blackamber- So... jerk face is back...
Amy- What else is new?
blackamber- OH! I have exciting news that has nothing to do with the story!
Bryan- I'm going to have to announce this won't I?
blackamber- Yup ^_^
Bryan- (sigh) blackamber would like to tell whomever cares that her dog no longer has a droopy face... (blinks) Your dog had a droopy face?
blackamber- He had Horner's Syndrome which causes the eye to sink back into the head a bit and made it look like his face was drooping on one side... it happened in the summer... but it's all gone now XD... my momma called me to tell me that... though that means when I go home I can't call him "Droopy-face" no more... Oh well, you win some you lose some...
Amy- RIiight... usual disclaimer
"You're positive of what you saw?" Cole's father demanded, "you're sure she's here?"
"Not only am I sure, father, but she has a kid too," Cole smirked, "a little boy to be exact. I saw them riding that black gelding of hers."
Mr. Johnson smiled darkly, baring yellow teeth. His salt and peppered mustache hung beneath a round nose and brought out the features of his large cheeks. Had there been such a things as an evil Santa Clause, this man would be the perfect look alike. The four sausages of his left hand tapped against his wooden cane.
"This could be quite advantageous, Boris," he said, his nasally yet deep voice echoing off the walls.
"How so?" Boris asked, looking at the short, fat man with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Heh, well, you need new shooters. Young one's that you can brainwash, and I want revenge against that little bitch," Mr. Johnson stated, "we take her son, and we both win."
"Not too mention, I have a good guess as to who the father is, and, Mr. Balkov, I think you might find that very interesting," Cole tempted.
"Oh? And who is that?" The tall former abbey master looked at the twenty-two year old, black haired man.
"Tala Vokov."
Boris broke into a heavy laugh. "Tala? There is no way he is with a woman, let alone has children; he can't feel, none of the boys from this abbey can."
"Best check your data again, old man, for he and Ms. Hiwatari seemed quite cozy the last time I saw them," Cole growled.
Boris narrowed his eyes, "Erik, I suggest you teach your boy some proper respect before I do." There was a pause of silence. "Did you say, Ms. Hiwatari? As in Amelia Hiwatari?"
Cole nodded, "The very same."
"You should have told me earlier," Boris grinned viciously, "I am always up to harming any of the Hiwatari's… especially after the damage her brother did to some of our equipment."
"So we have a deal then?" Mr. Johnson asked, holding out his flabby hand to Boris.
Boris nodded, taking it in his own and giving it a firm shake, "Yes… we have a deal."
"You shoulda seen it dad! We were racing acwoss Wussia at top speed. I bet we coulda out wun a car!" Dimitri said excitedly, recounting his ride with his mother.
Tala smiled down at his son, "Yeah, I bet you could've."
Amy was curled up against Tala on the creamy colored couch in their "family room", Dimitri and Thea on the floor in front of them.
"Ne? Daddy you can wide too, can't you?" Thea asked, looking up at him with wonder.
"Well… kind of, yes," Tala responded, scratching the back of his head uneasily. His answer earned a snort from his dark grey haired friend, sitting at the other end of the couch.
"How come you don't have a horse too then?" Thea asked.
"Well… I… uhh…"
"Your father can ride… he just doesn't like to as much as I do," Amy answered for him.
"Yeah, but think of how womantic it would be. Just you two widing side by side, thwough the snow, as the sun sets," Thea described, sighing dreamily.
Dimitri rolled his eyes and sighed, "Sisters…"
Tala and Amy, however, laughed at the idea. "Maybe one day," Tala said.
"Not likely," Bryan muttered.
"You say something Bryan?" Amy asked, glancing over at him with a dark look.
Bryan winced, remembering the ear-full she gave him about saying such things as "doing it" and "lust" in front of the twins. It was definitely more than Tala had said. His ear still kind of ached from her harsh words and raised tone.
