Chapter 11
Dante's Surprise Call
I woke up with a headache and dry mouth. I groaned as I got some pain killers. I hoped Ruby wouldn't wake up and see me like this. I was eating breakfast when Dante called.
"Hey, Monty." Dante greeted me.
"Not so loud." I moaned.
"Were you drinking again?" He asked, softer this time.
"Yes." I said.
"Did something happen at the dinner?" He frowned.
"Yes," I repeated. He waited for me to say more, "First off, my grandmother somehow guessed I was married, that was a bit startling, but she just wants to spoil Ruby and see me more."
"Naturally." Dante agreed.
"Then my cousin, the same one who invited me, started going off about how I should've told them about Ruby and he had the balls to insult my parenting!" I growled.
"Oh," The detective winced, "Was he drunk?" he asked.
"Yes, but that's not the point." I told Dante.
"What are you going to do?" He decided to turn the topic back onto me.
"I dunno. Wait for this to blow over?" I shrugged.
"You need to set a good example for Ruby." He reminded me.
"It's been less than 12 hours." I told the gold eyed man.
"I didn't say right now." He frowned at me.
"So, drinking is still an option?" I asked.
He glared, "No. And you're still hung over."
"You're right." I sighed.
"Will you at least, try to make things better?" Dante had that tone that reminded of my dad trying to lecture me.
"I make no promises. That dinner was my bridge and Marcus burned it." I crossed my arms.
"I know. He was completely in the wrong, but you can't keep pushing your family away." Dante tried.
"Dante, you grew up with this Seeker stuff. I didn't. You know how hard it is keeping a major part of your life a secret? Very." I would always keep at least one secret.
"Are we still talking the same thing?" He asked.
"Yes," I said again, "I'll wait until things cool down. I can't stir up more trouble, now can I? Probably in a few weeks, I'll see how Marcus reacts then." I explained.
"That's all I can ask." Dante said.
"Did Tersly put you up to this?" I asked, suddenly realizing.
"He may have hinted at something." Dante smiled a little.
I sighed, "You know, if you change your number, he's going to panic."
"I know, which is why he's going to be first one I tell." He reassured me.
"Not Zhalia?" I teased.
"She has other ways to reach me. Tersly wanted me to talk to you since I wasn't a part of what happened." He told me.
"Yeah, well, someone is getting up and I think it's Ruby." I smiled as she hugged me.
"Dante!" Ruby cheered after noticing him.
"Hi, Ruby." Dante smiled.
"Hi." She smiled.
"Come 'ere, Rubes." I pulled her onto my lap.
"Daddy!" She squeaked.
"That's better, isn't it, Sweetheart?" I kissed her cheek. She pouted.
"Aww." Dante said with laugh.
"I'm a big girl!" Ruby told me indignantly.
"Sure you are." I smirked.
"Just let your dad hold you. You won't be small forever." Dante tried to hide his amused smile.
"Are you kidding me? I'll hold her when she's fully grown." I laughed, nuzzling her curly hair.
"Dad…" She groaned, embarrassed.
"It's fine, Ruby." Dante reassured her.
"… How are you?" She asked after a minute.
"I'm good. New York is fine." He said.
"New York?" She frowned.
"That's where headquarters is. He works with the leader of the Foundation, Metz, also his old mentor. But Metz just recently got back to work." I explained.
"Why?" She looked at me.
"Because, for a long time, Metz had a curse set upon him that ate away his willpower." Dante rolled his eyes.
"How'd he get better?" Ruby asked, curious.
"Dante, if you will?" I asked, smiling and pressing record.
"It was a long process, filled with many setbacks, but I finally found the cure when I met Lok…" Dante smiled as he recounted his second to last year as a mission going Seeker. Ruby made him skip the mission to get Thor's hammer so he could tell it when he came to visit. She was enthralled by his adventures and laughed whenever Dante remembered Lok did something silly. It was interesting to hear it from his point of view.
Tersly woke up toward the end of story and made us a late breakfast while he listened. Dante was drained after telling such a lengthy tale and bid us well. He said he'd come by soon. We ate breakfast and relaxed. Ruby played with her dolls and on my phone. I still hadn't gotten around to getting her something. I would soon. We didn't do much else that Sunday.