Seven Years Later...
Chapter 21
"Bad Night For Romance"
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Author's Note: This just keeps getting funnier and funnier...
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Ding. Dong. The door bell rang and Artimis rushed toward it, an insane smirk on her face. She stood tall, straightening her blouse as she reached the door handle, changing her smirk to a smile as she opened the door.
"Arthur, Mum, Ginny. Come in. Dinner's not quite ready, but it will be in a few moments." Artimis spoke as the Weasley's walked in. Molly walked forward and embraced Artimis, and Artimis tried hard to breath.
"Molly, honey, I think you are choking her." Arthur spoke and Molly let go, smiling.
"Oh, I'm sorry dear. I am just so happy that the family is having dinner together." Molly stated and Artimis smiled at her. Artimis turned her head to the red headed young lady who came with them. Artimis mentally remarked that Ginny had grown up quite a bit since Artimis last got a good chance to look at her.
"Ginny, the girls are upstairs if you want to go see them, you know where their rooms are." Artimis spoke as Ginny nodded and bounded up the stairs. Artimis smiled, keeping up her act of hostess, but Molly had caught her.
"Artimis, darling, relax, we're family, you don't have to be hostess." Molly spoke and Artimis sighed at her, knowing she had been found out.
"Yeah I know. Oh, my brother and his family are staying with us, until we get the Manor fixed back up. And Draco's mother is here, Draco didn't want her to face any repercussions of the battle. And Vicky Adkins and Erica Barton are here as well." Artimis spoke, listing off the other guests at dinner. Molly looked at her and listened interestedly and then smiled.
"And Professor Snape? Has he returned to his domicile?" Molly asked and Artimis looked at her a bit offended.
"No, not yet. I am not sure if he realizes that he can. But he is welcome here as long as he wishes to be." Artimis spoke, and Molly nodded. A house elf, Tabby, appeared before Artimis.
"Mistress Artimis, Dinner is done. Do you want me to send Nate to collect the rest of this household?" Tabby questioned quietly and Artimis smiled at her.
"Would you please?" Artimis replied and Tabby smiled at her in her house elf way and nodded.
"Of course." Tabby told her as she popped out of sight. Artimis smiled and began heading to the dining room, smirking at the thought of how dinner would be. Arthur and Molly followed and Artimis held the door open for them.
"Do you two care at what end of the table you sit?" Artimis asked and Molly looked to Arthur.
"Not really Artimis, where ever you wanna put us is fine." Arthur spoke and Artimis smiled.
"Alright, I'll let you guys sit by me and Draco. You'll have to sit across from Remus and Severus." Artimis told them and they nodded, sitting in the seats that Artimis gestured too. Artimis walked over to the other end of the table and noticed that a children's table was set up for Athena and Damien. She smiled as she looked down at it, thinking of how she might have to have one of those permanently placed in the dinning room. She put her hands over her stomach, smiling as she moved her fingers over the slight bulge. All of a sudden there was a loud noise and a weight against the back of her knees and Artimis began toppling over. A hand caught her under the elbow and Parvati steadied her as she pulled Damien off of Artimis's legs. Artimis caught her breath and looked behind her to see Athena smiling at her brightly.
"Aunt Arty, can I have a hug." Athena asked and Artimis kneeled down to her level.
"Of course sweetheart." Artimis spoke as Athena wrapped her small arms around Artimis's neck and squeezed with all her child strength. Artimis wrapped her arms around Athena's back, hugging her and then she let go.
"You behaved for Mummy, didn't you?" Artimis asked and Athena nodded with a bright crooked grin.
"She was the only one, your friends drove me nuts." Parvati interjected as Artimis got to her feet, smiling at Parvati.
"They can be a handful. And what about my future mother in law?" Artimis asked and Parvati rubbed her forehead.
"Her, she didn't talk much, just watched out the windows. Except for the time she fell screaming, scaring the shit out of me. Something about her husband had died. And she was happy about it." Parvati spoke and Artimis was then hugged by Parvati.
"I swore something had happened to you and Apollo, I felt it. I am so glad you all are home safely." Parvati spoke and Artimis smiled at her as the woman let her go. Artimis was shocked of the news that Narcissa had felt pain when her husband died, like Artimis had felt. How odd... Maybe it had something to do with that brand... Maybe that sick bastard Branded her as well... Artimis thought to herself as Apollo walked up behind her. He leaned in and kissed Artimis on the cheek.
