Enid Addams felt content in a way she hadn't in a long time.
She was comfortable, warm and safe, surrounded by friends and family. Surrounded by her pack. And she had the woman she loved by her side, holding her in her arms. The warmth of her body contrasting with Wednesday's almost cadaverous coldness in a way that was strangely pleasing and comforting.
“You're the definitive warm blanket and she's the ultimate cold pillow, no wonder you two match so well,” Yoko had once told her.
It was one of the most thoughtful (and most safe-for-work) comments her vampire bestie had ever blurted out regarding Enid’s relationship with Wednesday.
The whole situation after the death of The Bright One and the disappearance of her Shadow Hydes had been simultaneously calmer and more chaotic. Fortunately, Enid and the others had managed to coordinate the rest of the Enids and Wednesdays present. The first few hours saw the continued release of the remaining prisoners as Needler began to reopen multiple portals to some of the dimensions that in those six months of preparations had served as operations centers and coordination points.
Enid explained all this to Wednesday as portals were opened and supplies, spare clothes for the lycanthropes and other were-people, and medicine for the wounded were transported, along with the appearance of multiple Grandmamas and other occasional members of various iterations of the Addams Family. Eudora Addams' embrace of her granddaughter would have elicited protests from Wednesday in the past, but at the time she decided that maybe she could take it. Enid grabbing them both, grandmother and granddaughter, in her own embrace lifting them off the floor and almost crunching their bones, was not entirely unpleasant either.
With the situation more or less under control and no longer in imminent danger, many of the Enids and Wednesdays who had participated in the rescues opted to return to their respective universes, after quick goodbyes. Many others stayed behind to help, or to continue to locate their respective Wednesdays who had been abducted.
But despite the overwhelming workload that everyone could see was upon them and the sobering realization that some of the missing were beyond rescue, the general mood was celebratory.
The party almost started spontaneously, with dancing, chanting and howling lycanthropes. As the hours progressed, the entire open area between the citadel and The Bright One's prison had become a huge camp where music played, drink flowed, food was tasted and bonfires glowed. Although there were plenty of empty rooms in the huge citadel tower, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement to avoid it at all costs.
Although calling this impromptu concentration of individuals a "camp" greatly simplified the reality of the situation. Given the large number of magical or sorcery practitioners many of the tents were on the inside not unlike a comfortable house or cabin. That is when they were not conjured by magic or constructed by strange sciences as authentic portable houses out of thin air. Rather than a camp, the place had become a sort of temporary village populated by Enids, Wednesdays and a few other Addamses.
The celebrations went on for hours and hours, and in some ways there seemed to be no end in sight. There had been impromptu competitions: tests of strength, agility, cunning. Multiple Addams family games, such as "Catch the Knife," the "Hot Grenade" (although the use of dynamite was allowed if no grenades were available) or the ever-celebrated "Wake the Dead," courtesy of a temporarily opened dimensional portal to one of the family graveyards.
Dances were plentiful, both between established couples and those more typical of a massive party. There were multiple impromptu instances of the mamushka, and Enid couldn't resist participating in one when Wednesday agreed that she would be the one to throw the daggers at her. The raucous applause each time the lycanthrope caught one of the blades in flight between her jaws was a better accompaniment than the music.
Bringing spare clothes meant that the other lycanthropes in their group could rejoin the normal conversations. Wednesday was able to talk at length about medieval torture techniques with Wod and Eneit, and about night hunting on full moon nights with Eamon. Among all the Enid variants a sibling bond seemed to be establishing itself, not unlike the same one that had bonded Wednesday with Woe, Friday, Needler, Pup and Shark.
It could be seen at a first glance that Enid, Eneit, Eamon and Saint-Clair (or "Nid," as she had begun to ask to be called) would be inseparable.
There were, of course, conversations with many of the other variants present, and as always it was fascinating to appreciate the differences and the similarities. Many of the Enids and Wednesdays who were already retiring earlier to their universes did not do so without paying their respects to Enid. It was somewhat surreal, Wednesday decided, to witness the deference of multiple counterparts of herself and Enid to the she-wolf, as if she were the general of their troops.
But she is, Wednesday thought, She is the one who has made all this possible, she is the one who has brought all these people together and saved all these lives, mine included. My she-wolf.
And of course, in a way Enid didn't seem to care, treating everyone with the same affability and exuberant cordiality that characterized her. Enid didn't see herself as a leader, even though that was precisely what she was, but as a good friend to everyone present. She had asked for help and the others had rendered it, and that was enough.
For once, Wednesday decided not to suppress the warm feeling inside her or fight the smile that formed on her face as she fixed her gaze on Enid in spite of being in public. The lycanthrope, realizing she was being watched, returned the smile with a playful and somehow also seductive wink that turned Wednesday's inner warmth into an inferno of hungry flames.
That was a promise for later.
