Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


June

After work, Day and Apollo met me outside in a jeep. I grinned. This wasn't planned. Day and Apollo had matching sunglasses on. They were leaning against the car, Apollo's short frame against the tire, and waiting for me. "Hey guys-," I began, but Day nudged Apollo.

Together, they looked me up and down in perfect synchronization and said, "Wazzup foxy-mamma..."

I was doubled over laughing half way through. Apollo whooped and got under my nose, giggling in his own little victory. Day was against the car, still watching the both of us. "Day? Care to explain?" I stood finally and lifted Apollo into my arms. He was still light enough for me to do that. He ruffled my neat ponytail, but it was something I had grown used to.

He smiled sheepishly at me. "Blaze's idea."

My smile fell from my face. I took a deep breath and passed Day. Once I settled Apollo into his seat, I shut the door and stood defiantly in front of Day. He was smirking. He knew I hated that name. "His name is Apollo."

"Oh, I know, baby, but this name plays out well for us," Day said cockily. I narrowed my eyes. He finally let up. "Why does he like that name anyways?"

I snorted. It was my fault. Whatever you tell kids is permanent, no going back on your word. "I told him how Day changed his name to avoid being caught. So he wanted to, too."

Day grinned. His hands found mine and pulled me closer. I blushed furiously and was suddenly glad nobody was around this late in Batalla Sector, not when the electricity was about to go out for the night. Nobody wanted to take the stairs. "And you said no. I like it. Rule breaker. He got that from you."

"And you," I laughed. He chuckled and nodded. "I am actually a good cook. Apollo loves to critique my work until I get it perfect. Would you like to join in tonight?"

Day agreed and got in the jeep on Apollo's left side. I got in on his right. One of my personal soldiers began the drive back to the Ruby sector apartments. "How was school today?"

Apollo launched into a story about how he was learning the different types of kicks and when to use them. Day was very impressed with his knowledge. I could tell even he didn't know some of the names. It made me smile. He had Apollo explain the ones he didn't know, and he did a very good job at explaining them. Just as we pulled up, I got a call from Anden.

Day took Apollo inside while I answered. "Hello?"

"June, I felt I should warn you that Day is coming back," Anden said. News traveled slowly.

"Yes, I'm aware," I said. "Thank you."

Anden was quiet for a moment. When Apollo was four and a half, Anden and I tried dating. The reporters ate it up. It caused a lot of unneeded drama for him. The possible Princeps Elects got jealous as well. It didn't work out. I never told Anden, but Apollo wasn't the biggest fan of him once he got over the idea of meeting 'The Elector Primo.' He thought he was boring. There was also the matter that I was forever and always caught up on Day.

"Are you okay? I haven't seen you in so long." He confessed. It had been three months. "How's Apollo?"

"He's doing well, as am I." I wanted this call to end. Dinner needed to be fixed. Tess would be calling to see when to come over. Day stepped out of the front doors of the building. Panic flooded through me until I realized there was enough time for him to drop Apollo off at the apartment. "And you?"

"I'm well, thank you." He was hesitating. "I'm told he's remembered things, June." I glanced up at Day. He was watching me with a more serious expression than I had seen since right before he kissed me last night. "Are you prepared to face him with Apollo?"

"I am," I said.

"Are you planning on-?"

"Anden?" I said finally. "He's already here. He's met Apollo. Things are going very well."

This took him by surprise. Day crossed his arms over his chest. I remembered sensing the high levels of jealousy when we reunited and spoke of Anden. It had seemed silly to compare the two. Clearly, Day didn't think as much. Now I supposed he had more reason to be cautious.

Anden said diplomatically, "I see. That's wonderful news to hear, June."

"Thank you."

"Please tell him that it's great to have him back and if there's anything he needs, call me."

"I will. Goodbye Anden."

I hung up and walked to Day. He had a frown on his face. "Anden said welcome back. If you need anything, call him," I said.

Day opened his mouth. He never was one to hide his emotions. "You two aren't..."

I laughed. "No we aren't dating. We did shortly, but it didn't work out." Day made a grunt. "Don't be jealous."

Day snorted. "I'm not jealous."

"Day. I can read you like a book. You're jealous."