"Hey sis, we feeling ok?" He asked as he walked over and wrapped his arm around Parvati's waist and leaned in and kissed her lips.
"Yep." Artimis replied as she looked over to Athena and Damien who were arguing over which seat was theirs. Artimis smirked as Apollo interjected the argument, telling the children where to sit. Artimis walked over to her seat and sat down, a seat between Arthur and herself for Draco. After a moment, a strong arm wrapped around her neck softly and Draco's face moved into her view as he kissed her softly. He backed away and looked to his seat. He saw Arthur and smiled, holding his hand out.
"Hello Sir, how are you?" Draco spoke as Arthur shook his hand and Arthur smiled as Draco sat down.
"Just fine. And yourself?" He asked and Draco looked over to Artimis and then back to Arthur.
"Absolutely perfect." Draco spoke and Artimis felt his hand slip over her leg and take her hand in his. Artimis smiled as Draco held a conversation with Arthur. Severus and Remus arrived, sitting next to each other and Remus greeting Arthur and Molly politely as Severus just sat and mumbled. Artimis watched as everyone else just filed in and Artimis waited for the moment that Alexis and Ron would enter to room.
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Ron sat on the floor of Alexis's Tower, chin on his free hand as he shook the handcuffs once more, not really trying anymore at getting them off. Right now, he was just content with sitting there and watching Alexis sleep. She lay on her stomach on the bed, head on her free arm as the other dangled off the bed, breathing deeply.
He stopped swinging his hand cuffed arm, gazing at her dreamily, sighing contentedly as he smiled at her peaceful features. Never would he say this to Alexis, but he was actually a little bit glad that Artimis had done this to them. Yeah, he would probably be reamed out by his mother and father, not too mentioned ridiculed by the guys for god knows how many more months... but, at least he got to get closer to Alexis. It was actually interesting, despite his shoulder being dislocated. Okay, maybe the bad things outnumbered the good, but at the moment, Ron was content.
He sighed once again, moving his hand and brushing a strand of Alexis's snow white hair from her sleeping face as he happily watched her sleep. He was distracted from his reverie by a small squeaky voice.
"Um, excuse me Sir Ron. Mistress Artimis would like you and Mistress Alexis to come to dinner now. We don't want the guests waiting." The house elf Nate spoke respectfully as Ron turned to him.
"Thanks Nate. We'll be down in a minute." Ron sighed.
Nate bowed, then turned and quickly popped out of the Tower. Ron turned back to Alexis, rising to his knees. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, smoothing her hair away from her face as he spoke gently. "Lexy, wake up. It's time for dinner."
Alexis shifted, opening tired eyes and gazing up at Ron. She smiled sweetly upon seeing him, and he smiled back tenderly. She sat up, then saw the handcuffs once again. Her smile dimmed somewhat, and Ron sort of felt guilty. He didn't like seeing her frustrated and stressed out, but it was too late for that.
He stood, pulling her too her feet. "We've got to go down to dinner."
Alexis looked up at him a bit fearfully. "Do we really have to? Your parents are down there..."
Ron sighed, nodding. "I know. But if we don't, Artimis will drag us down there and just make it look worse."
Alexis nodded in reluctant agreement, and Ron kissed the top of her head before taking her handcuffed hand in his own and leading her out of the Tower and down towards the Kitchen.
Alexis stopped him before entering, looking up at him with vain hope. "Maybe we can hide it." She whispered, and Ron smirked at her, knowing she was just putting off the inevitable. He listened to her suggestion, then nodded and Alexis smiled, turning back into the Kitchen.
She walked in with her handcuffed arm behind her back, slightly keeping her back from the table as Ron walked practically behind her, hiding their wrists as they smiled nervously as everyone turned to look at them, smirks on most of their faces.
They saw the only two empty seats, which were across from Artimis and Draco and two seats across from Molly and Arthur Weasley. They looked at each other, then glared slightly at Artimis, knowing she had rigged this once again. Artimis smiled sweetly, turning back to talking with Molly.
