A/N: I don't own Darquesse, Anton, Skulduggery or anyone else you might recognize.
Anton was profoundly grateful, so much so that when we had finished setting out breakfast a few days later, he had a surprise for me. "Go check the guest book, sweetheart, I'll be out shortly. And you can leave Sable with me." He said eagerly. I gave him a puzzled smile, but handed over Sable.
I noticed right away we were slated to clear all the rooms that morning, then head to Ireland. I was curious since there was no guest listing for the day, and I knew enough of Anton's shorthand to make out there would be a side trip involved. I was intrigued, and more so when he came for me, Sable cradled in his arms. "Common room, dearheart?" He asked and I followed him in willingly.
As we settled on one of the sofas he looked at me. "I was thinking that as Sable grows I'd like for both of us to be able to spend more time with her." He said and I agreed. "And if we took on, say, a married couple with a child of their own, we could pay them in room and board. I think you'll approve, Darquesse, so I've agreed to interview them when we move to Ireland at noon. I hope you don't mind."
There was something in his voice that gave him away, despite his valiant attempt at a grave expression and when I met his eyes his lips twitched slightly. "You mean it?" I asked excitedly.
"I do. I'll admit I've missed having them here. I know I can be hard to get close to, but I let them in as my family as well. You know I think of Abby as my daughter and Sable is theirs'." He said and I drew him into a tight hug.
"I've missed them too, and mom said Abby's nightmares were getting worse recently." I said and Anton looked instantly concerned.
"Then how about a camp out their first night here in the common room? She misses you terribly, Darquesse, and I took you away too soon." He looked guilty so I leaned in to kiss him.
"No, just in time, but her schooling?"
"With me." Uncle Gordon said as the secret library door swung open. "Or with Heather. Between the two of us we will turn out two very well educated young ladies." He said, smiling and opened his arms for a hug. I obliged him, happy to see him and grateful he'd be pitching in.
He was there when the Bentley pulled up as well, and smiled when I couldn't resist going to greet my family. Abby was out of the Bentley first, squirming over dad as soon as he'd parked in the discreet garage Anton had installed to house our Beetle. I hugged her to me tightly and she squealed happily.
"I'm so excited, we get to live together and everything!" She chirruped. "I don't have to miss you anymore."
"No, you don't, and I don't have to miss you either. Now go say hi to your dad." I said and she knew I meant Anton and made a beeline for him. It was an odd family arrangement, I guess, but Anton worshiped Abby as a daughter. He hugged her gently then led her inside to see Sable.
I hugged mom and dad as well, then helped them with their luggage. Mom seemed impressed with all the changes. "You two have really done it, haven't you?" She asked, impressed. "It's so cosy now, yet elegant. Sort of, well, beachy if you don't mind me saying so."
"I don't. Anton knows we fell in love on that vacation and it's the same reason he installed a garage just to carry the car. Too many good memories, I guess. You'll be in the room across from ours and Abby will share with Sable. I hope she doesn't mind."
"Mind?" Dad asked warmly. "She's deliriously happy to be a big sister. You've been missed, you know." He said and I knew what he'd meant, they had all missed me terribly and we were very fortunate to be able to be together again and we knew it.
After a grocery run where Abby joined us, Anton looked very pleased with himself. "Unscheduled side trip." He announced when we had got home and put away the groceries. And I knew instantly from the tender look on his face what he meant. The beach. Abby, catching on just as quickly screeched happily and caught Anton in a hug, then raced off to see if mom and dad would let her go to the beach.
They did, and as we adults got ready to join her, Anton looked at me, his eyes dancing. "A few weeks again, like the first time. We need time to bond, work out who will do what and the like." I nodded, then drew him into a lingering kiss, grateful as always to have such an indulgent husband. And soon we were outside, Sable included, watching Abby dart in and out of the surf.
Dad had brought Uncle Gordon out and as the men talked they kept an eye on Abby as did mom and I. I settled down beside her on a beach blanket, and she took Sable Rose eagerly, cooing fondly. "She's missed you, you know." She said, looking towards Abby and I nodded.
"I missed her too. How did you convince dad to step down? I thought he was enjoying being an Elder?" Mom laughed.
"At first, yes. But you had him spoiled, dear. He'd call Abby Darquesse half of the time, so we knew he needed you close again. And when Anton contacted us he jumped at the chance to be with the rest of our family. Not to mention the fact that we owe you a debt of thanks." Mom smiled at me, then called to Abby, telling her to show me Midnight. Abby shrugged and did, and as the horse appeared mom whispered to me.
"There was someone who had unfinished business with her and I. I don't know how to thank you. Somehow Midnight knew the house's defenses were down so our friends could move our things into storage and we were too excited and celebrating with the radio. Abby turned in early, and in the morning we found evidence that the would-be intruder had been trampled to death on the lawn. That woman would have killed my baby herself this time, thank you."
