It was a beautiful day. Stunning sunlight glistened down through a crisp blue sky, a strong sea breeze rushing by. As she stuck her head out of the window, the girl's shoulder-length reddish-orange hair whipped up behind her and her eyes started to water from the wind whizzing by as the car zoomed down the hill and towards the docks. Hundreds of boats, from little fishing boats to a couple of large cruisers sat bobbing in their moorings, many people gathering around the larger ones.
The car pulled into the parking space smoothly and with a clunk, it stopped. The driver put on the hand-break, made sure everything was secure then opened his door. The little girl sat on the passenger seat next to him had already swung out of her seat, thrown her door open and rushed out, arms extended as she ran towards the two figures she recognised, standing on the end of an empty pier.
"Amber! Wait!" the driver shouted as he locked the car and jogged after her, hoping to catch up with her before she could get too far. However, by the time he'd even gone within a metre of the car, she was already giggling and approaching the couple with their backs turned to her.
"Auntie Deni! Uncle Dyme!" she called happily, making them turn. The male smiled widely when he saw her and crouched down with his arms open laughing, and she willingly jumped into them, grinning proudly as he picked her up and gave her a peck on the nose.
"Amby, what're you doing here?" he asked, trying to sound stern but unable to help smiling. "And where's Daddy and Mommy?"
"Mommy is busy at work, but Daddy said we could see you off before you got on the boat!" the girl explained. The male's eyes narrowed a little at this, then he turned his head to see the father running towards them, looking quite flustered.
"Amber, I keep telling you not to rush off without me like that!" he growled, hoping to make an impression, but his daughter simply stuck out her tongue and huddled closer to her uncle.
"Daddy's angry with us…" she whispered to him. He just smiled, winked at the father then whispered back, "That's because your daddy is a very grumpy old sourpuss…"
They both broke out into giggles.
"Oh Dyme, stop being such a bad influence on the kid," the woman rolled her eyes before facing the father again. "Please excuse my brother's childishness… how've you been? We've barely heard from you and Arlene…"
"It's alright. Sorry for not keeping in touch: work's been a bit busy lately, and what with Amber here… well, let's just say if I'd ever known how much of a hard job being a father was, I'd have quit my day job a long time ago…"
"I don't think that would go down too well with 'Mommy'…" Dyme sniggered, earning a glare from the father. "But still, you came to see us off?"
He nodded and gave a weak smile to the both of them.
"Well, I can't have my best friend setting off on his world tour without getting a good old send-off, could I?"
"Stop reminding me! I'm nervous enough as it is!" the younger male blushed.
"You'll be fine. Anyway, you've got a top notch vocalist backing you up… ain't that right Deni?"
"Oh shush you," the woman blushed a slightly darker shade than her brother but put a hand to her mouth to stop herself laughing.
"Auntie Deni?" Amber perked up suddenly. "When I'm older, can you teach me to sing like you?"
"Of course I can, sweetie."
"You won't find a better teacher, trust me," Dyme winked to Amber. "She may be all moody sometimes, but your Auntie is one of the best singers you will ever hear."
"Really?" Amber's eyes lit up in awe.
"Really really."
"Enough flattery you two," Denise rolled her eyes, but didn't smile. She could tell Amber's father wanted a word with Dyme alone. "Tell you what, Amby… why don't we leave these grown-ups to talk about their boring stuff, and I'll teach you some scales before me and your Uncle Dyme have to go… that sound good?"
Amber looked ecstatic, but looked to her father in uncertainty. He just smiled and nodded.
"Go right ahead…"
"Yes! Thank you Daddy!"
Dyme lowered her gently onto her feet again and watched as she ran to hold his sister's hand. Once sure the two girls were on their way to give them some privacy, he shook his head.
"She's a sweet kid…"
"You haven't seen her at bedtime… she's a little horror then. In fact, she can be kinda moody when she doesn't get what she wants."
"Just like her mother…" Dyme sniggered knowingly before turning to face the taller male. "But enough of this… It's good to see you again."
"Likewise. We've been out of touch far too long."
"Eh… I understand, what with Amber starting school and you and Arlene trying to find jobs…"
"It's no excuse. Sorry I haven't called or anything."
"Don't be ashamed of responsibility, Ale. You should be proud of yourself. You've got a decent job, an… urm… a 'unique' and headstrong wife and a stellar kid. Compared to me, you've got a heck of a life going on."
Ale shook his head. "Hell no. You and Denise… you're going to be stars. Your life is just beginning and it's going to be immense."
"Don't say that. You're making me nervous again."
"Don't be. In case you haven't realised, you've already been snapped up by a record company and sold your first album…. Over a million copies. And now you're going on a world tour? Seriously man, you have nothing to be worried about. You've got this far, just keep rock and rolling."
Dyme laughed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "That may be true, but I'm also worried about Deni…"
"Her hydrophobia? Last time I checked, she was trying to get that sorted."
"Oh yeah. Her psychiatrist has done a swell job but… well, you know. Last time we went on a big cruiser, it was when the 'incident' happened… I just hope she'll be okay. I… I guess I just don't want her to be scared."
