The Djinn That Came to Dinner………and Stayed
A/N: I don't own Blood Ties, but if I did, well, I think you know where I'd go!
Thanks to everybody who read A Child Shall Lead Them, I appreciate it so much.
"Amar! How many times do I have to tell, you're not allowed to turn the neighbor's dogs into a plastic because they bark at you?" She shook her head, "I almost stepped on him coming in and I don't know how we could ever explain that."
"I could erase their memory of having a dog, VickiHenry."
"Amar! No erasing unless it's life or death! You promised."
"Promised what?" Henry asked as he came in, then saw Amar, "Never mind. What did he do this time?"
"Turned Mrs. Libowski's schnauzer into plastic", and held out her arms to show him.
Henry grinned and got a look of reproval from his love, thus changing from a smile to a stern frown before turned to Amar. "Amar, we talked about this."
"Yes Henryvicki, I know. However, this dog is quite annoying and takes great pleasure in chewing on my clothing. He also likes to urinate on everything. And by everything, I include myself."
Henry had to turn to face Vicki so Amar couldn't see him fighting to control his laughter. The djinn had been a part of their lives for a couple of months now, and it was not unlike having a child around.
A very tall, curious child who could turn you into a cookie and eat you, but a child nonetheless.
"I understand Amar, still, changing him solves one problem, but creates another." He tried to sound stern. "Do you understand where I'm going with this?"
"I am not an imbecile, Henryvicki." The look on his face suggested he had taken umbrage.
"I know you're not, Amar. It's just that you're still adjusting to life in the real world, and having lived through almost 500 years, I know it can be a bit…disconcerting." He shook his head, "I still remember the first time I saw an electric light. Did you know Thomas Edison was almost deaf, and yet still managed to patent over 1093 inventions before his death?"
Vicki gave him a gentle poke in the ribs, "Off topic, babe."
"Right. My apologies." He levitated enough to reach Amar's eye level. "Please, Amar, the next time this happens, come get either Vicki or myself. We'll handle it without turning anything into an inanimate object."
"Very well."
"We need to take him back and put him in front of Mrs. Libowski's door, before you undo this."
Henry said, "I'll go. Give me the…..dog." He took the plastic schnauzer, and vanished to return less than ten seconds later, without it.
"All right, Amar. Change it back." Henry bowed a little.
Amar bowed a little in return. "As you will. Henryvicki. But I make no guarantees."
"What's THAT supposed to me-" Vicki stopped in mid word when she heard barking down the hall. Walking to the door, she opened it silently, trying to see the dog. When she did, she pulled her head back inside, closed the door and locked it. "Thank God."
Vicki took a quick look at her watch, "It's 6:30 Amar, you're going to be late for your aerobics class if you don't hurry."
"Quite right, Vickihenry. I shall return home at approximately 9 pm. Would you like me to bring Chinese food?" In the last two months, Amar had decided that Chinese food and Krispy Kreme donuts were the most important things man had come up with in the years he'd spent in the bottle, and had managed to find a way to have them both almost on a daily basis.
"If it's not too much trouble, that would be great!" Vicki grinned, "We've got a little work to do, so by the time you get back we'll probably be hungry."
"I will bring your favorites." Amar bowed.
"Thanks, Amar. Better bring enough for Coreen too. She'll be here soon."
"The warrior Coreen eats a great deal. It is astonishing to me she does not weigh more."
"Well, she has her own form of …. exercise."
"Do you think perhaps she would care to accompany me to my class at some time?"
"You should ask her, you never know." Henry grinned, imagining Amar, dressed for aerobics.
"I may do that, Vickihenry. I will see you upon my return."
"Have fun!" Vicki waved.
When Amar had blinked out, Henry wrapped his arms around Vicki and kissed her. He moved his mouth off of hers just far enough to say, "Alone at last." He smiled, "Now I know how parents feel after they have kids."
Vicki started kissing him back, "You did say you felt like you missed having them. Well, now you know."
He sighed, "Be careful what you wish for, eh, love?"