Chapter 3

Elias needed that sleep. He turned his eye and saw that the fire was out. He saw Chise and smiled. She was giving him some juice while wearing his shirt.

Chise: "I didn't want to wake you."

Elias: "It's fine."

Chise: "I got you juice. Unless you want coffee."

Elias: "Juice is fine."

Chise: (sighs)

Elias: "What's the matter?"

Chise: "I'm just thinking about the girls. Do you think they're okay? What if they're not fed? What if they didn't get enough sleep? What if they're crying wondering where we are?!"

Elias: "Chise. Relax. They are fine. Ruth is with them."

Chise: "I guess. I can't believe I'm feeling this way. But I'm a parent now. So I can't help it."

Elias: "I feel the same way. I know how to get your mind off our children."

Chise: "What?"

Elias: (kisses her neck)

Chise: (moans) "You doing that will…..not…..he…..lp…"

Elias: "You sure?" (removes the shirt)

Chise: (giggles) "Elias."

Tapping on window…..

Elias: "Who was that?"

Chise: (looks at the window) "Joseph?"

Elias: "What does he want…..?"

Chise: "Let's see." (buttons shirt)

Elias: "Let us not."

Chise: "Ugh… Come on."

Elias: (groans, put on pants)

Chise went to open the door. When she opened it, there was the same type of look of resentment she saw years ago. It's like he's still the same. Having loathing from them but still putting up them.

Cartiphilus: "You're still here."

Chise: "And so are you." (chuckles)

Elias: "What do you want?"

Chise: (nudges his side)

Cartiphilus: "Living off those beets and radishes in your garden while you were sleeping have been upsetting. And you know he barely gives me water."

Chise: "Elias…"

Elias: "I give it once a week."

Cartiphilus: "Like I told you years ago, I don't eat much… Water is fine… But for some reason…"

Elias: "You are hungry."

Cartiphilus: (stomach growling)

Chise: (chuckles) "Give me a minute."

Chise didn't know what happened. She left her husband with the person he really hates. Elias could barely look at him. It's taking every ounce of his being not to cut his head off like he did with his partner in crime.

Elias: "I'm coming back…"

Cartiphilus: "It seems she survived after all."

Elias: "She's strong."

Cartiphilus: "Hmm. That new arm of hers is surpassing her Sleigh Beggy curse. I wonder how long it will do with the Dragon. It still hurts her. I can feel it. We are connected."

Elias: "For which I still do not understand."

Cartiphilus: "And what of the children? Hmm? Are they like their mother? Will they die too?"

Elias: (clenches his fist)

Cartiphilus: "You are so easy Thorn. You don't realize how lucky you are. Wife. Daughters. Just seeing you two happy with your new additions is just pissing me off even more. Why a monster like you has happiness and I don't?"

Elias: "Because I know how to love someone. Chise taught me to love."

Cartiphilus: "Love does not last. You know that as well as I. To think she has an eon or two to be in the hellish world."

Elias: "Excuse me?"

Cartiphilus: "Nothing. Just a hunch."

Elias: "Just like him, I do not understand you. You just keep away from my family."

Cartiphilus: "And why pray tell would I want those little freaks of nature anywhere near me? I could care less what they do. You're undeniably showing your fatherly side alright. Acting like a man. How sickening…"

Chise: "Okay. It's still hot but it's enough. It's cup noodles. I know how impatient you are."

Cartiphilus: "About time." (slurps some) "It's not home cook but it will do…."

Chise: "I'll take that as a thank you."

Cartiphilus: "Tch….. Whatever…. I'm going back to the well…. I still blame you…."

As Chise close the door, she saw Elias tapping his fingers angrily on the sofa. She hugged him from behind feeling his naked upper body.

Elias: "That freak is quite bothersome. Him being here is disastrous…"

Chise: "Was he up to anything while I wasn't here?"

Elias: "No. But I still don't trust him. And you shouldn't either."

Chise: "I don't."

Elias: "Then stop showing compassion for him. That…. person is beyond your prayers… You know how he is. Should've taking his head off too…"

Chise: "You're gonna have to trust me on this. As far as I'm concern, he can't hurt me or anyone else. He hurts me because I have everything he doesn't. He wants me to suffer so I can be like him. He's not a problem anymore Elias."

Elias: "I believe you. I just can't take that chance."

Chise: "I know." (kisses him)

Elias: "I do not want our daughters anywhere near him."

Chise: "Elias."

Elias: "I trust you my love but him, I won't allow it. I won't let him hurt my family."

Chise: (sighs) "Okay."

Elias: "You have such a good heat and gentle soul." (kisses her head) "Shall I make breakfast?"

Chise: "Go ahead. We need to pick up Ruth and the girls."

A few days passed. Chise was adjusting to parent life and so was Elias. He would help her feed them when she doesn't know what to feed them. They still required breast milk. It's better than formula. One day, Chise was feeding Emma on the left side. She could feel her biting hard.

Chise: (giggles) "Yep. Just like your father Emma."

Simon: "Ainsworth! You home? You haven't left for work yet have you?"

