Timeless *REWRITTEN* (Beetlejuice x Reader)

Chapter 4

The cabby's eyes met mine in slight surprise. "So you're a dame?" 

I nodded, deciding it was safe enough to take my cap off of my head. I shook my (Y/H/C) locks down from their place piled on top of my cranium. 

"Well I'll be damned! Certainly a waste to hide that pretty face of yours under that old cap." 

Melody rolled her eyes a bit. "She's trying to stop any unwanted attention, Harv. And you're not helping." 

The two continued to bicker back and forth as if an old married couple, and I found their banter entertaining, if I was being honest. As I listened to the two of them, I looked out the window to my right, taking in the sights of the city that sped past. I had never seen so many people in one place before. I was once again reminded of ants, the droves seeming to run over each other in their haste to get to their respective destinations. 

Melody was right in the trip being brief, because in a few minutes we were driving slowly through a very nice neighborhood with large houses and manicured lawns. I was more used to the quieter atmosphere here than in the heart of the city. Harv slowed and came to a stop in front of a two-story house. It had light, weathered brick, a large front porch, and crawling ivy creeping over most every surface. It was beautiful. 

"Alright, we're here," the cabby told my newfound friend and me. 

Looking over at Melody, she was staring at the house with me. "It's gorgeous, (Y/N). I'd give my right arm to live in one of these someday." 

"You don't live around here?" I asked her, putting my cap back on my head and tucking my hair back up into it. 

She shook her head. "I got me a place lower east side. Cramped, but me and the girls make do." She shrugged. "Could always be worse. Could be in a brothel or on the street." 

I blinked at her. "Right. Well, please don't hesitate to call on me sometime. I've really enjoyed your company and am indebted for your help today." 

She smiled at me. "Of course, honey! I'd love to take you out on the town sometime soon! I'll be in touch, doll!" 

I stepped out of the cab, shouldering my satchel and closing the door behind me. With a final wave from Melody and a tip of his head from Harv, they sped away. I watched them shrink into the distance before turning and facing the large, two-story home before me. My heart pounded as I made my way up the steps and to the front door, knocking with the brass knocker on the door. Standing back, I couldn't help but fiddle with my sleeves anxiously. Moments passed, and my worry spiked. As my hope was waning, I heard the bolt in the door slide out of its lock. A woman stood on the other side, eyeing me warily. 

"Can I help you?" 

I recognized her immediately. Even though it had been years since I had seen or spoken to her, I knew that this woman was my Aunt Romelda. She was thinner than Mama had been before she got sick, but she had the same soft brown curls and the same joy-filled eyes. She was in a green dress and her hair up in a neat updo on top of her head. Only a few tendrils of curls fell down by her face as a sort of frame. 

"Oh, yes. I'm not sure if you remember me, but you're my aunt." 

Her brow furrowed as she considered me. Confusion crossed her expression. "I'm afraid I don't have a nephew your age. I think you must be mistaken." 

I shook my head, kicking myself internally for forgetting I was still dressed as a man. I pulled my cap off of my head, hair falling down again. "No, no ma'am. I'm a woman. It's me, (Y/N)." 

My aunt's eyes widened as recognition flashed in them. "(Y/N)? My child, come in, come in!" 

I was ushered inside, looking around me as she locked the door behind us. 

"How in the world did you get here?" she asked me, suddenly worried about what happened and what I had endured. 

"I found a smuggler ship that was willing to take me," I told her, following her into the sitting room. 

She sat in one of the chair across from me as I perched on a sofa. 

"But what about your sisters?" 

My face fell. "I begged them to come with me, but they wouldn't listen. Rosetta resents me, now. Chiara was too scared to leave. So it's only me." 

"But... why? Why did you leave your home to come here?" 

I rubbed my hands anxiously. "Father was going to make me marry a man twice my age with six young girls." My aunt raised a dainty hand up to her mouth in shock. "I knew that was no life. So I made plans to flee." 

"Does your father know?" 

I shrugged. "I assume he probably does, now. I made sure I avoided giving him any suspicion up to the time I departed, though. He thought I was just going into town to buy some food and things that we were out of at home." 

Auntie Romelda gave me a sympathetic look. "I'm so sorry for what you had to go through. Especially after losing your mother." 

I smiled a small, knowing smile. "Yeah. It's been really tough, but I'm making it through. Trying to, at least."

She leaned forward and grasped my hands in hers, giving me an earnest look. "Well, you're here, now. And you're family, dolcezza. Which means this can be your home, too, if you'd like for it to be." 

I smiled a relieved, happy smile back at her. "I'd like that very much."