NOTE: My "T" key wants to stick. If I missed a word with a T in it let me know and I'll fix it."
NOTE 2: Thanks for the favs, the follows, and the reviews.
Chapter 21
Life changed for everyone. I could say for the better, but I've already said it too many times. Today I can look at the world and not question my existence. I look at Hope and Harmione every day, and it's hard to not smile. I don't think much about the old days anymore. Gwen finally graduated college, and she and Kevin finally married. They're hoping for kids but haven't said anything else on the subject. They've been helping out the Plumbers and getting back to their original roots.
While they've been doing that I've kept busy. Harmione has grown to be quite the talker, with a pep in her step. She's a brunette like me, but every time I look into her magenta eyes all I see is her mother. Her beautiful, loving, and charming mother. You ever look at someone and just stare at them? Someone you love. You study their face. You study their movements.
For example, every time Harmione runs away from me when we play tag; I watch her mousy-brown hair swish back and forth down her back. I smile every time I hear her laugh. When she smiles or calls me "Daddy", I can't help but to tear up a bit. How can this magnificent being be mine? You lose yourself in your thoughts I wonder how you got to be so lucky. I think far too much for my own good about stuff like that. I'm blessed. But sometimes I think about the future and worry.
Though, somehow, someway I'll try my best to take care of them. It's my goal in life to do so. And with every fiber of my being I'll see it done. Sometimes I feel like a person of empty promises...loving them more than I hate myself. In the deepest depths of my soul, they deserve the world. And I anxiously fight my damndest to give it to them. Maybe I sound obsessive, but I can't escape what my mind and heart want me to do. I love them. I can't say it any louder. I can't even scream it. No one understands how deep it runs.
Harmione is turning 5 this year. Where did the time go? I know. I find myself asking that same question every time I look at her. She'll be starting Kindergarten this Fall. I don't think she's looking forward to it. I'm not either. Hope and I actually found a place. It's a small house with two-bedrooms and one bathroom. It's not very spacious, but it's simple, the way we like it.
We've tried to keep everything simple since Harmione was born. Since I moved out of my parents' house Hope and I tried to find everyday jobs to make up for the money mom and dad loaned us. Though our main job: We're still heroes. We live it every day. We've had Mom watch over Harmione during the nights so we could continue our hero work. Harmione is our main focus, but we knew we couldn't just abandon the lives of the others. We're constantly trying to keep balance between worlds and keep a peace. We've tried not to get the Earth caught up in some sort of Intergalactic Warfare for Harmione's sake.
We also keep our pasts a secret from her as well. We don't feel right about lying to her, but we've agreed it's the only way to keep her safe. One day soon when she's older, she'll understand. I left the bedroom and met Hope in the kitchen. She had let her hair grow out again and had it tossed up in a messy bun. She was washing the dishes when I entered.
"Hey..." I mumbled.
"Hey you." She mumbled and smirked back.
I walked up behind her and ran my hands down her waist. I could feel her smile beaming, but she continued her work. I pecked her shoulder, revealing itself to me in her tank top. I then let my head fall into her shoulder, and she stopped and stroked the side of my face.
"What?" She asked.
"I'm tired..." I said breathlessly into her shoulder. She uttered a laugh and gently elbowed me off her.
"You're tired...we got to meet Gwen and Kevin to discuss some Plumber business tonight remember?"
I sighed and moved away placing my hands on the counter.
"Yeah...I remember."
Hope's smile drifted away.
"Harmione will have to go to your Mom's tonight."
"Yeah..." I responded back. "Where is she anyway?"
"She's playing in the backyard."
I offered a nod.
"Ben?"
Our eyes met.
"You okay?"
"Yeah...I'm just...
"I don't want to leave her again either." Hope snatched the words out of my mouth.
"Yeah." Was the only response I could use.
Harmione was out back swinging on a swing set Kevin and I built when she was two. I stood at the door and crossed my arms and observed her. Her feet grazed through the dirt each time she kicked herself off the ground. I heard the swing-set bounce and squeak each time. I slid the back-patio door open and walked outside.
"Daddy, look how high I can go!" Harmione screamed as I approached her.