"You say that like it's not natural for a brother to worry about his sister," Ale remarked with a slight smirk.
"Yeah, I guess. Well, I'm glad you came. I was hoping you might turn up, but I assumed you'd be too busy."
"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for anything: I mean, this will be my last chance to see you two for another few months or so."
Dyme shrugged and offered a meek smile. "Trust me, the time will fly."
"Not fast enough for my liking. I can't wait until you and me can talk properly again."
"Like old times?"
Ale's eyes glazed over a little and his face fell sadly at the memories. "Yup… just like old times…"
Seeing the downcast look, Dyme decided not to prod the matter any further, but knew who Ale was thinking of. However, he did mumble a quiet, "I'm sure he's doing fine… wherever he is. Hey, if I bump into him while on tour, I'm gonna make sure he writes or calls or something!"
Ale nodded silently, then seemed to snap out of his reverie and a stupid grin fumbled onto his face.
"Aw, c'mere you!" he suddenly blurted out and pulled Dyme into a headlock and began ruffling his hair.
"Hey! Not the hair! Not the hair!"
"I'm not going to get another chance for a while! I'm not wasting it now!" Ale cackled as Dyme wriggled madly, half in a fit of laughter and half in an unimpressed fight. "Ah, I'm gonna miss seeing your stupid mug calling at my house every other week to baby-sit!"
"Ale! Lemme go!"
Their laughter echoed around the pier and Amber and Denise couldn't help beaming at them from the nearby sea wall.
"Daddy and Uncle Dyme really are best friends, aren't they?" Amber said firmly.
Denise put an arm around her and nodded proudly. "They're as thick as thieves, those two."
"They're robbers?" Amber looked at her in confusion.
"Never mind, sweetheart. You'll understand when you're older."
"Hmph… that's what my daddy always says."
"You should listen to him, then. He's a good man."
"I know," the girl sighed happily. "He's the bestest Daddy in the whole world. Mommy is just a little hard on him sometimes. But I know he tries his hardest. And so does Mommy. And he knows that she knows. And she knows that he knows that she does… She just has a funny way of saying so."
"Well, if it wasn't for your mommy, then your daddy would be completely hopeless…" Denise giggled. "She's just making sure he behaves himself."
Amber seemed to find this hilarious and joined in the giggle fit.
A loud call suddenly broke through the happiness.
"Signor! Signora! We'll be departing shortly!" a stout and slightly tanned porter called from the gangplank of the large cruiser on the next pier.
"We'll be there in five minutes!" Dyme shouted back.
"Please be quick, Signor! We cannot hold a whole ship of people for sentimentalities!"
"Five minutes! We'll be there! You have my word!"
Turning back to Ale as the girls made their way down the steps and rejoined them, he grinned weakly.
"Well, guess this is it," he mumbled, suddenly looking tense.
"Ah, you'll be fine, both of ya…"
"Well Princess, looks like I'm gonna have to go now," Dyme lightened his voice a little and knelt to Amber's level as they embraced.
"Good bye, Uncle Dyme. I'm gonna miss you…"
"I'm gonna miss you too, Amby. I'll be back soon, but until I am, you have to promise to be a big girl and look after Daddy and Mommy for me."
"I promise."
"And Deni, look after Dyme for me," Ale smirked. She gave a mock salute and linked arms with her brother who had now straightened up and was fidgeting with his hands.
"Uncle Dyme? When you're on stage, can you play that one song you did the last time you came over while mommy and daddy were out?"
"You mean the one I played especially for you? I don't see why not! What do you think 'Auntie Denise'?"
"Of course he will! You are, after all, our favourite niece!"
"She's your only niece…" Ale rolled his eyes but grinned anyway. "Well, you'd better get going you two. You don't want to miss your boat."
"Good point."
"Tell Arlene we said hi."
"Will do. Take care of yourselves," he smiled kindly as Denise gave him a hug, kissed Amber on the forehead then made her way to the gangplank. Dyme repeated the gestures and together they slowly walked arm in arm up the ramp towards the boat.
As they disappeared onto the ship and the gangplank was separated from the main vessel, Amber clung to her father's hand tightly.
Sensing her sudden sadness, Ale picked her up and held her in one of his arms, wiping her tears away with the thumb on his free hand.
"Hey, cheer up, sunshine…" he smiled gently as she began to sniff.
"I miss them already," she mumbled sadly.
"So do I, sweetheart. So do I. But they'll be back soon. Hey! Hey don't cry, baby… shhhhhh… don't cry. Daddy's here… hey look! I think I can see them on the deck now! Look Amby, look!"
Forced by her father's promptings, she slowly turned to look back at the boat. Right up on the top deck were two tiny figures waving madly. She waved back and shouted, "We'll miss you!"
The slightly shorter of the figures bought his hands around his mouth and shouted something back, but he was too far away to hear properly. All they heard was '(We'll… too!)'.
A loud horn suddenly sounded which made Amber squeal in fright and hide her face into her father's shoulder in fear.
"Don't worry, Amby. It was just the boat saying good-bye… you're not going to be able to see them leave if you're watching my neck, are you?"
