When Trunks woke the next morning Marron's hair was strewn across his pillow, golden in the early-morning sunshine. A darker gold mixed with hers where Chase had crept in between them at some point during the night. His face was relaxed; mouth hanging open and his old blanket clasped in a loose fist.
Trunks' face relaxed into a soft smile unintentionally, his doubts from the day before fading. He touched his hand to Marron's hair, warm in the sunlight, almost to remind himself that the situation was real, before wandering downstairs to pick up the paper and get some breakfast.
Marron woke gradually, feeling rested and relaxed. The bed was comfortable, with Chase snuggled against her side like a giant hot water bottle.
Trunks' side of the bed was empty, the cold sheets betraying the fact that he had been gone for quite a while. Marron frowned, feeling a strange sense of loss. It would have been nice to wake up beside him or, even better, in his arms. She blushed at the thought and gave herself a mental kick; regardless of how difficult it was she had to keep reminding herself that their "relationship" was strictly for the purposes of the deal.
Leaving Chase still asleep Marron went into the bathroom for a shower. The play of the water felt good against her skin and she was fully awake by the time she stepped back into the steam-filled bathroom. Her reflection was blurred in the misted-up mirrors as she looked around the room. Trunks's toothbrush stood next to hers in a cup between the twin sinks, making her smile.
The challenge suddenly didn't seem too difficult; they could pull it off and persuade the Satans that they truly were man and wife.
After a glance at her watch she quickly jumped into her clothes and clipped her hair back to dry. She was meeting Paris in town in an hour while Trunks was meeting up with Goten, Trowa and Wufei to discuss an itinerary for the Satan's visit. It may have been a Saturday but Trunks never really seemed to completely stop working, especially with a deal this big hanging in the balance.
Marron coaxed Chase out of bed and dressed him quickly before trying and failing to make his unruly hair lie flat. One tuft in particular refused to go any direction except straight up despite water and some of Trunks's hair gel. Marron had figured that Trunks probably needed strong hair gel to tame his own hair so it would work on Chase's but nothing seemed to make any difference. Eventually giving up she went downstairs, glad that the smell of paint was already almost gone.
Trunks was seated at the head of the table in boxers and T-shirt, sipping apple juice and reading the newspaper. Her natural optimism coming to the fore, Marron flashed him a brilliant smile and was a little surprised when he returned it with an uncertain smile of his own.
Chase hugged him awkwardly around the waist before climbing up to the table and drifting back to sleep. Marron poured herself and Chase a bowl of cereal each and poked Chase to wake up. Before she sat down she leaned across and kissed Trunks lightly on the cheek.
"Good morning"
His gaze caught and held her and Marron felt a flush rising to her cheeks.
"I'm…I'm sorry"
His eyes were dark and emotionless as he stared at her and Marron began sorting through the newspaper to giver her an excuse to look away.
She had forgotten her own advice and begun to treat the situation as if it were real. All it took was one look from Trunks to remind her of how little she really knew about him, and of the fact that he was still her boss. Head down Marron began easting her cereal, staring blindly at the front page of the newspaper. She was startled when Trunks's hand covered her own.
"Good morning"
He let it rest there for a second before withdrawing to take a sip of his juice. When Marron looked at him he met her gaze evenly, faint amusement replacing his earlier neutrality. She smiled and returned to her breakfast, now able to make sense of the words in the newspaper that had eluded her earlier.
Trunks had offered her a lift but it was in the opposite direction to the one he was travelling so Marron and Chase caught the bus. Paris was sitting on a park bench finishing a coffee when they found her. The three of them wandered through the city centre, chatting idly and window-shopping for a present for Paris's grandmother. Chase trailed a little behind, slightly bored of the shops but enjoying being included with Marron and Paris's activities.
"How about a scarf or something like that?"
Marron was suggesting when she realized Paris was no longer beside her. When she turned round she saw her friend staring in a shop window they had passed a few doors back.
Marron tightened her grip on Chase's hand and threaded her way through the afternoon crowds to see what had caught Paris's attention. Her friend was frozen in front of a jewelry shop. Without speaking Paris grabbed Marron's hand. After glancing at it she spoke.
