Gregory had a moment of déjà vu when he woke. He was in a pile of bedding on the floor, but things were different enough that he knew it was another day and not a repeat. Mindie held Elsa down past his feet, the little girl clutching his wife tightly while she slept. Clover and Ling were half-draped on him like his wives normally were. Each had an arm over his chest and a single leg hooked over one of his. Their heads rested on his chest, their ears nearly touching under his chin. A quick look helped him spot Yukiko and Jenn holding Roshana between them much like Clover and Ling were holding him.
Exhaling, he closed his eyes, soaking in the rightness of the moment— his wives and eventual wives all held each other, and Mindie held Elsa comfortingly like a mother would a child. His resonance gently covered them all, touching his wives’ resonance.
“Good morning, dear one,” Yukiko whispered.
“Yes, it is,” Jenn whispered back.
“Thank you for holding me,” Roshana added. “I felt content all night.”
“We were happy to do so. Look at Greg, though,” Yukiko giggled softly.
“Like you two,” Gregory murmured.
His voice got Clover and Ling to shift, tightening their holds on him. A knee gently jostled part of his anatomy, causing Gregory to inhale.
Clover blinked awake, her leg gently rubbing something. “Hmm? Is it time to get up?”
“Yes,” Gregory exhaled roughly. “Clover, your knee?”
Clover blinked at him dully for a second. She then blushed and her leg was gone. “Sorry!”
Her loud apology woke up the others.
“What happened?” Ling murmured as she came awake, then smiled at Gregory. “Oh… good morning.”
Gregory gave her a quick smile before looking back at Clover, who’d jerked upright. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong, Clover. It was an accident.”
“Oh…” Ling said, having looked down. “Did we cause that to happen?”
“Having beautiful women hold him tends to cause that kind of reaction in the morning,” Yukiko giggled.
“Is it time to wake up?” Elsa asked groggily in Mindie’s arms.
Ling jerked the blanket back over Greg. “It is, Elsa.”
“Okay,” Elsa yawned, then blinked. “Oh. Thank you, Mindie.”
“I was happy to hold you,” Mindie told her. “It was comforting.”
“Yeah, it was,” Elsa said before she got up. “I’ll go get dressed first, then get breakfast.” She paused when she stood up. “Clover, are you okay?”
Clover had started to calm down. “Uh… yes! I was just getting up to change, but you can go first.”
“Okay,” Elsa said as she left the room.
“Clover,” Gregory said, getting her attention before lifting the blanket. “A minute more?”
Clover blinked, then dove back to cuddle him. “Oh, thank you! I’m sorry.”
“Shh,” Ling said, leaning into Gregory more to kiss Clover, “he’s not upset.”
“Ah, Ling… please don’t do that,” Gregory exhaled roughly.
Jenn and Yukiko started laughing as they snuggled Roshana more. “We kiss each other like that when we sleep as you two did,” Yukiko said. “It causes him more problems.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, Greg,” Ling said, leaning back. “It wasn’t my intention. I was just soothing Clover.”
Mindie snickered from where she was sitting up. “We know, but seeing this makes me happy. A big family… we aren’t all there yet, but it feels right, and that we will be.”
“Yes,” Roshana murmured, pulling Yukiko and Jenn against her sides a little more. “I can be very happy here.”
“Us, too,” Clover added. She licked her lips, then kissed Gregory’s cheek. “Thank you for letting us cuddle you last night.”
“Yes,” Ling said as she kissed his other cheek. “Thank you. It helped us feel closer to you without doing things we shouldn’t.”
“After training, we’ll be heading into town to see our parents. We’ll be there for lunch and dinner. After dinner, we’ll say our farewells to them and Elsa,” Yukiko said. “Thankfully, Hemet clarified that we have tonight with each other, and that we all leave with the sixth bell tomorrow morning. When we get back this evening, we’ll have our own farewells.”
“Can we sleep like this again, please?” Clover asked, sitting up to stare at Yukiko.
“Please?” Roshana added, kissing Yukiko’s cheek.
Jenn giggled. “I approve, but we’ll change who has who.”
“Agreed,” Mindie smiled.
“Well, it looks like we have an agreement,” Yukiko laughed. “Okay, Greg, you go change when Elsa comes out. We’ll all change here when you do.”
~*~*~
Training went by smoothly, and they did their best to include Elsa as much as they could. They all hugged her multiple times, clearly wanting to get as much love and affection in as they could.
