New Rome

19. Married Life

"You seem in fine haste this morning." Ellie commented, watching Wylo hastily prepare some toast for her to take away with her.

"Work's finally lifted my suspension." Wylo explained, grabbing some fruit from the bowl and shoving it into her coat pocket. She was frazzled, feeling eager to get back to work and see just how big a state of disaster her projects had plunged into without her.

"I'm glad to hear it." Ellie enthused, smiling warmly at her.

Their grandmother had gifted the couple one of her apartments as a wedding present, more for Ellie's benefit than Wylo's. The place was stunning, with a central conservatory that all the other rooms looked in on via glass walls. In this heated paradise, little colourful birds splashed about in bird baths and large soft petaled flowers fragranced the air. It was lovely to eat their meals in this little haven, reserved for just them, and Wylo had been surprised at how quickly she'd settled into this new home.

Wylo hesitated, her toast ready and in hand – half turned to leave. She eyed Ellie, awaiting him but his head was back in his textbook and she watched him turn over another page. She ducked her head nervously. Custom dictated that they touch their foreheads goodbye, since they were close family. Her and Guy had always done so. But Ellie didn't look up. Wylo quickly left, locking the front door behind her before marching briskly to the public commute-shuttle.

As Wylo stood, penned in close with her fellow commuters, she reflected on her relationship with Ellie. When they were alone together they didn't follow the custom for greeting or farewell. Kissing greeting to relatives was something she did to the Imperator and his side of the family – but hers only observed it when they'd been parted a significant length of time. She supposed that being closer to her siblings, they were fine being relaxed about it.

It was strange to realise, but whilst she'd been married to Guy for five years – he'd been away for most of that time. Their time actually living together could be added together as only weeks. Could it be that she was already more comfortable with Ellie? That they were already at the point of not needing to do that?

Or, she speculated suddenly – had Ellie avoided the custom out of embarrassment over their wedding kiss. Her fingers brushed against her cold lips, remembering. That had been quite the kiss... Perhaps a little too much for their arrangement. Ellie had only done it to keep up their act.

 Wylo's shoulders slumped and she trudged out at her stop with less of a spring in her step. As she marched past the reception desk, scanning her badge (and breathing a sigh of relief when the light turned green), Wylo rubbed her head. Her second marriage shouldn't already be causing her such a headache, it was silly of her to dwell on stuff.

               Wylo arrived back home late, and feeling physically and emotionally drained. The mess she'd had to clean up, from all her projects being uselessly managed in her interim away, had been exactly as bad as she'd feared. All her work was going to be set back months and the investors would be demanding to know why. Wylo kicked off her shoes at the door, letting her satchel drop to the floor.

She hadn't expected Ellie to still be up when she returned, but she found him in the living room – sat at the coffee table surrounded by books.

"Greetings." He called to her, not looking up for his page. Wylo stared at him for a moment, waiting. But he made no move to get up. He really wasn't going to greet her the traditional way.