A face I haven't seen in nine years

The evening after this torrid night with Zofia, the two of us properly announced our relationship to Kasia while dining together. Even if Kasia was already aware of Zofia, it was the first time Zofia met my daughter.

Zofia and Kasia got along even better than I expected, Zofia being quite interested in folklore and occult stuff as well. She was an avid reader of novels and also loved history, and could easily talk with Kasia about these things. During the next month, they became fairly close thanks to this, Zofia even taking Kasia and me hiking twice so we could bond more. These were really fun times.

Today was the day I was supposed to meet Dahlia again, nine years after last seeing her. I couldn't deny being slightly nervous, but also excited to see her again after so long. She didn't tell me too much about how she's been doing. I knew that she was working in her father's company and assisting him, but not much more. Our exchanges were usually fairly short nowadays.

I gave Dahlia my address and was busy preparing a nice lunch to greet her properly once she'd arrive, with Kasia giving me a hand. We made a variety of different types of pierogi, some sweet and some salty, so she could have a taste of authentic Polish food. I wanted everything to be perfect for this.

I could see that Kasia shared my nervousness and excitement about seeing Dahlia. It would be her second time meeting a skinwalker after myself, so it was understandable.

"Don't worry, sweetie. Dahlia is a kind woman." I said, giving Kasia a reassuring smile.

"I-I'm sure she is, but still... Meeting another mythical being like this, I can't help it." She more shyly replied.

I pulled her closer and gave her a quick hug. "I know you'll like her, too."

We were done with the cooking, the table was set, the house was fully cleaned, and Salem was in Kasia's room to avoid making a mess by accident. I checked my outfit one more time, a fairly classy blazer and a white pencil skirt with sheer pantyhose. Everything was ready, we just needed to wait for Dahlia to arrive. I kept checking the clock, wondering when she'd be here.

Finally, the doorbell rang, and I went to open the door, with Kasia following me. When I opened and saw who was behind the door, though, I froze, my eyes widening in shock.

Her face may have changed slightly, her hair may have been longer, she may have been dressed more elegantly and femininely, with some makeup, a beige camisole, a pair of jeans, and black loafers, but there was no way I wouldn't recognise her...

C-Claire...?

She was here, right in front of me, looking as surprised as I was. My sister I was **** to abandon nine years ago... I couldn't believe my eyes.

W-why...? Why is Claire here?!

"M-Mom? Are you alright?" Kasia asked, noticing my shock.

I shook my head and tried to brush it off, giving the two a warm smile, only now noticing Dahlia was right behind Claire. "S-sorry, I didn't expect Dahlia to bring some company. I'm Małgorzata, and this is my daughter Kasia. Pleased to meet you, miss."

Claire regained her composure too and smiled back, looking at Kasia. "Hi, I'm Claire."

Her voice was the same, but she sounded less insecure, more at ease.

Kasia appeared surprised from hearing that name, but I knew why. With her great insight, she probably understood from my state of shock that this was the same Claire I told her about multiple times as I recounted my past to her.

"And I'm Dahlia, nice to meet you, Kasia." Dahlia said, waving at my daughter in a friendly way.

Dahlia didn't change much in nine years. She still had the same cute face, but her hair was cut shorter, giving her a more 'mature' look. She still loved the color pink, clearly, as she kept using a similar pink makeup and lipstick, and was wearing a pink jacket and a white dress.

"N-nice to meet you." Kasia timidly replied in English.

"Please come on in." I said, stepping out of the way.

Dahlia and Claire walked in, and I led them to the dining room. Since I didn't expect Claire's presence, I had to hastily add another set to the table, but thankfully I cooked enough food for one more person, as I had originally planned to have some leftovers.

Kasia briefly went upstairs to check on Salem and make sure he was properly fed and attended to while we had our guests, and Dahlia followed her, wanting to see our cat. It left me alone with Claire, and I could feel my nervousness rise with each passing second. Claire's presence completely threw me off guard.

