you." Maria is Secundo's wife, Mama Emeritus II. Primo didn't marry, so she was thrown into the Mama duties at a young age, "Okay, if she's there I'll be okay. What do I wear?" Y/n asks as she steps back.

Terzo thinks for a second then snaps his fingers. A deep purple, silk romper with a gold grucifix belt, and her Doc Martens replace her pajamas. Her hair is now in a braided bun. She feels the familiar sheath replacing the left pocket of the garment, "Thank you." She smiles, feeling the soft fabric, "You'll be with the ghouls for another realm today, when we marry we will get the next generation." Terzo explained, pulling her close to him, "I love you." He kisses her, she kisses back smiling into it, "I love you, I'll see you tonight." She says, gently squeezing his shoulders. She opens the door, Cowbell still there, "I'm ready now." she says softly, "Mi cara wait!" Terzo says, grabbing her arm, "I almost forgot." He waves his hand, an amethyst hair pin decorates the top of the bun, "To let them know where you're from." He smiles, loving the look of his color on you. Y/n smiles softly, appreciating his protectiveness. She leaves with Cowbell.

The walk to the nursery wing was silent, Y/n never met this Ghoul before, and he seemed to be older, probably one of Primo's ghouls, "How's your week been?" Y/n asks, tired of the silence. Cowbell glances at her but responds, "Busy, but not too unenjoyable. How about you?" Y/n laughs, "Well I've had to plan a funeral, wedding, and am now going to help raise the next generation of ghouls, so pretty tame." Cowbell and Y/n laugh at her sarcasm. They reach the brightly painted hallway. They stop walking, "Here we are, Ma-Y/n." Cowbell corrects, "Thank you, Cowbell." He bows slightly then walks off, leaving Y/n alone.

She walked towards the door that had tiny voices behind it. Y/n takes a deep breath, and knocks on the door. The room goes silent, "Alright babies, we have a visitor!" Maria says, the kits start to whisper and laugh. She opens the door, "Morning Y/n, It's lovely to see you again." She hugs her, Y/n hesitates, but hugs her back. Maria was younger than her mother, but still old enough to have there be a considerable difference in their appearances. Maria looks like a mother. She has a few gray hairs, perfect posture, always has a small smile, and walks with grace. Y/n on the other hand, is more of a child, "It's very nice to be back." Y/n says as Maria pulls away, "Are you ready to meet the kits?" She asks, a smile showing her perfectly white teeth, everything about Maria screamed perfection. Y/n nods, and they both walk into the room.

"Class this is Miss Y/n." The class says, "HI MISS Y/N!" Her heart flutters at the sound of the high pitch voices and giggles, "Hello everyone! I'm excited to meet you." She says, an absent minded smile painting her face. The energy in the room was so pure, so happy and youthful. It was such a contrast to the dreary, ancient feeling of the church, "Well, Miss Y/n, why don't you have a seat at the desk, we are just going over some grammar" Y/n nods and quickly sits in the office chair behind the wooden desk. 

A pile of worksheets and an answer key sit in the corner. Y/n quietly takes the papers and looks over them. These kits seem to be around a human toddler age, but they're learning about conjunctions already. It was simple sentences like 'I like the dog and the cat' and 'I want candy or juice'. Maria starts speaking, "Today we are going to practice conjunctions. Can anyone tell me what a conjunction is?" One tiny kit in the front raised her hand, "Yes Soleil?" Maria points with a smile. Y/n looked up from the papers eagerly waiting to see if the ghoulette did know, "It is when a sentence has two subjects, so you bridge them together" Her heart almost melts at the tiny, high-pitched voice.

