The Sire

Chapter 19

It had been two days since she got home, but Iris had been really sparse in words. Both James and Diana knew something happened in Seattle that made her search for refugee in her parents' house, but they didn't have a clue of what it was. Things with her boyfriend seemed fine as they talked on the phone several times a day or sometimes she would lock up in her room facetiming with him. Iris looked sad though and she was usually a girl so full of life and smiley. She had refused to leave the house, not even to visit some friends she still had in town, friends from school, nor to go to the beach that she loved or even Winston bar that was a classic. Nothing... she came home and stayed home. That morning, Diana was having coffee for the second time quietly at the table outside as the day was rather warm and sunny and the sky was blue with a few clouds scattered here and there. The trees in their garden were swaying slowly as a breeze was blowing in the air, cooling the atmosphere a little bit, remembering winter was just around the corner. The birds were chirping and some dogs were barking far away. She was rather lost in her thoughts, worried about her daughter, when she heard some steps. Diana looked at the door to find James coming out with a cup of coffee too and filling the air with his musk scented shower gel. His hair still wet, enhancing his silver nuances. He was aging so well though.

"You didn't wait for me." He smiled, sitting by her side, and then kissing her lips.

"You were sleeping." Diana looked in his eyes. "Completely lost, don't pretend you noticed when I left the bed."

"I didn't." He confessed. "I was feeling really tired when I got home last night. It was really late."

"You should slow down." Diana bent over him and kissed his cheek as he was sipping on his coffee. "I'd like to have you more to myself." She added, making him smile tenderly.

"You have me all to yourself and it's been some long years." James turned his face to look at her and Diana took the opportunity to peck him. "You're not going to the university today?" Diana shook her head. "Cool... not going to terrorize your students." He laughed and Diana tapped his arm.

"I am a nice professor!" She claimed.

"And Iris?" James asked, resting the cup at the table in front of them and Diana shook her head, losing the smile she had on her lips.

"I'm gonna try to talk to her today." Diana told him. "James..." She looked in his eyes, and she knew she was going to panic him but she was a mother and she needed someone to share her concerns with and no one better than him because Iris was theirs. "I heard her throw up early in the morning again."

"Again?" He curled an eyebrow, and Diana nodded. "She's stressed... it's visible..." He shrugged. "She almost doesn't talk and she looks sad..."

"Babe..." Diana caressed his face. "I remember she told me that she had felt sick a few days ago, and that she had mood swings..."

"What are you trying to say?" James whispered, looking deeply in her eyes. "You're not..." His voice trembled.

"I..." Diana started but James interrupted her.

"Oh..." He rolled his eyes. "No." He looked in her eyes. "Tell me it's not that."

"I think so..." Diana nodded. "I don't want to scare her, but I think it's a possibility."

"But didn't you say she was protected?" James raised his tone and ran his hands over his hair. "I'm gonna kill that boy!" He pointed his index finger at her and bit his lower lip.

"It's not his fault!" Diana slapped his hand down tenderly, and James curled an eyebrow as he heard her words.

"No? Who's fault is it then?" He asked back and Diana had to smile. "Who got my girl pregnant if it confirms to be it? It was him... I am gonna kill him..."