"Am not."

"Day."

"It just worries me. He didn't hurt you, did he?" Day looked me over, as if I was a slate of glass that displayed every crack and scratch was visible.

I lifted a hand to Day's cheek. He had grown in the six years he was away. He was much taller. His jawline was more defined. Everything about him was more. I never thought he could be more beautiful and more jealous together. "He did not. Now if you could stop acting like a child, we should go take care of our real kid." I lightly pressed my lips to his cheek and walked back, swishing my hips on the way.

"Dammit, June," I heard in a whisper. He joined my side and wrapped an arm around my waist. He pulled me into his side and whispered against my ear. "You're very attractive."

I played along with him in memory lane. "I could say the same about you."

Apollo was waiting for us upstairs. He sat on the kitchen counter, like he always does when I cooked. Day sat beside him, offering help whenever he could. It was simple spaghetti. Tess loved my spaghetti.

"I want my hair as long as his!" Apollo declared. I glanced at the miniature clone of Day. He really looked nothing like me. When Day was gone, I used to enjoy that. Now that he was back, I felt slightly sad about that fact.

"What do you say Day? Think he can pull it off as well as you?" I craned my head back and asked.

"Hell yeah he can!" Day howled.

I rolled my eyes. "As long as you don't cuss like him, you can be just like him if you want, Apollo." He cheered. Day snickered.

"Mommy, did you know Day spends half of the time staring at you when you're around?" Apollo spoke. I smiled widely. That was my son for sure.

"You've officially lost the name Blaze, snitch," Day hissed. I turned around with a knowing smile. Day blushed and looked away.

"Oh yes. I'm aware." I said. Apollo giggled.

"I think he likesss youuuu," he cupped his hand and whispered it mainly for me. Day groaned in frustration and fell back against the counter.

"Kid. You are ruining my love life." Day argued. Apollo didn't really comprehend that meaning.

I looked to Apollo and nodded with a 'what can you do' expression. There was a knock at the door. I grinned. That must have been Tess and Pascao. After pouring the sauce in with the spaghetti, I whipped around the where Day's head was still hanging off the counter and whispered in his ear.

"No. He's not." My words were laced with as much desire as he had been feeling in the elevator. I scrambled off toward the door. Day twisted quickly on the counter and reached out, slapping my butt as he did. I gasped and smacked his hand away.

The moment I unlocked the door, Tess squealed. "Where is he?" She barreled through the door. Pascao waited for me to invite him in. We found Tess wrapped in Day's arms, yelling at him for not visiting her first. "How are you? How are you taking-,"

"Apollo is here, too, Tess. Where did he go?" I interjected before she would slip and spill Day's real connection to him. I made the motion to seal their lips. Apollo came running from the kitchen with red sauce smeared all over his face. I squatted in front of him and pretended to look him over. "Just what were you doing?"

He quickly wiped at his face and smiled innocently, as if the red sauce on his shirt was invisible, too. "Climbing down from the counter. You really shouldn't leave a little kid like me all alone on it, Mommy," Apollo grinned and tried his best lecturing face. Everyone around us burst into laughter. I grinned and picked him up. Tess came over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Pascao and he did their signature handshake. Day stood staring. I noticed a bit of envy in his state. Guilt flooded through me. Once again, this was something he should be doing.

"Climb on Day, sweetie. See if he's as strong as me." I whispered into Apollo's ear. He looked at me like I was crazy. "I bet he isn't."

Apollo snorted and hopped down. Everyone was watching him. They all loved him since the day he arrived. Tess was the best with him. She was sweet to everyone, but her childlike innocence helped her here. She was just so good. Apollo tapped Day, who instantly bent down so he could hear whatever Apollo was about to say. Instead of speaking, Apollo launched himself on to his upper body. I stifled a laugh. Day's face was a look of utter surprise. It quickly changed to adoration. Apollo settled on his shoulders with a look of triumph. He beamed at me, and I shrugged. I supposed Day was just as strong as me.

"I made spaghetti." I informed them. Tess licked her lips and moved towards the dining table. Pascao always followed her. With a warm smile, I wrapped my arm around Day's waist and ushered him forward, careful not to hit Apollo's head on the ceiling. Before setting him down, Day sent me a nervous grin. It was a totally foreign position for him to be in, but he loved it.