Chise: "Hello Simon."

Simon: "Chise! You came bac-" (yelps)

Chise: "What?"

Simon: "I'm sorry! I didn't know you were feeding your daughter!"

Chise: "It's fine."

Elias: "I am about to leave. Simon? What are you doing here?"

Chise: "He wanted to see you."

Elias: "Whatever you need it will have to wait. Chise. You need to feed Evelynn as well."

Chise: "I know. The left side's a little busy."

Elias: "Oh. Hmm. I could get it from the fridge."

Chise: "Please do."

Simon: "It seems you two are quite busy. I could come back later."

Elias: "I'll walk you out."

Chise: "Have a good day."

Emma: "Da-da! Da-da!" (about to cry, reaches for him)

Elias: "Aw sweetie."

Chise: "Daddy has to work. He'll be back later."

Elias: "I'm coming back. Don't make such a face." (kisses her cheek) "I love you."

Emma: (cooing)

Elias: "And I love you too."

Chise: (giggles, kisses him) "See you soon. Come baby let's go feed your sister."

Simon: "You know I never seen you like that. You being a husband and a father has taking that bad-tempered hermit side out of you. It's a development."

Elias: "DIE…"

Chise: (laughs) "Bye."

At the College, all the students greeted Elias welcome back. They told him good morning and so on. They even asked about the twins. Throughout the whole day, he was thinking about his girls. Finally on his last class, Renfred, Adolf, and Tory stood by his door. They saw they he was plenty rested now. And that was a good. As the bell rang for another day ending, Elias caught a glimpse of them.

Elias: "Okay. That is your assignment for tonight. I hope you use that well because I'm giving you a pop quiz tomorrow."

Students: "Aw! Professor!"

Elias: (chuckles) "Go on. Get out of here."

Renfred: "Well you look normal."

Elias: "Renfred."

Adolf: "That's good. You had us worried you know."

Tory: "Yeah. You were looking like a zombie!"

Elias: "Why is everyone saying that?!"

Adolf: "I'm just saying. You shouldn't let people who are your friends worry like that."

Elias: "You're my friends…?"

Tory: "DUH! Of course we're friends!"

Renfred: "Speak for yourself! Hmph!"

Adolf and Tory: (laughing)

Elias: (laughs with them)

Tory: "Let's go out for drinks! DRINKS WITH MY PALS!"

Elias, Adolf, Renfred: "Uh…No thanks…."

Tory: "WHAT?! WHY?!"

Elias: "I'm not drinking with you again. That was very penetrating…"

Tory: "AW COME ON!"

Elias: "I can't. Sorry. I have to do some shopping anyway."

Tory: "Oh fine. Next time then!"

Elias: "Yes. Of course….." Not…

After his shopping was done, Elias headed home. He went over what he had on the list until he bumped into someone.

Elias: "I'm so sorry.."

Yuuki: "No it's my fault! Hey Elias!"

Elias: "Yuuki. It's been a while."

Yuuki: "Yeah. I just got back. I wanted to see my grandchildren."

Elias: "Oh. Uh….well….I'm not sure Chise would like it."

Yuuki: "Yeah I thought so. But I really am trying. Honest. I just want to talk to her. That's all."

Elias: "I… I don't know Yuuki….."

Yuuki: (on his knees, grabs his hand) "Please! I really want to be a family with my daughter again! You understand right? You'll do that for me right? I want to be a part of her life!"

Elias: "Alright! Just have some decorum man! People are getting the wrong impression…"

When he got home, he took a deep breathe and walked in. Yuuki was counting on him. He knows that Chise will listen to him. But to Elias, it's like Yuuki sent him into the lion's den. Only that lion is his wife.

Elias: "I'm home."

Chise: "Hey. Welcome home." (deep kiss)

Elias: "Mmm~ Chise. Where are the girls?"

Chise: "I laid them on their stomachs and they started to crawl. Look! Emma is trying to get on your chair."

Elias: "It's precious how she does that."

Chise: "Right?"

Elias: "And Evelynn?"

Chise: "Evelynn is….teething AGAIN…"

Elias: (sweat drop) "I'm beginning to worried about our daughter..."

Chise: "Me too.."

Elias: "Speaking of which. I uh got something to tell you.."

Chise: "Come up to their room." (picks them up)

Elias: "Chise I ran into someone."

Chise: "Who?"

Elias: "Your father. And he never saw Emma and Evelynn. Maybe we should let them see their grandfather."

Chise: "BLECH!" (slams door)

Elias: (sighs) "Chise… Don't be like that…. Yuuki has never seen them."

Chise: "Why the hell should he?!"

Elias: "He's their only living grandparent.."

Chise: "They have a grandfather! Lindel!"

Elias: "He hasn't seen them either. Let Yuuki see them."

Chise: (opens door) "I don't want our daughters anywhere near him!" (closes door)

Elias: "Where have I heard that before?"

Chise: (opens door) "You said it about Joseph!" (slams door)

Elias: "Ugh.. Joseph is dangerous. There's a difference. Darling can you please reconsid.."

