The Prince, The Gangster, The Teacher, And The Poet (Sander Sides Fanfic)

Chapter Thirty-The Letter

"Promise us you'll be safe?" Miriam's voice was full of worry as she rushed around the living room. Gerald was still sitting in his chair, reading some book that he seemed to have been reading the whole time the group had been there. 

"They've been on the road before, it's nothing new." Gerald gave Virgil a wink, and Virgil laughed, looking to the other three around him. Their bags were packed, Roman holding onto both his and Logan's, and Patton had a basket that Miriam was currently filling with baked goods and other food.

"Yes, but you have to promise that we'll see you again," Miriam said, making direct eye contact with Virgil, who nodded.

"We promise." He said quickly. "We'll make our way back and stay here a few nights."

"Nothing could keep us away," Roman said as dramatically as possible, and Virgil laughed, nudging him with his arm.

"Thank you for letting us stay here for as long as you did," Logan said, not for the first time. 

"Oh, dears, don't worry about it really! It was amazing having you here." Miriam smiled, smoothing out Logan's hair. "And I'm glad you're feeling better now." She turned to Patton. "Make sure your boyfriend continues to get the food he needs, alright?" Patton grins, nodding.

"Of course!" Patton looked to Logan, and Logan shrunk a little, blushing.

"I'm aware of the mistake I made before, I will not let it happen again."

"You better not." Virgil playfully nudges Logan as well, and Logan rolls his eyes back.

"You kids better get out of here before Miriam signs the adoption papers," Gerald whispers loud enough for his wife to hear. She gasps, pretending to be offended, and playfully hits him.

"We do want to get to the city soon," Logan admits, and Gerald gets up, heading them out the door.

"We'll see you back here soon. Just don't do anything stupid, alright?" The kids all nod at once.

"We promise," Roman announces, and grabs the others' hands, beginning to drag them down the path. Miriam pauses, looking to Gerald, before holding up a hand.

"Wait!" She runs back inside and grabs two envelopes. "You almost forgot this!"

"What are they?" Patton asks, taking the one that she held out to him.

"The letter to Holly, our friend, so you can stay in their inn." Gerald laughed.

"And a few coins." He added, and she shushed him.

"What about the other one?" Virgil asked, carefully taking the letter extended to him. Miriam glanced to Gerald quickly before looking away, not making direct eye contact with anyone.

"This one is for you." She said simply. "Just... open it when you make camp tonight, okay, Virgil?" It was one of the only times that they had referred to them by their names, and Virgil could feel the shift in tone.

"Of course." He took the letter, pocketing it, and resolving not to forget about it.

"We love you," Gerald said to the group, putting his arm around Miriam, and the other three smiled at them.

"We'll be back before you know it." Roman tried to comfort them, but Miriam just waved them off.

"Go. Enjoy your adventure. We'll have cookies ready for your return." And with that, the group was off.

It didn't take them more than a few minutes of walking before the path went back to the regular road they were used to. There were few trees on this particular stretch of road, which Roman seemed to enjoy, pointing out particularly beautiful flowers to Patton. Virgil, on the other hand, looked back to the house until it was completely out of sight. The couple was still standing in the doorway, watching them. He couldn't see their expression anymore, but as the house disappeared, he felt like he had missed something important.