Using the overwhelming urge to get home as fuel, Barbara and Walter powered through the last all-night stretch. It was a lot easier now that both of them could drive. They pulled into the familiar, old driveway in Arcadia Oaks around noon.
Walter drove last, letting Barbara sleep in the backseat, but the instant the tires hit the driveway, she woke up and peered out the window at the house, a smile on her drowsy face.
Barbara hopped out of the car, undid Emil's car seat harness and pulled the baby out, Jim plush, and pacifier in tow. The baby yawned, turning his drooping eyes up to his happy mother.
"Welcome home, Emil." Barbara fondly brushed his soft cheek. "And you too, Walter," she said to her husband, who still stood beside the car staring at the house.
Walter laughed quietly, feeling slightly awkward in this foreign situation. He opted to fetch the groceries from the trunk. As he pulled them out, he tried to hide the blush spreading over his face. This was… overwhelming and a little confusing if he was honest with himself.
Barbara unlocked the front door and went inside. The familiar scent of home greeted her. All the coats still hung on their rack, and the shoes were still neatly stacked by the door. Barbara hung her keys on their hook and headed straight for the couch, sinking down into its homey embrace.
Walter came in moments later. "I… I'm going to put on some coffee," he said, meeting her gaze around a tall grocery bag. "Would you like some?"
"That sounds lovely." Barbara sighed. "I'm starving," she added as an afterthought. They'd driven nonstop for fourteen hours, except for the brief stop at the store. The only who'd eaten anything was Emil.
With a quiet nod, Walter headed for the kitchen.
The scent of coffee drifted into the living room, filling the house as Barbara listened to Walter work in the kitchen. In the past, it would have been Jim she heard putting up groceries and getting out cookware. It was comforting to hear those sounds again.
Barbara lay down on the couch, holding her little boy close. She closed her eyes, peace settling over her as she heard the click of the stove being turned on and the sizzle of a frying pan. The welcoming aroma of eggs joined the smell of coffee.
She caught a whiff of bread and syrup and opened her eyes to find a plate of French toast and a cup of coffee in front of her on the coffee table.
Barbara smiled and sat up, careful not to wake Emil, who'd dozed off again. "Jim used to do stuff like this."
"I thought so," Walter said, taking a seat beside her, his own plate in hand. "I'm afraid my cooking skills won't quite measure up to Jim's standards, but at least the food will be eatable."
"How many women can pride themselves in having a husband who can cook?" she teased.
"I've been a bachelor for over a thousand years," Walter countered. "You pick up a few things here and there."
"Oh." Barbara looked over at him in disbelief. "So, you mean to tell me you've never been married before? Not even once? Troll or human?"
"I've posed as a married man, but I don't believe that's the same thing. On occasion I was tasked with seducing human women to gain information, or get access to key locations," Walter replied. "But if you're asking about serious relationships, the answer is no." He cut into his food. "I had other priorities."
"'Seduce,' you say?" Barbara smirked. "Were you trying to seduce me when we met?" She set Emil down in her lap, leaving one arm around him.
"You already know I did." Walter glanced away, looking a little ashamed.
"Were you trying to seduce me when we went to Europe?" she continued.
"No!" Walter exclaimed.
Barbara chuckled. "Well, then you did a lousy job!" she said. "Because you still got me."
"Ah." Walter looked at his wife again. "I suppose that's true."
Barbara burst out laughing just as the doorbell rang.
Walter started to get the door, but Barbara pulled him back down. "You made breakfast, I'll get it. Take Emil." She set the baby on Walter's lap.
Someone must have seen them come home. Barbara shook her head, wondering who it was. The second she opened the door, she drew back, confused. Outside stood a teenager, nearly as tall as Barbara. He was broad, but not overly chubby, though still a big guff. His arms bulged with muscle and his short, red hair was neatly combed back. He wore a comfy sweater and jeans.
Barbara eyed the pie in the young man's hand.
"Doctor L!" The teen grinned, showing off his perfect, straight, white teeth. "You're home! That's great. No trouble getting here, I see. Jimbo said you would be back today. Oh, and this is from Nana," he said, holding out the pie.
Barbara blinked, then her jaw dropped in realization. "Toby?!" she exclaimed, stunned.
"Yeah…" he replied slowly. "Doctor L, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Oh!" Barbara exclaimed. "No, it's just – Wow. You – you've grown!" The Toby she remembered was short, but this young man looked like he still had a foot of growth left in him. He would pass her up soon. "And you've lost weight," she added.
"Actually, I weigh more now than I did a year ago. It's really annoying." Toby sighed. "You'd think swinging around that Warhammer every day would make a difference."
"I… I think it has." Barbara stared at him, astounded. "You look good," she said. "Great, in fact." The boy's proportions had evened out and now fit together more reasonably. Toby wasn't thin, but he didn't look chubby like he once had, instead he was… naturally broad. It suited him.
She'd known Toby since he was a little kid. He'd always been bullied for how he looked, but now…
Walter appeared in the hall behind her, holding Emil. He caught sight of Toby. "Ah, Domzalski."
Barbara sheepishly wondered how Walter figured that out so quickly.
"Wow! Mr. Strickler!" Toby exclaimed, Walter a thumbs-up. "Lookin' good! Rockin' the human look there, I see," he grinned at his former teacher.