"No…" she mumbled, and looked back in time to see the boat starting to rumble away from the pier. The two figures on the deck were still waving. Both father and daughter waved back and didn't stop until the ship was simply a dot on the horizon.
They stood watching it until it had completely gone from view, then Ale whispered, "Let's go home. Your mother's probably wondering where we snuck off to while she was at the office…"
"Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"Will they be okay?"
"Of course they will be! I've known Uncle Dyme for a long time… for almost ten years now… why are you laughing?"
"You're really old!" she giggled, though still tearful.
"What?! Hey! You're five, young lady, you're half that amount of time! And one day you'll be my age, and one of your kids will say that to you! I guarantee it!"
"I'll never be as old as you, Daddy," she looked at him as if he'd said the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard. Rolling his eyes, Ale started carrying her back towards the car.
"Well, anyway. Don't worry. Your Uncle and Auntie will be fine. You'll see them in a few months, and… now that I think about it, I think they're playing at the Crescendo Explosion Festival… that means they might be on TV at some point next week for a live show!"
"They'll be on TV?!" she gasped in amazement.
"I'm not making any promises, but if they are, we'll have to ask for their autographs when they get back!"
"And I can show my friends at school! They'll be so jealous!"
"I bet they would be," he chuckled as he opened her door and gently sat her down, making sure she was belted in. Once he was also seated, he checked the signal mirror and eased the car out of the parking space. Once they hit the motorway again, he flicked on the radio and lo and behold, Denise's voice echoed around them. Hardly surprising: the brother-sister duo had dominated the charts for the last few weeks. The listeners couldn't get enough of them.
Amber glowed with pride at the sound of her Auntie's singing and her dear Uncle's seemingly endless melody.
"Daddy…" she mumbled as the song drew to a close and an irritating DJ spoke over the last few bars. "When I grow up, I wanna be famous just like Auntie Deni and Uncle Dyme."
"Do you now?"
"Yep. I wanna be on TV and the radio, and sign autographs and sing like Deni! I wanna be a star!"
"You'll always be my little star, Amby…" Ale took one hand off the wheel and ruffled her hair.
"Daaaaaaad…" she whined as she tried taming her now messed-up hair. "I meant I want to be a sell… seelib… sellybaby."
"Celebrity," he corrected. "And I knew what you meant but… never mind."
"No tell me."
"It's hard to explain. You'll understand when you're older."
She pouted and folded her arms whilst leaning back into her seat. Sensing her dislike at being patronised, he pulled the car into a gas station, undid his seatbelt and left the car.
Wondering where he'd gone (as he hadn't gone to the pumps but had instead gone towards the shop straight away) Amber undid her seatbelt and knelt in her seat, trying to peer over the dashboard.
When her father finally came back, he was carrying a bar of chocolate and she took it greedily, ripping off the paper and munching it.
"Better?" he smiled as he got back in and did up his seatbelt again.
"Mush ber'er," she mumbled.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, it's very unladylike."
"But I'm not a lady yet," Amber protested after a swallow, before grinning cheekily and pointing to her head, cackling, 'Memorise it!'
They both burst out laughing.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you, Amber?"
"Lots and lots of times, Daddy."
___________________________________________
By the time the little car had trundled up the drive and parked outside their house, the sky was the colour of Amber's hair, and the girl herself was dozing peacefully in her seat. Taking care not to wake her, Ale unbelted himself, shut his door, opened hers and gently eased her out in his arms, closing her own door with his hips before striding up to the house and opening the front door.
It was dark in the hallway, but the door at the far end which led to the kitchen had light streaming around it from the room beyond. He grimaced. Arlene was home and obviously not happy: she only ever turned off all the lights in all but one room unless she was waiting inside it to bite his head off.
Wisely deciding to put Amber out the way before the argument could begin, he turned on the hall light which illuminated the stairs and slowly ascended them, pausing in front of the first door at the top and slowly and silently opening it.
Turning on her night-light, he threw off her covers, laid her down into the soft sheets and moved some of her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. She hitched her breath in her sleep, but didn't wake. Smiling at her, he pulled the covers back over her then sat on the quilt, watching her sleeping for a few seconds before kissing her on the cheek and leaving the room, being sure to close the door behind him. He didn't want her to hear him arguing with her mother again.
Descending the stairs in a wary fashion, he took a deep breath then made his way down the hallway towards the lioness' den.
"Evening…" she sighed casually. He winced at the coolness from that one simple word. Yep, she was ready to blow.
"Hey there, beautiful, my you are looking GORGOUS this evening!"
"You know very well flattery doesn't work on me…"
"Yeah well…. It was worth a try…" he lowered his head, waiting for the screaming to start.
Instead, the blond simply detached herself from the counter she'd been leaning on and strode up to him, mere feet from his shaking figure.
"Do you know how worried I was?" she whispered, eyes narrowing. "I come home to find both you and our daughter missing… no note. No messages on the phone… not one lousy text…"
"Arly-"
"Don't Arly me! I was worried sick! Why didn't you call!? Where've you been for the past four hours!? I was starting to think you'd had an accident on the way home from picking her up from school or something!"
