~A~
Eight brothers gathered all around their resident computer genius, who sat behind the intricately carved dragon desk in the war room-aptly named for the countless hours of strategization done within its four walls during the Silent Wars many decades ago.
"What the fuck do you mean you can't fucking find her?" North shouted, his fear, confusion and frustration all compounding into anger at the thought of not being able to find their center. He counts himself lucky that his brother connections both understand and accept his often erratic outbursts, having become accustomed to such loud volume many years past. They know he shouts because he cares, that in the past all of his worries, fears, and hurts went either ignored or unheard by his first family, one that was given but not chosen.
"I mean, the foster system archives have made no notes regarding any girls demonstrating strange abilities. No uncommon occurrences for anyone whose 18th birthday coincides with the end of our stasis." Victor replies, feeling his brown eyes burn with the flames inside his soul, the only outward indication of his upset and self-hate at failing to find her. His only talent, his purpose within his bonded group was skill with technology, even though his real power lay with fire. Tapping at the keys of computers, as well as the ivory ones of the piano, was an exercise to control his power when he was young, the latter was forced by his parents but he loved the music all the same; however, the talent for both had come as a surprise and later an avid and useful interest.
"What about medical records for South Carolina, any strange patients admitted with her description lately? We've narrowed it down that far based on dream flashes, right?" On one hand Sean hoped that she'd never been sick or injured enough to require hospital admittance, but on the other he knew that would end their search far more quickly. Years of schooling and experience had him mentally listing possible injuries that could be attributed to power flare ups their center could have experienced. If they found her at a hospital then they really would be destiny babies, as he had been found in front of one at birth as well. The green eyed future Mrs. Green.
Looking at his older brother, Kota realized that they'd lost him to a daydream, as Luke was most prone to doing. He counted off all of their fingers to calm himself when panic threatened at the thought of not being able to locate their center. "We could also search citywide security cameras and labor databases to find persons matching her description, after all there are only a limited number of prior foster kids with birthdays October 6th." His brothers all nod and his shoulders lose some of their weight as the burden of knowledge shifts once more, perhaps he could ask the animals of the area if they've seen or spoke to a blonde green eyed beauty.
"Fuck yeah! There's only one fuckin' girl in the world that gorgeous, and with hair that damn beautiful. All we have to do is follow the trail of broken hearts and boom!" Making an explosion motion with his hands, Gabriel lightens the mood as always, but he also makes an important point. He knew this perfect girl was gonna' be trouble from the first time he heard her giggles from his dream flashes. While he may not consider himself as special as his brothers, she'll never want for anything or look bad doing it when he's by her side, fuck no.
"Not to mention that our marks will go fucking crazy the second we touch her. We might have to be careful though, she's grown up thinking she's normal in the human world, and we're a whole lot of...not normal." Nathan adds his wisdom to the pot, and the others' gazes turn thoughtful, perhaps realizes they can't just barge into her life and expect her to bend to their every wish. They wouldn't even want her to. Growing up the ways they had, she would have to be able to fight their demons, as they would with hers, which would require her to possess not only a compassionate heart, but a spine of solid steel as well. He could and would teach her to fight the physical threats of their world, but she would have to be just as strong mentally.
"She is our aggele, made for us and we were made for her. I believe she will be ready for the not normal, if not we can help her through until she is." The quiet Mediterranean giant spoke softly, not needing to shout or pontificate to be heard among his brothers, who considered the words all the more important because he took the time to voice them. When Silas spoke, it meant something, he was as calm as the waters of his power but with a depth many found surprising for one of his stature. His thoughts and words most often spoken in matters of their center, his angel.
"Very insightful as usual, Silas. We all need to approach this, her, with finesse and a certain level of caution, as Nathan said, the likelihood of her knowing about our world and our ways is minuscule. We must be prepared and do our due diligence before making contact, introductions are vital to her being open to us; however, we will persevere and bring her home, we will be complete." Despite not wanting to crush their hope, Owen cautioned his brothers to the reality of what meeting their center may really be like, what she may be like. He himself was excited as well as afraid of the outcome of their search and subsequent meeting, after all these years of preparing and hoping and waiting to meet her, now that it was happening the situation had far too many unknowns for comfort.
