Tuesday
Clare sighed softly in her sleep and turned her head to the side gently. Luke was still sound asleep, but Bane on the other hand was awake and hungry. He whined softly until Clare woke up, she groaned and opened her eyes. Bane pawed lightly at her twins trying to get her attention. Clare sat up rubbed her eyes, "I'm getting there Bane...give mommy a minute to find her robe..." Clare yawned and looked around the room. Luke groaned and rolled closer to Clare. Clare found it, on the other side of the room. Bane sighed and rested his head on her breast bone. She grabbed him and rested him in her arms as she stood to get her robe. Bane yawned and dropped his head on her arm. Clare smiled and put her robe on then put Bane in his basket to carry him down the stairs after grabbing the bottle off the nightstand. Luke groaned and rolled onto his stomach. Clare smiled when she got to the kitchen and started to heat up some milk and making a cup of coffee for Luke. Luke came down a few minutes later running his fingers through his hair.
"Here." Clare said putting the cup of coffee in his hands, Bane was already fed and was in his basket while Clare turned back to the tea she made.
"Thanks Angel..." Luke said quietly as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Clare smiled and sipped her tea lightly. Luke rested one hand against her stomach and held his coffee against his hand with his other. She smiled again and sipped the last of her tea before putting the cup on the counter next to her. He rumbled quietly and nuzzled her neck. She leaned against him and sighed contently. He leaned against the counter keeping her close. Clare smiled, "Are you going to drink your coffee before it gets cold?" She asked. Luke glanced at the mug in his hand then set it on the counter and cuddled her. She giggled lightly and shook her head. He scooped her off her feet and carried her into the living room. Clare giggled again. Luke sat down on the couch and nuzzled her neck again. She laughed lightly and make herself comfortable.
"I love you Clare..." Luke whispered as he managed to get his hands against her skin.
"I love you too Luke." Clare replied softly and put her hands against his chest. It was beginning to become apparent that Bane was a total suck up as he started whining.
"Bane you just ate." Clare said. The pup continued to whine. Clare sighed and picked him up. Bane immediately nuzzled into her chest. She shook her head and ran her hand through her hair.
"He loves you Angel, I don't see the problem." Luke said quietly as he kissed her cheek. Clare smiled lightly and stroked Bane's fur. Bane nuzzled the small amount of bare skin she had showing. Clare smiled and sighed lightly.
"I don't want to rush you Angel but..." Luke paused halfway through his sentence to think his words over.
"But..." Clare coaxed.
"How long do you want to wait..." Luke asked quietly, as he stroked Bane's fur, "For one of our own?"
"...I'm...I'm not sure..." Clare whispered. Luke nuzzled her neck gently knowing he'd made her uncomfortable. Clare looked down at Bane and pet his fur gently, thinking.
"Don't worry about it Angel, it doesn't matter." Luke whispered.
"I think I'm just going to go tidy up the library..." Clare said then stood to go to the library. The last thing she heard as she left the room was Luke smacking himself on the forehead. Clare sighed and set Bane down on one of the couches and picked up one of the books she brought back, Thunder Magic.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid..." Luke was emphasising each word by banging his head against the floor. Normally Clare would go and stop him by she was deep in thought. Finally after a few more muffled thunk before a tired sigh reached her ears. Clare had only got two books put on the book shelves in that time span, still thinking. Lucas padded into the library to keep an eye on Bane. As Clare was picking up a book, it slipped out of her hand and landed open with a thunk, startling her out of her thoughts.
"Are you alright Grandma?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah..." Clare said bending down to pick up the book, it was open to a picture of a woman holding a baby to her chest with the child's father standing by. It was her old photo album and the two were Zelda and Link.
"Are you sure, you look upset?" Lucas asked. Clare smiled, "I'm not upset...I'm just thinking..." Clare said and put the book on the shelf within easy reach. Lucas studied her for a moment then sighed and placed his head on Bane's back.
"One year..." Clare mused softly as she picked up the next book, a heavy and old book and nearly dropped it on her foot. Lucas out of some habit started cleaning Bane.
"One year." Clare said more final as she slid that book onto the bottom shelf before going to find Luke. Luke was lying on his stomach on the floor muttering stupid under his breath.