The trip through the bazaar was easy, as the crowds were gone. There were still small groups of people checking in with the last of the vendors, trying to get the best deal they could. A food stall owner called out to Elsa warmly, indicating the man who’d fed them breakfast most days. They took the time to stop and thank him before heading onto the city.
The guards on the walls didn’t stop them, and a few even saluted them when they went past. Mindie looked thoughtful as they entered the city. “Why did they do that?”
“Respect,” Yukiko said. “We’ve caused no trouble, shown that we are strong and capable, and word of our comradery with the mages has to have spread.”
“Agreed,” Gregory nodded. “The Empire’s Gambit tournament likely had a lot to do with it, too. They saw the care you all took with your men when you could.”
The others considered that as they made their way to Warm Slumber.
The inn was busy, mostly with Warlin’s guards. The bartender gave them a nod when she saw them and motioned them to the hallway.
Lin was standing outside the dining room door. “Glad to see you all. Elsa, Yoo-jin has asked you to help get their rooms in order for them to leave in the morning.”
“I will do so at once, Lin,” Elsa said, giving him a quick curtsy. She paused, then gave them all a trembling smile. “I’ll see you after dinner?”
“We’ll stop in for a few minutes, yes,” Yukiko said.
Elsa nodded before she left. She had her head held high as she walked away.
Lin watched her go with a smile. “Did she do well?”
“She was excellent,” Yukiko said softly. “Mother will be very happy with her.”
“Good.”
Yukiko turned to face him. “When she has free time, if she asks to spar with the men, allow it.”
“Very well,” Lin said. “They’re waiting for you.” He knocked on the door, paused, and then opened it. “Sir, your family and guests.”
Yukiko led them into the room with a smile. “We’re glad we get to see you before you leave.”
~*~*~
The time they spent together was bittersweet for Yukiko, Jenn, and their families. The others felt the poignant moment, as well, knowing they wouldn’t get to have the same chance with their families. Hao explained his deal with Adolphus, giving the dwarf business to make wares for him to sell. Both Yukiko and Jenn were happy to know that their families were working so well together.
With dinner done, it was time to say their farewells. Before they could, Hao cleared his throat. “Gregory, my daughter asked me a year ago to see about helping Alturis. Word reached me a couple of days ago that the transaction is complete. A sizable portion of ore will be purchased from them, by me, then sold to Adolphus to use. It is a better deal than the village had, so they should have a chance to grow.”
Stunned at what he just heard, Gregory swallowed, his eyes misting. “Thank you, Father. Thank you, dear one. I wanted to do something for them, something that would continue for more than a single helping hand. This… thank you!”
“Family does what it can,” Yoo-jin said softly. “We didn’t give more than we should, but they will be paid what they should instead of being taken advantage of as they were.”
“Thank you, Father,” Yukiko said, taking Gregory’s hand. “I knew you’d find a way.”
“I did have a single clause they had to abide by,” Hao smiled. “Carmichael Pettit is to oversee my business venture in Alturis. He will make sure the ore that is given to my men is quality. I don’t doubt your village would give me the best, anyway, but this way, he has a job more fitting to someone married into our family.”
Gregory swallowed again and bowed his head. “Thank you.”
“Hugs,” Umbrose said and stood up. “I’m not leaving without hugs.”
Jenn sighed, but there was a soft smile on her lips. “Mother…”
Yukiko giggled. “You object, but you were standing by the time she did, dear one.”
Jenn shrugged. “I love my family, now and in the future.”
“Well, since hugs are happening…” Yoo-jin laughed, getting up.
Everyone was on their feet, hugging the other side of the table, including their friends. Hao and Yoo-jin had noticed small tells from Yukiko during their times together, and were sure that they would be more than friends in time. They’d prepared Umbrose, and through her, Adolphus and the others. Adolphus was the most awkward person there as they said their farewells. He hugged everyone, but was clearly not a hugger.
What was surprising for Gregory was Candace, Jenn’s sister. She hugged them all tightly, whispering to them to keep Jenn safe. When she hugged Jenn, she started crying, not liking parting with her older sister again. Jenn cried, too, holding her taller— but younger— sister tightly.
After a while, the tears slowed and the clan left the families in the room. Jenn paused to wipe her eyes again. Roshana rubbed Jenn’s back, whispering softly to her. Jenn nodded, then hugged Roshana, thanking her.
