Day 1 of many (Jack)

[Jack Lexington]

Could I possibly be any more uncomfortable while holding my own daughter? Who knows. I simply don't know how to react to my sister showing up at my girl friends doorstep. How did she even know where to find me? It had to be my dad, who told her.

Kyanite takes Mira from me and I can't say that's a bad idea. Why would I let Trinity see Mira if she never let me see her son?
"Here. Let me take Mira so you can talk to your sister."
"Okay." I nod to her and then turn my gaze onto the red head again.

"You don't have to leave us. I came to see both, well, all three of you. If that's okay?" Her tone is much kinder than any time I can remember talking to her.

I'm glad that Ky does all the talking for now because I'm at a loss of words.
"... I think you and Matthew need to visit first before Mira is ready. Matthew, I'll be right back. She's wet."
With that she leaves me and my sister alone at the doorstep. I just stand there because I don't want to invite her in. The moment between us becomes uneasy so she's trying to lighten the mood.
"She's pretty, Matthew. When was she born?"

I just take a deep breath and nod. "Three days ago. We just brought her home." Home- well, Kyanites home.
My expression becomes stern when I focus on her.
"Who told you where I am? Dad? Are you talking to him again?" There's a lot of bad vibe w´swinging in those words. A lot of accusation because she cut all ties to me and my father breaking both of our hearts even if we'd never admit it. The way I behave around women is partly to blame on her. That's what I conjured up.

"Why did you come, Trinity?" My brow is wrinkled but my tone as soft as I manage. I don't want her to feel that she needs to leave right away.

I take in her features. She's also gotten older. her face looks more mature, so does her apparel.

[*]

The emotional range is about the size of a teaspoon when it comes to Trinity. The last time I saw her, I was hateful toward her and she wasn't exactly nice to me either. The only emotion is that of dislike. Matthew is going to have to change his views on her before I will. What he says goes and if he wants to try to give her a chance, then I will too. For now, while they talk, Mira isn't getting anywhere near the woman.

A simple coo'ing noise escapes from Mira's mouth and I grin down at her. No matter how much I'm in a displeasing mood, she don't deserve to see me scowl, so I smile down at her and make a face and kiss her nose. She reacts with another small grunt and then yawns, opening her mouth to a full sized O before she starts to focus on where she is again. Her eyes meet with mine as the words flow through the living room and I wait to hear the answers.

"Who told you where I am? Dad? Are you talking to him again? Why did you come, Trinity?" I wonder why Matthew is even still talking to her, but how can I deny him any type of family that might want to get closer to him.

"Yes. I'm trying to talk to dad again. It's not easy, though. You know that. Never was easy cause our old man is stubborn. I'm trying with you, too." She clearly tries to make her place in the family again, but it seems like a lot of trouble. "Are you going to be stubborn, as well? You always were hard headed growing up, but something has changed. I can see it, little brother."

Little brother? Who is she calling little brother as if they were close? I roll my eyes and take my leave from the hallway and start to go upstairs with Mira. My mind, though, starts to play tricks on me cause for a moment I see a flash of an image of red on the walls and it disappears. The blood... Why am I seeing this? Why has Trinity's appearance caused this flashback?

As I get to the top of the stairs, I don't stop until I get to my room and shut the door and place Mira on the bed, covering her up with the sheet and staring down at her as she settles and her eyes start to close. "That's a good girl. Sleep, my precious little one." I softly say and then crawl into the bed with her, sitting beside her and looking her over. She's perfect. Through all of the bad that happened, she hasn't suffered once. Matthew and I, on the other hand, have and now Trinity wants to comes calling and get back into our lives. I guess I didn't push her away after all in the hospital. Maybe, she finally wants to get to know him?

[Jack Lexington]

It's impossible to figure how exactly I feel about her being here. It's too much that plays into this,from resentment to hate and love and need all at the same time. I was heartbroken when our mother left but that is so long ago I barely remember. What I do remember is what it felt like to be pushed out of her life though. From then on I harbored a huge amount of anger against her and all the other women like her. It's a miracle I even gave Kyanite a chance.
And I'm glad she didn't stick around to see me caught between a hard place and a rock.