"We went to see Dyme off."
"That's a FINE excuse! How long did it take for you… to.. think…… oh."
Now the words had sank in, her face changed from one of anger to one of guilty understanding.
"Amber insisted… and I was only too happy to indulge her," Ale mumbled, not sure if he was off the hook yet or not. "I mean, she adores him, and he's my best friend… it… it just felt right to see him off. "
"Oh Ale…" Arlene frowned sadly. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have gone too."
"You were still at the office… anyway, I never thought you and Dyme were particularly close."
"Well, no, but now we've all got our own lives, he's one of the few people I knew from… you know… 'before'."
"I'm sorry, babe. I'm such a jerk…"
"Oh shush, you," she smiled a little, lifting his chin up as he lowered his head again, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "You're always so hard on yourself. I understand. Hell, I think I would've only made things too crowded if I'd gone."
"Hmmm, that's not true…" he smiled back, putting his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. "I think he would have liked to see you again. Who wouldn't?"
"Oh, I can never stay mad at you…" she giggled, copying his gesture but instead wrapping her arms around his shoulders. They were about to close in for a kiss when they froze, mouths just mere centimetres away.
A wider smile suddenly lit up Ale's face.
"Why, Mommy… I can't help but feel we're being watched."
Giggling and smiling wider also, Arlene also gave a mock gasp and exclaimed, "By who, Daddy? It's not that little girl who should be in bed right now is it?"
"The very same…" Ale chuckled, before letting Arlene go and turning to face the little figure stood in the doorway.
"I couldn't sleep," Amber mumbled in her defence when she realised she'd been found out and both her parents stood looking at her, eyebrows raised in question.
"I bet you CAN sleep, you just don't want to…" Arlene walked over to her and picked her up, teddy and all.
"No, really Mommy! I'm too worried about Uncle Dyme and Auntie Deni! I can't wait to see them again!"
"Neither can I, sweetie… but until then… bed!"
"Moooooommy!"
"No use arguing with your mother," Ale followed the two girls upstairs back to Amber's room, resting against the doorframe.
"You see? Even Daddy knows not to argue with Mommy!" Arlene smirked triumphantly, putting Amber back in bed and tucking her in, despite her protesting.
"Daddy's too nice to argue with you, Mommy."
"Your Daddy can be very nasty when he needs to be… and so can I. So go to sleep or I'll have to take away some of your toys!"
Gasping in horror, Amber buried herself under her blankets.
"You gonna be a good girl for Mommy?"
The lump under the blankets nodded vigorously.
Pleased there would be no more interruption, Arlene got up and left the room.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Ale looked quite unhappy with her threats to take away toys.
"She's got to learn to behave, Ale… we don't want her getting as screwed up as we are. We were never given the chance to grow up civilly: I don't want our only child thinking she can get anything she wants on a mere whim. Now come on: your dinner's probably already cold, but maybe you can salvage it if you're fast enough to get your ass at the dinner table."
____________________________________________
"Arly?"
"Huuh?"
"We have 'nvader…"
"Uhhuuuuh."
"You want to put 'er back to bed or shall-I?"
"Jus' leave 'er."
"Can't. She's clinging t'arm."
Sighing, Arlene rolled over sleepily and turned on the bedside light. Beside her, as she expected, was her husband… and clinging to him was their daughter, fast asleep, but snuggled up tightly between them.
Rubbing her eyes as the bright light pierced her reeling vision, she yawned and sat up a little in bed, Ale trying to follow suit as best as he could without hurting Amber.
"How can something so cute be so troublesome?" Ale mumbled, eyes squinting in the half-light.
"Just be thankful she still doesn't wet the bed…"
Ale shuddered and slowly tried removing his arm from the girl's. She groaned in protest but she was so far gone she offered little resistance and his wrist finally detached itself from her grasp.
They both watched her sleeping for a few seconds, hypnotised by how innocent she looked, the light making her seem almost angelic in the way it caught in her hair.
They then looked at each other, biting their lips.
"Just tonight?" Arlene asked.
"Just tonight," he nodded back. Readjusting the covers, they settled down again: Amber snuggled up between them, Arlene turning the light off again and the room falling into darkness.
__________________________________________
The screams. Oh the screams. He flinched at every sound of pain that tore from her lips. He desperately wanted to help in some way, but all he could do was clench his eyes shut as his dear wife grasped with increasing pressure at his hand. This was unreal. They'd barely been married two years – he was still getting over actually plucking up the courage to ask her in the first place. And now this? He was both restless with absolute delight, but also shivering with uncertainty. Was he ready for this?
Of course, when he'd come home that night around nine months ago and she'd sat him down and told him… he burst with pride and indescribable happiness. After the hugs, kisses and words of astonishment, everything had led up to this moment. And when he got the call that afternoon that she needed him, he'd wasted no time in simply grabbing his coat, giving a rushed explanation to his boss and leaving work, almost breaking the speed limit several times.
But now they were here, and any second now it would happen, he was suddenly wary and a little scared. This was all so completely new to him… what was he supposed to say?
Another scream. A tighter, longer squeeze.
