Acheron

October 18, 2013

Alternate Universe

It’s a weird place where I stand. Not that it isn’t always weird when you’re responsible for the fate of the entire world and an ever-starving adolescent Charonte. But...

Sota and Bethany came in today with the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes. They’re off to have professional photos made. Now I have faced down ancient gods, demons from many pantheons, the cursed, the damned... you know, typical day shite for me. But nothing has ever sent me reeling the way it did as I stared into those three tiny faces and saw myself and Sota and my brother and Bethany. I’m still getting used to this whole brother concept. Because of the way Styxx and I were raised, I never really saw myself whenever I looked at him.

Now I do. All these centuries, I had no idea just how alike we both are. Savitar was right. We are twins in more than just our looks. I’m not as unique as I thought I was, and that, too, has taken quite a mental adjustment.

Luckily, Styxx doesn’t venture out much so it shouldn’t confuse people. Sota is trying to get him to dress as me for Halloween and for me to dress as Styxx. Have I mentioned lately that my wife has a sick sense of humor? She and Bethany are dressing as Xirena and Simi and Xirena and Simi are going as an archeologist and Egyptian goddess. Yeah, they’re not right. But I love them all.

Even my brother.

Pax.

July 24, 2013

From Bad Ass to Dad

It's a strange place where I live now. After centuries of bitterness, I now live in a state of constant wonder. One minute I'm slaying Daimons and barely refraining from slaughtering Dark-Hunters and the next...

I come home to this.

or better yet, this...

Tory has no idea how many hours I spend just watching her sleep. I keep waiting for everything to be a dream. For Stryker or someone else to take it away from me. I know it's a ridiculous fear. My mother and I have given Tory more than enough power to take care of herself and the boys when I'm not home. But still...

Fear is a potent thing. And something evil is coming. I can sense it with every part of my being. There's a breach that I can't find. But I will be vigilant and I will protect them with everything I have.  After all, I have no idea what I'd do if I didn't have this to look forward to whenever I come home at night.

April 08, 2013

Out of house and home

The only thing scarier than a hungry Charonte toddler has to be Tory when she's pregnant. Danger and Alexion are threatening to move out until she's delivered the baby, which is about any time now. Even Bas is starting to guard his Cheerios. He handed his bowl to me tonight. "Daddy, protect." Sad when he knows I'm the only one in the house who won't sneak a handful. But he's also extremely excited at the thought of having his own sibling to play with. While he enjoys cousin Mia and Kyrian's sons Alex and NJ, he's ready for a playmate who doesn't have to go home eventually. I keep telling him that Simi doesn't leave, but he wants someone to play with you doesn't burp fireballs. Can't blame him for that really.

Urian is out on an emergency Chunky Monkey run. I wish they sold that stuff in larger containers while I stay here and guard the mighty Cheerios. I promised Bas I wouldn't take my hand off them until morning. I might lose my hand, but I will try.

Pax

October 11, 2012

Why is October so scary?

This has always been an intense time of the year when the worst crap seems to come knocking on my door. But today...

It's even scarier than normal. So there I was, playing and singing softly to Bas while he napped on the floor with Simi. He's started sleeping like her, with his feet straight up the wall and his head usually hanging over the edge. Today he had his legs up on hers with his head hanging off her stomach while she snored softly.

Sota left right after her last class to see the doctor. She hasn't felt well for the last couple of weeks. She's been pale and tired which always worries me. So I knew when I heard the front door open that it was her coming in.

I'd just set my guitar aside when she appeared behind me. Before I could get up, she put something in my face. It took a second before I realized what it was and about three more before I had total cognition.

Smiling, she whispered in my ear, "Congrats, Achimou, you have another smurflet on the way."

That's probably the closest I've ever come to wetting my pants in my life. Forget battle. We have another baby on the way. I'm still shell shocked. Tory is handling it well. But I want to know how someone can be so scared and thrilled at the same time. Thrilled with the thought of a baby. Terrified at the prospect of her going through childbirth again. While I know she's mostly immortal, I'm also well aware of the things that no immortal can survive.

All in all, though, I can't wait to meet the newest addition to our home.

March 27, 2012

These are the moments…

When you look at your son and think, how is my boy supposed to grow up with any kind of self-esteem when his mom dresses him like this?

Tory, we really need to talk about this. I'm still cringing over the outfit she picked out for the Easter Egg Hunt. Maybe I should grab a bottle of BBQ sauce and let Simi have at the wardrobe.

Or at least the photos so that Bas won't have to be tortured by them when he's older. Makes me really glad I seriously predate photography.

Just saying...