Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Guardian Angels

A/N: A bonus chapter from my main story, set during Sophie and Keefe's parenting stage.

"Just look at those kids running around out there," Keefe said to Sophie as he walked up behind her in the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You'd think they were close or something."

Sophie leaned into her husband and let out a content sigh, watching their kids splash around in the pond with the Vacker girls. "I think Will drives Naomi and Akira crazy though," she noted. "They don't have any brothers so they're not used to how boys behave."

Keefe laughed. "I think Anna helps him with that," he pointed out. "They're constantly working out ways to play pranks on the twins."

"Oh yes," Sophie said, turning her face to try to look at Keefe. "I'm sure you've had nothing to do with their pranking endeavors."

"Just being a good father and teaching my son what's truly important in life: how to play pranks on people, and how to get a pretty girl's attention."

"Keefe! He's only eight. He and Anna are just friends."

"Yeah, for now."

Sophie didn't want to think about her kids reaching dating age. Crushes and boys and dating had been a big source of confusion and heartache for her--and Fitz--and Dex--and Keefe--when they were teenagers. It had all worked out, now, but there had been some awkward and downright painful moments before that.

She hated the thought of her kids being in pain.

Emma was twelve--roughly the age Sophie had been when she'd come to the Lost Cities--and Sophie wondered if any of the boys at Foxfire had caught her eye yet.

"Anyway," Keefe said, ducking his head down and planting a gentle kiss on Sophie's neck before releasing her and moving to stand beside her. "Will has Alvin to help him out, too. Al's always been really patient with him."

"Probably because Dex has always been really patient with you," Sophie said with a laugh.

"And I always wished I had a big brother to look out for me and be a buddy," Keefe told her. "It's part of why I used to hero-worship Alvar." Keefe frowned. "So did Fitz, until...everything."

Sophie sighed.

Talking about Alvar would always be difficult.

"You're right," she said, taking him by the hand and moving into the living room. "Al does act like a big brother to Will."

"Where are they today, anyway?" Keefe asked. "I thought their kids were coming over too."

"I think they will be," Sophie replied. "As soon as Biana is done taking them all shopping."

Keefe sighed. "Poor kids. I guess we'll see them sometime next week."

Sophie laughed. Some things just never changed, and Biana's love of fashion and shopping was definitely one of them. Before she could respond, her Imparter rang.

"Oh, I bet that's Biana now," she said, pulling it out of her pocket.

But it was Amy. She and Sophie talked when they could, but they'd always had to be very careful about when and for how long they spoke. It had been easier for a while when Amy moved out of her parents' house, but had gotten more complicated again several years later when Amy had gotten married. They'd decided--per the Black Swan's and the Council's insistence--that Amy's husband and any children they had not be made privy to the secrets Amy knew.

Sophie figured Amy would be with her husband and toddler right now, so she wouldn't have expected to hear from her.

Perplexed, Sophie answered, moving to sit on the couch.