Instert standard disclaimer here. Everyone should know that I don't own these characters. Except, of course, the original ones. Also chopped the story up into chapters. Sorry if the transitions are rough. If you want to read it without chapters, head over to vejiitasei.com.
Absolution- Part 1, Chapter 19
by the Prime Minister
Lina blinked in disbelief as Xellos faded from underneath her hands, anger and hurt immediately ripping through her. That little slimeball! she cried, storming over to the counter and slamming her fists down on it. She choked down her rage and disappointment, growling as she turned slowly. Lecia's eyes met hers, eyes so much like Xellos', and promptly began to fill with tears.
Lecia sobbed, dropping the lid of the pot she had been playing with.
Lecia's cry drove all other thoughts from Lina's head and she stepped back in alarm, watching the child wail. What was going on and what was she supposed to do about it? She had never been alone with Lecia before, and she found that she really didn't want to be there at present, either. Uh, hey, she said tentatively, reaching out a hand. Stop crying, okay?
Lecia screeched, her face going red.
Lina felt her forehead grow warm as her stress level rose, the child's body starting to shake with emotion. She moved slowly toward the little girl, gingerly picking up the small body and stroking Lecia's thick, dark hair. Lina murmured awkwardly. It's okay.
Lecia's chubby arms wrapped around Lina's neck and the child buried her face in her mother's shoulder, small whimpering sounds sill issuing forth. Lina was aware of a strange warmth passing through her, an odd tenderness taking her over as she held her child. The tiny body was warm, soft, and oh so fragile, and Lina could hardly believe how much Lecia had grown since birth. There, there, she whispered to her daughter, feeling for the first time like they were truly kin. She was a mother; her child's life and happiness were in her hands and yet she had only just realized it.
Lecia breathed, snuggling against Lina's shoulder.
Lina smiled in spite of herself and patted the child's back. That's right, forget all about that nasty father of yours, she cooed. She bounced Lecia tentatively, trying to cheer the child up. Lecia giggled a little and wiped her eyes with her tiny fists. Lina grinned and began to make silly noises, which seemed to amuse Lecia greatly. Who needs that rotten Xellos? she asked the baby, holding the child aloft and laughing. Lecia simply squirmed and burbled back, not a care in the world.
The day passed surprisingly quickly, and Lina realized for the first time just how much she had come to depend on Xellos for Lecia's care. She had taken the little girl down to the beach and let her run around for several hours, coming awake with a start and looking around frantically. She hadn't meant to fall asleep in the sun, and when Lecia was nowhere in sight she felt panic rip through her body. she had screamed, honest terror gripping every muscle in her body as she waded into the water. No, please, no, she whispered like a mantra, tears starting to form in her eyes. Just a few hours before they had been building castles in the wet sand, the sunlight shining off of her daughter's thick, silky, dark hair. How could this have happened? How could she have been so negligent? She was just starting to like her daughter, to appreciate the feeling of that tiny body pressed so trustingly against hers, and now she was gone forever.
a small voice had said on the beach behind her, and she had turned to see Lecia toddling down the beach toward her. Lina uttered an inarticulate cry of relief and lunged at the child, sweeping her up into her arms and touching her to make sure she was all right.
Where were you? Lina growled into the child's hair, squeezing her eyes shut tightly.
Lecia squirmed and pointed off towards the house, where a neat little pile of sticks had been built. she said with a grin.
Lina rested Lecia against her hip and walked up the beach to the pile of sticks, looking down. The sticks were arranged so that they made a tidy little corral with half a roof, and trapped inside was the largest beetle Lina had ever seen in her life. Lecia said, pointing at the beetle.
Lina set down the child and peered at the beetle. It was as large as her hand, and she had no idea how Lecia had managed to trap it. Good job, she said haltingly, glancing over at her daughter. Lecia's face was screwed up in concentration and her gaze seemed far away. Are you okay? she asked slowly, not really wanting to hear the answer. As angry as she was at Xellos right now, she wish that he was around to take care of the child.
Lecia's brow furrowed even more deeply and she turned her large, amethyst eyes on Lina. she growled, her nose wrinkling.
Lina's eyes widened in horror.
The child's round face began to turn red and she shifted her weight in discomfort. Poo, Mama, she groaned, pulling at her diaper.
No, no, no, Lina chanted in alarm, stretching out her hands and picking up the little girl, holding her at arm's length. Oh no, Lecia needed to be changed, and Lina didn't really know how. Damn that Xellos for leaving her alone to deal with this!
Lecia squirmed. Aaaa! Mama! she wailed, still trying to pull at the cloth of her diaper.
Lina hissed, carrying the child into the house stiffly.
Half an hour later she felt she had done a passable job, although the new diaper was not nearly as well-done as the previous one had been. Lecia seemed happy and giggly, so they spent some time on the floor of the parlor, playing blocks and looking at picture books.
Where is that man? Lina growled a few hours later as she paced the room, Lecia pressed against her chest. Her rage at Xellos had faded somewhat, and now a sense of worry was creeping up her spine. Xellos certainly wasn't the most reliable fellow, but he had been very good about taking care of her and Lecia, and it was odd that he hadn't returned. The child was wailing and couldn't be calmed, which made Lina clench her teeth. If Xellos had been there he would have known exactly what to do, she was sure of it. She, however, had tried playing with Lecia, taken her for a walk through the trees by the house, fed her, changed her again, and nothing seemed to work. Not that the walk hadn't been educational; fragments of stone littered the ground and there were several scorch marks, not to mention the magical barriers that had been put up all over the place. Those, along with the repair of the kitchen, must have kept Xellos busy all night. She only vaguely remembered the attack, her memory mostly filled with the feeling of Xellos' strong arms wrapping around her and carrying her into the house. Odd, how she could feel safest with a demon. Still, there had been that unpleasant nonsense that morning and Xellos had disappeared. What was wrong with him? Why didn't he want her? A scowl creased her forehead and she bounced the crying baby once again. No matter, she didn't need that bastard, not at all.
Lecia's renewed wailing startled her from her angry thoughts, the sound exhausting her. Feeling defeated, she plopped down on the couch and reclined, settling the child on her chest. Lecia squirmed a little, then her fussing began to quiet. Lina looked down at the child, surprised at Lecia's newfound tranquility, then realized the child was exhausted. A short laugh burst from her chest as she shook her head. So you were crying because you were tired, she muttered. And here I was, trying to play with you when all you wanted was rest.
Lecia only let out a little sigh as her eyes slid shut. Lina smiled and set her hand on her daughter's back, feeling oddly warm and soft as she felt the little lungs expand and contract beneath her touch. Good idea, she whispered, and in a few moments was asleep herself.