A Father's Emotions

XII

She watches as her soulmate lazily moves the laser pointer as the dogs chase it while on the phone.

'Have Zelda for the evening? Sure, I'll look after my niece for a bit so you guys can have a night out,' Oriana says. Her eyes go to Hope. 'That's okay, right?'

'Yeah, dad and Karma are both out,' Hope replies making Oriana roll her eyes.

'Yes, I'm still fine to watch her, Eli.' Oriana rolls her eyes. 'We can put The Nightmare Before Christmas on in the home theatre, it'll be fine.'

Hope laughs when Cerberus looks up at the name of the movie. 'You can't get down there, bud.' Cerberus huffs before nudging Coco gently so she doesn't fall over the wire left out.

'How's Ros?' Oriana pets Coco's head when the puppy jumps onto the sofa. She hums in response to Elizar's answer.

Hope checks her phone to see Salix has text her.

I'll be able to make it to yours and Oriana's ritual, sounds fun ;) Death filled me in on some details

Hope smiles slightly.

Funny, he hasn't told me shit

I'm on it

TMI

NOT THAT!!!

You're the one who put the eggplant by your name

Fuck off

Hope laughs making Oriana smile and reach out for Hope's hand. She moves Coco and places her on her chest once she lays down with her head on Oriana's lap.

Karma opens the front door and Zelda squeals at the sight of Cerberus while entering.

He parks outside the house and glances at Salix who whistles impressed.

'I can't say I'm surprised as you own a bar and restaurant. You live here with your daughter, Hope, Oriana and Karma, right?' Salix asks.

Death runs a hand over his face, glancing at Salix unable to somehow get the words Hope is my daughter out of his mouth. 'Yeah,' Death mumbles before getting out the car and helping Salix out. 'Oh, one more thing. Watch out for the dog. The puppy is fine.' Death opens the front door quietly.

'What's wrong with the- holy s**t! That thing has three heads! What the f**k is that?!'

Cerberus pauses his happy bound up to Death awkwardly, his six eyes wide and ears flicked back in a sad gesture. 'Cerberus.'

Salix looks at Death, Cerberus and Death again. 'As in Cerberus that Heracles had?'

'Why does everyone say that?' Hope comments standing beside Oriana who holds Zelda on her hip. Cerberus trots back to them and Hope ruffles his fur. Zelda hides her face shyly in Oriana's hair making Oriana wince as her niece tugs it too hard. Death looks at Zelda and then Hope confused making Hope mouth babysitting which is missed by Salix. He nods and locks the front door.

'Who's this pretty girl?' Salix asks.

'Zel,' Zelda whispers.

'What's that short for?'

'Zelda. Her parents love video games. I feel sorry for the little s**t. But at least I don't have to look after her every day,' Oriana comments.

She watches Salix confused as he looks between her, her soulmate and dad.

'Where does she go?' Salix asks.

'Back to my brother. He and Roscoe are this nightmare's parents,' Oriana says, tapping Zelda's nose fondly as Zelda giggles. She looks at Salix's confused expression. 'Who did you think her parents are?' Salix looks back at Death baffled making Oriana laugh. 'Oh, honey, no. Hope is his daughter.'

'Your brother let it slip I have a daughter about a month ago,' Death comments when Oriana looks at him.

Oriana laughs again. 'Oh, Elizar needs to learn when to shut his mouth and you need to use your brain.' Oriana flicks Salix's forehead.

Salix looks between Death and Hope confused. 'I thought you're half-siblings,' Salix says.

'Yeah, you thought. It's not like he can say that he's got a twenty-three-year-old when he barely looks twenty-five himself,' Karma mumbles.

'Oi,' Death calls out making Karma go back to drinking his tea.

'You're all messing with me. You two are siblings, there's no way you're her dad,' Salix comments.

'Nope, definitely his kid,' Hope says, smirking at Death's put out expression.

'I did say I'm older than I look,' Death mumbles.

You said your mum died six weeks ago,' Salix says and Hope nods. 'How old?'

Hope looks at Death who frowns slightly. 'Forty-seven.'

'Oh. That's understandable. Why did she die when you said I won't?'

'You can until the ritual. She died because she left and wasn't my true soulmate. We imprinted.' he eyes his soulmate as Salix processes the information.

'You are Death, the immortal personification,' Salix says, looking at him.

'Yes,' Death replies.

'Cerberus is a real three-headed dog and not just mythology.' Cerberus yaps happily as he runs up to Salix and leans against his legs making Salix rub his back. 'You've had a soulmate before.'

'Kind of.'

'Which means you had Hope.'

'And me,' Karma comments.

'And him?!' Salix asks surprised.

'I was just as surprised as you,' Death mumbles rubbing his forehead.

'She was pregnant when she left?'

'Exactly.'

'Damn, what a bitch.'

'She was depressed, postnatal depression.'

'Now I feel bad for saying that she's a bitch.'

'Blame my sister, she's the bitch.'

'Life?'

'Yes.'

Salix nods before looking at Hope. 'And you didn't tell me that you're his daughter?'

'How much would you have freaked out if I said?' Hope comments. 'It would be like Cerberus all over again.'

'Fair point,' Salix mumbles.

'At least you didn't think I was sleeping with him.'

Salix laughs as he looks at Oriana. 'You thought she was sleeping with him?'

'In my defence, she was wearing a shirt as a dress and he was only in boxers,' Oriana states.

'I split my trousers and spilt something on my top,' Death comments making Hope roll her eyes.

'Why does that not surprise me?' Hope says.

'You okay?' Death watches Salix nod and then join their hands together.

She laughs as Oriana teases the embarrassed male.

'I can't believe you thought Zelda was Death's,' Oriana says.

'It's your brother's fault,' Salix mumbles.

'Of course, blame my brother.'

'He was the one who said he's never seen him be as tender as he was apart from with his daughter. Didn't mention that Hope is his daughter.'

'Sounds like Eli.'

'Exactly.'

'Doesn't mean he's the only one at fault. You could have asked him for details.'

'Fair point.'

Hope smiles at Salix. 'He's been happier lately, thank you,' Hope whispers making Salix smile.

'You're welcome. It's not just me, it's seeing you happy too,' Salix says. 'It was hurting him to see you hurting. He could see through the brave face you put on.'

'I know.'

Salix points a finger at Oriana. 'Don't ever hurt her again, understand?'

Oriana smiles at Hope with nothing but love in her eyes. 'I could never do that anymore,' Oriana whispers. 'I'm free from the chains and fear I had before. Now I have Hope again, I'm never letting her go.'

Hope smiles, taking Oriana's jaw in her hands lightly and kissing her.

'What do you mean again?' Death asks making Oriana hide her head in Hope's neck.

'Looking dapper this evening,' Hope comments.

'Nice try.'

Hope runs a hand through Oriana's hair to receive a kiss on her neck. 'Things happened. Don't worry about it.'

Salix smirks understanding the unspoken friends with benefits whereas Death narrows his eyes suspiciously.