Shape of Things to Come (Invite/PM to Join/Open to VDM)

[Leonie von der Marck]

The Lioness drew back when he stood, though whether it was from the uncharacteristic raised voice or the fact that he clearly didn’t want to be near her, she couldn’t tell. All she knew was she could scarcely hold back the recoil that wanted to force itself front and center. She drew in a slow breath, and adjusted her position on the bench. Hands dangled lightly between her knees. Somewhere in there, she’d set her coffee down and quietly sat through his protestations. When silence reigned once more, she found herself feeling about as confused as he seemed.

“I don’t know what else to say, either,” she finally spoke, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes already. She willed them back, willed the sound of them out of her voice, with as much strength as she could muster. It had all seemed to make sense in the aftermath. It had all seemed to fit... Everything everyone said, advised, demanded of her. Never mind the niggling thought that remained in the back of her head, that agreed with everything he now said, long before he said it to her, that she'd been forced to bury deep lest she incur someone's wrath after a time. But wasn’t it everything she’d been afraid of from the moment she had decided to pursue what they’d started? Hadn’t it all just been pure validation of the worst of her fears and insecurities? “He seemed certain, Louvel. Everyone did. I... I can’t see him lying about it. But he isn't infallible and his powers are not limitless. That, in addition to everytime we sent anyone after you, you were either no where to be found, or easily ducked out when they got close if you were. But easily observed if no one tried to approach or interact, as you saw."

Her hands shook slightly and she sat back again, trying to calm herself from the raging emotions she kept well-concealed behind an almost placid mask. "I know you are not a liar, either, Louvel. Or at least, I know you weren't before. But I ask you - no, I beg you - to think about what it looked like from this perspective. Even when you showed back up here after all this time, all I could think was you were here as a last resort after an adventure gone awry. I'm still not sure what the other explanation is or what to make of all this, but if you're telling the truth, then we need to figure out what that is. Because... Because this cannot happen again. Alis is getting older, more aware. She is literally my existence and I'll protect her from anything and anyone. I will not see her hurt."

She fell silent, her gaze latching to his at last, filled with the absolute uncertainty flowing through her, though it was laced with all the conviction and ferocity in her words.

What was she like. How to describe the most wonderful little person Leonie had ever met before? How to describe the strange feeling of meeting someone she felt she'd always known? She drew in a slow, soft breath and finally allowed a slight smile to curve her lips.

"She's the most perfect thing I've ever laid eyes on," she began. "She's tall for her age but still has that babyish chunkiness to her. She looks a lot like you, but she's got my eyes for sure. She's curious, smart, intrigued by the most surprising things. She loves music of all kinds and loves to dance. She's just starting to get into coloring. She has a favorite blanket and a random stuffed wolf she almost never lets go of. I... Don't even know where she got that from, but it's her comfort item of choice. She loves peas, of all things. Most foods, actually, but those are her favorite - raw, cooked, whatever. She's funny, silly, sweet... But an absolute stubborn little imp when the mood strikes. The entire place has been baby proofed to the teeth because she gets into everything. But even with all the toddler...ness, she has this innate... Calm to her. Silent reflection. So much like you, and like Mara, it almost hurts to see."

She trailed off, the last words hanging quietly between them, realizing she'd been rambling. She could literally talk about Alis for hours if given the chance.

"Do you... Are you ready to meet her?"

[Louvel von der Marck]

“Peas, huh?”

The ritualist’s expression softened. One of his all time favorite vegetables just happened to be peas. As he retained what she shared with him he couldn’t deny the beauty of her face as she did so. Leonie was glowing as she revealed their daughter to him in a rather quick set of fast and memorable facts.

“I wonder where she gets that from.” His fingers massaged his freshly shaved chin while his brows playfully furrowed at the news that their daughter possesses a stubborn streak. “A young lioness already?”

