Family (Prequel To: 13 Years Later)

Heat

Raven POV

"You ok Tord?" I asked the Norwegian as he sat down heavily on the couch. "Other than my hip hurting, I'm fine," Tord said softly. I went over behind him and stroked his hair. "You sure?" I asked my loved one. He nodded again and let a sigh escape from him. "Kids get ready for bed!" I yelled from the couch. There were 'Ok's' from the kids. A moment later, feet walking or running and then slamming doors, then there was silence between us. I looked down at my husband to say something but came to find out he had fallen asleep. A smile tugged at my lips as I walked up the stairs to grab his blanket for him.

I came down moments later and threw the blood red blanket over him. I yawned and then headed to bed myself. I laid down on the cushioned bed and fell asleep under the black covers.

Time Skip!!!

The phone rang and woke me up. I picked it up and answered the call. "Hey, Black! Can I ask you a question?" My right hand man, Steven answered. "What the hell do you want?" I asked sleepily. "Am I allowed to go into your office?" He asked. "Why?" There was silence. "To get my holopad from there," He said slowly. "First off, you're a bitch for waking up your leader at 5am! Second, I'm half asleep. Third, why not call at 8am? Fourth, the password to my office is 32257," I said impatiently. "Thanks! And sorry Black to disturb you," Steven said before hanging up. I put the phone back.

"Mom you awake?" Toren asked from the bottom of the stairs. "Yea, what is it, Toren?" I asked the tired daughter. She rubbed her eyes at the bright light. "I had a nightmare," Toren said, pulling up a chair towards me. "Want to talk about it?" I asked the Norwegian child. She put her stuffed black cat to a sitting position and began talking. "It was about you and dad. That dad got sick and slowly died. But you killed yourself to join him," Toren said petting her stuffed animal. I patted my left leg, inviting her to sit in my lap. I let her boost herself into my lap before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into a hug. "I won't let that happen. Our family is a strong one," I said and kissed the top of her head. "Thanks mom," She said quietly, as she slowly drifted off to sleep. I smiled and picked her up to carry her back upstairs.

I reached her red colored room and set her onto the bed. I stroked the strands of hair from her face. I pulled the bright red blanket up to her shoulders and tucked her cat in along with her. I smiled at the sheltered kid and left the room.

After I quietly closed the door and tiptoed down the hall, I sat beside the sleeping Tord. I flipped on the lamp and stroked his hair. Tord slowly opened his eyes and looked up at me. "What time is it?" He asked sleepily. "6:10am," I said quietly. Tord nodded and stared at the blank TV screen. If it wasn't me, I'd say his red eyes looked a little dull. He drifted off again to sleep as I hummed a peaceful tune. I stroked the stray hairs from his forehead and felt it as a little warm. I got worried and sat beside him while he slept. I eventually dozed off with my head on his shoulder.