Shadows Within The Past

Chapter 117: Taming a Devil

Marcus got a call from Rachael.
Rachael said" Marcus.......you know where Alexander is he is not picking up my call."
Marcus said "he is right in front of me."
Rachael said "GIVE HIM THE PHONE."
Marcus said to Alexander "here your wife."

Marcus handed the phone to Alexander, who took it with a sheepish expression. "Hey, baby," Alexander said, his voice suddenly sweet and endearing. Rachael's voice on the other end of the line was not so sweet. "ARE YOU CRAZY? COULD YOU NOT TELL ME AT LEAST? I WAS WORRYING MYSELF FOR NO REASON, ALEXANDER!" Alexander winced, holding the phone away from his ear. "I'm sorry, baby. I forgot to tell you. I broke my phone in anger today." Rachael's voice came back on the line, still angry but slightly more controlled. "You forgot to tell me? You forgot to tell me that you broke your phone? How could you be so thoughtless, Alexander?" Alexander sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm sorry, Rachael. I know I should have told you. It's just been a long day, okay?" Rachael's voice softened slightly. "A long day? What happened?" Alexander glanced over at Emily, who was watching the exchange with interest. "Just the usual, baby. Emily's been exploring her career options, and Marcus is being his usual uptight self." Rachael laughed. "Oh, poor Marcus. And what career options is Emily exploring?" Alexander grinned mischievously. "She wants to be a serial killer." There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Rachael spoke up. "Well, at least she's ambitious." Alexander chuckled, relieved that Rachael was no longer angry. "I promise, baby. No more secrets. I'll tell you everything, even if it's something as mundane as breaking my phone." Rachael laughed. "Good. I don't like it when you keep secrets from me. And don't keep a secret of breaking your phone, either. I was worried sick about you!" Alexander handed the phone back to Marcus, who took it hesitantly. "H-hello?" he stuttered. Rachael's voice came through the phone, warm and friendly. "Hey, Marcus. How's it going?" Marcus let out a sigh of relief. "It's going, Rachael. But I have to say, I'm a bit concerned about Emily's career choices." Rachael laughed. "Oh, don't worry about that, Marcus. Emily's just exploring her options. She'll figure out what she really wants to do eventually." Marcus rolled his eyes. "I hope so, Rachael. I really do." Rachael's voice came through the phone again, this time with a hint of amusement. "I'm sure she will, Marcus. Now, go make sure Alexander doesn't get into any more trouble, okay?" Marcus face-palmed. "I'll try, Rachael. But no promises."

Alexander and Emily went back home.

As soon as Alexander walked in the door with Emily, Rachael greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello, baby! How are you?" she asked, giving Alexander a kiss on the cheek. Emily smiled and hugged Rachael. "Hi, Aunt Rachael! I'm good, thanks." Rachael laughed. "Good, dear. I'm glad to hear that. So, how was your day with Uncle Alexander?" Emily grinned mischievously. "It was great! Uncle Alexander and I had a lot of fun. We even talked about my future career plans." Rachael raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what career plans might those be?" Emily's grin grew wider. "I'm thinking of becoming a serial killer." Rachael's expression didn't change, but Alexander could see a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Well, dear, I think we can discuss that further. But maybe over dinner?" Emily nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, Aunt Rachael! Can we have pizza?" Rachael smiled. "Of course, dear. We can order some pizza and have a family discussion about your future career plans." Alexander chuckled, shaking his head. "I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting conversation." Sophia, Emily's mom, walked in and said, "Emily, how are you? And Alex, how are you?" Emily ran to her mom and gave her a big hug. "Mom! I'm good, thanks. Uncle Alexander and I had a lot of fun today." Sophia smiled and hugged Emily back. "I'm glad to hear that, sweetie. And Alex, how are you?" Alexander smiled and gave Sophia a kiss on the cheek. "I'm doing well, Sophia. Just having a typical day with Emily here." Sophia raised an eyebrow. "A typical day? What does that mean?" Alexander chuckled. "Just the usual, Sophia. Emily's been exploring her career options, and I've been... well, being my usual self." Sophia laughed. "I see. And what career options is Emily considering?" Emily piped up, excited. "I want to be a serial killer, Mom!" Sophia's expression didn't change, but Alexander could see a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Well, dear, that's... interesting. We'll have to talk about that later, okay?" Rachael spoke up, "Actually, Sophia, we were just about to have a family discussion about Emily's career plans. Why don't you join us?" Sophia nodded, smiling. "Sounds good to me. Let's order some pizza and have a talk." After eating pizza, Rachael and Alexander were having private time alone in their bedroom. Rachael was hugging Alexander, her head resting on his chest. "Hey baby, I planned a date tomorrow at 12 pm," she said, her voice muffled against his chest. Alexander's hands stroked Rachael's hair, his voice low and soothing. "Nice, I'll come, my little bird." Rachael smiled, lifting her head to look at Alexander. "I'm glad you're excited, baby. I was thinking we could try that new Italian restaurant downtown. I've been hearing great things about it." Alexander's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Sounds perfect, my little bird. I'll make sure to clear my schedule for tomorrow." Rachael snuggled back into Alexander's chest, feeling happy and content. "I'm sure Marcus will be thrilled to know that you're taking the afternoon off to spend time with me." Alexander chuckled, his hands stroking Rachael's hair. "Marcus can deal with it. Besides, I'm sure he'll be too busy trying to keep Emily out of trouble to worry about me." Rachael laughed, feeling grateful for the loving and quirky family she had. "That's probably true. Emily can be a handful sometimes." Alexander's arms tightened around Rachael, holding her close. "We'll just have to make sure to keep a close eye on her, then. Together."