2.
After a blissful few hours of massaging and pampering, she went to the grocery store. Being Cobb's night meant he got his favorite foods for dinner. She went ahead and picked up the rest of the week's menu as well as whatever the kids would want.
For her two days rest, she would fix whatever James wanted one day, and Phillipa the next. It was a shared arrangement that made everyone happy.
Well, almost. James wanted to eat almost exclusively macaroni and cheese. She had to work hard to broaden his pallet.
Their lives were now all about shearing. About managing their time and respecting the arrangement.
She was so relaxed when she came home that she took a nap that lasted 3 hours. She had to pick the kids up from school. Bring them home and start dinner.
~ The children were blossoming under her presence. Both of them needing a female influence. The Teachers adored the Architect and secretly thought Mr. Cobb was handsome. They were always asking if he was single.
"I don't think he's even looking." She told the Art Teacher at the trendy privet school. They specialized in gifted youngsters. The building was new and made of environmentally friendly building materials.
The Team had chosen this place because it seemed to be such a forward thinking community. The type of people who would not question such a blended family.
"Well I know you live with him as well as his brothers." The Teacher said. "We wondered if the two of you were a couple." She laughed throwing a glance over her shoulder to the other busy body school teachers, all of them watching the exchange.
The Teacher was young and pretty. Much like Mal had been. Yet, she had none of the raw beauty or sophistication the Shade had possessed.
Just another country school teacher who had seen nothing of the world. Spoke no other languages and pined for man who would never want her.
"Ariadne used to work with my Dad." Phillipa cried out. "She and my uncle's help take care of us." She said perfectly. Her relentless rehearsals paying off. "She dates our Uncle Arthur."
"That's enough, Pippa." Ariadne said pretending to scold the girl. Turning around and winking at the child. Phillipa smiled up at her adoringly.
"Were like family." Ariadne explained putting the kids into the car. "Cobb and his brothers are so close, I bonded with the children, it was only natural that we should all pull together. It helps the kids to have a same sex parent there." Ariadne explained confidently.
She could speak to the woman who was slightly older then her with such assurance because the Architect had seen the world. Been to the finest museums in Europe. She had three handsome men wanting her every night and the old maid school teacher had no one.
It gave the Architect some distinction that made her... better then them.
"Well, then there's their other uncle. The one we never see." The Teacher inquired politely.
Obtrusively.
"Oh, yes." Ariadne chuckled. "He's out of town so much. For work. Only home a couple of days. No sense in getting his own place. You know? This way I can make sure he eats right and is taken care of."
"Well, you seem to have a lot on your plate." The Teacher said. Trying to hide the longing in her voice.
The beautiful children. The lovely house. The handsome men.
"I do." Ariadne said with a forced smile. "So much in fact that I really have to go." She said finally escaping.
"Oh will you tell Mr. Cobb that we would love to see him at the next PTA meeting?" The Teacher cried as the Architect pulled hurriedly away.
Ariadne waved like she didn't hear.
"That teacher is always asking questions about Daddy." Phillipa said. A smile plastered on her face. "Ever since he came to the Christmas pageant."
"I know." Ariadne sighed.
A handsome, cultured widower with adorable well behaved children. Who also happened to have a great job with health insurance. What was not to love? The women of this small forward thinking community would soon be beating down his door like a horde of zombies.
Ariadne felt a twinge of jealousy over the art teacher and quickly dismissed it. The luxury car moved silently down a narrow lane that was surrounded by trees. Exclusive privet property. Full of wealthy families. Only a few more miles to go before home.
"You did great back there." She praised the little girl. "Is that what you tell them about life at home? Always?"
"Yes. I say Daddy, Arthur and Eames are brothers. Even though you all just used to work together. That you and Arthur are dating." The girl said perfectly.
"Very good."
"Are you and Arthur dating?" Phillipa asked. Ariadne's head snapped off the road to the girl. James was singing along to the radio and heard none of this. Phillipa looked back at her with big eyes.
"Um. That's grown up stuff, Pippa." The Architect said finally. "Not for kids to worry about."
The girl shrugged. Indifferent.
A nagging feeling was eating away at the Architect.
"Did Arthur say that were dating?" Ariadne finally asked.
"No." Phillipa said. "But he's always looking at you."
"Looking at me?"
"Yeah, when you don't see. He looks at you. Like Daddy used to look at Mommy."
"Does your Daddy and Mr. Eames look at me two?"
"Sometimes." Phillipa said. Not knowing how to lie about such things. "But not as much."