More hours passed and the party was still going on, though perhaps less exuberant. The group was now around a campfire, sitting or lying comfortably on multiple blankets and cushions. Behind them stood a tent that had been enchanted (courtesy of a young pre-teen Enid with an adorable witchy appearance and a talking pet cat) so that its interior was much larger than the exterior, being basically a residence with multiple rooms for the night.
But for the time being, they decided to enjoy each other's company outside. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant, and no wind was blowing. In the dark purple sky above their heads still shone the last straggling souls looking for their own ways back.
That was how Enid was at that moment, sitting next to Wednesday. Both cuddled together under a blanket with the Addams resting her head on Enid's shoulder, watching her family, attending to their conversations, laughter and games. Enid glanced to her right and her smirk widened into one of adorable amusement.
It said a lot about Needler that one of the first portals opened was to her own dimension and that she brought her wife and daughter to be with them for the next few days.
Parker Needler-Addams was an interesting case of what Needler had come to call "dimensional alternate dimensionality". Parker was not an Enid, but in general terms her "role" in her universe was the same, or at least very similar. She and Needler were sitting next to each other, not unlike Enid and Wednesday. They were talking quietly, exchanging whispers, quiet laughs and complicit glances. Their daughter, Varadi, dozed between them, exhausted after hours of fun.
The little flesh-and-blood golem had not had to work hard to win the affection of everyone present. Despite the age difference, Dora and Theo had no problem accompanying her and joining her in any game or activity she required as they explored the camp. Friday's twins adopted their role as older siblings with astonishing ease.
Dora was at that instant sitting next to Wod and Eneit, attending to what was undoubtedly a bloody tale of heroism and conquest on the part of the main pair. Theo, on the other hand, had been drawn into a curious card game with Shark and Woe, a sort of poker in which the loser of each round had to smoke an exploding cigarette. Given the ash stains on his face, the smoldering tips of his short mustache, and the messiness of his hair, the poor boy seemed to be losing badly.
But the smile on his face, so similar to that of his grandfather Gomez, betrayed his enjoyment of the situation and he again asked to continue the game. Shark laughed with satisfaction as Woe nodded respectfully, with the hint of a vague smile trying to form on her lips.
Saint-Clair stood beside Woe as she played. The werecat was not yet asleep, but had laid down next to her beloved in a manner not dissimilar to how a cat would. Occasionally, Woe's hand would descend on her head and gently stroke her brown hair, causing a noisy purr to emerge from the human feline's throat.
Pup and Taylor, meanwhile, were engaged in conversation with Friday and Eamon. Despite her good hearing Enid decided to refrain from trying to listen in detail. Whatever it was that the two more amiable and outgoing variants of Wednesday were talking about, the result was that Eamon seemed somewhere between embarrassed and amused while poor Taylor was blushing to an extreme level.
Enid couldn't help a giggle escaping her lips, drawing Wednesday's attention.
“Mia lupa?”
"It's nothing Weds, it's just...," Enid closed her eyes, smiling, "I'm damned happy."
Wednesday looked at her. She didn't smile, but there was a relaxed, contented softness in her face that very few had lived to tell. Enid considered it a portentous privilege to count herself among such a rare number of individuals.
"You deserve it after all you've faced," Wednesday said, raising her hand to caress the she-wolf's features, sliding her fingers delicately over her scars and causing a delicious tingling on the lycanthrope's skin, "Enid Addams."
Enid looked down at her, her clear blue eyes as light as a cloudless summer sky sparkled with a golden glow for a moment, "Say it again."
"Enid. Addams," Wednesday repeated, pausing deliberately between the first and last name.
"Again," Enid said, pulling her face close and letting Wednesday's scent wash over her. Their lips almost brushed each other's as they spoke, "I like the way it sounds when you say it."
"You do?"
"Say it, please."
"And what will I get in return?"
"I'll make you say my name," Enid said, with a low, animal growl entering her voice, "I'll make you scream it."
"Promises, promises," breathed Wednesday, stepping even closer and...
"Please, get a room," suddenly interrupted Saint-Clair's sleepy voice, "And that goes for multiple individuals among the present."
Wednesday turned to look at the werecat with an expression of indignant dismay, while Enid merely emitted a mixture of frustrated groan and nervous laughter as she let her face fall into Wednesday's hair.
They had become so caught up in each other that they had completely forgot about the presence of the others.
"Erm... sorry about that," Enid said, flustered.
Saint-Clair got up, sitting on the floor and straightening up with a catlike stretch that immediately attracted Woe's attention, "It's nothing... it's not like I could sleep with these other two little couples chatting right here next to me either," the werecat said pointing to Pup, Taylor, Friday and Eamon, "The puppy has been asking pinkie for advice on couple stuff and somehow the thing has ended up drifting into a detailed description of sex positions."
Taylor merely let herself drop to the floor hiding her blushing face as a plaintive "Aaaaagh" escaped her throat. Pup kept her composure somewhat better, but had to disguise her fluster with a cough. A slight flush colored her pale cheeks.
Wednesday leaned in slightly, whispering to Enid, "Pup and Taylor are a couple? Since when? When did that happen?"