Yukiko exhaled roughly. “One more farewell before we head back.”
“Again…” Gregory said softly. “It feels harder every time.”
“This will hopefully be the last time we tell her this,” Jenn said.
“Yeah…” Gregory exhaled. He started walking, the others falling in behind him.
~*~*~
Elsa answered the door with a fixed expression. She knew, just like they did, what time it was. “Please come in, Magi.”
They filed in and Elsa shut the door. The moment it was shut, she threw herself onto Gregory’s back, clutching him tightly. “I’ll be the best maid, Greg. I’ll make you proud.”
That had tears spilling from Gregory with no warning. He bowed his head. “I know. I never doubt you, Elsa. I never have, and never will.”
The others gathered around them, hugging the pair. Tears flowed as they slowly rotated so they could hug Elsa, who was still clinging to Gregory’s back. Yukiko was the last one, and she hugged the small girl tightly.
“Elsa, it’s time. Please let go of him. I wish for a hug of my own,” Yukiko whispered. “We trust in you. My fear and doubts of you vanished the day you came to meet us at the gates.”
Elsa let go of Gregory, then turned to grab Yukiko. “Thank you… for giving me the chance, and for believing in me.”
“Gregory believed in you. I could do no less,” Yukiko whispered, squeezing Elsa tightly. “You’ll be the best maid. We know that. You’ve already proven it to us. Now, it’s just a matter of refining your skill. We know you’ll be focused on your goals. When the time comes, your place is assured.”
“My turn,” Jenn sniffled. She embraced Elsa like she had her sister not long before. “Never doubt yourself. You helped your friends find their place, and your place is waiting for you. Keep your chin up and remember who you are: a scion of Aether.”
“I will, Jenn. I will. Thank you,” Elsa sniffled into her chest.
“Me, next,” Mindie sniffled. When she hugged Elsa, Mindie swallowed. “I’ve known you less than the others, but I know how much you love them and how much they love you. When we meet again, all of us will be ready to hug you again, welcoming you as any loved one should be. Be that as a maid or magi, you’re special to us. I will be there to tend to any hurts you have.”
“Thank you for helping them and keeping them safe,” Elsa cried. “I was envious you get to be with them while I have to go again… but I saw the love they had for you, and I couldn’t hold onto it. You soothing me to sleep last night was something I’ll always remember. Even with the danger they’ll face, if you’re with them, I’ll be able to breathe easy.”
Roshana was next, hugging Elsa like she would a sister. “We won’t be with them for years. When we do see them again, we’ll know that means you’re closer to joining all of us. They love you, Elsa, as much as you love them. Let your soul soak in this love so it can sustain you for the years ahead.”
Elsa nodded, crying, unable to say anything.
Ling took Elsa into her arms next. “Brave child, you’re a leader. I saw how you gathered the others under your wing, how they all looked to you. That leadership and bravery will be key whether you become a magi or maid. I do not doubt you will be the maid who leads the home, if that is your path.”
“I want that,” Elsa cried. “With all of you.”
Clover was a mess when Elsa hugged her. “Love you,” was all she said as she squeezed Elsa to her.
Elsa sobbed harder. The love she felt here was more than she’d ever felt in her life. Her heart broke at the parting, but also soared that they cared for her as deeply as she did for them.
Gregory gathered her up one last time, with the others encircling them while they all cried. In time, their tears slowed. Faces were wiped, noses were blown, and they stepped back to compose themselves.
Elsa looked at them with trembling lips. With a deep breath, she curtsied. “Magi, I will have your home in order when I see you again. I will have the best staff available assembled to care for you. As you believe in me, I believe you will all be there to be welcomed into your home.” Her voice shook, but she managed to say it without crying again.
“Then it will be a home of love,” Yukiko replied, her voice almost breaking. “We look forward to that day, Elsa.”
“When…” Gregory had to pause to clear his throat, trying not to cry again. “When we see you again, that day will be a blessed day. Expect to be hugged, and society be damned if it’s frowned on.”
Elsa laughed, then sniffled as she fought to stop from crying again. “Then I’ll have to make sure I deserve those hugs even more.” She stepped back and gave them a deep curtsy. “Magi, friends, I shall await your return.” She stayed low as Yukiko shepherded them all out of the room.
As they left the inn, they were silent. Each was lost in their thoughts of the long years ahead of them before the bright light of Elsa would be there to greet them once more.