"I see that, you be careful." I advised her.
She merely nodded with a smile. I smiled back and continued to monitor her. I heard the back-patio door screech open and Hope stepped out. She was wiping her hands off on a rag.
"Harmione, you want to go out for pizza?!" Hope exclaimed from the house.
"Yeah!" Harmione squealed and jumped from the swing. She hit the ground perfectly. Though I still jolted and narrowed my eyes. I watched her run over to Hope.
"Is Daddy coming?"
"Naturally, we're all going."
I strode over to them and picked up Harmione. She produced a cheerful smile. I gripped her tight to my side.
"What?" I asked playfully. "Were you planning on leaving me here?"
"No." Harmione said softly.
"Huh?" I asked teasingly louder. "Were you planning on leaving me girl?" I placed my face close to Harmione's and nibbled her ear. Harmione only continued to smile and placed her hand up over ear.
"You think, that's going stop me from eating you?!" I stated and tickled her stomach. She gave out a laugh.
"I'm pretty hungry myself." Hope exclaimed jokingly after me.
Simultaneously Hope and me spoke out:
"Harmione sandwich!"
I kissed Harmione's right cheek while Hope stood on her toes and kissed her left. Harmione giggled in a high pitch squeal. Hope then laughed. I kissed Harmione one more time and set her down. At the restaurant Harmione was well-behaved as she persistently was when we went out in public. She only tipped her cup over once, which is a record for her. She's as clumsy as she is perfect. I sat back down after getting myself a piece of chocolate-chip pizza from the buffet.
"Daddy?" Harmione asked from across the table.
"You want a bite?" I prompted. Harmione nodded, and I cut the piece in half and offered her the more massive piece. Hope sat next to me and stirred her ice around in her drink.
"Do you suppose Gwen and Kev, will be mad if we're late?"
"I don't think so babe." I replied. "If they get mad, they'll just have to get mad...they know Harmione comes first."
Hope nods, and her eyes shift in Harmione's direction. She looks bewildered at first and nudges me on the arm. I turn away from watching some sport show on a TV mounted up on the wall; and look into Hope's eyes. Hope looks afraid and she only points. My eyes follow her jester, and I noticed Harmione. She was sitting motionless, staring glassily at the wall.
"Har?" I spoke out. She didn't acknowledge me.
"Harmione." Hope said after.
I dropped my napkin and tapped the table in front of Harmione. She acted as if she was in another world. Blind and deaf to everything around her.
"Harmione Kay." I spoke out louder. Still no answer and no response. I starred harder at her. Her fingers on her right hand began to twitch.
"Harmione!" I shouted and stood up. A couple of people in the place took notice of us. I swayed my head, unable to fathom words or what was happening.
"Harmione." I overheard Hope's voice. I looked up at her. Hope nudged Harmione's arm. Yet, still no reaction.
"This isn't funny, Harmione, hey."
I jerked the chair out and turned Harmione to face me. I placed my hands on her shoulders and shook her gently.
"Harmione, it's Daddy."
Harmione stared off.
"Harmione, hey...Har, Hey!" I shouted. I snapped my fingers, and she didn't blink nor flinch. Hope stood and I put my hand up to stop her from coming closer.
"She's never done this before..." Hope whispered softly.
"I know...Harmione!" I shouted again. A waitress stood behind us very concerned. I felt Harmione's youthful body stiffen in my hands. Her left began to twitch just as hard as her right. I couldn't be certain, but I did it anyway. I pulled Harmione up and lied her down on the restaurant floor. I subsequently took off my jacket and placed it under her.
"Ben..." Hope began.
"Call 911, then Gwen and Kevin... then mom and dad."
Hope took her cell phone out of her purse and began dialing.
"Ben, what's-"
"I think she's experiencing a seizure."
"What?!" Hope screamed.
"Just dial...babe, dial."
Hope turned away from me already on the phone.
"Hi...This is Hope Tennyson."
Hope's voice faded away. I stroked Harmione's arm. Blood found its way to her lips. I tried as best I could to prevent her from biting her tongue. I winded her on her side and placed my hand on her face and stroked it with my thumb. Suddenly she cried out. I gasped at her cry and continued to stroke her face.
