Chaos & Order

Chapter 21

Hours later, Celestia was sitting on the sofa while Aliyah slept beside her, head resting on her mother's lap while Celestia gently stroked her daughter's hair. Xavier sat across the room, a look of shock still on his face while Siel stood at the door, feeling...awkward to say the least.

"She's finally asleep..." Celestia said before looking at the two, "Is there something you two wish to say?"

"I'm...sorry, I just keep expecting to wake up." Xavier said.

"And...I feel out of place in this." Siel said with a sheepish laugh.

"You would know if it was a dream, Xav." Celestia said, reassuringly, "And Siel, you protect my daughter. You're as good as family now. You two should be glad I have a sleeping daughter on my lap or I'd hit you."

Celestia laughed at her little joke. Xavier sighed with a smile, "It's you. That much is certain I missed this...so much..."

"I missed you, too. I missed the years with Aliyah. And I had to watch everything through my mirror." Celestia said, looking saddened.

"If you don't mind my asking, Cel..." Siel said, "What mirror are you talking about?"

"My tool." Celestia said, holding out her tool. When Xavier tilted his head, she elaborated, "In Heaven, the Guardians are given two objects--a tool and a weapon. Artemis was my weapon and this mirror is my tool."

"I still think that was favoritism. All I got was this." Siel said pointing to his crook.

"I told you to take it up with Domiel. You said, no. Because Domiel scares you." Celestia said, chuckling again.

"I don't want to sound like I'm complaining. Besides...you know what our teacher can be like." Siel said, ending it with an exaggerated fear.

"Yes, I know." Celestia said. "I want to thank you, Siel, for looking after Aliyah."

"I was just doing my duty." Siel smiled.

"Only your duty?" Celestia smirked.

"Yes." Siel said, giving Celestia a suspicious look.

"Goodness, you haven't changed at all. What am I to do, old friend?" Celestia asked playfully.

"What are you talking about?" Siel asked.

"When I told you I had to watch everything through my mirror, I meant everything." Celestia said, "Even Aliyah attempted confession and your rejection."

"Y-you know why I have to do that." Siel said, flushing a bit.

"Afraid of doing what I had to do?" Celestia asked, her playful smile fading.

"It's not proper for a guardian to have these feelings for a charge." Siel said.

"Siel, you're talking to a Guardian who fell in love with the King of Vampires and birthed a hybrid. If they had a problem, they would make it clear." Celestia said, pointing up.

"That's not the issue here." Siel said before hastily changing the subject, "I...you...you've been alive all this time. Where have you been?"

"Don't try that with me, Siel. You know better." Celestia said as she gently moved Aliyah's head off her lap and stood up, keeping her eyes on Siel but pointed at Xavier, "And Xav, put the fangs away."

"Don't mind me, I'm just the father..." Xavier murmured, his fangs slowly extending.

"I don't have to answer anything, Celestia." Siel said, turning away.

"You do have to answer, Siel. What are you afraid of?" Celestia asked, hardly.

"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HER TO DEAL WITH WHAT XAVIER DID!" The room was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Xavier looked shocked. Celestia's expression, though, softened. Siel panted heavily before saying, "I...I'm sorry. That...that was..."

Celestia crossed the room and hugged him tightly. Siel took a few shaky breaths before hugging her back.

"I see...it was never about the choice. You're afraid of what happened to me will happen to you." Celestia said, gently. Siel didn't answer, but she felt his grip on her tightened, "You always were an idiot, Soterasiel. It won't happen to you. Trust me.

Siel only wept, a sudden burst of emotion overcoming him. Celestia sighed as she hugged him tighter while glancing over at Xavier, who looked uncomfortable, to say the least. The mother angel nodded at him and said,  "Sorry, my love...."

"I...don't feel I have a place in this. Talking of angel matters...and about my daughter." Xavier murmured.

"Our daughter." Celestia said before she looked back at the still-sleeping Aliyah, "Never knew she was such a heavy sleeper, though..."

"Considering the day she's had...she would need it." Xavier nodded.

Celestia nodded before putting her hands on Siel's shoulders and pushed him back a bit, giving him a small smile. "Seeing you so emotional is something I'll have to get used to."

Siel took a few heavy breaths, "Sorry. It's not in my nature to...show such emotion."

Celestia laughed a little, "You'll get used to it."

"Soterasiel...I have my reservations where you're concerned, take this sage advice." Xavier said, standing up, "Don't hold it back. If you keep that inside...it won't end well."

Celestia smiled at Xavier, "He's right, Siel."

"I...need to think." Siel said.

"While you think, why not take Aliyah to her room. We can talk more in the morning."

"Very well." Siel nodded, picking up Aliyah and leaving.

Celestia watched him leave before frowning. "I hope you're not angry with me, Xavier...."

"I'm not...I couldn't be." Xavier said, "I only want to know...you've been alive all this time. Why didn't you let me know?"

"I couldn't...not without heavy cost." Celestia said, rolling up her dress' sleeve to reveal a hideous burn mark, "This happened whenever I interfered."

"But you're here. Now. And I couldn't be happier." Xavier said, as he gently took her hand. Celestia gave it a small squeeze as Xavier put a hand on her hip, "May I ask for a dance?"

Celestia laughed as she put a hand on his shoulder, "You may."

And so, he led her in a slow dance. No music, no occasion...just a mother and a father reunited.

Meanwhile...

Siel placed Aliyah on her bed, gently, as he tucked some hair behind her ear. Aliyah stirred a bit, turning on her side. Siel only walked to his chair and sat down. His charge's sleep seemed uneasy, though, as she tossed and turned, some tears running down her cheeks.

"Fang..." she said, weakly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do more." Siel said, gently as he wiped them away. He looked at the tears as if they were priceless gems as he said, soothingly, "Sleep, princess."

With a small rustle, Aliyah turned to look at him. Her eyes cracked open and she murmured something that sounded like, "You have tears...?"

"In the morning. Just sleep." Siel said. Aliyah hesitated before taking Siel's hand. Siel took it...gently brushing his thumb across her knuckles as he did so. Aliyah's breathing eased and a more peaceful look crossed her face.

Siel enjoyed that