"I'll get it!" Noble hurried to the door before anyone could object.
Ah, how nice it felt to do something mundane like answering a door! As long as there wasn't a polite monster on the other side waiting to gobble her up, she was overjoyed to complete the task.
Thankfully, no Nightmare Creature awaited her. It was a lovely young woman who began talking as soon as the door cracked.
"Sorry, I'm late, boss! I was having breakfast when I wondered what diseased bread would look like, and then I nearly created a super virus, but don't worry! Everything is fine now, but…"
Teddy paused, realizing her words had met the wrong recipient.
"Mrs. Boss!" The young woman jumped across the threshold and caught Noble in a hug. "You're back! I missed you!"
Noble had long since come to realize that the lady thought of her as a mother figure. Anyway, Teddy's joy was infectious…quite literally.
Noble smiled. "It's good to see you, too."
"I knew you'd come back! I never once thought you'd be eaten by a ten-meter-tall nightmare wildebeast and have your bones spit across the Dream Realm like snow!" Teddy nodded.
"That's…oddly specific." Noble's smile became strained.
Fort came over to the door with a stack of pages. "Here's what I need you to take today. Did I hear something about a super virus in the Dream Realm?"
Teddy raised her hands. "Don't worry, Boss! I told you everything is all good now. I promise that my neighbor has always had that cough, so don't believe him if he says anything different!"
"Teddy…" Fort narrowed his gaze.
The assistant sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll fix Mr. Three-trays-of-sushi-is-too-much-for-a-snack. But he really should mind his own business!"
"Thank you, Teddy." Noble touched her husband's arm. "Healing is always better than infecting…"
The young woman tapped her chin. "But arguably less fun."
"I'm with Teddy on this one," Brock called from the table.
"See? That kid gets it!" The assistant tilted up her thumb to the elder twin.
Rain covered her mouth, hiding her grin.
Blaze rubbed his forehead. He could never tell if Teddy was serious or just going for shock factor…perhaps both.
Teddy summoned a Memory and placed the papers inside. That is when Noble remembered the other package she had brought from the waking world.
Using her levitation, she floated it toward the door. "I think this belongs to you also?"
The young woman lit up as she gripped the box. "I had almost forgotten about these!"
"Dare I ask what 'these' are?" Noble noted the metallic clank of the package for the second time.
Glancing at Fort, Teddy smiled a little too widely. "Oh, they are totally one hundred percent government-related materials and not parts to a spinning chair that I'm slowly smuggling into the Dream Realm."
Fort pinched the bridge of his nose. "If you want a spinning chair, surely I can requisition one…"
Teddy clicked her tongue. "That is far less fun," She turned to leave. "Later, Boss, mo—ma'am, boys, and crazy girl! I'll see you this evening!"
With that, the assistant bounced down the street, carrying her package as if it contained the most precious gold. Perhaps for her, it did.
They watched her go, astonished as usual.
Even the shadows seemed confused by the merry mayhem maker.
'The world would be a happier place with more Teddys in the world…or we'd all be dead. One of those two…'
The family shut the door and returned to the meal.
It was unlike any that the family had had in a long time. There was no rush to go anywhere or do anything. Even Rain, who had been anxious to get to the reward boards earlier that morning, felt no hurry to move on with her day.
They were happy, and they were whole.
But all good things must come to an end, and as the morning turned into midday, time did catch up with them.
Blaze was the first to depart, making an excuse to go get his work to complete at home.
"I'll be right back!"
"No rush," Noble told him. "I have a few errands to run myself. Give Jane my warm regards."
Brock nearly spat his drink. "Jane? She is so three weeks ago. Now he is moon-faced over Jessie."
"She's just a friend! A good friend…" Blaze blushed.
"It seems there is more I have to catch up on." Noble raised one eyebrow. "You should invite her over for dinner tonight."
Blaze's ears looked on fire. "I'll let her know, but I'm pretty sure she is busy. Thanks, mom!"
"Is he afraid I'll scare her off?" Noble asked her husband.
Rain chuckled softly.
"I'll put it this way. The thought of having Queen Bee for a mother is hard to process, but having her as a potential in-law?"
"I see…" Noble had mixed feelings about the assertion.
On the one hand, if the girl wasn't willing to make the effort to meet the family, she wasn't a good long term candidate. On the other hand, any girl who wasn't eager to meet a powerful Awakened was unlikely to be a social climber. Noble could appreciate that quality a lot.
'Hm, I need to think on that a little more.'
"Well, if he is going, then I will at least do one lap this morning," Brock stood and stretched. "I can't let all my hard work go to waste."
"It would take more than one morning of eggs and meat to do that," Rain teased.
"Yes, but I need to take it to the next level. Maybe I should go out hunting with you! That would really get me in shape," Brock watched both his parents open their mouths before he burst out laughing. "I'm kidding! Sort of. Maybe in another year. After some serious academy training."
"Sure," Rain patted him on the shoulder. "In a year, you can show me what you've got, and we can find out what you have to work with."
Rain stood and stretched.
Fort pursed his lips. "Does that mean you are headed out too?"
"I had a few things I intended to sell at the market. It won't take too long. I have a buyer, but he wanted the skins today."
"I'll walk you out." Noble glanced at her disappointed husband. "Don't give me those pouty eyes. I saw how many times you were looking toward those reports Teddy brought you. I need to check on the Academy and let Sarai know I'm back. It won't take more than an hour or two, and I will have a surprise for you when I get back."
Noble winked when neither of her children was looking. Fort's back straightened.
"Well, if you insist, I suppose I can get my work out of the way this morning. I'll see you in a bit."
The two ladies bid him goodbye and headed into the street. Outside, they, too, had to part ways. Rain hugged her mother extra long. "I am very glad you are home."
"I'm glad to be home, truly." Noble enjoyed the warmth of the hug in the cold air.
Rain pulled away and frowned. "But there's something that's bothering me about the story you told."
"Oh? What's that?" The mother tilted her head.
"It sounded suspiciously like your adventure was…well, more than just a regular mission." Rain tilted her head meaningfully.
"I suppose it did sound that way." Noble smiled.
"Well…was it? I mean, are you…" Rain hesitated. "Never mind. It was a silly question. Can we catch up more soon– just us girls? Maybe we can go out and get some tea tomorrow or the day after?"
"I would love that! Maybe we could have some waffles too." Noble nodded.
"Waffles? Where can you get waffles in Ravenheart?" Rain furrowed her brow.
"I'm sure we can find somewhere. I know your grandmother visited a shop that sells them in Bastion. Why not here?" Child of Promise smiled.
The dark-haired woman grinned uncertainly. "Ah, well, if you find a place, we can go there."
"Sounds good. See you tonight!" Noble waved, watching her daughter amble down the street out of sight. When she was sure the girl was gone, she lowered her arm and sighed.
"Now that I have your attention, we need to have a chat."