Maria smiles broadly, "Very good, Soleil!" She praises, starting to write on the chalkboard, "Now, someone give me a noun." Maria announces. Several kits raise their hands, "Jasper, give me a noun." Maria says to one of the ghouls, "A CAT!" He shouts with a giggle, the other kits and Maria join in. Y/n couldn't help but smile bigger at the adorable kits, "Okay, so we have a cat and...lets see here..." Maria's eyes scan the room. She smiles softly, looking into the back corner, "Aalto?" A little head peeks up from the desk, "Can you give me a noun?" His bright blue eyes are almost covered by his black hair, he shakes his head 'no', sinking further into his seat. Maria sighs slightly, and starts to sign, Can you sign a noun? He smiles, a wave, "So, we have a wave and a cat." Y/n watches the exchange, and finds herself staring at the little ghoul, he seemed to be shy, like Water. Water was mute for the first few years, terrified of crowds and talking in public spaces. The little ghoul stared back, a smile forming on his face, like he knew her. She gasped slightly, but gave him a slight wave of the hand, he waved back, "Alright, I have some papers for us to practice. Once you finish your paper, please give them to Miss Y/n for corrections, then we will have recess." The little kits cheer and chat while Maria and Y/n pass out the papers.

Y/n hands the paper to Aalto and signs, You've got this! His eyes grow wide and a small laugh comes out. Her heart practically stopped at the sound, it reminded her of Water talking for the first time and the joy that brought. She walks back to the desk and sits next to Maria, "How are you liking class so far?" She whispers, not wanting to distract the kits from their work, "I love it." Y/n admits smiling while looking over all of the cute children, "I can tell Aalto likes you, that's an amazing sign." Maria holds Y/n's hand that was sitting on top of the desk, "He reminds you of Water, I can tell." They both giggle, Maria helped to raise them, and she recalls Water only signing with a few people, her being one of them, "He does, but he seems to be a little more open to socializing than Water was." Maria laughs softly recalling the fond memories, "Oh yes, much more willing. Oh here comes the first kit, go ahead." Maria leaves the desk and moves over to a cabinet, starting to organize the random objects in it.

Y/n swallows her nerves and faces the little ghoulette, "Hello, Soleil right?" she asks softly, the little ghoulette nods, "And you are Miss Y/n." Y/n smiles, "That's right, you are very smart!" The kit smiles and blushes at the compliment, "Here, sit by me." Y/n pulls over a tiny chair, she sits down. Y/n starts to look over the paper, seeing no flaws she turns back to the little ghoulette, fidgeting in the chair, "Soleil?" She says getting the kit's attention, "Great job, no errors!" She hands the paper back with a star in black pen decorating the top, "Thank you Miss Y/n!" Soleil says. She takes her paper and sits back at her desk.

Jasper is the next one to finish. He practically runs over to the desk and almost falls out of the chair, Y/n catches him quickly, "Careful there firecracker." She laughs. He looks up at her, "Firecracker?" She laughs, "I have a friend like you, very energetic, that's his nickname." Jasper smiles and nods, handing her his paper. Y/n takes the paper and immediately smiles at all the tiny drawings decorating the sides, his sentences however were not perfect, "Alright, Jasper, let's see if I can help you." He was bouncing in the seat, clearly unable to focus. Y/n looks around the desk, searching for something to help him focus. Her eyes fall on a stress ball, "Here play with this while we go over the paper." he smiles and takes the toy, his eyes glowing at the new found toy, "Now, how do we join two thoughts together?" He looks up from the toy, thinks for a moment, and says, "we use and." Y/n praises, "Exactly, good job. So, when we have a dog and cat, we say?" He thinks for a second, "I have a dog and a cat?" He looks up at her, confusion and fear fill his big, fiery eyes, "Correct! See, you are so, so smart." He beams and takes his paper back, "I'll fix it!" He runs back to his seat, stress ball still in hand.

Y/n looks back down at the desk, starting to grade some math tests from the previous week. Maria watched her every move, after all it was her decision for whenever Y/n takes over. It seems that Y/n may be a more perfect teacher than her.

Aalto is the next to finish. He slowly, silently walks up to desk. Y/n's too engrossed in grading the papers that she doesn't notice him. His shoulders shrug, a small sigh snaps Y/n attention to the small ghoul, "I'm so sorry, Aalto." She says with a small smile, "Come on, sit down, let's see your paper." He shyly hands it over, his hand shaking, "Hey, no need to be nervous! I'm here to help." A small smile and nod is his response. He stares as Y/n's eyes scan the paper, a big smile taking over, "Amazing job, Aalto, it's absolutely perfect!" The little ghoul let out a squeal and hugged Y/n. She was taken aback at the reaction, but quickly pulled the ghoul into her lap. His hands wrapped around her neck and her hands on his back, "I'm so proud of you little wave!" She whispers, he squeals again, clinging to her like a toy.

