The Family

New Greetings...

"So...you're going to be my new bodyguard?" Nicolas questioned, slightly annoyed.

Maurius nodded.

"Valentine will be unavailable for the next few weeks." Maurius spoke curtly with a hint of annoyance present in his voice.

Nicolas stood dumbstruck.

"OK...so what now?" He asked hesitantly.

"I will follow you where ever you go and be on the watch at all times." Maurius stated.

Nicolas did not like this situation at all. He would rather be followed by Valentine not some man. He sighed and saw no hope in protesting.

"Oh my trésor, when will you come back to me?"

"Ow! Stop it!" I shrieked loudly.

My brother, Danté flinched away and stopped putting on bandages.

"Sorry..." he muttered as his eyes began to glisten.

I mentally slapped myself as I realized who I was talking to.

"Sorry bro, didn't mean to scare you. It just hurts a lot." I whispered as I pulled him into a hug. He hugged me back.

For the rest of the week, I was mostly in bed as I tried to recover from my wounds. Halfway through the second week I could stand without collapsing due to the pain. Every single night I would scold myself at my past mistakes and at being sloppy. After I was able to stand firmly, I would go out and train with my aiming, my reflexes and I even started using a dagger which I hid in my boot.

I begged my father to send me on more missions so I could get extra practice in. He hesitantly agreed.

Two weeks after that I was ready to return to my previous mission.

As for Nicolas, he hated the past four weeks. He missed Valentines presence and even missed her constant threatening and brashness. She was fun to tease.

However Maurius payed no heed to his shenanigans and simply stood, waiting for something to happen. It got quite creepy for Nicolas as he would just stay in his room. He was able to take care of Arabella and still get plenty of time to himself.

He scowled at his canvas that stood in front of him. He had no inspiration. He gazed at his past paintings and sketches. Flowers, scenery, France.

He missed France now that Valentine wasn't there. He had a horrible time until the day came where Maurius simply left without another word and a few hours later Valentines car pulled up.

He ran out the door and across the stone cobbleway. He jumped up and down as Valentine got out of the car like a little child.

She chuckled slightly at his antics before turning to her usual stone-faced demeanor.

"Evening,Cheuntrieul." She curtly said.

He hugged her in return. She awkwardly tried to get out of reach. It was quite evident that he missed her.

"OK settle down," She chuckled.

He adamantly shook his head and placed a gentle kiss on her hand.

"Gee, just because I was gone don't mean you can just do that!" She warned before flicking Nicolas on the forehead.

They walked back to the house and were greeted by the sound of sobbing.

Nicolas groaned. He walked up the stairs and stole a glance at Valentine.

"I do not think you will want to come see this." He warned.

Valentine shook her head defiantly,     "I'm your bodyguard remember? Wherever you go I go." She said as she began to walk back up the stairs.

Valentine was adamant that she would not mess up again. Heaven only knows what would happen if Nicolas got hurt again.

They walked up the stairs, Nicolas quickening his pace as he was at the top. The walked passed so many doors Valentine lost count. When they finally came across a dark oak door.

Nicolas hesitated at first but then gently pushed the door open.

Inside, Arabella lay on the bed gripping the sheets and sobbing loudly to herself.

"Yes, Miss Arabella?" Nicolas mumbled.

"Oh Nicolas! My entire body is in agony-" she sobbed even louder as her eyes met Nicolas's, but she immediately became quiet as her eyes met with Valentines.

Valentine made long strides to Arabella as she began slightly trembling.

"Y-you MONSTER! How could you kill all those men!" She screeched making Nicolas flinch. Valentine ignored her comment and sat down on the edge of the bed where Arabella lay.

Valentine roughly pulled Arabella up to sit straight as she examined her.

"No cuts, no bruises, no scars" Valentine mumbled just loud enough for Arabella and Nicolas to hear, "No signs of harm inflicted on the outside of your body...tell me...what exactly is wrong again?" Valentine innocently questioned with a menacing look in her eyes.

Arabella spoke up with a angered expression,"It's not about how hurt I am on the outside you scum! It's the trauma inflicted on the inside."

Valentine nodded sarcastically,"Little girl, I have endured much worse trauma then the incident a few weeks ago, so how about you become a woman and deal with it." She said in a brash tone as she stood up and walked out the room.

Arabella had a red tint to her face at Valentines harsh words.

Nicolas simply stared dumbstruck but then his expression darkened as he replayed Valentines words in his head.

He knew she had endured much worse trauma from what her father told him.

He still didn't understand why her father told him their entire life story without her consent. All he knew was that she was back and he was glad she was.

Arabella stayed quiet the entire time.

The day was fairly quiet and the next morning, someone arrived to pick Arabella up.

Nicolas was beyond happy that she was gone and Valentine was back.

"Wow, the entire household has been trying to get her out of the house for weeks now and one day with you and she's gone!" Nicolas exclaimed.

Valentine simply shrugged,"I've been known to have that effect on people."

They looked at each other in silence before they both burst out laughing at the same time.

It was good to have her back...