"Luke." Clare called to him. Luke was on his feet in a second and hand her in his arms, "Oh goddesses Clare, Angel I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"Luke calm down! I've made my decision." Clare said trying to calm him. Luke looked down at her and blinked.
"Give me another year to get used to the fact alright?" Clare asked looking up at him.
"Okay, I can do that..." Luke replied and kissed her forehead.
"Okay. Now I need to go finish putting my books away...Do you want to come and watch or what?" Clare asked still looking up at him.
"Give me a moment okay?" Luke whispered and hugged her tightly.
"Okay..." Clare said and nuzzled his chest. As everything fell silent, Clare could hear Luke's heart racing. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. Luke nuzzled the top of her head. She nuzzled his chest.
"I was so worried you were mad with me..." Luke whispered.
"I could never be mad with you Luke. Never. I just needed some time to think of how long I wanted to wait..." Clare replied into his chest. Luke nuzzled her head and held her tighter. Clare hugged him and nuzzled her nose into his chest calmingly. Luke's heart rate calmed and his hold loosened a bit.
"Come on, those books aren't going to put themselves away." Clare said looking up smiling. Luke returned the smile and released her. Clare grabbed his hand and laced their fingers together before walking towards the library. Luke followed with no resistance. As soon as she got back in the library, Clare went to her stack of books on the coffee table. Luke sat down and shifted Bane and Lucas into his lap.
"Here...It might be a good read for you." Clare said passing a book titled, 'Sheikhan Tricks' to him before grabbing the next book down.
"Are you sure you want me to read this?" Luke asked.
"Yeah, I trust you." Clare said as she looked at the spine of the book she just picked up. Luke shrugged and looked through the book while she worked. Clare hummed and put the book on the shelf up from the photo album but below her spell books.
"Hmm..." Luke hummed as he scanned a page. Clare smiled as she picked up the next book, 'Fire magic'. Bane yawned and rolled on his back in the crook of Luke's arm. Clare put that book with her other spell books and picked up the next one, 'Time magic.' Luke yawned after Lucas did.
"Not that good of a read?" Clare asked as she looked at the spine of a different book.
"I know half these tricks and illusions..." Luke replied.
"That was the one Sheik's aunt wrote down for me...guess she left out all the good ones..." Clare said as she tapped the book she was looking at before picking it up.
"As much of a pain in my ass he was....I did learn everything I know from him..." Luke said with a slightly nostalgic smile.
"Then," Clare said leaning over his shoulder and flipped to the last two pages, "You should know, Sheik really never mastered these two." Clare said tapping the page.
"Oh come on these are child's play... "Luke muttered as he scanned the pages.
"You try them then tough guy." Clare said and leaned back to start on the next stack of books. There was a crack of magic and there were two Luke's sitting on the couch.
"That's just a normal pass your hand through illusion..." Clare said and picked up the book from the top of the stack.
"Umm..." The copy grabbed her hand, "I'm completely tangible."
"...So you are...Great two cuddle monsters running around." Clare joked and patted them both on the head before taking the book to the shelf. The original shook his head and dispelled the copy.
"The one at the back of the book I think had to do something with their needles...I'm not quite sure...nobody seemed to be able to pull it off..." Clare said as she reached up and put the book with its kind.
"Up for a sparring match Angel?" Luke asked. Clare paused from what she was doing, and looked at him, "You actually want to spar?" She asked.
"I'm getting rusty and your last training session was interrupted so why not?" Luke replied.
"Okay...Let me get dressed first." Clare said putting the book down and going up the stairs to the next floor before leaving the library.
"Grab me a shirt please Angel..." Luke called after her.
"Okay." Clare called back.
"Thank you." He replied and toyed with one of his needles. Clare came back with her usual red outfit and a cream shirt in her hand. Luke smiled.
"Here you go." Clare said passing it to him.
"Thank you..." Luke said kissing her cheek as he took the shirt. Clare smiled and pulled out one of her kunai and walked towards the door. Luke placed Lucas and Bane in the basket before pulling his shirt on and following her. Clare stood outside flipping her kunai in the air then catching it. Luke stretched and pocketed his charm.
