No, we're watching the news! Christian mutters. - This is more important!
Children quarrel over TV. This is something new. Usually they are always friendly, but here ...
I look at them and understand that they are not serious. But I decide to help them. I find cartoons about Sailor Moon on my laptop and, after giving it to Mia, I go to the living room to watch the news with the boys. Mia thanks me and squeals with joy and goes to watch cartoons.
You know how to do it with kids, Ms. Steele, Lewis says, sitting down next to us. - They would have received punishment from me: two days without TV and that's it. I would not understand who is right and who is not.
Be gentler, Mr. Prothero, Elliot says. But I have to say, you're doing a good job!
Lewis chuckles and puts his hand on my back. I blush ... pictures of our kiss pop up in my memory. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to repeat it.
Listen, mom, agent bear is writing here, zae ... got it already! Mia runs into the living room with my laptop.
Agent Bear... Not that!
What is an agent bear? Prothero asks.
"Fred Thursday, my teacher and Mia's godfather," I whisper. I take the laptop from Mia and, sitting down at the table, start reading.
Eric has handed over the Tawny Owl Mission to Fred and Fred is going to come here to London and try to get my brain right. He loves me like a daughter.
As far as I know, at one time he worked in Syria and Afghanistan and probably crossed paths with Prothero there.
- Fersday, Fersday ... I crossed paths with him in 1998 in Syria. Real knight. But then I was ... to put it mildly, not like that, grins Lewis. - Even then I shared the ideals of Nord-Fier. What does he want?
Come and blow my mind. He writes that you are not the one I need for the task, I answer calmly.
Hmm It doesn t concern him. Half the job is already done! Elliot chuckles.
He's Mia's godfather and has the right to worry about her, Christian protests.
If he was worried, he would be here and play the part of Anastasia's husband, Mia says hotly.
It is truth too. I contact Finch and ask him when Fred will arrive. He says that in a week. I breathe out. There is time to come up with something.
I don t need another dad, Mia says firmly. Even Fred. Can we defend Lewis?
Christian calls his brother and sister to his room, and they confer about something.
I look at Lewis. He is gloomy and gloomy.
"Fred has no right to suspend me!" I'm the head of England's elite intelligence! These Yankees always think they're better than us, smarter. The country of the age of the Russian Bolshoi Theater! And they have vyebons like their country is the age of the Egyptian pyramids, growls Prothero.
But I'm a Yankee too, I laugh.
Not all Yankees are bad and get fucked, Lewis excuses himself and hugs me. I feel good with him However, his terada reminds me of something.
Listen, about your job I start timidly.
Lewis kisses my cheek.
- Let's do this: I'll tell you everything, but not now. I propose to go to the "Owl" and I will tell you everything and show you, - he laughs.
I nod and hear a beep about a new e-mail. It's from Taylor. He congratulates me on a successful interview and wishes me good luck with Fred.
By the way, when it becomes known there, did we do it? Christian enters the living room, followed by Mia.
The lists of enrollees will be posted on Friday, Prothero says, checking something on his iPhone.
Great, we ll all find out soon, Mia grins and laughs.
pov christian
I look at my happy brother and sister. Their smiles are the most important thing in life for me. I am extremely happy that Ms. Still became our foster mother. As for Lewis... Well... It's more complicated. He's a pimp and a trail of murder has been trailing him since the early 1990s. But it seems that he sincerely loves Anastacia and us. This surprises me. Like him and feelings ...
Suddenly SMS. Elena invites me to take a walk. I'm smiling. This girl makes me better...
- Found a job? I ask her. We go to the cinema holding hands. Lena looks away.
Looking But, thanks to Mr. Protheroe, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Listen, Chris, are there any beautiful girls among your classmates in Eden? Elena asks slyly.
So... Jealous Miss Lincoln... This is something new.
I don't know, I haven't been enrolled yet. And what? I'm interested.
Christian, I'm so afraid that there will be someone better than me, and you Lena sniffs.
