The War Circle

Reunions

War Circle 5

Reunions

Michael watched Sam and Bri play with some plushies Marinette had gotten from her room for them, Toby was leaning back in his chair making clicking noises with his mouth, Archie and Mary were speaking quietly with his parents, Skye was making Marinette listen to calming music and Caline watched the toddlers play with the toys.

"Well, I know I had my reservations about the twins being in another country," Said Archie, after finishing with Tom and Sabine, "but, at least we know they'll be cared for, and we now know where Marlene was getting all that money."

Michael paused, before looking at them, "What are you talking about?"

"She's been getting a load of money from somewhere lately, she always spent it on designer clothes and other trash like that." Responded Archie, making Michael go quiet.

Toby stopped rocking his chair and looked at them, "Wait, is Marlene that one you were going to propose to, only to find she'd been peddling money off you behind your back?"

"I'm still working on that debt." Said Michael, scowling, Brianna copying him.

"So, that's why you don't have your own place yet." Said Skye, smirking at her twin.

"I will soon, I'm on the last couple grand of the debt." Said Michael, folding his arms, "And, besides, there isn't anywhere within a reasonable distance to my current place of work."

"You're on leave from Interpol, right?" Asked Archie, making Michael grimace.

"Apparently, they decided to transfer me to Paris, the only problem being that there isn't any free position on the force," Explained Michael, "So, the placed me on 'leave' and I got the job as security head-Head of IT support at the school."

"Ah, so you're the eyes and ears of the Police at the school." Said Archie, as Skye scowled.

"You're neglecting to say you were shot before the transfer." Snarked Skye, making Michael wince.

"YOU WERE SHOT?!" Yelled Sabine, making the toddler jump.

"It was a minor gunshot wound; it barely scraped my lung." Said Michael, making his parents gape at him.

"'Barely scraped your lung'?" Repeated Sabine, as Marinette winced.

"Poor choice of words." Said Skye, as Michael rapidly paled.

"Bang!" Yelled Brianna, making everyone jump.

The three-year-old was waving a nerf gun around, thankfully unloaded, and pointing it at Michael.

"She's definitely your child." Said Toby, as Bri then pointed the toy gun at Archie.

"Bang, bang!" Yelled Brianna, as Sam sat the dolls in a circle and pretended they were in a meeting.

"Has Sam always been so quiet?" Asked Marinette, as Sam smiled as he made moved the dolls as if they were talking.

"As far as we're aware, he's mute, at least, the non-speaking mute." Said Archie, as Sam continued to move the dolls.

A dart suddenly hit Michael in the throat, as Brianna giggled and went after the dart.

"We have to get that off her." Said Skye, as Brianna cocked the toy gun and fired it in a random direction, the dart hitting Sam on the back of his head.

Sam started sniffling, before he let out a small whine and dissolved into tears. Michael's legs started acting on their own accord, with Michael crossing the room and gently picking the toddler up and cradling him. Sam clutched on to Michael's front, releasing quiet, muffled sobs. Michael glanced at Brianna, who'd frozen in place and looked like she was going to cry, as if she expected Michael to strike her.