FATHER ALWAYS SMILING

Chapter 15 ~~~~~~~

Vivian stretched her arms above her head as she let out a tired groan. She needed to get a better chair, her butt especially complaining about it, rubbing the back of her hips, partly wondering why she forgot to bring her seat cushion with her last night when she made the mad dash to her car for work. She also needed a new alarm clock but was stingy as hell when buying new things. I'm just like my sister.

"Hard day of work?"

Vivan stopped mid rub when hearing the sweet drawling tones of her daytime co-worker Alastor Himlarsson. Dressed in one of his many bespoke three-piece suites tailored in various colours, with this one being a lavender dress shirt, an ivory tie and a dark purple vest, pants and matching coat as a gold chain of his pocket watch remained hanging out of his vest pocket.

And without a moment's hesitation, she kept her hands where they were and, with a grin, said. "Oh, it was some type of work, I can guarantee you that." as she wagged her eyebrows at Alastor, who chuckled, smile ever-present as he knew full well what Vivan really meant. Some would think it was a sex joke, which was fair, but that was furthest from the truth, at least with this particular joke in question since Vivian referred to her bottom surgery when she had gotten it done four years ago. He had seen her at her worst while also becoming a single parent raising a toddler.

How Alastor managed to do all that while also helping her heal with the aid of her sister Vivian would never really know, he seemed more than willing to help her no matter how long he remained awake. The amount of stamina he had was incredible. She recalled how he acted with his daughter while she was semi-awake after returning home for the surgery, that endearing smile he had while watching his daughter sleep. Little did Vivan know that the reason he decided to stay with Vivian while helping her heal was also to avoid his wife, who had run away from home for trying to hurt baby Amalie.

When she came to realize the truth, it made her angry.

In her life, Vivan realized that she couldn't have kids, even before becoming the woman she truly was. It made her even more upset at the people who could but chose to be monsters to the kids they were supposed to love.

It was why Vivian vowed to be there for Amalie as an aunt no matter what. Some wondered why then if she felt that strongly about the girl, why not pursue a romantic relationship with Alastor, and the answer to that was simple. She would never feel that way for him, and he was very much the same. Though they cared for one another in the form of friendship type of love, it would never be romantic.

It didn't stop the shippers, though.

But besides all of that, the pain from the surgery was worth it. Now she could make jokes about it. Some might see it as offensive, but to her, after going through all the pain and finally seeing what she always felt in the mirror, she could look back at those painful times with a smile.

After all, Alastor also gave her words of encouragement, making her even more grateful to have him as her friend.

"I'm sure it was." Then he asked. "Did you forget your seat cushion again? You know that you can leave it in your office."

"It's cramped to hell and back with stuff already, plus I don't want someone to steal it. I know someone's been going around breaking into other's spaces and taking stuff, and I don't want my cushion being stolen. It's high-end and high-quality and cost me two hundred bucks. Overpriced? Maybe. Worth it? Yes."

"Then why not leave it in my office? You'd be more welcome to leave something you feel is too important to leave anywhere else."

She smiled. Alastor always did look out for those he worked with, even if they never really worked together. "Mmmm, maybe I should just try leaving it in my car first? And if I still forget, then I will probably take you up on your offer if it still stands."