"You need some glitter on that"

“You can hurt me all you like,” he removes the knife from the man’s leg, gesturing to Amy with the blade, “but her?” He shakes his head, “you don’t touch her. Do you understand?”

The vampire nods.

“Good.”

Adrian slides the knife across the floorboards, the hilt coming to a stop close enough for Amy to reach if the need arose. He takes a moment to look at her, his expression softening as he takes in her frightened gaze…

…and her burnt arm.

He tuts, returning his attention to the man before him, now sat in a pool of his own blood.

You never liked thunderstorms, and so far you must have tried about a thousand methods to try and distract yourself. The sound of the main door opening pulled your thoughts away from the storm and towards the man who had just walked in. Tim's eyes went wide as he took in your form, huddling on the couch covered in blankets and pillows, as he remembered your deep hatred towards thunderstorms. 

You called out to him, grateful that he was finally home and very much ready to spend the night cuddling into his side. He took a few steps forward, but stopped abruptly when he realised he still had rain droplets clinging to his clothes. A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, painting the sky white with a thunderous boom, causing you to tug at your blanket and cower inside it. Tim emerged from your bedroom, dressed in a comfy pair of sweatpants and pulled you into his arms. 

‘It's alright sweetheart, come here..” he spoke in your ears, causing shivers to run down your spine, momentarily forgetting the storm. You nestled into his embrace, body relaxing completely. He ran his hand through your hair, covering the both of you with the blanket that you had thrown aside. Tim knew you hated storms, and always made sure to cut his shift a little early if there was one forecasted for the day. 

You were eternally grateful to Tim, happy that you had someone who cared so much about your wellbeing, going out of his way to offer you some comfort when you needed it the most. And you were going to cherish him, for as long as you could. 

Upon arriving back to his office, he had stacks of paperwork to sift through. Most of the rest of his day had been spent sipping on mediocre coffee, reading through and signing papers he didn't care for, and going into meetings with several business owners trying to get some money from him through partnership. By late afternoon, his head felt like it was going to explode. He felt like he was going to explode. He glanced at the clock.

3:32PM

Avery's school ended at 3. 

He was late. It would take another 15 minutes to arrive. He cursed under his breath and shot out of his seat. He dug into his top drawer, grabbing his keys. He stormed out of his office, locking the door behind him. He rushed into the elevator, pressing the basement parking button aggressively. He tapped his foot impatiently against the elevator floor, as it seemed to take forever to get to the parking level. 

Once the elevator landed, he ran to his car. He hit the unlock button on the key and went to open the door. Click. Locked. He hit the unlock button again. Click. He groaned, his temper running thin. He shoved the key into the keyhole of the driver door and opened it, almost yanking the door off the hinges. He got in and started up the car. He drove out of the parking lot, sliding his seat belt on. 

“Why is there this much traffic at 3?! Businesses around here don't let their workers go until 5!” He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. He was trying his best to keep a level head, he swore he was, but the day had just been eating at him. He checked the time. 

3:52PM. 

“Damn it…” He felt horrible. At this point, Avery was probably back inside the school, having to wait in the office or in a classroom until he showed up. If he doesn't show up soon, they'll call Kamilah to come get her instead. He swerved around a car going below the speed limit, and turned down a smaller back road. He sped down the road, going well over the speed limit. 

Just after 4, he pulled into the school parking lot. He stepped out of the car and walked his way to the door. He pressed the call button, and waited for an answer. No one came to the door. He hit the button again, pressing a little longer. He stood. He waited. Nothing. 

“What's the point of this button if no one answers it…” He shoved his hand in his pocket, pulling his phone out. He dialed the school office and waited. Before the final ring, someone finally picked up. A woman's voice poured out. 

“East Manhattan Elementary School front office, this is Lorraine, how can I help you?” Finally.

“Hi, this is Adrian Raines. I'm here to pick up my daughter.” 