"A few months ago, when we were still prepping the rescue," Enid said, "I guess it's nothing formal yet and Tay still has some reservations, but Pup is... well, she's you."
"Ah, the relentless resolve of an Addams in love."
As they chatted, the exchange between Saint-Clair and the others continued. While Taylor and Pup had been somewhat affected by nerves and a bit of embarrassment, Friday instead merely raised an eyebrow and looked amused at Saint-Clair, crossing her arms.
"I was just trying to answer their questions truthfully," Friday said, "It's they who were concerned about the possibility of an accidental shape-shifting during..."
"My dear," Eamon interrupted, "Perhaps too much information for a first answer."
"Wait, is that a thing that happens?" asked a curious Shark, "With Hydes and lycanthropes, I mean..."
"Somebody kill me," Taylor said, as Pup gently patted her shoulder. The Hyde seemed to pull herself together a bit and prepared to respond, "My transformations are either voluntary or by direct order from Weds, but a very intense emotional response can also trigger them. And... well... that... there are activities that... yes, intense emotional response. That."
"With normal lycanthropes, something like that shouldn't happen," Enid said, "Unless a couple is doing it in the middle of a full moon evening to night and..." she said, suddenly interrupting herself to shoot a disbelieving glance at Friday and Eamon. Her male counterpart whistled inconspicuously while Friday merely grinned from ear to ear.
"Oh my," Enid mused looking at the Addams in pink, "Where has all your innocence gone?"
"What can I say, I married a beast," replied Friday laughing, and planting a kiss on Eamon's cheek as she enveloped him in a hug, "Mi lobo."
Dora and Theo let out an "Uuuuugh" in stereo at the same time that their father laughed uproariously.
"Meh," Woe said turning to the twins, "You two are lucky. They're no more embarrassing than Mother and Father."
"At the risk of sounding like a prude, could we change the subject?" Parker said, stifling a giggle and holding the thankfully still sleeping Varadi in her lap, "Weds and I still aren't ready to give this little gremlin The Talk if she wakes up and starts asking questions."
"And being my daughter, she will ask for answers with copious detail," Needler said.
"I have a question," Wednesday said, "Eamon, I'm curious why you still keep the Sinclair surname."
The lycanthrope looked at his wife's counterpart, and nodded, motioning his head towards Eneit, "For similar reasons as the princess. Pack politicking."
"I am an Adamo by marriage to my prince," Eneit said, resting her muscular arm on Wodnesdæg's shoulders, "But I keep the surname Synklar because it makes diplomacy with the rest of the lupine clans easier. It's a nuisance, but a necessary nuisance."
"In my case, even though I consider myself an Addams, I must keep the Sinclair surname to remain considered a possible heir to pack leadership," Eamon explained, "I don't like the idea, but I like it less than leaving future generations of pups being raised by the mentality exemplified by my mother and older siblings.”
"Of course, when the time comes there will be an attempt to sort it all out diplomatically," said Friday.
"Really?" asked Woe.
"Oh, yes," replied The Addams in pink, "If the rest of the Sinclairs know what's good for them they'll follow that path. Or else I'll have to practice acupuncture on their eyes using silver needles."
Woe smiled, "You remember the lessons, good."
"You're terrifying, my dear," Eamon murmured, smiling at Friday and sniffing the hair on the top of her head as he wrapped her in his arms.
"Flatterer."
Enid put a hand to her chin, thoughtfully, "Things must be different in your dimension, in mine the Sinclair pack is...well, it's just the family unit. I had no problem whatsoever giving up the Sinclair name long ago, even when I still use it on paper."
"We'll have to correct that as soon as we get back home. You're an Addams now, and as an Addams you'll have to introduce yourself to the world," Wednesday added.
After that, conversations continued. Anecdotes and stories were exchanged.
They talked about the differences and similarities of their worlds. Of course, those who knew each other before knew many of the stories, but found delight in recalling them, and in catching up with new information and new occurrences. Time passed, the festivities died down as did the bonfires and the music, and exhaustion finally got the better of even the strongest wills, and all present began to retire inside the enchanted tent and take up their respective rooms.
Wednesday and Enid found themselves in a modest but cozy, windowless bedroom with a simple lamp as the only source of light. The bed was wide, with an elaborate canopy and simple draperies of a deep crimson color.
Before Wednesday could make a comment regarding the room, she felt Enid's arms wrap around her from behind and the lycanthrope's nose on her neck, just under her jaw, inhaling deeply.
Wednesday tilted her head, giving the lycanthrope more access to her neck.
"Enid Addams," she said.
Enid responded by huddling her face into Wednesday's neck, kissing it repeatedly as a deep growl reverberated in her chest. Wednesday, enveloped in her embrace, felt the vibrations with dark delight.
Finally Enid looked up, pinning hungry, golden eyes on Wednesday, "I told you I'll make you scream my name," she said.
"Do you think that's wise, mia cara lupa?" asked Wednesday, "With so many people under this same roof..."