"So you're serious huh?" Clare asked not turning around.
"No easier to move without having to worry about breaking it." Luke replied doing a quick back flip. Clare shook her head and stretched her shoulders up, releasing the muscles.
"Ready?" Luke asked her.
"Always." Clare said turning to him. Luke was gone when she turned around.
"Of course..." Clare grumbled and closed her eyes listening, her ears twitching slightly.
"Boo..."Luke whispered in her ear. Clare reached out quickly and grabbed the front of his shirt, her ears still twitching.
"Sorry Angel wrong one..." The Luke she was holding said before he disappeared.
"Illusion..." Clare grumbled and opened her eyes with a sigh. A senbon needle flew by only a millimetre from her nose.
"EKK!" Clare screeched and jumped back then looked in the direction to which the needle came from. Luke was sitting there smirking before he disappeared. Clare growled and closed her eyes again listening intently, knives at the ready. Suddenly another needle flew by but when it missed it flipped around and came back at her. Clare heard it the first time and dodged but saw it coming back, "Those aren't suppose to do that." Clare said as she ducked and it whizzed over her head.
"Oh yes they are kitten..." Luke called from somewhere in the shadows. Clare blocked the one needle with her knife. Eerily, it fought back. Clare ducked once it got past her knife then took off into the woods. Luke chuckled and knocked her off her feet. Clare grabbed onto a low tree branch and swung herself up just barely missed getting that needle in her hand. Luke frowned and reigned them in. It stopped turning around before going back to Luke. Luke shook his head and stood at ease or so it would seem, in the middle of the lawn. Clare watched him as she climbed down from the tree she took refuge in.
"I believe I surpassed Sheik..." Luke mused removing the spell from his needles. Clare growled and positioned herself to charge at him, pulling out all the stops now. Luke shifted his feet ever so slightly. She watched him, before running out of the forest going her top speed. Luke flipped over her just before contact and disappeared. Where ever he landed he landed in one of her traps that she had set up a long time ago, a net under the leaves.
"Well done Angel...you got me and on top of that I hit my head, so I'm not fazing..." Luke sighed rubbing his temple where it had connected with a branch. Clare poofed to where he was, "I knew you'd walk into that one day..." Clare said crossing her arms. Luke sighed, "Didn't think I was that rusty..." Luke replied as he pulled his hand away from his temple, "Oh well, that's not good."
"Let's just get you down." Clare said going to where the net was tied, forgetting there was another trap around that she stepped into to, pit.
"Clare, are you alright?" Luke asked the worry creeping into his voice.
"Yeah fine..." Clare said from inside the pit before jumping out to land beside the rope keeping him up.
"Okay can you let me down now Angel?" Luke asked blinking a little excessively.
"I'm working on it..." Clare said untying the rope from the rock it was tied to. She got it but it wrapped around her ankle and she was lift up while the net fell to the ground.
"Shall I get you down Angel?" Luke asked picking himself up off the ground.
"I can get it..." Clare said and went to dig in her pocket for her knives but when she was lifted up they all fell out of her pocket. She cursed in all the languages she knew. A needle sliced through the rope and Luke caught her.
"Thanks....how's your head?" Clare asked looking up at him.
"Throbbing and I think I'm bleeding..." Luke replied.
"Then..." Clare said as she called upon her magic to heal him, her fingers lingering over his temple lightly. Luke, out of habit, leaned towards her touch. When it was healed to Clare's liking she kissed it gently. Luke smiled and adjusted his hold on her.
"Before we go back, I need to pick up my knives." Clare said looking to the ground looking for the dark grey ninja weapons. Luke set her on her feet so she could fine her weapons and he could wipe the drying blood of his temple. Clare found most of them but was missing one, "Where is...OUCH!"
"Are you alright?" Luke asked turning to look at her quickly only to make his head spin.
"Ow...I found it..." Clare said and pulled her hand back to her to suck on her hand, the top part had a gash on it about an inch long. She used her other hand to grab the knife and stick it in her pocket. Luke beckoned her over. Clare stood, keeping her lips on her hand and walked over to him. Luke gently took her injured hand and inspected it before he placed his other hand over it gently and healed it.