“Mr. Raines…” Some typing is heard. “Mr. Raines, you are over an hour late. You are aware we have a late pickup fee, right? If you're this late multiple times we'll have to have someone else be her daily pick up.” Adrian's eyes twitched.

“Yes, I am aware. That's why I'm calling to be let in so I can pay that fee and write the excuse as to why I am late.” 

“Well, Mr. Raines, you can push that button by the front door, it will buzz in the office.” 

"I tried that. Twice. No one answered.” He grit his teeth.

“Okay, sir, there is no reason to get snippy. I'll send someone to let you in.” The phone clicked. Adrian sighed. He tried to keep his voice and tone level. He stared at the door, waiting. It finally opened as a teacher stood there. He nodded in thanks and walked inside, making his way to the office. He looked around, spotting Avery sitting with another kid on a phone. He smiled and waved at her, but she just pouted and turned away. His heart ached. 

He stepped up to the desk, pulling out his wallet. He took out $30 and set it down. He grabbed a pen and signed Avery out, writing the excuse as to why he's late next to her name. He nodded to the receptionist and walked over to Avery. 

“Come on, ladybug. Let's go home.” He offered his hand to her. She ignored his hand and grabbed her backpack. She stood from the seat, waving goodbye to the other kid. He sighed. He walked her back out to the car. She walked ahead of him. She slid into the backseat of the car, tossing her bag in. 

Adrian gave her a scrutinizing look. “Don't throw your bag, Avery. You'll break it.” He got into the driver's seat and started up the car. As he drove out of the parking lot, he looked at her in the rearview mirror. “How was school, sweetheart?” She shifted her face away from him, looking out the window. 

“Okay…” He drove down the road. “Did you have fun at recess? Any games you played with your friends?” Avery ignored him. He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Avery, I'm talking to you, baby.” She crossed her arms. 

“I don't want to talk to you.” Adrian's chest felt tight. He had upset her. 

“Sweetheart, talk to me. You'll feel better, I promise. Just tell me about your day.” He tried one last time.

“No! You were an hour late! I thought you forgot about me! You probably did! You only care about that stupid new baby!” Adrian pulled the car over, putting it in park. He turned to her, his anger boiling over.

“Avery, that is enough!” He snapped. “You don't know what I've been doing all day. I know you're mad, but if you'd just listen, I'd be happy to tell you why I was late!” He glared at her. “I didn't forget about you. I don't just care about your little sister. I don't ever want to hear you call her stupid or talk like this again, do you understand me?” 

Avery looked at him like a deer in headlights. He never yelled at her. Never. Within her 10 years of life, he had never even spoken to her like this. She leaned back in her seat, hiding her face in her jacket hood. “Yes…” Adrian nodded, turning back in his seat and driving the car back on the road. The ride was silent. 

Avery peeked up, shaking a little bit. “Daddy?” She sniffled. 

Adrian didn't look back. “What?” He grumbled. 

“I love you.” He froze a bit. Her voice was shaky. He scared her. He told himself he would never yell at her or do anything to make her fear him, and he did it. He broke the promise he made to himself, all because he couldn't contain his anger. He was normally good at dealing with his anger. 

He failed her. 

He pulled into the garage, shutting off the car. He stepped out and started to walk to Avery's door. Before he could open it for her, she forced it open and began rushing to the door. He followed after her. 

“Avery, sweetheart, wait. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. Come here, let me hold you!” She ran up the stairs and into her room, locking herself in. His heart shattered. She didn't want to be near him. She wouldn't let him hold her. He felt like a horrible father.

---------------------------------------------

"We are okay. Nothing bad is going to happen to her. Or me." Adrian paused for a moment with a serious expression, before sighing, his shoulders slumped a little and his brows knitting together. 

"It scares me to think that history repeats itself. To lose everything I love again."

"It won't." She knew that he had lost his son just a few days after his first birthday.

 "I will mentally torture anyone that even tries to touch her." His hands squeezed her involuntarily. "They can ask Gaius how that feels." He quietly chuckled, a bit of tension smoking away from him. "I promised you, when I woke up, that you will never lose me again. Let me add something to that promise." Their eyes fixed to each other, intensely and profoundly. "You are not going to lose her either, Adrian."