"It's okay...it's okay Daddy's here."
I noticed drool running from her mouth and out on to the floor. She cried out with each muscle spasm. It was frightening to watch, but until help arrived there was nothing I could do. Hope walked over to me.
"Here he is..."
She handed me the phone.
"Hello?"
I gathered Harmione's hair behind her ear.
"Yes... Speaking... No, she's never done this before... ever...No, my family doesn't have a history of-
Harmione let out another scream.
"A history of seizures...no." I replied. "She's in the-
Harmione jerks and I placed my hand on her arm. I knew I was mistaken to hold her down, but I didn't want her to turn over.
"She's lying on the floor...Hold on...Angel."
Hope seized the phone back and placed it to her ear.
I just continually stroked Harmione's arm. My own hand began to tremble for how scared I was.
"Har...can you hear me? It's Daddy."
She blinked her eyes a few times and closed them tightly. She grunted furiously.
"Harmione." I spoke out. About that time she opened her eyes slowly, and for the first time ever Hope and I detected something we haven't in the past. Her eyes lit up in a rosy radiant hue before returning to normal. She closed her eyes tightly again. It all happened in a matter of a second but Hope and I knew it could solely suggest one thing. I looked up at Hope. The phone fell from Hope's grasp.
"She's like me..." Hope whispered to herself. I looked back to Harmione, and her seizure seemed to subside, leaving Harmione with only sore muscles and no recollection of what happened. I looked back at Hope, and she breathed heavily. We couldn't leave Harmione with mom after that. We took her with us to meet Gwen and Kevin. It was out by an old loading dock. We left Harmione in the car. We didn't think the meeting would last long. We were early when we showed up. It was quiet and abandoned. Hope hugged herself tightly. She and I hadn't spoken since the event. Harmione was unsure as to why. She was utterly delighted to tag along with us that night.
"I...I remember now...in my childhood...it's rigorous to suppress that much power at first...it's a natural ability...It's...Oh God, what have I done?"
"You didn't do anything." I assured her.
"I had my father... he trained me...I only got so skilled because of him..."
"You can train her."
"But I...Ben, I don't know if I can...I trained in the Ledgerdomain...my powers were stronger there...things were different...this is my fault..."
"No..."
"But it is my fault..."
"Hope it's not your fault."
"Our baby girl...I don't want her to be like me Ben...I just... How could I do this do her?!"
"It couldn't 'eve been helped right?!"
"I...No...but...and after all this time... Her powers must have been repressed or something for her too...and then how much pain she was in today...God Ben, what have I done...Why is it me?"
"You?" I asked.
"My baby girl shouldn't have to undergo some of the things I did...and what am I the world's punching bag or something?!" Hope screamed. "Am I not meant for happiness Ben?"
"Stop it..."
"I'm asking a serious question...I just...I can't handle this Ben...for Harmione to have powers like me I can't handle that, Ben, I just can't!"
"Listen...Angel..."
"What kind of mother am I, to not see it?"
Hope tears up.
"She's needed me all this time...Oh God I'm so scared I-"
"Hope listen-"
Hope breathes heavily and conceals her mouth. I can hear her start to hyperventilate.
"Don't do that...there's nothing to be scared about -"
"Ben our baby girl."
Hope sniffles a little bit.
"I'm frightened for her."
"Listen to me..." I began. I captured her face in my hands. "Whatever happens to her, we'll be there for her...every step...every motion...everything, okay...I'm not going to let anything happen to her...I know you wouldn't either."
Hope nods slowly.
"And I know how you get...but listen to me...you're meant for every bit of happiness the world has to offer you...you're not meant to be happy Angel; you just deserve to be."
Hope clasped my wrists and stroked them.
"Harmione is going to be fine." I replied with a nod. "Okay, you trust me?"
"I trust you."
I lured her close and kissed her. She kissed me back. We pulled away and I placed my forehead on hers.
"She's a Tennyson..." I said in a breathlessly smirk. Hope let out a small airy laugh. "She'll be alright."