Chapter 6: Life After Love
They say time is gold
and not to waste it
I am pouring it all
to you this moment
6 Years Later...
Ella woke up to Hieronymous tossing and turning in his sleep yet again. She often jokes to him that he accidently kicks her in his sleep, but she knows that when he has this restless sleep, he is thinking about those painful past memories that tear at his soul. The only thing she can do is just to let him know that he is going to be okay. She rubs his back gently and whispers in his ear, "It is okay honey, I'm here with you."
Of course, Hieronymous is always the most grumpy when he is woken up in the morning. His eyes shot open and he is breathing heavily because he just awoke from one of his nightmares. Ella slips out of bed before he chides her for waking him up early and prepares some green tea. She leaves a cup on Hieronymous's desk and takes all of her books off of her desk. She dashs out the door before he can even open his mouth. It was a Saturday, but she had some conferences to attend to. She promised to meet with some students to help assist them with improving their magic.
Hieronymous grumbled, "I swear those students get more private time with her than I do these days." He slowly dresses himself with the clothes Ella lovingly laid out for him on top of his desk. She was a thoughtful and dilgent wife. He sits in his chair sipping the tea she made. She knew him well. A warm cup of tea always got him to wake up. In the past six years, they became very close. They lived in his chambers at the school and she became a professor at Iris Academy just as she wished. She became the Blue Magic teacher and now he was just the Red Magic teacher. Potsdam finally started to hire more teachers so he did not have to teach multiple magic classes.
There was another letter on top of his desk. It was addressed from his father. Great, thought Hieronymous...another pestering letter. His father keeps sending him pestering letters about when they were going to move out of the school and asked him when they would start trying for a baby...he really wanted a grandson and kept harassing Hieronymous about carrying down the Grabiner name. He threw it the letter in the trash. Ella and Hieronymous did things their own way, when they wanted to.
Hieronymous started to go through his papers of his student files and then her heard the footsteps of his lovely wife coming in and he looked at the door. She smiled and waved at him, "Hieronymous? Are you awake yet?"
Hieronymous glared at her, "You didn't even say good morning to your husband and you go to meet with your students..."
Ella giggled, "Being professor of the year doesn't happen over night Hieronymous!" She shut the door and he could see her again. She revealed she was wearing his hat yet again. She often stole his trademark hat and wore it whenever she woke up before him. Her face was glowing with happiness.
Hieronymous looked up at her head, "Why do you always take my hat? Do I have to buy you one."
Ella walked over to him and playfully sat on his lap her favorite spot, "Because it makes me smarter."
Hieronymous felt her weight on his knee and looked at Ella as she put the hat on his head. She smiled, "It does look better on you though, but it is a a cute assesory for me!" She kissed him on the cheek.
Hieronymous looked at her, "Aren't you getting a little old for this flirty behavior? And heavy?" His knees weren't as strong as they used to be.
Ella pouted, "Are you saying I gained weight honey?"
Hieronymous wrapped his arms around her stomach, "It is hard to believe that..."
Ella rolled her eyes, "That there's a baby inside of me? You did take part in making that happen. What do you think...is it a boy? is it a girl? Is the magus demon? Yeah we are going to give birth to a demon and it is all your fault."
Hieronymous kissed her on the cheek, "I doubt that will be the case my dear..." He chided her, "Stop waking up so early for those students. They can fend for themsevles." He picked her up and placed her gently on the bed. She was getting heavier by the day. He wondered if that baby was a demon because it often felt like she was eating for three not two.
Ella gave in to him and nodded, "Fine I will stop working on weekends at least Hieronymous...you act like I'm glass."
Hieronymous got into bed with her and held her hand tightly, "I just don't want to let go of you."
Then five minutes later, Ella whined yet again. She gave Hieronymous her biggest puppy dog face as her stomach growled, "Pizza...I want pizza with a baked potato!"
But as if today is the last,
I will try my best
Like a cat chasing a mouse
It can snow, it can rain, it can be
foggy but I don't see anything else
But you in front of me