"It just… You two are everything to me." His voice was low but filled with emotion, directing his gaze back at Zuri, still asleep in her crib. "My whole world." 

"Do you trust me?" He turned to her, surprised at the question.

"You know I trust you more than anyone or anything, Amy." 

"Then trust me when I say that nothing bad is going to happen." 

"I'll try, my love." She brushed his cheek with her lips before detangling from his hold. "But it's not easy…"

"Of course it's not. But you have to try." Slowly and tenderly, she lifted Zuri from the crib, careful to not wake her, leaning her on her shoulder. Her little arms rested on her chest, her mouth slightly open while Amy gently patted her back. "You deserved to enjoy every second with her, to not be worried or scared." He kissed Zuri's small head.

"Believe me, I am." Careful to not disturb the baby, he sweetly took Amy's lips with his. "I love you, my eternity."

"Almost eleven years together and you still sound as cheesy as the first time." She said with a little smirk as he silently chuckled and leaned his head against hers. "I love you too, handsome."

"As if you don't like it." Adrian winked at her.

"Of course I do. I mean, there's a reason I married you." Zuri moved against her causing Amy to tighten her hold a little more. "Let's go back to bed. This lady can sleep with us for a few days." She moved to the door, quietly walking to their bedroom, Adrian turned off the dim light and followed her. Carefully, she lowered Zuri's tiny frame onto the bed, laying her down in the space between them. Amy smiled at her as she caressed her cheek with the back of her finger, getting comfortable beside her. "Having her in our lives still amazes me sometimes.”

"I know the feeling. She's positively extraordinary." He gently and protectively rested his hand on her belly, his thumb stroking her tummy below the soft light pink onesie with the print of a joystick and the quote 'Player 3 has joined the game' that Lily had given her. Amy moved her finger, leading it inside the tiny loose fist, holding her hand, and kissed the side of her head until she fell asleep once more, her face almost touching Zuri's. 

Adrian stood awake a long time, simply observing them, hearing their steady heartbeats and the soothing rhythm of their breathing. He knew Amy was right, after all it had been years since something dangerous had happened to them but no matter how hard he tried, the uneasiness was still there. Zuri gave a little kick with her right leg and he smiled at her. When they had decided to start the adoption process, he knew he would love them no matter what but he hadn't expected it would be this much. At that time, he had noticed how worried Amy had been for him, trying not to make him feel they were replacing his first family. And he loved her for that, even more than he already did.

Zuri's cry called his attention. He picked her up, activating the bottle warmer with the remote, going to the kitchen so Amy could keep sleeping. He checked her diaper just in case but it was completely clean. 

"Sh sh, beautiful. It's almost done." He rocked her a bit, waiting the last two minutes until the bottle was ready, kissing her forehead. He took the bottle, offering it to her, smiling when she vigorously drank it, her bright eyes glued at him. "You and your mom are equally enthusiastic about food." Her gulps continued like that for a little while, becoming gradual until it finally stopped. Adrian left the almost empty bottle in the sink and gently leaned her over his shoulder, clapping her back softly, waiting for her burp. The little belch echoed in the kitchen, making him smile, and wiped her mouth with the towel he was holding. He gently lay her over his arm, calmly passing around, until her eyelids flushered, beginning to close again. "Time for bed, little angel." He returned to the bedroom, grinning at Amy profoundly asleep. By the time he sat her down on the mattress, her cute snores had begun again. He took the hem of the cover and pulled it up, making sure that neither of them were cold. As he looked at them he thought of all the years of darkness and pain, all the times that he had felt empty or lost. Of course he would never forget those years but… If it meant being this incredibly happy again, he would definitely go through all that again. Because they are definitely worth it. As his own eyelids started to close, a smile curved his lips up, noticing how Amy's finger, somehow, was in Zuri's grasp again.