"You truly are an idiot. And Trunks' an even bigger imbecile"
Marron looked confused
"What's the matter?"
Paris looked at her with a pitying expression and shook her head.
"What's normally exchanged at a wedding besides the vows?"
Marron gasped, putting one hand to her mouth.
"A ring! We didn't think of a ring!"
Paris shook her head once more.
"What would you do without me? Ring Trunks now and get him to come down. You may as well sort this out as soon as possible"
Marron pulled out her mobile phone and checked her credit before dialling Trunks's number.
"Yes"
He barked and Marron paused, taken aback.
"It's Marron. Paris just pointed out that we haven't got wedding bands. Could you maybe come down and help me choose something?"
There was a short pause.
"Can't you just pick something?"
"We need to agree on them or they'll look stupid"
He continued, seeming not to hear her reply.
"If money's the problem just give them my bank details"
Marron felt a surge of irritation at his assumption that she only phoned to ask for money.
"Money isn't the issue here. The issue is that these are our wedding bands and they have to be suitable for both of us"
There was another pause as Trunks considered both his options and the annoyance in Marron's voice.
"Okay, I'll be down as soon as I can. Why don't you go on in and see if there's anything you like?"
"Alright, see you soon!"
After saying goodbye Marron hung up and let her frustration flow away in a long sigh.
She shook her head.
"I really don't know how I get myself into these situations…"
Paris laughed back at her.
When Trunks arrived Marron was standing outside the shop waiting for him, her coat clutched tightly around her body to cut the bitter wind.
He frowned.
"Why didn't you wait inside?"
"I think we should probably try somewhere else. The prices in here would probably take up any profit you'd make by getting this deal with Satan Enterprises!"
She grinned wryly at him, one hand holding back the hair that the wind was blowing across her face.
"Let's at least try it, okay?"
Without waiting for her reply, Trunks pushed open the door to the shop and nodded her ahead of him.
The shop interior was dark and Trunks looked around, expecting to see Chase and Paris.
"They're in a coffee shop a few doors up. Chase was getting a little cranky so they went to sit down"
Trunks turned to meet her eyes, dark in the gloomy surroundings. She looked a little uncertain when he maintained his silence.
"That was what you were wondering, right?"
Trunks bent his head in amusement, an unexpected smile stealing over his lips. Stepping ahead of Marron he took her hand in his own.
"Come on. Let's go get a wedding ring"
As they stepped up to the main counter an old man appeared from the storeroom.
"Good Afternoon. How may I help you?"
He noted their joined hands with a quick glance.
"Looking at wedding rings? When's the ceremony? "
Marron's mouth was dry so she licked her lips nervously, but Trunks jumped in with a reply.
"We're actually already married, but we didn't have the money at the time to get really special rings"
He said it smoothly as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but Marron watched the shopkeeper's face closely for any sign that he didn't believe them. Instead he simply nodded and directed them towards a number of showcases to the right of the shop.
Trunks and Marron approached them cautiously. Trunks was a little bewildered by the sheer number of rings on display, while Marron was finding it difficult to actually concentrate on the rings because of the astronomical price tags attached to each one. They stared in silence, each aware of the shopkeeper's stare on their backs.
To Marron's surprise, Trunks was the first to suggest a choice, pointing to a simple white gold and diamond solitaire ring. The shopkeeper was over in seconds, unlocking the cabinet and inviting them to examine it more closely.
Trunks didn't know Marron well enough to know her taste, but he imagined that she would choose something elegant and classical rather than ostentatious. Marron turned the ring in her hands. When it turned out to be the correct size as well she decided the choice had already been made and nodded.
"This is beautiful"
Almost out of nowhere the old man appeared with a tray of wedding bands for Trunks, out of which they chose a matching white gold band.
As they made their way to the till the man spoke again.
"Do you want the engraving done straightaway or at a later date?"
Trunks and Marron looked at him blankly.
Marron recovered first but looked at Trunks for a reply. He fumbled.
