His New Wife

༺ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕖𝕟 ༻

"What did you mean by that?"

    Mona tenses up. She knew she couldn't tell these people about what Tord does. Maybe a small lie wouldn't hurt. "Ah! He uh...he climbed up the political ladder! He's helped Lillehammer out a lot, actually!" She didn't like lying to Tom like this, but she couldn't ruin Tord's mission. "So...he's a political leader? And he wanted to marry you?" Mona purses her lips. "I don't know either...I was sure I was just going to be my father's payment but...Tord was so kind to me and he's done so much for my family..." Tom looks a bit in shock, surprised that Tord could be so nice to someone. "What...has he done?" Mona smiles softly, playing with a strand of her hair. "Well, he has cleared my father's debt first of all. He told my mamma that she didn't have to worry about paying the 92,000 krone. He also moved my mamma and my brothers to Oslo so they would have a better life. My brothers are going to the best school there! All paid for!" She stands before looking at Tom. "I know you two don't get along all the time...but Tord really isn't that bad...well, goodnight Tom!" She pats his head before walking out of the room. The eyeless man simply watches her leave, slightly dumbfounded by this new information.

   Mona exits the bathroom, growing tired once again. She softly crawls back into the cot with Tord, who stirs and opens his eyes. He smiles softly, petting Mona's hair. "Hello darling...where did you run off to?" She giggles, leaning into him. "I had to use the restroom...did I wake you?" Tord shakes his head, placing a soft kiss on her lips. "Not at all. Let's get back to sleep, yes?"

    "C'mon Tord, it's time to get up." Edd nudges Tord harshly as the sleeping man whines and stirs. "Edd, please settle down with the kicking...you're going to bother Mona..." Tord huffs, getting a small giggle in response. "I'm already up, silly. I actually helped Edd make breakfast!" Edd smiles as Tord sits up. "Yeah! Mona here taught me a new recipe!" Tord sniffs the air and perks up. "I smell almonds..." "Yes! I made some fyrstekake." Mona hums. "I'm sure you're missing home as much as I am so I thought I'd bring a little bit of home here." Mona then pouts. "There's no cardamom in it, though. Just almonds. We didn't have time to see if the store had any." Tord simply smiles. "Thank you, darling. It smells amazing." He slides off the cot and follows the duo into the kitchen. Tom was already seated at the table, leaving only one chair unoccupied. "Where's Matt?" Tord asks and Edd smiles. "He had to get to work today. Someone didn't show up and he is usually on call." "Where does he work?" Mona asks, serving Tord and Tom some breakfast. "He works at a salon!" Tord smiles a bit, taking a bite of his fyrstekake first. "I guess all those makeover sessions were for something, yes?" Tom lets out a chuckle, the first time Mona has heard him even acknowledge Tord completely. "I'm just glad it's not us anymore."

   "Mona, you've done enough. Please let me wash the dishes." Mona smiles, collecting everyone's plates. "Sorry Edd! I helped cook, so it's only fair that I help with the chores too!" She giggles and laughs as Edd chases her to the sink. Tord watches happily. He always loves seeing his fiancée smile. "Hey...commie..." Tord turns to Tom, who is pursing his lips. "Can we talk? Like, outside? It's important." "...Yeah." As they stand, Mona turns to them. "Where are you two going?" Tord waves his hand to her dismissively. "Don't worry, darling. We're just having a chat. We'll be back in soon." She nods, watching the duo step out into the backyard. "I hope they're not going to have a fight again..." Edd mumbles and Mona looks at him. "A fight...?" He nods, drying off a plate Mona hands him. "They step out to talk like this and it ends up with them all beaten because they get so mad at each other. I just hope it stays civil this time." Mona looks back to the sliding doors. "Yeah...me too."

    "So witness, what is it that you—" "It's about Mona." Tord pauses, looking over at his rival. "...What about her?" Hearing Tord's defensive tone, Tom quickly continues. "It's just...god, how do I word this? I just want to make sure you're going to be treating her right." Tom rubs the back of his neck. "These past few days, I've seen the absolute lovestruck look she gives you all the time. When she was patching me up...she was telling me about how much she loves you." Tom looks at Tord again. "That kind of love is something you shouldn't take advantage of." Tord scoffs. "What makes you think I am?" Tom looks away, staring at the slightly overgrown grass. Someone really has to come out here and mow it. "We both know how you used to be, Tord. I don't even know the girl but I know seeing her heartbroken would destroy me. Edd and Matt too if I were to take a gander." Tord lights a cigarette, blowing out a particularly large cloud of smoke. "And how would you know how to treat a woman? Last time I checked, you haven't had a girlfriend since high school." "Because the way Mona looks at you reminds me so much of how in love my parents were before my dad died." Tom's answer catches Tord off guard, causing him to cough a bit on some smoke. Silence fills the space between the two before Tom stands. "Well, that was it, really. And Tord?" "Hm?" "...Thanks for keeping this civil. Sometimes it gets tiring fighting all the time, y'know?" As Tom goes inside, Tord looks at his cigarette. After a moment, he lets out a breathy laugh, taking another drag.

"You idiots are making this mission harder and harder..."