Chise: "NO!"

It would take some time to convince Chise to change her mind. She was dead serious about that. When it was time for bed. Elias cuddled with her. He nuzzled her neck. It was hard to resist him when he does that. It wasn't fair.

Chise: "Wh-why are you trying to change my mind...?"

Elias: "Because I believe it is a good thing. Remember what I told you months ago?"

Chise: "I guess…"

Elias: "We have to tolerate him."

Chise: "I…I don't know Elias…."

Elias: "Tomorrow. Let him come. Please."

Chise: (sighs, gets on him) "I'll do it for you." (grumbles)

Elias: "You shall see."

Chise: "I….want talk to him first…"

Elias: "Of course."

The next day came. Chise was still reluctant because her father was coming here to meet her daughters. She barely talked to him at the baby shower. But Elias was very persistent. He wants his wife and father-in-law to reconcile. For Emma and Evelynn.

Chise: "I don't like this."

Elias: "It will be alright. Trust me. Differences need to be resolved."

Chise: "Okay…"

Ruth: "I can still feel your fury for the man."

Chise: "Can you blame me?"

Ruth: "No but Elias is right."

Chise: (sighs) "Alright alright… Jeez…"

Door knocking…

Ruth: "He's here."

Elias: "I got it."

Chise: (inhales)

Elias went to answer the door. He saw Yuuki with some gifts for the twins. He shook his hand as a thank you and invited him in.

Yuuki: "Is she still….?"

Elias: "I manage to get through to her. She still cold."

Yuuki: "Oh boy.."

Elias: "You'll be fine."

Yuuki: "Thanks." (inhales) "Hey Chise."

Chise: "Dad… Have a seat."

Elias: "I'll give you some privacy."

Chise: "Elias!"

Elias: "You need it. Good luck."

Chise: "Ugh…"

Yuuki: "Quite the charmer huh."

Chise: "In a way."

Yuuki: "How have you been since your girls?"

Chise: "I've been well."

Yuuki: "Well rested. I could tell."

Chise: "Are those gifts?"

Yuuki: "Yes. And a few hand me downs."

Chise: "Oh my God! My bear."

Yuuki: "You use to love that bear. It kept you safe."

Chise: (chuckles then frowns) "Not safe enough…."

Yuuki: (changes subject) "Here are some more. These are new."

Chise: "I can tell. Evelynn will teeth on these too."

Yuuki: "They started teething already?"

Chise: (chuckles) "Yeah."

Yuuki: "Strange. I don't remember you or Fumiki teething at 4 months. They must have some sharp teeth on them."

Chise: Yeah. No kidding… (sighs) "Listen Dad… I really hate what you did to me, Mom, and Fumiki. But in a way, I like to thank you."

Yuuki: "Thank me?"

Chise: "If you have taken me like you did Fumiki, I never would have met Elias. I never would've fallen in love with him, married him, have two daughters with him. So thank you… I'm still livid with you. And I don't know how long it will take for me to forgive you but unfortunately, you are Emma and Evelynn's only living grandparent. And….. I want you….to be in their…lives."

Yuuki: "Chise…. I don't know what to say…"

Chise: "That's as much I can give you. I won't forgive you. I can't. Not yet. I'm sorry."

Yuuki: "I'll take it. Can I…Can I hug you again?"

Chise: "Do what you want…"

Yuuki and Chise stood up. He hugged her really tightly than last time. Chise didn't hugged back last time but she slowly reach to hug back but stopped midway. She only used one hand to hug him back. It was a start. They stopped hugging when Elias and Ruth brought Emma and Evelynn into the room.

Elias: "Yuuki."

Yuuki: "Oh my goodness. They're beautiful."

Elias: "This is Evelynn. And Ruth is holding Emma. These are our daughters. Emma Evelynn. This is your grandfather."

Yuuki: "Fraternal twins?"

Chise: "No. They're identical."

Yuuki: "Oh. I see it now." (looks at Evelynn) "Oh my God…"

Elias: "Is something wrong?"

Yuuki: "Evelynn… She has Chika's hair color…."

Elias: "Chika?"

Chise: "Chika was my mother's name."

Elias: "Oh….I'm so sorry.."

Chise: "It's okay Honey."

Yuuki: "Yeah. It's a way of saying she's still here."

Chise: "….." (nods)

Yuuki: "Well I better get going. Will I be seeing you?"

Chise: "…Maybe.."

Yuuki: "That's not a no."

Elias: "Bye Yuuki."

Chise: "I'm gonna feed the girls."

Chise reached for a banana and took it upstairs with her and the girls. She gave each of them a piece to eat then sat them on the rug and watched them. Elias straightened up the living room and looked at the gifts that Yuuki bought. He was happy everything worked out fine. Suddenly, it happened…..

Chise: "ELIAS!"

Elias: "Chise?!"

Chise: "COME QUICK! EMMA'S CHOKING!"

Hearing that made him dropped everything and dash upstairs quickly with Ruth right behind him. Let's hope it's not too late….