The Arcana - Muriel Fanfics!

Epilogue

bonus chapter 1 of 2. Set around 5 years after The World. Just wanted to say the biggest, warmest thank you to every reader, everyone who's encouraged me to keep going with this. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten past the first three chapters. So thank you, thank you thank you! Love you guys, <3

The girl reaches up with short fingers, tongue sticking out in concentration. Bright green eyes narrowed, she deftly snatches the threadbare protection charm from the branch. 

She squeals in delight, nearly toppling off her perch on Muriel's broad shoulders. Muriel himself grips her tightly, gently reminding her to be careful. The girl beams, handing the old charm to Muriel. In turn, he quietly hands her a new one, one they made together this morning. 

I lean against the doorway, watching fondly. "Be careful, Mor," I call as she loops the charm over the branch. The air smells of summer, of fresh rain and citrus. Birds chirp, crickets stir. Mor tightens the final knot, resting her hands on her father's head with a triumphant smile. 

"I'm always careful, Ma," she calls back. Muriel turns slowly, and begins trudging back to the hut with Mor on his shoulders. 

"...That's the last one," he says, looking up at her. Carefully, he lifts her clear off his shoulders. Mor giggles in delight, squirming as he sets her down. "Papa, can't we make more?" Mor says, an all too familiar glint of mischief behind her puppy eyes. Muriel smiles softly, and I know he'd never refuse that look. 

"...Alright, but...we'll have lunch first, ok?" Mor nods, skipping past me and through the door. Muriel begins to follow, pausing as he reaches me. Stooping down, he presses a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead. Suddenly, the bundle in my arms begins to stir. A little burp, and then...he begins to cry. Muriel gives me a questioning look.

"...Do you want...want me to hold him? Maybe...?" He shuffles nervously. I smile through tired eyes. "Just for a bit. He's getting heavy." Muriel smiles, and carefully scoops up the baby. Almost instantly, the squalling stops. The baby sniffles, reaching up with chubby fingers to pull on Muriel's hair. Wincing, Muriel gently pulls his fingers away. "...He's getting stronger, too."

Laughing, I stand on tip-toe to kiss him. "Thanks, love," I whisper. Muriel rests his forehead against mine, rocking the baby back to sleep. 

"Papa? Aren't you going to make lunch?" Mor calls from inside, voice tinged with impatience. I hear her approach, before she wraps her tiny arms around my knees. 

Muriel huffs, but a small smile spreads across his lips. I muster up my best mothering pose, hands on hips. "Be patient, Morga," I say down at her, before sweeping her up to rest on my hip. She was never as heavy when she was a baby. Mor pouts, but reaches out to touch the baby.

Muriel continues rocking, the baby finally lulling into sleep. "...When your brother's back to sleep, we'll make lunch. I...I just wanted to give your mother a rest," he tells Mor softly. Mor nods, fingers brushing over the baby's thick, coal coloured hair. 

I hike her up higher on my hip, mussing up her hair as I go. "You know, I can cook eggs just as well as your father," I say accusingly. Mor screws up her face, sticking out her tongue. "Eugh. No one makes eggs like Papa, Ma, and anyways," she says with as much authority as a five-year-old can possess, "Papa's eggs are my favourite." I roll my eyes, and hear Muriel snorting behind me. 

Together, we file into the hut, the midday sun on our backs.