They stay like that for a while, Aalto not letting go. When the next ghoul walks up with his paper, Y/n asks, "Aalto, do you want to go back to your seat?" The little kit shook his head 'no', "Okay." She shifted the child so that his head rested on her right shoulder, legs draped across her hips. Her right arm held him, but the left held the pen. She didn't need to write anything so she could use her left hand instead, "Hello, what is your name?" The pattern repeated until there was one kit left, another shy water ghoulette. Aalto stayed on Y/n's hip the whole time.

"Hello little one, what is your name?" She just stared, her eyes a very dark blue. Aalto taps Y/n's shoulder and signs, Adriana, "Hello, Adriana." Y/n smiles, the little girl smiles back, and hands the paper to her. Aalto and Adriana sign back and forth for a second while Y/n grades the paper. She looks down at her leg when she feels small arms wrap around it. Adriana is hugging her leg, her head nuzzling into the thigh, soft purrs shake her small body. Y/n sets down the pen and pets the ghoulette's hair with her hand, causing more purrs, "Great job, Adriana, you did it right." She nuzzles harder into Y/n's leg.

Maria walks back over, "I see the water kits like you!" She laughs. Y/n smiles and looks at the two children, "I guess so!" Maria turns to the class, "Alright kits, great job! Time for recess!" All of the kids except for Adrianna, Aalto, and two others stayed in the room. Y/n looked at them confused. Maria noticed her confusion and clarified, "Those are the other water kits, they tend to stay in for recess." Y/n thinks for a second, "Can I take them somewhere?" Maria thought it over, "Okay, be back by one." She permits. Y/n stands, still holding Aalto, Adriana grabs her hand. Y/n walks over to the two kits, "Hello," she says in a low voice, understanding that water elements react better to calm, patient energy, "Would you like to go to the gardens with me?" The two kits quickly stood. The ghoul held Adrianna's other hand, the ghoulette held onto Y/n leg.

The group quickly and quietly walks to the garden. Y/n hoped that she might have seen Terzo or one of the other ghouls on their journey, but the halls were empty. The little children held onto Y/n tighter the moment the door opened, "There is nothing to fear, trust me you will love this spot." She tries to comfort, but they still look up at her nervously, "I've heard that there is candy where we are going." She says smiling, each kit perked up and pulled at her to move. Y/n laughs and carefully walks down the stairs. She leads them down the stone path, and to the fountain where her and Terzo used to sneak off to for recess, and where they enjoyed one of her first days back at the ministry.

The kits saw the water, and instantly withered out of Y/n's grip to go run around the fountain. She places Aalto down carefully, he looks up at her, then back at the fountain, "Go on, go play. I'll be right here." He runs off with the others. Y/n smiles, knowing that them bonding will help them come out of their shells eventually. It gives her a twinge of sadness watching them too, knowing that when Water and her were younger they would have done the same. The ghouls and ghoulettes ran around the fountain, using their powers to splash each other as they ran. Y/n summons a book to read, a romantic novel, but looks up periodically to check on the water elementals.