"Um…I guess…later would be better"
The man nodded
"Very well. Just hold onto your receipt and it's free of charge"
When the door of the shop closed behind them Trunks glanced at his watch realising the venture hadn't taken half as long as he had anticipated.
"Here" he dug into the bag and pulled out the two boxes, "We may as well start wearing them now"
Without further ado he passed Marron her box and opened his own, fighting off the ridiculous notion that he should get down on one knee to present it to her. Wasn't that how you were meant to do it?
Marron's hand on his stopped him as he prepared to put his ring on.
"Let me"
Meeting his eyes she slid the ring slowly onto his finger. There was sadness in her demeanour that Trunks couldn't explain. He felt uncomfortable meeting her gaze as he returned the favour. He was afraid of what she might see in his eyes or he in hers. After he had slid the ring on he held her hand for a second longer than was necessary, then dropped it quickly when he realized what he had done.
Marron lowered her gaze, but Trunks could still feel the weight of the ring on his hand. It made everything more real, a visible connection between them, a sign to the world that they were husband and wife…his thoughts trailed off as he glanced at his watch once more.
"I have to go…" He took a few quick steps back before turning away. As he climbed into the car he looked back at Marron, still standing forlornly in the middle of the cold, grey street.
After Trunks had left Marron had joined Paris and Chase in the coffee shop for hot chocolate and marshmallows. Paris had exclaimed over the ring, joking that it would be a good bonus if she were allowed to keep it after the Satan's left.
Marron and Chase had caught the bus home soon after that. "Home" had always been the house she shared with Paris but it was changing; now Trunks's house was beginning to feel like somewhere she belonged.
They were now sitting at the clean-scrubbed table in the kitchen, eating spaghetti and sauce that Trunks had made for dinner. Chase had a formerly white napkin tucked into his jumper, but, despite repeated wiping, his face was still covered in tomato sauce. Trunks ate efficiently, never seeming to have any trouble with the unruly strands of spaghetti. Marron had felt embarrassed at first as it was a difficult meal to eat neatly, but it tasted so good she was soon beyond caring. The kitchen was warm and cozy, and Marron felt content.
They were a family, if only for a little while and she was happy with that.
Trunks woke slowly the next morning, his chin nestled on top of Marron's head. She was curled in his arms, though he couldn't remember how she'd got there. She was comfortable against him, her breath tickling his skin, and he made no effort to remove his arms from around her. Perhaps under different circumstances they could have dated or been friends, even if the situation now was truly that of a business deal. Watching her peaceful face as she slept Trunks brushed her hair back from her face and brushed a soft kiss onto her forehead before sliding out of the bed and tucking the quilt around her once more.
Marron had only been dozing but waited until the bedroom door closed behind Trunks before opening her eyes and smiling.
She could hear the radio in the kitchen as she came down the stairs and pulled a face. Trunks listened to the news about four times a day, watched the news updates in the evening and read the daily newspapers. She couldn't understand how he could listen to the same thing over and over without losing patience in it. Marron liked to know what was going on, but the continual pointless arguments of politicians in parliament made her want to scream.
As she entered the kitchen, Trunks had his back to her setting a pot of water on the stove to hard boil his egg. Feeling mischievous, Marron crept up close behind him and put her hands over his eyes.
"Guess who?"
To her surprise Trunks laughed out loud and turned around.
"I wonder…"
They were suddenly standing very close and Marron felt a blush rising to her cheeks as she looked up at Trunks.
Before he had time to think Trunks closed the distance between them and brushed his lips lightly against Marron's.
She went stiff at first, but then seemed to relax and turned her face up towards him. They kissed again, more forcefully, but still experimental. Marron's hands tightened on the back of Trunks' neck and his found her waist.
It was on the third try that they got it right. It was also on the third try that Goten walked into the kitchen. He stared but cleverly kept his mouth shut. Trunks caught sight of him over Marron's shoulder and stepped back, trying to pretend nothing had happened.
"Good morning"
Goten returned the greeting and Marron added hers while blushing bright red, before excusing herself to get dressed.