"Anytime, Mom. I thought she might, but I didn't want Dad landing in the gaol on one of my hunches." I said, stretching and standing. Midnight pricked up his ears at the sound of my voice that trotted over to me, whinnying joyously. He capered around me, then stopped so I could admire his upgrades.
He was a massive war horse now, with sleek black armour. He looked rather satisfied with himself and I knew why. He'd done his job and proven he had a heart as big and loyal as any horse of flesh and blood. As his intelligent eyes gazed into mine he came forward to greet me, nuzzling gently into my shoulder and nickering happily. "Hey boy, you did good. I'm proud of you." I said, petting his velvety nose. And he not only understood, but I could see he was proud of me too. Giving him to Abby had been giving up a line of defense because he'd protected me the same way when I'd meditated deeply as a skeleton.
Anton looked impressed with Midnight and seemed pleased to find he was still the same, friendly and intelligent equine he'd always been. Skulduggery had clearly told him what had happened, because Anton was stroking Midnight's glossy flank where he could, speaking reverently to him. "Good, boy, Midnight, I don't know how to thank you." Midnight promptly nudged Anton's pocket.
Anton produced the sugar cubes from inside of it, and the warhorse delicately nabbed them from his open palm. "I could swear he understood me. But then I've always liked horses over people, they're certainly smarter than a lot of people."
"That the are." Dad agreed, joining us and giving Midnight a pat. He crooked a finger to lead me away and I fell in step beside him, smiling fondly. Only dad would have thought swim trunks and one of his hats went together, but that was part of what I loved about him.
When we'd walked a little ways away, he looked at me. "I saw the end of it. She was using those tattoos and hitting him with everything she had. I could have sworn he was laughing at her when he trampled her. Don't tell Abby, but he flipped her body on his back and carried her away. The Sanctuary conducted a search but-"
"In his belly. He's part kelpie. He won't harm Abby, though. Wait until you see his human form." I said mildly and dad looked alarmed. "I'm teasing. I planned on the shift he's shown, he used to do it for me when I meditated, but he's never gone human. At least not that I know of. He shouldn't even be able to eat, but he does snack on the occasional bad guy. He knows enough to keep it hidden from her." I assured dad.
He looked at me thoughtfully. "I wish I had thought of that, back then. You know, when I had anger management problems?" He asked and I nodded. "And you're yourself again, you know, as sweet as you ever were. But you had to be let to figure that one out for yourself."
"So a name is just a trapping?" I asked and he nodded.
"So is how you look. You'll always have your darker hair and eyes, Sable Rose and your body saw to that, but you can choose to be the best of who you are now. You won't hesitate in battle ever again, but you can have all the emotions you used to. And I suppose we both know I'm speaking from personal experience?" He asked and I nodded.
We walked back, but not before he stopped me. "Darquesse, I had it coming. Unfortunately our family paid for what I did, but I wasn't a good man, not back then. Which is why I was relieved when Anton wanted to marry you and you've proved loyal and-" He trailed off helplessly and I grabbed him in a tight hug.
"Trust me, Dad, I know. I changed, just like you did. It wouldn't be worth it, betraying him, besides, I have two husbands if you count the Gist." Dad looked profoundly disturbed, as if I was going to share intimate details of our love life, but recovered and grinned cheerily.
"Which brings me to a huge favour. Being Darquesse you could do a far better facade than most-" I agreed. A facade wouldn't mess up dad's magic, and I knew he loved being a skeleton. I touched his temples, watching as he closed what passed for his eyes.
"Any preferences?"
"Like before, it's time." He said and I nodded. It was time for him to be rid of his guilt and shame and as I worked my magic his facade flowed over his bones. I stepped back in surprise.
"Mom hit the jackpot." I teased, and he chuckled. Dad was a ruggedly handsome man now, and I could see why he'd had so many girlfriends at once. He had shoulder-length black hair in wild curls, a lean but muscular build, and deep brown eyes that drew me in. They were alive now with amusement.
"Not to make my daughter blush, but?"
"You can still eat, but you're still a skeleton underneath so that stays the same. I can't grant you the ability to make children, but everything else works." I offered and we both blushed.
That/O thrilling experience over we rejoined our family in time for a late lunch. Anton smiled at me and suggest the place where we'd dated so Abby could try the seafood or stick with a burger and I agreed. As we headed in to change he smiled at me. "We may be meeting some guests there. An engaged couple and a few other people. But don't worry, with the extra hands we can handle a wedding."
A wedding? This day keeps getting stranger as it goes on. I thought.
Hmm, who could be getting married and who are the guests? A whole plate of cyber cookies to readers who figure it out. I promise, more adventure next chapter, but I needed a chance to reunite the family.