As soon as Kasia was out of sight, though, Claire spoke. A single word that shook me. "Ed..."

Right after saying this, she rushed closer, pulling me into a tight embrace and resting her head on my shoulder. I was far too shocked to react and say anything in that moment.

"Ed, it's really you..." She muttered, and I could see tears starting to run along her cheeks.

"W-what?" I managed to utter, completely lost.

"Dahl told me everything, six years ago... I know you two are skinwalkers..." She explained quietly. "And I know why you left..."

"She... She told you?"

"I knew she was hiding the truth, and she felt too much guilt keeping your situation hidden from me, so she confessed to make me feel better. I read all your exchanges, I was so relieved to know you were doing fine..."

Hearing this, I closed my eyes and hugged her back, crying as well. "I see... Claire... I missed you... I missed you so much..."

Claire didn't reply, her hug tightening even more. She had more strength than I remembered, she must have kept doing the workout routines I recommended her.

I knew from my exchanges with Dahlia that Claire kept working in the police, even if she hesitated pursing this career after my disappearance. She slowly climbed up the ranks, and was now a lieutenant. Even if I regretted not being able to witness her growth alongside her, it made me proud to know that.

The two of us kept hugging in silence, until Kasia and Dahlia's approaching footsteps made Claire retreat hastily.

I gave her an amused smile, relaxing as I gestured at Kasia to come closer. "Don't worry, Claire. Kasia knows about me."

All three of them were surprised.

"Really?" Dahlia asked.

"Yeah." I said, caressing Kasia's hair gently. "She's a very smart girl, she easily guessed something was different about her mother. Let me introduce them more properly. Kasia, here is Claire, my dear sister, and Dahlia, my close friend."

"N-nice to meet you." Kasia said while looking at Claire weirdly.

It was like Kasia was feeling more uneasy suddenly, something Claire noticed.

"What's wrong, Kasia?" She asked.

"N-nothing. We should eat before it gets cold." Kasia replied, deflecting the question.

It was curious, but I decided not to push her to answer. She'd tell me later, I was sure. Kasia and I went to the kitchen to grab the cooking pot and the drinks.

When we were alone, she hugged my arm tightly. "M-Mom, you... You won't leave, right?" She asked in Polish, her tone worried.

Ah, she probably believed that I would return with them, now that Claire was aware of my nature. I pulled her into a warm hug.

"No, sweetie, I won't leave you. I'm your mother, that won't change. Even if my sister now knows about me, my life is here with you." I spoke in a reassuring tone. "I love you."

She was relieved to hear that, smiling weakly. "T-thank you, Mom... I love you too."

There was no way I could abandon Kasia and my life here after so long. Claire knowing the truth would make things easier for us to stay in touch, but I wouldn't return with them, that I was sure of.

After this short discussion, we returned to the dining room with the food.

"I made some Polish specialties for you to try, I'm sure you'll enjoy them." I told Claire and Dahlia as I put down the cooking pot full of pierogi.

"Oh, pierogi? I had some a long time ago. It was delicious." Dahlia commented.

We all sat around the table, Kasia sitting right next to me, and I served them one by one.

"It looks really good." Claire added, observing her plate.

"I baked them myself, you know? Not to brag, but I think I got quite talented at cooking." I announced while giving a glance at Kasia. "Right, sweetie?"

"Yeah, you're amazing, Mom." She replied proudly.

I took a first bite and let out a soft sigh. "I truly didn't expect things to turn out this way. It really shook me to see Claire on my doorsteps."

Dahlia giggled quietly. "It was clear on your face. We wanted it to be a surprise."

"Why did you keep me in the dark for so long if you told her the truth six years ago?"

Claire was the one to speak. "I asked her not to tell you."

"What? Why?" I asked, surprised.

"When she told me about the life you've been living, I... I thought it was better this way. I didn't want to risk disturbing your relationship with your new daughter. Despite what happened, you seemed... happy, in your mails."