Trunks and Goten remained in the kitchen, Goten drawing a seat out at the table and Trunks continuing to get breakfast.
Goten was looking serious, almost worried.
"I've been wondering about this whole thing Trunks; about whether this is the right thing to do. I know it started out as something to get the deal but it's already become more than that. You kissing someone wasn't something I was ever expecting to see. But you were…and it's not only that. I've seen the way Marron looks at you…Hell! Even the way you look at her! It's obvious to anyone with eyes that this is more than just an act."
He turned to look at Trunks as he opened the fridge, his voice challenging.
"What are you going to do when this is all over? Are you just going to go back to the way you were before and pretend you and Marron never met? And how are you going to tell Chase that you can't be his 'daddy' anymore?"
Goten turned back towards the table and set his head in his hands, taking a deep breath.
"I'm afraid that this isn't juts a business deal for you, all of you. I'm afraid this is real. And if it is, then what?"
Trunks set a glass of orange juice down over Goten's shoulder and moved around the table to sit opposite him. His face was calm but Goten was surprised by the obvious confusion in his eyes.
"I can't give you whatever answer you want Goten. I simply don't know what we're going to do but I can't afford to worry about it until later…I won't worry until I have to."
Trunks looked away from Goten's searching gaze, shelling his hardboiled egg and spreading it on his toast.
Goten's answer was quiet.
"What if it's too late then?"
Marron ran around the house frantically, piling her arms full of odd items that needed to be put away. There was stuff everywhere, Chase was bored, the guest bed needed to be changed, food had to start being cooked…and both she and Trunks were so nervous that they were as good as useless. It was a dull Friday morning and the Satans were due on the 11:35 flight from Brussels.
Marron had gathered that Sharpner Satan had been speaking at a conference there a few days earlier, then he and his wife had stayed on to sightsee. Even thinking that they would be arriving in a few hours caused her heartbeat to speed up, speculating about all the things that could go wrong.
What if she and Trunks couldn't pull it off?
She folded the newspaper on the kitchen table and placed it in the magazine rack, brushing crumbs from the surface into her hand and from there to the bin under the sink. What if the Satan's noticed something wrong and refused to go through with the deal?
What if…her thoughts trailed off as she passed the bedroom to see Trunks tugging off his tie in a fit of frustration. He had to be even more scared than she was.
Quietly, Marron crossed the room and did what she would do for any of her friends when they needed someone – she gave him a tight hug. She was surprised when his arms came around her just as tightly, crushing her body to his in a kind of desperation. This was the test of everything they had been planning.
When she was able Marron stepped back and retrieved the offending tie. She somehow managed to fasten it neatly although her hands were barely that much steadier than her husband's. It took Marron a second to realize what she'd said, even to herself.
Her husband.
It was exactly what Paris had warned her about; she couldn't let herself even think the situation was real in case she started to believe it. When the Satan's left it would all be over. She and Chase would be back home with Paris and Trunks would once more be nothing more than her boss.
The words sounded hollow, even inside her head. Marron looked down at her feet, refusing to acknowledge the lump in her throat. It was a deception, all of it, and she couldn't afford to let herself get dragged in any deeper than she already was. A hand touched her cheek gently, tilting her face upwards. It was Trunks, a look of faint disbelief on his face as if he couldn't believe the situation they were in.
"It'll work out"
The "somehow" he hadn't added, floated as clearly on the air as if he had breathed it. Marron leant into his touch feeling suddenly tired, but with an iron-like determination to succeed beneath the exhaustion. She had agreed to do this so she was going to do it right and worry about the consequences later. She flashed a quick grin at Hero and stood on tiptoe to peck him on the cheek.
"You're right"
The sudden heat in Trunks's gaze, as his eyes caught her own, had nothing to do with the temperature of the room. Marron stepped back, glancing at the clock over his shoulder before looking uncomfortably at the carpet. They had been on uncertain ground since the kiss the previous weekend. Each day that passed made them more comfortable around each other, but neither had initiated another kiss for fear of further blurring the boundaries between the outline of the job and the possible relationship that they were both too afraid to admit could be budding between them.