Then a sudden quiet as the screaming was replaced by several deep and laboured breaths, and the sound of the nurses busying themselves. The hand between his own fell weaker and the relentless grip faltered slightly.
Gulping, he opened his eyes very slowly. The first thing he saw was her, lying, completely pale and exhausted on the bed, eyes half open and a small, tired smile on her face as she looked at him proudly.
Rubbing her hand in comfort, he smiled back, but weakly. He was still having doubts as to whether he should really be putting himself through this or not. "Has… has it happened?" he asked in a voice barely above a whisper. Her smile widened a little and she nodded slowly, too weak to talk yet.
Not knowing what to say, he simply got up and kissed her on the cheek. Behind him, he heard a nurse returning. He turned to face her. She was carrying what appeared to be a bundle of towels. Closer inspection made him turn giddy and blissful in awe.
"Congratulations, Sir," the nurse smiled happily, handing him the bundle. "It's a beautiful baby girl."
Gazing down at that tiny pink face made up his mind. He was ready. He was born ready. He'd never felt so proud in his life.
The tiny face stared up at him, slightly wrinkled and not making any noise, but still the mouth moved slowly as it began to figure out how to use it's body. Slowly, he touched her face with his finger. She grasped it tightly in her tiny hands. Their full palm span could barely wrap around his thumb, but she still gnawed experimentally on his digits, covering them in slobber. He hardly cared.
Steadily, he sat back down in his chair beside the bed, still gazing down lovingly at the little creature gurgling in his arms. He slowly raised his head to stare at his wife, unable to find the words. He didn't need to say anything: his tearful eyes said it all.
Seeing his joy at their little treasure, his wife gave a weak chuckle, then shifted a little on the bed. He carefully… oh so gently… handed the child to her, and she held her close to her chest. The baby shuffled in content and mumbled silently with it's new mouth.
Thoroughly used to this kind of reaction, the nurse smiled kindly and cleared her throat, grabbing the parent's attention.
"She's five pounds seven ounces… and perfectly healthy."
Even more comforted by this news, both of them nodded in thanks. Seeing her work was done, the nurse left with her smile still on her face. Once alone, the parents looked back at each other for a while, then burst out laughing.
"Well…" he was the first to speak. "If someone told me three years ago that I'd be a father, I'd have eaten my socks…"
"Well… better grab the knife and fork, sugar," she giggled back, tears rolling down her face.
Overwhelmed with delight, he got back up and gave her another, longer kiss, wrapping his arms around her.
"If I loved you anymore than I do now, it would hurt."
"Can't hurt anymore than what I just went through…" she commented quietly, returning the kiss, but still keeping hold of the bundle. "Oh… but I think it's worth it. Now we have our own little pride and joy to share."
"Sure do. And I'm sure she'll grow up to be as beautiful as her mother."
"Hopefully she won't be as flattering as her father or we'll have to cater for the hundreds of boys she'll bring home."
Laughing, he rubbed his forehead against hers and rubbed her back gently.
"Maybe not, but I'm sure however she turns out, she'll be perfect."
"I'm sure she will…" his love nodded, but suddenly yawned. Pulling away, he rubbed her shoulder slowly and winked. "Rest… I'll be right here."
"I'm fine."
"Babe, you just gave birth to your first child. I'll be damned if I'm letting you exhaust yourself any further. Come on."
He took their new daughter out of her arms whilst she slumped a little into her pillows and mumbled a sleepy protest, but she smiled all the same.
"Well, as you take such good care of me, you can be on diaper duty for the first month…" she chuckled weakly.
Rolling his eyes, he muttered, "Oh… yes… I forgot about that lovely complication to having children…"
She made to laugh again, but was interrupted by some kind of commotion outside the room, and without warning, the door was opened, two brunettes practically stumbling into the room.
"Excuse me, but this is a private hospital! There is a new mother in here!" one of the older nurses followed, making to drag them out by their elbows, but he got to his feet and waved his free arm frantically hissing, "No! no, it's okay! Let them stay! Please?"
The nurse looked slightly doubtful, but rolled her eyes and let them go, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
The female brunette was the first to recover.
"We came as soon as Imogen called us with your message!" she panted breathlessly, turning pink from exhaustion and excitement.
"Seriously, we… like… ran ten minutes flat to catch the bus here…" the male added, also breathless.
"I'm just sorry I couldn't tell you guys personally, but when I called your apartment, only Imogen was there!" the father said sheepishly, though he was smiling widely. "I'm glad you came."
"Heh, you two just missed the single most unpleasant experience I have ever gone through…" his wife muttered sleepily from the bed. Smiling sympathetically both the newcomers gathered around the bed and took a hand each, staring at her in awe.
"Well, I never thought I'd say it but… congratulations, you two! Parents… wow. It's just mind blowing!"
"Boy or girl?" the taller brunette girl asked quickly with some excited impatience.
Neither of the parents actually offered words, but the father gently nudged the shorter male and offered the bundle instead. Mouth open in shock and wonder, he obediently took it and found himself immersed in the infant's dark eyes and delicate facial features.
"May I introduce to you… your first niece."