"Yes. I'm trying to talk to dad again. It's not easy, though. You know that. Never was easy cause our old man is stubborn." She says and I can only agree but I don't. My face remains emotionless to hide my true feelings.
" I'm trying with you, too."
So that's what this is all about. She wants to get in touch.
"Okay." I wrinkle my brow because I'm not sure how to feel about this.
"Are you going to be stubborn, as well?"
That makes some of my anger surface. So I state. "Last time I checked you were the stuboorn one pushing me out of your life."
My gaze is cold but she continues.
" You always were hard headed growing up, but something has changed. I can see it, little brother."
I can tell that she's trying hard not to fly off the handle like she usually would. She's even trying an endearment, that sounds ridiculous because I'm a head taller than her.
"Seems to run in the family, not only on the male side." I offer her a small smirk.
"So...you're trying to talk to me again? You came to see me in the hospital, too, right? Thank you for that." I'm really trying my best not to push her away but accept whatever this is.
"How old is your kid now? What's his name?" There's a certain softness to my tone now that let's her know I want to have this conversation.

The wind is blowing a little harder now making the talk outside uncomfortable but I'm not ready to invite her in. Not yet.

[*]

As I place the tiny baby on the bed and cover her up, the voices downstairs is muffled. I can't hear exactly what's going on and I want to know so badly cause this is going to effect me as well. I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen with Trinity and Matthew, but I know that I'm not ready to share our life and our baby with someone who will just walk out on us again. I'd rather, even if she can't remember being this young, she not even hold her and make the tiniest of impressions if she only wants to be part of our lives because of Mira's birth. If she can't be here in the bad, she isn't going to be around when it's good.

"Sweet Mira. Sleep, okay? I'll be back my little love." I whisper out to her and kiss her forehead and make a pillow fort around her so she won't roll off the bed, but as young as she is, I have no fear of her rolling anywhere. I move from the bed and to the door and look back and see her snoozing quietly before I turn to go back downstairs and to meet up with the two talking.

Just as I reach the bottom, I hear Matthew ask about her kid but she seems to stall before I make an appearance yet again and close the distancce between Matthew and I. "Trinity..." I bite hard on my words because I know that this is probably going to be hard for me to do, but internally I'm biting my tongue. "... come on in so we can chat. Don't want to let the cold in with a new baby in the house." I motion slightly for her to come in and let my hand touch Matthew's side and then slide away from them.

"I'll get some drinks." I grit my teeth after saying that. I'm the last person who wants her in here, but I have to think about the draft coming in from the open door and I don't want Mira getting sick.

"Thank you." I hear her say as I walk slowly into the kitchen and stand there for a few moments before grabbing a few cups.

"Matthew..." I call out for him in a neutral tone and wait until he's in here before shaking my head to him. My voice lowers to just below a whisper. "Why is she here? Is this a joke or something?" I question him and then pull out of the fridge the juice and hand it to Matthew. "Take this will you please?"

[Jack Lexington]

We get interrupted by Kyanite who make a reappearance and - to my great surprise- invites Trinity in. I'm not sure why she does that because she's expressed her dislike for my sister.
I just look at her while she toches my side. Then I nod and we all go inside to our kitchen in order not to wake our baby.

For a moment I join Kyanite at the fridge.
"Why is she here? Is this a joke or something?"
"I don't know." I whisper back feeling just as concerned as her. "I think she's trying to reach out."My eyes briefly flicker over to the red head, whose back is turned towards us and then grab the juice to join her.

I sit down in the chair I always claim and wait for Trinity to do the same.
Then wecontinue our conversation from outside while I pour her a glass.

"Yeah, dad informed me that you were in the hospital because someone attacked you. I didn't want to come at first but he said he wasn't sure whether you'd be okay. So I did." She looks at me with those big blueish grey eyes that have nothing to hide and takes in every detail of my face just like I study hers. There's some sincerity in her eyes.
"Are you okay now? Did the guy get caught?"
"I'm fine." I tell her even though it's just the half truth but she doesn't deserve more.
"He got what he deserved." I don't dare to look at Ky while I say that.

