Today is the day.
Yes, Jordan should be waking up before the clock hits midnight, that is, if everything goes according to Lucy's prediction.
I'm a little skeptical, however.
Jordan's state hasn't changed one bit since day one; it hasn't worsened, nor has it gotten better. He's still sleeping peacefully, his eyes gently shut, and his breathing even. There are no signs whatsoever that he's about to wake up.
"When are that doctor and Eve supposed to arrive again?"
James props his chin on my shoulder, leaning against my back with his full body's weight. That guy has taken his ease a little too much over the past few days. Heck, he's as clingy as the kids now, having forgotten what personal space means!
Dude, how about not picking up the children's bad habits?! You're too old to act like a brat for crying out loud, and certainly not cute enough for me to turn a blind eye.
Anyway, I nudge him away with my elbow.
"Soon. Eve said they would arrive before noon, so…"
"Is that so?"
Well, yes? It's already past ten o'clock, and I'm expecting a knock on the door any time. I wouldn't be surprised if it was flung open the next second, either.
Eve is punctual to a T, always showing up right at the appointed time. On the other hand, Lucy is everything but punctual, or so the kids say.
But they're little brats, and I'm not sure I can trust their opinion on the matter all that much.
I mean, if I'm one minute late, it's the end of the world to them, so…
Anyway. Eve went to fetch Lucy after pulling an all-nighter at work to get the day off, and she isn't the kind to wait patiently at the doorstep, so I expect the angel to be on time. I'm pretty sure she won't have much of a choice in the matter. I'm pretty sure Eve wouldn't mind breaking the door a second time. I don't even know if she paid her back for the doorknob she shattered, too…
"Scott, you know you haven't told me much about Lucy, right?"
Well, I can't very well tell you she's an angel now, can I? I'm not even supposed to know.
To be fair, I do understand where his concerns are coming from. He has no idea whatsoever who, or more like what,operated on him when he was unconscious. His life is safe, but he can't tell whether or not Lucy has done more than repair his damaged organs and cleanse his blood. She hasn't been classified as a foe or an ally yet.
With that in mind, she could have very well bound him to her as a familiar, something he'll only know after meeting her in person. It's an old, barbaric practice that demons did in the past and still sometimes do.
It's a way to bind a being to them forever, and some even intertwine their souls with their familiars, trapping them for eternity, whether they're mortal or not.
Charming, I know.
Let's say James was in no state to protect his soul at the time; if a demon had wanted to make him theirs, they could very well have.
In James's mind, since Lucy is Eve and Jordan's friend, she must be a demon. And years of distrust couldn't be mended over a mere few days. He has warmed up to the kids and Eve, somehow, but certainly not to the species as a whole.
…Welp, sorry buddy. She's an angel, but I'm not sure that's any better.
Regardless of James's thoughts on the matter, Lucy has decided to come over to check on Jordan, most likely to see if he'll indeed wake up as predicted. She also planned to see James in passing, that's why Mister is so fidgety, even though he's trying hard not to show it.
"Dad! It's Aunt Lucy!"
Ellena's excited voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I focus on the entrance door. A moment later, Eve flings it open.
"Hi, kids! Have you been well-behaved?"
Both children nod—guys, you weren't!
Eve and Lucy barely have the time to put a foot inside when Ellena grabs James's hand to drag him to Lucy, wanting to present her "uncle" to her "aunt".
Even though Lucy looks about to faint, with her dark circles the size of a pomegranate, she forces herself to smile and pats the little girl's head, nodding at James in passing.
"You look well."
"Thanks to you."
The exchange is curt between the two, but the children are too distracted by the brown bags Eve has brought to notice. I swear, these brats are spoiled rotten.
"This is for you," Eve says, handing over a small box to me, before handing a bag to James, "and this is for you. Don't let the kids touch it, alright?"
The teasing wink arouses my curiosity, and I can't help but peer into James's bag when he pries it open. Oh, that's some pricey tea. Even I recognize that mark; the light smell that comes out is soothing, too.
As for me…
It's some bite-sized pies again. Maybe I shouldn't have lied. I wonder when I should tell her that I don't have a sweet tooth.
***
Jordan's bedroom feels a tad crowded, with all these people inside. It's not especially small; it's just that we're a bit too many.
James leans over and asks in a barely audible voice, "Are you sure it's alright for me to be here…?"
Strange how he can be considerate at the weirdest time. It manages to snatch a smirk out of me, and I also lower my voice before answering, "Can you handle the kids' tantrum?"
"…Ah."
It doesn't even take him a second to make up his mind. However awkward he feels, it doesn't matter when the children's crying fits are involved.
"Did you get yourself a lover while your husband was bedridden? Tsk, tsk! What a bad spouse!"
Lucy's snarky comment makes me twitch. Girl, what the heck is that for? To start with, both Jordan and I agreed that we could have lovers on the side, as our marriage is nothing more than a marriage of convenience. I don't love him, and he also doesn't—
A smile pops up in my mind, so relieved and tender that it seemed like a sin to offer it to me at the time.
—love me.
I pinch my lips. Don't think about it.
"So, will Father wake up today?"
Elois looks at the angel with hopeful eyes. His sister mimics him.
"He should," Lucy responds with a shrug.
A loud "yes" would have been better, but the possibility is here, at least. Now, we wait.
Why does waiting make time seem to pass more slowly? It feels like seconds take minutes, and minutes, hours. It's annoying. I should stop looking at the clock.
Tic, toc.
Lucy has fallen asleep on the chair, drooling.
Tic, toc.
The kids are getting restless. Staying still for so long is difficult for them, and they've started to grow wary. What if their father doesn't wake up?
Tic, toc.
Todd has come to fetch Eve. He has something to tell her, and considering the nod he gives me, I've got a pretty good hunch of what it might be. Has he finally caught the rats?
Tic, toc.
Now, I'm the one getting restless.
Or maybe I'm hungry. My stomach isn't rumbling yet, but I can feel it squeeze into itself in my belly. Past me should have brought some snack.
At some point, James elbows me in the side to draw my attention—is that revenge for earlier?
"What?"
"Sleeping Beauty is waking up."
"Huh?"
Is he…? Really?
Jordan's eyelids have started to flinch, his brow creasing, yet I still kind of can't believe it.
It's too sudden, and I stand there, dumbfounded, like an idiot.