Forever Friends

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Chapter 9 - Suprise Visit

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Isaac stared at the form before him. To say that the visitor's presence was suprising would be an understatement.

"Isaac, can I have a moment of your time?"

Blinking to clear his head, Isaac tried to regain his composure. "Yes, come in Alex."

The blue haired Mercurian entered, and took the seat that Isaac gestured to. Isaac walked into the kitchen to pour two glasses of water, then returned to the living area. Sitting across from Alex on the crates, he stared at the healer.

"What brings you to Vale?"

The water mage took a sip of his glass, then looked at Isaac. "A few weeks ago, I recieved a letter from Mia for...my presence. However, when I arrived, I heard some rumors that Mia and Felix are going through some problems. I didn't know if I should interfear or not. I had hopes that you might know."

Isaac raised his eyebrows. Why would Mia summon Alex? He was the high healer of Imil now, and had only visited before when Mia had her...

"Mia's pregnant again??"

Alex's brow rose in suprise. "I forgot how fast you were, Isaac. Yes, she is, but I don't know if my presence would be welcomed or not."

"I have heard that Felix is feeling down, but... I didn't know Mia was."

"She is."

Isaac turned around to see Sheba walking down the stairs, her clothes rumpled from her nap.

"Uh, Isaac..."

His face's tempature rising quickly, Isaac turned to Alex. "I can explain."

"I'd love to hear it. Didn't Jenna just pass away?!"

*This might take a while...* "When Jenna and I had Robert, we agreed that should one of us pass on, that the other one should remarry to support our child. Sheba offered to help, and we decided to stick together to raise Robert and offer each other support."

Alex looked at Isaac, then Sheba, then back to Isaac. "Does Felix know?"

Isaac turned to Sheba, who gazed back at him. "We don't know."

"Mia knows," offered Sheba, "but she said that she wouldn't be the one to tell him."

Alex seemed to consider the notion of Felix's wife knowing the situation. "You know it's only a matter of time before he finds out, don't you?"

Isaac sighed. It was a rather unfortunate notion that he had come to realize. One that would have to be resolved soon, lest Felix find out for himself. "Should we go and see him?"

Alex shrugged. "I don't know. I need to see Mia, but I don't know if she would be glad to see me..."

Isaac frowned. Knowing Mia, she wouldn't want to see Alex until she had the approval of Felix. And if Felix was in as big a depression as it seemed, he wouldn't acknowlege her presence, let alone any meantion of a new baby. He was about to comment on this when a small figure ran down the stairs.

"Daddy! Uncle Felix is coming over!"

Isaac whirled to face Robert, then turned to Sheba. If Felix WERE coming over, they might be able to stall it un-

Wait, Felix was coming over? Hadn't he sealed himself within his room since the funeral? Why was he out?

Isaac's face paled. He turned to Sheba, who returned his dread: *He knows...*

"Robert, go upstairs." Noting his son's puzzled look, Isaac pressed. "Now, son. I'll tell you later." *Assuming I live through your "Uncle's" wrath...*

Watching Robert run up the stairs, Isaac jumped as a knock came at the door. Swallowing hard, Isaac made for the door, opening it to find Felix and Mia outside, both looking...well. Almost as if they were never depressed.

Isaac's fear multiplied.

"Felix, come in!"

Isaac silently cursed Alex, but knew that the lead healer of Imil meant well. Though whether or not he would mean such after what-was-left-of-Isaac got through with him was unknown.

Felix walked in, followed by Mia, whose belly seemed...round. Alex rose from his seat, and both he and Isaac gestured for Mia to take it, while Sheba made a chair out of crates for Felix. With Alex standing against the far wall, Felix sat next to his wife, while Isaac stood opposite while Sheba sat on the make-shift crates that Isaac had used. An uneasy silence lingered in the house, and Isaac feared that Alex might try to start the conversation. As it turned out, the last person Isaac thought would start did just that.

"Sheba, it is nice to see you again."

As Sheba politely nodded, Isaac felt a chill. Felix was talking, but only so well. *Must not be back to full strength yet. Yippie.*

"It is nice to see you again, Felix. And how are you Mia?"

"We're fine."

Isaac privately wondered how Felix had taken the news of Mia's situation.

"So, Isaac. I hear that Sheba is staying with you now."

Isaac stared at Felix, wondering silently if Mia told him. Cursing himself for thinking such a thought, he straitened up. "Yes, she is."

Felix's semi-gentle appearance suddenly hardnened, and Mia had a worried look about her. "May I ask why?"

Isaac swallowed, praying that he didn't offend Sheba with his plan. "Jenna and I agreed that if one of us should die, the other should find another for emotional support and to help take care of Robert."

To Isaac's shock, Felix eyes seemed to be filled with...acceptance? That was odd. Why would he accept his mere word?

"That sounds like Jenna."

Isaac raised his eyebrows. Felix wasn't going to kill him?

Felix, despite the tension in the room, seemed to laugh. "You thought I was going to kill you?"

Isaac and Sheba exchanged glances.

"Why would I? We're expecting! I'm not going to let Mia raise a kid all by herself while I sit in jail!"

Alex moved forward, kneeling next to Mia. While Isaac guessed that they were discussing what to do for the blessings, he inwardly breathed a deep sigh of relief. He did not know WHAt had changed Felix's mind, or why he didn't seem to angry.

Whatever it was, he was glad.

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Well, this was delayed...not as much as RoA, but still...

Note to readers of RoA - it might be a bit before I update... Gotta figure out how to shine more light on the characters...U_U

That aside, time for reviewers!

Forogtten Soul - Lazy, eh? Hmm... Nice pattern, btw. I noticed it as well... Thanks for the compliments! How is this work?

Yugi the Other White Meat - Who are you? Anyway, thanks! What is the title of your fic?

Nina - Nice guess, but once you read several of my fics, you begin to notice that I tend to "trick" the reader. This makes them think once they realize what I do. Thanks for the review though!

A Christian Loser (aka Rain Child) - I still say you need to fix the name. That aside, I'll reivew, but you need to send me the chapter! You know me! (right?)

Dragon Empress - Did the review ever regester? Anyway, thanks for the review! And on Felix/Mia, there have been several fics before me that used it. I only used it here for a credible Isaac/Sheba. Course, that WAS a while back... And rarely will I deviate from Felix/Sheba...Though that MIGHT change... ^_^

Sheba - He does NOT OWN GOLDEN SUN OR NINTENDO!!!

REVIEW! ^_^