Alis has her mother's eyes. That had him catching his breath as he fixed his gaze on the orbs that held him hostage in a free world. There was zero resistance. He surrendered to no other but her. Louvel von der Marck was a firm believer that eyes are the windows to the soul. He knew for a fact that Mara’s would haunt him forever. Leonie’s would possess him for as long as life would grant him time upon the earth. Alaric’s could read him like a book...most of the time. Or so he had thought. Birdee’s could always see right through him. Now would he dare to look into the set that came from their union? Of course he would. And he was prepared to lose his heart while doing so.

“I have been waiting nearly nine months.”

He realized what he said and paused. A few slow steps closed the space between them. Instead of pulling her close to him like he was known to do he considered the reality of what they were both still digesting. His hands on her may be far from welcome and offending her was the least of his intentions. That was his truth. For him it felt like it was only last night. For her it was eighteen long months. Perhaps it was all unforgivable. Time would tell.

“I don’t think I can wait any longer.” In his mind he shouldn’t wait any longer. His hand started to reach for hers. “Introduce me to Miss Alis von der Marck.”

[Leonie von der Marck]

“She has them with almost every meal,” the Lioness said with a fresh smile, watching him mull it all over for a few moments. She hadn’t really thought before she spoke, but everything she had highlighted for him were some of her favorite tidbits about the small girl who had stolen over her entire existence and changed her life. She had to hold back the rueful laugh that tried to break free at the young Lioness comment, though she did give a vague shake of her head. “Hopefully she’s nothing like me, in the end,” she said quietly, with all the matter-of-factness of something she'd thought about more than she cared to admit.

Either way, it was a lot of information to be thrown at someone and she supposed it was time, whether it had been the nearly nine months he remembered or the actual eighteen she'd lived after. She found she wasn't angry with that statement - somewhere through the mess, the tangled mass of emotion and adrenaline that was still heaving it's way through her bloodstream, she had started to believe that he really didn't know. That he really had no memory of the past year and a half. That it was perhaps the only truth that none of this had come about through any fault or choice of his own. Louvel never lied, ever. To the point she didn't think he was physically capable of it, let alone mentally, if she were honest with herself. Why start now? And to what purpose if he was only going to turn up again at home, worse for the wear but acting as if a mere night had passed? It made no sense.

But while the proverbial angel on her shoulder urged peace and belief in the man in whom she'd vested her all of her love and trust, the devil was whispering just as intensely. Spinning doubts and suspicions that might also fit the bill, giving silent voice to every fear she'd held deep in her heart.

A quiet sound rose in her throat as it all hit her full-force. A moment she'd only ever dared let herself dream about in the darkest sleepless hours was about to happen. If Alaric had seen what amounted to her most fervent prayers, he'd kept it to himself and let her have at least that much, even if he did not let her continue wading into the oceans of grief that had refused to ebb away, even all this time later. All the while, the war for her trust was growing louder and stronger, but all fell silent once more as he approached. She stood to greet him, immediately feeling the intensity of an invisible brick wall between them. Would they ever be able to break it down, or get around it?

But then, a lifeline. She hesitated to take his hand, only a moment, afraid that once she touched him, it would be all she could do to let go again. He was keeping his distance, she could feel it keenly. But how would he receive it if she tried to close it? Ultimately, she stayed on her side of the wall - painful as it was - fingers closing loosely around his. This wasn't how any of this was supposed to be, but she supposed it was a start.

"Come on," she said, a small smile playing on her lips as she gently tugged him along. Before she knew it, they were down the hall, back toward the main area of the house, at the door of the room she'd chosen for Alis' playroom. It was one of the brightest in the daytime, with plenty of built-in shelving and beautiful original touches that gave it an old world charm. He'd recognize it as one of their favorite places as younger children, where they'd all gathered during stuffy parties to enjoy their own snacks and drinks, away from the grown ups who were entirely too boring to make conversation with. Long before the days they'd found better places to hide out with their copious bottles of pilfered wine, they'd played at being grown ups right there in that room, poking quiet fun at aging relatives who dared to think - or suggest - they knew better than them.

She knocked softly before she swung the door carefully open, peeking inside in case her - their - daughter was still sleeping, but Kayla gave a shake of her head and beckoned them inside. If she recognized the tall man at Leonie's side, she didn't give it away or so much as skip a beat.