"Can I take my shirt off?" Apollo asked as he stripped off his shirt. I let him do that to keep sauce from staining his shirt. It was in vain this time considering the two stains I previously saw on it.

Day sat right between Tess and Apollo. Pascao and I sat across from them. "How's Eden doing?" I asked. He never got around to talking about Eden, his previous closest family.

"He's doing great. He's at a boarding school right now. He's so smart," Day gushed. The admiration in his voice was clear. He was so impressed by his sibling.

"What was Antarctica like, Daniel?" Tess asked. Day made a barely noticeable sour face. Daniel didn't sound right out of Tess's mouth to me either. Did he go by Daniel now? He never objected to me calling him Day. I couldn't think of him as anything else. He quickly hid his expression by way of food.

With a mouth full of spaghetti, Day spoke, "It was beautiful. I never got used to the point system like Eden did, but I loved it."

Pascao asked, "Think you'll go back?" This question was heavier than the others. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for this to be answered. Clearly, he wanted to be part of Apollo's life, but he also had Eden to watch out for.

Day lifted his head from shoveling down as much pasta as he could and held my gaze. He was grinning. "No. I like it here much better." I did well at hiding my relief, but not from Day. He always saw through my blank expression. He chuckled and sat up, wiping at his mouth. Apollo, who was face first into the spaghetti, finally did the same. Everyone laughed at the sight of them together. I wanted to cry. They were such beautiful boys, and they were exactly alike. Apollo got his looks and messy streaks from his father, and that fact wasn't lost to anyone here.

Day wiped Apollo's face and ruffled his hair, then did the same to his face. He watched Apollo dig back into his food for a minute. The gleam in his eye warmed my heart. He really did love his son so much.

"What's been going on with you, Tess?" Day finally asked.

Tess blushed, and Pascao beat her to the news. He clapped his hands once to get attention. "Lil' Tess and I are together now."

Oh. Bad idea.

Day's passive expression went slack. He looked between the two of them. Pascao was grinning proudly, like it was an accomplishment. Tess blushed furiously and hid her face as best she could. Day looked like somebody just stole his favorite toy from him. "We just had our first date last night. Don't worry; I made him fight for it," Tess tried to lighten Day's expression, but it was unchangeable.

"Mommy, what's a date?" Apollo asked, fiddling with his bread.

I cleared my throat. "Day, why don't you explain it to him in the other room?" I said with a harsh tone. Tess was right. Pascao had been vying for a date since the day things settled down in the Republic. It only was fair.

Day looked at me with a pained expression. I looked back at my food, pretending not to notice. He sent Pascao one last murderous look and got up. Apollo grabbed his hand and hopped his way into the hall, eager to learn as usual. I looked to Pascao.

"Do you want him to hit you?" I asked, completely serious. "He's very protective of his family, and now you've threatened one of the most important members."

Tess blushed again, but her lips lifted into the biggest grin she could manage. I never would forget how much she truly depended on Day. He was the only family she ever had. It was a big role for Day. It was another reason I knew he'd be a good father to Apollo. He was practically one to Eden and Tess already.

"Sorry." Pascao ran a hand through his curls. Tess giggled and met my gaze. She and I knew the risk. The odds were in favor of Day still beating Pascao up.

Apollo came back first. When Day sat down beside him, we noticed he looked slightly better. He didn't say anything to either of them. It really bothered him. "Mommy, why don't you date anyone?"

I was expecting Day to look up and laugh at this, or to react in general. He continued fiddling with his food in a very sullen manner, though. I looked at Apollo. "Why don't you, Apollo?"

He smirked. "Day told me how to date all kinds of pretty girls. Just wait," he wiggled a finger in my direction and snickered. I looked at Day. This time, he perked up.

I glared. "What did you tell my son?"

"I just told him a few tricks." Day chuckled. "Want me to try them out on you?"

I clenched my hands underneath he table and looked at Apollo. "Don't listen to him, Apollo. He's stinky."

