"I don't wanna go mommy!" Forrest, the normally agreeable child whined. His face wet with tears and his eyes puffy as he dropped his little backpack to the floor with a stomp of his even littler feet.
Virginia crouched down to look her son in the eyes. "Forrest, honey, I'll see you this afternoon you know that! Don't worry, c'mon now- I thought you were going to be a brave knight?" He only sniffled in response, his shoulders shaking. "Don't you wanna be brave like dad and grandpa? Look, Mommy's not crying!" She lifted her son's face to meet her eyes. "You, are Forrest Lewis, you're going to be a brave knight one day!" she smiled as her son's face softened "But you know what? You'll have to show those kids in there what it means to be a knight- do you know how to do that?" she asked him, standing up, her hands on her hips.
He shook his head. Virginia smiled "You go in there and you show them how brave you are! That means you go in there with your head up, and a big smile on your face, because you're not scared of going to school!" she turned his head up to look at her. "I know you're going to be the bravest, smartest, knight I know!"
"Yeah! And I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be- mom you know what? I'm gonna be cool" Forrest grinned. Virginia smiled back at her son and patted his head "Oh I know you are- you're already the coolest kid I know!" Forrest pushed her hand away softly, he pat her leg and pointed to the classroom door. "Hey Mommy I'm going to school okay? I'm gonna go to school- I'll be back okay?"
"Okay Forrest, I'll see you later!" she walked him to the door and gave him a wave goodbye, but he was already busy finding his little table and putting his little bag down in his chair. Virginia felt a pang in her heart seeing her son play in the classroom. It seemed like only last week she had brought him home, a little green hat on his head, swaddled in her arms. He was growing up so fast- too fast for her liking. She didn't think she would be this torn up, she dropped him off at kindergarten last year no problem-but here she was, her hand clutching her chest, a frown on her face. Why was first grade so much more intimidating? Next year it would be second, then third, and before she knew it he'd be graduating, it made her head spin.
Wolf wanted to be sure she took as many pictures as possible, and of course she did, she opened her bag to look at the disposable camera inside, thinking she should've brought extra film for Sarah.
And right as she the thought crossed her mind, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.
"I haven't been to school in seven years and I still manage to be late!" Sarah exclaimed, her voice breathy like she had been running awhile. Virginia grinned at her disheveled friend quietly, noticing only one sleeve was rolled up to her elbow, her coffee cup gripped tightly in her fist, and her hair in a messy ponytail.
"What?" Sarah demanded, realizing Virginia's stare. Virginia pointedly stared at her sleeves.
"Oh! Yeah I had to fight the train to get here- I just barely made the 6:30 and nearly lost my arm in the process, but it's fine I only really need the one." she continued as she straightened her appearance.
"That would've made for a really gnarly story though- that's a shame." Virginia teased. Sarah snorted in response.
Virginia gently took Sarah's coffee, freeing her other hand and pointed in the classroom "Class hasn't started yet if you wanted to say h-"
"Sarah!" Forrest's voice carried into the hall
Sarah's face lit up with a soft smile "Well look who it is! Sir Forrest!" she crouched down as he ran to give her a hug "what's up little dude?"
"Look! Come look where I sit!" Forrest tugged Sarah to his table by her arm. Sarah glanced back at Virginia over her shoulder and made a mocking pleading face. Virginia shrugged as she watched her son lead her around the classroom.
"I'm close to the teacher this year! Mom says that it's cause I'm gonna be a knight so that means I protect people! Did you know that?" Forrest asked as he splayed his little fingers over the desk.
"Oh? A knight eh? You know I used to know a knight!"" Sarah crouched to Forrest's level
"Really? Tell me about them!" his eyes went wide
"Oh he was a small little knight he was about as big as you if i recall- but 90% more fur, he was a small little thing but he was exceptionally courageous! There was no challenge too big for him!" Sarah explained with a twinkle in her eye- much like the one she always got when telling stories.
Forrest gave her his undivided attention- much like he always did when Sarah was telling stories. "What was his name?" he asked.
"Sir Didymus."
Forrest laughed "that's a funny name for a knight!" his giggles continued.
Sarah crossed her arms "Oh is it? Well, I think if Didymus was here he'd say that making fun of someone's name is very unbecoming of a knight"
Forrest's mouth snapped shut.
Sarah held back a grin "That's what I thought. Keep training Sir Forrest, you're not a knight just yet!" she stood up as kids around the room left the company of their parents and took their seats, and the teacher was finishing up her conversation with a particularly concerned mother. She patted Forrest's back and started to leave.
"Sarah!" he called to her once more, and she turned back to him.
"How did you meet Sir Dide- Diddy- D-" his brows furrowed in frustration "Didemus?"
Sarah gave a cursory glance around the room full of kids, and then back to Forrest. "That's top secret, I'll tell you later!" Forrest nodded in understanding. She said goodbye to Forrest and headed out the door right as she heard his teacher call the kids to attention, somewhat unsuccessfully, as their little voices tried to talk over each other about what was for lunch, what they did over the summer, and what color their dog was.
