Angels May Cry

Arix

*** Warning***

This chapter may contain mention of violence, explicit language, sexual references and loss of child.

Mature audiences only.

Chapter 9: Arix

17 December 2014

Vergil
I stood in the foyer of the old house, staring up at the painting of my parents. Thoughts had swirled in my mind since the morning before. Blue eyes and blonde hair were among those thoughts. A shuffling near the door alerted me and I turned. Trish stood, leaning against the doorframe. She simply looked at me with a knowing look and tilted her head towards the door. I nodded and checked the time, taking one last look up at the painting before walking out.

The walk back to the shop was enough for me to clear my head. I stayed a step behind Trish as we walked, still in my thoughts. The sun had barely begun to rise when I had headed out this morning. Now it was just over the buildings in the city. We were all expected at the angels townhouse in less than an hour and I needed to get Dante up and moving before we were late. I entered the building I had come to call home, and was pleasantly surprised to find my twin at his desk. He looked rough, but had showered and changed at least.

"Nero and Lady are waiting there for us. We should get going." I said, looking out at the fresh snow on the sidewalks and streets.

Dante stood, the weary look in his eyes something that concerned me. Slightly. I clicked Yamato free of its sheath and opened a portal into the girls backyard. Dante stepped through followed by Trish and myself. The portal closed behind us as we stepped out into the snowy backyard. Lights and garland were strung along the roof and windows, poinsettias in pots and planters at each entrance. I shook my head as we headed for the patio door to go inside.

Alexis
I sighed as I poured coffee into the larger carafe to keep it warm. I had been up all night setting out the Christmas decorations. The outdoors had been done last night, with Nero's assistance on the lights. I had wrapped the front railings in lights and garland as well as put out the fresh poinsettias that I had convinced Vergil to assist me in carrying home. The front den had a five foot tall tree in it with purple, red, and blue ornaments and lights. A silver star sat atop the tree. The main living room had the larger, eight foot tree, decked out in silver and gold garland, white lights, and white angel and snowflake ornaments. A cross topped that tree and I had already tucked a few gifts under it.

The kitchen had been transformed as well, garland and lights strung along the tops of the cabinets. A Christmas village sat up above the cabinetry, glowing with lights. I looked over the extra chairs at the table and the full breakfast spread I had set up. Warmers covered the kitchen island filled with French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage links, and bacon. I had finished cleaning up the dishes as Nero had come in and gone to get cleaned up with a hot shower in the guest bathroom downstairs. Lady was snoozing on the couch in the den.

I looked over as the patio door opened up and in stepped Vergil, Trish and Dante in tow. It seemed that we were only missing a few more bodies before we would start this little gathering. Nero walked in, his jacket over his shoulder and a duffel bag in his hands. He set them out of the way and nodded to the rest of the group.

"I'll go wake Lady." Trish said, walking through the living room to the front hall where the Den was.

"Sage will be calling in for this meeting. Her job got extended. And I need help getting Noelle down here. Nero carried her upstairs last night but she probably still can't walk very well." I said, looking between the three men in my kitchen.

"I'll carry her down." Vergil said as he stepped forward.

I nodded and headed upstairs to get Noelle up, listening for footsteps to follow. She was already half propped up in bed, running a brush through her hair as best as she could. I walked around her bed, helping her sit up fully and taking the brush. It was short work to get her hair brushed and pulled up in a ponytail. I checked her bandages before helping her into a tank top and calling out to the hallway for Vergil.