Chapter 2
The next day at dawn, the family was in the common room of the inn when several men and women appeared out of nowhere. There was much squealing and hugging as each family rushed to their loved one.
Near the fireplace, Jenos was swinging around his children, while by the kitchen Aleron was being hugged by his 24 year old adopted daughter Danielle, and 18 year old son Artorus. Tirai Osdarin was greeting her brother and his wife by the front door. The guardians had finally returned home once more.
A couple hours later, Alexis was helping Jenos out of his armor up in their room. As was their custom, she helped with his boots and undid the straps of his plate as they talked. "Alexander has sure grown."
"I have a feeling that he will be as tall if not as tall as Daniel." Alexis commented.
"At least he will get something from my side of the family," Jenos joked. Alexis just smiled.
Both were silent for a while before Jenos spoke again, "Something bothering you Lexie?"
"I did actually want to talk to you about something."
"You aren't pregnant are you?" Jenos half joked.
"Ha!" Alexis rolled her eyes. "No, I'm sorry but Alexander is enough of a handful thank you." She had a funny feeling Jenos still had not quite forgiven her for greeting him that year with a three-month old in her arms. "No, I wanted to talk to you about Irina."
"What about her?"
"She is getting letters of intent."
"Intent to what?"
Alexis rolled her eyes at her thick husband. "Men are asking to court her."
"Not if they value their lives, they aren't." He growled.
"She is eighteen, and quite beautiful." She smiled, "She is also the daughter of a powerful family. Many people want to marry into our connections."
"She is too young to think about that."
"Oh really and how old were you when you first started chasing skirts?" Alexis crossed her arms and glared at him.
"Yeah… well. I'm a guy and we begin early."
"Uh huh, that is what I thought, so when can she be looked at by boys?"
"When I deem her old enough and she is still too young."
"Jen, you and I got married when we were nineteen."
"She's my little girl….."
"…who has grown up, and whose poppa is just going to have to get use to that."
Jenos cursed under his breath, "So who is interested in my baby girl?"
"To be honest, for the moment, none worth anything. She has told all of them to buzz off but many are getting rather insistent she pick at least a 'special friend'. Tirai is already spoken for…"
"Who is doing what with Tirai?"
"Argh," She and Jenos had that conversation two years before and she didn't want to rehash that one. "Jen, when are you going to learn that your daughters can take care of themselves?"
"Never. I was a boy once and I know what is on the minds of boys and I don't want my daughters on the minds of young boys in the way I had girls on my mind when I was their age."
"Ain't Karma a bitch, Jen?" She kissed his cheek
The following morning, Alexis was in the kitchen when Aleron came down the stairs from the inn. "Good Morning."
"Good morning, I thought you would be sleeping in now that you were home?"
"Your cat decided that I needed to be awake." He grumbled, but smiled as Alexis put a plate of breakfast in front of him.
"Sorry about that. Since Violet passed last year Jade has become more demanding for attention." Alexis wiped her hands on a rag. "Oh, if you are looking for Rachel she is in her workshop. Last minute festival orders to be picked up later today."
"Thanks. I'll go see her in a minute. It is nice to have some peace and …"
He was interrupted as the door to the storage room banged open against the wall.
"…quiet."
Alexis giggled at him as Irina and Artorus strode into the room. "You were saying?"
"What do you mean you didn't see the blow coming?" Irina asked.
"It is a little hard to see things out the back of your head, Irina. Oh, hi Dad. What are you doing awake this early?"
"Jade." Alexis smiled, as if that was all she had to say. Irina smiled knowingly.
"And what are you two up to this morning?" Aleron turned his attention to the two eighteen year olds.
"Morning practice down in the sparring ring." Irina stole a strawberry from her mother's basket.
"She..." Art pointed at Irina, "did some new move that knocked me flat. I'd like to know where she learned it, so they can teach me."
"Hey! No telling trade secrets." Irina teased.
"Let me guess… your dad taught you." Alexis shared a smile at Irina, but smacked Art's hand as he tried to steal a strawberry like Irina did.
"OW!" he feigned being hurt, "She took some."
"She's my daughter and isn't a bottomless pit when it comes to food. Now both of you scoot; you have chores to do." She pointed her knife at each of them. "Irina, go wake your father, and carry a bucket of water up to each of our guests rooms. Artie, you are on fire wood duty, and no cheating. If I find you skimped any place I'll make sure have a VERY cold night yourself."
"Yes mum."
"Yes Aunt Alexis." Both trudged off grumbling.
Soon as they were gone both Alexis and Aleron burst out laughing.
"You have those kids whipped."
"They learned when they were little not to cross me, and to do their chores. It is no different than when we were their age." Alexis smiled. "Besides, with you and Jenos for fathers I knew they were going to grow up to be taller than me. I wasn't going to take any chances."
"You raised them well." He saluted her with his mug.
"No offense, but you and Jenos weren't around much so we had to do it ourselves. It's just been Rachel, Tirai, and I raising five, well six when Jenos left me with Alexander. We did our best." She gave him a sad smile.
"You realize we still feel bad about that, right?"
"You had to choose between the fate of the cosmos, and the lives of your family. There wasn't much of a choice there. You have found a balance along the way. Besides, you married strong stubborn women who can handle it." She gave him a mischievous smile.
"Did Tirai ever marry?"
"No, she didn't." Alexis sighed, "I don't think you can love another when you know someone as well as she knows Jenos."
"What do you think of that?"
"Me? I accepted her along time ago for what she was."
"As what?"
"Jenos' first wife who died before they could wed." Alexis said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Aleron nearly choked, "What?"
"Can you honestly think of a better analogy?"
"Well. Honestly, no I can't."
"She will never have what Jen and I have, but there will always be a part of Jenos with her. For that reason, she will always be welcomed in an Idanian house."
"What about the kids?"
"You saw," she indicated where the kids had been; "Rachel and Tirai are like aunts to my children. Tirai has always been close to her namesake. There are times when I think she is more a mom to Tirai than I am. Danielle has always loved being the "big sister' to all of them. Artie has spoiled Alexander since he was born. "
"And they fight like brothers and sisters." He motioned to where the kids had been.
"Not those two." She gave him a wry smile.
"They certainly squabble."
"Yeah, they do." Alexis chuckled. Aleron started to take another drink, "Like Jenos and I."
"What?" He nearly spilt the hot beverage on himself.
"Watching them together reminds me of Jenos and I when we were that age."
"Art isn't that kind of womanizer, at least I hope not."
"He isn't. He is a very dedicated, devoted student. He trains everyday with the guard."
"Sounds like my boy."
"However, that is not to say he hasn't got his mother's eyes, your height and the build of a well trained fighter. The girls do notice him, and he notices them noticing him. He's had a fancy, but nothing serious."
"What do you mean?"
"Aleron, every girl he has gone out with rarely lasts long. They are all fluff and flowers."
"Huh?"
"Arm candy, sweetheart." Rachel walked up and kissed her husband's cheek. "The girls that are attracted to him want his connection, and quite frankly are air heads. He blows them off unless he doesn't have a date for some social function."
"We were just discussing how much Irina and Artie were like Jenos and I when we were that age."
"One of them getting in trouble and the other bailing them out?" Rachel raised an eye brow.
"Sounds like Irina is following in her mother's foot steps."
"Mother?" both women glared at him.
"Sorry," Aleron continued, "but Art is his father's son. Irina is Jenos' daughter. Art is the one who is telling her that it is a bad idea to do something."
"Well," Alexis said with a sigh. "I don't want to admit how much sense that makes."