"She hasn't really napped yet, just rested. She must know you're still home," she said with a smile.

"Thanks. Um... Why don't you take a break for a bit? I've got this for now, but I'll text you if or when I need you back today, okay?" At this, the nanny nodded and quickly ducked out with a wave, leaving them to breathe freely in privacy at last. Leonie let go of his hand for a moment, moving to the pack and play, where the toddler had already begun rumbling around at the sound of her mother's voice. "Hey you," she said with a grin she couldn't have stopped if she wanted to as Alis had already taken up her soft chorus of 'Mom-mom'. "Why no nap?" She lifted the small girl to her shoulder with ease, where she automatically snuggled in, the ever-present wolf tucked under her arm and a thumb already stuffed in her mouth. But it wasn't long before she realized it wasn't just her mother in the room and she straightened up to look Louvel over.

To Leonie's surprise, she gave a wave, and a sleepy grin, before she uttered two words in a happy, knowing voice that cracked Leonie's heart right in two for the millionth time over the last year and a half:

"Hi Daddy."

[Louvel von der Marck]

The soothing aroma of home, of hardwood and nearly a century gone by filled his lungs as he took in a breath and held it. It was as familiar as the blood that flowed through his veins. The warmth of her hand in his, coupled with the scent of her as he knew more than his own, offered some comfort. As much as it could. The sense of entitlement to everything about her as a husband was banished as he glanced at her profile. Her chin lifted with the distance eliminated between their bodies and the door. In the brief silence he realized she was far stronger than she ever had been before. Somehow things had changed. Could it be for the better? More proof of the complexity of the mystery between them surfaced as an unfamiliar face appeared before him.

Louvel waited as expected. The concept was odd since nearly every nook and cranny had been open to him since birth. Patience was called for and it gave him the time left to absorb the fact within adjacent walls was the one being he waited his whole life to see.

Louvel had stepped through the doorway. One that would bring about the inevitable change no human is truly prepared for even when it is under the best of circumstances. Nine months, one night or eighteen months. However much time he had been robbed of, that was forever lost, it was insignificant now. He was a father. The proof would soon appear before his own eyes. His feet walked the path that his childhood steps took him through too many times to fully recall..but the ages old repeated question in such a moment was asked of him. Could he be a Dad?

Otto taught him what happens when one takes the blessing of having a family and considers it upgradeable like his beloved Rolls or the chalet in Switzerland. Most meet up with karma and it is swift and just. Perhaps it took a little longer due to the grace of Mara but in due time it found him.

All of that in mind left Louvel understandably standing there in silence. He possessed the power to send fire rolling in the face of enemies. He had the ability to perform rituals Mara had left behind in her teaching. He could even grow plants with a mere thought. Yet, in that humbling moment he set eyes on Leonie hip cradling Alis and he was stunned by what he was witness to. For the fourth time in his thirty plus years he lost the ability to draw in air.

The first time was when held Mara’s body in the chosen woods watching her life slip away as her cool weak fingertips cupped his damp warm cheek. The pain of her last breath was unbearable as well as unforgettable. The second time was the split second Gregor disappeared in the ritual for Alaric’s return. A sacrifice was needed and his cousin accepted it before anyone could change his young mind. Again another loss he had no choice in preventing. The third was the sound of Leonie’s voice saying “I do”.

The Keeper exhaled slowly and felt the tightness in his chest compound gradually just like it had during their wedding ceremony. Two words was all it took for him to be over the moon and forever changed all at once. His breath hitched in the back of his throat as he saw the likeness of him as well as his Lioness in the cherub cheeked child...their child.

“Alis.” He spoke her name softly as a smile spread across his face. He moved gradually making sure respectful distance was offered and stopped short of the invisible line. “We finally meet.” His mossy orbs left his daughters face only long enough to glance at his wife. “Lioness, you were holding back.” He leaned in just a little and slowly lifted his hand delivering a return wave to the sleepy child. “She looks just like you.”

