Chapter 2: The guardians return
Will sighed and shifted in her chair. Caleb had been gone for nearly 3 hours, and even though he loved to hang out with the other guardians' husbands, he should have returned by now. Struggling to her feet (a difficult task due to her large stomach), she walked to the door, planning to visit Hay Lin, but when she opened the door, the guardians were waiting on her.
Hay Lin looked at her with tear filled eyes. "None of the guys have came back yet." She whimpered.
Will signaled for her friends to follow her into her house and flopped carelessly into the chair. "So? They probably went...fishing or to see a movie. You know how they always get distracted."
Cornelia looked sadly at Will. "Will, a portal opened right near the store. Blunk told us. We went to go see it, but...Will, it looked like people had been dragged through."
Will stood up. "No. No. I won't let this happen. We got rid of Phobos. They're fishing or something." She stammered. No one said anything, and Will walked--well, waddled--to the counter separating the kitchen and living room. "No. They're okay." Tears flooded her eyes. "As long as I keep talking, it can't be true, can it? It can't be. I won't let it be true."
Irma walked over to Will gently. "Will. Maybe it's time the guardians returned, hm?" She suggested.
Taranee stood up quickly. "Are you crazy? I have my baby, Tommy, to take care of. There's no way the guardians can come back now!"
Cornelia nodded her agreement. "Yeah, and I'd have to bring my twins Camilla and Carmella. Do you really think pregnant women and mothers can try and be guardians?"
Hay Lin looked annoyed. "Well, I have my baby to care for, too, but are we supposed to leave our husbands like this?" She demanded. No one answered. "You guys, this may be a sign. Maybe Phobos came back. Maybe he killed our husbands. We have to see!"
Will spoke up slowly. "I still have the Heart. And we all are on vacation starting today." She offered.
Cornelia jumped up. "Do you even hear yourself? Will, you're pregnant. You probably can't even fly anymore!"
A fire lit in Will's eyes suddenly. "That's settled. We're going." She said in a challenging voice. "And anyone who doesn't want to go can babysit all the kids."
Cornelia jumped up quickly. "Just let me go get the twins--"
At the same time Taranee and Hay Lin both jumped up and the 3 women rushed off, babbling excuses about getting their babies.
By the time they returned, Will had gotten the Heart and now held it in her hand. "Uh, let's see." She murmured. Then she visibly brightened. "Oh yeah. Guardians unite!" She said proudly.
The tranformation occured, as it always did, but the outfits looked...odd.
Cornelia looked at herself in a mirror and winced as she rubbed her hips. "Ew. This isn't a flattering look anymore." She complained.
Will eyed her belly, which was still uncovered. "I miss being skinny in this outfit." She grumbled.
Hay Lin managed to pick up her little girl, Hope, who gave a protesting wail. "Oh, hush. You can play with your dollie later." She told the child. Then she held up the baby out to her friends. "Hey, look at this." She grinned.
Irma smiled slowly. "Little guardian outfits? How cute." She cooed.
Will took a deep breath. "Guys, focus. Where's that portal?" She said.
Cornelia held up a hand. "Wait. Will, see if you can fly." She ordered.
Will beat her wings furiously, but still collapsed on the floor. Cheeks reddened, she looked at the other guardians. "Well, I can manage. Come on." She said quickly.
The women, carrying children, managed to walk down the road to the store dumpster. Behind it, a portal loomed.
Hay Lin bounced cheerfully as they began to walk in. "Alright! The guardians return!" She cheered as they walked in slowly.
Hiding behind a bush, 2 black clad figures straightened. The taller one looked at its companion. "It looks like things just got messy." It said in a deep, male voice.
The smaller figure threw back its hood, revealing a head with pale skin, long blonde hair, and blue eyes which eyed the portal thoughtfully. "Yes, Cedric. I see that. But they won't do much damage with children and pregnant women in tow." The woman decided.
Cedric arched an eyebrow. "If you say so, Elyon. If you say so. But I still want to keep an eye on them." He said firmly.
Elyon nodded her agreement, and the couple pulled up their hoods and walked confidently through the portal.