The worry about having the wrong drink, the stress of the day, the blame for the ruined gesture all disappeared as he saw all his girls having a grand old time. The music in the room was softly playing in the background as they all ate. Everyone taking turns to get more food. Even the missed kiss just made him want to laugh. It felt so much like that time his younger brother, who was only 12 at the time, walked in on August and him trying to share a kiss. He doubted she even remembered that.
After the girls went to do the quiz, there were still other distractions. Things like how small children would come up and eye their pizza. Or someone’s bouncy ball would go flying towards their table.
“Heh guess it wasn’t the best place for an outing, huh?” August brushed some loose strands from her ponytail back. She always had those wisps that just wouldn’t be tamed.
“Oh it’s fine. The girls are having a blast… i think. Wonder how long that quiz is going to be?” Beau trailed off looking towards the door. He was enjoying time with his wife but the girls had been gone a bit.
“I guess we better go check then.” August got up and started towards the door. It looked like she was moving a bit better. Not as well as he’d expected for resting most of the day. He had to wonder if she hurt herself more either at the pool or during the cookie making.
When they got out it looked like there was a bit of a crowd and only the girls were on the stage. Minnie the knight was looking highly amused and had a phone out to look up questions.
“Ok um… This dragon has three heads and it’s body wraps around the world. What is it called?”
Alexandra jumped up. “Critra!” Ah if there was anything that got her out of a non verbal shut down… it was her special interest.
Raven shot a look. “Yeah and it’s from India.”
“I… ok point for both. Um what saint freed themselves from the belly of a dragon?”
Raven shot her hand up first this time. “St. Margaret of Antioch.”
“But!” Alexandra interjected. “She only did it with the help of God and became the patron saint of childbirth.”
Beau could hear a someone nearby whisper. “Who the hell let’s an elementary kid read about childbirth.”
Minne sighed, but smiled. “Point to both. Ok look... first one to answer the next one, gets it all ok? Before flying dragons became popular… what did dragons do to show up in a story?”
“Fall out of trees!” They shouted in unison.
His wife was trying so hard not to laugh. Beau was shaking his head, proud but not sure what the poor worker was going to do. A manager came up and knelt down. “Well young ladies, Clawsome has told me that you BOTH are going to get a prize. Come with me to pick out your dragons to take home.”
August started cheering and whooping. He watched his bride and smiled more. She was no different than she was 20 years ago, cheering on the ones that she loved. Proud of whatever accomplishments someone had, no matter how small. Being able to publicly show it so loudly. Beau could never do that, even proposing the way he did took so much out of him. He gently tugged August and headed to the prize counter with the girls who were taking picking a dragon very seriously.
“Which ones are you both going to get?”
**
The car ride home was a bit quieter. Everyone was tired now. The girls had their prizes. Bellies were full. There would be some dishes to do, but surely not much else. At least until they got home and he went to start trying to wash the blankets and such from earlier. As he went to get things put in he paused. “...Girls! Did you remember to start the washer yesterday?”
Raven poked her head over. “...I thought we hit start.”
Alexandra shook her head. “No remember we had to get the anime night going.”
“Oh… oops.”
August only caught part of the conversation and was already in her pajamas. She must have been exhausted from today. “What’s wrong?”
Beau could hide it for now. The girls didn’t need to get in trouble when it was sort of his fault anyway. “Oh I forgot to put my pants in the wash.”
“Oh no, do you have anything for tomorrow?”
“No. If you can take the girls tomorrow I can finish the laundry.” He lightly motioned for the girls to head towards bed.
“If you’re sure…” August looked a bit sad and he knew why. Nights like tonight he’d normally cuddle with her until she fell asleep. But with everything that happened, he was behind on his commissions as well. He gently kissed her forehead and set to work. Load the dishwasher, start the laundry, help get the girls to bed. It was all fairly routine. He carefully put on a podcast with his wireless headphones and started listening to his favorite, Lore Theory with Ness Bless. He had made his way through the part of the Ten shifts at Taco Town when he finally finished. The laundry had finished except for the blankets and such from the pool.
“Guess I’m working on some fun writing now…” Beau muttered to the dimmed light bulb. He carefully got up and set to work again. It was only 10:30. He’d get to bed soon. Surely. Of course once he sat down to work on his novel, time and the world slipped away into hyperfocus. All that existed was the background noise he was playing, the computer, and himself. It wasn’t until the dryer decided to complain at midnight he realized how late it was. But at least he got two chapters done. A lot of editing would be needed, but they were done.
Beau slowly, quickly walked into the bedroom and saw his lovely laying there, hugging a stray pillow she found in her sleep. Honestly August looked adorable in these moments. The cat glared at him as if to try and force beau to explain himself. All Beau could do was lightly pet the cat’s head and slip into the covers. Ok. 5 hours. He had to wake up in 5 hours. He could do that.
All too soon morning came and everything was a blur. It felt like everything was moving too slow and too fast at the same time. The girls at least got ready quickly with some attempted begging to bring the dragons. Then, just like that, everyone was gone. Just Beau, some caffeine in the form of soda, and his work. He took a moment to look at the house, his brain trying to sort what he needed to get done. Nothing really. The list. Beau got to the computer, looked at his digital list and checked what he needed to work on. Right, three indy games that wanted help with their promo write up and then a follow up with an editor with his submission for a short story contest. As well as a Vroom meeting for a possible new client. After that, it was just writing on his novel. Although he did get pretty far last night…
Beau sat down to look over the rest of his calendar. The blood moon was in 2 weeks. A lunar eclipse was still a great idea. He still lamented he didn’t have the money for his other idea but, one thing at a time. For now he could focus on making a lovely night for the two of them. He was about halfway done with that when he got a message on his appointment request system.
“I was starting to think that thing wasn’t working…”
Hello, my name is Susan Powder. My employer was interested in a face to face appointment today for a consultation concerning some social media work he’d like done.
Beau sighed seeing that. Last time he saw that the person thought he was in a different state. He quickly responded. I generally can’t do face to face appointments for most of my clients. I can set up a Vroom or phonecall if you are interested in that.
Within seconds he could see them responding to the message. He insists on face to face. He heard of your business and lives locally. He can meet with you today at 1pm at the comic shop he got your flier from, the Comic Makers Dreams of Where,Texas.
“No way.” He checked his calendar. The meeting with his editor was at 10am. If he moved a few things around, the other clients weren’t expecting their work until Sunday anyway. He could skip the novel work entirely.
Alright. We can meet in the boba shop next door to the comic shop. I prefer to meet there for face to face clients.
Excellent. Here is his picture, he will greet you with the codeword Sarsaparilla. We are sending your normal consultation fee plus a small tip now. We understand it will not be refunded if he is a no show or if you cannot do his work.
Got it thanks. The messenger closed out and Beau looked to his payment notifications.
This client gave him the normal 50 dollar fee.
And a 250 dollar tip.
This wasn’t suspicious at all.
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