The Delacours: Part Deux

two.

When I got back home, it was late. Val, Zane, and Odie were asleep. Chris was waiting for me in the living room. I dropped my bags on the ground quietly, and grabbed a drink from the refrigerator. He came up behind me and put his arms around me.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, kissing my neck. I turned around. "How was England?"

"Awful. The English Magister is fucking psycho."

"Why?"

"I'd rather not talk about that right now." I put my arms around him and kissed him deeply.

"What was that for?"

"I have four days of kisses to make up for..." We almost kissed again when I heard small footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Momma!" Odie yelled, running over to me. I picked him up in my arms and kissed him on the cheek.

"Odie, what are you doing awake? It's late."

"I couldn't sleep... Mommy told me that you were coming back soon!"

"She did?" I heard Val and Zane walking down the stairs.

"Hey!" Zane said, giving me a hug and kiss. Val came over and I kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for all of you to wake up..." I said. Odie pulled us into the backyard. Val yawned.

"Guys, come on! Hurry up!" Odie said.

"Odie, it's almost three AM. What are we doing out here, baby?" Zane stretched.

"Mommy, Poppa, look!" Odie raised his hands and concentrated as he looked at them. His fingertips sputtered with light – he was starting to get his magic. None of us knew how to react as we exchanged glances. He looked up at us, excited. We smiled at him as he ran towards with his arms outstretched. Chris picked him up and we all surrounded him in a hug, expressing congratulations and excitement. "Momma, I'm sleepy now... Can we go to bed?" He reached over to me and I carried him back upstairs to his room. I laid him down in his bed, sat down on the edge, and ran my fingers through his ginger hair.

"Momma, I missed you," he said, quietly.

"I missed you too, Odie."

"Don't leave me like that again. That was too long," he said through a yawn.

"I know it was. I'm sorry." His breathing slowed and he started to glow. I gave him a kiss on the forehead and closed his door over. I walked downstairs where everyone was in the living room.

"I guess this is it..." I said. "He's glowing." Val's eyes watered.

"My baby is growing up..." she said, softly. "I can't believe I have to teach him magic, now. He's so little!" She leaned into me.

"We'll do it together, hon." Zane said, grabbing her hand.

"I know... It's just that it's still early for him. He still has month and a half until he turns five."

"I showed my magic at four, Val. It's not that early." She took a deep breath.

"I guess not. It's just an emotional time." Chris grabbed her other hand and kissed it.

"We'll get through it, Val." She smiled, making the rest of us smile too.

"I think we should get to bed," I said, kissing Val on the back of the head. Everyone agreed. We turned off the lights, locked the doors and headed upstairs. Val stopped into Odie's room for a peek before coming to bed. I turned the water on for a quick shower before bed. I closed the bathroom door behind me and undressed. Stepping into the shower, I heard the door open behind me. Val walked through, naked, and stepped in too. "I thought you were going to bed."