[RUNNIN']

Chap 8: Double Agent

Author P.O.V.

The next day

Erza got up early. She had to meet with the team and go to the Federal Police of Magnolia, who had asked them to help unravel a case that was mysterious and could not get any response. They said no more, claiming secrecy, and that intrigued Athos.

When she wake up, Erza looked at her girls, still asleep, and watched them. They were beautiful and funny, each in her own way. Maki was sleeping on her belly upstairs, all tucked in the blankets and with messy hair, this was normal to expect from the 'sleeping worm'; and Umi slept peacefully, facing the left side, his hands supporting his cheek, like a little angel. It was a shame to have to wake them up, but it was necessary. But later.

Erza walked toward the bathroom, turned on the shower faucet and let the hot water fall down her back. She rested her head on the cold pottery in the bathroom, and stood for a while, letting the water wash her soul and take all her uncertainties and anguish. After what she considered enough time, Erza turned off the shower and left the stall, wiped herself and wrapped the towel around her body. She wiped the fog from the mirror, brushed her teeth, and headed for the room where the girls were still asleep. She walked to the closet, which she begun to pack the clothes the night before; considering that it would be a working meeting, Erza chose a black sweater with long sleeves, a red plaid skirt, and black socks with short-bare boots and no heels. She went back to the bathroom and combed her hair in front of the mirror and tied them in a ponytail.

"Girls, it's time to wake up." called Erza.

None of them had moved or responded to her call. She approached the bed, pushed them lightly, and called again.

"Girls, wake up ... Mama needs to go out to work, and before that we still need to make breakfast for Mira, Laxus and Elior."

"Yawn ... I'm tired, I wanted to sleep more ..." protested Umi, while Maki still did not move.

"I know we went to sleep late, but we have to go and meet Uncle Athos. He will be waiting with the team, and we have to thank Mira for her hospitality ... And pretending I'm not here or talking about, will not get you more time to sleep more Maki."

Maki started to kick the blankets away, and forced a cry.

"Crying will not do any good, and you know it."

"Just five more minutes, Mama." He asked Maki pouting.

"To the shower. You two, right now."

And they both muttered to the bathroom, and meanwhile Erza began to separate the girls' clothes.

Erza had separated a dress and blue shoes, white socks, and a hair bow for Umi, and a frog's dress set that Maki loved. It was a dress with the pet details, a sleeveless coat, a bandana, green sneakers, and bow detailing the animal. Erza grabbed two dry towels and walked toward the bathroom when she heard the water stop falling. She gave a towel to each of her daughters, and picked up the pajamas that they had left on the sink and began to fold them.

"Mama, will you help me dry my hair?" Umi asked.

"Sure." said Erza, bending down to help the girl dry her hair.

Otherwise Maki, had her unique way of drying her hair: she shook them tirelessly, throwing water everywhere, just like a wet dog.

"Ah!" shouted Erza and Umi.

"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA" teased Maki, and left the bathroom with the towel around her body.

"Maki, I've asked you a million times to NOT do this!" Erza snorted. She wrapped the towel around Umi's body and walked toward the bedroom.