Chapter 4

I smiled as I approached my Ira that night, lighting the lights in the pool. "Hello, my love". "My, you look beautiful". I said, gently. I swirled my glass of wine in a classy way. "Let's begin with a spin, and a world of antioxidation". "I chose…no…I selected the crafted Merlough for our amusements". I said, grinning in a manner in which a sophisticated man, would. For example; Hector J. Peabody. The smartest canine in the world. He's dignified, right?

Ira laughed when she saw this. "I don't think I've ever seen this side of you". Ira said. "What's that, the fun side?". I asked, chuckling. "The sophisticated side". Ira said, as she laughed. "Well, hey, I have it in me to kick back, and stare at the purportments for a bit". "Now that we're here, let's have some fun". I said, chuckling. "I have some more cheesecake, and some more Merlough if we need it".

Ira laughed as she took some more cheesecake. We both took some more, as we went out by the pool. "This might not be a cabin, like we were expecting, but it's ours, and we have it". "That's something to be impressed by, hmm, love?". I said, gently, lighting a cigarette. "It is". Ira said. "I do love you in those jammies, darling". "You look so adorable, I'm impressed". I said, gently. "Thank you". Ira said. Ira laughed as she glanced upwards. "What's got you so excited?". "You enjoyin our luxury?". I asked, kindly. "I am". Ira said. "I like being here, with everyone". "Everyone is really nice".

"Well, you know, you're my favorite, baby girl". I said, gently. "You're someone I love being with, someone I love seeing". "We've been best friends for 2 years now, now that you're 15". I smiled a gentle smile. "We have been". Ira said. "It seems I understand you so well". "You're just full of hidden gems". I said, gently. "True". Ira replied.

"Remember when I first met you in the hospital?". "How small, and fragile you were?". "You were so fragile, and deprived, you could barely walk". "You just had to rely on your doctors and therapists to help you through it". I said, kindly. "I remember….kind of". Ira said.

Ira ate her cheesecake. "I love ya, so much". "I knew we'd be best buds even from the beginning". "We both knew it, baby girl". "Even when you were so young in your development". I said, gently. "I know, too". Ira said.

"I guess….now that I kind of….I kind of have someone, it's different….because I can actually rely on someone". "I don't have to do anything". Ira said. "Someone actually cares about me".

"Hey, someone does care for ya". "He knows what ya've been through". I said, gently, lowering my shades. "He knows that while ya live with him, you'll get all of the care you need".

"I don't think I'm planning on living with anybody". Ira said, finishing a bit of her cheesecake. "Why is that?". I asked, gently as some cigarette ash dropped into my cheesecake, melting it. I still ate it, nonetheless. "Because….because I don't want to inconvenience anyone". "I make things hard enough on everyone". Ira said. "Besides, I'm kind of on my own now….I don't have anywhere else to go".

I nodded, smoking, as I let the tip of my cigarette become singed with ash. "Hey, ya won't be on your own, honey". I said, gently. "You'll be beside me, giving you a nice place while you… become great in your own way". "We'll change the world, giving it a bit of pizzazz". I winked at Ira. "i'm sure we will, if we don't already". Ira said. "We definitely will". I said, kindly. "Mm, but I realized something else".

"What is that?". Ira asked. "It's definitely tickletime!". I said, as I began tickling my Ira, tickling her cheeks as she laughed. She laughed for a bit, as she smiled. "Tickle tickle, my Love". I said, giggling along with her. We both giggled by that measure. Ira glanced out over the balcony, holding her teddy bear. She seemed to be happy now. We were both happy, as I took her hands in mine. I brushed her cheeks, softly. "Reunited, cuz we under-stood". "Reunited, and it feels so good". I sang, softly. Ira calmed down, considerably, as she began to hum along. Her eyes almost seemed to fall with that. It was as if her eyes were about to tell a story of closing…of shutting down for the evening.

When she did close them for the evening, she was snug in her bed back at the house. There was nothing to keep her from falling asleep. She seemed comforted, and I was comforted as well. But then again, on to the plan of bringing the comet closer. All I had to do, was rub the brooch repeatedly, and the rest would take care of itself. It was as easy as anything else. I did it with a spectacular amount of ease. Nothing to worry about in the moment. Everything was candy. That's another way of stating that it was easy. Hmm….well then.

