Bound By Madness

54. Building Family

And then the Petitioner handed the Listener the letter and gaudy amulet before turning away to talk to his bodyguard some more, so we left him alone and made ready to come back Home again. Now we are here and I wish to get some rest after seeing how Mother and my Cicero are doing.

I tapped my fingers against my thigh as I leaned against the wall, waiting for the Not Child to 'translate' my words to the Pretender.

"She brought a letter from Motierre, as well as an amulet that I assume is an advance on payment?" Seeing me nod at her question, she turned back to Astrid and continued. "After that, she and the Listener returned and would like to rest after their travels."

"Very well. Leave the letter and amulet behind. I will speak to you both when I have gone over the information and made my decision," the Pretender said, quickly grabbing the letter and necklace from his hand as soon as the Listener produced it before turning and proceeding to ignore the both of us.

Grabbing my Listener's hand, I pulled him behind me as I led us down the stairs and through the main chamber, eager to get back to our Mother's presence. I was sure my Cicero would also be there with her, taking care of her and keeping her company.

Turning just long enough to grin back at the Listener, I was happy to see a small smile on his own face. Perhaps he was also finally starting to feel like he had Family here in me and Cicero, as well as Mother. The thought made me even happier, feeling like maybe I really could turn those within this Family into treasures, rather than simply calling them such and hoping it came true someday.

Climbing the stairs and running through the passages until we stood in front of the iron doors, I bounced on my feet as I knocked and waited for my sweet Cicero to unlock the door. Hearing footsteps rushing through the room, I felt the grin on my face grow even larger. Home, I was finally home again!

The moment the doors were unlocked and opened, I lept forward at the man who stood there with his eyes wide, my arms wrapping around him as I pressed our foreheads together. Even with as quickly as we had hurried back, deciding to return another time to check the rest of the crypt, it had been far too long since I had been able to enjoy being so close to my love. To just feel his breath sweep across my face, his arms wrap around me, to look into his eyes and be happy.

"Cicero missed this, lovely Faith. He's very glad that his heart has returned to him," he whispered as he brought his hands up to my cheeks, pulling away just long enough to look at me before he was stealing a kiss from my lips.

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The Angry Nord had finally agreed to help me patch the ceiling, although he refused to tell me why. The Not Child simply grinned at me and walked off when I asked her if she knew what had changed his mind, leaving me to wonder if she had said or done something while I was gone. Either way, at least it ended with a room that would be warmer at night. Especially once the weather grew colder.

Of course, the mess that I'd had to clean up once we were finished and he left had taken quite some time, but luckily my Jester Assassin had been kept busy by the Listener asking for lessons. The work was worth it to see my Cicero's face when he came into a clean room, the ceiling patched and the air finally holding onto the warmth finally beginning to build as it could no longer escape outside.

Now I just needed to convince him to attach the door, since I'd finally gotten word that it was ready.

"My Faith, is there something Cicero should know? Faith has a look on her face that makes Cicero wonder what is hiding up her sleeves," he said, tucking my hair behind my ear as he sat down beside me on the bed.

Smiling, I leaned forward to kiss his cheek before pulling back and leaning against his side.

Don't worry, my Cicero. I'm just trying to make our Home into a home as well. Because you deserve better than what you were given, just as Mother does. I'm just doing my best to change what I can, for you and for her, but it takes time.

"Cicero will wait, then. He understands that some things are worth waiting for. After all, if he hadn't waited before coming to Skyrim, then he wouldn't have run into lovely Faith and then he would have lost his chance to share his days with her. Mother truly knew best when she brought Faith and Cicero together. Oh yes, Mother definitely has rewarded Cicero for his hard work in her name," he smiled happily, curling up against me with a gleeful laugh.

A few hours later, we had both fallen asleep, facing each other on the bed with our faces just inches apart and fingers intertwined.