Alexis and Ron quickly sat when seeing the Weasley's gazes distracted, hiding their handcuffed wrists under the table nonchalantly and smiling, as if nothing happened, at Molly and Arthur, greeting them cheerfully. Molly watched them strangely, knowing something was going on that she wasn't privy to. Arthur also gazed at them, head cocked in confusion. Beside Ron, Remus and Severus snickered, and Alexis glared daggers at them, both immediately quieting somewhat. Artimis raised an eyebrow at Alexis and smirked.
"Now that everyone is at the table, we may eat." Artimis spoke as she reached over and got some steak for herself, Alexis watching her with menace.
Alexis, careful to use her free right hand, carefully reached for a plate, proceeding to fill her plate as Ron did the same with his free left hand. All of Alexis's concentration was focused on her using her right hand, since her dominant hand was her left one. She still felt eyes on her, but tried her best to look occupied as she began to eat, conversations resuming around the table. Everything was going good for a few good minutes, Alexis feeling at ease that no questions were going to be asked any time soon. Ron was doing fine as well, eating as if nothing were wrong.
After a minute though, Alexis was thirsty. Fork in her right hand, she looked over at her glass of orange soda, which seemed placed awfully far away. She shrugged, bringing up her dominant hand to reach for it as she took a bite of her pork chop with her other.
She heard the rattle of metal and Ron's right arm was pulled roughly to the side as their handcuffed wrists were exposed, freezing above the table as Alexis reached for her drink with them. The Dining Room became deadly silent as everyone turned to stare at them, Molly spitting out the tea she was sipping as Arthur attempted not to choke on his spaghetti.
Alexis's eyes widened fearfully as she whispered, "Oops."
Ron merely hung his head, rubbing his forehead with his free hand and muttering. "Oh shit..."
Alexis quickly pulled their handcuffed hands back, smiling nervously at Molly and Arthur as they stared at her and Ron in utmost shock and confusion. It was dead quiet for a moment, then from the children's table on the end, Athena spoke up quizzically. "Mummy, why are they handcuffed?"
Ron turned bright red, red enough to match his hair as Alexis swallowed and paled. Fred and George bust out laughing, almost falling off their chairs as Harry and Aaron joined in, followed by most others while Parvati just glared at Ron and Alexis, explaining to her curious children. "For no reason honey. Someone's just playing a joke on them, alright? That's it..."
Remus tried to hide his laughing as he snickered to Severus. "Look, a tomato to my left..."
Severus smirked, shaking his head as he watched Alexis and Ron.
Arthur looked deep in thought for a moment, then turned to look at Remus, pointing at him and smirking as he commented to him. "Hey, I remember when..."
But before he could finish, Molly lashed out and slapped Arthur, and he quieted a bit offensively, wondering why he had been slapped, he wasn't talking about her and him... Remus glared at Arthur as well, also warning Arthur with a look to close his mouth and say nothing more.
Ron kept his head down, unable to look at anyone as Alexis stared like a lost puppy dog, not sure of what to do now, knowing she had screwed up.
Molly, put a hand to her chin, watching Alexis and Ron with a raised eyebrow, giving them the stern mother glare. Alexis gulped as Molly spoke. "I do think we are missing out on something important here, don't you think Arthur?"
Arthur, rubbing his jaw, snickered as he looked to Alexis, shaking his head. Watching her, Arthur leaned over to Molly and spoke quietly in her ear. "Like father, like daughter eh?"
Alexis narrowed her eyes at him, and, finally fed up, exclaimed. "What's with that, huh? Severus asking Remus about bringing up memories... then you with your 'like father like daughter' thing, and I saw the look Narcissa gave Remus... is there something I should know about this!" She emphasized by throwing up her arms. Ron grabbed her wrist, bringing it back down before she jerked his arm for the zillionth time.
Arthur, Molly, Remus, Severus, and Narcissa all glanced at each other, which kind of weirded Alexis out, but no one said a word, Remus merely turning his attention back to his food, avoiding everyone's gaze, looking slightly embarrassed.
Alexis shook her head, grumbling as she looked down at her plate, suddenly not hungry anymore. Looking over at Ron, she saw he wasn't either, merely staring at his plate. A few seconds passed, then Alexis bit her lip, leaning over and whispering softly in Ron's ear.
"Um, Ron honey... I need to go to the bathroom."