"Nope… not a thing," Bryan responded, forcing a smile.
"Good," Amy smiled, as Thea climbed up onto the couch, positioning herself against her mother's stomach.
"Momma? How come you sounded weally scawed eawier? Did somefing happen?" Thea asked.
"Don't worry about it, sweet-pea," Amy murmured, pulling her daughter close and kissing her head, "everything's fine now."
"Why?" Thea asked her favorite question.
"'Cause your daddy made it all better." Amy smiled over at him, resting her head lightly on her daughter's.
Thea smiled brightly, tilting her head slightly so her mother could see her face. "Daddy makes everyfing better," she stated firmly.
"Alright, this is getting too much for me," Bryan declared, getting up from the couch, "I'll see ya later, bro."
Tala nodded at Bryan, "See you."
"Bye Uncle Bwyan!" Thea and Dimitri waved wildly.
"See ya, tykes," Bryan smirked at them, "bye Amy."
"Bye, take care," Amy smiled, giving a small wave of her hand.
"Hey, mom?" Dimitri looked up at her.
"What is it?"
"How come you and dad only have us? Don't you want more kids?" he asked.
Tala coughed uneasily, signaling that he did not want to get dragged into answering that question.
"YEAH! Why are we the only ones!?" Thea demanded.
Amy hugged the little girl tighter to her, "Because, you two are all we need right now, okay?"
"But why?" came, once again, Thea's favorite question.
"Because your father is lazy," Amy answered.
"What!?" Tala glared at her slightly.
Amy gave him a look that said, you don't help with the questions, you suffer the consequences.
Tala's glare turned into a playful smirk- which Thea caught and readily hopped off the couch, lest she be thrown. "I'm lazy, am I?" he asked, pinning her down.
Amy laughed, "Tala… don't…"
"Don't what?" He skimmed her most ticklish spot with his finger, earning a small laugh from her.
"Don't do that," Amy laughed, trying to get away.
Tala's grin broadened but he didn't let up, running his fingers along her ribcage- more specifically the right side- causing her to break down into a laughing fit.
"Stop it!" she squealed, trying to fight him off but failing.
"No… I don't think I will," Tala said indifferently, capturing her lips with his own.
"Ilth bish er togue," Amy threatened, her words muffled by his mouth.
Tala pulled back, "What?"
"I said, I'll bit your tongue," she repeated.
"I'd love to see you try," growled Tala, amusement dancing in his eyes as he kissed her again.
"Mom and dad are weird," Dimitri decided as Thea watched them with sparkling eyes.
Although she did still kind of found it gross, watching their parents kiss, she still had daydreams-like every girl- of the day when Prince Charming would come and whisk her away- like she imagined her father did with her mother.
Tala pulled back, resting his forehead against hers and letting his hands rest on her stomach.
Amy gave a content sigh, one because he had stopped tickling her, and two because she loved when he kissed her.
"So… I still have that effect on you?" he grinned cheekily, "I knew I was good but-"
"Stop being such a cocky bast-" she stopped, as if just remembering their kids were still in the room.
Tala seemed to have come to the same realization, for he- reluctantly- climbed off her,
Dimitri, taking the opportunity of them not kissing, jumped on his father. "Hey dad! Can we beybattle, pwease!" he begged.
"Dimka, your father is probably still recovering from his match with Thea this morning," Amy teased.
Tala took her words in stride, saying, "A quick one won't hurt." He rose from the couch, "C'mon tiger, let's see what you've got."
"YEAH!" Dimitri cheered, running to get his beyblade as Thea climbed back onto the couch.
"Daddy and Dimka are weally going to have a quick match, momma?" Thea asked.
"For guys, there is no such thing as a quick match. Which means it will probably be just the two of us until dinner." Amy smiled, lifting her daughter onto her lap.
"Hey, momma… what happened to Hein?" Thea asked, remembering her father mentioning her mother's bitbeast once.