"That's why I asked that witchy counterpart of mine to soundproof the rooms completely," Enid replied with a wolfish grin, releasing her hold on Wednesday and allowing the Addams to turn to look at her face to face, "Mon corbeau de la nuit."
The pupils of Wednesday's eyes dilated, making them appear even darker than they already were. The Addams' breathing became deep and ragged, as if she was barely holding back gasps.
"Enid. French. You know what..."
"Oui."
Wednesday grabbed her beloved's blond hair and pulled her face hard to hers, kissing her with frantic eagerness on the lips, the chin, the jaw. Enid responded accordingly. Both of them, glued to each other, slowly advanced toward the bed as they kissed.
"For you to use that perfidious language, knowing what it does to me," Wednesday murmured between kisses and mumbled moans, "You are an insatiable beast..."
Enid broke away for a moment, resting her right index finger on Wednesday's lips and letting the Addams calm down for a moment. The she-wolf looked at her beloved with an intensity that sent shivers down the goth's spine and ignited a burning sensation in her underbelly.
"Weds," Enid said. "Six months, Weds. I've been six months away from you. The word insatiable doesn't even come close to describing how I feel. You're not aware of the amount of self-control I'm exercising right now even though it doesn't feel like it."
Wednesday cocked her head to the side, intrigued, "Is that so?"
"You have no idea how much I'm struggling not to rip off all your clothes at once right now. To pick you up like a doll and throw you on the bed. To make you bend over, lowering your head and lifting your hips to start devouring you from your most delicious core. To savor every nook and cranny of your body as you writhe under me, with your naked, sweat-pearled skin grinding against mine."
"Screaming your name."
"Exactly."
Wednesday smiled, and this time it was Enid who shuddered. The Addams took the hand Enid had used to silence her, took her index finger and sucked on it languidly, not taking her gaze for a second from the werewolf's eyes as she guided Enid's other free hand to her hips.
When she spoke, her voice sounded like the most erotic and arousing thing Enid Addams had ever heard in her life.
"Do it. Fuck your self-control, Enid Addams, and fuck me like the hungry beast you are."
And Enid Addams, ever willing, did so.
§§§
In the end, the whole process only took about two weeks.
True, the number of Wednesdays who had been imprisoned was enormous and it was a logistical nightmare to find their way home for all of them throughout the multiverse. Fortunately, a score of Grandmamas along with Needler's elaborate interdimensional work and the collaboration of multiple magical or supernatural counterparts of Wednesday and Enid managed to speed up the process amazingly. Spells of great complexity and that would have required laborious preparation became almost automatic, fast and precise processes, allowing hundreds and hundreds of Wednesdays to return home each day.
Priority was initially given to the youngest ones. It was considered imperative to reunite them with their families as soon as possible. They would be followed by those of markedly non-human species or those that required specific environments to survive and could pose a danger to themselves or to those around them (“That’s all of us”, said Shark). Little by little all Wednesdays were returned to their respective universe. The Enids and a few other Wednesdays that had come as reinforcements also began to leave.
Throughout the process, hundreds of portals remained open continuously, giving access to one or multiple dimensions depending on the user.
Parker expressed some concern if doing all that might pose a problem of balance or some kind of infringement of the natural laws of the multiverse. Her wife's response was clear and concise.
"My beloved," Needler said, "As an Addams, I myself am an infringement of the natural laws."
"And if the whole multiverse were going to collapse by a few hundred portals, it would have done so by now," Woe added, “And it would be well deserved for such stupid frailty.”
In the second week Thursday, Friday's cell neighbor, came to say goodbye to the Addams in pink. He had spent the last few days helping with some of the relocations before his turn came.
"It feels surreal, that after so long here I'm going home and there will have been hardly any time lost there because of how the portals work," said the male Wednesday, "I wonder if they'll believe the whole story when I tell it to them."
"In my experience they will," said Friday, "And for a while you'll be one of those anecdotes that become recurring at the annual family dance."
"I hope so! I'd like to think that even though I was locked in a cell most of the time my story is more fascinating than the umpteenth retelling of how Cousin Lumpy got his big toe calloused."
Finally, after days and days of hard work, they had finished. The last rescued Wednesday and her Enid crossed their portal back to their world. So did many of the other Grandmamas, until finally only Eudora Addams and our group of heroines and heroes remained.
Wednesday took one last look at The Bright One's citadel.
The night before, she and Enid had climbed up to the battle site one last time. The fallen body of The Bright One was still there, motionless and dead. They finally opted to leave their enemy as she was. They were right, that place was as good a grave as any.
The Addams exhaled a sigh of equal parts resignation and relief and nodded to her grandmother, "It's time Grandmama, no use delaying it any longer," she said, shooting a glance at Enid, "It's going to be hard enough for her."
The werewolf had spent the last few hours hugging everyone, even those who would notoriously try to avoid hugs like Woe or Taylor. She did so while holding back her tears, knowing that once again it was time to say goodbye. And although she had done so in the past when Wednesday's counterparts first visited her universe, having to repeat the process did not make it any easier or less bitter.