"Didn't need to do that..." Clare said. Luke smiled and kissed her quickly, "I felt like it, now can we go in, I need to lie down."
"Yeah let's go." Clare said taking his hand. Luke followed her. She stepped around her other traps remembering where they were and she was going to disengage them later and they got to back to the house without any more incidents. By the time they got inside, Luke was blinking far too much.
"Go lie down." Clare instructed. Luke's hand slipped from hers as he went and collapsed on the couch. She sighed lightly and went back to the library to finish. She was greeted with the sound of Bane whining.
"Are you hungry again Bane?" Clare asked bending to pick him up. The pup continued to whine, he was slightly chilled.
"Oh, you're cold..." Clare said sitting on the couch and laying on the couch behind her. Bane curled into her warmth and his whining died off. Clare yawned and closed her eyes. Just before she fell asleep, Bane started suckling on her skin. Out of sheer reflex she grabbed the bottle off the coffee table where it had been and gave the nipple to Bane. The pup suckled happily. She rested the bottle on her stomach, keeping it in place with a lazy hand as she fell asleep. A few hours later she was awakened by Luke lifting Bane off her stomach, as the pup was whining again. She opened her eyes and stretched.
"Sorry Angel, I didn't mean to wake you..." Luke said quietly as he placed a kiss to her forehead.
"How are you feeling?" Clare asked sitting up.
"Head still hurts but not much I can do about it..." Luke replied.
"I'm going to take those traps down tomorrow..." Clare grumbled as she stood up slowly.
"Alright, I'm going to feed the 'baby' you want to make dinner?" Luke asked.
"Sure, I'll cook dinner tonight." Clare said and patted both their heads before going into the kitchen. Luke groaned then followed after her. Clare had taken out some vegetables and was starting on some stir-fry. Luke looked around, "Have you seen Lucas?"
"No...I just figured he was outside somewhere...He could be anywhere..." Clare said slight panic reaching her voice. Luke gently held her in his free arm, "Easy Angel, we'll find him." Luke soothed. She nodded slowly. Luke rubbed her back in a soothing manner, "Now where would he go, he doesn't want to go home and he felt safe here..."
"Maybe in one of the other rooms?" Clare mused.
"Alright, you look upstairs, I'll check down here and the basement." Luke said.
"Okay." Clare said. She was too worried to question him about the basement. Clare raced up the stairs. Luke set Bane on the couch and began searching for his grandson. Clare started in the first room, the top of the library and looked around, not there.
"Lucas, where are you kiddo?" Luke called from downstairs. Clare ran to the other room, "Lucas!" She called. A very quiet whimper reached her ears, "...grandma..." Clare followed the whimpering, "Lucas...come on keep talking..."
"...grandma..." Lucas whimpered, he was in the empty room. Clare quickly opened the door and looked around. Lucas was lying on the floor under the window a deep gash across his chest.
"LUCAS!" Clare shouted and ran over.
"...Grandma..." He whimpered. Clare put her hands over the gash, tears falling from her eyes already and she quickly called upon her magic.
"Oh Goddesses..." Luke whispered from the door. Clare healed Lucas's wound then let her hands fall into her lap. Luke came over and took her in his arms after picking up Lucas and cradling him between them. Clare turned, holding Lucas in her arms and cried ton Luke's chest. Luke rocked her gently, rubbing her back, "Shh...shh...it's alright Angel..."
"Who...who would...do this...?" Clare asked in between her tears.
"...Orion..." Lucas whispered before he slipped from consciousness. Clare gasped and sniffled. Luke hugged her tighter and pressed his lips to her temple. Clare leaned into his chest and sniffled.
"Come on, let's go lie down..." Luke whispered.
"Go...go grab Bane..." Clare said as she stood and with Lucas in her arms slowly made her way to their room. Luke placed another kiss to her temple before going to get the pup. Clare laid down on the bed and curled around Lucas. Luke came in and shut the door before lying on the bed with her and placing Bane where she could reach him. Clare reached out and grabbed the pup then put him beside Lucas before reaching for Luke. Luke shifted so he was close to her but not close enough to squish the pups. She put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Luke rubbed her side then linked his hand with hers and squeezed gently. Clare squeezed back but it was lighter. Luke sighed and kissed her gently, "He's alright sweetie, he's going to be fine." Luke whispered. She nodded but nuzzled the two pups.
