( Isabelle ;; )
“Someone did know where I was.” Isabelle insisted, frustration growing at his protectiveness. She had been raised her whole life to handle issues as they arose. He had seen to it that she would be ready, she didn’t need him to coddle her now. She swallowed as he drew closer. It was the closest they’d been in months, and already they were arguing. She didn’t want it to be this way, not truly, but she wasn’t willing to extend the olive branch, not when he was giving her a difficult time about being out on her own.
She noted the way he stiffened, catching the warning in his voice. Despite herself, she shifted, standing up straight now. She knew he didn’t have to answer her, but it was frustrating and unfair. He wanted to know everything about her, every move she made, and yet he couldn’t even be bothered to let them know when he’d be back. It wasn’t fair. Yet as he continued, Isabelle’s arms relaxed, head tilting slightly to the side as he hinted at news. She couldn’t help but be curious. More demon attacks? What was causing them, and why? pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth just behind her teeth to keep from immediately blurting out her questions.
She didn’t want to appear childish in front of him. “The Downworld is always anxious,” Izzy pointed out but continued, “but more attacks are worth investigating. Is that why you’re home?” She asked, ignoring his insistence on her taking someone with her. He didn’t need to worry, more often than not she drug Alec or Jace with her. “Why don’t we talk about it over dinner? I’ll cook.” She offered, hint of a smile forming. There, olive branch extended.
Robert let out a long suffering breath, his shoulders drooping just a tiny fraction before he rubbed his temple.If anyone had told him how challenging raising kids would be, he would’ve given it a lot more thought -- no. That wasn’t true. All four of them were worth every single grey hair they caused him. The corner of his mouth twitched, just the hint of a smile that showed not very often. Isabelle was way too smart and perceptive for her own good. Despite not being here as often as he probably should be he knew his daughter -- and the moment she got intrigued. Swallowing hard he took another step closer. It was involuntary, the urge to be near his children whenever they were close.
❛ I’m here because we’re still the head of the Institute. Every once in a while one of us has to show up here and check in. ❜ Now he did flash her a smile -- a real one, crooked and lopsided and yet as genuine as it could be. Seeing the light in her dark eyes made it worth. By the Angel, he missed her. He missed the little girl she once was, big eyes, full of awe and wonder. It has been a time when she thought he was a hero -- her hero. Yet the only thing he did was to utterly shatter that picture. Swallowing hard he pushed the nostalgia away and put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
❛ How about takeout? I haven’t had a pizza in ages. ❜