[Leonie von der Marck]

Leonie couldn't help but watch in silent reverence as Louvel at last took in the sight of their only child. He stood as still as a statue, even as their daughter kept her own set of sharp hazel eyes trained upon him with curiosity. She was taking in just as much as her parents, with that innate wisdom that seemed to come so naturally to her. The woman's only move was to adjust her hold on the small girl, with an occasional brush of her lips to her blonde hair, or to take in the intoxicating scent of her skin. Everything else melted away - if only for now - in favor of watching what would be their very first meeting and, hopefully, interaction. Leonie could only guess what was going through his mind; even in spite of their long time apart, she knew him well, and no one could change that much in a relatively short amount of time. But she imagined it was much the same that went through her own mind almost a year and a half ago.

Alis had a warmth to her, an innate friendliness that Leonie could only suppose came from her grandmother. Many times throughout her pregnancy and more often in the long months after, the Lioness had longed for the wise counsel and pure, maternal love that could only, and had only, ever come from Mara. As the months wore on and the family scattered again - this time an even worse split, for Alaric went with them, seemingly along with all the hopes and dreams he'd had for the lineage - and though she stayed open to all of them, strove to reach out and make sure they knew they were always welcome, somehow the woman found herself more on her own than ever.

Only this time, with Alis, it didn't feel entirely lonely. For perhaps the first time ever, Leonie started to rely solely on herself and with that came the slowly refilling well of strength Judah had seen in her, relied so heavily upon, way back at the beginning. For the first time, she believed it was there and accessible for herself, and her daughter. Perhaps that was Alaric's final gift before he left, after all. The ability to stand on her own and thrive, no matter what else came to pass. What that said for the future of her marriage, she didn't know, but, in yet another first, Leonie at last believed that hope might be enough to see them through, after all. Never in her wildest wishes had she ever before gotten what she'd craved and begged the universe for, until Louvel, and then Alis. The irony was not lost on her that she had the world at her fingertips and always had, but the things she wanted most could not be bought and had never been hers in such a way before. And since the moment she and he had stepped out, together, and started down this path, every prayer had eventually been answered. Even this one.

But the Lioness shook herself free of those thoughts as the mini imp in her arms suddenly launched herself forward, arms up and flung toward her father, all but forgetting the stuffed animal that had been tucked under her arm and had now fallen to the floor. It was all Leonie could do to hang on to her with a surprised laugh, even as she struggled insistently, and passed her safely to Louvel's strong, capable hands. "I suppose Miss Alis has spoken," she said with a soft grin and a shake of her head, even as she thought over what he said. "...As she usually does.” Leonie didn’t bother mentioning that Alis could be so utterly sweet she often got her way, and it was all she could do to not spoil her to pieces. He would soon enough find that out for himself. “Occasionally, I catch a look, or an angle of her face that's all me... But I've always thought she favors you more. I adore that about her - a reminder that you were always sort of here.”

She settled back onto one of the many low seats scattered around the room, the closest to the pair, to better allow father and daughter to begin getting to know one another. It was a surreal moment, but a beautiful one, and at present, Leonie knew it was one she could observe but not be part of. Not yet. She would wait to be invited in because this moment needed to be theirs and theirs alone. The love she held for him, that she'd pushed down into submission for all this time, was steadily bubbling back to the surface with every passing moment their daughter was in his arms, but the Lioness would be the first to admit she was afraid of that. Still, she'd been terrified many times before, where he was concerned and beyond... but all the while her brain urged caution, her heart decidedly did not agree.

Time would tell. It had to. And she would hope, harder than ever, that it would tell in their favor.

[Louvel von der Marck]

A cloud of silk like spun gold floated to Louvel as if in slow motion. His hands reached out in time to capture the bundle of wriggling warmth in his open palms. The length of each finger curled gently but secure on the tiny child that landed within his care. Cuts unexplained, some fresh, some minimally healed, came to view as the sun caressed digits splayed in the way a confident lumberjack would when ready to catch the weight of a falling trunk he was responsible for. Only this tiny cherub was far more critical in placement within his arms. The first of what would be eternal embracing between father and daughter.