"Very well!" exclaimed Eudora Addams, as a portal opened behind her, "Follow me for a moment, there is something to talk about before I send the rest of you to your homes."
There were several exchanges of glances among those present, curious as to what the old Addams matriarch would have to say. Wednesday took Enid by the hand as they stepped through the portal, trying to calm the agitated spirits of the grief-stricken lycanthrope. She received a grateful look and a shaky smile for it.
"Look at me Weds, I'm a supposedly super-powered wolf warrior and having to say goodbye to them again is tearing me apart."
Wednesday lifted Enid's hand gently to her lips and kissed it as the light from the portal enveloped them.
"You are you, querida. I know your strength will get you through this, and I will always be by your side to help you avoid the falls in your path."
When they passed through to the other side, it took Wednesday a few seconds to recognize a place she had only heard descriptions of. A spacious and dark room, lit by multiple lamps, spotlights, electricity generators, test tubes and flasks filled with bubbling, fluorescent chemicals.
"Needler's lab?" said Enid next to her, "What are we doing here?"
Needler broke away from the group just as the dimensional doorway closed behind them, approaching a table in the center of the lab on which rested a tray covered by a black velvet scarf on which rested some shiny, golden objects. The mad scientist picked up the tray and stood in front of the group, making its contents visible.
"Rings?" observed Dora, quizzically, "Wait, they look like..."
"Your dimensional travel rings I created for your mission, yes," said Eudora Addams. The old woman gave Enid a knowing wink, "Don't grieve for having to say goodbye this time lobita, because it won't be a goodbye, just a see you later."
"What?" muttered Enid.
"Seven rings. Seven anchors.", Needler said, "The portable devices I have created will allow you to communicate with and travel between dimensions that are in their database, but the work of these trinkets created by our different Grandmamas with a little help from yours truly is more important."
"These seven rings are exact replicas of each other and all contain the essence of individuals from seven different universes. Your universes," Grandmama explained.
"One of these rings in each of our seven universes will synchronize them. The flow of time between our realities will be equalized and correlative, with no extra advancement or delay," Needler continued.
"Wait," Enid began to say, suddenly hopeful, "That means..."
"That the time between our seven universes will be matched," Needler said, "Enid, three months in your dimension will no longer be almost three decades in Friday's. A day in each of your universes will be a day in mine and vice versa, and with the travel devices..."
Friday clapped her hands, her face lit up with glee "We can visit each other whenever we want!"
Enid pounced on Grandmama wrapping the old woman in a hug and spinning her in the air amidst giggles and howls of joy, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Consider it an early wedding present, lobita," the old woman replied, laughing as well.
Enid's ritual of hugs was no longer marked by the regret of having to say goodbye but by promises to see each other again. Even Wednesday couldn't resist the euphoric atmosphere that had enveloped the entire group as they exchanged words with some of their counterparts.
"This means we can have a proper sword duel one day!" said Wodnesdæg.
"I'll await it expectantly," Wednesday replied with an affirmative gesture, "I'm curious as to how my saber and my training will mesh with yours."
"If you don't mind me joining I can dispense with the shovel," said Shark, "Though in bladed weapons I prefer a scimitar."
“What about hand-to-hand combat?” asked Woe, “We shouldn't overlook that either.”
"Oh, we should get together regularly," said Pup, "And celebrate birthdays together!"
"Our lives are never going to be normal again, are they?" said Taylor, surveying the scene with an amused smile.
"When have they ever been?" replied Saint-Clair, laughing.
And so they said goodbye, though this time it wasn't really goodbye and the tears, if there were any, were more of joy, even if they were copious at times, especially when it was time to say farewell not only to Friday but to her twins as well.
"In a way, this is all because of you two," Enid said, embracing Dora and Theo, "It was your love for your mother that caused all of us to be reunited and now we don't have to say goodbye at all."
Because as long as one ring stayed in their universe, it would stay in sync with the others.
They didn't even have to take care of the trinket, it would be enough if it was in the universe that corresponded to it. They could throw their ring into the deepest part of the ocean or toss it to the stars and it would make no difference. The magic that permeated them would protect the rings from any harm other than the very same entropic force at the end of the life of the universe. Their connection will last as long as eternity itself lasts.
Their seven realities were anchored to each other, the flow of time equalized between them. A week in one universe would not mean losing a lifetime in another. There was talk of visits, meetings, plans for encounters... and also offers of help when it was required.
And so it was done.
When Eamon Sinclair had to face the corrupt leadership of his pack, the Volvaugr stood by his side. When members of a rogue government cell attempted to capture Varadi, Needler enlisted the help of a medieval prince and his barbarian wolf wife. When an insane counterpart of Laurel Gates tried to subjugate Taylor under her control, the Hyde and Pup were aided by an angry werecat and her homicidal fiancée. In general, when any poor schmuck with more greed than sense tried to mess with one Addams Family, they had to deal with seven others Addams Families.