"He's around. Watching us… protecting us," Amy said.
As I always will… warrior.
Amy smiled into her daughter's hair.
"Umm… how'd you and daddy meet?" Thea asked.
"Oh, you don't want to hear about that," laughed Amy, the non-to-fond memories of her first meeting with the team formally known as the Demolition Boys still fresh in her mind.
"I do though," argued Thea, "pwease momma!"
Amy sighed in defeat, "The first time I met your father… I was about your age and living in that creepy old abbey."
"Why?"
"'Cause your uncle Kai and mine's grandfather- your great-grandfather- sent us there to train and become better bey-shooters."
"Was it wove at first sight?" asked Thea excitedly.
"Not exactly… we hated each other when we first met. It wasn't until I was fifteen and he was seventeen that we actually started to get along." Amy smiled at the memory of them swimming in Australia. They had gone back last year as a belated "honeymoon", leaving the twins in Brook's care. The one thing they made sure to reenact was swimming in the river… of course that time was a little more intimate than the first.
"Why'd you hate each ofer?"
"Your father wasn't the nicest to me when we were little."
"Why?"
Amy shrugged, "Boys can be quite childish when they're little and can be quite cruel."
"Why?"
Amy laughed, "Do you want to know how your father and I fell in love or do you just want to keep asking questions I can't possibly answer." She playfully, but gently, gave her daughter's pigtails a small tug.
"Sowwy momma, pwease tell me."
"Well, your father and I ended up getting pinned together as team-mates while I was teaching the Blitzkrieg Boys how to do a different style of bey-shooting. I was still a little sore from how they treated me when we were younger so I wasn't being very co-operative. Hein pointed this out and told me that if I ever wanted to get anywhere with them, I would have to put my past behind me. Your father stumbled upon Hein and I talking, and I suggested that we go swimming."
"Why?"
"Because it was very hot out and… I thought that perhaps if I tried to have fun, rather than scowl at them all the time, I might find it easier to deal with them. And I was right."
"You had fun with daddy?"
"It was the most fun I had for quite some time." Amy winked at her daughter.
"Alright, dad, you weady!?" Dimitri demanded, reading his launch.
Tala smiled and fed his ripcord into his shooter. "Whenever you are, kiddo."
Dimitri smiled, tearing the ripcord out of his shooter.
Tala nodded approvingly, launching his Wolborg, "Nice launch."
"I've been pwacticing," Dimitri beamed as his blade circled his father's.
"I can see that," Tala smiled, "how often?"
"As much as I can. Uncle Bwyan and auntie Sadie helwp me." Dimitri grinned at his father's approval- after all, all sons love to hear their father's praise. "Hey dad… why'd mom stop bwading?"
"Because she wanted to spend more time with you and Thea. She didn't think both of us needed to keep bey-shooting," Tala explained.
"Weally? 'Cause auntie Sadie told me she stopped befwore we were born," Dimitri stated.
"I've never asked why she stopped then… she did pick it up again briefly when she was training Sadie, but I never thought to ask." It was partially true, Tala never had asked why Amy quit bey-shooting… but he had a good guess. Amy was a trained Duo-beyblading champion, it was what she was good at… and after her last battle with Cole… where he almost lost her… she was scared to beybattle. Or at least, that was his theory.
"Hey dad… what would you do if I beat ya?" Dimitri asked.
"Who says you'll beat me?" countered Tala, "let's go Wolborg!"
"Come on! Take him down!" ordered Dimitri.
"Ne… momma? Can we go out?" Thea asked.
"Where do you want to go?" Amy asked, standing up with her daughter still in her arms.
"The pawk!" Thea cheered, clinging to her mother, "I wanna watch all the beybwaders!"
"Okay," Amy smiled, bouncing her daughter slightly, "the 'pawk' it is." She whistled for Nicol to come to her and then placed Thea on the ground- helping her with her jacket, boots etc.
