Page 6 of Witch Way to the Diapers

“With your hotel empire, yes,” Fia finished for him. There was no judgment in her tone, just a statement of fact. “I understand. But I think you need to read this.”

She handed him the envelope. Sayer took it, his fingers brushing against hers in the process. Even that slight touch sent a jolt of electricity through him, and he had to suppress a shiver.

As he read the letter, Sayer’s world shifted once again. Dune’s familiar handwriting filled the page, outlining his and Myla’s wishes for Vienna’s future. They spoke of the magical community they’d chosen, of their desire for Vienna to know both sides of her family. Most importantly, they expressed their wish for Fia and Sayer to raise Vienna together, blending their families and backgrounds to give her the best of both worlds. And they were quite adamant that they keep Vienna away from Myla’s oldest sister and her parents.

“I... I had no idea,” Sayer murmured, his carefully constructed arguments crumbling around him.

Fia’s expression softened slightly. “I know this isn’t what you expected. It wasn’t what I expected either. But Myla and Dune trusted us both with Vienna’s future. Don’t you think we owe it to them – and to her – to at least try to honor their wishes?”

Sayer ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. Everything he’d planned, all the arguments he’d prepared, suddenly seemed inadequate in the face of his brother’s final request.

“I don’t know the first thing about raising a child,” he admitted, the words escaping before he could stop them.

To his surprise, Fia let out a soft laugh. “Neither did I until a few weeks ago. We’re both learning as we go.”

As if on cue, a happy squeal echoed from upstairs, followed by the patter of tiny feet. Fia’s face lit up with a smile that made Sayer’s heart skip a beat.

“That would be Her Majesty waking from her nap,” Fia said. “Would you like to see her?”

Sayer nodded, suddenly nervous. He’d seen Vienna a handful of times since she’d been born. Not enough if he were honest. He wondered if she remembered him. This would be different. This was his first one-on-one time with her and not passing her from family member to family member.

Fia disappeared upstairs, returning moments later with the toddler in her arms. Vienna’s hazel eyes – so like Dune’s – widened as she caught sight of Sayer. For a moment, he feared she might cry at the sight of a stranger.

Instead, Vienna let out a delighted giggle and reached for him, little sparks of magic dancing from her fingertips.

“Well, would you look at that,” Fia murmured, sounding both amused and resigned. “Seems like she remembers her Uncle Sayer.”

Sayer’s throat tightened as he carefully took Vienna into his arms. She immediately grabbed for his tie, entranced by the silky fabric.

“Hi, princess,” he said softly. “You’ve gotten so big.”

Vienna babbled happily in response, patting his cheeks with her tiny hands. The simple, innocent gesture broke open something in Sayer’s chest. This was Dune’s daughter, his brother’s legacy. How could he even think about taking her away from a place where she was so clearly loved and thriving?

He looked up at Fia, who was watching them with a mix of emotions playing across her face. “I... I think we need to talk,” he said.

Fia nodded. “Why don’t you stay for dinner? We can discuss things, and you can spend some time with Vienna.”

The invitation surprised him, but Sayer found himself nodding. “I’d like that, thank you.”

As Fia moved to the kitchen to start dinner preparations, Sayer settled on the floor with Vienna, surrounded by her toys. He watched in amazement as she babbled to her stuffed animals, tiny sparks of magic making them dance and move in response to her gestures.

“She’s already so powerful,” he murmured more to himself than to Fia.

Fia glanced over from where she was chopping vegetables. “She is. That’s part of why Myla and Dune wanted her here. Whispering Pines has a whole community of magical practitioners who can help guide her as she grows into her powers.”

Sayer nodded, a new understanding dawning. “I see why they chose this place for her.”

The evening passed in a blur of delicious food, Vienna’s antics, and surprisingly comfortable conversation. Sayer found himself relaxing, charmed by the cozy domesticity of it all. Itwas so different from his usual lifestyle of business meetings and luxury hotels, yet there was something undeniably appealing about it.

As the evening wound down and Vienna yawned, Sayer knew it was time for him to leave. He had a lot to think about.

“Thank you for dinner,” he said as Fia walked him to the door. “And for... everything, really. I guess we have to figure out how to raise Vienna together without disrupting her life.”

Fia smiled, the expression softening her features and making Sayer’s heart race. “Thank you for being willing to listen. I know this isn’t an easy situation for any of us, but I truly believe we can find a way to make it work – for Vienna’s sake.”

Sayer nodded, then hesitated. “I... I’d like to stay in town for a while, if that’s all right. Get to know the community and spend more time with Vienna. Maybe we could... figure out some sort of arrangement?”

The relief in Fia’s eyes was palpable. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. There’s a lovely B&B just down the street – The Whispering Willow. I’m sure they’d be happy to have you.”

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