Far Messier

Noble decided that sensing things beyond her immediate vicinity was both good and bad.

The professor felt her twins and mother come up the walkway, which meant that she could disengage from her husband and greet them without any awkward questions about what they were doing in the dojo.

But ignorance of their presence would have let her have at least a few more moments of bliss. Noble looked longingly at her husband.

"The price would have been worth it…"

"What price?" Fort furrowed his brow. 

Noble bit her lip. "It's not important. We can talk about it later." 

"How much later?" Fort lifted one eyebrow. 

"I think you know the answer to that," Noble tilted up one side of her mouth. 

Tugging her husband's hand, the floating Master reluctantly exited the dojo in time to see the three individuals burst in the front door. 

"Dad! Mom! Look!" Brock held out his foot. "Grandma got us new shoes." 

Blaze proudly stood to be examined as well. 

"Very stylish!" Noble smiled at her sons before sending a questioning look to Lena. 

"A grandma should be able to spoil her grandchildren once in a while. I want them to remember me when I'm old and decrepit." Lena winked. 

"You'll never be old," Blaze protested. "Old is like ninety, and most people don't get there anyway." 

Lena's eyes crinkled. "I don't know whether to be flattered that you don't think I'm old or concerned that you think I never will be." 

"Both," Noble and Fort said in unison. 

They exchanged glances before smiling shyly and looking away. 

The grandmother nodded approvingly. "Glad to see you both are getting back in sync. Did you have a little time to yourselves this afternoon?" 

"Too little," Noble lamented. "I just got back from the Dream Realm not long ago." 

"I see. Well, now that your business is taken care of, hopefully, you can have an enjoyable evening," Lena looked at Fort meaningfully. 

"I plan to," the father nodded. 

"Why do I feel like there is some conspiracy against me?" Noble pouted. 

"Conspiracy? Maybe. Against you? Never!" Fort wrapped his arm around his wife's waist and kissed her cheek. 

The boys were so happy to see their parents together that they didn't even comment on the romantic display. They removed their new shoes and threw them on the rack by the door. After thanking and hugging their grandma, the twins raced to the living room to play some well-earned video games. 

Lena cleared her throat lightly. "Well, I have done my duty as grandma to sugar up the kids before dinner and then leave before they crash. Have a wonderful evening." 

"Thanks again for everything, Mom," Fort opened his arms to bring Lena into a group hug. "We are going to miss you." 

"Pish Posh," Lena kissed both Noble and Fort on their cheeks. "You will miss me like a toothache. But my feelings aren't hurt. Oh no, I am looking forward to the soft covers of my bed. Blaze may not think I'm old, but my bones beg to differ." 

"We love you," Noble felt her eyes get misty. 

"Me too, baby. More than words." Lena wiped her cheek and straightened her back. "Well then. I'll be going. But before I forget...Here is what you asked for." 

The older woman passed a bag over to Fort and then headed for the door with a small wave. Noble watched her go with the small pain in her heart that happened with every parting. 

"You'll see her again soon," Fort promised as his arms wrapped around Noble's waist from behind.

"I know," she smiled sadly, "It is just still hard to see her go." 

"I would offer to distract you..." Fort's whisper tickled her ear.

Noble noticed the bag he had been given was gone, but she was too thrilled by his husky voice to care. 

"What exactly are you offering?" 

"All in due time, my love," Fort answered with a twinkle in his eye. "All will reveal itself in due time." 

Noble turned her head and her eyes fell on his lips, but just as she leaned into his chest, Fort pulled away with a teasing grin. 

"Trying to coax the information out of me? I must admit your interrogation methods have improved!" 

Noble flushed. "I wasn't trying to interrogate anyone. I was just..."

Thankfully, the woman did not have to finish her sentence as the front door opened to admit another occupant. A pale girl with dark eyes and hair and a large backpack entered with a wistful expression. 

The teen's face changed suddenly as she nearly ran into her parents in the entryway. 

"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here? Were you spying on me?" Rain's emotions sent Noble for a loop.

The girl was happy, relieved, surprised, shocked, embarrassed, frustrated and annoyed. How all of those feelings could exist in one tiny body was beyond Noble's comprehension. 

"Spying on you? Of course not!" Rain's mother quickly defended herself.

"Why was there something worth spying on?" Her father eyed his daughter carefully. 

Rain's cheeks tinged red with indignation. "Of course not!" 

Noble stepped in before Fort could ask any more questions. "Your grandmother just left to go back to her house. We only finished saying goodbye a moment ago." 

Looking down at her feet, the girl's face softened. "Oh, I see. That explains the PTV I saw leave. I thought maybe Mom had... never mind. I am sorry I wasn't here to tell Grandma goodbye." 

"You thought mom had what?" Fort asked before Noble placed her hand on his arm. 

"If you want to call your grandmother, I am sure she would love to hear from you." 

"Ok, thanks, mom. I might do that later." Rain nodded slowly.

"Since Grandma bought the boys new shoes, would you like to do a little virtual shopping with me? I can get you some new clothes or sneakers. If we order now, they will arrive right after your tests are done." Noble offered. 

But Rain shook her head. "Maybe another time. I'll be in my room until dinner. More studying to do, you know. As you pointed out, midterms start tomorrow." 

 "Oh...ok." the professor put on a brave face. 

Shouldering her backpack, Rain passed by her parents and headed toward the hallway. She was about to turn toward her room when her mother called her name.

"Rainy?" Noble hesitated. "I know you've got a lot going on, but I need to know: are we ok?" 

The dark-haired girl forced a smile and nodded quickly. "Yes, Mom, of course! I'm fine. We are fine. I'm just busy. I-I'll see you at dinner. Bye!" 

The teen hurried away and closed her door. 

Fort looked at his wife and stroked his chin. "I'm not an expert on teenage behavior, but that bit about her being fine. That was a lie wasn't it?" 

Noble's expression turned grim. "Yep. It was a big fat lie."

"But that means..." Fort blinked. 

His wife pressed her lips together. "That's right. I've broken our little girl's heart." 

There was only one thing to do. In many ways, it was harder than slaying a Nightmare Creature...

....and far messier.