The flying Paladin

Chapter 21

"Alejandro Mateo McClain, you get back here this minute!" Camilla cried. She ran her hands through her short red hair. Mama just gave her a hair cut and now it was Lance's turn. Lance laughed and ran faster, his tiny legs wobbling. 

"No! No, por favor!" Lance cried, his soft wings flapping as he ran. "I don' wan' a hair cut! 'Lilla pwease don' make me!"

Camilla laughed and put her hands on her hips. "Please Lancito?" she asked. Lance stopped running and turned back, his head tilting. Camilla only used that nickname when she really wanted Lance to listen.

"O-tay," Lance said after a second. "But only if you sit next to me!"

"Deal!"

Lance smiled and ran to his sister's side. He reached up and she took his hand in hers.

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"MAMA!" Lance yelled. 

"QUE?" Mama called back. Lance huffed, and looked in the mirror once more. His tooth was definitely loose. He could see a little string holding it in place. If Lance wanted to, he could twist the tooth against the little string. 

"My tooth is loose!"

"Really?" Mama asked. Lance heard heavy footsteps walking down the hall to the bathroom. Mama's worn face peeked through the bathroom door. "Oh wow, that is loose!"

"Si mama!" Lance cried, beginning to jump up and down in excitement. "The tooth fairy will come when it falls out, no?"

Mama laughed, but a tired expression rested on her face. A look that went over the six year old's head. Mama wanted nothing more than to give Lance something, however she knew that they couldn't spare the money. 

"Maybe," Mama said finally. 

"Maybe?" Lance said, his face resting into indifference. "But...but Julian always gets money from the tooth fairy!"

"Ay mijo," Mama said sadly. "I know. But that's just how it goes. Maybe the tooth fairy will be very busy. What would you do with he money if you got it?"

"I'd give it to you Mama!" Lance said without a moment's hesitation. "So we can get shoelaces for  Rosie."

Mama inwardly cooed at the selflessness of her son. "We'll find out whenever that tooth falls out, won't we?

"Si, Mama."

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"Mama! Mama! Look, the tooth fairy came!" Lance cried. Mama lifted her head in surprise. She didn't put anything under Lance's pillow. She looked to see Camilla putting her purse away, a smile decorating her face.

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Lance woke up to sobbing. He rubbed his eyes tiredly and walked down the stairs softly. The light was on in the kitchen. He walked in to see Camilla sitting at the table, tears falling freely down her face. Lance frowned, he hated to see his sister sad.

He crawled into her lap and gave her a hug, burrowing his small face into the crook of his neck. "Don't be sad." he whispered. Lance tried his best to wrap his small wings around Camilla, hoping to comfort her.

Camilla smiled and trailed her hands down the soft plush feathers. 

"I love you Lancito."