I shake my head and hug her. Pressing me to myself, I awkwardly stroke my red curls and laugh.
- Lena, Lena ... What kind of girl are you. I will never need anyone but you. - Kiss her on the forehead.
- Honestly? she asks incredulously, pressing closer.
Honestly, honestly, I whisper. I love you, Elena Lincoln.
She smiles and hugs me tighter. I gently take her by the chin and kiss her. The girl flares up and her smile seems to light up all of London...
Chapter Management Edit Chapter Chapter 18 Chapter Text Pov Anastasia.
Friday came suddenly. During these days, me, the children and Lewis became very close. I got more and more into the role of a mother, the children shared their past and problems with me, and Lewis ... He tried to help me.
True, in the evenings he went to the Merry Owl and returned only in the morning, often smelling of perfume and wine. No, I remembered that we had a fictitious marriage with him, and that he was free to sleep with others, like me, but some strange jealousy still arose in my heart and painfully pricked me with its sharp needles.
On Friday morning, Lewis cooked breakfast, I was happy to help him. We turned on the radio and, singing along to hits from the 80s and 90s, moved around our small kitchen, laughing and joking.
Still, the apartment is small for us. We need something bigger, Prothero mutters as he makes coffee.
- There are options? I look ironically.
- Penthouse in Escala. It's not far from "Eden", I was there. Everyone wanted to buy him out, says Lewis.
Well I mumble. I like my apartment, I've been through so much here ... And we will buy a penthouse with dirty money.
Let's talk about it with the kids, okay? I don't give up.
- It's coming. We will discuss everything after enrollment. Lewis kisses me on the cheek.
When we have everything ready, we call the children. All three are terribly worried, I feel it in every cell of my body. Mia keeps tugging at my hand and asking me to give her another omelet, Elliot is silent, but Christian is thinking of something else. I suspect it's about Elena.
An hour later, we stand at the boards with the lists of applicants and look for the names of the children. They passed, they passed?.. The thought knocks in my head like an alarm. But alas their names are not on any list.
Fuck, I growl and look helplessly at my family. Now my children will be left with nothing, and Lewis ... will leave me forever.
- Mom. Mia takes my hand and tries to reassure me with her smile.
Well, should we look for shelter? Elliot jokes grimly.
I m going to hit you now, Christian shouts to his brother.
- Calm down! Prothero says coldly and authoritatively. His tone sends chills down your spine. That tone... The tone of Commandant Larkhill, King of Death...
I shake my head and turn to leave, when suddenly, in the archway I know, I see Peter Jakes, his eyebrows beckoning at us.
We look at each other and go to him.
"Mrs. Steele, Mr. Prothero... I have some information for you," Peter bows his head. But what I tell you should only be between us.
We all nod to him. Peter hands us a list of the children's names. I look at the list and feel a surge of hope.
The first three lines ... The names of my children.
- A waiting list for enrollment. If there are those who will take away the documents for some reason, your children will be enrolled in their place. They have good passing scores, we liked them at the interview. Once again - they will take away the documents - act. This is all I can do for you. Expect good news, Peter says and leaves.
The timid flame of hope ignites within me again. So, not all is lost. Lewis takes my hand and looks reassuringly.
Chapter Management Edit Chapter Chapter 19 Chapter Text The phone rings on Monday evening. I run up to him and quickly answer the call.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Steele, all three of your children are enrolled in Eden Academy," I hear Bright's voice over the phone.
I hang up and turn to the kids and Lewis.
- You did! I scream and throw myself on my husband's neck. He hugs me tightly and kisses me on the lips. Passionate and hot. Then I hug each of the three children of the Gray family.
- You are so good! I say, stroking their hair. Lewis also hugs them, but does it very discreetly.
- It should be noted! Elliot yells and calls food delivery. Christian calls Elena, and I call Eric and Jason.
