Legacy of a Star Child

Chapter 73: Gloom Widow

Kiiushu-senpai~ you are needed on line 4.

-Came the voice of the secretary in the adjoining room across from Shades office. He tended to leave the door open just in case anyone needed him. Today had been a much smoother, quiet day, which was nice.-

Thank you Hailie. Who is it?

Oh! Its Laura-chan. She wanted to finish up the paperwork for your days off so both of you will be set for tomorrow! Though... I have a feeling considering how she sounded today that it might be some personal concerns, not quite work related ones.

-Shade sighed, getting up and going over to the office door to nod to his helpful assistant before shutting it and going back to his desk, laying back in his rolly office chair with a bendable back spring, allowing him to rest back comfortably as he picked up his office phone and accepted the transfer.-

Aunty Laura?

Shade! I'm so excited, its been far too long since either of us have had a decent break hasn't it?

Heh, I know that all too well. Uncle Eric is coming home from the reconstruction project just so he can spend time with you and Touya.

Touya's coming!? My baby~ Who convinced him to come?

His boyfriend, actually. Just got the phone call earlier to ask if we had enough seats in the VIP section for him to join us.

BOYFRIEND!? Oh... oh Shade he's... he's growing up so fast, just like you and Kira. I feel so left out of his life...

I'm sure its not intentional aunty Laura. Touya is rather busy himself, running patrols for the nation and occasionally making export deliveries for mom. I'm sure he will be ecstatic to see you.

Speaking of your mother... Have you convinced Shaddow to finally see her?

-The blond surgeon sighed with a weary frown.-

You know how it goes with that one. More stubborn than a mule. So many times I've been tempted to rip that hood off when we've been around Gretchen... but, unfortunately I respect Shaddow too much for that, and my mother.

Well, someone needs to do it eventually. Or else it will end up being Kyeshu, and I'm sure you know how that will go.

As much of a pain as Kyeshu can be, I think he respects the bond between child and parent too much to intervene. He also wouldn't want to violate his "masters" trust.

Heh, you sound so bitter about that little nephew. Almost as though you wish he would do it too.

-Shade gave a weary grin at that, shaking his head some as he adjusted the cordless office phone in the crook of his neck.-

Perhaps just a little. Its just uncomfortable to walk on eggshells about the whole thing... among other things.

-There was the sound of movement on the other side of receiver, before Laura's voice came through the phone again. Most likely she was getting comfortable in her own chair.-

Shade, honey, I'm sorry.

...Its not anyone's fault. Gretchen may not be my real mother, and Shaddow... they may not be my "real" sibling... but I... They mean so much to I and Kira. It kills me inside to see them hurting like this. Shaddow is... Shaddow has always been so brave, I just want to see them smile again, a real smile. Both of them. And Kira... I can't be a real father for her.

I know honey, but your the best brother and son they all will ever have. So much so you let Kira call you daddy just so she can have one.

I wish Kyeshu understood that. I'm spread so thin as it is. Trust me, I wish I could just stay home and be Kira's father... but I can't. I'm failing her and there's nothing I can do.