ONE LAST NOTEWORTHY THING

When Dad said, "Well, that's that," That was really that. My betas started packing up the boxes to leave his office in numerical order. Outside, a few warrior wolves reported to move the boxes up to the FAO.

How I envied my Alpha Dad's authority. 3 words and it was done. Even my betas, from the good one to the Ben one obeyed without question. I followed Dad home, got fussed over by Mum over needed to be in bed earlier even though it was a school day because I had a very packed alpha schedule… and then she realized she was talking to me, not Savy, so all that explanation was just "blah blah blah."

I sighed. I think I was more tired than I realized. It's been a super long day. Especially since most of the time spent past the Time Gates didn't count? Don't ask me to explain the science of it, or the magic either. At any rate, I didn't really know either.

Her mouth pressed into a straight line, "Oh Sam! Alright, just be in bed by 10, and definitely before 11 this holiday, okay?"

Okay. I nodded. 11. Got it. I looked up at the clock. 11.15PM. Oh opps.

Dad kissed her and growled lowly. At least this time he was with the right Mum. He briefly glanced in my direction, "Sam, its past your bedtime."

He didn't have to say anymore. I really wasn't going to stick around when my parents PDAed.

So that was that. I took a shower (but only because I felt quite sure I'd fall asleep in a bath), and then I found my diary and tried to update it. I didn't know if any of it made sense, and after a while, I lost track of the dates and times, but I wrote it all down I think. I wrote a lot.

This was a feat because I was so tired that something I'd feel my eyelids drop all on their own. Some of my sentences probably didn't make sense either. Oh well… I tried. I wasn't Dan Lion, I wasn't going to end up writing a biography about his life. I mean, I felt quite sure Grandpa Bell was being very inaccurate at the retelling of it, but he got all the cats' names right. What if the story of Dan Lion was a true story (and not just very loosely based on his life)?

I yawned. That would be awesome. A walking fortress… I tried to draw what it might look like, but it ended up looking like a turtle with very long legs. Hm… not quite.

And then just before I decided to close the pages of my diary and turn in for bed, I remembered something… I don't know why, but when I remembered it, I just felt like I wanted to write it down.

It wasn't a big thing, and it happened after Dad had said "That's that." So that should have been that, but then this happened:

While leaving to go home with Dad and Beta Lucas, we met Beta Gerald on the second floor landing. He was all the usual polite and "good night." You know, all the polite adult bowing and small talk in civil passing.

Beta Lucas asked, "Hooboy, Gerald, what are you doing here at this hour?"

Beta Gerald explained apologetically about sending reports from his Alpha's office. He would've come sooner, but he had to deal with some urgent administration that took longer than he had expected.

"Isn't that only due tomorrow?" Beta Lucas took the files from Beta Gerald. He flipped them through, "Hoo boy, you could've just dropped them off tomorrow - or send a messenger."

"Or email it." Ben muttered, because my betas were done bossing the warriors, I mean instructing the warriors about the boxes and were dusting off their hands to leave.

Beta Gerald paused at the sight of Harvey.

"So you're still alive." Beta Gerald said. I think he meant it half jokingly. His mouth turned up a little, producing the signature wry smile that Harvey often sported too, "Your mother has been worrying."

Harvey stood rooted on the spot. I think he might be running through three lives of memories to figure out what his Dad was talking about.

"I know you're probably too busy with your new life here, and even if you can't come home, you can call your mum now and then…" Beta Gerald's tone got terse, he was still calm and polite, but terse.

Harvey reacted by habit, "I do text her."

Beta Gerald became immediately firm, "Call her."

Harvey pressed his lips together and he nodded silently, just an iota, almost like he was reluctant.

Beta Gerald just looked at his son. The both of them just stood there along the second floor hallway looking at each other.

And then Harvey swallowed, as if he was having difficulty making the words come out, "Thanks, Dad."

Beta Gerald's head immediately shot up like Harvey had slapped him, "Wh…what?"

"I said thanks." Harvey answered, suddenly his tone was terse too.

"Oh…" Beta Gerald looked like he didn't know what to do with that. He just stood there stunned for a moment, before clearing his throat, "Well, even if you can't come home, you know our apartment in the Langston is always there for you. Ah… maybe this week… if you can find the time between your duties at the High Council Meeting, you can meet your mother for coffee or something…she ah… she misses you…"

Beta Gerald trailed off in a mumble at the last bit so I almost didn't catch what he said.

"Yeah. Alright." Harvey answered quietly, almost like he was only breathing loudly, "Maybe the three of us can have a meal together."

From Beta Gerald's expression, it was like Harvey had dealt him Slap #2. And then before he could recover from that, Harvey took a few long strides over to his Dad and hugged him. Like rough and awkward hugged him, "Thanks, Dad."

I think he meant, "I love you, Dad." I mean, it just felt like the right words for what he was feeling, but oh well, Beta Gerald replied similarly, "Right. Okay."

"Alright." Harvey stepped away. Neither made eye contact.

Beta Gerald was the first to notice they had an audience, "Ah…"

He bowed quickly towards Dad, "Please excuse me. Thank you for your guidance, Alpha."

Dad nodded, and Beta Gerald didn't take his time to leave.

"Remember to call your mother."

Harvey's face flickered with irritation and his mouth flattened into a line.

And that was it. We immediately ALL pretended that nothing happened and continued our way downstairs to go home. Beta Lucas talked about the contents of Beta Gerald's file to Dad, my betas were all busy on their screens and mindlinks.

This was when I realized why Beta Gerald and Harvey had to speak aloud. From the day Harvey was cut off from his pack, he was no longer to mind link anyone in Morning Light, including his own family. I guess life was complicated like that.

I don't know why, but this incident… I don't think it took more than a few minutes, but I just had to write it down because it really… I can't explain it - which was no surprise given my bad explanation streak lately, but it was like the moment was laser engraved in my mind.

Real relationships were complicated, but no matter what, even without the words being spoken, Harvey still really loved his dad. And his dad loved him. I wondered if they knew?