I looked at Kasia and smiled warmly. "I can't deny that. Before becoming a skinwalker, even in my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined becoming a real mother. But I love my life here, with my adorable daughter."

Kasia blushed while Claire gave me an amused smile. "You've changed so much. I used to often call you 'Mom' to tease you, but you really became one. A proper and elegant mother."

I let out an embarrassed giggle. "I suppose I always had an almost motherly attitude towards you." I then looked more serious. "How did you react learning the truth about me and Dahlia's nature?"

"It was... surprising... But Dahl calmly explained what being a skinwalker meant, and what happened to you." Claire glanced at Dahlia and smiled. "She's always been so kind and caring, so I wasn't scared."

Dahlia's cheeks reddened at that.

"I'm glad you got along well." I replied truthfully.

"Actually, there's something we wanted to tell you." Dahlia said, grabbing an envelope from her handbag. "Here."

I took the envelope and opened it, revealing an invite for a wedding, stunning me.

"Dahlia and I, we're getting married, and we wanted to invite you, Ed. I want my brother to be here for it." Claire explained a bit sheepishly.

"Of course I'll come, I would never miss this. I didn't expect you two to grow so close. Thank you for taking care of her all this time, Dahlia, and I hope you'll keep making her happy."

"I will, I promise you." Dahlia solemnly declared. "Anyway, what about you? Did you find anyone?"

"I have, yeah. Her name is Zofia, and we became a proper couple a month ago." I replied.

"I'm glad. Want to tell us more about your life? You couldn't really develop through mails." She continued.

And so, I told them about my life as Małgorzata in more details, but I spent a good chunk of this time talking about Kasia more specifically. I couldn't help it, I was so proud of her, and so excited for her to meet my sister and Dahlia. Kasia was clearly embarrassed by all the praises, but it only amused us. The afternoon went by in a flash as we exchanged stories, Kasia asking questions about Dahlia's past, and even about my own to Claire, much to my dismay.

Claire and Dahlia were staying at a hotel in the center, and were about to leave, but Dahlia took me aside to talk in private in my bedroom, her face more serious.

"Ed, there's one thing Claire isn't aware of but I think you need to know." She started in a low tone.

"What is it?"

"Two years ago, a skinwalker came to our town for a 'visit'. We crossed paths as she tried to get my skin."

"What? Did anything happen to Claire?" I asked, worried and shocked.

She shook her head. "No, she's been safe the entire time. But this skinwalker... She claimed to be your mother..."

I froze. "My... My mother?"

"Yeah... She said she wanted to check how you and Claire were doing, and got intrigued when she learnt of your disappearance. She thought my skin would lead to some answers."

"You're... You're sure it was my mother?" I asked, not wanting to believe what I just heard.

She sighed. "Well, you know how we're masters at deception, but she seemed to know a lot about you and Claire, so it's highly probable she's been wearing your mother for a long time."

My mother was a skinwalker...? Since when? This revelation truly shook me. Has she been replaced during our childhood? Or even before that...? I didn't want to think of this possibility...

Dahlia continued. "I told her about your situation. She laughed, clearly amused and making a comment about the irony of it all, and she then left."

"The irony? Of me being a skinwalker like her?"

"I don't know. I just felt like you needed to know this. I haven't seen her since."

"I... I see... I don't know what to think of it, but you're keeping Claire safe, right?"

She nodded. "Of course. I regularly check to make sure she hasn't been worn by anyone ever since that meeting. I won't let anything happen to her."

I smiled, slightly relieved. "Thanks."

I accompanied Dahlia back to the entrance, and wished her and Claire a good evening, promising to give them a tour of the city tomorrow.

As they left, all I could think about was the shocking and perturbing revelations from Dahlia about my mother. I couldn't get it out of my head. Was it some cruel joke?

It doesn't concern me anymore... My old life is gone...

It was what I kept repeating in my mind to try to reassure myself, unsuccessfully.