"Come on Hun, talk to me, I know you're worried but let me try and help..." Luke coaxed squeezing her hand.
"Why...why would he do this...Lucas wasn't bothering him..." Clare whispered softly.
"I don't know Angel, but Orion has had something against all of us since the day he was born." Luke replied rubbing the back of her hand.
"Keatons are not suppose to be aggressive..." Clare whispered.
"I don't know Angel, but we're just going to have to be more careful...for Lucas's sake." Luke whispered. Clare nodded. Luke smiled softly and ran his fingers through her hair. Clare sniffed the air, "Oh Din's fire, Supper it's burning." Clare said sitting up quickly. Luke snapped his fingers and the smell disappeared, "Easy Angel, there's nothing to worry about now." Clare sighed and flopped back against the mattress and closed her eyes. Luke shifted the pups around and pulled her tight against him. She turned and nuzzled his chest gently. Lucas groaned and his eyes fluttered open. Clare looked down at him with a slight smile.
"Grandma, my chest hurts..." Lucas whispered.
"It might hurt for a while...I just healed it..." Clare whispered back.
"I'm sorry if I worried you..." Lucas said.
"Don't worry about it..." Clare whispered and nuzzled his head gently.
"Is Bane alright?" Lucas asked.
"He's just fine..." She whispered and moved her hand revealing the pup.
"Okay, that's good..." Lucas whispered.
"Did he threaten to hurt Bane?" Clare asked quietly. Lucas nodded, "He said he was going to take away everything I care about."
"He's never going to be able to do that...never..." Clare said, silently making a vow to never let Orion hurt anyone of this family ever again. Lucas shifted until he was wrapped around Bane. Clare closed her eyes again and started humming softly. Luke sighed and gently carded his fingers through her hair. Clare put her hand on his arm gently and carried on humming. Luke shifted her and the pups so that her head was tucked under his chin. She nuzzled the hollow of his neck gently still humming. Bane yawned as he woke up then started whining.
"He's hungry...I'll be back..." Clare whispered, pulling away silently to get Bane some milk. Luke nodded and shifted Lucas and Bane close so neither one was chilled. While Clare was getting the milk heated she had an idea. She walked onto the back porch, "Carl come here." Carl hesitated remembering Poe's threat.
"Carl if you don't come here now, I'll beat you to a pulp then feed you to the fishes." Clare threatened, tapping her foot.
"But...but...your dad..." Carl stammered.
"I don't care and if he puts a stink up about it I'll feed him to the fishes to." Clare growled. Clare darted over to her for fear of his already missing life.
"If you see a Keaton with ill intent about it, and I know you can sense ill intent since you are a poe, stop him, scare him. I don't care just make sure he doesn't step foot near the house." Clare ordered.
"Y-yes ma'am, milady, ma'am..." Carl replied before darting away. Clare snorted softly and went to get the warmed milk. Bane could be heard whining upstairs as could Luke trying to pacify him. Clare came up with the bottle of milk in hand and sat on the bed, "Come here Bane..." Luke passed her the whining pup after coaxing her to lie down. She did and put the bottle in Bane's mouth, "I asked Carl to keep an eye out for Orion and to keep him away from the house..." Luke nodded and looped his arm around her.
"So hopefully Orion sees him and stays away but I'll keep my eyes out." She whispered. Luke nodded again and chuckled as Bane tried to get on his back. The pup managed to roll over and suckled happily on the bottle as Clare closed her eyes. Luke sighed contently and pulled the blankets over them after moving Lucas. Clare had fallen asleep slowly but it was still sleep. Luke stayed awake until Bane was done, the entire bottle, so he could place the empty bottle on the end table. Bane yawned and pulled his paws to his chest, his stomach rounded out. Lucas shook his head and put his tails on Bane's stomach, rubbing it gently. Luke smiled and settled in for the night with his little family.