"Aw man, you're gonna make me cry." Luke joked, uncomfortable with how serious everyone had become again, much more accustomed to situations of chaos and mischief. He grins when Silas chuckles and Owen's even frozen mask cracks just a millimeter, even after North whacks him on the back for teasing. Fully aware of the seriousness of the situation, and imminent punishment from North, he decides to be mischievous some more. Maybe my cupcake and I can be prank sneaky sneaks together soon, he thinks, as he is about to speak, and likely receive another smack only to be interrupted by a shout.
"Guys! I think I found her!" Their spines all snap straight before they crowd behind him to look at the screen, showing a picture from a week ago of a small woman at an apartment building in downtown Charleston. Eight intakes of breath, excluding Victor who had already seen it, can be heard as the group of bonded connections see the complete picture of their center for the very first time.
"Fuck, she's beautiful." Gabriel's voice is awed as he rubs a hand over his mark subconsciously.
"Yeah, what he said." Luke sighs, falling into his own daydreams, muttering something about what sounds like 'pancake ninjas.'
"Victor, repot." Owen's voice is strained, an underlying thread of excitement can be heard as he tries to refocus his brain to finding her.
"Sang Sorenson, new tenant at the Sergeant Jasper with three little boys under her care: Cameron, Jameson, and Oliver. Just turned 18. Paid cash for the place and works primarily online designing websites. No information on her before she came of age. It's like she didn't even exist until she got out of wherever she was with the boys." He turns to his brothers, wide-eyed. They all wear similar expressions, having not dared to hope for even half that amount of information, while still suspicious about only her recent history being available. Each of the nine was worried for her past, curious about the children, in awe of her beauty, and completely overjoyed at having located her so soon.
"It's really her, we really found her." Kota voice can barely be heard, a slight disbelieving shake in his words.
They all nod and North's expression becomes fierce. "Now let's go get our girl."
***
*Sang*
I don't understand how things like this happen.
In front of me, in the middle of the mall, stand three soaking wet little boys. At the moment, they're all staring at me worriedly, probably because it's been almost five minutes since they came to me looking like drowned rats, and I have yet to utter a single word.
"Momma?" Comes Oliver's sweet little voice, hesitant and unsure. I sigh at the name though, he's taken to calling me mom or some variation of the word since that boy at school told him what real mothers were like. My precious boy had come home very hyper and giggly, claiming I had to be his mommy because his friend said only a mommy can love and feed and bathe and clothe them like I do. Thus far, I haven't had the heart to tell him the truth, so this may not be a battle I choose to fight, especially when I have practically raised them.
"Guys...I know I'm going to regret even asking, but why are you all dripping wet?" They all look relieved when I finally speak, before their faces turn sheepish.
The younger boys look to Cam for explanation and he huffs but answers me anyways. "We wanted to make wishes but we didn't have any pennies left from the arcade money you gave us...so we tried to grab one and Ollie fell in and when we tried to pull him out we fell in too." Of course they did.
"Why didn't you just come ask me for the money? I was standing at the counter behind you, I nearly had a heart attack when I turned around and couldn't find you all." Three guilty faces look back at me when I explain this.
My quiet boys speaks up next. "We didn't want to ask because you already gave us money for the arcade."
"And you just bought us all those new clothes and beds and stuff, we didn't want you too have to spend more." Dang it, now I can't be mad at them.
I sigh, rubbing my hands over my tired eyes, I hadn't slept very well last night. "Three pennies is barely a drop in the bucket, and never hesitate to ask me for something, the worst that could happen is that I say no." They all nod, their smiles coming back now that they realize they're not in trouble. "Now let's go to the family bathroom and get you guys in some of these new, dry clothes. We still have a couple more shops to hit."