Marron glanced at clock once more and spun Trunks around to face it.
"You're going to be late!"
Trunks swore, simultaneously shrugging on his jacket and grabbing his car keys off the dresser before sprinting down the stairs two at a time. Marron winced as he nearly tripped over one of Chase's toy trains then stifled a laugh as he wrestled with the lock on the child gate, before giving up and vaulting over it. Chase stumbled into the hallway just in time for a whirlwind hug before the door slammed shut behind Trunks and his car exited the driveway.
Marron came slowly downstairs in his wake, idly picking up the train that had nearly caused Trunks's downfall. Unconsciously, a small smile played over her face. Trunks's calm disposition and cold manner were famous within the company. But behind the mask Marron knew lay someone who was touched by the sight of a toddler sleeping. Under the surface lay someone who could calculate interest rates and market deprecation values without a seconds thought, but couldn't work out the lock on a child gate and had difficulty removing the lids on children's supplements.
Marron remembered witnessing Chase teaching Trunks how to remove the "child-proof" lids earlier that week and how embarrassed Trunks had looked when he noticed Marron watching. Chase had then forced Trunks to officiate a decision on whether the orange teddy bear multivitamins tasted better than the blackcurrant flavored ones. After being forcibly fed some of the tablets by the toddler, Trunks's decision had been firmly in favor of the orange teddy bears. Chase had immediately declared that the orange multivitamins were now his favorite as well and told his mother not to buy anymore of the blackcurrant flavor. Trunks had said the orange were better, therefore the orange were better.
Marron sighed, feeling at a loss in the empty house, preparing for an unforeseen destiny to overtake them all. The companies had decided that the meeting at the airport would be formal, with Trunks and Goten meeting the Satan's and escorting them back to the house where they would be introduced to Chase and Marron as Trunks's family. Chase emerged from the kitchen with telltale chocolate around his mouth and began to follow Marron around as she tidied and organized the house. She wanted to present the perfect picture to the Satans when they arrived.
Despite the grayness of the day it was fairly warm outside with the promise of rain in the near future. Marron cut some flowers from the garden to arrange in the house while Chase lay on the grass near the pond, his nose barely an inch from the water as he watched the tadpoles in fascination. A sharp wind made Marron shiver and she looked around, sudden dread overcoming her. What if their efforts weren't enough? And how would the end of the arrangement affect Chase? She watched the joy and concentration on his face as he moved even closer to the water and a sudden grin split her face; a pond in the vicinity of Chase was just asking for trouble. The only thing that really surprised her was the fact that he hadn't fallen in yet and he'd had a week to do so!
After arranging the flowers and placing the food in the oven Marron was in high spirits, her doubts fading as she prepared the best welcome possible. She was tired of the fluctuations in her moods, triggered so easily by a single word so she would hold her head up high and do everything she possibly could to make the Satan's visit perfect. To do that she had to avoid getting stressed and try to have a good time, if possible. With no time like the present, she turned the volume dial on the radio hard to the right and danced around the kitchen to the music while making final preparations. When Chase came in from the garden he joined her for a waltz, brow furrowed in concentration as he attempted to copy the steps she showed him. Mother and son laughed, their faces close together as Marron lifted Chase in her arms to spin him across the room.
The turning of Trunks key in the door was inaudible over the music.
Trunks shifted uncomfortably where he stood outside the arrivals lounge at the airport. Still no sign of Sharpner Satan and his wife, and Goten had just phoned him to say he was caught in traffic and would meet them back at the house if he didn't make it to the airport in time. Trunks was worried he wouldn't recognize the pair, although he had seen pictures. Goten was meant to be here…he was the people-person after all, not Trunks!
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, glancing at his watch again. He was unable to bear thinking about losing the deal with Satan Corporations. With all the preparations for their visit, and getting to know Marron and Chase the actual deal they were all working towards had been pushed to the back of his mind. Despite the unusual conditions of Mr. Satan's deal, it was difficult not to appreciate the opportunity Trunks had been given to experience family life. It was something he had never known or thought he wanted, until now.