The young man looked to the father suddenly, eyes wide. The older man smiled down at him slightly.
"N… Niece? But… I'm not…"
"Not what, little brother?" the father smiled wider.
The youth blinked in astonishment, then turned to his sister, who was also smiling at him. The woman on the bed chuckled and whispered, "I wish I had a camera. Your expression is priceless."
"You… you really mean that… that I can be her uncle?" he whispered in disbelief.
"Hey man… if I could pick anyone to be my daughter's second daddy, it could only ever be you."
"Seconded. And Denise… consider yourself part of the family too. After all, what's an uncle without an auntie, eh?" the mother smiled at the other girl, who also looked deeply amazed. "Besides, I could use a sister figure to bitch to about how useless my man is."
"I love you too, honey."
Stunned and humbled, the brother and sister shared a long look of overwhelmed honour, then looked back to the parents, brimming with pride.
Seeing their obvious feelings of delight, the father folded his arms and chuckled, "Welcome to the family, guys."
And as if mimicking her father, the tiny bundle in her 'uncle's' arms gave a gurgle of approval and clutched at his shirt with her tiny hands. That did it: he was laughing, tears of happiness rolling down his face.
____________________________________________
Smiling in his sleep, Ale mumbled something and rolled over. Something moved beside him, and coming back to the world of the awake, he half-opened his eyes. He'd expected to see his wife laying still asleep on her side of the bed, or maybe even just getting out of bed, ready for the day.
What he got instead was a slight jump of surprise when he opened his eyes to find Amber's face right up against his, her curious green eyes looking at him in quizzical examination.
Recovering from the shock of her close proximity, Ale groaned and rubbed his eyes sleepily.
"Amber, what're you doin' here?" he mumbled through the sleep.
"Mommy said I can't go to school today because I'm poorly," she said matter-of-factly.
He paused in mid-rub, one fist hanging on his left eye whilst his other was scratching his head.
"Are you?" he asked, the sentence finally processing his comfort-addled brain. She nodded and suddenly awake, he sat upright and looked closer at her. Sure enough, her face was a little pale and her eyes were very watery and dim.
Feeling her forehead, he mumbled, "You do seem a little off… wait… where is Mommy?"
"She went to work."
The temptation to swear was great, but he calmed himself and forced himself to control his tongue whilst around his daughter. "What time is it?" he asked, getting out of bed.
Despite it being a question directed at himself, Amber still shrugged and said, "Don't know. Time is hard to learn…"
Throwing a brief smile at her to reassure her, but actually starting to panic, he finally grabbed the bedside clock and forced himself to look at it.
"Shiiiiiiii- I mean Sugar…" he forced himself not to curse. He had overslept and was late for work.
"Oh, and Mommy said to tell you not to go to work today…" Amber said quietly while he jumped around to the wardrobe and pulled out some of his shirts and trousers, rummaging around for the tie. He paused when she said it and made to stand up and face her, but banged his head against a low-lying shelf.
This time failing to stop cursing, but having the sense to mumble them rather than shout them, he rubbed his head and asked, "What? Why'd she say that?"
"She said you were poorly too, Daddy."
"She said what?" he raised an eyebrow, then strode over to the mirror on the bedroom desk. Rubbing his cheeks, he stared as he saw he too had watery eyes with pale skin. Now that he thought about it, he did feel quite off.
Sliding off the bed, Amber took his free hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Now, come on Daddy. Back to bed with you."
He stared down at her, half smiling.
"Aw, are you going to be my nurse whilst I'm poorly, Amby?" he cooed, but humouring her and putting on an act of being reluctantly being told to go back to bed by her: dragging his feet and pouting. She almost giggled, but instead she kept up her stern voice and said, "It's Doctor Amby to you, Mr Daddy! Now get in your bed!"
"Yes Doctor Amby. Of course…"
As he pulled the sheets back over him, she scrambled up as well and knelt with her arms folded, looking at him sternly.
"Now rest here and call me if you need anything."
"Did your mother tell you to do this, or are you just trying to be a big girl for me?"
Losing her act, Amber giggled and got into bed next to him, hugging tightly. "Both."
"Eh, that's my girl…" he smiled, ruffling her hair and cuddling her back. "Always looking out for your mommy and me…"
"Mommy said she'd try and come home earlier today, but until then, I need to look after you."
"I bet she did. Heh, usually she'd call your Uncle or Auntie to pop over and keep an eye on me, but…"
As soon as he said it, he regretted it. His daughter tensed up a little and buried her head into his pyjamas.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I forgot how much you miss them…"
"Don't you miss them too, Daddy?" she asked, mumbling into the material and her head practically hidden completely under the covers.
"Of course I do. I miss them very much."
"Then why aren't you sad?"
"I am, but I know it's silly to be all sad and lonesome when I know they'll come back soon."
There was a brief pause, then a faint, "I'm being silly aren't I?"
Throwing back the covers and picking her up and sitting her on his lap, Ale poked her on the nose gently and shook his head.
"Not in the slightest, Amby. I think you're being a very brave little girl, and I'm so lucky to have you."