Though they lived their separate lives, each a universe apart, the pack of Enid Addams would never be broken up again.
§§§
Two years later.
Wednesday Addams woke up, noticing the light of the early dawn through the dark curtains. The day was just beginning and the sky still showed darkness and stars, but on the horizon the white sunlight was rising tremulously and the Addams felt it instinctively.
The next thing she noticed was the weight and warmth of the naked body that was embracing her own and the pleasant sensation of a pair of lips kissing the back of her neck. Wednesday allowed herself a lazy smile.
"Good morning, Enid," she said.
"Mmmm..."
"Are you awake?"
"Mmm, almost... I've sensed your awakening..." the she-wolf murmured, still partially trapped under Morpheus' sway, but kissing Wednesday's neck gently and almost in her sleep as she strengthened her embrace on the more petite woman.
Wednesday felt the strong arms wrap around her and sighed with contentment, closing her eyes again. In the last two years, perhaps because of her status as the Volvaugr, Enid had grown taller again and had gained even more muscle. She wasn't a human mountain like her counterpart Eneit, but these days the young lycanthrope resembled her barbarian variant more than ever and consistently attracted stares wherever she went. Wednesday had no complaints about it, she hadn't even been gripped by something as mundane as jealousy.
Let them stare at her she-wolf whenever they wanted, she was the only one who would be devoured by her.
Something a slightly more awake Enid seemed ready to begin, given the increasing intensity of her kisses moving to Wednesday's shoulders and some suspicious hand placement.
"Enid, we need to get up."
"Mmmnno, nope," replied the werewolf, "It's Sunday, we can stay in bed late. And do fun bed stuff…"
"Normally I would agree with you, mia lupa," Wednesday replied suppressing a shudder of pleasure as she felt Enid's teeth on her shoulder, "But today is not just any Sunday."
"Mmm?"
"Today is our wedding day, Enid."
The lycanthrope went completely still.
Silence.
It only lasts a few seconds before Enid jumps out of bed as if propelled by a spring, her eyes widening wildly in alarm and her naked body partially transformed by pure reflex, suddenly covered in soft golden fur.
"OHMYGOD!"
"Yes."
"IT'S TODAY!"
"Indeed."
"WEDS, TODAY IS OUR WEDDING DAY!"
"As already stated, yes."
"OMG OMG OMG OMG!", the lycanthrope started running in circles, as if looking for something or sniffing the room, "Okay, okay, no panic, we have to get ready, we have to be prepared..."
"Enid..."
"We have to send out the invitations! Have we sent out the invitations? Of course we have..."
"Enid!"
Enid paused, slowly turning her head to look at Wednesday with a nervous glint in her eyes and a plaintive whimper escaping her lips. The goth merely rolled her eyes at her wife's antics as she gently patted the bed right next to her, motioning for her to sit down.
Enid did so and Wednesday immediately began massaging her shoulders as the fur and lupine features retracted leaving the blonde back in her human form.
"It's only six thirty in the morning. We have plenty of time to get ready. Everything is ready and all the invitations have been sent out. There's nothing to worry about," the Addams heiress said before a shadow fell over her eyes, "And if anyone tries to ruin this day for you, mia lupa, I'll rip out their intestines, put hot irons in their guts and force them to dance on nails smeared in platypus neurotoxins."
"Aaaw, Weds," cooed Enid, "You always say the nicest things to me."
Finally, with their nerves calmed, they began what would be one of the most important days of their lives.
Wednesday and Enid already considered themselves married from the moment Enid proclaimed Addams as her family name during the fight with The Bright One. The she-wolf had joked on occasion that Wednesday running her through with her sword right afterward had been as valid a symbolic consummation of marriage as any other. So as far as they were concerned they had been each other's wives for two years now. The celebration of this day was more of a symbolic thing, a final formalization before the rest of the family and for close friends and nothing more.
The day progressed, and everything seemed to indicate that in the end it would be a beautiful cloudy day. No rain but gray skies, just the way most Addamses liked it for outdoor celebrations.
The ceremony, of course, would be at the Addams Mansion cemetery as used to be traditional. Cousin Itt had offered to officiate the wedding when it became clear that Gomez, despite being the patriarch of the family, would not be able to get through more than one line of the ceremony without starting to cry emotional tears.
Guests began arriving throughout the morning. Most of the extended Addams family, even more than used to show up for annual balls or other celebrations. Because it was Wednesday Addams' wedding, and that in itself was a once-in-a-generation event.
On Enid's side, only her father Murray and cousin Everly were there as representatives of the Sinclairs. But Enid's real family had come: Yoko, Divina, Kent, Bianca, Ajax, Xavier... Also Eugene and Lenore. They had all kept in firm contact after the end of their days at Nevermore.
