Prints on our hearts

Chapter Four

          The next morning, she woke up early to the smell of delicious food. She sat up groaning. Her body sore from last night's run. She looked over to see Alma's side of the bed made and her gone. Alex stiffly got dressed and shook her tight muscles loose. She decided against putting her hair up and walked gracefully down the spiral stairs. She got to the kitchen expecting Peter but instead saw Alma at the stove. The delicious smell of food hit her nose. She smirked remembering many years ago, awakening to this exact thing. She walked silently behind Alma and howled deeply and lowly at her neck. Alma smiled and spun to face her. "I can't believe you remember that!", Alma said with a smirk. Alex placed her hands on the counter beside Alma. "Well of course back then you would break into a fit of giggles.", She said leaning closely to her. Alma smirked and looked at her lips. Just as Alex was going to make a move, Claire came sprinting around the corner. Alex's quick reflexes pushed herself back against the table behind her. "Miss P! You look so much better!", the little blonde girl said jumping up into her arms. Alma wrapped her arms fondly around the youngest of her children. "Well did you expect a few hollows to keep me down?", Alma said warmly. Claire shook her head hard with a smile. Alex watched with a smile. She was raised to be great with children but Alma's love for her children was deeper than a typical Ymbryne relationship. She loved them all as if she birthed them herself. She put claire down and knelt down to her. "How about helping Miss Wolf set the table?", she said still smiling. Alex shot a look at Alma as claire looked up at her. Alma caught on and got Claire's attention. "If you help her she will show you her peculiarity.", she said trying to ease the situation. Claire smiled. "Okay!", she said and ran around setting things onto the table. Alex huffed at Alma and started helping Claire with the table as Alma finished cooking. Claire finished quickly and looked up at Alex expectantly. Seeing the the other children had yet to get up, she gave in and led Alma and Claire outside. Alma grabbed a towel on the way out and hung it in front of Alex as she undressed. She smiled at claire and suddenly changed. Claire jumped a little at the unexpected changed and grabbed Alma's arm. Alma picked her up and knelt down to Alex. Alex licked her hand and Claire bust into bright laughter. Alma smiled as Claire reached out and scratched her head. "Alright darling, run get ready for breakfast.", Alma said as she put her down. Claire ran inside and Alex changed back. Her body ached slightly as she stood up straight. Alma raised an eyebrow when she saw that Alex was standing there naked. Alex smirked as she started pulling on her clothes. "Are you staring?", She said hooking her bra. Alma laughed. "Well it's not like I haven't seen you naked before. And besides, It is a nice view.", she said with a smirk and walked off. Alex pulled up her pants and walked back inside buttoning up her shirt. A snort and a covered laughed caught Alex's attention. Jackson was scratching his nose trying to hide his smile while Aaron was almost fully laughing. "Well it is nice to see you too getting along so well. Although I do believe it is a tad early for such behavior in the morning.", Aaron said then let out a loud laugh. "Shove a carrot in it.", Alex said with a smile. "Nothing happened between us Aaron. Believe me she would have the marks to show it", Alma said holding up her sharp nails. Alex turned red and helped place the food out on the table as the children piled in. Alma gave Aaron and Jackson their favorite foods while everyone else had pancakes, bacon, eggs, and biscuits. The children sat down and began to eat. Alma sat at the end opposite of Alex. They continued to exchange glances until Alex spoke up. "Today Miss Peregrine and I will go to the mainland and get everyone clothes. We cannot take all of you due to some problems with the mainland so we will take three of you today.", She said with her head held high. Alma looked at her curiously when she said "problems". Alex mouthed "Later" to her and she nodded. After everyone finished eating, the children helped to wash dishes and clean the table. Alma stood beside Alex. "Who should we take?", she asked watching all of the children. "Well we can take two of yours and one of mine. Well Amelia is the best for any conflict so now pick two of yours.", Alex said, looking around the hurrying children. "Well I know Claire would love to go. How about her and Bronwyn?", Alma said turning to her. Alex smiled. "Sounds excellent.", Alex said smiling. "Claire, Bronwyn, and Amelia, go get dressed and ready to go shopping.", Alex said to the three girls. Alma smiled and gave the rest of the children chores to attend to. "Oh Alma don't be so strict. They are safe here. Absolutely safe. Let them play and explore. This is a massive loop for them to have all the fun in the world.", Alex said, walking up behind her. Alma sighed with a smile. The children watched the interaction between the two women curiously. Their mistress has not shown such a light happy side before. "Very well, Children go play and explore.", She said holding her hands out, motioning to outside. They smiled and ran outside happily. Alma turned to Alex. "My children will believe i've gone mad. Is this really a loop? I knew Miss Swift was killed when the attacks happened. How have you kept it going?", She asked curiously. "Her watch broke. The glass is cracked and yet it still ticks. Our loop never collapsed. I have no idea how but I will not complain. It keeps us safe.", Alex said trying not to remember the horrible day. The girls came bouncing down the hall. "We are all ready Miss P.!", Fiona said. Claire nodded happily. "Well then shall we get going?", Alma asked looking at them all. Alex smiled and lead them down to the dock. She stepped into the boat first and picked Claire up and gently sat her inside the boat. Bronwyn bravely climbed in by herself behind Amelia. Alex smiled and held her hand out to Alma, who blushed slightly and took her hand. As she stepped inside she stumbled into Alex's arms. Both women's faces turned red as Alex held Alma close by her waist. Fiona and Amelia giggled and Alma shot them a look. Claire just looked up at the two girls confused. They pulled away awkwardly and Alex untied the boat. It was a nice sized cabin cruiser with a second level and a platform on the back. "Alright girls get situated. If you are nervous up here you can go down into the cabin.", Alex said as she climbed up to the drivers part. She started up the engine and started off slow to allow Claire and Fiona to adjust. Amelia led them to the front where she loved to sit. Claire sat between the two older girls smiling widely. Alma climbed up to Alex smiling. Alex smiled over at her and sped up. The warm air and bright sun was relaxing. They got a ways out and passed through the loop entrance. "So the loops entrance is all the way around the island? That isn't very secure.", Alma said concerned. Alex reached her hand over and took Alma's hand. "You are safe Alma. I would die for you.", Alex said with a serious face. "Well I will make sure you never have to.", She said as Alex kissed her hand. The girls relaxed in front as Alma leaned into Alex. Alex smiled proudly.