"Heading out," Tala called as he heard the front door slam shut; his Wolborg easily holding off his son's blade.
"We're going to the pawk!" Thea yelled excitedly, racing over to her father.
"Really? Well, you have fun then princess," he winked, pulling her hat over her eyes.
Thea giggled, fixing her hat and running towards the gate at the end of the lawn with Nicol right beside her.
"Don't go to far," Amy called warily after her, then looked down at the dish. "And you go easy on him," she whispered to Tala.
"I know," he rolled his eyes, "but that doesn't mean I'm letting him win."
"You do nothing for their confidence," Amy teased.
"That's why they have you."
"I'll see you at dinner." Amy waltzed towards where her daughter- and dog- waited impatiently.
"Wow momma, wook at that one!" Thea pointed excitedly at the nearest match, "they're good!"
"You know someday, there's gonna be a little kid saying the same thing while watching you," Amy giggled.
"I know," Thea smiled, watching in awe.
The wind picked up briefly, sending shivers down Amy's back and all at once, Nicol began to let out a threatening growl, one she had not heard for some years now.
"What is it Nic?" she asked, bending down to his level. The husky's ears were flat against his skull as he bared his fangs. "Thea come over here!" beckoned Amy.
"What's wrong, momma?" Thea asked, hearing the wary tone in her mother's voice.
"I'm not sure yet," Amy answered uneasily.
"Well, well, well," a dark voice sneered, "if it isn't Amy Hiwatari."
Amy spun towards the speaker, grabbing Nicol's collar firmly should the dog leap to attack the man. "Cole," she snarled.
"Here I was hoping for a more welcoming greeting after it's been, what? Seven years since we've last seen one another?" Cole asked, a malicious grin on his face.
"I'd rather it be longer," Amy spat.
"Momma?" Thea clung to her mother's pant leg, sensing her mother's distaste for the man before them and getting scared by it.
"Another one Amy? What happened to the little boy?" Cole stared at the little girl, catching sight of the red hair beneath her hat, and, of course, there was no missing the silver-grey eyes that seemed to run on the Hiwatari side. "I take it your not Hiwatari anymore."
"Good guess," growled Amy, pulling Nicol back as he tried to lunge.
"I see your mutt still remembers me." Cole's blue eyes narrowed at the old husky as a vicious snarl ripped from his throat.
"You should be flattered, he normally forgets scumbags." Amy moved one hand protectively towards her daughter. "What do you want?"
"Nothing in particular, just thought I'd say hi," he smirked, taking two broad steps towards her. He would have gotten closer if Amy hadn't- purposely- let go of Nicol's collar. Had the husky not been on a leash as well, the dark haired man would have found himself fending off fangs and claws, however, Amy had tightened her hold on his leash, stopping him mere centimeters before Cole.
"Then you can leave," Amy warned.
Cole smirked, "I see. Well, give my best to your husband. And I look forward to seeing you again, Amy." Turning on his heels, Cole sauntered off and out of the park.
"Momma?" Thea looked up at her mother, tugging on her pant leg to get her attention. "We can go home if you want."
"It's alright, sweet-pea… I'm fine." Amy forced a smile down at her daughter, leading her back towards the beybattles.
That night, Amy found herself lying awake. Tala was passed out beside her, his bare chest very inviting in means of comfort. She didn't move towards him, not want to wake him when he had an early start the next day. She rolled onto her back, then onto her right side- facing her husband once more- then back onto her back, and finally onto her left side.
"You're going to fall off if you keep moving like that," Tala teased groggily.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to wake you," Amy apologized, turning back to him.
Tala opened one eye and looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing… I'm just a little restless that's all."
"You sure?"
Amy slid over to him, allowing him to drape his arm around her. "Yes I'm sure." She snuggled up against his chest, hoping it would help ease her worries. It didn't though. And with Tala back asleep, she couldn't start moving around again. She lay there against him, pondering over what Cole had said…
I look forward to seeing you again, Amy…
What had he meant by that… he had said like he was betting that she'd come to him willingly. Yeah, like that would ever happen, she thought.