Ariadne didn't know how to respond to this. She didn't say anything as she drove them the rest of the way home.
~ Arthur. He had needed the most convincing of all to make this work. When Eames had suggested it. Ariadne had become enraged. Feeling like she would be passed around like in a frat house.
Soon enough however. She was liking the idea. The men all knew about each other. Knew Ariadne couldn't decide and it was tearing them all apart. Tearing her apart. Rather then destroy themselves they each made way. They dated the Architect one day a week. Ending in her staying at one of their places. Never hers.
The natural move was convince sake. It didn't make sense not to live together. The rules for dating together worked the same as the rules for living together.
One Cobb's night for example, Arthur and Eames were not allowed to talk to, text or call Ariadne from 6 in the evening till 6 in the morning.
That 12 hours with her belonged exclusively to the Extractor. After dinner, they would retire to his room. Not coming out till morning.
Even then, Ariadne would be granted her morning run. Her alone time.
The next day, was the next man's day. The same rules would apply.
Never could their arrangement be talked about in front of the children and if anyone on the outside were to ask, Arthur and Ariadne were a couple.
The Point Man feeling that it was more believable that they would be together as opposed to Cobb or Eames. Making the Extractor and Forger glare at him.
Their could be no obvious signs of affection when the children were in the room.
No kissing on the lips on another man's day.
Ariadne had her own room. None of the men or children were allowed there. Her privet sanctuary.
They were rules that could not be broken or bent. They held their relationship hard and fast together.
The benefits of such an understanding were worth it. Better then just dating. They got to see each other everyday. After the initial awkward phase had worn away, they communed together nicely.
~ "What's for dinner?" Phillipa asked as she and James started on their homework. A habit the Architect insisted on before any TV.
"Your Dad gets to pick tonight." Ariadne told the children. "Were having Italiano."
She made sure to use as much French, Italian and Spanish as she could around the children to keep their languages skills thriving. It also served to impress those idiotic teachers. Let them know the Cobb children were above their stupid gifted school.
~ Arthur arrived home first. Just as James and Phillipa were sitting down at the TV. Healthy snacks in front of them.
The Point Man pulled off his coat and gave her a pleasing kiss on the check. The children were focused on the TV characters, and never saw Arthur's hands lingering around her waist. Her back resting on his chest. Cradling her.
For a long time they stood there. Careful not to let little eyes see.
"Arthur." She whispered. Reluctant to come out of his arms. "Cobb... it's Cobb's..." She didn't have to finish. The Point Man uncurled his arms from her. Gracefully slipped away to his office. His privet refuge until dinner was ready. Ariadne tried not to take it personally.
He hated it when it wasn't his day. Was always the one wanting to bend the rules.
~ Cobb was home next. Telling them Eames wouldn't be back for a few days. His work running long. The Forger usually skipped town when it wasn't his day. Domestic life not suiting him. She could expect to see him bright and early after her run. Always keeping his appointments.
It was alright, if the Architect consented, to have the occasional afternoon delight. Something the Forger took full advantage off. Because he always left her so worn out, she needed the two days rest.
~ Dinner was perfect. The Architect taking cooking lessens and learning to prepare extraordinary world dishes. The adults drank wine and James complained that he didn't like green stuff.
"You'll learn to like it." Ariadne soothed him after his father told him roughly not to insult Ariadne's fine cooking. She combed the little boys hair out as he tried to eat.
~ Cobb and Ariadne were looking over her plans for the new building.
"It's just not working." She complained. Showing him the layout.
"Well, don't force it. Don't torture it. Give it time. It'll come to you." He said looking over her work with interest.
Cobb had been a great architect himself. She often leaned on him when she wanted his advise. He had been a wonderful well of knowledge and inspiration.
She sighed as Cobb pulled her into his arms. Kissing her neck.
"It's almost the kid's bedtime." He whispered. She smiled and blushed softly. She could hear Arthur retreating from his office to his privet bedroom. She wouldn't see him till the morning. On his day.
~ The best part of Cobb's day, aside from their time together was putting the kids to bed. James still needed some monitoring during bath time, but Phillipa was capable of bathing herself. The Extractor and Architect looked for all the world like doting parents to them. Ariadne showing him an award James got at school. Cobb over the moon about it.
Phillipa letting Ariadne pick out her clothes for school in the morning. Talking to her about classes. Cobb kissing them good night.
~ Finally, it was alone time. Cobb's night.
Don't worry kids! The next chapter will be Erotica! Calm down! I have to set the mood! Have to establish the rules. There will be Cobb and Ariadne sexy time, you know I'm good for it!