Virginia stood in the hallway on the phone, Sarah's coffee in one hand as she gestured.
"Okay, well I'll be back soon, class just started- just don't burn the place down before I get there!" She looked to Sarah and rolled her eyes dramatically.
"We'll talk to you later okay? I trust you, but if you keep calling me like this I'll have to rethink just how much. You'll be fine I promise! Alright, bye." Virginia snapped her phone shut and held Sarah's coffee out so she could take it.
"What was that about?" Sarah asked as she took a sip of her now cool coffee.
Virginia sighed as they began to walk down the hall towards the exit. "It's Roman, it's his first shift in charge without me or Wolf being there." She pushed open the door for her friend. "I get he's nervous being at the helm but this is the third time he's called me this morning! We wouldn't have made him a lead if he wasn't capable, I just hope he shakes off those nerves soon, because I am so looking forward to not staying late every night."
Sarah gasped and reached out to grab Virginia's shoulder "Oh my God, Virginia!" she exclaimed, making her freeze in her tracks, her eyes wide in surprise.
"What?"
"Do you know what this means?" Sarah grinned "Me and you gotta have a girl's night"
Virginia laughed "Oh my god I don't know, I haven't gone out in so long I'm afraid I might be-" she gasped playfully "-lame"
Sarah elbowed her "Shut up, if you're lame then what does that make me?"
"A single woman living it up in New York?"
Sarah snorted and took another sip of cold coffee, her nose scrunching in disdain
"Oh yeah I'm really living it up being a stupid intern, I tell you what, if this stage play thing doesn't take off I swear to John i'm going to throw myself down the nearest manhole- or weasel my way into being an endearing distant relative to a rich family- y'know, whichever comes up first." Sarah said, completely deadpan.
"You could always adopt some crazy rich and crazy eccentric orphans and take their fortune in increasingly convoluted ways." Virginia suggested, with a helpful tone.
Sarah gave her a look.
"Wolf left the TV on last night and I watched that movie like twice- I think I love it? I wonder what that says about me…" Virginia paused "Anyway, Wolf and I are going to visit my dad and Wendell tomorrow and we'll be gone the rest of the week and I was kind of wondering if you can do an exceptionally huge, amazingly big favor for your best friend?"
"Oh of course! Anything for Patricia!" Sarah joked, giggling at Virginia's annoyed frown "I know, bad joke! Of course I can do you a favor, depending on what it is, and it will come at a great cost."
"Can you watch Forrest?"
Sarah's eyes went wide for a fraction of a moment "Really? But you always take him out there- why not this time?"
Virginia shrugged "Dad said Wendell told him it'd be best if Forrest didn't come this time, something about official business- I don't think it's anything too serious, but either way I'd rather not have him come if Wendell thinks it would be better for him to stay."
She looked Sarah in the eyes "I know this is kinda short notice- well very short notice, but you're honestly the only person I trust to watch him for longer than two hours, I mean Roman is great and all but he's very nervous with running the restaurant while we're gone and not to mention his roomates are prop comedians- I just really don't think I can handle Forrest being looked after by a failed Carrot Top and a sad wannabe Gallagher." Virginia was being light hearted and jokey but Sarah could tell her friend was nervous about being apart from her son for so long.
"Of course I'll watch over Forrest! Are you kidding me? That little twerp is gonna be so damn secure, you'll have to change his name to Fort Knox. Plus, It'll be good to bounce some story ideas off of him instead- I'm sure Toby will be relieved to not have me calling and running plots by him during spongebob or whatever."
Virginia sighed "Thank you Sarah, really, this means the world to me!"
"Hey man it's not a problem- now I just need to make sure I put all my broken glass and scary movies on a super high shelf."
"Good call- oh! Wolf is going to be at therapy til 9:30, do you wanna get breakfast? There's a bagel place close to here that hasn't banned me for my excessive love of cream cheese- also it's pretty good I guess." Virginia shrugged playfully.
"I would love nothing more on this earth right now than to eat an obscene amount of cream cheese with you, but I have to get to the office a bit early for a meeting- fun ahoy, am I right?" Sarah looked down at her watch and back up at Virginia. "Call me later okay? I'll see you guys tonight!"
Sarah waves as she turns to walk faster towards the subway in order to catch the train on time. She smoothed her hair as she walked, making sure she was presentable. She may not love her job but she'd sure love to keep having it- and making sure she looked the part was just as important as being punctual.
She had gotten a- thankfully- paid internship at a business magazine while she workshopped her script and met with potential publishers and producers on the side. It was physically and emotionally exhausting,sometimes she regretted rejecting Mr. Wechsler's offer for revisions a year ago. Sarah stepped on the crowded train full of other morning commuters, everyone keeping to themselves for the most part, the dull buzz of people talking on the phone or to their neighbors filled the car. Sarah actually preferred standing on the train, she sat all day at work, so it was a nice change of pace- plus she had a better view of the passengers- she liked people watching. As she stood by the doors, she often wondered where they were going, if they had grown up in the city, or if like her they moved to New York to achieve their dreams, and like her they were in a bit of a rut.