A moment passes, then she states.
"Edward is 6. He looks a lot like you did when you were little." For some reason her words give me a sting to my chest. He's 6 already. 6 long years she's kept him from me and then she says he looks like me. I fucking hate her right now.
My lips are pressed together in a fine line in order to swallow my feelings.
"bet yu told him I'm an assole." Simply bursts out of me.
"I did." She shoots back. "I might do it differently now. Don't go there, Matt. let's try to keep it friendly."
I grit my teeth and nod even though I want to scream at her.
Hopefully Ky will take over. "I'll be back in a second."
With that I leave for the bathroom to celar my head.

[*]

Matthew's response to why his sister has suddenly shown up comes out as nothing but a complete mystery as well. He didn't ask her to come and she came on her own. I guess that's a good thing? No matter what she says, I have this feeling I'm not going to like her at all. I feel as if she's already done Matthew wrong in my eyes, so until he completely forgives her, I won't lower my standards for her. She's going to have to prove to me that she's worth being in my daughters life cause she don't deserve to be walked out on.

"Well, she better be trying really hard." I whisper back to Matthew and follow him back into the living room. I take the couch so that I can put my feet up, while Matthew takes his chair. Trinity, on the other hand chooses the other chair like the one Matthew is in and she sits uncomfortably, because she seems to straighten here back as if she was being questioned for something really important.

"Yeah, dad informed me that you were in the hospital because someone attacked you. I didn't want ot come at first but he said he wasn't sure whether you'd be okay. So I did. Are you okay now? Did the guy get caught."

I should tell her how strong her brother was and how much he fought to protect me. How so many people in my life tried to protect me, but Matthew was there from the beginning without my knowledge and until the end. I couldn't be more thankful for him, but I know he blames himself even though it saved his daughters life and my own, as well. Matthew's one word answer don't seem to pacify his sister cause she gives him the once over and shakes her head until Matthew finishes what he needed to say. The end result has me cringing internally while I lean up to grab a cup for some juice.

A few moments of silence interrupts the booming conversation and suddenly there's answers that Matthew wants to know. Apparently, her son is six years old already and looks like Matthew. That is a cute image to think of; Matthew as a littlekid. The thought plays in my mind and actually brings a smile to my lips while I try to conceal it behind the drink cup. What is said next actually makes me spit my juice out, but instead I choke on it slightly and swallow it awkwardly without a sound.

"We are trying to be friendly, Trinity." I state as well. Matthew's temper seems to get the better of him as he suddenly gets up and states that he'll be back. Maybe he's going to go check on Mira?

"Will you check on Mira while you go?" I call out and can hope he'll do just that. Maybe it'll give him a moment to relax, but with him out of the room, it's complete awkwardness. I look at her and scan her appearance and the way she's sitting. It makes me wonder why siblings won't want to be together.

"You're awfully young to have had a child already, Kyanite. Last I saw you, you weren't expecting, I don't think." She's inquiring about my age and for some reason, it's offsetting. I don't like the way she's coming off. Hopefully, it's just the way she is; blunt.

"Yeah, I wasn't. Didn't expect it to happen, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Matthew's a great dad, believe it or not. He really cares about her and me, which is kinda hard to expect. Took a long time for him to trust me and to get close. Always thought that he would expect me to walk out on him. Guess it's a learned thing." I state, with a bit of loathing seething somewhere deep inside of me. I could easily blame her for Matthew's upbringing. I could blame her for the hardships that I've had with Matthew, but it might have been those hardships that brought us together. Who knows?

"If you are going to critisize me, I'll be on my way..."

"Trinity, listen. I don't know what happened in your past, but all I know is that you hurt Matthew when he was a kid. First his mom. Then his sister left him. I don't blame you for your own reasons, but to not keep in touch - to keep his nephew from him... it isn't right. I don't want him to be cut off from what family he's got left." I state and heard a noise from above of a tiny little whimpering noise that goes silent a moment later.

[Jack Lexington]

Kyanite supports me in every way she can but even that I don't really want right now. I just need to get out so I can calm down before Trinity sees the side of me that she despises so much.

On my way out Ky asks me to check on Mira so I just nod. "Ya, okay." But then I head to the bathroom just to calm my anger. I lock the door and take a deep breath. My hand finds the scar on my chest under my shirt for some reason. Why does this feel all wrong. Trinity is my sister. I should welcome her with open arms and forgive her. But I'm jus not that guy. Instead her reappearance makes me angry.
"Edward." I angrily mutter her kids name before I take a piss and wash my hands. My reflection once again stares back at me filled with anger and resentment. I can't face her like this. I need to put on a nice expression, so I decide to go upstairs while I hear the girls voices from the living room and check on sleeping Mira. She looks like an angel so sit down on our bed next to hers and let my hand dangle in to her little one.