Ron stared at her, and she moved back, looking down at her plate quietly. Ron spoke out with exasperation. "Oh, just great..." To the people watching, he said a bit with frustration. "Excuse us for a moment..."
He stood, as did Alexis, and they quickly made their way to the stalled bathrooms.
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Artimis watched as they got up, knowing where Alexis and Ron were heading.
"Molly, why don't you and I go to the restroom real quick?" Artimis asked and Molly nodded, getting the gist. Artimis got up and Molly followed her as they began to head out.
"Molly, Artimis. I do believe I will join you." Narcissa spoke as she got up and they exited the Dining Room, Arthur commenting as they left.
"See, they travel in packs Draco."
Artimis shook her head as they approached the bathrooms quietly. Artimis put her finger to her lips, turning to the two women and they nodded as Artimis walked in the bathroom.
Artimis snickered and had to hold in laughter to what she saw as she walked in. Ron was leaning against the bathroom stall door, his one hand pulled tightly to the door and the chain going between the door. He looked over at her and glared at her with menace.
"Oh, sorry, I had to wash my hands." Artimis spoke as she walked over to the sink and turned the water on.
"Is that Artimis? I'm gonna kill her!" Alexis declared as she opened the bathroom door, using both hands to button her jeans, which made Ron's hand very close to her. He jerked his hand back as soon as she finished and Alexis blushed.
"Artimis, take them off!" Alexis screeched and Artimis shook her head, turning to walk away.
"I can't, only the both of you can." Artimis spoke as she was walking away. Suddenly a hand was on her shoulder and she was spun around. An enraged Alexis looked at her with warning, hissing in anger.
"TAKE THEM OFF!" Alexis threatened and Artimis narrowed her eyes, letting them fill over with shadows.
"Let me go. I can't reverse the spell, it has to be broken, by you two. I gave you the conditions." Artimis snarled back as she stormed out of the bathroom, past the eavesdropping Narcissa and Molly. They both scrambled after her as Artimis heard Alexis having a temper tantrum in the bathroom, hearing Ron's soothing voice trying to calm her. She entered the dining room, her eyes still blazed over and Draco looked at her with concern.
"Honey, Are you ok? Is everything fine?" He asked her and she nodded, forcing her anger away. She smiled at him as she sat down.
"Yes, perfectly fine." She stated as she sat down, waiting for Ron and Alexis to return. She was determined to make them admit their relationship tonight, even if it killed her.
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Alexis stomped back into the Dining room, Ron scrambling in behind her. She sat in her chair, grumbling to herself as Ron sat beside her, bright red and glaring at Artimis. She looked up at Artimis, and if looks could kill, Artimis would be dead several times over. She let her deadly gaze sweep over the table, everyone watching her oddly as Ron put a hand on her arm, attempting to keep her calm. Alexis focused on taking deep breaths, then tried to eat some of her meal.
Down the table a ways, Fred and George snickered to each other, then sat back, deciding to start their own conversation, loud enough to where they knew Alexis and Ron could hear.
"When they said ball and chain, I didn't think they meant it literally..." Fred commented to George, and George replied as Ron and Alexis's heads shot up.
"Well, I think it's more cuff and chain..." George corrected, and Fred nodded.
"That may be so, but Alexis is the ball." Fred spoke once more, feeling Alexis's angered gaze on him.
"Oh okay, I see your point now..." George exclaimed, nodding his head, ignoring the two enraged glares.
Aaron smirked, deciding to add in his own question. "Hm. So you're saying I should just handcuff myself to some girl I like to get attention?"
"Well, not precisely." Fred spoke matter of factly, turning to him.
"Yeah, think about it." (George)
"If you were to go up to some girl..." (Fred)
"And handcuff yourself to her..." (George)
"Then I think the only attention you would get..." (Fred)
"Would be from her fist." (George)
"Then I don't think you would get anything." (Fred)
Mrs. Weasley looked over at the Twins affronted, speaking sternly. "Now boys, behave..."
Fred and George looked to her like she was crazy, speaking simultaneously. "Us behave!"
"We aren't the ones..." (George)
"Handcuffed to a female!" (Fred)
"You should be ranting over at ickle Ronnikins over there!" (George)
"Though, I don't think he's little anymore..." Fred snickered, and Harry looked over, replying in a sickly sweet tone of voice. "Ah, our little Ron's growing up..."