Goten's questions plagued him; what happened when it was all over? Would he have to let Marron and Chase go, forgetting all that had happened between them? Would he have to lose the only real family he had ever known?
A hand waved in front of his face, breaking his reverie.
" ?"
Trunks's head snapped up with a jerk. A blond couple were standing in front of him with their luggage piled around their feet.
"I'm Sharpner, Sharpner Satan" the man introduced himself, "and this is my wife, Erasa"
He had a soft voice with a gentle inflection and his blue eyes gleamed with genuine good feeling. There was something about him that defied expectations of a businessman and made one feel at ease in his presence. Trunks shook his hand, already beginning to like the stranger. Sharpner's handshake was firm, but not too strong. There was no competition or challenge in the handshake, like so many Trunks had experienced in past negotiations, but simply a greeting.
Nodding to Sharpner, Trunks then extended his hand to Erasa Satan. She had very pale-blonde hair that tumbled down her back and a guarded expression in her eyes. She seemed rather more reserved than her friendly husband, but not hostile. Trunks piled their luggage onto the trolley he had collected on his way in and apologized for Goten's absence. Eventually he motioned the couple to follow him.
"My car's just outside and my wife and son are waiting at home to meet you"
The lie slipped off his tongue easily and Trunks suddenly felt guilty. He didn't like conducting business based on an untruth. He pushed the thoughts away savagely; you needed to be ruthless to survive in business and Trunks would do anything rather than watch his company lose this deal. Hadn't he already proved that by perpetuating the lie instead of explaining to Sharpner Satan that Goten had made a mistake?
The car journey was relaxed as Trunks could not help but feel comfortable with Sharpner's easy manner. They took their cues from each other so neither mentioned the impending deal between their companies, although work was one of the topics covered. Both companies had surprisingly similar histories and Trunks was drawn into the conversation despite himself. The dread that had constricted him since the morning began to ease a little, before returning like a punch in the gut as they struggled up the front doorsteps with their luggage.
Trunks fumbled with his keys momentarily, before pushing open the door and ushering his guests inside. The true challenge had begun.
It was an auspicious start as the house was bright and warm in antidote to the dull, grey day. A mouth-watering smell and upbeat music could be traced to the kitchen, possibly explaining the strange absence of Marron and Chase whom Trunks had expected to be waiting at the door. He abandoned the luggage at the foot of the stairs pushed the kitchen door fully open, a grin spreading across his face as he caught sight of Marron waltzing around the room with Chase laughing in her arms. She stopped suddenly, face blanching as she saw them waiting patiently in the doorway. A blush replaced her former paleness as she fumbled for an explanation, eyes wide and scared.
"I'm sorry…"she began in a small voice.
Regaining her composure she set Chase down and started again.
"Welcome to our home Mr Satan, Mrs Satan. I hope very much to get to know you better during your stay and that you feel able to treat this just like your own home"
Chase clung to her leg, shyly hiding his face behind her. Trunks crossed the floor to put an arm around Marron and coax Chase out.
"This is my wife Marron and my son, Chase"
Pleasantries were exchanged, with both Erasa and Sharpner seeming enchanted by Chase. After a brief discussion the adults decided to dispose of formality and call each other by their forenames, which immediately eased the atmosphere before it became too stuffy.
Each grabbing a suitcase, Marron led the way upstairs to the guest room, pointing out the modest en-suite before leaving the Satan's to unpack.
She and Trunks looked at each other as the bedroom door closed and raced downstairs before bursting into fits of relieved laughter in the kitchen. It was the kind of laughter that could so easily be mistaken for misery: a desperate release of tension with a smattering of pure disbelief. Eventually they sat down facing each other at the kitchen table, Marron repeating over and over.
"I can't believe they're here…I can't believe what we're doing!"
Trunks sat with his head in his hands, hair tousled beyond redemption. If anyone had said, three weeks ago, that he would be sitting in this situation now he would probably have had them committed to a mental asylum. Here he was, the once house proud with his careful décor destroyed and the infamous lone wolf with a family and house guests. Somehow he had thought it would be worse than this having his personal space invaded. But he was surviving and even enjoying family life to a certain extent as much to his own surprise as to anyone else's.
