Chapter 204
[ 1,247 words ]
Once Upon A Time.
I was still in Ma’s arms when the back door creaked open? Pa stepped in from the yard, boots muddy, sleeves rolled up, the smell of smoke and pine clingin to him. He took one look at me and grinned, that deep, rumbling kind of grin that always managed to pull a smile out of me no matter how heavy I felt.
“Well, look who the shadows dragged home,” he said giving me a firm slap on the back. “What are you doing here, sun p>
I shrugged, trying for casual. “Thought I’d stay for a while, if that’s alright p>
Before Pa could answer, the front door banged open and Elias came in, trailed by half a dozen laughing kids. They were shouting over each other, arguing about whose turn it was to pick the next story. Elias shot me a tired but amused look over their heads.
“Alright, little gremlins, into the lounge room. Shoes off, no jumping on the couch,” he ordered, steering them toward the hall. When they were finally gone
he turned back to me, that easy grin spreading across his face.
“Good timing.” he said, clapping my shoulder. “Could use an extra pair of hands around here p>
I laughed quietly, some of the weight lifted from my chest. “Yeah,” I said. “I think I could use the work p>
Evening at the orphanage was a kind of chaos I’d forgotten how to love. The halls echoed with laughter, feet pounding on the wooden floors, and the smell of dinner still lingered in the air, spaghetti and garlic bread, Ma’s favourite quick meal when the place was full.
Elias was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, his hair a mess from wrangling a dozen kids through bath time. “You want to make yourself useful?” he called over his shoulder, scooping ice cream into bowls. “Grab the spoons before they riot p>
I grinned, opening drawers until I found the mismatched set, some silver, some plastic, one that looked suspiciously like it had been stolen from a café. “You sure you’re feeding them ice cream this late? You’ll never get them to sleep p>
Elias just smirked. “That’s why you’re here, big brother. Reinforcements p>
The kids poured in moments later, loud and full of energy, faces still pink from warm baths. Ma followed with her gentle but firm smile, herding them to the
table like a seasoned general.
“Alright, everyone, one scoop each,” Elias announced. “No trading, no complaining, and definitely no food fights p>
“Even if he starts it?” one of the boys asked, pointing accusingly at his friend.
“Especially if he starts it,” I said, setting the spoons down.
That earned a few giggles, and soon enough, the sound of spoons clinking and sugar-fueled chatter filled the room. Watching them, I couldn’t help hạt smile. They reminded me so much of us when we were younger-wild, loud, full of life before we understood what it meant to carry the weight of the worlds
When dessert was over, Elias caught my eye with a grin. “You thinking what I’m thinking p>
I sighed dramatically. “If youre about to say bedtime, I’m not fighting that battle p>
“Now bedtime,” he said. “Game time p>
Geves and cheets erupted at once. has ignored them, ragging a deck al cards from the shell and plopping it onto the coffee table in the lounge Atrigint Snap. Wismer gets bragging rights. Loset does dishes tomorrow p>
9:07 am
Once Upon A Time.
The gas crowded around, forming an uneven circle on the floor. Elias sa cross-legged with them, shuffling the deck like a magician while I perched on the
arm of the couch, pretending not to care but secretly keeping score The room filled with shouts of laughter and mock outrage as cards flew and rules were
broken every two minutes. Elias cheated shamelessly. I let him, mainly because watching hitt let the smallest kids “catch” him and win was better than any
prize.
By the time the game ended, half the kids were yawning, heads drooping against pillows. Ehas clapped his hands softly. “Alright, gremlins, off to bed. Stori
in five p>
There were a few groans, but no real resistance Ma herded some of them upstairs, her soft voice carrying lullabies and reminders about brushing teeth. Eli
leaned back on his hands, letting out a long breath.
“Thanks for helping,” he said, looking up at me. “It’s good having you here again p>
I nodded, watching the last candle flicker low. “Yeah,” I said quietly. “It’s good being here p>
He smiled, tired but content, and I found myself smiling back. Maybe this was what I needed, not the roar of the Underworld or the ache of the bond I couldn’t have. Just this. The laughter, the warmth, the peace of knowing that, for tonight at least, everyone I loved was safe.
A slight tug on my pant leg snapped me out of thought. I looked down to find Rosie staring up at me with those big brown eyes. Her curls bounced as she shifted from foot to foot, clutching a little stuffed wolf under one arm.
“Can you read me a story, Ellie?” she asked, her voice soft but hopeful.
I groaned, “Ellie? Really? That’s what we’re going with now p>
She giggled, completely unbothered. “It’s cute p>
“Debatable,” I said, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Sure, kiddo. Come on p>
She lifted her arms automatically, and I scooped her up without thinking. She tucked her head under my chin, the faint scent of bubblegum shampoo and crayons clinging to her hair. The weight of her reminded me of a time long ago, before everything got so tangled and heavy. I carried her upstairs to the room she shared with a handful of other girls, where the walls were covered in hand-drawn pictures and glittery stickers. Setting Rosie down, I glanced at the bookshelf along the wall, half of it filled with worn spines, the other half with picture books that had clearly been loved too hard.
“Any suggestions?” I asked.
Rosie’s hand shot up. “I want the one about fated mates! The one where the princess gets saved by her prince p>
I sighed, fighting a smile as I reached for the familiar pink-covered book, with a fraying corner. “Of course you do p>
So much like Macey.
I lowered myself unto the rug, the old boards creaking beneath me, and Rosie scrambled into my lap without waiting for an unvitation.
*Alright,” I said, flipping open the saver, “Once upon a time, there was a princess – ”
“Who didn’t need saying.” Rosse interrupted proudly, already grinning
I chucking, empathing her hair back. “That’s ng A princess who didn’t need saving but still had a prince who loved her enough to stand beside her
2/3
9:07 am
PP
Once Upon A Time.
Her eyes went wide, hanging on every word, and I felt something ease in my chest. Maybe stories like this weren’t just for the kids. Maybe they were for the fools like me who still believed in them, too. By the time I reached the last page, Rosie was asleep, curled against me with the stuffed wolf tucked under her
chin. I stayed there a while longer, listening to her even breaths and the quiet rustle of the orphanage settling down for the night.
Comments
R Visitor
Elliot and Elias are going to be fabulous fathers!
7 days ago
18
3.3 3 Comments > 13 0 9:07 am Goddess Of The Underworld Juliet Zvayi If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.