Yoko had finally decided to graduate and was working as a translator at a manga publishing house. She was living with Divina in New York, where the siren had won a university scholarship in philology at a new college for outcasts. Bianca was studying pediatric psychology and specializing in helping children rescued from cults. Ajax had chosen to work in his grandfather's craft workshops in Greece and Kent had gone with him, which came as a surprise to everyone. Xavier had begun a career in fine arts with the goal of one day having his own studio and gallery. Eugene was continuing his studies in entomology, but with Lenore's help he planned to set up a business producing, selling and distributing honey, as well as starting a bee repopulation project.
In general everyone was getting their lives on track, and Wednesday and Enid were no exceptions. The lycanthrope had begun a career in journalism by distance learning. Initially her plans gravitated towards writing about fashion and celebrities, but Enid surprised herself with an innate talent for investigative journalism and uncovering the dirty laundry of criminals and the corrupt. Wednesday, on the other hand, had eschewed further university studies in favor of her novels.
The first installment of the adventures of Viper De La Muerte had finally been published, and with little change and no censorship from its publishers. A small, semi-independent publishing house in New Hampshire that had begun to grow unusually large thanks to the novel's gradual success. Initial sales had been solid but modest, driven mostly by Nevermore alumni and faculty and members of the Addams family, but soon word of mouth began to work beyond those circles and sales skyrocketed. The second and third novels were ready to go, written years ago, and Wednesday had already finished writing the fourth and fifth.
Rumors of possible adaptations were beginning to circulate, but The Addams wasn't quite sure yet. Enid, on the other hand, had already done a dozen fancastings on her blog.
Wednesday and Enid had spent the last few hours greeting guests and chatting with friends. They were both ready for the ceremony and in a way that had come as a slight surprise. Wednesday was the one wearing a traditional wedding gown... except for the color black, of course. But she had it all, including a veil to put over her face, surrounded by her hair for once loose and not pulled back in its traditional braids.
Enid, who was the one many would expect to see in an elaborate dress, was instead wearing an elegantly cut tailored suit of a deep dark blue and black pinstripes. The jacket was open revealing a white shirt underneath. She wore no tie or bow tie or any other neck ornamentation, leaving a couple of buttons casually open.
At that moment, the two stood expectantly by the gate of the wall that separated the mansion's courtyard from the cemetery, watching everyone taking their seats in the space between the tombstones and the family's main crypt. There was a constant murmur of anticipation and conversation among everyone present. But there was still another group of guests to arrive.
At that moment, a flash of light shone next to the tombs and a huge golden portal formed in the air next to them. Enid began to jump for joy and Wednesday also allowed herself a smile as she saw the figures emerge through the portal.
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeey!" greeted Saint-Clair, opening her arms and rushing to be the first to hug Enid.
The werecat and Woe were both wearing elegant black dresses that clung to their bodies almost like a second skin. Woe's was a bit more discreet, similar to some models worn by Morticia in the past, but Saint-Clair's was a bit more daring, not afraid to show off her bare shoulders and some cleavage.
They were followed by Friday, Eamon and the twins. Friday wore a red suit decorated with black floral motifs in an elaborate mosaic on the fabric. Eamon and Theo wore a pair of traditional tuxedos, although the younger Addams was also topped with a top hat and a cape worthy of the most stereotypical Transylvanian vampire. Dora on the other hand wore a simple black and gray dress without much adornment other than long black gloves that reached to her elbows.
Needler, Parker and Varadi on the other hand were dressed elegantly but casually, with the little golem sporting an outfit that was a perfect replica of her mad scientist mother's. White coat included.
Pup and Taylor were matching in two blue and white dresses. The Hyde's had a checkered pattern similar to a chessboard, while Pup's sported a vertical striped pattern that made her look like an unusually elegant escaped prisoner. Both wore brooches as ornaments, designed to look like small scorpions.
Shark, curiously, did not appear to be dressed for the occasion, wearing her usual dark blue dress and pink stockings. The only difference was in her hairstyle, pulled back and styled in a way that reminded Enid of the one Wednesday had worn to the Rave'N of her freshman year at Nevermore.
And a shovel. With a bow.
Wodnesdæg came in black armor, of course, though this one had fewer spikes and thorns than usual, as well as wearing a dark red cloak that wrapped around his torso. Eneit still wore furs, but with a somewhat more sober cut than common and with a thick, colorful cloak over her shoulders for contrast.
Wednesday watched as her she-wolf welcomed those who were the rest of her family, and hers as well. She allowed herself to greet Woe and the others with slight nods of her head, but let Enid carry out the more effusive greetings and hugs. Her she-wolf would always be the most ideal choice to hit it off socially with their loved ones.
As expected, at that point the group of extradimensional newcomers were beginning to mingle with the rest of the resident Addamses and the old Nevermore gang, although they had had many other encounters over the past two years. Ajax still called Needler "little sister" despite the fact that she was now older than him, Bianca and Woe had an open fencing competition and no one really kept track of wins and losses, Dora and Theo had practically adopted Pugsley as a little brother despite the fact that he was their uncle, etc.
Wednesday observed the scene without bothering to disguise her smile. Not even when her mother stood next to her looking at her with sweetness and pride. Thing, perched on the Addams matriarch's shoulder, gesticulated effusively.
