Authors Notes: Just so you know Ronin and Darreth do make a bit of a suggestive moment in this chapter.
2+1=Complete
Chapter 4
Such is Life
Ronin and Darreth walked along down the street. Locri sitting on Ronins shoulders. They found out in a hurry that they had forgotten that she wasn't really wearing any shoes, and she didn't have any that fit her, but at least the clothing Darreths sister supplied fit her pretty well. Which was good because they knew next to nothing about little girls clothing. Although they would need to find out, but this way they can find out at their own pace rather then rushing in, and having to buy a brand new wardrobe.
Their main goal was the doctors office since her appointment was to close to worry about shoes, besides it was warm outside. They walked in and went straight to the back area away from the sick kids. They sat there silently until they were called to the back. Within the room was a woman in a white jacket, and brown hair. When she looked up her face broke into a huge smile.
"Darreth!" She threw her arms open hugging him. Ronin was slightly puzzled until he saw her properly.
"Julia." He said and chuckled. "So you got the job you wanted huh?" This woman was none other then Darreths sister. The one who gave them the clothing. She was a little thicker then Ronin. Which he figured would happen with a woman who had three children.
"Yeah, its great. 8 hours a day, weekends off, full health, and dental." She said and looked down at the little girl. "Oh they fit, wonderful." She said kneeling down in front of the girl and held out her hand. "I'm Dr. Julia, but you can call me Aunt Jules." She said. Locri looked at her hand and then took it as if holding a hand, rather then shaking it. She didn't mind though. Little kids would learn edicate later.
"Alright sweety lets get up up on the table to look you over." She said. However Locri gasped and ran behind Ronin and hid there. Ronin understood immediately. He knew she might do something like this after being abused like she had. She had probably seen her fair share of hospital beds where bad things happened. He turned and picked her up and sat down on the bed with her. She turned a little to look at Julias face. She just smiled kindly at her, apparently seeing a lot of this sort of things from abused children in her short time at the clinic.
"You two are really going to adopt her?" She asked. Darreth smiled at her and wiggled Locri's foot. She smiled up at him too. If their was one thing she loved it was the protectiveness of Ronin, and the playfulness of Darreth. Thats when she suddenly realized something, something she honestly was supposed to realize from the beginning. She was going to have two dads. Who was the mom. She looked from Darreth, to Ronin and then she looked deep in thought. It was a something she would ask them later perhaps. Right now they were in public and she learned long ago to never talk in public no matter what.
"Alright open your mouth please." Julia asked. Locri slowly opened her mouth rather unsure of what would happen. Julia put a depressor in her mouth and Locri shook her head gagging.
"Julia…" Darreth reached forward his hand on Locri's head.
"Sorry, most kids do that I'm afraid, but I got what was needed so we don't have to look again. She has no tonsils."
"None?" Ronin asked looking at Locri.
"Yeah some kids do I'm afraid." Ronin looked at Locri who kept her eyes level with the floor. "Locri?" She jumped and slowly looked up at him like she was in trouble.
"Don't worry, it was professionally done." Julia said with a smile.
"Her father was a doctor." Ronin whispered. Julia shook her head.
"No reason bringing it up now, whats done is done. Right now we have her physical to do so she can go to school." Julia said
Locri yawned and leaned back against Ronin.
"Well it looks like she's alright, but she looks like she's malnourished a lot. Have you noticed she gets tired a lot?" Julia asked. Both men just nodded her head. "Id say she ate probably once every three days. She's skin and bones, and a lot of the muscle she has is what helped her to not starve to death. The fact that she doesn't talk to much either means shes too tired to talk, or she just can't talk for fear she'll get beat. She doesn't know you two to much so she stays quiet because she's afraid to see either of you angry. Specially now that you two want to be her family. She doesn't want to screw that up." Julia said holding out a sucker to Locri. She just looked at it and shook her head. Julia closed her eyes and nodded. "She's also denying candy...something tells me even when they fed her they tampered with the food." She said and looked at Darreth. "Take care of her big brother...please." Julia said hugging her brother.
"What about shots?" Ronin asked. Locri gasped and looked up at Ronin fearfully. "Don't worry kiddo these are the good kind of shots. The ones that you need to make sure you don't get sick. Darreth and I had to take them when we were young too."
