Chapter Text
-Delia, dear? Are you in here?
-Yes Myrtle, what is it?
The flame-haired woman had entered the room joyfully followed by another slightly older woman, whom she was holding the hand of. But her smiled faded as she saw the blonde seated with Zoe, who helped her to stand.
-Myrtle, is that Bubbles?
Myrtle whose face had slightly darkened nodded softly letting go of the woman's hand and went toward her daughter. Bubbles furrowed her brows as she was watching her friend going toward their Supreme. But the thoughts she was hearing weren't hers. Zoe sat on the bed, letting Myrtle hold Cordelia close, clearly being protective.
-It's a real pleasure to see you again Bubbles. Even though I would have preferred other circumstances.
-Wouldn't we all. I was surprised to see you the Supreme. Happily surprised.
Cordelia laughed slightly and put a hand on Myrtle's to stabilize herself before looking up to her, feeling the woman grip tighten on her arm and waist.
-I'm alright Myrtle...
Bubbles saw the hurt and sadness in her friend's eyes and looked down. She could hear distinctly the thoughts of the young woman and Cordelia and Myrtle.
-I'm sorry, Zoe this is Bubbles Mcgee a long time friend of Myrtle and me. She is a witch just like us.
-Its a pleasure meeting you Miss Mcgee.
-Please, Zoe, call me Bubbles. I'm surprised to see so many witches here. But still with the public coming out you did Cordelia, I can understand that the numbers just kept on growing.
-Yes, we had a significant amount of new students, but its what we needed and what they needed. They found a home and friends, a family.
-So you still believe in that even these days?
-Bubbles.
The silver-haired woman looked at Myrtle her brows furrowed, before looking apologetically at her. Myrtle turned toward Delia passing a hand on her hair.
-What just happened?
Cordelia turned to Zoe before looking at the two women with her.
-Bubbles can read mind, its what most people would call mind reading, telepathy.
-Or what Myrtle would call lectio animo, the power or reading a person's soul. Seriously Myrt not everyone is hyped on latin. Even though that's quite hot.
-Madison.
This time it was Cordelia who was looking severely at the young woman. Madison sighed and sat in the chair her legs crossed.
-Who sent for... Bubbles? Asked Cordelia
-We needed her to know what the warlocks were planning. I called for her and Madison went to look for her.
-On this note Myrtle, I'm surprised you did not come in person to look for me.
-Myrtle?
-I was needed here.
-Myrtle was I why you stayed and sent Madison?
Cordelia was looking at Myrtle her brows furrowed, Zoe and Madison were looking at each other, an uneasy feeling growing inside of them, while Bubbles was reading everybody's minds.
-Delia I...
-I wanted to go.
Suddenly everyone turned their heads toward Madison who had spoken.
-What is it Madison? Asked Cordelia
-I said I wanted to go to fetch her. I know her. Alright, just a bit but still we shall all try to be useful. You're right, Myrtle was busy here so I went.
Myrtle was looking at Madison baffled, so were Zoe and Cordelia. Bubbles, on the other hand, was reading young Madison's mind telling her to get Myrtle out of this sick situation. But when Bubbles asked why Madison stayed silent.
-Alright. I think we all need to rest before tonight's super. We'll share with you what we've learned at this moment. But I feel like everyone needs some space, Said Bubbles trying to lift everybody's spirits up
Madison who was standing went out of the room without a goodbye. Bubbles was looking at both Myrtle and Cordelia. She went to put a hand on her arm to make her let go but didn't seem to work.
-Myrtle let go of Cordelia.
Cordelia who knew too well what was happening turned to face her mother before wrapping her arms around her, not at all surprised to feel shaky arms circle her back. The blonde lifted a hand to rest in the woman's fiery hair pressing her tightly against her chest.
-Myrtle, I'm fine.
Myrtle parted slightly, nodding to the woman in front of her. She raised a hand to rest on Delia's cheek before storming out of the room. Cordelia looked at the woman her eyes filled with tears and fell on her bed. Bubbles turned toward Zoe and Cordelia her lips parted. And before she could say anything Cordelia told her the truth she was not so keen on having the answer of.
-I'm fading, a new Supreme is rising. We know who it probably is.
-Is this supposed to make us feel better?
-That's a good person Bubbles. And I'm not dead yet. I'm just more tired than before.
-The girl, Mallory?
-She isn't pleased for all I know.
-She doesn't like the idea of a supreme having to fade for the new one to rise, added Zoe.
-And how does Myrtle feel about it? Because from what I saw Cordelia, she seems to be handling it perfectly.
-Bubbles.
-Cordelia. Maybe a discussion with her would help.
-We had a discussion.
-And what did you tell her? I don't need you to tell me I can sense it in your mind. You told her that you were growing weaker and that your powers were fading. That you were dying.
-Did you expect me to be like my mother? To lie?
-I was expecting more tact coming from you. Myrtle didn't raise you like that.
-Hey!
-It's okay Zoe.
Zoe who had stood looked at Cordelia unsure.
-Bubbles' right. With everything that we had learned this day and what had happened, I could have said it another way or prepared Myrtle for it. I didn't, I didn't play it safe.
-Cordelia, you don't have too.
-Myrtle and I will talk but tonight I just want to rest. Bubbles?
-I'll tell her. And I'll go thank young Madison too.
-Now, why would you do that you don't like her.
-Because her pathetic attempt at saving Myrtle from your accusatory eyes almost worked.
-What...
-Why do you think she would stay here and not come and fetch people herself. You know that woman probably as well as I do. You, Cordelia, are her reason for living. And you know it. Now I'll let you meditate on that and go see how things are.
