AN: Too short, but I'm not sure when I'll have time to write more as I work my ass off for a living.
Shadow sat in his Cadillac, after pulling into the driveway of his house and waiting for well over 10 minutes, before even bothering to open his driver side door and exit the vehicle. He had gone into the office to read what Sandy had wrote up for him and added notes before scanning the, many, papers and emailing them back to her. He stopped to eat lunch in another attempt to drag out the time before he got home, but when he finally found himself opening the door, to his house, it was only a quart past 1 in the afternoon. He knew quite well his wife would likely be home by now, but he still held out hope she decided to spend more with her family after their meal in an attempt to chastise him.
Not much to Shadow's surprise, once he closed the door behind him his wife walked into the large entry way of the house to give him a somewhat sad glare. She was dressed nicely, as usual, in a long purple, low cut, dress with black highlights. Her exquisite body was show off nicely by her choice of clothing. The low cut at her top showed off her large breasts, and the over all tightness also drew attention to her thin waistline and large hips. Shadow looked at her and found himself not at all impressed by her image as he had once been many years ago. She was still the same woman he married, but only now he finally knew who she truly was. It was amazing how such a beautiful woman's appearance could become nothing in a man's mind after having been married to her for so many years... The more he heard her speak the more he wanted to pull away. She was a cancer in his hearing... to his vision... and was intent on devouring his life. At least that is how he couldn't help be see her for the last few years.
"Shadow?" She questioned not really leading into demanding any real information, but seeming to honestly want him to say anything he was willing to divulge.
"I need a nap before we go out tonight." Shadow stated as he started to unbutton the wriest buttons of his jacket and shirt, before loosening his tie.
"Nataly has been asking to see you, can't you make some time before you lay down to see her?" Ember asked somewhat pleadingly as she walked up to Shadow and tried to place her arms around him only to have him pull away.
"Isn't she coming to dinner with us?" Shadow asked a bit annoyed at the realization that his wife had only booked the dinner cruse from just the two of them and not including their child as well.
"Her bed time is at eight and we can't board until 7:30 because of the late booking. Besides, she's become a bit scared of boats after that ski boat ride a few months back." Ember looked at him a bit confused that he didn't' seem to recall these facts about his own daughter.
"So, I take it you took her to see your parents then?" Shadow asked giving her a cocky "got ya" grin.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Ember started crossing her arms frustrated as she watched her husband walk away from her and towards the large staircase in the entry way of their home.
"I take it the country club is another one of her new fears?" He spat with irritation before making his way up the first few steps. His continued of his assent up the stairs, but stopped once his young daughter, who was nearly five years of age, ran into the entry way to greet him.
"Daddy!" The young girl chimed out as she ran to the stairs and then looked up at her farther, she rarely saw throughout the week. Shadow looked down at her and couldn't help but let a soft smile take over his lips. The girl looked much like her mother. Her mostly orange and white fur covered body with many black spot patterns. She did share the quills on her head that were darkened like Shadow's and also beard his burning red eyes. However, unlike her father, and mother, she looked happy most of the time, and Shadow only had her Nanny, Sharron, to thank for this.
Shadow slowly took the few steps down the staircase and knelt down to hug his offspring, only having her take his hand and leading him off to her room to show him her latest master piece she had made while he was away. Despite how tired he was, he couldn't say no to the small girl directly, so he followed her and sat with her in her room for a good hour before kissing her on the head and making his way up to undress and slid into bed. His wife following him for a distance the whole time.
"Thank you, Shadow." Ember softly stated as she watched him undress and make is way into bed.
"For what?" He asked somewhat annoyed, as he honestly had no idea what she was going on about.
"For at least making time for our daughter." She replied softly before looking down defeated just in time for him to look back and see her sadness.
A twinge of guilt crept into Shadow chest as he looked at his wife. "Oh course." He tried to state causally, but was sure some bit of his regret pushed through into his voice.
After Ember nodded and left without response, he sighed in relief that he hadn't given himself away, but then only felt more guilty that he didn't try to comfort the woman he'd been married to for five years. He knew full well if he reached out to show her love, that he didn't really have, that it would turn into a big thing and he'd likely find no rest for God knew how long... He turned to lay on his back and look at the ceiling above him and wondered what Sandy was doing... It didn't take long until his wife completely left his mind and he started thinking on his scientist more intently. Within minutes he started to please himself again while muttering things he only wished he had the balls to say to her in person. After he finished his disrespectful selfcare he drifted off quickly.