That's all I had to do. I knew exactly what got to him. Apollo dramatically groaned and held his nose, waving his hands at Day as if that would push away the stench. A smile tugged at my lips. Day's smirk fell into an annoyed stare, directly straight at me. Nobody told my kid to use random girls on the street like a certain ex-criminal used to.

After dinner, Pascao helped wash the dishes with Apollo and me. We gave Tess and Day some alone time, though I could hear them in here. Day lectured Tess about Pascao. When she snapped back at him, he relented. Of course, he offered his service to beat him up for her at any time.

By the time they all left, Apollo was out like a light. This time, he remembered to take a shower first. I found Day relaxed on the couch. "Come here," he reached out with his arms. I sat by his side at a respectable distance, but his hands soon wound around my waist and pulled me closer. "Thank you."

"For what?" I asked. He rested his chin on my shoulder, and I could feel his breath against my neck. I fought hard to keep my logical thoughts in place.

"For bringing Tess over," he said. I felt my cheeks grow hotter. He made it sound like so much more.

"You were really bothered by Pascao and her together," I noted.

He nodded. "He better be careful with her."

"She's not as fragile as you remember her," I reminded him. He grunted in response, clearly not happy with that either. We sat there in silence for a few seconds. Then, I felt his lips graze my neck. I kept back a moan, just barely. My hands tightened around his back, digging into his skin through his clothing. It had been so long since I felt such desire.

"I still love you, June," Day kissed my collarbone. I sucked in a breath of air. My brain argued his words immediately. Too long without speaking. Going off of memories. Years of not existing in his life at all. This time, I disregarded them. Day was somebody my brain couldn't analyze. He was emotion, such pure emotion. There was no pattern to that, no way to correctly know and prepare for the outcome. All I had to do was trust his words.

"I know," I said. I climbed on his laps, straddling his waist. A pounding need to kiss him overtook me. I moved close enough that our noses were touching. His eyes studied mine. "I've never stopped loving you, Day," I murmured against his lips.

"I'm sorry I left. I'm sorry I missed the delivery, and the day you took him home, and the times he stayed up all night, and-,"

"It's not your fault," I hissed. "Kiss me, Day."

His lips clashed with mine instantly, like it wasn't an option but a necessity. I gasped into his mouth, parting my lips for him. His hands roamed all over my body, filling me with lust and excitement. His tongue tickled the inside of my lip before his teeth bit down and tugged at it.

My head fell back with a moan. His hands gripped my bottom, pulling me flush against his chest. His lips kissed my neck, growing hungrier with each one. I ran my hands through his silky hair.

I had imagined this scene too many times to be proud of in the past six years. It was the one thing nobody was able to give me, not even Anden, who touched me like an exotic flower. Day knew my worth. He knew we fit perfectly. There were no bounds between us.

I had to stop him before I got in over my head. It had been years for me. "Day," I tore my neck away from him, realizing my mistake of letting his lips kiss my skin for too long in the same spot only then. "Day, we…"

His hands were unbuttoning my shirt. The look of such deep love was such a strong expression on his beautiful face that I lost my words. "I missed hearing that. Say my name again." He started kissing below my neck now.

My cheeks warmed to an uncomfortable level. I was about to stop him again, but his lips were already kissing all over my body. I couldn't bare to stop him. He made me feel too good. "Oh Day," I breathed out, tugging at his hair as energy shot from his lips to my core. He smiled against my skin.

I felt the last of my restraints slipping from me. I jumped backwards, nearly off of his legs. Day looked up in surprise. I was panting at this point. He waited until I caught my breath. I ran a hand down my ponytail. "Apollo might wake up."

Day's eyes softened. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Right. Sorry." I didn't like that. I didn't want to stop any more than he did. I just knew Apollo and his light sleeping habits. The one time I lied with Day, neither of us realized that we knocked a vase into the floor. I doubted we'd have more control this time. "Can I use your shower?"

I nodded. "Follow me," I said, but I couldn't force my legs to move. Day looked at me expectantly, like he knew what effect he had over me. I sighed and got up. His hand intertwined with mine. Much better. Then, I showed him the shower.


A/N: I'm working on that last chapter. Like I said, this isn't great writing. Especially the next one. But I am too busy to rewrite it. sorry!