Reconciled in the End

Chapter 20: More little friends

Thomas thought about his next day off together with Siren to go shopping for survival supplies, just in case. The way he figured, whatever they could carry would be only what they could own in case of the foreseen cataclysms. It couldn’t hurt to be prepared at least, he reasoned. People were attempting more and more lately.

After coming to their shopping district only to find it barred with tape, covered in broken glass, and completely raided from some unknown purpose, Thomas led Siren on the train to try another district. He searched his Crown to assess whether even that was safe or open. Since the nighttime trumpet vibration disaster, no one took care of anything. Stores were ransacked but not restored. Everything had fallen to disarray, and no one cared. The oblivious merely shrugged, turning to their Crowns and committing to buy only on the web instead. They claimed it safer, but package theft was even worse yet.

While walking along, Thomas took care to lead his wife away from glass and debris. He concluded she’d better get boots despite him loving her wear those dress shoes and slip-ons. If they had to run, she wasn’t prepared. Siren seemed so happy to dress up. Her mischievous grin got wider every time he’d gawk at her enticing form. He couldn’t help it however, she was just so dang appealing and beautiful! That sashay with her hips swaying in a gentle way, her hair draping down elegantly, her body filled in her dresses in all the right curves. Shaking his head, he knew not to let his thoughts linger there too long in public!

“Ooo, Sonji! It’s Officer Crown!” a voice behind Thomas squealed emphatically.

“Oooooo! So cute! Is that his permanent partner too?!”

Both girls squealed at the same time, “Oooo!”

Siren looked to Thomas in question as he smiled, shaking his head in resignation. Before he could respond, Mari shot out, “So did you get your Crown?”

Sonji slapped Mari’s mouth closed as she nervously sputtered, “You don’t say that out loud, Mari. What if she never got it?”

Mari looked confused at the accusation as Thomas looked nervous. Siren looked at the scene in amusement as she wondered what this was about. She wasn’t aware at all that he had younger potential partners in the past. Her looked implored him to speak a good tale.

Thomas snorted, watching the loony girls argue whether Mari had been as rude as Sonji claimed. Lifting his hand up, he finally clarified, “I met these two Crown shopping when I lost my own. I hopefully helped you two choose good ones and that you’ve stayed safe since then?”

Mari was completely over debating her potential rudeness as she looked at Siren circumspectly. “Officer, your permanent partner is just so pretty! I’m glad she got better like you hoped. He was very sad when we shopped for that pretty Crown. I do hope you got it! You’re just so adorable looking.”

Siren giggled in good nature, “I don’t feel worthy of the comment, but thank you.”

Bending down, she nodded, “He did indeed give me that beautiful piece.”

Mari folded her hands as she rose her brow, “Did he do it so romantically? I told him he needed to!”

Both girls shook their finger at him in a chiding way. Siren laughed a bit as Thomas felt threatening eyes on him. Siren then kissed him gently on the cheek.

“Thomas is always romantic and is the best husband I could ever have,” Siren smirked.

“Oooo!” both girls squealed again as Siren enjoyed it thoroughly.

Mari then shot out bluntly, “What’s a husband?”

Thomas then explained, “A special relationship God in the Bible created. It’s like a permanent exclusive partnership, but we vowed before God to always be together. A vow before God is the strongest one you can make.”

“Wow…” they both awed, then they responded, “Who is God?”

“Quite a guy,” Thomas whistled. He gave Siren a glance, wondering how much the two would understand on that subject. Even they both were confused about the three in one aspect, plus there was so much more unclear. God clearly had stated his ways were beyond human ways.

Again, Thomas looked to Siren as she nodded, feeling the same. After discussing the conversation with Peter, they figured to reach whoever else was interested too. It left them vulnerable if others wished to harm them, but again, they felt they weren’t of this world anymore. Thomas also felt like they were saving people oblivious to a burning building. People didn't see the harm in living a life without God, although they struggled hard. Just like one needed to warn of fire, Thomas reasoned they needed to explain God and His coming judgment to spare the people's lives from it.

Siren watched as Thomas went right into instructing them all that he discovered. The girls seemed interested and amazed at all the unknown Bible stories. Siren giggled as the two girls followed them while they shopped, like two innocent doves waiting for breadcrumbs to drop. She loved their naïve innocence about the world and wanted to protect them. She was definitely proud that Thomas had watched over them, chiding them in safeguarding themselves.

As Siren and Thomas went home after treating the two girls out for a meal. Siren giggled, “I worry about those two…”

In exasperation, Thomas replied, “I know. When Sonji forgot her access password, then Mari lost her ring. How do they survive?”

“They work as stockers for online retail. They make an honest living. At least there it’s not too dangerous. The warehouses have cameras and surveillance. They are very young though!” Siren beamed, “I enjoyed their visit thoroughly. They make you look very fatherly...”

Thomas snapped to her abruptly. His eyes drifted to her belly as he casually asked, “Do I?”

Siren innocently replied, “You do, but you’re not one yet that I know of…”

He merely pondered, “Huh.”

She looked to him and back to the street several times as she relished his uncertainty about the conversation. He looked like he was expecting excitement but also in thought about such. Finally, after a good long moment of private thought, he shrugged, “These are tough times. It is for the best that you aren’t. But if you were, I can’t help but feel excitement too. I’m torn. You think I was ‘fatherly’?”

She grinned as they walked on in silence. Thomas thought hard on her words, completely distracted while Siren in amusement led him home.