Ascension - Book Eight - Man x Man

Chapter 9

My body aches as I roll over in bed and stretch, the ungodly hour of eight AM blinks back at me from the screen on my nightstand. I rub my eye with the back of my hand and try to allow myself to slip back into sleep but a distant beeping continues to gnaw at the back of my mind. Low in tone but continuous, it rings out almost like an alarm, prompting me to sit up quickly and scan the room. 

I was alone, I could hear the clatter of dishes and a sink running, the patter of feet and the innocent squeal of children playing a game with made-up rules and lots of running. Yet the beeping drones on, ever-present in the background. Standing, I slip on one of Verando's shirts, sliding into a pair of sweat pants and amusing myself quietly with how he might look at me for what he considers lazy attire. 

Leaving the comfort of the bedroom, I follow the droning tone until I arrive in his office and see the volume had been turned down on the monitoring system. No doubt by Legardo the night before, slipping past the door, I scan the monitors quietly to find the source of the beeping. It never ceased to amaze me how far he went to ensure our safety, every camera from any angle surrounding our home. I finally settle my gaze on the one overlooking the street. 

It was a car, not much unlike the night before. Panic rises in my throat, I test my magic for only a moment and feel disheartened at the fact that it was definitely gone. Trying not to feel bitter, I cut off the alarm and run a hand through my hair. The car had someone in it, though they had not gotten out yet. I wrap my arms around myself, I was more than capable of handling this. 

My discomfort only came from having to exit past multiple pairs of eyes before confronting our unwanted visitors. Quickly as I can manage, I steal back to our bedroom and opt to switch my sweat pants for jeans. Opening the side drawer, I wish for a revealing spell but rummage for the hidden compartment instead and remove the gun. 

I hear the voice in my head, check the clip, safety on. I assure myself it's loaded before sticking it into the back of my pants and pulling my shirt down over it. Taking a deep breath, I move down the stairs and whistle for Badger. The mid-sized dog appears from his prison in the pillow fort and I have my alibi. It wasn't uncommon for me to want to take the dog out in the morning. Pascal glances up from her attempt at Legardo's breakfast routine. "Good morning. I'm surprised you're awake, I heard last night was eventful?"

Shrugging, I find it difficult to turn down the offered cup of coffee. She winks at me, "A bit of Jameson Irish cream for the hangover?" Who had I become in my six-month stupor? 

My lips pull into a thin line as I fold my hands around the mug, nearly becoming unseated as the three children bombard themselves into my legs. Darius clings around my knees with a giggle, Silvia uses me as a barricade as the toddling Xaiver reaches for her with drooly hands. "Guys, come on. Your Tata probably needs a moment to wake up."

Surprisingly, I feel fine, if not a bit ashamed. Rustling Darius's hair, I resist the urge to lift the smaller boy for I knew I would never make it outside if I did. "I just need to take Badger out... where is Randy this morning?" Pascal gestures with her eyes to the patio where the unsuspecting Legardo had been roped into some sort of fitness routine. 

"Beating up Gary, I think... or some sort of training. I don't think Gary quite thought about what he was getting himself into." Shrugging, she goes back to stirring her attempt at eggs. 

I can't help but marvel at her for just a moment. Given her course nature when I met her, I might have never expected she might fall so contentedly into the role of homemaker. "Pascal.. are you.. happy?" I finally manage, after staring for much too long. "Happy doing this?"

Considering my question, she pokes at the eggs, pushing out her lips as if somehow I'd made a joke that she was attempting not to laugh at it. "Why wouldn't I be? I mean, I know you've had it rough the past few months but isn't this what we were all trying to get to? Normal?" Raising her eyebrows at the cameras, normal might not have been the right word.