A few more minutes pass, it's only 12:36  so they still have time. Y/n is more entranced in her book, she doesn't realize who's sitting next to her, "You brought them out here? I should have known." It was Water. She vanishes her book, "Yes, I thought they would like it." Water watches them, his arms crossed, eyes beaming with pride, "Aalto, Adriana, Aenon, Alun!" He shouts, the four kits stop playing and run over to him. They immediately hug him, he picks all four of them up, kissing their cheeks and faces, "Daddy's missed you guys! How's school?" Each kit started talking a mile a minute, trying to tell him all about their days, "Has Miss Y/n been nice?" A resounding yes comes from the children, "Alright go play, daddy will see you later okay?" A mix of 'bye daddy' and 'let's go!' announced that the kits still wanted to play, Water sat back down, "Since when did you have kits?" Y/n asks, still shocked, "Do you remember Ara?" She nods, Ara and Rain were childhood friends, similar to her and Terzo, but Water and Earth loved each other, "We had them a few years back, apparently were the only full water elemental couple left." Y/n turns back to the kits, "I knew Aalto reminded me of you." Water looks over to her, eyebrow raised, "Why's that?" She laughs, "Silent, but will sign like a madman when someone else can." They both laugh at the fond memories. Y/n checks her watch, 12:50, "Come on kits! Recess is over." They groan, but run back over. Aalto raises his arms, wanting to be picked up, Y/n lifts him onto her hip. She takes Adriana's hand, and Aenon and Alun hold hands with Adriana. Water stays in his seat, waving as his kits and Y/n walk back into the ministry.

The class was roaring with excitement and toddler energy. Water's kits clung to Y/n, "It's okay, it's okay." She cooed, trying to relax them. Maria wasn't in the room, and they were getting too rowdy, the others stressing out, "Class, let's settle down please." Y/n says, trying to regain control, no one listens. Y/n has an idea, "Class" She sings, it immediately goes quiet, "Thank you." She puts Aalto down, "Go sit down guys." She whispers, they listen, "Okay, so Miss Maria is not here yet, but we need to start on our math lessons, so I'll hand out this paper and we will work on some addition together." She says cheerfully, starting to hand out the papers.

Maria, Primo, and Terzo watch from the camera in awe, "She's a natural." Primo says, his eyes wide, jaw open, "I told you she'd be perfect." Maria smirks, knowing that her prediction was correct, "She is just so perfect!" Terzo beams. Pride, love, and pure happiness fill his being, being Y/n's fiance makes him so much more than just Papa Emeritus III, "I know Sister will be pleased to hear of her success." Maria says, cutting through the silence, "When are you two going to be married?" Maria asks, looking at Terzo. He smiles softly, "A few days, speaking of which I must go handle some things about the wedding, goodbye brother, Maria." He bows slightly and leaves the room.

"So if we have TWO and ONE but we want to put them together, what do we do?" Many hands raise over the crowd, "Yes, Aalto?" He says, "We add." Y/n jaw dropped, he spoke, he spoke in front of the whole class, "Very good Aalto!" she praises while writing the addition sign on the board, "Can anyone tell me what two and one put together is?" Soleil raises her hand, "Yes Soleil?" She smiles, "Three!" Y/n writes it on the board, "Very good!" She turns back to face the room, "Now, on the paper there are a few more problems to solve, if you find yourself stuck, use your fingers and count. If you need more help, raise your hand, I'll be around to help." The kits start to work diligently on their papers, Y/n just walks around the room checking their answers as they work, pleased with how easy it came to everyone. Maria walks back into the room, "Ah sorry for my late appearance Miss Y/n, but I see you've already adapted to the classroom." She smiles. Y/n crosses her arms and tilts her head, "You set me up didn't you?" Maria laughed, "Clever girl, yes, yes I did." Y/n laughs, "I'm glad I passed, I thought this would be way more difficult." She admits, starting to walk back over to the desk with Maria.

Both women lean against the desk for a while longer while the kids finish up their papers. A knock at the door causes everyone to pause. The kits sit quietly. Y/n looks over at Maria, a silent exchange of a plan happens. Both women summon a dagger, Maria's with emeralds, Y/n's with Amethysts. Y/n approaches the door first, wielding the blade tightly. She opens the door and breathes a sigh of relief, "It's just our idiotic husbands." She opens the door wider, Terzo and Secundo walk in. Both vanish their weapons, but the children look on in awe, "Hello little ones!" Terzo waves, Secundo waves as well. The kits wave and get back to work. Terzo walks over to Y/n, pulls her in by her waist and kisses her, the kits 'oooo' and 'awwwww' Y/n pulls back, "You can't do that in front of children." She scolds, in a whisper to try and get the kits to get back to work, "But I missed you." He says with a pouty face. Y/n rolls her eyes.