Something's not right, warrior, Hein growled in her mind.
You think so too?
I'd keep a wary eye next time you leave the house.
Don't I always? Although Amy would not admit it, she wished her brother was here. His overprotective nature would be greatly welcomed with Cole being back in town and all.
You do have someone who would protect you with his life right here, warrior, Hein stated.
I know you would, but-
Hein laughed, I hope you're not being serious or else your husband would be greatly insulted.
Tala's a given, but Kai's my brother… and frankly if Kai can scare Tala he is certainly a little more comforting to have around, Amy joked.
You just miss your brother, the wolf panted.
Maybe… Amy yawned.
Get some rest, warrior, tomorrow is fast approaching.
"Momma? Where's daddy?" Thea asked as Amy knelt beside the tub, washing her daughter's hair.
"He is training today," Amy responded, "so we're gonna go on a walk."
"But it's freezing outside, mom," Dimitri called from outside the bathroom.
"That's why you bundle up," Amy called back, rinsing Thea's sudsy hair.
"Mom! I can't find my shirt!" Dimitri called some minutes later.
Amy sighed, "Then take out a clean one from your drawer!"
"But I wanna wear my BBA shirt!"
Amy rolled her eyes as Thea giggled, squeezing conditioner into her hand and running it through the red locks of Thea's hair. "Did you check your closet?"
"Yes! It's not there!"
"Give me ten minutes and I'll help you find it."
There was silence for about two minutes until Dimitri called back, "Never mind! I found it! It was in my closet!"
Amy shook her head, helping Thea out of the tub. Grabbing a spare towel she ran it over Thea's hair trying to take some of the dampness out. "Go get dressed and I'll blow-dry your hair, okay?"
"'Kay momma!" Thea grinned, running into her room with the other towel wrapped firmly around her.
"Dimitri, you almost dressed?" Amy asked, walking down the hall.
"Done mom!" Dimitri stated, exiting the bedroom as Thea entered. He wore his black BBA t-shirt with pride.
"You're going to need a sweater, kiddo," Amy stated.
"But then no one will see the shirt," Dimitri argued.
"No one will see it anyway 'cause you're going to be wearing a jacket," countered Amy, "you're not going outside in just a t-shirt."
Dimitri pouted slightly, "Fine…"
"Oooo, Momma! Wook at the twees! They wook wike cwystals! Wike fwom a Faiwy Kingdom!" Thea awed at the ice covered wilderness.
"They do don't they?" Amy agreed, holding her daughter's hand.
"Do you think we'll see any wild aminals?" Dimitri asked, looking around with interest.
"It's An-i-mals… and maybe," Amy snickered at her son's pronunciation. (A/N: I used to call animals aminals when I was younger…hehe)
"Wike what? Wolves? Snow Weopards? OOO maybe bears!?" Dimitri looked up his mother with wonder in his eyes.
"We'll see," Amy smiled, fixing his hat.
"So we meet again," growled a horribly familiar voice.
Amy froze spinning so that her silver-grey eyes met the ice-blue ones of Cole. "Are you stalking me now?"
"Not exactly," Cole smirked, walking towards her, "just distracting you."
"Wha-" Amy didn't get to finish her question when something hard came in contact with the back of her head. Her vision swam and she felt herself sinking to the floor.
The last thing she heard was one of the twins, she wasn't sure which one… maybe both, scream: "MOMMA," before it all went black.
blackamber- :O OH NO!
Tala- WHAT THE HELL!?
blackamber- WAHH! (hides under a blanket)
Sadie- Aww... noooooooo (cries)
blackamber- (from blanket hide-out) I'm bringing the Silver Fangs back in... 'cause I miss them...
Bryan- Tala's too busy fuming right now so... R&R