Demon

Laura

Brenda and I didn’t really have enough time to talk about everything, but it was enough. I heard all the details that she didn’t want to share in front of the guys and the kids. Sounds like they had a pretty steamy week together. I’m so glad for them. I shared with her some of the problems I’ve been having with Michael, with his nightmares especially. I didn’t tell her about the drug thing going on next door - that’s a secret I still feel guilty about keeping, but not something I’m willing to get into now.

When the guys get back from the park with the kids, they are all just bursting with energy. The kids launch into a detailed recounting of Timothy’s triumphant climb to the top of the jungle gym, as excited for him as though he had just won the Super Bowl. I notice that Natalie is holding Mike’s hand, which is awfully cute. Everyone seems so happy.

Eventually, though, they have to go. Ron says, “Look, I hate to be a party pooper, but we really are going to have to get home. We still have to unpack and do laundry and stuff. Back to work and school tomorrow.”

The kids all “awwwww” together, but are willing to part when we remind them that they will see each other at school first thing in the morning.

Natalie gives Mike one more sweet little hug before letting go of him. She’s the most affectionate little thing. And, I know, she has always seemed to have an almost eerie sense of everything that is going on. Who knows, maybe she can sense that he’s been having problems lately and she’s trying to make him feel better. I wouldn’t be surprised, now that I think about it.

Natalie

Mom and Dad are in the front seat planning out everything they have to do as soon as we get home. He’s going to unpack and start the laundry while she runs out to the grocery store to get something for dinner and for our lunches this week. Boring adult stuff. Angel laughs at me for thinking that.

Then suddenly Angel stops laughing, and looks like he goes stiff with surprise. “What?” I think to him, alarmed.

He hesitates a minute before saying anything. He looks completely shocked. I am staring at him with wide eyes. He doesn’t normally act like this. I can’t imagine what is wrong.

“What?” Gabe asks, seeing me staring at him.

“My dear,” Angel finally says, “It seems that Jonathan’s Guardian has returned.”

I gasp in a breath, and put my hands over my mouth.

“WHAT?” Gabe asks again.

I whisper to him, “Demon is back.”

Laura

By the time they go, it’s almost time for dinner. I whip something up, with enough for Jim and Ethan again. I’m starting to feel quite motherly about them. I want to make sure they are eating right.

Mike gets back quickly from dropping it off. “Ethan seems a lot better today,” he tells me. “I think he’s finally starting to heal.”

At dinner, Timothy and Mike have far more to say to each other than usual. They are chatting about the park, the jungle gym, even the map project that Timothy has been working on this week. My heart is so full to see them interacting like this with each other.

Before I take Timothy upstairs to help him get ready for bed, he gives his Dad a hug. “Goodnight, Dad,” he tells him seriously. “Sleep well.”

“Thanks. You too.”

After I tuck him in and come back downstairs, I’m surprised to see Mike sitting on the couch, but the t.v. is off. He pats the seat beside him, and I join him there, wondering what this is about.

He reaches his arm around me, and pulls me in to his side. I relax against him, appreciating the affection, and the peace and quiet after our busy afternoon. After a few minutes of silence, he reaches his other hand around and tilts my face up to his. He gives me a tender kiss. I gasp, feeling a flaring of passion in response. He hasn’t acted this romantic for a long time. I move against him, kissing him harder.

After a few minutes of this, he breaks off. “I want to take you upstairs,” he whispers huskily. I nod enthusiastically. “But first, I need to tell you something.”

I lean back to look into his eyes. What could he possibly want to discuss right at this moment? “All right,” I tell him, slightly out of breath.

“I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain lately.” I start to try to shush him, but he shakes his head. “I have, you know I have. I know it was bothering you to have me spending so much time next door, especially staying out so late all the time. I’m going to try to cut back on that. And I’m going to lay off on the weed. I was doing it so much because it was helping me sleep, but I think I need to just try to sort that out without using it. I’m probably lucky they haven’t sprung any surprise drug tests on me at work.”

I gaze into his eyes, surprised and moved. “I know that’s what you were doing, honey,” I tell him. “I know it was helping you sleep.”

“Yeah,” he says, “but I think it was working less even though I was using more. I need to just cut it out.”

“What if you still can’t sleep, though?” I ask him.

“You know, I feel a lot better today. Like, my mind is calmer. Maybe getting outside with Timothy really helped. Who knows? Hopefully I can sleep without waking you up tonight.”

He looks down at me with a glint in his eye. He reaches around me and strokes his hand along my waist. “I have an idea about what might help. Remember what we used to do?”

I smile. “I do indeed.” Enough talking. I grab him, holding the back of his neck to pull him to me, almost frantically, and give him a deep kiss, pressing myself to him. It’s been so long. I’m realizing how much I need this. And I think he realizes that he needs it too. Hopefully more than he needed to smoke pot.

He leans back breathlessly and laughs. “Yes, this should do the trick. It might not solve the nightmares, but at least it’ll solve this!” He moves my hand to press against him, and I can feel how excited he is, how much he wants me.

We run up the stairs, trying to be quiet as we pass by Timothy’s room.

It’s both tender and intense, incredibly passionate, deeply fulfilling. I’ve missed him so much. It almost feels like he just got back from another deployment, and we are finally together again.

We fall asleep in each other’s arms.