For a few minutes I just sit there and it does the trick. Mira puts me in a better mood.

Trinity eyes Kyanite with a bit of suspicion. She claims that they are close and he's a great dad.
"That doesn't sound like my brother at all." She smiles a bitter sweet smile. If things had been lie that she would have never pushed him away.

Of course she knew she had some aggression coming. After all she did some pretty harsh things herself when she cut all ties. So she decides to suck most of it up and keep an open mind towards Kyanite.

"Trinity, listen. I don't know what happened in your past, but all I know is that you hurt Matthew when he was a kid. First his mom. Then his sister left him. I don't blame you for your own reasons, but to not keep in touch - to keep his nephew from him... it isn't right. I don't want him to be cut off from what family he's got left."
Even that she swallowed and bit her lip in the same fashion that her brother always does.
"Did he ever tell you why I did what I did?" She searched Kyanites face and continued without waiting for an answer.
"Matt wasn't a kid anymore. He was a young teenager and now guy I date was ever good enough. He constantly talked down to me like he was the one to decide who I'm with and what to do. Our father brainwashed him into the believe that only men think rationally. He's aways been tall and pretty strong. He bashed one of my boyfriends noses in and told him to stay the hell out my life. He tried to do the same with my now husband...I had to get out of there and all the hate coming from him and dad after I left..." She blew out some air- the memory obviously painful half a decade later.
"I didn't want that kind of influence for my boy. He's got a caring and loving father, who doesn't treat women like shit."



Her bright blue eyes are slightly wet when she finds Kyanites brown ones. "I don't know why you'd want to be with him. He must have changes a lot. Who says love can't do that...right?" There's a genuine smile playing on her lips now.

[*]

"That doesn't sound like my brother at all."

"Exactly. He isn't just your 'brother' anymore. He's different than that now. He's grown up. He's a man now. He's got a baby." I have to state just to prove my point. She still thinks of him as a little kid with no future other than just being a little kid or a brat or someone who tried to boss her around for whatever reason. It seems like she won't let go of the one image she has of him. That's what she gets for abandoning him and not keeping in contact. Once I get done with my say, she cuts in though.

"Did he ever tell you why I did what I did?" I shift my gaze to her a little harsher and open my mouth but barely get out a syllable without her continuing a long drawn out explaination. From what it sounds like, is just Matthew having issues with his sister dating but he is her brother. Brothers are good for that. They always have to make sure that their sisters are safe and the guys aren't total assholes. What happened to Jeran though?

"...He tried to do the same wiht my now husband...I had to get out of there adn all the hate coming from himand dad after I left..." She pauses and throws air from her lungs with an intensity that matches the situation right now. It's tense and stressful to talk about this and here I am talking with her about something that is sensitive about my boyfriend and father to my baby. "I didn't want thatkind of influence for my boy. He's got a caring and loving father, who doesn't treat women like shit."

"Why didn't you give him more support then?" I question her? The question is just thrown out there for some reason and for no real answer to be given. She must know it because she doesn't respond to it and instead goes to something more potent.

"I don't know why you'd want to be with him. He must have changed a lot. Who says love can't do that... right?"

"You're right. I don't know why I am with him, but it has to be because of the way he is. He's harsh and rude and treated me like shit at first, but I gave him time. I gave him time to adjust and to learn. I was patient with him and tried to show him that all women wasn't like the ones that he was hurt by. He finally learned it though. He cared for me in ways that doesn't seem like he does, but you have no clue what sacrifices he's given up for me. We are in it for the long haul and it isn't just about one or the other..." I shake my head and draw my feet up on the chair, placing my hand to my stomach. I breath in heavily, still feeling the soreness in my body and making myself relax. "He changed me too. Showed me that even when he got mad at me, he never laid a hand on me. He changed my view on men, too. Before him, I was always hurt by them in so many ways. I'm surprised that I gave him a chance."