"None today. Not till we can get a blood sample to see what all she has already had. No need to double up on something she doesn't need." Julia said and held out a piece of paper to Locri. "Give this to your teacher alright?" Julia said. Locri took hold of the paper, but kept watching Julia was as much apprehension as she could. She still wasn't to sure about this woman.
"So whens the wedding?" Julia asked crossing her arms. She was a little skeptical of Ronin when they first met about a month ago.
"We only just decided to get married Julia...give us a little time." Ronin laughed. "Alright I think your brother would look great in bright greens with winter." Ronin said looking at Darreth from the corner of his eye to see the reaction. Darreth looked up and blushed at him.
"You'd look great in brown." Darreth whispered and picked up Locri. Locri yawned again putting her head on Darreths shoulder. She eye were getting heavy.
"Shhh Darreth." Ronin put his thumb on Darreths lips. Darreth looked a little amazed at the contact. Ronin hardly ever got physical outside their room. Darreth followed his eyes, and smiled tenderly down at the sleeping girl.
"Perhaps school can wait?" Darreth whispered leaving the room and walked back toward their home.
Darreth lay the little girl down on her bed kissing her forehead before turning to leave the room. Ronin did the same and smiled at Darreth.
"Perhaps we should use this time to plan the wedding a little?" Ronin asked. Darreth blushed and shrugged his shoulders.
"I...honestly thought you were kidding." Darreth said blushing deeper.
"Why would I do that?" Ronin asked closing the door. He looked at Darreth slightly hurt by the notion of lying to his lover.
"Because your this...rock hard theif, who hardly stands still long enough to stay in a relationship longer then a year much less commit. I figured I'd have annoyed you by now. I'm not...very bright, and...well...I'm…"He looked up at Ronin who hadn't stopped him. He had his eyes closed, and he looked angry. Darreths heart fell around his feet. Perhaps he shouldn't have said anything. Perhaps he shouldn't have…
Ronin punched the wall behind Darreth causing him to jump. Darreth found himself under Ronins mouth. It was a rough kiss, a kiss from someone who was always in a fight or getting hurt so knew nothing else. But the rough kiss, grew from its intense anger to that of a very light, and gentle kiss. Something of caring and love for the man under it. Arms wound around him intensifying it once again, but it wasn't anger, it was love. When the kiss finally parted Ronin looked down at Darreth whose eyes were closed, mouth was swollen, and his face was flushed. He had never felt something like this from Ronin. Yes they had kissed from time to time, but nothing like this. This was a kiss to show sincerity, to show love, and even a little bit of an ask. A 'come hither' kind of kiss that could very well lead to more.
"Ronin I…" Darreth began, but wasn't sure how to finish. He looked up into the eyes of the man who captured him only moments ago, almost asking him to do it again. Ronins look however almost dared him to ask. Dared him to want more from him. Neither knowing how to ask, so Ronin took his hand, and led him to their room.
Later on that night Locri sat up in bed looking out the window. Bright flashes off in the distance, and rumbling had caught her attention. She wasn't sure how long she had slept, only that she had slept most of the day away. She gasped and looked around, last time she did this she got in so much trouble. She was supposed to clean the kitchen, and the…
Their was another loud boom off in the distance. She let out a tiny scream and hid under the covers again. She gasped hearing footsteps coming toward her room. The door opened up a little. Oh no this was it she was in trouble. She made a noise that was loud. He hated this. Another loud boom and she squealed again. She felt someones hand on her back. The blankets were pulled off her. She pulled herself tighter into a ball and she jumped again.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I'll go clean the kitchen. I promise. I didn't mean to sleep so long. I'm sorry." Tears were running down her cheeks and sobs racked her body.
"Locri…" She jumped recognizing that voice. It wasn't her father, or that bad man that always slapped her around, and stole her food. She slowly opened her eyes to look up at Ronin who looked concerned for her. His hands ran down her cheeks wiping away her tears.
"Ronin?" Her voice sounded weak to him, like she had just taken a hit to the stomach. He reached out to her, didn't pick her up, actually he wanted her to be able to come to him if she needed to. He wanted her not to be afraid of him.
"Yes its me. Its alright now." She crawled over into his lap and put her head on his chest. He put his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. She sniffled every so often and after a few moments her eyes were closed again and she fell asleep in the protective arms. "Don't worry Locri, daddy has you now. No ones ever going to hurt you again." Ronin promised.