"Jim told you?" Walter asked.
"Yup. Jim told me. And Claire," Toby said. "I heard it was a beautiful ceremony. Wish I coulda been there. It sounded awesome. And is that the baby?" He pointed to Emil. "He's so cute! Just look at him! Hey, buddy." Toby waved at Emil, who was awake now.
The little boy stared at Toby with wide eyes, then laughed and waved his arms at the young man.
"It was wonderful." Barbara smiled. "Let me take that," she finally accepted the pie. "You want to come in? I'm afraid I don't have much set out since we just got here, but I can make you a cup of tea – we have coffee already made."
"That's okay. I just came by to say 'Hi' and give you Nana's pie," Toby replied. "And, of course, to tell you I kept Arcadia Oaks safe!" He snapped a soldierly salute.
"Did you have any trouble?" Walter asked, stepping up next to Barbara.
"Well, for a while after you left goblins kept showing up. I guess me and AAARRRGGHH! got most of them. Then there was this incident with some Stalklings – oh man, that was not pretty, let me tell you. But, other than that, you know, just the usual stuff – a dangerous creature here and there. AAARRRGGHH!, Darci and me managed to handle it." Toby grinned. "Sometimes barely," he muttered, looking away for a second before grinning triumphantly again. "We got through it though. Team work and persistence!" he said, flexing his arm.
It was still surreal to Barbara to think Toby had any muscle to flex.
"So, you're still dating Darci?" Barbara asked.
"Yup! She's great." Toby grinned. "We had our one-year anniversary four months back. Seems like yesterday it all started…" He sighed.
"And school?" Walter asked, ever the teacher. "How are your grades?"
"Last semester I got a B average!" Toby flashed Walter the peace sign.
"That's impressive. You never got grades that high when I was your teacher." Walter raised an eyebrow at Toby. "Care to explain?"
"I don't really know why it's so different now," Toby admitted. "Studying just isn't that hard anymore. In fact, it feels like a break. Going to school isn't the same bother it used to be. I mean… I miss Jim," he said. "But It's just… It's nice now, you know? People treat each other nice; Darci is great. It makes me want to do the best I can." Toby stood taller. "Jim asked me to protect Arcadia." He shrugged. "So, I'm just doing my best."
Barbara laid a hand on Toby's shoulder. "I'm so proud of you," she said. "And I'm sure Jim is too. If he could see you now, he would be amazed. I know I am."
"Thanks, Dr. L…" Toby smiled shyly. "It sure is great to have you back. Arcadia seemed… so empty without you. I mean, lots of stuff happened, but still…"
"I know," Barbara assured. "It's good to see you too, Toby. It really is. Thank you for coming by."
"Well, I don't mean to be rude, but I should report back to ARGGGHHH! that the Changeling is back in town. He's been a little uneasy."
Walter snorted.
"Ex-Changeling, obviously," Toby corrected. "But, well… AAARRRGGHH! can be pretty protective when there's danger, you know. I'd better just tell him everything's fine."
Walter nodded. "Before you go… I need to ask you something."
"Yeah, sure," Toby said.
"Have you seen a strange troll visiting Arcadia?" Walter asked, his face serious. "A troll you don't recognize from Trollmarket."
Toby blinked, looking confused. "I don't think so," he said. "It that something I should look out for?"
"Hopefully not," Walter said, a thoughtful hand on his chin. "However, if you do encounter a blue troll wearing a white scarf, his name is Alberto Daumier. Please, inform me immediately." He gave Toby a stern look. "Understood?"
"Yeah, sure. Blue troll, white scarf, Alberto Daumier – got it," he recited.
"Thank you," Walter replied, still quite serious.
"Alright then." Toby clasped his hands together. "I should get going. See ya later, Dr. L, Mr. Strickler." He grinned at the pair. "You too, Emil – you are so cute!"
Emil giggled at Toby.
"See you later," Barbara said as the young man left. "Can you believe it?" she asked Walter, astounded. "He's grown so much!"
"Well, he did turn seventeen while we were gone," Walter pointed out.
"I know, but…" Barbara didn't finish her sentence.
"Most young men have a sudden growth spurt at that age," Walter said. "It's far from strange."
"I guess you're right," Barbara said. "So, Jim would have grown that much too… if he was still human?"
"Most likely." Walter nodded.
Barbara looked at Walter, her eyes changing from happy to nervous. "Alberto… You think he would come here?"
"I don't know," Walter replied, staring out into the street. "I don't even know if he's still alive. Even if he did survive that fall, it would be a long trip for a troll who can't travel in daylight or be seen by humans. I… I'm nervous, Barbara." He looked down at her again. "Will you let me place some protective charms around the house? I want to take some… security measures, just in case. I promise, you won't even notice them."
Barbara swallowed the growing lump of fear in her throat. "Do whatever you think you need to," she said, taking Emil back. "I trust you." She looked deep into Walter's green eyes. "Just keep our son safe." Barbara held Emil a little closer.
Walter nodded. "Nothing will happen to our child. I swear on my life – I won't allow it."
Barbara looked down at her infant son, then up at Walter again. "Alright."
This chapter has been editted by: dtill359