Chapter 142: Chapter 141: Picking Up The Kids And Dinner With Friends

Carl opened the portal and led them through, finding a very dishevelled Kyubi and Klaire at the kitchen island. “You two seem to be enjoying the new situation, but if you truly feel indebted Kyubi, could you please cover up in front of my darling?”

Kyubi dragged Klaire off to tidy themselves, then returned in a much more presentable condition a moment later. “I really am Gaia, truly, so much… I can’t express how thankful I am. Carl and Klaire both, they mean the world to me, between them and the children I-…”

“You have regained nothing Kyubi. I hate to say this dear, nothing you lost can be regained, but I hope this new life somehow makes the pain of it as distant as the moon you adore.”

Kyubi visibly aged slightly then approached and hugged her. “Thank you Gaia and sorry Carl, I was acting immature and chaotic. I haven’t been that way in centuries I swear.”

“It’s fine Kyubi, I hope you two had fun, but I think you should maybe apologise to Lydia for the bluntness.”

“Of course, I hope she doesn’t hate me.”

Klaire came down a short while later, said her hellos then gave the display a side-long glance and saw the time, which made her flush crimson and look over to Kyubi with a semi-guilty expression.

“Carl, we’re sorry about the messages too, we didn’t mean to get you in trouble with Sis.”

“That one I am pretty mad about, how do I get in trouble for being frigid and indecent messages in the same day.”

“As adorable as you three are, Rhea is growing impatient for his friends.” Gaia said.

“Shhh-oot! Yep, let’s go, I forgot we came back because Alisha let me know school was closing early.”

With that Carl opened another portal for everyone, earning a clap and congratulatory kiss from his two loves.

“Wow, looks like you got the hang of that while we were gone.”

“Yeah, but still not as good as Tiamutael…”

Everyone shook their heads at Carl’s persistent self-deprecation then they stepped through and found themselves in the midst of pick-up time.

When the children finally stepped out they caught sight of something they hadn’t seen before, their children interacting with the others. It’s not that they’re introverted or excluded by others, but they genuinely loved their siblings more than anything and preferred their company.

“I wish my children got along like that…”

“Now, now Gaia, remember that they did move past the hatred enough to fight on the same side at least.”

“True, a shame I wasn’t destined to be a part of it. Those sisters are cruel indeed.”

Kyubi hugged her and wrapped her tails around her, inspiring a flustered rant about being coddled by an infant.

As they watched from afar as the three children were talking to their friends, Tiamutael suddenly zoned out then locked onto them and was about to bring the moment to an end when Carl told him to enjoy it.

They watched as their three children chatted and laughed and played, then Gaia sent Rhea to join them and then made a bench for them all to sit and watch from.

“If I needed a sign my recent decision was right, I think we’ve had a dozen these last couple of days.”

“I know how you feel, I was heartbroken when I saw it was my birthday the other day…”

The others stopped and stared at Kyubi as she trailed off, then Carl and Klaire began to pester her for answers as to why they weren’t told.

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing…” Kyubi aged more. “…You two are eighteen, I’m older, a lot older. I didn’t want you overthinking it.”

“Kyubi, we know you’re at least a thousand. I think the idea of an age gap kind of loses its edge. You’re beautiful, smart, caring, thoughtful and absolutely devoted to those you love. What else matters?”

“Carl, remember when you said, “it wouldn’t work Klaire our hair is the same colour and we call each other’s mums “aunt”?” Well you really have changed…” Klaire said with a bit of a pout.

“Yeah, but you had already shot me three times, I was scared of you.”

Kyubi chuckled and hugged them both. “I love you two… I’m not sure on the exact number, but I’ve been a celestial fox for over fourteen-hundred.”

“Wow, what a cradle snatcher…” Klaire laughed. “…For what it’s worth, we’ll all be growing older together, even if none of us grow old.”

“You three are truly cute, but you’re embarrassing the children.” Gaia chuckled with a pointed finger, aimed at the red-faced Kitsunoko and Tiamutael, though the only reason that Raziel wasn’t included was because she wasn’t able to blush.

Carl pulled the girls apart and then nodded at the children to continue, but half an hour later, all their friends had been collected and Carl invited Gaia and Rhea back for dinner.

Gaia tilted her head to one side and then agreed.

[ GROUP MESSAGE SENT FROM CARL : HEY, JUST A HEADS UP THAT GAIA IS HAVING DINNER AT OUR PLACE TONIGHT, IF ANY OF YOU WANT TO COME OVER FOR A REUNION MEAL THEN COME WHENEVER. ]

The message was replied to with great interest and all the immortals were quick to confirm their attendance and so Tiamutael teleported them all home so that they could get started on the meal.

Kyubi, Kitsunoko and Klaire got prep started whilst Carl done a spot of remodelling so the kids could sit at their own table. The idea of having their own table seemed to agree with Kitsunoko, who declared she would personally cater for the children.

Not long later, the other guests began to arrive, they seated themselves around the island and began chatting as Omedra snuck in to hug her three parents and little sister.

“Are you staying, or disappearing again?”

“Disappearing, I don’t want Aunt Sis feeling detached at her new place. Just missed my mums and dad.”

“Well you take care and make sure she doesn’t become a stranger round here.”

Omedra started to linger and it wasn’t long before the four cooks caught on to her plan and promised to give her some to go boxes.

“Also, there’s a treat in the fridge, I was going to surprise everyone with it but I don’t want you missing out.”

“Thanks Mum Kyubi…” Omedra was already beaming, details didn’t matter when everything Kyubi made was delicious.

The others all sat around chatting as they cooked then when dinner was ready Kitsunoko helped serve the adults so the others could join the conversation and then saw to the children herself.

“When she’s older, she would be a great addition to my bar I think.” Lillim’s assessment was far from biased, the young kitsune would already be an asset to any establishment serving food.

“That’s for her to decide, but I swear to the laws if anyone tries anything-”

“-I’ll flay them alive at the thought of it and preserve our leader’s sense of compassion. Their soul will be at Samael’s utter lack of mercy before anything even came of it.”

“No, they’ll be at majesty’s… I’ll let them think they have a chance of escaping as her off spring hunts them down…”

Klaire coughed. “Carl, calm down, just a hypothetical. No need to get so worked up.”

“Worried his inversion will play up?”

“Actually… It was, what he actually said was much worse… I think it’s best our little girl stays just that for a good while.”

Klaire and Kyubi each put a hand on his shoulder, then the conversation turned to their impending absence. They were all in favour of the group taking a break, the eighteen year olds had all worked themselves ragged and come close to death far too much in far too short a time.

“What of my little Alysse?”

“You’re kidding right? Have you ever tried getting a gnome out of a workshop for more a day?” Klaire laughed.

The conversation moved along from matters at hand, to random objects of nostalgia and finally everyone turned to regrets older than most of those in the house put together.

“Gaia, I always wondered, why didn’t you ask for Ishtar’s aid?”

“If I had to guess, I’d say shame…”

“Bahamut, Tiamat, why did you two end up at each other’s throats in spite of your mother’s pleading?”

“We both wanted to be her favourite, then we broke her heart and could forgive neither each other nor ourselves…”

“Why did you kill Eve?”

That was the first time Carl had ever seen Lillim openly shed tears without concern. “I killed her out of jealousy. I hated Adam and being forced to be his, but then god fashioned her for him and she was truly perfect and I felt like all my flaws were being shoved in my face. She was beautiful, kind, courageous and a better mother than I could hope to be. I was an undisciplined newly created demon.”

Gaia looked into Carl’s eyes, a silent message for him and only him. ’This is the pain you are helping them forget, bit-by-bit and day-by-day.’

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