Honestly, that's not a sight I'd have ever expected to witness. It's quite something to see a patriarch princess-carry another patriarch. Sir Akerley, in his child form and curled up in my husband's arms, looks so tiny that I could have mistaken him for a toddler had I not known better.
"Dad! You're back!"
A second later, I almost fall on my butt, the kids clinging to my legs like koalas. But even though they're hugging me, their sparkling eyes are locked onto their father. Or more accurately, on Sir Akerley.
Oh ho…
"Father, father!" Ellena is the first to speak, and I fear the words that are about to come out of her mouth. "Did you bring us a big brother this time?"
Jordan's steps falter ever-so-slightly, and he looks at his daughter as if she's just told him he's sprouted a second head.
Then, he stares at me.
Nuh-uh. She's your kid, not mine. Be glad she hasn't switched Sir Akerley's gender and asked for a sister instead.
"A brother? We have a brother!" Elois doesn't get the cue, too excited to notice his father's darkening gaze. The boy is even bouncing while still gripping my pants. I have to hold onto the waistband not to end up butt-naked. "Mom! We have a big brother now!"
"Oh, really?"
Eve's chuckle travels to my ears, and I crane my neck toward the living room, where she's sitting, reading a file. Girl, why haven't you tucked your kids in bed yet? Have you seen the hour?!
To my accusatory gaze, she averts her eyes. Don't you dare! You know you're in the wrong! They should have been in bed ages ago!
"—Why is James hiding behind you, by the way?" Distraction tactic it is, huh? "James? What's wrong?"
Well, to Eve's credit, she does seem genuinely worried, a frown creasing her brow. She gets up and tiptoes her way toward us, but James doesn't move from behind me. No, I hear a rustle, and he seems to have gotten closer, enough for me to feel his breath on my neck. Dude, she might be a matriarch, but she won't eat you!
"Did something happen?"
"Your ex-bed partner outed you."
"Sorry, what?"
Oh, I can feel the drama coming miles away. It's hard not to laugh as Jordan flees upstairs, following behind Todd to tuck Sir Akerley in bed. The kids are a little disappointed that their big brother is being whisked away, but not for long, as their attention falls onto James.
Seriously, though, how about leaving my legs alone? Why are you trying to grab both of our legs, Elois…? Choose one person to hold onto, will you!
"Scott…"
Shit, Eve's turning her attention toward me now that Jordan has fled the scene. That coward…!
"Well, shit happens." I shrug as innocently as I can. "Jordan kinda reverted into his true form for a bit, and I kinda let it slip that I'm a Seer, and you know…"
"And you didn't think of filming James's reaction?" Eve makes a crestfallen face. "What's the point of having a cell phone if you don't use it!"
"I had other things to do at the time!"
I roll my eyes, and Eve snorts.
This old geezer…
But before I can bark something back, James leans over my shoulder to whisper in my ear, "Scott, is that really alright to speak to a matriarch like this…? Shouldn't you watch your tongue?"
Sighing, I push his head away. Dude, you're intruding a little too much in my personal space.
"I don't know for other patriarchs and matriarchs, but for Eve and Jordan? Yeah, it doesn't matter. They won't care about what I say. And I doubt they're going to care about what you say, too."
James doesn't answer, but the wince he lets out speaks of a thousand words.
"Seriously, use that brain of yours a bit, will you?" I bend over to cradle Ellena in my arms and push Elois to James, just so the boy stops trying to pull down my pants, thank you. "Jordan presented himself as a lesser demon for my marriage. So, do you really think he minds what others say about him?"
Slowly, what I'm trying to convey dawns upon him. It took a while, but here we go.
Yeah, as long as you're not being an asshole, these two don't care about pleasantries and such. Or at the very least, they don't give a shit with those who are close to them. Luckily for James, the kids have declared he was their uncle. He can act as familiar as he wants with us.
If he doesn't, the children are going to throw a tantrum anyway.
"I think I need time to get used to the idea." The vampire smiles stiffly as he picks up Elois. "But I'll keep your words in mind."
You do you.
"—I knew I should have come with you! I was looking so forward to the reveal too!" Eve's frustrated cry resounds, and I turn around just in time to see her climb the stairs four at a time. Well, someone's in for one hell of a time. "Jordan! Drag your ass right back here! I got a word or two for you!"
Soon after, I hear a crash upstairs. I'm not sure I want to know what happened. R.I.P. Jordan.
"…I don't remember your house being this animated…"
"Jordan was asleep; he's awake now."
I wave the vampire's concerns away and shift my attention to Ellena. How come she's dozing off when she was overflowing with energy a moment ago? Elois is no better in James's arms, either. Kids, I swear.
"If you're sleepy, sleep." I run my fingers through Ellena's hair, silently encouraging her to close her eyes. Please, I don't have the energy to entertain you or your brother tonight. "It's well past your bedtime."
"Hm." She rubs her head against my hand, just like a kitten. "Can we all sleep together? With Father and Uncle, too?"
"Ellena, the bed is only so big." Think of your poor uncle's heart, will you? I have a hunch he can't take sleeping in the same bed as a patriarch.
"Please…?"
I'm just about to tell her to stop it with the nonsense when I gaze into her eyes. The insecurity and fear swirling in their depths… Ah, now I see why they're not asleep yet. Most likely, we didn't make it back in one possible future, or at least, not all of us, and that's what her sight has shown her. She's not being unreasonable; she's anxious that she's going to wake up to an empty house tomorrow.
"Alright."
A smile blooms on her face, and she snuggles against my chest, giggling.
Meanwhile, James stares at me, horrified. I gesture for him to come closer and whisper just loud enough for his sensitive ears to hear, "Play along. Her sight is acting up."
Since the cat is out of the bag, it makes it easier to get James on board. Or so I thought.
"Sight…?" He questions. "You used that word earlier, too."
Don't tell me…
"That might sound rude," I feel a lump in my throat, "but what do you actually know about their species?"
"Nothing much." Ah, I don't like that smile on your lips, James. "It's just that despite my clan's aversion to demons, I've been repeatedly told to never, ever annoy any member of this species, no matter the reason. Pay your respect and shut your mouth is pretty much the rule the elders have engraved in our brains when it comes to Fallen Angels."
Holy molly—no wonder he's so out of it! Wait… In short. Fallen Angels are respected and feared, but people don't know shit about their species, is that it…?
I'll be damned. Jordan, Eve! That's the kind of stuff you should tell me! Fuck, I thought otherworldly beings knew more about you than hunters!
When will I learn the lesson?!
But for now…
"Just… Hum."
"Don't worry." James chuckles and winks, holding onto Elois as the kid dozes off. "I'm dumb, and I haven't caught on to anything."
For some reason, I feel like he's going to say those words quite often in the next few days. Thank God he has a better EQ than I do.