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It's not much later, in Isabella's room, that she asks:
"So... is Alex really a dom?"
Sadde and Isabella in Eclipse
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switch_between
switch_between
"I see, I see. And has my daughter been good? She's always been a bit of a troublemaker, back home." He doesn't even try to look at Sadde or acknowledge he exists, so he doesn't notice it when the boy winces at being misgendered. Or maybe at the question as a whole, it might stir up some memories.
eclipsi
"He's been lovely for me," Isabella says frostily. Pet pet pet pet pet pet pet.
catalexis
(Alex's look of dawning horror may indicate that Isabella is multitasking.)
switch_between
"That's splendid, I'm very glad someone's been able to set he—him straight. Succeed where I failed, so to speak," he says, and laughs good-naturedly, apparently completely oblivious to the mood. Jonathan looks like he's trying to mimic his father, while both Bethany and Sarah are quiet and subdued and don't really look up or participate in the conversation.
('Set him straight' also provokes a wince.)
('Set him straight' also provokes a wince.)
catalexis
"Be right back," says Alex, hopping to his feet and making for the bathroom.
kindestgarden
And presently Renée's phone rings. "Excuse me," she apologizes, but she answers it.
"Oh - oh no!" she exclaims into the phone. "And will he - oh dear, I see. They're both here, I'll let them know. Thank you, Officer Mayhew." She hangs up, blinks several times, and says, "The twins' father has been injured in the line of duty. I'm afraid none of us are going to have any appetite until we know he's all right. I'll be delighted to buy all four of you dinner but we ought to be at home - Officer Mayhew is about to be off duty and most of the force only knows my landline number."
switch_between
"Oh? I'm so sorry to hear that, will he be alright? And don't worry about dinner, we can cover it. Leave Sadde with me, we haven't seen her in a bit, it'll be good to catch up in person, I can drop her off at your place on our way back later."
At that Sadde's eyes are full of emotion again, looking at Isabella, and the emotion is please no.
At that Sadde's eyes are full of emotion again, looking at Isabella, and the emotion is please no.
eclipsi
"Harmed, possibly shot, it sounded like he was in the hospital. I think I'll keep my pet with me for emotional support while I deal with that, and not disrupt whatever plans you had already made for Easter. Come, lovely." She stands up and hooks a finger into Sadde's collar and pulls him towards the exit.
switch_between
"I'm sure you can get emotional support from your family," he says, gently but firmly, as he stands up, too. "My daughter will stay with us and not intrude in your business."
Sadde stands up and starts following, but looks over his shoulder at Tobias when he speaks.
Sadde stands up and starts following, but looks over his shoulder at Tobias when he speaks.
safe_and_sane
The barest of narrowings of eyes, but he nods. "Of course, of course, I seem to have forgotten myself. I'm sure we can catch up at a later date," he says, without sitting back down.
eclipsi
"I'm sure."
And she hauls Sadde the rest of the way out of the building while Renée flutters about how it's really not the Baldwins' fault and she'd be happy to give her credit card number to the hostess so they can have barbecue on her.
And she hauls Sadde the rest of the way out of the building while Renée flutters about how it's really not the Baldwins' fault and she'd be happy to give her credit card number to the hostess so they can have barbecue on her.
catalexis
Alex appears to have left by the back door and is already in the car behind the wheel when Isabella and Sadde get there. "Mom drove here separately, get in," he says.
safe_and_sane
Tobias reassures Renée that it won't be necessary—he doesn't quite say that it would be unseemly to let a sub pay for a dom and his family's food, but it might be obvious that that's what he's thinking, given his earlier behavior.
switch_between
Sadde gets in and holds onto Isabella. "Please don't let him take me back. He'll—he hated you, he'll never let me come back, he'll destroy your collar, please."
eclipsi
"Sh-sh-sh my lovely we'll think of something," Isabella says, wrapping her arms around him. "Put your seatbelt on. You can sit in the middle right next to me. Take deep breaths."
eclipsi
And once they have their seatbelts on and Alex is pulling out of the parking lot she resumes holding him. "Oh pet, I'm so sorry."
eclipsi
Soothing noises and holding and petting and telepathically warning Alex to keep his face shut.
switch_between
Eventually he does calm down. Which means he's not shivering anymore, or breathing heavily. He's just—clinging. "It—maybe asking you not to tell anyone wasn't such a good idea."