Louvel was no stranger to handling children. A lineage such as Alaric von der Marck was responsible for had produced numerous children that were always present during the annual reunions as well as the random family visits around the estate. Judah’s own son was entertained frequently with the toss and catch midair as well as the flying assist into the too tall branches beyond the young boy’s desired reach. However, all of the above could not compare to holding his own child for the very first time.

The world may have continued spinning but for the von der Marck Keeper it stopped if only for that moment in that very room. Everything past or future slipped away and gave him the time to pull the little girl, his baby girl closer to him. The first imprint of Alis von der Marck was left with the brush of her butter soft skin again his weathered cheek. He grinned naturally and slid his arms to cradle her closer. Rich, vibrant green orbs pinned the tiny hazel set staring back at him.

“What do we have here?”

His body leaned forward just enough to single handedly scoop up the displaced stuffed toy from the floor. Once it was retrieved he was upright and tall bringing the item in for closer inspection. As he offered it back to Alis he leaned in and was close enough to draw in the scent he knew would remain with him till his last breath. It was indelible. His wife, his child. They marked him for all time.

“Ich sehe einen kleinen Wolf.” The tiptoe of his fingers moved towards to the contently held toy while his face bunched slowly into a playful, expectant expression. A quick tug had possession of the toy once more as he announced as much to Alis. “Es ist genau hier!”

Returning the stuffed wolf to her wanting hands left Louvel drawing the precious weight of her closer to his chest. It was as if she had always been there with them. How has she not been? His eyes set on Leonie. His life literally transformed overnight while it seemed hers had been a nightmare of epic proportions as an unexpected single parent.

“And all through this you were alone?”

Lou’s eyes stayed with his wife as he placed a kiss to the top of Alis’ head. Louvel may not have had a right from her perspective to ask but from his it was rather understandable. Of course Alaric was there. Others as well as she mentioned but that was to be expected given the circumstances. His eyes felt like warm moist wraps settled around each orb in its respective socket. He wanted to know where he stood besides in the room holding his child for the first time on a visitors status.

“Sag mir, Löwin.”

Perhaps the sorcerer had been laid back before, too much so. The warmth of their child resting in his arms certainly brought about the instinct to feel protective. Mara’s little wolf was finding the destined alpha surging through him quite readily. While his question lingered he brought Alis to where she sat low in the chair. Not to turn their child over so soon but to extend his hand for her to rise to her feet. Louvel was not letting go of Alis anytime soon. He wasn’t about to miss another minute without touching her. Twelve hours or eighteen months didn’t matter to him. It felt like an eternity.

[Leonie von der Marck]

Leonie sat back and watched, for the first time in too long simply content to do nothing but relax and enjoy the scene playing before her eyes, free of all the clutter that was a constant in the back of her mind. For just a moment, she could block out the swirling din in the back of her head, whispering all the possible plans to move forward there could be and, regardless of what she and he did next, steps to ensure he was safe, and healthy. For the moment, though, he looked somewhat okay and she could give him this, at the very least. Whether it was the glow of meeting his child for the very first time, or the relaxation that could only ever be found within the four walls one called home, Leonie couldn’t see much that was physically wrong with him. It wouldn’t keep her from ushering in a doctor and the police, or insisting upon a hospital visit in the next few hours or days, but for now... for now, this was the best thing she could possibly think to do for him.

From a mother’s perspective, it was a fascinating thing to see her tiny, outgoing daughter coming even more to life than she usually was, basking in the glow of love and attention of the other parent she was so cruelly kept from knowing. Someone she had had every right to know, from the very first breath she drew, onward, one who’s voice she would have known almost as well as her mother’s. A memory, unbidden, rose up of the many times he spent simply talking to her swollen middle, in English and German, about everything and anything on his mind. It had been that way the entire time they’d waited for their girl to arrive, something Leonie had done her best not to remember. But now... here in the present, somewhere in there was all the awe she could possibly hold, observing the immense and amazingly intrinsic knowing that seemed to be in existence between the two of them, for far longer than she could have ever guessed.