Goten arrived shortly afterwards, breathing heavily and red in the face as if he had run the entire way there. He couldn't stay still with nerves while waiting for the Satan's to emerge from the guestroom and paced the length of the kitchen countless times, straightening his tie every time he passed the mirror. Trunks and he began discussing business as Marron took Chase to get washed up for lunch.
Lunch was a relaxed affair with Sharpner chatting easily to Goten in areas of common ground they had clearly discovered when Goten initially visited Satan Corporations. Marron found Erasa surprisingly easy to talk to, especially as the other woman wanted to know all about Chase, who often had his own contributions to the discussion. She and Sharpner were planning a family and were therefore eager for advice from those who had already "been there and done that" as Erasa put it. Trunks jumped between the two conversations and observing the scene as someone coming in would have seen it.
So far, so good and he hoped it would continue in this way.
After lunch the Satan couple left with Trunks and Goten to visit the company buildings and meet other members of staff. Chase was bored and a little cranky at being kept at home all day instead of seeing his friends in the crèche, but Marron assured him that Paris would be taking him out that evening as she always did on a Friday.
When he was settled for his afternoon nap, Marron booted up the computer in the study to get some work done. She had been given the day off to prepare for their guests, but she still had a presentation to make on Monday and some documents to be proofread among other things. If the itinerary Wufei and Trowa had planned for the week was anything to go by she would have to make the best of what little free time she had. The desktop picture was of a landscape so Marron wasted a little time clicking through pictures of she, Trunks and Chase as a family before selecting one as the background. Glancing at the clock once more as it ticked loudly in the silent house she settled down to work.
Trunks, Sharpner and Erasa returned shortly before half six that evening and the four adults sat down to eat dinner at the kitchen table. Marron explained Chase's absence as Paris had collected him at three o'clock to visit the park and get something to eat. After the meal they retired to the living room with coffee. Trunks put on a CD in the background and they made themselves comfortable with Sharpner and Erasa on one of the two sofas and Marron curled up next to Trunks on the other. She relaxed against him, feeling comforted by his proximity and the fact that they had made it through the first day without a mishap. How lucky it was that their guests were such friendly people – perhaps the week would not be a chore!
Paris arrived with Chase in tow and he came in, ostensibly to say goodnight, but instead he sat down next to Marron and yawned widely amidst protestations that he wasn't tired.
After being introduced, Paris left ad Marron stood up.
"Time for bed, Chase. Say goodnight"
He stood up obediently and slipped his hand into hers, but he didn't move towards the door.
"Are you going to read me a bedtime story?"
"Of course. Which one would you like?"
His bottom lip jutted out.
"I want Daddy to read it as well"
Marron and Trunks exchanged a quick astonished glance and he shifted his position on the sofa. Marron knelt in front of Chase.
"Daddy will read it some other time. Right now he has to keep our guests company"
Chase's bottom lip began to quiver dangerously.
"But I want him to read the story too!"
Marron shot Trunks a pleading glance but he was already on his feet.
"If you'll excuse me…"
Both Sharpner and Erasa nodded and Erasa laughed.
"Guess we know now who's the boss in this house!"
Trunks smiled at that and opened the door.
"We'll be right back. Make yourselves at home"
Chase's face cleared as if someone had wiped it clean and he grabbed one of Trunks's hands with his remaining free one, insisting on Marron and Trunks swinging him by the arms between them as they ascended the stairs.
Sharpner and Erasa looked at each other as the door closed behind the trio and laughed softly. Erasa put her hand on her stomach and sighed.
"Maybe one day we'll have a child like him"
Sharpner covered his wife's hand with his own.
"Someday soon we'll be blessed…someday soon"
Erasa closed her eyes as Sharpner drew her into his arms and stroked her hair. A few tears escaped from beneath her pale eyelashes and trailed sorrowful, wet trails down her cheeks.