Giggling as he swept some of her hair behind her ear – a little habit he had whenever he was fascinated by her – Amber leant forward and gave him a big hug. "Love you Daddy," she smiled.
"Love you too," he whispered, kissing her on the nose, which made her giggle even harder. He started laughing too, and then threw the blankets over her, holding her kicking and laughing against him.
"Daaaaddy!"
"Mwuahahaaaaa, I've got you now, you little princess," he cackled, putting on a silly voice. "Now you must stay with me forever and ever and ever!"
"No I don't!" she shouted defiantly from under the squirming blankets in his arms.
"Oh yes you do! I've captured you now! You cannot escape!"
"Look over there!" an arm emerged from under the blankets, pointing in a random direction. Giving a mock gasp of fear, Ale let her go and shouted dramatically, "Oh what? Is it the Prince coming to hurt me and rescue this Princess!? Oh! Oh! Oh!"
He drew out the performance for as long as possible until he was sure the 'Princess' had slid out of the room, giggling madly. He waited until he saw her reach the doorway in the corner of his eye, then shouted loudly in over-exaggerated shock, "No! She has escaped! Where COULD she have gone!"
"Not here!" came a call from further down the hall.
"Not where?" he called back, getting to his feet and standing in the doorway.
"I'm not in my room!"
Rolling his eyes, he gasped, "I think I'll check her room! Yes! Here I come!"
A slight intake in breath made him smile as she doubtlessly tried hiding herself. He reached the door, then ever-so-slowly opened it and poked his head around it.
"Come out, Princess…" he almost sang, putting on his silly, nasally cackle again.
A little squeal of playful fright drew his attention to the bed, and with deliberate slowness, he stepped into the room, grinning strangely. He paused right beside the bed, then remained still for about ten seconds. Then, with a cry of triumph, he pounced down and pulled her out from under it, laughing and protesting, but calming down when she was comfortably sat in his arms and he was looking at her smiling.
"Don't worry Princess, I'm only fooling."
"Tee hee, I know, Daddy," she kissed his cheek as he carried her out of the room and back to the big bed.
"Now, Amby," he set her down on her mother's side and tucked her in so she was comfortable. "I'm going to go downstairs and make us some nice toast, so we can have some nice breakfast in bed whilst watching some TV… that sound good to you?"
She nodded vigorously and snuggled further into the pillows. He smiled back at her then made to leave the room, but was called back when she mumbled, "Daddy?"
"Yeah, baby?"
"Can you fetch Ted from my bed?"
He rolled his eyes and replied, "Sure thing, sweetie… I'm sure he wouldn't want to miss some nice old breakfast, would he?"
"Thank you Daddy."
Closing the door behind him, he went to Amber's room and collected 'Ted' the teddy, deposited him back with his daughter, then set off downstairs to make breakfast.
__________________________________________
When Arlene came home from work a few hours later, she found both husband and daughter curled up asleep together in the bed, an empty tray on the bed with a crumb-covered Ted in Amber's arms. Amber was being hugged in a similar way by her own father, and the TV was on, though how long it had been in use with the occupants of the room sleeping was impossible to tell.
Sighing in content, she switched it off, took the empty tray and put in on the bedside cabinet, before slowly easing herself up on the bed to watch them asleep.
Ale shifted a little and seemed to feel her presence, as one eye opened briefly, then shut again. He gave a little sigh of pleasure, and let one of his hands unwrap from around Amber and fumble slowly for his wife's.
"'Lo, Arly…" he mumbled, barely heard – he was so tired.
"Hello, darling. How was your day?"
He gave a small smile in his half-sleep then rubbed her fingers lovingly with the hand that was holding hers. "Fun. Yours?"
"Could have been better…" she admitted with a grimace. He squeezed her hand tighter and mumbled, "Aw, was it hard work today?"
"No. I was just worried sick about you two," she allowed a genuine smile light up her lips and leant over him to give him a kiss, which he blushed at and shifted again in the bed.
"I'm sorry, babe…"
"Well… just get better, you hear me?"
"Mmmm…"
Pulling away from him, but still leant over them, she turned her attention to Amber, who was still blissfully slumbering.
"How's she been?"
"Fab. Made sure I behaved…" Ale smiled, his eyes still closed. He slowly removed his hand from Arlene's and returned it to it's original position in cuddling Amber. Arlene giggled quietly and stroked her cheek softly.
"Well, her temperature seems to have gone… you, on the other hand, seem to be very tired and drained, and as cute as you two look right now, I'd very much like my side of the bed back. So, I think I'd better get her into her own bed."
Ale pouted and mumbled something unintelligible, but reluctantly let his arms slip away from Amber so she could be removed from the bed.
Now in her mother's arms, the daughter was carried gently back down the landing hallway and into her own room.
A few minutes later, Arlene returned for Ted, gave her husband one last kiss to send him back off to sleep, then went to make sure Amber was entirely comfortable.
___________________________________________________-
The next Sunday, there was a visitor.
Arlene went to answer the door, and as soon as she opened it, she regretted it deeply. She made to slam it shut again but the person on the other side stuck his foot in the door and forced himself into the doorframe, smiling.