“That little wolf has been around for ages. I don’t know who gave it to her, or where or when it turned up, but she loves it. She never sleeps without it,” the Lioness imparted yet another bit of information with a soft smile that refused to leave her lips, not quite ready to reply in the same language he used. One that haunted her as much as it enveloped her in all the warm memories of her youth. It was surreal, she thought - not for the first time that day - to see them together. They might have never met, but a casual observer would most likely not be able to tell. Alis had already wrapped him around her chubby little finger, as easily as she cupped his face with her chubby little hands. The woman’s own set were folded neatly on her lap, doing their best to stay put and not reach automatically for the sweet babe who spent more time in her arms than out.

But then she drew in another deep breath, her posture stiffening with slight outrage as the meaning of his next question hit her full force. Perhaps he hadn’t meant it to sound accusatory, but the weight of it slithered into her chest and left her reeling once more. In one short space of a breath it brought her straight back to the nights she’d resumed her party girl socialite ways, fueled by booze and drama and intrigue as they were. Leonie hated herself more than a little, even after so much time had passed, for the days and weeks she had allowed to slip by while she crashed hard and nearly burned. So selfish she had been, reverting back to her old ways and defense mechanisms even in spite of the new person - the child she had brought forth into the world - waiting back at home, tucked safely into the confines of the Estate, for her failure of a mother. The woman cleared her throat, only just, as his next quiet statement hit her again, all over again.

Tell me, Lioness.

She folded her hands neatly once more, not realizing they’d balled into fists, relieved that their daughter wasn’t nearly old enough to understand the conversation being had. Before she could help herself, the words spilled forth, quietly, in the native language of her childhood:

“Allein. Ja, ich war allein eine Mutter. Ich hatte hilfe Ich hatte die Liebe und Fürsorge unserer Familie, in Anfällen und Schüben...” She looked up at him, not taking his hand just yet, her gaze flickering from him to their daughter’s face, who had stilled, almost, intrigued at the foreign words falling from her mother’s lips. “But in the weeks and months after Alis was born, I...” Her cheeks flushed, slightly, a reluctance to speak and admit what a monster she’d been filling her, lest he find her lacking in something fundamental. “ch habe mich verlaufen. Ich ging oft nach New York zurück. Zu oft. Ich habe versucht, weiterzumachen. Ich habe versucht, mein Gelübde zu brechen. Aber ich ... konnte nicht. Nicht ohne es zu wissen, ohne irgendeine Bestätigung, dass Sie das Gleiche getan hatten. Alaric brachte mich zurück. Hat mir einen Zweck gegeben und mich an den erinnert, den ich bereits hatte. Ich muss ihm danken, dass die Dinge nicht schlimmer waren als sie endeten.” She drew another deep breath and looked him in the eye as she took his hand and rose to her full height to stand before him and speak her truths. “It took just one kiss with a nameless random man to know I would not find who or what I was seeking out there, away from home. That I would only find what I was missing if you returned to me... To us.”

“I missed you. We missed you, Louvel. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better wife or mother than I could have been. But I’ve done my best to make up for it since. My father... he has been pushing for me to end it. But I... I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. Still don’t want to...” She trailed off, not sure what else she could say. It had been a hard road to travel, but travel it she had, walking a fine line between the hardened heart of a suddenly single parent and living her life in such a way that left room for him to rejoin it if he ever decided to. More of the truth, she finally decided. “I mean... that’s all dependent on what you’re doing here, too, Louvel. If you even want to stay. I... I wouldn’t blame you if its all too much to take in and deal with. I would understand if you... didn’t want to be with me anymore.” In her mind, she deserved that and more, at the very least, and would hold no grudge for the closure she had wished for almost as often as she had for his return.

Translation:

Alone. Yes, I was a mother by myself, even though I had some help. I had the love and care of our family, in fits and bouts ...

I lost my way, for a time. I often went to New York. Too often. I tried to move on. I tried to break my vows to you. But I could not. Not without knowing, without any confirmation that you had done the same. Alaric brought me back. Has given me a purpose and reminded me of the one I already had. I have to thank him for the fact that things were no worse than they ended up.

