Chapter 2
Throughout the day, Cain had kept his word. Wherever DG and Aislynn went, Cain was right behind them. DG couldn't remember the last time they had spent time as a family, not the 'Royal Family', but a simple family. She could've sworn she had a smile on her face the entire day.
And dinner was no different. Storytelling, random joke, even a small food fight. It was wonderful having just a family. Though, no one was very upset that the food fight had ended, expect Aislynn and Glitch. Mostly because they were the only two active in the food fight. Right up until Cain caught Glitch off guard and stopped the fight. Everyone laughed at Glitches, or Ambrose's, stunned expression.
After dinner, Lavender and Ahamo turned in early. Raw followed suit soon after. DG, however, decided that she'd spend time in the library. She somehow managed to read all of the novels back in the Northern Island, and she needed something new. Aislynn followed her mother to the library, skipping and humming behind her.
DG smiled at her daughter. Feeling like a small child herself, she started skipping with Aislynn. Aislynn then began jogging to keep up with her mother. DG decided to play along and began jogging. Aislynn then broke into a run to keep up with DG.
"That's not fair mommy!" Aislynn called.
DG turned around and slowed. "It's not fair?"
"No! You're taller than me, so you're faster!" Aislynn said. She reached her mother and stopped.
DG crouched in front of her daughter. "Are you calling your mother unfair?"
Aislynn nodded determinedly. She crossed her arms sin front of her chest, pouting.
Cain stood from afar and watched them. He couldn't help but smile at his pouting daughter.
DG placed her hands on her hips, acting with Aislynn. "Then I guess this isn't fair either!" She lunged at Aislynn and began tickling her stomach.
Aislynn shrieked in laughter and tried to protect herself. But her laughter and DG's tickling never gave her a chance. "Daddy, help me!" she pleaded, still laughing.
Cain's eyebrows rose, "Help you? How can I help you?"
"Do something! Mommy won't top tickling me!" Aislynn explained. Her explanation blended in with her laughter perfectly. As if she didn't need help, just inviting her father into their fun.
"Alright, I'll help." Cain said. He pushed off the wall and slowly walked towards DG.
DG looked up from Aislynn and stood up, "You keep your distance."
Cain raised his hands innocently, "I haven't done anything."
"And you're not going to." DG warned playfully.
"Daddy, tickle her!" Aislynn suggested.
DG stared at her daughter. Her mouth hung open in shock. "Aislynn you traitor."
"You better run." Cain said. He moved quickly towards DG.
DG took off down the hall towards the library. Cain watched her run. Aislynn grabbed his hand and pulled him, "Come on daddy, she's getting away."
Cain smiled, "Alright." He let Aislynn lead him down the hallway after DG.
Inside the library were hundreds of shelves. Aislynn ran down row after row of shelves, but couldn't find her mother. She folded her arms and pouted.
"What's wrong?" Cain asked.
"Mommy's hiding too well." Aislynn huffed.
"Ah Cain, Aislynn, how would you two like to join me in a game of chess?" Ambrose asked. He strolled down the hall of the library.
"I don't know how to play Glitch." Aislynn said.
"But your father does. Why don't we teach Aislynn how to play chess, Cain?" Ambrose asked.
Cain exhaled slowly. He looked down at Aislynn. Her bright blue eyes stared up at him pleadingly. "Alright. Set up the board, I'll meet you at the table."
Aislynn jumped up and down, clapping her hands. Glitch took his nieces hand and led her back down the hall.
Cain turned around the shelf and looked at DG, "Find anything worth reading this time?"
DG shrugged, "I was thinking a history book this time." She showed him the cover of the book she held.
Cain took the book from her, "Dorothy Gale and Emerald City? I thought you hated history."
"It's not a history lesson. That makes all he difference." DG said. She took her book back.
"So, do I get to tell you're daughter that you cheat in hide and go seek?" Cain asked.
DG eyed him carefully, "You have no proof of that."
Cain shook his head and smiled, "Enjoy your book."
DG leaned forward and kissed his cheek, "Enjoy your game."
--
DG walked through the library an hour later. The book in her arm, marked with a piece of paper. She hadn't expected to get so lost in her book, but she did. She wasn't worried about her being in the library at this time, but it was Aislynn being up at this time. The only problem was Dg couldn't find any of them.
How hard is it to find someone in here? The library is only so big. DG thought. She continued down another row.
"Aha, now you've lost your bishop Cain. You are in trouble now." Ambrose called.
DG heard his voice come from ahead. She walked quicker through the row of books.
"Glitch, I gave up on trying since your student fell asleep." Cain explained.
"Then why isn't she in bed?" DG asked. She leaned against the and of the bookshelf.
Cain and Ambrose sat across from each other. Ambrose had his left elbow on his knee while Cain was leaning back in his chair. Both looked up, surprised to hear DG sneaking up on them. DG walked to the table and placed her hands on her hips.
"Where is Aislynn?" She asked simply.
Cain turned his head. DG followed his head to the couch. Lying next to the arm, with a large book in her arms was Aislynn. DG smiled at the sight. She walked to the couch, careful not to make a noise. Granted, if she could sleep through Ambrose in chess, she could sleep through a little footstep. DG took the book from Aislynn and set it on the table next to her.
"I'm going to put her to bed." DG whispered.
"I'll take her." Cain said. He stood from the table.
"But we haven't finished out game yet Cain." Ambrose protested.
"Glitch, it's late. Tomorrow." Cain said. He walked to the couch and carefully gathered Aislynn into his arms. He turned to the door and headed out.
DG looked at the chessboard casually. She smiled and moved Cain's rook two squares from Glitches king. She knocked his king down and looked at him, "Check mate."
Glitch looked at the board in disbelief. She walked slowly out of the library, leaving a bewildered Glitch to ponder over his loss. She met up with Cain outside the library.
"You won." She stated.
Cain smirked, "You should play for me more often."
"You play better than I do." Dg shook her head.
They walked to Aislynn's room in silence. Their footsteps echoed in the halls, but barely. DG watched the floor as she walked. Every few minutes Cain looked over at DG.
"What's on your mind kid?" He knew the 'kid' comment would get some response.
DG looked up at Cain and smirked, "Watch yourself, Tin Man. You know our nickname bargain."
"Couldn't resist. But what is on your mind?" Cain asked. He stopped at Aislynn's door.
DG opened the door for him. "I was thinking. Maybe we could spend tomorrow down by the lake. Have a picnic? Just the four of us." DG suggested.
Cain laid Aislynn in to her bead carefully. He pulled the blankets over her and looked at DG. "I think that's a great idea. I know Jeb would love to spend more time with Aislynn."
"And it wouldn't just give them time together." DG stated. She smiled mischievously. Cain couldn't help but smile back at her.
--
Yay family moments.