Twenty minutes later, everyone is assembled and we are celebrating. Wine flows like water, children literally endow us with warmth and spontaneity. I smile at Lewis. Christian squeezes Elena's hand under the table. And for the first time in my life I feel that I am in my place, that I don t want to change anything ...
Well, you grabbed the treasure, Ms. Steele, Eric laughs, looking at Lewis. - Smart, brave, cooks ... Where are they handed out?
Secret, I smile.
- For yourself, what will you get in the "Owl"? Taylor giggles.
"Taylor, Mia's here!" Prothero says sternly.
Mia and the boys go into the living room to watch a cartoon about a knight girl Helena Morse.
- Mom, do you remember what you promised if we did? You promised us a quest: save the princess! says the younger Gray slyly, returning to the table half an hour later.
I remember. But there are a lot of but: where to get the castle, extras and so on.
Mia, sunshine. It's unlikely to work, I say guiltily.
Mia is ready to cry. Crap
A cruel mother forces you to study, but gives nothing in return! Eric and Jason tease. Jerks...
What about saving the princess? Lewis asks, looking at Mia. She raises her teary green eyes at him.
- There is a cartoon about Helena Morse. She is a knight and protects the three royal children from an evil sorcerer. And in one of the episodes, she saves Princess Joan from an ogre. And I would like my mother to save me from the castle like in a cartoon, says Mia.
- Lock? In the suburbs of London there is an abandoned Sutler's castle. It can be rented for a million dollars. So, the princess had wars? Lewis asks mischievously.
- Yes. And the cannibal has an army of zombies, witches, werewolves. And the princess was assisted by Joan's brothers, her squire and royal adviser. And also a blacksmith girl Helena. She's a redhead, Mia says enthusiastically.
- Well, guys, pack your things, we're going on a quest! Lewis yells as he stands up.
So... Okay... This is very unexpected. I didn't expect anything but the fact that Prothero would agree to participate in this. I look at him gratefully.
- Am I going too? Elena is surprised.
- And then. Well, Emma Stone, get ready to get your fourth Oscar nomination, Taylor teases.
Mia is jumping for joy, and I'm infected by her optimism. The boys are also in anticipation of the quest. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Prothero talking to someone on the phone.
Roger, we need two helicopters. Yes, Charlie Tango and Echo Charlie models. On the roof of the owl in forty minutes. And smart pilots. Keep in touch, we might need you and the others, Lewis says coldly and curtly, and hangs up.
I won t take Mia to Owl! The realization that my daughter might see there is very scary.
Baby, we ll go up to the roof with fire escapes. I also understand that it is too early for her to visit my kingdom. But at eighteen... I'll be the first to give her a glass of wine and take her to the boys. And you will be at home, waiting for us. And when we return in the morning from her graduation at Eden, you will grumble at us. And under the heart you will have my child. Lewis smiles.
He thinks about the future. I never made plans for him. Today I'm alive, tomorrow I'm gone...
Chapter Management Edit Chapter Chapter 20 Chapter Text I feel like a Bond girl, Elena laughs as she climbs onto the roof of the Owl. I follow her. Our fearless little band is led by Lewis. Mia sits on Elliot's neck and almost jumps on him, waiting for the flight.
Little one, you re going to give me a concussion, the redhead mutters.
Quiet there, I order the children.
And now we reach the roof, where two luxurious sports helicopters are waiting for us. Near them are Roger and Anthony.
- Wow! Mia screeches and climbs into the cockpit of the Echo Charlie.
Your flight plan, sir. Unfortunately the pilots are um on missions. Dust Dascombe's gaze.
- Nothing. I will pilot it myself, Prothero chuckles. And the second helicopter...
Hey, impudent Saxons, do you need a pilot? We hear a pleasant girlish voice.
So... Fuck me... A gorgeous blonde a little younger than me climbs the fire escape behind us.
Layla Williams, aka Marvel Agent. Ace pilot, ulcer, fashion guru and my best friend. I'm so glad to see her Layla smiles at me and looks at Dascombe with almost hostility.
