“Who was at the door?” her dad asked.

“Who's that?” her brother asked at the same time.

“This is Iris, your sister and daughter.”

“How…?” they both asked after a moment of staring.

“A fairy,” her mom deadpanned. But both of them seemed to take it at face value.

“It's weird…” her dad said, causing his daughter to frown at him. “Sorry sweetie I didn't mean you. It's just I know the fairy is real in a way I can't really explain besides magic.” 

“Did you do something to my family?” Vale asked her fairy.

“I just helped them understand a little, like I said I can modify memories, I simply planted an impression of myself into their mind. Humans can't comprehend what I truly look like. You see me as your favorite animal.”

“Is she talking to the fairy? Is it still here?” her big brother asked.

“Yes,” her mom nodded, “I believe so.”

“Juno isn't an it, she's a girl!” Iris said, crossing her arms.

“Sorry squirt,” he said, smiling and looking around.

“Squirt? I'm the older sibling,” she huffed.

“Were the older sibling,” he said, standing and picking her up before rubbing her hair. “Nopw you're so much smaller than me.” 

“Mommy!” she pouted.

“Stop teasing your sister.” 

“Brat,” he said, smirking and hugging her tight.

“Meanie,” she countered, sticking out her tongue

“That's enough you two,” their mom said, using her no nonsense tone. She joined the hug, with their dad following shortly after.

Juno floated nearby, not wanting to intrude on the special moment. Which was interrupted anyway by Iris’ stomach growling loudly. After a moment's silence the whole family burst out laughing.

“Let me go finish dinner,” her mom said.

Her dad went back to his chair, and she joined him after wiggling to get her brother to set her down. She snuggled up in his lap and he put an arm around her. He began to comb his fingers through her hair, making the small girl melt into him.

“This kind of explains some things you know,” he said, as he stroked her hair.

“Yea,” she giggled. “It really does.”

“I'm glad. You seem much happier already.” He smiled at her. “Why a little girl though?”

“Cause I'm a magical girl.”

“Wait, like an anime magical girl? Like actual magic, magical girl?” her brother asked

“Yes,” she beamed. “Juno, can I show them?”

“Yes. You can disable the perception filter by telling someone and imbuing your power into your words.”

Turning back to her dad and brother she told them again, this time with her power. She then transformed, her whole body once again enveloped by the soft blue light, before appearing in front of them in her battle outfit. She giggled seeing his jaw drop.

“That's…” her brother was going to say impossible but after what happened that word has lost most of its meaning. “How is this even real?”

“Me turning into a little girl is fine, but having magic is weird?” 

So she began to explain to them when her mother came in part way through to tell them the food was finished. And after a moment of confusion, where she didn't recognize her daughter because Iris hadn’t yet removed the perception filter for her, she then spent the next ten minutes gushing about her adorable baby girl, and vowing to take a mother daughter day soon, so that she could go buy her a whole new wardrobe.

Dinner was an enjoyable affair, with the whole family talking, laughing, and simply enjoying each other's company in a way they hadn’t since Lilly passed. After dinner her older brother excused himself, citing work in the morning. Iris joined him at the door to see him off.

“I'm sure this is the start of something wonderful for you, little sis,” he said, his large arms enveloping her in a warm hug. “It makes me happy to see you smiling again. You’re so much more alive.”

“I am?”

“Yes. You've been shining brightly since mom first reintroduced you. Plus,” he dropped his voice to a low whisper, “this will be good for them, too. You know they were looking forward to spoiling her…” his face turned sour for a moment. “Now they will be able to do so for you. I hope that you accept it without complaints.”

“It didn't feel right before. I was supposed to be a man, supposed to be independent. I had moved out, and was living on my own. And though I know with Juno’s help I could probably live on my own now, it still feels like the wrong thing to do.”

“I’m glad she found you, and just be careful, okay? I know you're super powered now, but those outsiders sound like bad business.”

“I promise.” She smiled and held up a pinky. Her brother took it with his own and shook. The small girl giggled as he hugged her again and kissed her forehead. “I love you, big brother.”

“Love you too little sis. I promise I’ll drop by again once I have time,” he said, patting her head as he closed the door.

“That was so adorable,” her mom squealed from the door leading to the dining room. Iris blushed and hid her face shyly. “You know I thought this would be strange, but somehow it just feels right. Is this Juno’s magic?”

“No,” Juno said, floating through the wall to land on Iris’ shoulder. “The only magic I used on them was to implant my existence in their minds.”

“She says no, I think it's just because we love each other so much. That and …” Iris trailed off.

“She would be just about the same age you are now,” her mom said softly, her voice quivering slightly. 

“Don't cry mommy,” she said, walking over and hugging her mother around her waist, giving her mother a comforting hug. Her mom bent down and picked her up.

“You’re so small and light now.”

“I am,” she giggled.

“Tomorrow we’ll need to get you measured and go buy you some new clothes. You’ll need some underwear, dresses, skirts…” She began to ramble on about all the things they needed to buy as she carried her daughter downstairs. The mother daughter time they needed to catch up on. 

Despite what seemed like a daunting few days, Iris was nothing but smiles as her mom carried her to the living room and snuggled up with her on the couch. Her mother continued to gush, only stopping once the small girl's head began to nod sleepily.

Lifting her daughter, she carried the girl to her room and gently set her down, before helping her undress. Nothing in her dresser would fit her anymore, so they picked the softest shirt she had and used that as a sleep shirt, the now oversized shirt fell down past her knees.

“Good night, Iris dear,” she said, tucking her daughter in and kissing her on the forehead. “I don't think I’m ever going to get tired of saying your name”

“I don’t think I’m gonna get tired hearing it either, goodnight mommy,” she smiled. The excitement of today’s events had left her exhausted. It didn’t take her long to fall asleep, her small chest raising and lowering gently.