Hermione giggled, adding as well. "Awww... how sweet."
At the end of the table, two seething people glared. Though, Ron had had about enough of this shit. He made as if to stand, glaring daggers at his two brothers. Alexis stood with him, but grabbed his shoulder and forcefully pushed him back down into his seat. Alexis sat again as well, keeping her cuffed arm firmly latched to his, though angry enough that she would've joined him if she knew the children and certain guests weren't present.
The Dining room filled with laughter directed at the two, who sat quietly, looking down at their plates as they attempted to stay calm. Alexis looked over at Ron, who was biting his lip as people continued their taunting conversations. Alexis sighed quietly, voice sincere and resigned. "I... I'm really sorry about all of this Ron."
Ron looked over at her quizzically, then smiled tenderly. "It's not your fault Lexy. This doesn't matter, all that matters is that I love you."
Suddenly the laughter ceased and movement stopped, everyone looking over at Ron. He slapped a hand over his mouth, swallowing nervously. Alexis gulped, looking down at her plate, blushing almost as bad as Ron was.
Aaron snickered, then spoke aloud his revelation. "Man, I know your secret now! Sweet talk and handcuffs is what will get you some! ... ouch!" He hissed the last, gaze darting to Hailey as laughter broke out once again. Hailey gazed at him sternly, and Aaron hung his head a bit ashamedly.
Draco, feeling it his time to pop in his own remark, smirked as he looked at Ron. "Ron, I have one thing I have to say. The handcuffs are a little much. I mean I can understand why you wouldn't use a leather cuff, cause with Alexis, she'd just gnaw right through it..." Draco teased and Alexis's breath hitched in her throat as she stared at Draco. She stood to her feet angrily, trembling as she tried to keep her temper in check. She turned, ready to stomp around the table to him when Ron stood, grabbing both her arms and stopping her. She struggled a bit, too angry to speak as Ron pulled her back and sat her in the chair, keeping hold of her until she settled down somewhat. Ron glared at Draco, hissing angrily. "Just, shut up Draco!"
Draco lost a little of his smirk, surprised at Ron's yelling, never really seeing him angry before. Ron then looked to Alexis. "Is it really worth this Alexis?" He asked, still sounding angry. Alexis looked over at him, looking into his eyes. She let out a breath, shaking her head minisculely, turning her gaze to Artimis.
She growled through gritted teeth as everyone silenced around them. "You want to know, then fine. I'll tell you. We're together, alright? We're together, I'm dating Ron Weasley! Satisfied! Now take these damn things OFF!" She screamed at Artimis, and Artimis leaned back in her chair, gazing at the seething Alexis smugly and shrugging.
"I already told you. I can't. You and Ron are the only ones who can."
It was Ron's turn to stand and yell angrily. "Damnit! You are a sick, sadistic, cruel woman, you know this? Can't be satisfied with merely taunting, can you! We're dating! Okay, now take these fucking things..."
He quieted as he heard a small click, and he and Alexis looked down, seeing the handcuffs unlock and clatter to the floor. They looked back up at all the grinning and surprised faces, Ron looked at Alexis, who looked surprised as well. Alexis leaned down and picked the handcuffs up, growling at them and chucked them at Artimis's head.
"Here's your damn handcuffs." Alexis yelled as Artimis simply reached up and caught them mid air with an all knowing smirk.
"Oh... okay. That's over with... ice?" Ron questioned Alexis quietly, and she nodded once, confirming. "Ice."
Ron nodded and both exited the Dining room side by side without a look back.
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Artimis sat in her glory as Alexis and Ron stormed out of the room. She felt the handcuffs in her hand, the metal warm still. She snickered as she tucked them in her pocket, looking up around the shocked room. Severus looked at her and smiled, which scared Artimis.
"Thank you Artimis." Severus spoke and Artimis looked at him, confused.
"For what?" She asked him, and he grinned.
"Because you did in one day what I haven't been able to accomplish in all the time I have known Alexis. You thoroughly embarrassed her. Had I known that was what you wanted to know that spell for, I would have been more willing to teach it to you." He replied and was glared at by Remus, who then turned to Arthur with a lost look.