"Just the girl I wanted to see…"
"Go fuck yourself, Lumaria!"
"That is anatomically impossible… how about you do it for me?"
She spat at his feet in disgust and made to slam the door shut again, but this time he took a step into the house and pushed her up against the wall of the hallway.
"You're still as strong-willed and beautiful as I remember you…" he whispered, fiddling with her hair.
"And you're still as sly and evil as I remember you."
"Oh, why so tense, my dear?" Lumaria leant closer, his mouth almost at her neck. Trying to lean away, she turned her head away from him and instinctively bought out a fist. It caught him completely off-guard and made him retreat, clutching his stomach.
"That wasn't a wise move," he growled, grabbing her wrist and taking another step forward. However, he was soon sent reeling again when a second fist hooked him right in the jaw.
"Neither was that," Ale scowled at him, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and practically throwing him out the open door. "You rotten bastard! You ever touch my wife again and I'm calling the police!"
"She was mine before she was yours! Mine, you hear me!" Lumaria spat blood, clenching his fists as he beheld the couple before him, eyes mainly straying towards Arlene, who had hidden herself behind Ale.
"She's not a piece of property you can OWN, jackass!"
"Say what you want! She's mine, and one day she'll come back to me!"
"You had your chance! You blew it! Now leave her alone! She obviously doesn't want you around tormenting her anymore!"
Lumaria was about to retort back, but stopped when he heard a timid voice from behind the couple calling, 'Mommy? Daddy?'
Ale tensed up immediately and he spun around saying, "Amber, go back and watch TV."
"Why? What's the matter?" the girl's voice came again as the child herself pushed her way towards her father, past her mother.
Lumaria's eyes widened. They had a child? This rogue who had stolen his love… had an heir? Surely not! But one glance at the creature looking at him nervously said it all: the soft cheeks, the fly-away bits of fringe that echoed her mother's, yet tipped blood-red… no doubt about it.
Barely a second passed before Ale pushed his daughter back out of sight and hissed, "Leave. Now. Or I'm calling the cops."
A slow smile spreading up his face, Lumaria straightened up and gave a mocking bow.
"As you wish, my friend."
"I'm not your friend, now get out of my sight."
Lumaria just smiled wider and turned on his heels, striding back out the drive and onto the street. Once sure he wouldn't trouble them again, Ale slammed the door shut, seething in rage, then turned to his wife, taking her by the hands.
"Are you alright?" he whispered, pulling her into an embrace as she clung to his jacket in want of comfort.
"I thought we'd lost him…" she mumbled miserably.
"So did I… that creep… did he hurt you?"
"To be honest, I think I hurt him more than he hurt me."
"That didn't answer my question."
"He didn't…"
"That's all that matters to me," Ale breathed a sigh of relief and kissed her.
"Daddy, who was that man?" Amber asked, voice a little shaky from the strange argument.
Ale and Arlene, though still hugging, broke apart from their kiss and Arlene rested her head on her husband's shoulder while he sighed, "He's a bad man, Amby. Just trust me on that."
Still confused, but realising that perhaps it was best for once to let the grown-ups keep it to themselves, she fidgeted awkwardly, then mumbled, "Daddy, isn't that music thingy on TV today?"
"What, the Crescendo Explosion? Sure, why do you… oh… oh!" he suddenly remembered. "That's RIGHT! Well remembered, Amby!"
Squirming with the praise, Amber couldn't help but smile and blush.
"What's so special about that?" Arlene sighed, still unhappy about Lumaria's visit.
"It's special because Dyme and Deni are going to be performing live there! C'mon! Let's check the interactive and see when they're on," he let go of her and made his way towards the living room, where Amber was already clambering into her favourite spot on the sofa. Rubbing her arms in discomfort, Arlene threw one last glance at the front door before joining them on the couch.
It was apparent that the brother-sister duo would not be performing until later in the evening, so the adults had left their daughter sat on the couch waiting whilst they sat in their room, contemplating Lumaria's return.
"Why did he have to come back?" Arlene sounded close to sobbing as she held her head in her hands. Next to her, Ale looped an arm around her shoulders, looking genuinely sympathetic.
"Arly…"
"Why, Ale? Why does he want to ruin my life again?" she raised her head slightly: he could tell she was crying now – little drops fell from under her fringe, hiding her eyes.
Taking her by the waist, he made her lean on him and held her tightly, rubbing her shoulder softly. She couldn't take it anymore and started to sob uncontrollably, shaking and choking in sadness. All Ale could do was keep holding onto her and keep whispering softly in her ear that she was safe and that he'd never let Lumaria touch her ever again.
He didn't let go until she had stopped crying and lay asleep on his lap.
_______________________________________________________________
Author's Notes - Incase you couldn't tell...
Ale = Axel.
Arlene = Larxene
Dyme = Demyx
Lumaria = Marluxia
Amber and Denise are random OCs, though Amber is inspired by my own daughter in a kh RP, in which me and Axel are having quite the relationship.
Incidently... how do you upload new chapters? They don't have to be a seperate document, do they? That would use an awful of lot of my memory on here...