[Louvel von der Marck]

It would be an understatement to say the night was a complete blur. Louvel assumed it was like any other and he slept peacefully. So serene his rest was that he woke to the visual of an empty bed and house with a start. More than a jolt even. Waking up brought a dose of reality he was still struggling to consume. The weight of his daughter in his arms for the first time was a reminder he would need to process it all fast enough to get to where he needed to be for the little one relying on him to do so.

Regardless of how it all happened…it did. Simple as that. His eyes held Leonie’s as his lips softened to form the reassuring smile he was known to give her when doubt was in the air between them. The doubt wasn’t his to own despite everything she revealed. He had never felt such when it came to her...to them. Neither von der Marck cousin came into their union as saints. Louvel was well aware of her insecurities as much as he was of his own. They grew up together.

Yes, the Keeper had a few flaws. No secret there. Martin brought them to light rather quickly in their all but forgotten brief engagement. Lou’s face hardened in the moment as the excuse of a man came and went through his mind while his own eyes were set on his wife. She had been busy while he slept. Yes, indeed. He couldn’t rationally fault her for that. From an objective persons view it made sense given the situation. Who was he to judge? After all the most he held claim to was that as much as he could remember he had a decent night's sleep. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed was hardly earth shattering. He was a bit worse for the wear but other than that Alis and Leonie safely found more than made up for whatever had riddled and rocked his bones. She was the one who seemingly went through hell and back. She clearly suffered far more than he could dare imagine. He couldn’t fathom how she did it as well as she did. Then again Leonie von der Marck was never known to be short on surprises.

Thankful that Alaric took care of what he had as well, if not more so, than the rest of the family he took the warmth of her hand into his. It appeared their patriarch felt the von der Marck lioness had things under control and retreated as the others had. That was disappointing to hear but again not unexpected. Lives were meant to be lived while awake. Balancing their child in the crook of his arm he used the other to bring his wife closer.

“I never left, Lioness. I slept like a log.” His mossy hued orbs seemingly flickered with a brilliance as his voice paused. “A log put down river, through collection and tossed into the mill.” He was serious despite how his words may have come across to any uninvited ears. “I am going nowhere. As far as I am concerned I woke up from a rather deep but tenderizing sleep.” A slow lift of his hand brought the knuckles of her own to his lips for a delicate, brief connection. “You, on the other hand, have been neglected far too long. I have my work cut out for me.” He gave the toddler a playful bounce in his arms. “Yes, both of you. What were your plans before I barged into your day uninvited?”

Of course he was more than curious. Legal proceedings had been mentioned. Possible dissolution per her father’s encouragement. Perhaps this would require him doing more than sending a fresh crate of his father in laws favored grapefruit that aided in his digestion.

“It has been a couple days since I called your father. I guess I shall make a point to do that before evening.” Awkward likely wouldn’t cover how the conversation would go. Still he had been through worse.

[Leonie von der Marck]

“You keep saying that,” she said softly, trying her best not to indulge in the relief that flowed through her at the soft brush of his lips to her knuckles, her brow furrowed deep, “but I don’t know how to reconcile what I lived and what you’re saying.” She drew in a deep breath and scrubbed her free hand over her face in an agitated manner. “Before you do anything else, though, I think you should see a doctor, at the very least. I can call in a private one, or we can go to the hospital, but you can’t neglect this. What if it was amnesia? What then?” She didn’t mention the rising fear, among many others, that it could happen again. That he could somehow forget everything and leave them all behind, or worse, once more. Her gaze fluttered to their daughter, who sat, enthralled within his strong arms, watching the two of them and listening to every word. Leonie often forgot she understood far more than it seemed, even for someone so young, and she plastered an indulgent smile on her face, which had the effect of softening both her look and her tone all at once, even in spite of his hardened one. She supposed it was a lot to swallow for a man who could not remember more than falling asleep the night before he disappeared, but for Leonie, who had pinned all she had on them and their union, she had coped in the only ways she knew how at the time. She was only grateful she had realized in time, before she did anything she truly regretted.