"Repeat that and I'll rip your thumbnails out," Wednesday said shooting a glare at the living hand.
"You've gone soft, a couple of years ago you'd threaten to rip off my whole thumbs," replied the amputated limb.
"I'll tell Varadi she has permission to play with you to practice vivisections."
Thing flinched over Morticia's shoulder, "I take it back! You haven't gone soft, you've just become more creatively sadistic!"
Morticia smiled indulgently at the amputated hand, "Thing, dear, why don't you go see if Gomez and Fester have finished their rehearsal for the mamushka? Tell them it won't be long before the ceremony begins."
The hand made an affirmative gesture and leapt from Morticia's shoulder to the floor, scampering in the direction of the mansion. The Addams matriarch watched him for a few moments before turning to her daughter, "Nervous, my little snake?"
"Yes, but no," Wednesday replied, "There are nerves, but no apprehension. I don't have any doubts about this day. I haven't had it in years."
"That's dreadful, in the best of ways," said Morticia, "A ruthless certainty, like the one your father and I felt when we met, though yours needed more time to mature."
"Enid and I needed more time than you two," Wednesday said, looking at her mother, "You knew that, didn't you? From my first day at Nevermore when I disavowed love and proclaimed I would never marry, you knew this day would come."
Morticia shook her head, "No, Wednesday. I try to repress my visions around family as they are too intrusive at times so I didn't see anything specific. But I did get my hopes up since I saw the twinkle in your eye when you backed away from Enid to avoid that first attempt at a hug in her colorful room at Nevermore. Even hidden from yourself, there was interest in your gaze."
"It was like a colorful sun bursting in my face."
"What about you, my dear? Any visions?"
"No, nothing but the occasional little misfortunes of ordinary people when touching some surface in public places. I haven't had any serious or particularly intense visions in years and nothing related to Enid. And given the nature of my visions..."
"That's excellent news, yes," Morticia said, before something caught her attention,"Ah! It looks like Cousin Itt has arrived and so has your father and uncle. Go with Enid and your friends, get ready, Itt won't prolong the ceremony too long and soon we can start the real celebrations."
Wednesday nodded, but before moving forward to join Enid and the others she did something she hadn't done in many years.
She hugged her mother.
It wasn't an intense hug, nor was it too long. But it was sincere and for Morticia it meant more than she could put into words. So neither said anything when they parted and Wednesday ran to join her she-wolf.
Certainly Morticia would say nothing of the brief but intense vision that involuntarily assaulted her as she was encircled in her daughter's arms.
At least not for the moment, but soon she would have to talk to Gomez and Lurch.
They were going to have to do some minor renovations and spruce up some rooms, after all.
Morticia smiled.
Even if the girls were going to live on their own, they would be visiting the mansion frequently, and they were going to need new cribs and more space for their future twins.
Larissa Tuesday and Friday Saturday Addams. Oh, they're going to be adorable menaces, for sure.
She couldn't wait to meet them.
NOTES
The illustrated portion of the collage comes from umbra-ultimecia's art on Tumblr.
Damn, this was a long chapter.
Well, we have reached the end. Perhaps less emotionally charged than Altogether Ooky, but I'd say also less melancholic and more optimistic. And yes, everyone is very horny in this chapter, but that's the thing about relaxing after facing mortal danger.
Writing this fanfiction has been quite a journey. When I started I had a very vague idea of where some of the story would go. Many things changed as I went along, and although I knew from the beginning that this sequel was going to have more action and be "bigger" than Altogether Ooky, I didn't expect it to get this long. Nor did I expect how dark, tense and serious it would become at times.
Which is a funny thing to say because my first version of the story was much more episodic, with more short arcs and visits to more varied dimensions. But I was afraid of falling into repetition. Oh, and The Bright One at first was going to be a Wednesday obsessed with perfection and being The One. But soon I thought making her an Enid would carry more emotional weight. It also allowed me to develop the whole Volvaugr stuff.
Another idea was to make TBO a Morticia obsessed with getting her daughter back. I have no idea what the story that would come out of that would be like, but it would certainly be a good tear jerker.
Anyway, I hope you liked it and...
JKMNEJKFNMOSÑ'Ñk,sdmkld
What the hell...?!
I'm sorry guys, a living hand just jumped on my keyboard and.... Thing? What are you doing here? You know there are rules about breaking the fourth wall, buddy.
*Thing gesticulates frantically.
What? No, no, nope. This is the end. There's nothing more to it than...
*Thing slaps the table and continues gesticulating, a little more calmly but firmly.
A short epilogue? For next Wednesday?
*Thing gives a thumbs up.
Well, you've heard the hand. The story is over, but it looks like we're going to have a short epilogue in a couple of days.
A veeeeery short epilogue.
I'm absolutely sure there will be nothing nefarious or evil about it.
You know me 😈
...
Oh shit, you know me.
Some translations:
Mon corbeau de la nuit: (frech) My raven of the night
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