"But... But Artimis broke the rules. We are supposed to wait for them to come to us." Remus asked hopelessly and Arthur smiled at him.
"Pregnant best friends have different rules." Arthur spoke and Remus nodded, glaring at Artimis.
"Artimis, I expect you to apologize to her. That was a cruel trick you played." Remus told her sternly and Artimis laughed at him.
"Remus, I couldn't hold the secret in any longer. It was they tell it themselves or I start saying my opinion, I did what was best for them." Artimis told him and Remus rolled his eyes, pushing his plate away.
"Well, I do say that I must retire to my room. It is a full moon and, well, Alexis can only help me hold myself back for so long. See you all later." He informed them as he got up, looking kind of pale. Artimis nodded at him and then looked to Arthur and Molly who were looking at each other kind of shell shocked.
"Well, Artimis, dear, we should probably be heading home. You need your rest after all with the baby and all. We'll stop by in a few days." Arthur told her softly and Artimis nodded, standing as both Arthur and Molly stood. After a moment Ginny stood from her seat between Hermione and Harry, smiling at Harry sweetly, and followed her parents to the door. Artimis walked them out, opening the door, and receiving another chokehold hug. After Artimis closed the door, she was hit with a wave of nausea, leaning against the wall for support. She headed footsteps walking out of the Dining Room and then scrambling back in. Artimis leaned on the wall, dizziness joining the nausea as she felt the need to puke. She heard feet scrambling behind her and suddenly there were hands on her shoulders.
"Artimis, honey, are you ok?" Draco's voice was heard and Artimis tried to nod, but that made her head hurt.
"Ok, It's definitely time for you to go to bed." Draco spoke and she felt an arm under her giving out knees and she was being lifted in Draco's strong arms. She tucked her head in his shoulder, begging for the world to stop spinning. She felt him carrying her up the stairs and the movement made her sicker. As they entered their bedroom, Artimis's stomach lurched and she puked on Draco's chest. He cringed and rushed her into the bathroom. He placed her on the floor by the toilet and held her hair as she finished puking her guts out in the john. After she stopped retching she felt him let go of her hair and she turned around to see him pulling off his puke covered shirt.
"Honey, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-" She began and he dropped to his knees in front of her.
"Hush honey, It's ok. Your pregnant, that's normal." He spoke and Artimis nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. He kissed her forehead and stood up, opening a bathroom drawer and pulling out a washrag. He wet it and then leaned back down, wiping the vomit from around her mouth. He then picked her up again, pulling her close to his warm chest and she smiled. She felt him move funny and then they were both in the bed, Draco still holding her in his arms. He let her legs go and she slid under the covers, laying partially on him. She felt him running his fingers through her hair and that was the sensation she fell asleep to.
Artimis awoke later in her bed alone, having heard the door open.
"Artimis? You awake?" A voice that was not Draco's called out to her.
"Yes, now I am. Who are you?" She asked as she turned on the lights to view Ron standing there. He looked at the floor, arms behind his back and she knew he wanted something.
"What Ron?" She asked as she sat up in her bed, looking at him.
"Well, I need a favor." He told her quietly and she smirked.
"Yes?" She prompted him and he looked up at her.
"Well, you see, I have to make today up to Alexis. And, you kinda owe her. Well I wanna do something Romantic for her, but I don't know what, and you know her best besides Remus, and, well, I can't ask him in his condition." Ron mumbled quickly and Artimis snickered. Suddenly a tidbit of a comment from Alexis spiked up in her memory.
'Men who can sing are so cool...' Artimis remembered her friend saying, and she looked to Ron with interest.
"Can you sing?" She asked him, leaping from her bed and walking over to her dresser, digging for those damn lyrics to Alexis's only favorite romantic song.
"Kinda." Ron replied nervously and Artimis pulled the paper out of her drawer, handing it to Ron.
"Be on the balcony tomorrow night just after sunset. I'll make sure she is there. Just learn the lines and song." Artimis spoke, ushering him out of the door, wanting to go back to sleep.
"Oh, um... Ok." He replied as she pushed him out and closed the door. She sighed, smiling, and walked back to the bed, climbing in and going to sleep.
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I wonder what Artimis has up her sleeve... well, continue on and find out...
Deep Shadows