The Viking Alpha

Family

(Cassi)

Cassi blew out an exhausted breath. Tossing down the pen she gathered her books and notes. Looking at her watch it was going on at seven o'clock. Stuffing her things in her backpack she left the library. The street lights were on as she walked to her new bicycle that was chained to one of the light posts. While she was unlocking it she heard footsteps. Turning around she scanned around. No one seemed to be there. Unhooking the chain she wrapped it around the frame of her bike before mounting.
'Cassi.'
She screamed as her weight tipped her and the bike toward the post. Hands steadied her.
'Easy. It's just me.'
Lucas was there. Looking like a homeless person. He needed a proper night's sleep and a shower. He smelled like he hadn't bathed in a while. She hadn't really seen much of him since they'd come here, to the human world. Just glimpses and a quick hello and goodbye. The thought of him finally grieving properly for the woman he lost so long ago had occurred to her. She decided not to pry and give him his space.
'Hey. What are you doing here?'
He shrugged. 'I thought I'd walk you back home.'
Getting off the bike she walked beside it. Studying him as they walked away. He looked completely haggard. His stubble was now a full blown black scruffy beard streaked with grey. He looked much older then he did when she broke him out of Sylvia's coven.
'Are you okay?'
'Why?'
'Well you're looking a little…tired.' She didn't have the nerve to tell him he looked like hell.
He shrugged. 'A little bit. Just been thinking.'
'What have you been up to?'
'Visiting your mother. Also the places your mother and I used to go. The diner where she worked looks just the same.'
A little silence fell between them.
'How's the baby?'
She smiled. 'He's good. I've decided on a name. Would you like to know?
'Yes.'
'Samuel Donnie Villr.'
'Good name.'
'I've been meaning to show you something. When we get home you can take a look.'
'What is it?'
'Something that may be just what you need.'
'Alright. Have you talked recently to…him?'
'Who?'
'The boy that got you pregnant.'
Stopping, she glared at Lucas.
'Yes. I sent a letter using a spell Ezri taught me.'
Making her voice firmer she continued. 'He has a name. As I've said before, I want at least civility between you two. James is trying. Why can't you?'
'I don't like what he did to you. You deserve better.'
'Well tough! It's water under the bridge. I'm having his son. I chose to stay with him. I chose to forgive him. It's my life.'
'Yes! I just don't want you to regret it.'
She huffed and continued to walk.
'Do you ever think this doesn't have anything to do with James?'
'What do you mean?' Lucas' brow became furrowed.
'Maybe you're angry with yourself. You couldn't help that you were held captive. You couldn't help that you were not there for mom or me.'
'That has nothing to do with my problem with that mutt!'
'Then what is? I forgave him? Why can't you?'
'Because, dear child of mine, you take after your mother. You forgive far easier then me.'
'Well then do it for me and your grandson. You do realize he'll be part shifter too, right?'
'Not the part that counts.'
'Enough!' She smelled metal and rubber burning. Looking down where she was gripping her handlebars smoke rose.
'You'll have to work on controlling your temper. Your powers stem from them.' Lucas advised.
'Maybe if you wouldn't be so stubborn about this, I'd be calmer.'
'Look who's talking.'
Rolling her eyes, she walked faster. The rest of the walk was silent until they reached their front door.
'What was it you wanted to show me?'
Chaining her bike to the front porch she looked at him over her shoulder.
'First, you shower, shave, maybe eat something, then I'll show you.'
'Who, Cassandra, is the parent here?'
'As I have to tell you to get in the shower and that you smell and look like hell. Plus I'm carrying a child so that would be me. So go.'
Lucas threw his hands up and went inside. Setting her stuff down she pulled open the fridge and looked around. An idea that could be good or backfire popped in her head. She began pulling things out of the fridge to start cooking.
Within fifteen minutes the enticing aroma of steak wafted around. The sound of it sizzling in the cast iron skillet on the stove brought a sense of homely feelings around her. Placing the freshly scrubbed baked potatoes in the oven she turned and started mixing chocolate pudding. The smells must have called to everybody because it would seem Rexton and Vincent chose that moment to come in. Vincent's shirt had spilled beer and something else on the logo of the bar they both worked at.
'Hard day, guys?'
Vincent's wheat colored hair was sticking up as if he ran his fingers through it all day. His silver eyes looked like they were about to sink shut. Rexton on the other hand looked fresh as a daisy and smiled like he had the best of best days.