At the next stop, people filed in in a relatively orderly fashion- well as orderly as possible. Sarah thought nothing of these new passengers- except one particular young man who boarded along with an older, balding man. The young man had wheat blond hair that, despite looking wild- looked like it had been neatly combed. He had an air of authority, his suit was sharp, and looked quite expensive. He quietly spoke to the older man at his side- he looked a bit confused and maybe a little overwhelmed. The older man beside him had a weary, time worn face, he rolled his eyes and looked around the car as he spoke. Sarah couldn't make out what either of them were saying over the sound of the train and the hum of several different conversations.
She wondered where they were headed, the odd pair. The blonde man's mannerisms were deliberate and cool, almost regal. Sarah watched as he and his companion held a seemingly intense conversation. The balding man, with his wrinkled face and dull brown hair pulled his mouth into a frown, his eyebrows pulled together with an irritated expression.
Sarah didn't realize she was staring until the blonde man's blue eyes met her gaze. She meant to look away, to pretend she wasn't gawking at them, but she only looked back. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but the man at his side said something to regain his attention.
Sarah shook her head and turned her gaze away from the pair, instead turning to look out the window, watching her reflection against the dark tunnel.
'What was that about?' she thought to herself as she went to take a sip of her coffee, which was now of course, empty. She scowled.
'Way to go Williams, now you're gonna have to nurse that office coffee the rest of the morning.' She sighed, dreading going into work. She didn't hate her job- well not exactly- she loved the people that worked there, they were all colorful and passionate people, however, she couldn't stand the mind numbing work. Not that she was complaining of course, she loved having work, but she would much rather work on writing her stories all day- unfortunately that wasn't paying the bills yet.
'It's just a stepping stone.' she told herself whenever she wondered why she needed this job.
Her stop was coming up, she prepared herself. She turned and threw one last glance in the direction of the blonde man, almost without thinking, their eyes met again and Sarah frowned in confusion. She didn't know him and she didn't know why he looked so familiar, but she didn't have time to dwell on it as she waited for the train doors to open.
Clack clack
Clack clack
Clack clack
"I can't believe this, you leave town for a couple of years and they change everything! You know I thought i'd miss the city but I forgot how much I hated the subway! It's like-" Tony stopped mid sentence when he noticed Wendell wasn't listening, he turned his attention in the direction Wendell was looking.
"Antony." Wendell spoke up, without turning to look at his companion. "Does that woman over there look familiar to you?" he gestured with his chin in the direction of a dark haired woman near the doors of the car.
Tony turned his attention that way, looking the woman over, her hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, she was dressed professionally with her arms crossed over her chest, looking out the window. He turned back to look at Wendell.
"I don't know everyone who lives in New York city. What do you know everyone who lives in your kingdom?"
Wendell's gaze slid back over to Tony "Of course I do, I tour my kingdom every summer for the passed four years Tony you know that."
Tony flashed a sarcastic, toothy grin "Oh of course how could I forget?"
Wendell's mouth quirked into a hint of a smile "I didn't think you did, I think you were being an ass- but I only ask because that woman has been staring at us for a while." His smile dropped as he stared forward "And I was wondering why."
Tony snorted "Maybe it's because you have stuff on your face."
"I don't!"
"Could be your royal good looks your majesty."
Wendell looked over at Tony from the corner of his eye "Hm yes, well that could be it, but I'm not sure it-"
"Look Wendell, just calm down okay? She's probably just curious- maybe she's a tourist or maybe she thinks you look like someone she knows- either way it's not a big deal I promise."
Wendell exhaled "Perhaps you're right Antony. How much longer until we arrive at Virginia's home?" he asked.
Tony scratched his head "Well let's see Virginia said they're on 87th, and now we're on 67th so-"
Tony kept talking but Wendell stopped listening, The woman at the doors met his gaze, her eyes were so green they were almost ethereal, he felt himself openly staring but found he couldn't look away. It wasn't until the train slowed to a stop to let off passengers- including her- that he blinked and shifted his eyes to the floor.
"Hey are you okay?" he finally heard Tony ask, and Wendell nodded, he looked back at his friend.
"I'm afraid it's this whole business that's got me feeling strange." He admitted.
"Look, We'll get Wolf and Virginia and once we explain to them, maybe they can put your nerves at ease alright? Just don't go having a melt down on me Prince."
Wendell openly smiled at Tony affectionately calling him Prince.
"I'll be sure to keep all meltdowns to a minimum Antony- although, as your king you should really watch what you call me."
"Oh sorry, your highness, please let me lick your shoes as recompense!" Tony's sarcasm coated his words like oil
It was Wendell's turn to roll his eyes now, but his smile still lingered on his face.
Tony was far from perfect- a bumbling idiot some might say, but he was a good friend that Wendell trusted wholeheartedly. In the years since their original journey to save the nine kingdoms, Tony had become like family to Wendell, and he was very grateful. Tony, Virginia, Wolf, and their son were Wendell's family when he had none, and not a day went by that he didn't thank whatever forces that be for allowing them to meet.
Wendell ran a hand through his hair and tried not to dwell on the reason he was here.