Bubbles went toward the door when she closed it Madison popped behind her making her heart race.
-Madison are you trying to make me have a heart attack?!
-No, but your "friend" is on the verge of breaking to pieces.
-What?!
-Listen in here, what I tried...
-Thank you, Madison.
-What??
-I said thank you. I'm sure Myrtle will thank you too.
-She did actually. It's why I'm here because I just left her and she really needs someone right now, like it's urgent.
Bubbles nodded before going toward the hallway.
-Madison?
Bubbles stopped and looked back at the blonde who was about to go down the stairs.
-What?
-Why do you do this? Being selfless and helpful. That's, and please forgive me, very unlike the stone cold bitch we all know.
Bubbles saw the woman look away and breathing loudly before giving her an answer.
-Because as I said, I have a third chance at life. No matter who gave it to me. I don't intend to blow this one up too. Plus it felt good helping Myrtle out. And I don't want them getting at each other's throat. They're better than that.
Bubbles smiled at the young woman who seemed almost ashamed of herself, a point of pink on her cheeks.
-I see. Well Madison, you, turning into a good person, and a person wishing people's well being is safe with me.
Madison looked up and a thin smile on her lips before going down the stairs. Bubbles' smile faded as she turned toward the hallway, she started to walk listening carefully in case she was hearing any sound. Suddenly when Bubbles reached a room she heard what looked like sobs. Her heart sank in her chest and she carefully opened the door. She entered and walked until she could see her. Myrtle was seated on the edge of her bed a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound of her sobs, a hand on her tummy. Bubbles went closer and put a hand on Myrtle's shoulder, making the woman straighten her back and claps her hands together trying to regain some countenance, making Bubbles wince.
-You don't have to do this. Said Bubbles
-I'm fine... I, I just lost... I mean...
Myrtle started to cry again and Bubbles went in front of her a hand on her hair. She sat down next to her and took the woman in a much-needed embrace, Myrtle's head resting on her collarbone. Bubbles started to caress the woman's hair feeling her sobs taking over her again.
-It's alright darling, let it out.
Suddenly Myrtle let out a sad, mournful cry making Bubbles shiver. She knew the others must have heard it. The more Myrtle was breaking in her arms the more Bubbles was feeling useless, unaware about what to tell her, especially when it came to Cordelia. So she simply kept on stroking her hair until she calmed a bit. The thoughts she had. Never she had seen Myrtle that low even when Fiona was still alive, Myrtle would burst out in fury but cry like that? It had never happened. A few minutes later Bubbles felt Myrtle's breathing going to normal, so she made her sit back and took her glasses off her nose. She wiped the tears with the back of her hand and rested a hand on her cheeks caressing it softly.
-Talk to me... Don't censor yourself, you know it won't do you good.
-I... I don't know what to say.
-I find that hard to believe coming from you. Tell me how you feel.
-Useless.
-What else?
-Just... Useless...
-Why?
-Because... Because I can't...
Tears fell down her cheeks and she closed her eyes, clutching her jaw.
-Myrtle don't shut yourself, you say it, yourself better out than in. Darling...
-I can't help Delia. Delia is...
-Dying. Yes, I know...
-My Delia... My poor Delia...
-Myrtle, she isn't dead. We don't know how long it can take after they discover who is the next Supreme. It usually takes decades!
Myrtle put her gloved hand over Bubbles' breathing in.
-Darling, you are certainly not useless, just look at all you did for this girl! You are her mother.
-Fiona was.
-Bullshit and you know it. Cordelia knew who had given birth to her but you know that she always saw you as her mother, even more than Fiona. And she is the daughter you never had. You found in each other what you were craving for the most. There is nothing wrong with that.
-Why now? Why so quickly?
-I don't know...
Myrtle swallowed back a sob and Bubble tried to push her fiery ginger hair a little, she went closer and kissed her. Myrtle lifted a hand to her cheek, losing herself in the kiss, salty tears falling. Bubbles parted slightly her hand caressing her cheek, she rubbed her nose playfully against the ginger's making her laugh softly.
-Now that's better, you, my darling are better with a smile on your face.
-Thank you...
-Anytime. You know you can always count on me.
-I know...
Minutes passed where Myrtle was playing with Bubbles hand looking down to her knees. Until Bubbles made Myrtle come closer so she could rest her head on her shoulder.
-Cordelia will talk to you tomorrow.
As the woman in her arms didn't answer she kept on.
-She knows she lacked tact when she told you. And she'd like to talk to you about it.
-She doesn't have to.
-I told her to.
-Bubbles.
-Myrtle.
They parted and looked at each other.
-She needed to know that. She didn't realize what effect it had on you.
-You didn't have to.
-You wouldn't have told her for the world. You wouldn't have "bothered" her with what you felt knowing she was feeling worse. So yes darling I had to. And please stop saying that you are useless and cannot help Cordelia. I swear if I hear that thought another time I'll tie you to the bed and won't let you go until tomorrow morning.
-As if you had never done that.
Myrtle looked at Bubbles playfully resting her head on the woman's.
-I can remember it quite well as a matter of fact.
-Autumn eighty... Four? said Bubbles smirking
Myrtle laughed nodding before lifting a hand to her mouth.
-What a moment!
-What a hotel!
Both women started to laugh memories of long gone nights flooding their minds.
-Good ol' days as they say.
-As if you didn't do that even after.
-I didn't leave you until the morning after that year.
-True, but still we had fun.
-That my darling is an understatement.
The room was filled with laughter, a lighter atmosphere could be sensed compared to when Bubbles had entered. As no more tears were shed this evening.