by Regine Abel
“Maybe?” I said, scrunching my face, feeling guilty.
It became somewhat of a running joke between us. When we first met, Anton’s life revolved around work. Now, our family was the center of his universe. He was a wonderful father and made sure our children knew how much he loved them.
Naya had him wrapped around her pinky. It was time we gave her a sister so she didn’t become an insufferable spoiled brat. Anton, her uncles Dheran, Gorav and Marcus, even her Grappa Krygor doted on her. She also had William, Romero, and Brandon jumping through hoops. Well, ok, who was I kidding? I was a sucker for her too.
Despite only being one-quarter Braxian, my children’s heritage shone through their prominent foreheads and flat, broad noses. Nevertheless, my own genetic contribution was quite visible with their features being softer, less pronounced than Anton’s. I didn’t know how the rest of the world saw my children, but I didn’t care. They were the most beautiful things in the world to their father and me. I couldn’t stop feasting my eyes on their little faces, on the happiness in their expressions, and their boisterous laughter.
Anton sat on the other side of Gavin. He rustled our son’s hair, as black as his.
“Who’s that you’re drawing, little man?” Anton asked.
“That’s Zhara,” Gavin said, his voice strangely wistful.
“Who is Zhara?” I asked, confused by the strange looking girl in the drawing.
She had gray skin and large light yellow eyes. Chevron-shaped ridges ran up her forehead, and cheetah-like spots covered her shoulders.
“Her real name is Zharina,” Gavin said, looking at me with amber eyes identical to mine. “She lives very far away. And I’m going to marry her.”
“Marry her?” Anton asked, amused. “You’re not even five yet. That’s a little young to get married, don’t you think?”
“I’m not going to marry her now, silly Papa,” Gavin said, with the most adorable frown and pout. “Zhara is still a baby anyway; she just turned three. She says I will become a great warrior like Grappa and we will meet for real during a rescue mission. And then we’ll get married.”
“How do you meet her now?” I asked.
“In my dreams.”
He said it so matter-of-fact I had to repress the urge to smile. Gavin had an incredibly creative mind. I would have to read up on how to handle my child’s imaginary friend.
“Gaveeee!” Naya’s little voice shouted. “Come play, Gavee!”
“Ok,” Gavin shouted back, before hopping off the bench.
Anton pulled me closer to him. I rested my back against his broad chest and he wrapped his arm around me.
“That daughter of yours is so entitled,” I said.
I felt his rumbling laughter against my back. “She certainly is.” Anton’s voice was filled with pride.
“We need to give her a little sister soon to keep her in check.”
“Baby-making?” Anton said, his voice deepening. “Sign me up. When and where?”
“The brat-pack seems in good hands,” I said seductively. “Now seems like a good time.”
“Lead the way Mrs. Aldriss.”
THE END.
THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER*
Jean de La Fontaine
A grasshopper gay
Sang the summer away,
And found herself poor
By the winter's first roar.
Of meat or of bread,
Not a morsel she had!
So a begging she went,
To her neighbour the ant,
For the loan of some wheat,
Which would serve her to eat,
Till the season came round.
"I will pay you," she saith,
"On an animal's faith,
Double weight in the pound
Ere the harvest be bound."
The ant is a friend
(And here she might mend)
Little given to lend.
"How spent you the summer?"
Quoth she, looking shame
At the borrowing dame.
"Night and day to each comer
I sang, if you please."
"You sang! I'm at ease;
For 'tis plain at a glance,
Now, ma'am, you must dance."
* This classic fable by Jean de Lafontaine was the inspiration behind Anton’s Grace.
Thank you for reading!
If you enjoyed my work, please rate it, and keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming novels.
THE VEREDIAN CHRONICLES SERIES
Escaping Fate
Losing Amalia
Blind Fate
DARK TALES
Bluebeard’s Curse
Anton’s Grace
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