 

*****

 

A ray of sunlight pierced through Iris’ blinds, striking her right in the eyes. She groaned, and rolled over, her soft melodious voice momentarily catching her off guard. Everything that happened to her had almost seemed like a fever dream. But she was here, in her childhood room, snuggling Skie, still in her younger form, wearing nothing but one of her old t-shirts. 

She got up and immediately needed to use the bathroom. Passing the mirror in her room, she stopped and looked at herself. Reflected back at her was a small, cute, and innocent little girl. Her eyes were an unnatural shade of blue, yet they fit her perfectly, and her long hair was a light pastel blue.

“You awake, sweetie?” her mom said, knocking on the door.

“Yes, mommy, just going potty.”

“Make sure to wipe.”

“Mom,” she blushed. “I don't need to go number two.”

“You still need to wipe, sweetie. Front to back, don't want to get an infection.”

“Mom…” she hid her face, her cheeks going red.

Using the restroom was a new and novel experience for her. She made sure to properly wipe, and then washed her hands. Which turned out to be harder than normal, as she struggled to reach the sink. 

“You're so small,” her mom said the moment she opened the door.

“How tall do you think I am now?” 

“Let's check. We’ll need to know anyway, to get you new clothes.” She led her daughter into her workshop. Pulling out a clothing tape measure, she took down her daughter's measurements. 

“That tickles,” she giggled as her mom measured her chest. “So, what's the verdict?” 

“Well, you’re a bit smaller than average.”

“How much?” 

“Well, you look about eleven.”

“She's correct,” Juno said, floating through the window. 

“Where were you?”

“I took care of your documents,” she said, a Manila envelope appeared with a flash of light, floating behind her. “To everyone else, you have existed now for eleven years.”

“That's so weird. I can see the floating envelope, but not your fairy,” her mom said as she reached out and grabbed the envelope. Inside were a birth certificate, a social security card, shot records, and even previous transcripts. “This is a lot,” she said, looking at the documents.

“I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t have any issues enrolling in school.”

“School? Why would I enroll in school? I finished with it already,” Iris said with a pout.

“What's this about school?” her mom asked.

“It's necessary to maintain your identity. Besides, now that you officially exist, the authorities may get involved if they get word you aren’t.”

“But why do I need to officially exist? Can't I just stay here with mom and dad?” 

“You need to in case you get questioned by the authorities. Or require assistance of the mundane nature. Plus, what of the people living nearby? They will eventually get curious on why they never see you leaving for school.”

“Alright.” She crossed her arms and pouted some more. “Mom, Juno says I need to be enrolled in school. Something about maintaining my identity.”

“Makes sense, we’ll get you enrolled soon then. For today let's get you dressed and fed, then we’ll go do some clothes shopping.”

“Kay, mommy,” she said, making her way to her room. 

She put on her clothes from yesterday, despite the grossness of wearing them two days in a row, a excited giggle escaping her lips as she smiled. Jumping in front of the mirror on her wall, she took herself in again, running a hand through her hair, and savoring the softness of it. Twirling excitedly her skirt flared out, making her giggle again.

 Bouncing excitedly, she walked to the kitchen, where her mom had just finished cooking up some eggs, bacon, and toast. Her father was sitting at the table reading a newspaper. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she hopped up on the seat. Her parents were slightly older, and her brother wasn’t here. But besides that, it felt just like it had been when she was a kid, which she kind of was again. 

Just one with more wisdom and experience than average.

“Morning, my little flower,” her dad said, having come up with a new nickname for her.

“Flower?”

“You did pick the name of a flower, sweetie,” her mom chimed.

“I was thinking more about the goddess,” Iris whined, “but I do get it.”

“You named me after a flower as well,” Juno said.

Somehow she had completely missed that connection, though now that she thought about it, she liked it more.

Her musing was interrupted by her mom setting a plate of food in front of her. Which she quickly dived into, eating quickly but daintily. Her mother and father ate slower. Her dad went back to reading the paper and her mom smiled down at her. She smiled, her heart swelling with emotions as she happily kicked her feet. The little fox sat on her shoulder, occasionally taking bites of her food.

The three of them ate in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence. The familiar family routine quickly settled in place. Her mother and father were sipping from their tea and coffee respectively, while she drank juice. It didn't take long for them to finish their food, but instead of getting up and doing things, they moved to the living room. Her mom sat in her normal spot and Iris climbed into her lap.

Thirty minutes later, she and her mom walked out to the car.

“Hey Beth,” the neighbor lady waved. “How's little Iris doing? I know she just got out of the hospital.”

“She's doing much better. She had us worried there for a while.”

“I can imagine, especially after Lilly.”

Her mom fell silent, a tear rolled down her cheek. “We still miss her. But now that Iris is here, our house feels like a home again.”

“I’m glad, you definitely seem happier. But I’ll let the two of you go, I need to head back inside.”

The two of them climbed into her mother's car, iris sitting in the back.

“We’ll need to get you a seat sweetie,” her mom said, looking back at the girl. Her seatbelt was resting on her chin. Starting the car and throwing it into reverse she backed out of the driveway and started driving. 

“Mommy?” She began to recognize the direction they were heading. 

“Yes sweetie?” Her mom smiled, her eyes taking on a dangerous glint. 

“Why are we going to the mall?”

“Nervous?” 

“A little.” Iris knew she was indistinguishable from a naturally born girl. But she was still nervous shopping somewhere so crowded. When they pulled up to the mall, it was emptier than she remembered it being.

With tense excitement, she prepared herself for her shopping day.