Chapter 4

The Store

It was raining again. A light, constant sound under the commotion of getting breakfast made. Eggs this time. I'd have to go shopping later today. Ruby waited and drank her apple cider while looking around the moderately lit room. Tersly had woken up before me today and already had his morning meal. He was probably doing paperwork now.

"Montehue?" She asked.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Um, you don't know Augerfrost, do you?" Ruby sipped her drink.

"That's an Organization power. Why?" I stirred the eggs one last time and put half on a plate for her and the other for me.

"I don't like that one. It hurt me." She frowned.

"I don't know any Organization powers, Ru. And I especially wouldn't be teaching you them." I set her plate down in front of her and then went to my chair.

"I don't like the Organization." She stabbed a piece of egg.

"No one does." I told her.

There was a lull in the conversation after that. We ate our warm breakfast. Our forks scrapped the plate a few times. Glass mugs being lifted and set down at random times. The rain hit the window. A cool breeze nipped our toes. All in all, it was very atmospheric.

"Will you show me around the museum?" Ruby asked after she finished.

"Of course." I sipped my coffee.

"Ok." She nodded.

I showed her all the exhibits. She liked the artwork and various artifacts from every exhibit. I'd make a historian out of her yet. We ended on the gift shop. She played with the trinkets and looked at the books. Luckily, it was Sunday so no customers today. Then I decided to take Ruby with me to the store before it got too busy. I texted Tersly where we were going and reminded him to eat lunch.

Ruby stayed close to me in the store like a shadow and was very skittish. I kept telling her it was fine, but she was still scared. Maybe one of her mom's boyfriends was a Suit? She pointed to the food she wanted and then asked to go home. I told her we had to get food for the whole week. She pouted. I did my best to make her feel more at ease, but it didn't work when we got in line and were surrounded by people. I picked her up after she froze where she was standing and had to bag the groceries with her on my hip. It was difficult, but Ruby was already apologizing halfway to the car so I ignored the minor inconvenient.

"Ruby, it's ok." I said for the billionth time.

"But it's not! I know those bad people aren't everywhere, but-but…" She sniffed.

"Oh, Sweetie, shh. What happened was a bad thing, but I'll keep you safe. Ok? I'll keep you safe." I soothed as she buried her face in my shirt.

"Mmm." It broke my heart to hear her sob. I focused on comforting Ruby until she stopped crying. I strapped her into the car and finished putting the groceries in the car.

We got home and I had Tersly put the food away while I made sure our precious gem was ok. She told me she liked it better when we were both with her to keep the strangers away. I frowned, but agreed not to take her unless we all could go. Forcing her to confront her fear would make it worse. Make her lose trust in me. Ruby wanted to be held for awhile. She ended up falling asleep.

"Montehue? What happened?" Tersly came into her room.

"There were too many people at the store. She got scared toward the end, when we were in line. I think it had something to do with the attack. She's afraid the Organization is going to strike again." I petted her hair.

"Oh, my poor baby." He frowned.

"I know." I agreed.

"What are we going to do?" He asked.

"Well, we'll take it slow. Figure out how to help her and maybe, um, therapy?" I shrugged.

"She might not like meeting a therapist." Tersly pointed out.

"I know, but it'll be for her benefit. We'll get to that part in a bit. After we start teaching her." I said.

"Build her confidence." He added.

"Yes. That will help." I nodded.

"Dad…" Ruby yawned, hugging me.

"Aw." Tersly smiled. I kissed her forehead and let her sleep while we made dinner.

Ruby found her way to the kitchen all by herself after I called her. She was a bit down, but Tersly reassured her that her reaction was normal. She looked at him, unsure and doubtful. He let it drop and asked her when she wanted her first Seeker lesson. She wasn't sure, but not this week. I told her there was no rush, we just wanted an idea. She nodded.

We had cookies for dessert and watched TV before bed. I told her another story with Dante. She loved it and was excited for the next one.

I got up to turn off the lights, "Da-Montehue?"

"What is it?" I looked at her.

"Thanks for being there for me." She played with a red curl.

"Any time, kiddo. Now, let's get you tucked back in." She lied down and let me put the covers over her.

"Night. I lo-" She paused abruptly.

"Love me?" I asked. She nodded. I smiled, "We love you too, Ruby. Very much."

"Will you tell Tersly I love him?" She asked.

"Yes. Now, go to sleep, Sweetie." I gave her a peck and got up again.

"Night… Dad." She said sleepily.

"Sweet dreams, Ruby-girl." I turned out the lights, smiling.