Secundo kisses Maria's hand, "So what are you doing here?" Maria asks, "Terzo needs Y/n for some wedding planning, I just came along for the journey, and if you need help." Secundo replies smiling. Y/n has never seen him so happy before, it was a nice change, "Well, I could use the help, but no funny business." She points a finger in his face. Last time Secundo helped with class he gave everyone candy, the sugar high and coincidental crash was hell. He raises his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay I promise, mi amor." She lowers her hand and turns to Y/n, "Alright, go enjoy your wedding planning. Thank you for your help." Y/n bows slightly. Terzo offers his arm, she takes it and out they walk through the halls,

"How was the first day?" Terzo asks with a smile. Y/n smiles back, "It was adorable, the kits are so cute. When were you going to tell me that Water and Ara had kits?" She says playfully. Terzo laughs, "Water wanted to tell you, he's the only one that has kits." Terzo says sadly, "I thought that him and Earth would finally be together." Y/n whispers, not knowing who could be listening in, "That's why sister made Ara and him marry, now that he has kits he's bound to her." Both walked in somber silence after that, "We will fix it." Y/n says, the determination in her eyes spark up memories of the fiery woman Terzo admired, "Yes, yes mi cara we will." He stops them in front of a door, gold lines the ancient wood.

Terzo opens the door for Y/n, an older woman sits at a desk, she's short, stout, and yet cheery, "Hello dears! Come in come in!" She motions to the chairs. Terzo and Y/n take a seat, "Alright, so first off, congratulations!" She claps, "Thank you" Terzo and Y/n say in unison, "Now, colors, gold, black, and purple, miss Y/n already chose that." Terzo looks over at her with a smile, "My colors, mi amor, you can choose whatever you want and you chose my colors." He looked like a kid in a candy store. Y/n holds his hand, "I chose our colors." She says, he lifts her hand to his lips and places a gentle kiss on the back of it. 

The wedding planner continues, "So, we need to discuss outfits, flowers, and a reception. What flower would you like?" Terzo looks over at Y/n, her brows knit in thought, "Can we get any flower in any color?" The wedding planner beams, "Of course!" Y/n smiles, "I would like black tulips, purple roses, and white roses." The older lady writes down some notes on a piece of paper, "Are you okay with that?" Y/n asks turning to Terzo, he only laughs softly, "I think it's perfection." 

Y/n smiles wider, the joy of planning their wedding finally hitting her, "For the outfits, would robes or tuxedo be preferred by you Terzo?" He freezes, not expecting to make any of these decisions, "What would you like amor?" He asks turning to Y/n, "No, you pick this." She says, squeezing his hand, "I would prefer my robes." The wedding planner turns to Y/n, "And you miss Y/n?" She looks over to Terzo, he knows that she hates the robes, but didn't mind her choice, "Um, I-Is it okay if I wear a dress?" She asks softly, "Yes, it's completely fine. We shall have a fitting tomorrow." 

She pulls out a separate piece of paper, "Alright, now, you can choose between a traditional, clergy reception, or a party." Terzo laughs, "Party! Party, please mi cara please." He begs, Terzo has always loved a party, "Yes, yes a party please." The woman laughs, "The usual Terzo?" Y/n's jaw drops at the thought that Terzo has thrown enough parties to have a "usual", "No, no, more wine, less liquor, and only who we invite please." She writes down what Terzo says and looks up, "Well thank you for your time, I will get to work." She says with a smile. Terzo stands, your hand intertwined with his, "Thank you." He says with a bow. Y/n curtsies, "Thank you so much." The lady smiles, "Oh no worries dear! Have a great day."

Y/n and Terzo shut the door behind them. Terzo grips Y/n's hand harder, "Come on, I have a date planned tonight, and I don't want us to be late." She smiles and laughs as Terzo practically drags her back to their room. He opens the door and once she is in the room he says, "Get ready, don't show me, be in the lobby within an hour. I love you!" He shouts shutting the door and running away, giggling like a child. Y/n only smiles and starts to get dressed, without magic.