Football Sunday

After eating and having further discussion on training procedures, Jack and Malachy made their way up to the bedrooms. Malachy noticed that the door to Claire’s room was ajar. He closed it over when a hand to his chest stopped him.

“She prefers to keep it open at night. I’ll check on her while you finish getting settled in.” Jack walked towards Claire’s bed, where she was sound asleep. Her phone, book, and laptop surrounded her. Malachy couldn’t help but stand in the doorway, watching how Jack interacted with his daughter. He lifted her things from her bed and set them on the desk. He then covered her with a gray blanket and brushed the hair from her face to kiss her forehead.   

He truly cares for her. Maybe the Council got it right letting him adopt her. 

Envy filled Malachy’s chest.

Jack made his way back to Malachy, and headed towards his room, when he noticed Malachy staring. He was looking at Jack with a slight grin. “You’re a lucky man. Only thing you're missing is a woman to keep you company, friend.”   

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, well… There is someone, but it’ll never work out. Anyway, have a good rest of your night and we can carry out the new training routine between us, the Lockwoods, and the others in Crescent Moon.” 

Malachy nodded his head. “Good night.” And turned towards his room. 

Sitting on his bed, he noticed that with his door open, he could perfectly see Claire asleep on her bed. He crawled into his bed, drew the blankets to his lap, and watched Claire's even breathing, listened to her steady heartbeat; his thoughts wandered to the little human across the hall. 

What is it about you that is so captivating, Little One?  

He needed to rest and relax for the next day. Spending a few hours with Jack’s family was interesting ‌, but he was excited to see what spending days around them would bring. He knew what he needed to accomplish to appease the Council, but this was the first time in a long, long time that he felt jealous of Jack and what he had.  

He shook his head, rubbed his face, and laid his head on the soft pillows. Sleep came fast to him, something that hadn’t happened in decades. 

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Football Sunday. The one day of the week where the Taylors did nothing but make great food, talk smack, watch their favorite teams all day long, and the best part; never mention Mythicals or the Council. They could be a “normal” family. 

Claire loved this. 

“Chips, pretzels, and queso go on the coffee table. Drinks are at the bar and the pizza and wings are cooking as we speak. No physical fighting or throwing pillows, Claire.” Jack eyed his daughter as she sat in the corner of the curved black leather couch. She chuckled and put a hand to her chest with a fake shocked expression. 

“Who? Me? I’d never!” 

Malachy sat at the bar and watched as Zach and Claire talked about which receivers would have more touches, whatever that means. Even though he had been around for quite a “few” years, American football wasn’t something that really interested him. But seeing how animated the siblings were, he couldn’t help but think he needed to research the sport more. 

“Beer, whiskey, or both?” Jack’s question brought Malachy back to reality.  

“Whiskey. Thanks.” Jack handed Malachy the bottle and a glass. 

“You’re a grown ass man. Pour your own drink.” 

After a few weeks, this place and this family felt like home to Malachy. Claire didn’t seem to pay him any special attention or seem nervous around him anymore. 

Steph stomped into the room, holding her cellphone to her chest. “Can you guys keep it down? I’m trying to talk to Brad and I can hear you all the way upstairs. Goddess, you’re so loud.” 

“Why don’t you invite Brad over before the game starts? We have plenty of good food. He likes sports, and he can be here in like 5 minutes?” Claire asked her sister. “Plus, you’d actually get to see your lover boy.” She grabbed the closest pillow and started making kissy noises.

“Quit it! You’re so annoying. Hold on..Yeah, babe?” Steph started talking to Brad. “Fine. See you soon." She quickly rounded on the others. Thanks, guys. Now I have only a few minutes to get dressed. Claire, can I borrow a jersey?”

Not looking away from the TV, Claire stuffed a chip into her mouth, ‘yeah...you know where they are.”  

She wasn’t even paying any attention when Malachy sat down on the end of the sofa. Apparently, still within a distance that she could tap him with her foot. Claire slowly tapped his thigh. 

“You know you can eat some of this, right?” She gestured to the food on the table. 

He grabbed her foot, gave her a malicious smile, and tickled the bottom. What he didn’t expect was the boisterous laugh to come from her small frame, or the other foot to kick him straight in his chest.

“OOOOOOOMPHFFFFF!!” She had knocked the wind out of him, something he didn’t think was possible. Such a powerful kick. “I wouldn’t have thought you were ticklish, Little One.” 

“Yeah, well, what else did you think would happen when you tickle someone’s foot?” She scooted back to her spot on the couch, faced the TV, and pouted. Malachy could see the slight smile creep onto her face, even though she tried to hide it.

“All right, suckas!!! Who is ready to watch the Pats get their asses kicked?” Brad cockily walked into the living room and made himself at home in the recliner. He was good looking enough, with his dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, and typical high school quarterback charms. 

Sensing he was there, Steph bounced into the living room, “Hey baby. You must have really missed me to get here so fast.” 

Claire just rolled her eyes and focused back on the TV.

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“Man! Those were some awesome games! I can’t believe the Pats got smoked!” Zach exclaimed as he, Claire, Mal, and Jack cleaned up the living room. Steph and Brad were having a full make-out session on the recliner, so Jack made them take it outside. Claire could still hear them, so she knew the others could hear as well.

“Jeez…. do you think they’ll need an oxygen tank later?”

“Nah… One of them will pass out before that happens.” Zach came up behind Claire and handed her the chips to put back in the cabinet. “I’m going to call it a night, though. I’m on days for the next few months at the station. So I’ll need to recharge a bit. Night y’all.”  

Since Jack retired from the police force, the local Guardians needed eyes and ears in the police station. So Zach has been working as a local officer to replace Jack for that purpose. Plus, it gave him a chance to monitor Claire at local high school games as well when he worked security.

“Night Bub! Well, gentlemen, I will crash soon as well. School comes too early in the morning.” She gave her father a hug and patted Malachy’s arm. 

“Night sweetie!” 

“Sweet dreams, Little One.”

As she walked up the stairs, Jack turned towards Malachy. “She’s growing way too fast. Soon she’ll be turning 18, graduating, getting married and having kids. It’s insane. Sorry.” He shook his head to clear the thoughts.. “Anyway, do you have all you need to give to the Council?”

“I think so. I’ll be heading out first thing in the morning, so I won’t be making a fuss.” Malachy really didn’t want to leave, but he had other business matters that needed his attention. Staying here in this little town any longer would hurt those matters and possibly his plans.  

“I’ll make it a point to pop in every once in a while. Wouldn’t want decades to go by before I see you again. And I wouldn’t want you to miss me too much.” He and Jack clasped hands and patted each other on the back.

“Don’t be a stranger. And know that you are always welcome here. No matter the reasoning behind your visit. I’m going to finish cleaning up down here. Go on up and rest before morning. I’m sure the kids will want to say goodbye.” Jack quickly concentrated his attention on the red cups and soda cans.

With that, Malachy headed up the stairs towards his room. He quickly packed the few bags he brought with him, swung them over his shoulder, and headed down the hall.

He stopped in the doorway to Claire’s room, and, against his better judgment, walked into the room while she slept. He placed a feather-light kiss on her forehead, then took a step back. Just looking at her in her most vulnerable state, he had an uncontrollable urge to protect her.

One day, Little One, you are going to do incredible things. And I pray to be there to witness them. 

And with that last thought, he walked out of her room, down the stairs, and out the front door into the night.