The next day, the comet seemed closer and closer than it was beforehand. It almost looked as if it was the same size as the sun. The sky looked musty and red, and there was an eerie, evil smoke that resonated from it. The reporter on the Townsville news channel had made an announcement regarding the comet. It seemed as if everyone was getting ready to evacuate. Ira woke up, walking towards the porch. "The comet is getting closer it seems". Ira said.

"It is getting closer". "But it's not there yet". I said, with some nervousness. "Don't be doubtful, honey". "It will be ok". I smiled a greasy, sneaky smile only a millipede would smile.

Ira began coughing a bit, as she sniffled. "What's wrong, honey?". I asked, gently, with kindness. "You feelin ok?".

"Kind of". Ira said. "I think I might be getting sick". "I'm not feeling well".

"Aww, I'm sorry". I said, gently. "Everything will be ok". "I promise you".

"I'm fine, I guess". Ira said. "I guess I'm ok". Ira sniffled as she glanced around. She looked as if she was about to cry. "I just feel kind of….I don't know". Ira sniffled.

"I understand". I said, gently. "Sometimes, you feel sick, but don't over exert yourself". I said, gently. "Things will be ok". "Take it easy, and don't do anything too harsh". "It's ok". I was soft, and kind.

"You sound as if you're coughing, and you're in a lot of pain". "Is everything ok, honey?". I asked, gently. "I'm sorry to see you suffering".

"I guess". Ira said. Ira sniffled. "Let's lay down, honey". "Take it easy, today". "Everything will be ok". I said, gently. Ira nodded, as she sniffled. Ira followed me into the house, as the heat became sweltering. Outside, it became more plain, and disgustingly arrid.

"Let's get back into bed, and lay for some time". I said, gently. "I'll feed you some soup, and take your temperature, as well as read you a bedtime story". "You know, I cool the thermometer in a very special place". I winked as I said this. "Where is that?". Ira asked. She sniffled, keeping her tears inside.

"Inside of my boxers". I said, gently, chuckling. "I've got special testes that cool down when I don't wear boxers to bed". "Y'wanna see my boxers?". "I'm about to change into my other ones, and put the thermometer up there".

Ira nodded, as she seemed a bit repulsed. "That's an interesting way to cool a thermometer". She said.

"Hey, I got some other ways to take temperature, other than my testes". "There's my armpit". I said, chuckling.

"Well….well that's nice". Ira said. "Let's go lay down, baby girl". "I got some soup for ya as well". I said, gently. Ira nodded, as she got into her bed. I tucked her in. She seemed to sniffle as she glanced around. I smiled a gentle smile. "You seem a bit depressed, honey". "You're not yourself, I've noticed". "Everything ok?". I asked, kindly. Ira didn't respond, as she sniffled. "I'm fine". Ira said, quietly. She sniffled, feeling saddened, it seemed. "Tell me what's wrong, baby". I said, gently with softness. I tucked Ira beneath the blankets. "Y'know it's all good when we talk". "That, and you're beautiful".

Ira sniffled as she coughed, rubbing her eyes. "Tell me, honey". "It's ok". I whispered, gently. "Well….I got terminated from the firm". Ira said, sniffling. "I don't have anywhere else to go, and I don't have anyone else to go to". "I've just been thinking of what a failure I am". "No one will help me…and I kind of feel like….like you don't believe in me". "Like you're helping me because you have to". Ira said. "Hmm, I understand". I said, gently. "There's no need to be sad, I'm right beside you, baby girl".

"Why are ya sad, specifically?". I asked, gently with softness. "Because….because I don't have anyone…and I…haven't had anyone since the beginning". "It hurts me a lot, but I don't know what else to do". Ira said, sniffling. "I just feel like….like I'm a failure…that's all that I am". "People insulting me doesn't help, either".

"You don't think I'm a failure, do you?". Ira asked. "Of course I don't". I said, gently with softness. "I know you've had a tough beginning, but you're doing well". "It's not easy having one of them tough days". "We both know it".

