A huge thanks to Harmakhis, who had read the story over on kink_meme where I first posted it as a request fulfill. I completely missed a chapter that really makes (or breaks) the story. 1 million intranetz cookies for Harmakhis. :D
Part 17: The Enchanted Templar
"J-J-Jack, you get back in here! It's nearly b-bedtime, and I won't have you making a mess!"
Andrew laughed and grabbed a bit of the bread she was slicing. "H-hey!"
"He's out of control entirely. You should spank him or something," he told her with a grin.
"Y-you spank him," she said, waving the knife vaguely in his direction.
The moment was so perfect that he considered something he hadn't for years. Pulling her against him, he kissed her. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm back there in the Fade. It seems almost indecent to be this happy."
She touched him gently on the cheek, her eyes filled with sadness and understanding. "I-I'm sorry you had to g-go through that."
He hugged her tighter and then let her go. Walking around the cabinet, he pulled the front door open and yelled for Jack.
"I'm right here, dad, you don't have to shout. Look what I found!"
Andrew looked down right into the face of a snake. With a surprised bellow, he jumped back, loosing a smite before he thought to control it.
"Ouch! A-andrew!" his wife protested.
"Sorry, sorry!" he said. Maker, he hated snakes.
Then he felt relief pour through him. It was the imperfections in life that made it worth living.
"Up to bed now, scoot!" he smacked Jack on the butt to send the child scurrying for the stairs, the snake long since terrified back into the grasses.
"Sorry dad," the boy said as he scampered up the stairs.
"Did you hear something, my love?" he asked Miranne.
"T-t-there's someone at the door, I t-think," she told him. "You go read them a s-story, and I'll see who it is."
He walked up the stairs, proud of his work. After Dace and Angee had arrived, the house had become too small. He was almost to the top when Miranne cried out.
"Help, my l-love, there are b-bandits at the door!"