'Not for me.' Rexton gloated. His smile turned smug as he started laughing while looking at Vincent.
'What happened?' She asked Vincent.
Vincent scowled and blushed. 'While my mate was taking his sweet ass time running the bar and getting all the good tips from every other male in the damned place, I was filling drinks at tables and getting puked on or beer spilled on me by drunks.'
Chuckling, she went over and hugged Vincent. Wrinkling her nose at the putrid smell, she smiled.
'The glory that comes with being a server. I should know.'
'Vincent. Maybe working at a bar isn't your thing. Maybe we should find something for you. I love you, but you suck at being a waiter.' Rexton put his arm around Vincent's shoulders.
'I don't know how to do anything really.' Vincent complained.
'Okay. You two shower up. We'll talk more about it at dinner. It should be ready in a half an hour. Has anyone seen Ezri?'
'Here.' She came in through the back door. Covered in dirt and mud. Humphry was winding his plump orange body around her legs. His cow tail twitched as it dragged the floor.
'Now what have you been doing that's gotten you so dirty? Honestly!'
'I was planting a garden. Humphry says we should plant catnip for him. He says if we get to have such pretty flowers he should have that. I agree.'
Cassi shook her head in exasperation.
'Okay. Everybody go to your bathrooms and get cleaned up. 'Whose turn is it to do dishes?'
'Mine, I guess.' Lucas came from the hallway rubbing his still dripping hair with a hand towel. 'Since I've been gone I should pick up the slack on my part.'
'Fine. You can start by chopping up the salad.'
Turning back she flipped the steaks and seasoned them.
After the other three left to shower it was just Lucas and Cassi shuffling around in the kitchen. The sound of the chop of the knife stopping on the wooden cutting board had her turn to look at him. His back was to her. His shoulders hunched.
'What's wrong?'
She heard him sigh and resume chopping.
'Your mother enjoyed cooking.'
Cassi smiled a soft sad smile while replacing the cooked steaks with raw ones.
'I remember. She'd sing to me.'
'Yes. Her favorite song was-'
'Shine by Collective soul.' Cassi finished.
Another silence then she heard him humming the tune. Smiling, she began to sing along.
'Give me a word give me a sign
Show me where to look, tell me, what will I find? What will I find?'
Cassi looked over at his back. Lucas picked up after a few moments.
'Lay me on the ground
And fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me, what will I find?
What will I find?'
They both sang in unison. 'Yeah!'
Laughing they continued to sing as dinner came together.
Rexton and Vincent came in and set the table. Ezri joined a few minutes later and helped prepare plates.
Slipping the pie on the fridge to thicken, she sat down. A feeling of a warm glow came over her. Looking around the table she watched as everyone talked about their day. Everyone including Lucas laughed at the story of Vincent getting a beer spilled on him then puked on right after he tried to clean up the beer from his shirt.
This was her family. All of them she hadn't known for long but it felt right. It would be even better in a few days when James was here.
'Vincent, maybe you should do what Cassi does. Go to school and see what you'd like to do.' Ezri advised while slipping Humphry a piece of her baked potato. 'Rexton, thanks to Lucas and James, you have money now. Open up your own bar.'
Vincent and Rexton looked at Ezri suspiciously.
'Do you know something we don't, Ezri?' Rexton asked.
'Have you seen something?' Vincent followed.
Ezri smiled. 'I won't tell. But the paint talks.' She went back to eating her food.
Rexton and Vincent looked baffled.
'She means, boy, you have a flair for art. She isn't the only one in this house who sees things.' Lucas enlightened gruffly.
'Well. I always liked to paint and sculpt in my shed back home.' Vincent confessed.
Cassi laughed. 'Van Gogh.'
'Who?' Vincent looked even more confused.
'You'll learn about him in your textbooks. Welcome to college life, Vince.'
The rest of the evening ended with everyone enjoying the chocolate pie. A bittersweet expression was on Lucas's face. All cleared the table. While Lucas did dishes Cassi got her photo album and the brand new blue one she purchased. Setting them on a table she waited. Lucas turned and dried his hands before sitting.
'This is what you wanted to show me.'
'You looked in a vision didn't you?'
He shrugged. 'Curiosity was not killing the cat. But I didn't see what was inside.'
'Well this one, mom made me. This one,' She pointed to the blue one, 'Is your grandson's. I'll let you look at them. I'm tired. Goodnight.' She stood and stretched then headed upstairs.
By the time she showered and brushed her teeth her eyelids were drooping. Getting under the blankets she drifted to sleep. Oblivious to what she was about to see in her dreams.