"Which of those two drunken morons pulled you out of bed?" I ask, nodding at Jason and Eric, who are laughing like crazy people.
Jay. And I didn't sleep. I was just bored and I called him. He was talking about the Owl, a castle and a helicopter. Here I am Layla laughs.
Layla Roger begins.
Later, Dascombe, Williams mutters.
She climbs into the cockpit of the Tango Charlie, with Eric, Jason, and Elliot getting in with her.
Milady. Lewis leads me to the Echo and I gracefully climb into it. Mia and Christian are positioned behind us.
Prothero hands me the headphones. Then he checks all the instruments, talks to the control room, and we take off.
London from a bird's eye view is like a fairy tale. I admiringly look out the window and smile. This strange man gave me a fairy tale.
Impressed? Lewis asks. I nod.
What, are you doing this trick with all your women? I laugh.
You first, Lewis replies. Good answer. Out of the corner of my eye I look at Mia and Christian. They also look at the city with delight.
An hour later we enter the ancient castle, which is filled with agents in knightly armor. Some act like zombies, the girls are dressed as witches. Agents from both the USA and Sova.
Wow! When did Lewis get it? Everyone is very nice to communicate, laugh and there is no tension.
- Great! Mia screams and claps her hands
Suddenly, Lewis grabs her armpits and drags her off somewhere, laughing ominously.
Stop me, Morse, Prothero yells.
I understand that the quest has begun and, together with the boys and friends, I run up the stairs that lead to the tower. Every now and then, the servants of the cannibal run out at us, whom we successfully defeat together. The Grays know martial arts, me and Eric and Welch too, and Elena uses the Jackie Chan technique: she fights with what is at hand.
However, the feeling of a playful show does not leave us for a minute, and we accompany all the fights with the "Villains" with jokes and humor.
I haven t fought like this in a long time, Eric shouts cheerfully, knocking out another zombie.
Me too, I laugh. The tension and excitement of the last four days evaporates, and I feel truly free and happy.
Finally we reach the top of the tower. Jason kicks the door open and we enter the room.
Elena! Lewis growls, hiding Mia behind his back. He is wearing black armor and has a gold chain with a skull around his neck. The real king of darkness!
Here I am, I shout cheerfully. Give me Princess Mia!
- Never! I will eat it and restore youth! Lewis growls.
I propose a duel with swords, fiend of Hell! I shout. I will save Mia at any cost.
- Mom is so cool! I hear Mia squeal.
- All right, Morse! Prothero goes to the wall, on which two swords hang. Taking them off, he hands me one.
We cross swords and begin the duel. It must be admitted that he is an excellent swordsman. I've always preferred a pistol to all these ancient weapons of defense.
In an instant, our faces are very close to each other and I, unable to stand it, kiss him. This gentle and chaste kiss puzzles Lewis, and we lower our swords. His tongue explores my mouth and I answer him.
You saved me, Morse, because in fact I am an enchanted prince, not an ogre, Lewis smiles. You can take Mia.
We lower our swords and I go to my daughter.
Mom, you saved me! - She clings to me. I hug her and stroke her hair.
A little later, we stand on the balcony and look at the fireworks that were launched in honor of the successful rescue of Mia. Mia sleeps peacefully on Christian's neck, Elliot stands next to his brother, and Lewis and I look at the fireworks, smiling happily at each other.
- I wonder what the bill is for this banquet and who will pay for it? Elliot asks.
Ten million dollar bill. Paid by the Bestial Whores of America. Well, we are a little, - Prothero laughs.
They re freaking out, I say. - Thank you. Mia's smile is the most precious thing in my life.
Me too, Lewis admits. I hope she studies well.
I will, Mia growls sleepily from her brother s neck.
The children leave, and we look at the fireworks for a long time. Lewis wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.
You are incredible, Steele. You make me better. Much better... You're the first one I got everyone on the Owl to their feet, and they helped me throw a party for Mia. The man is kissing me.