The Angelic Paradox

Dining with Ms. Tate

My father looks up from his laptop, from where he sits in the conference room since I have taken over the Fowl study, leaving him to be nomadic.

"Artemis. Son," he says, rising to his feet, "We weren't expecting you home so soon. Everything is alright, I trust?"

"My conference cut short. Business went smoothly," I state vaguely.

"Oh, Artemis, always business with you, huh? " He smiles, that skin around his eyes crinkling, "Well, we're always happier with you home, Arty boy."

"Yes, Father."

He sits back heavily into his Victorian armchair, "But you must have come to tell me something."

I nod, "Mother sent me. She claims quite vaguely that it is time for the conversation. Whatever conversation that may be," I play ignorant, but I already know what this conversation's content is.

"The conversation? Did you bring a girl home with you, Artemis?" he says, furrowing his thick brow.

"Yes, Father."

He nods and a series of unreadable expressions cross his face, "Well, then I'm sure we both know what conversation your mother was refering to."

I stare at my feet, "Yes, I believe so."

"Arty, it's nothing to be embarassed about. Look at me, son."

I look up and shake my head at my father, "I don't understand what this is that I feel when I'm around her. That's why I'm...embarassed."

He laughs heartily, "Artemis, when it comes to emotion, nobody knows anything. Not even you. Not any psychiatrist. It will always be a mystery. It's normal to not know what you're the first time you feel it."

I just nod my head absently, "Yes, Father."

"Sooo..."he leans back in his chair, "What's this girl's name?"

"Emerald Tate."

"What makes her special?"

I just shrug.

"Have you kissed her?"

"Yes, Father."

"Multiple times?"

My face heats up, "Yes, Father."

He raises his bushy eyebrows, "Have you...?"

My cheeks burn and I exclaim, "No!"

"Now, Artemis Fowl, I want you to listen to me carefully. Do not, I repeat, do not be a heart-breaker. Angeline and I raised you better than that. Treat each and every single female come across like a queen who will crush you under her heeled boots if you treat her wrong. Woman are emotional and it's best to be aware of their moods. Otherwise, everything goes downhill. If you ever need girl advice, just ask me. Very well, Arty?"

"Yes, Father."

He stands and strides over to where I stand. He takes my face in his hands, "I mean it, Artemis."

"Yes, Father. I understand."

He steps back, relaxing, "Plus if your mother found out you'd have to face her wrath not mine." He sits back down with a sigh, "Now, you are old enough that your mother and I can trust you alone with a girl. But..."

"Very well, Father."

"One last question," he says, "What are your intentions with this Emerald?"

"I...I don't know, Father," I stutter, "I just...like her...a lot. She--I don't know."

Artemis Senior shakes his head and stands, "The ladies are probably waiting for us. Let us join them."

As we enter the dining room, my eyes lock on Emerald's and she grins at me, her lips curving into a crescent shape and her eyes sparkling with that ever-present playful mischief. Mother stands next to her, sharing the air of every Fowl woman in history. Examining Emerald, she seems to possess that same trait. Interesting. Interesting, indeed.

Mother smiles at me, "Well, Timmy, this is Artemis's girlfriend."

My face reddens slightly, "Simply put."

Emerald extends her hand to my father, "Emerald Tate. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir."

Much to my embarrassment, instead of taking her hand, he embraces her ands whispers something in her ear. Due to my stellar lip-reading skills, I understand.

"Thank you," he murmurs.

She nods slightly and he withdraws.

"Now," his voice booms, "Let us to dinner."

As we sit, Emerald's head turns to me, "Where d'you want me to sit?"

Mother answers for me, "Why, next to Arty, of course."

She sits down next to me, and I lace my fingers though hers, concealed by the polished tabletop. She squeezes my hand. I squeeze back.

Father leans back in his chair, "So, Miss Tate, what are your interests?"

Emerald sighs, "Well, I really like to read and write. All forms of art really interest me."

"What types of things do you read?" asks Mother.

She looks thoughtful as she thinks, "No nonfiction. I find that hard to get through unless it's written fictitiously. I read a lot of fiction. Dystopian, fantasy and realistic mostly. Some romance though most of it is entwined with adventure stories. I'm not picky, that's for sure."

"And she is a gifted creative writer as well, " I pipe in.

Emerald smiles at me, "Yeah, I write basically in the genres I read. Some fan fictions, too. Mostly adventure and suspense stories."

"What exactly is a fan fiction?" asks Mother, arching her eyebrows.

"Continuing or altering a copyrighted work. It's really just rewriting or adding a sequel to somebody else's story."

"Ah."

Juliet enters the room with the twins. Immediately her gaze falls upon Emerald. Her eyebrows arch inquisitively.

"Juliet, this is Emerald. She will be dining with us tonight," I introduce.

Beckett toddles over to his seat, "Mummy, is Emerald Arty's girlfriend?"

Myles roles his eyes, "Obviously."

"Now, boys..."Mother is interrupted as Butler strides in, carrying our first course. He looks at Emerald next to me and immediatly understands.

He shakes his head, "Oh, Artemis."

Emerald squeezes my hand and traces circles on my wrist with her thumb while the hint of a smile dances on her lips.Those lips that wish to trace over and over...