What's that thing they say about a rose by any other name?

Chapter 22: The Precious Flowers Meeting Their Fathers

The next day

Yumie's P.O.V:

"Now, you two, be good. I don't want to hear anything bad while I'm doing errands." I said, holding Lilith and Kaida's cheeks gently as they nodded happily before I kissed their forehead, and they ran off to talk to their friends in the classroom. I sighed and looked at the teacher before giving her a bag full of mora and walking out. I know that Zhongli gives them history lessons, but I send them to school for the other subjects. I always drop them off to ensure they know I will never leave them alone. I smile, going to the bookstore to get the girls a new book to read with a hood over my head, and I make sure it keeps my face hidden. I still hide my face, even though my girls tell me I shouldn't. It's an old habit of mine.

"Let's see... how much is this book?"

"It's about 65 Mora, Miss Yumie."

"Really now? Last time, it was 50 Mora. Now, be frank: why are you trying to cheat me out? Is it because Kaida pointed out the loopholes in your contract last time?" I said while smirking at the young man at the counter, and he let tch before I got out some mora and paid for the book. I gently took the book and put it in my bag before I went to the other stores to get some cloth to make the girl's clothes, along with rice and pork. I need them for tonight's dinner. I'm going to make some pork strew tonight. I sighed and fixed my hood before stopping at the Xinyue Kiosk. I remember the Fullmoon Egg with Aziel and how he would tell me how beautiful I was and how I got flustered over his words. I sighed at the memory and started walking again before fixing my hood, looking through the bag, going towards the dock, and getting some stuff for tonight's stew. I brought some rice, pork carrots, and turpins as I made sure to stay hidden. I sighed and started to walk back home before I bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention." I said, picking up the stuff that fell out of my bag and putting it back when I felt a familiar large hand gently touch my shoulder, making me look up to see those same sapphire eyes and the silky long black hair.

"You should pay attention next time. An enemy won't hesitate to kill you if you leave your guard down at any time. I thought I told you that before, Viper."

"Nicholas..." I whisper to Nicholas, who is helping me stand up, and he looks into my eyes before I look back and hold the bag closer. I let out a shaky breath and started to back up slowly. If Nicholas is here, then Aziel is pretty close. I didn't think that Ajax would tell them my message last night. I was wrong. I have to get the girls now. "Look, I know I left you and Aziel alone, but I had no choice. I had to protect my daughters. The fatui isn't the best place to raise children, and I just... Oh, quit looking at me like that, Nicholas. Go on, say something. Shout, scream, but don't just look at me like-"

I felt Nicholas pull me close and hold me close as I felt his heart beating fast. That same heartbeat I felt on the night I danced the night away with him. I looked into his eyes, and he looked back, gently touching my cheek.

"You're as beautiful as the day we lost you, Viper. You have to come back home with our children. No more hiding. No more running."

"I know... I know I must return, but the Fatui isn't the right life. It's not safe. If I return, those targets on my back will affect our girls. Hell, I still have targets on my back." I said, looking into his eyes, and I saw that he knew I was right, but he didn't like it. I sighed and leaned into his hand before looking into his eyes and sighed. I have to choose. Return the fatui with the girls and claim my old Harbinger title, or stay in this peaceful life I have craved for myself and my girls. I moved away and looked at Nicholas before fixing my hood.

"Let me think it over tonight. I will give you and Aziel my answer tomorrow night. I have to talk to our daughters about this."

"I understand. Aziel is getting some stuff ready for the boat tomorrow night."