"You're someone that has done a lot for the world, at large". "You've helped everyone with your altruism, and your kindness". "There's no need to feel insecure, or as if you've failed". "You're still a wonderful person with amazing qualities". "I know it's not easy right now, but things will get easier". I said, gently. "You know I love you very much". "No matter how tough it gets, you'll always have me". "I love you, more than anything".

"You ok, Honey biscuit?". I asked, gently. "I'm fine". Ira said, sniffling. "I understand it's hard for you, sometimes". "You're doing well". "You know I always love you". I said, gently.

I smiled a gentle smile, taking off my boxers, as I showed Ira my testicles a bit. "They're pretty big, ain't they?". I said, gently. "Kind of". Ira said, as she sniffled. "The left is a bit bigger than the right, but the doctor says that should clear up any time now". "I love these testes". "That, and my pe*** is big as well". "It might have some scabs on it as well, there's a spider living in one of the scabs". "His name is Poison, and he's a friend of mine". I said, gently.

"I've got big genitals, don't I?". "they're pretty big for what would be considered a slender body". "It's all of that muscle, and fat". I said, gently, smiling a greasy, creepy smile. Ira might've shuddered a bit. It may have been out of line to show Ira private parts, but for someone that vulnerable, they need to be taken advantage of, a bit. They aren't wise enough to make decisions on their own.

"Hmm, let's see if these boxers still fit". "Haven't worn them in a long time". "They might still have that white stain from when I….ya know….ejaculated a bit". "Cummed a bit". I said, with a seductive allure to my gentle, paternal voice. I burst into laughter afterwards.

"Alright then…..". Ira said, as she sniffled. Ira glanced around as she coughed a bit. I smiled, winking at my Ira. "Y'know I get wet when I see a cute little girl I like". I chuckled, saying this alluringly.

"Well, they're still fittin' like a glove". "I love how smooth they feel". "Such a nice fit with such a comfy aspect". I said, gently. "I love when I have boxers that fit". "Super nice".

"You've never seen a man's testes before, have you?". I said, gently. "I haven't". Ira said. "Well, you're in luck". "I've got the cream of the crop". "Healthy too". I said, kindly.

Ira nodded, as she sniffled a bit, hiding her face behind her blankets. I did put on my boxers, putting a tank top on. "Hey, love". "What's troublin' you?". I asked, gently, with a soft, alluring spectral of my wise voice. I was kind and altruistic with Ira. I knew she was depressed this morning. "You seem kinda sad, everythin' good?". "I've noticed you're a bit down today". I said, gently. "It's nothing". Ira said, sniffling.

"Tell me, and I'll give ya a piece of leftover cheesecake". "I have some in the fridge, along with some Oat Milk". "Cheesecake would be good with milk". I said, in a gentle whisper.

"well….I've been told that my foster family didn't actually love me". Ira said, sniffling. "They hated me, and they only adopted me to get the money". "I somehow, always thought that my foster family just had some hardships, and trauma of their own, but I never thought they were truly evil". "I was kind of wrong in my perceptions". "My family didn't love me….no one does". "I don't know….it's kind of troubling". Ira had a look of despair on her face.

"Mmm hmm". I nodded, gently. "Well, that is alarming to hear, but it might be true". "There are foster families who do that". "But there's nothing to be afraid of now". "You're loved". I said, kindly. I smiled a gentle smile. "I love you most". "My boys love you as well".

"I will always love you, honey". "Even if it does seem as if you will never live on your own, or have independence". I said, gently and softly. "But I love taking care of you". "I love seeing you most, out of everyone". "You're my girl". I smiled a kind smile. At this point, my shades were off, and my sympathetic, reddish eyes were there. I sat down on the bed.

"You're my favorite out of anyone I've ever met". "There's a reason I find peace with you, and no one else". I said, kindly. "It's because you brighten my day". "You make my life worthwhile".

I smiled a gentle smile, putting a hand on the blanket, where Ira's legs would be. "so….I won't be able to take care of myself?". Ira asked. "Unfortunately not". I said, gently. "But I promise you, I'll take care of you". "I have plenty of milk to quench your thirst, and plenty of food to nourish your wonderful mind". "You'll be in good hands, I can guarantee that".

