My guardian angel, the prequel of The world elsewhere

Six years and three months after the accident

In the middle of the harvest, Aurore looks at us and thinks before saying.

- Say, Daddy, are you old ?
- How old do you think I am ? Noah asks.
- I don't know. she says thoughtfully.
- I am not old.
- Still, twenty-six years is old ! I say to add my two cents.
- You can talk with your twenty-four years old !

I pull to remove a carrot but too hard. I find myself on the ground before I understand. Noah laughs at the situation before asking me if I need help.

- I think you'll need to wash well.
- One more comment and I'll make you regret it.
- I think like a redneck.
- Save your dirty thoughts !
- What was he thinking, Daddy ? Aurore asks me.
- When you're older, you'll know, I promise. he says, making the pinky promise.
- Promise ?
- Promise. he smiles.

I see someone in the distance watching us.

- In the forest, a hunter ? I whisper to Noah.

He looks back and his face darkens.

- She's there for me.

Noah's POV :

I go back and change into combat gear. Well, I should say more, hunting. I join the idiot who has been following me for two years now.

- Lister, what are you doing here ? I ask on guard.
- You look happy. Is she your wife ? she says displeased, looking at Jessica.
- I know you but it's already been seven years since I left your world.
- You could have had a life of wealth and you preferred that. she says disgustedly.
- I am happy with my wife and my daughter.
- If it's your daughter, I think your wife's gone elsewhere. Your hair isn't that straight, Mr. Curly.
- I have wavy hair, nuance, Miss blonde !
- I also have a daughter.
- And what is her name ?
- You know me. My egocentrism has always annoyed you.
- The world of nobles has always irritated me.
- Her name is Mio. She looks like me but she's so rebellious. Which saddens me a lot.
- Mio. You always like wacky names.
- A Swedish count spoke highly of this first name to me. It is also mixed. she says outraged.
- Not in Italy. Poor girl, people will take her for a man. And you know they are very narrow-minded.
- Haven't you understood that the world has changed during these six years ? she asks exasperatedly.
- I know, thank you.
- June twenty-fourth-
- Go home.

She gives me a dark look then suddenly a smile appears.

- I will leave when I have met your princess and your queen. she smiles.
- We are not in a kingdom. I blow.
- You know how I think.
- Are you really going away ?
- I only have one word. she says confidently.
- And when you face the wall, will you still have this speech ? I mock.
- Shut up and agree to invite me.
- Come back tomorrow with your daughter and-
- I would come but know that it is a very bad idea.
- I do not believe.

She leaves and I go home. I change and go into the kitchen. They are busy making an apricot tart.

- What did she want from you ? Jessy asks me when I sit down in front of them.
- She's coming here for dinner tomorrow.

Jessica stops.

- You're not serious, reassure me.
- She is a good friend and will come with her family.
- I trust you but if she means harm and kills you, I will bring you back to life to kill you with my own hands. she says, frowning
- Scientifically it is impossible.
- I have a knife on hand, Noah, so be very careful if you say another word.
- I love you. I smile.

Rory looks at us laughing.

- Are you kidding us ? Jessy asks.

I grab Rory as she laughs.

- Daddy, give me a rest !

Jessy doesn't give me time to tickle Rory.

- I won't make fun of you anymore ! she's laughing.
- Good decision. I say putting her back on the ground.

🅃🄷🄴 🄽🄴🅇🅃 🄴🅅🄴🄽🄸🄽🄶

Jessica checks the condition of the house for the fourth time. I stop her and place a kiss on her neck.

- The house is perfect and I don't think she cares about the state of a cottage.
- Is she that rich ? she breathes anxiously.
- Who said she's rich ? Even if it's true. I say, trying to reassure her.
- Thanks. she says kissing me.
- It's my pleasure.

Rory knocks on the door.

- Two ladies and a girl are there. Rory smiles.
- She arrived. I say.
- She is dating a woman. says Jessy surprised.
- Is it a problem ?
- No, sorry, it's just- nothing.

I kiss her and I'm going to open.

- Welcome to our house. I say with a smile.
- Thanks for the invite, I'm Aster Lister, Brooke's wife.
- I'm delighted, I'm Noah Reed. And who is the little one who accompanies you ?
- Introduce yourself, darling. Aster says.
- Are you British ? I ask.
- In the north of England. Aster smiles.
- My name is Mio and I am the youngest daughter of the Lister family.
- Is there an older one ? I ask.
- She is sick. Well, that's what Moms say. answers the child innocently.
- Come home. I say seeing Brooke's face darken.
- Thank you, mister Reed. Mio says.

Aster and Mio return without being asked. I turn to Brooke.

- What was her name ?
- You're going to make fun of me again. she laughs sadly.

I take her in my arms. Her tears flow without a sound.

- What was your princess' name ?
- Her name was Eos.
- I love this name and you know that I also love your daughter's name. Mio, this is incredibly cute.
- I know you hate it.
- It's like you said I hated you. I never hated you but I admit that sometimes I call you stupid.
- Poor idiot that I am.
- You are very intelligent, don't doubt it, and you are a great mother.
- Still a liar, Mr. Reed.

I wipe away her tears and we smile.

- How would you like to meet my princess ?
- With pleasure, I will meet the daughter of my childhood friend.

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Sorry to leave you at that !