“I, um... I called the office already. They know not to expect me, or to send me any calls today. I can take as long as needed from there, anyway. I run the corporation now, as much of it as Alaric cannot work from Germany. And I handle the publicity, too.” She trailed off, staring blankly at the large picture window behind him for a long moment. “You’re not pulling me away from anything... I’ve been entitled to some time away, even if I am the boss,” she added with a vague smile and a shrug. “We can take some time to figure this out, together.”

But the Lioness almost choked when he mentioned calling her father and shook her head, almost vehemently. “Not yet... I don’t... it’s been more than a few days, remember. He’s livid, Louvel. Without some kind of solid explanation, he won’t... I don’t think... he won’t accept it.” For a man who had stuck by his vows to his wife, no matter how horribly bad she’d been at sticking to her own, Oskar had particularly struggled with the idea that the son-in-law he’d all but chosen had seemingly abandoned his youngest daughter and his grandchild. It wouldn’t matter for some time, if ever, that there might be an excellent explanation for the entire situation. Leonie knew her father well enough to know that he would need time, and certainties, and that acceptance would be a bitterly hard pill to swallow.

She tightened her fingers around his and stepped closer. “Please, just... just give him time,” she said, uncertainty still filling her, wanting nothing more than to collapse into his embrace as much as she fought to remain strong and steadfast. “Let’s focus on us, on Alis, to start... and move forward from there. Please,” she all but whispered, again. Neglected hardly covered it, the long, quiet, sleepless nights where she all but counted the ticking of the clock and fought to think of literally anything but moving on. After so long spent waiting and hoping, and praying, the Lioness could not even say for certain if she still possessed the qualities he’d fallen for. She’d changed, so much, and she wasn’t entirely sure he’d find her to his liking any longer. But, with as much conviction as she still could muster, she found she was more than willing to find out.

[Louvel von der Marck]

“I don’t use traditional medicine. You know Mara was against all of that. I survived this long without it. I won’t entertain it now.” A funny expression on his face was offered to Alis before he glanced yet again at Leonie. The woman reminded him of his own mother’s tenderness and concern.

However, Mara was stronger than perhaps he had fully appreciated until now. She walked into the family woods despite others protest and gave birth alone. Any needs she had as well as her first born were placed in the hands of the bountiful Earth surrounding her and what nature could provide. She made it through it all and returned with the little wolf as she called him in her arms. The little wolf grew and Louvel never tired of hearing her tell him how she chose his name. A rise of his chest hardened his body when his lungs held the air that filled them.

Because of her teachings he could decipher each and every plant he was presented or set eyes on, recall its potential uses as well as warnings without any need for quick reference or guides. She left a legacy of power and knowledge within him. What would Mara do in a situation such as this? He already knew.

“I have some investigating to do before I resort to having my head examined. Surely there is answers with Buddy and my security systems at my businesses. I don’t appear in your pictures as I did in the mirror this morning. Obviously I am wearing some extra colors in marks and the beard didn’t grow overnight. So that raises some big questions. I am not surprised you are running things in Alaric’s place, Lioness. Not one bit.”

Louvel looked down at Leonie only due to the difference in their height. As far as he was concerned it was eye to eye. His thumb brushed a lingering stroke of warmth and affection to the hand he held to confirm that her concerns raised had been taken into consideration. Still he was not going to change his mindset. No modern tests, no book worthy questionnaires. This von der Marck would not be under some microscope. He would be inclined to follow what path he had been destined to from the first breath of his life. It would see him through anything and everything… including this.

“As for your father, well, he can have all the time he needs. I have more than enough to deal with.”

Not one to cover needs for appearances he released the hand resting in his and eyed both faces close to him as if they would reveal answers to his unspoken question. Finding a lack of hunger in either sets of eyes he surmised they may have already sated their morning appetites. It didn’t change that his was growing despite the mysterious turn of events.

“Before I do that what would be the chance I could whip up brunch for two very special ladies?” He had his motives. His hunger was difficult to ignore as well as the chance to have time to catch up with the two who had his focus. “Name it and I will give it a shot.”