"I hope". Ira said. Ira sniffled as she glanced around. "That's good to know". Ira seemed even more depressed as she became silent. "I know life's not the easiest thing". "But I do promise that what we have between us is special". "We have something no one else can take away from us….and that's the love we share". "That's the bond we have, and that we have had from the beginning". "I love you more than anyone else does, and that's ok". "That only makes our bond all the more special". I said, gently.

"So….you mean to say that…..you're the only one who cares about me?". Ira asked. "Yes". I said, gently, while my wrinkles, my veins began to twitch. She couldn't tell by these facial tics that I was lying. "But you are the one I favor most". "You're the one I love most, and the special angel I adore the most, because you and I are so similar". I said, gently with softness. "Why?". Ira asked. "Well, perhaps you didn't know this, but I was rejected as well by a parent that was in a position to love me". I said, gently. "You and I have experienced harsh upbringings, cruel adults, and poverty". "We've been through so much". "You and I have both seen rejection, and hate". "We need one anotha to even barely survive". "You've brought so much love, and hope to my experiences". "I need you, in the same way you need me". "Our love is eternal, my Ira".

Ira nodded, as she sniffled, coughing a bit. Her eyes seemed to well up with tears. "I…I…I..I..I want….". "I kind of….". Ira said, as she began to cry. "Shhh, shh, it's ok now". I comforted, gently, and softly. "Shh, be calm now". I whispered, gently. "Everything will be ok".

Ira nodded, coughing. I smiled a gentle smile, stroking her cheek, softly. "I love you, you're loved". "You're not alone". "You're ok". I comforted, kindly. "You're my darling love, and I'm happy we're reunited".

Ira nodded, while I held her hands. "Reunited, cuz we under-stood". "Reunited, and it feels so good". "Give me your lovin, something more to keep". "While my an-gel lays me down to sleep". I sang, gently. Ira nodded, coughing some more. "Let's take your temperature, darlin". I said, gently. Ira nodded, as I placed the thermometer in her mouth. When she did cough a bit, I looked at the thermometer. "You are burnin up, honey". I said, gently. "Maybe have some soup, and warm milk, you'll be ok". "I'll even put some chocolate in the milk, to help the flavor". I winked at Ira, gently. Ira still stayed silent for a reason.

"Hey, cheer up, honey". I said, gently. "Don't be glum, now". "I still love ya". "You're not alone". "Aren't ya glad we're reunited?". I chuckled as I smiled. "We've been reunited for a couple days now". "We'll be reunited for a long time". "As long as we can".

"I know". Ira said. Ira sniffled as she glanced around, feeling tortured. "What do I gotta do, to make ya laugh?". "Should I act classy, or somethin?". I said, gently. "I still have some a' that wine leftover from the other night".

"No, that's ok". Ira said. "I'm fine". "I'm just not in a good place right now".

"Hey, this thing with your foster family is really hittin hard, isn't it?". I said, with soft sympathy. "Tough, ain't it?". "Hey, I know that feels when it seems no one loves ya". "Again, that's how we're similar". I rubbed Ira's arm as it sat on her lap. "You don't know what I've been through". "You don't know how I feel". Ira said, sullenly. "Hey, I do, fortunately". I said, gently. "My mother was an alcoholic, borderline bipolar, and I was taken from her care when I was a young kid".

"I know how bad it is, and how bad it can be". I said, gently. "When I was a baby, things were hard for me, too". "I know how hard early infancy is for babies, and children". "But luckily, as we grow up, we find our footing". "It's ok to feel alone, that's why we need one another". "Our loneliness can be used for company".

"I'm ok for right now". Ira said. "truly….I am". "But I just don't understand why someone would adopt someone, and abuse them for their personal gain". "I don't know what to do now….because…it seems like no one loves me". "Except for you".

I felt the whiskers on my face, the hairs tremble a bit as I glanced at Ira. I knew she was beginning to feel a connection. Lying to her….for monetary gain….using her….pulling a comet from orbit, fabricated with evils, aligned to awaken Al Lusion….among the aspect of betrayal….was it wrong? Was I beginning to feel something? I knew I needed the money in order to….well, I just wanted money. And I was opting in for something bigger than ol Al Lusion himself. I wanted all of the riches. All of the wealth. And Ira was going to help me get there. :)