They agree, relieved at the prospect of warm, dry clothes. Together we march to the bathrooms near the music store and skate shop, our next stops and I get them all situated and clean. Once all that has been taken care of, and I've double bagged the wet clothing, we head to pick out Ollie's drum set and Jamie's guitar. Their happy screeches when I'd told them our reason for being here were enough to make me forget all about my frustration with their dip in the fountain.
"Are you for serious?! I get drums! Now all the babes will be mine!" A maniacal giggle follow Ollie Man's strange words.
I'm still curious though. "Where did you hear that?"
He shrugs, still focused on the red and black drum set in front of him, I guess this must be the one he wants. "Mr. Jenkins tolded me so, he used to be a drummer in a band and said he got babes like crazy. I don't think I want crazy babes, though. Also, what's a babe?" Oh man, this is almost as weird as the naked thing, and I think our elderly neighbor and I need to have a talk about what is and is not okay to say to a four year old.
Cameron snorts next to me and I glare at him playfully before trying to explain this to his little brother. "That's very cool he can play an instrument, maybe he can teach you music stuff instead of whatever you to discuss now. And a babe is...another word for a pretty girl, but you shouldn't say it until you're at least 16." Ollie nods, taking my word as gospel before the store associate starts boxing up his drums.
Jamie finally seems to find the guitar he wants, a beautiful acoustic made smaller for a boy his size, and his whole face lights up with an uncharacteristically large grin that makes my heart warm. "This one is perfect! Thank you Sang!"
I smile at him before paying for both instruments and we all head next door to pick out Cam's first skateboard. "You're welcome Jamester, now it your turn Cam, go pick out your favorite board and I'll get you all the pads and extras you'll need." He surprises me by wrapping me in a quick hug before races to the wall full of skateboards.
I watch him for a moment, smiling softly at being able to give him something he's wanted for so long. After another moment I head to the skating accessories and pick up knee and elbow pads after deciding to let him pick his own helmet. Just as I hear Cam shout that he's chosen one, the skin of my chest over my heart begins to heat and vibrate, just where the strange marking had appeared weeks ago.
Feeling eyes on me, I whip my head around, lightly touching the tingly skin with one hand, but I see nobody but the boys in the vicinity. Why is it just now acting up, it's done nothing but resemble a tattoo since the night I got it, I wonder to myself as I bring my attention back to the boys.
Cam is staring at me, silently asking if I'm alright and I find a small smile to give him so he'll relax. "Did you find one you like?" I ask.
He smiles hugely and holds up a board with what looks like paint splatters all over the bottom. "Yeah this one reminds me of painting so I like it."
"Sounds perfect for you, Cam. Let's get it and then find something to eat. I don't know about you boys, but I'm hungry."
"Yes!" They all shout at once, surprising me and I think themselves with the enthusiasm of their answer.
"Well alright then." I hand the cashier my card and we make our way to the food court when I feel that burning, vibrating sensation over my heart once more. A quick glance around shows me again that not a soul is looking my way. Maybe I'm finally going crazy, I think to myself as I hear the boys arguing over where to eat.
"I want McDonalds!" Ollie shouts.
Jamie is vehemently against that idea, my little health nut whose only exception is chocolate in his pancakes on occasion. "No, the veggie pizza looked way better at that last place." Ollie crinkles his nose and is about to argue so I ask Cam for his opinion.
He shrugs. "They don't have gyros here so I don't care." Ah my little shadow does love his Greek food, he always loved when I had the ingredients for the charred lamb squares.
"We can hit all those places, but I want some Chinese food even though I wish they had chocolate chip pancakes." I tease and they all cheer that they each get what they want for once.
All of a sudden the vibration on my marking increased tenfold and I stop walking to breath through the weird feeling when a lovely masculine voice comes from behind me.
"With syrup?"
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
I know, I know, it's cruel to end it there but that's just the way this chapter worked out :) Not to worry, the next update should be ready by Saturday at the latest!