By this moment, my throat is burning. I am not sure why I'm being this truthful to someone that I don't even like, but maybe she needs to hear what he is to me. "Trinity, you gave on someone who desperately needed you."

For some reason, my lips stretch outward and a grin appears on my lips. "Brothers are horrible though, Right? Jeran threatens him all the time." I put my hand up to my mouth and look to the stairs before whispering. "I don't think my brother likes Matthew all that much. YOu should ask Matthew what Jeran has done to him cause he even shot him once in training." I share. Only then do I wonder if she even knows that he gave up the peacekeepers for Mira and I.

"Would you like to see Mira?" I breath outward and wonder if I'm doing the right thing. I can see a bit of confusion on Trinity's face, but yell upward to my missing Matthew. "Matthew, will you bring Mira down? Don't forget her paci, okay?"

"Why are you letting me see her?" She asks, after all that and putting her out of sight do I call for Matthew to bring her down here. I shrug.

"I'm not like you." I state with no hatred in my voice. It's just a simple statement. "And because I've lost people in my life that I can't get back. I don't want to be the one that holds Mira away."

[Jack Lexington]

There so much truth and revelation spilling frm Kyanites lips that it makes her seem like the most open and self assured person Trinity has ever met. No wonder she can handle her little brother- maybe even change him.
"You're right. I don't know why I am with him, but it has to be because of the way he is. He's harsh and rude and treated me like shit at first, but I gave him time. I gave him time to adjust and to learn. I was patient with him and tried to show him that all women wasn't like the ones that he was hurt by. He finally learned it though. He cared for me in ways that doesn't seem like he does, but you have no clue what sacrifices he's given up for me. We are in it for the long haul and it isn't just about one or the other..."

It's another jab at her but she sucks it up and nods. "That's good. I was hoping that things changed. Don't think that my decision was easy for me but I felt it was in my husbands and childs best interest."

Kyanite goes on how she gave Matthew a chance and then she claims that the sister had goven up on himeven though he desperately needed her, which baffles her. "Matt never seemed to need anyone but himself."
If Kyanite says so, maybe her brother claimed he did. That would be strange.
What's even more confusing is when she states that her own brother shot Matthew during training.
"Come again? What? Training...at the career center?" She was udderly confused because as far as she knew only peace keepers had weapons with projectiles. Nobody else was allowed to carry guns.
"I don't understand. Is that why he was in the hospital? Any your brother?"
What a weird family. Maybe Matthew fits right in.

Surprise number three awaits the red head when the new mom suddenldy calls up for her brother to bring down the baby.

--
It's taken me a while to calm down but sitting next to Mira's crib and watching her purse her lips in her sleep has finally done the trick.
I can hear the girls voices downstairs so I take my time until I hear my girl friends voice calling that I should bring down our baby.
"Really?" I whisper looking at her small face.
So whatever they talked about made Kyanite change her mind. I don't want to do that just yet but who am I to refuse if Trinity really makes the first step to find me and talk to me.
"Alright." I sigh and carefully reach under her back and head to place her to my chest.For a moment there's a small whimper and her lips are looking for something so I reach in to grab her paci and mumble. "Not on me, baby girl."
The soother does the trick so I can carry her down but for a moment I wait on top of the stairs. Is this really right? She's closed me out for 6 years and comes walzing in and I just show her my baby. No way!

[*]

I'm trying to be the bigger person. I'm trying for Matthew's sake to possibly mold that small bit of his family back into shape even though it'll never be the same. It'll never be perfect but peicing it back together might just be on me. Why am I the mediator now? For the confusion on Trinity's face about why my brother shot him has her worried for some reason. And here I thought she didn't care about him?

"Come again? What? Training...at the career center? I don't understand. Is that why he was in the hospital? And your brother?"

"My brother wasn't ever in the hospital, but no. That's not the reason he was in the hospital. Jeran's misfire only caused him a bruise. He was fine." I have to clear that up cause I didn't expect her to get all worked up from that. It was just suppose to be a joke to share with her, but I'm not sure that was a good thing to do cause it wasn't my place to go further as to tell why he was in the hospital. It was my problem that caused a lot of heartache and pain for others, but really - it's a story that is very sensitive and it's something I don't want to talk about. Not with her, anyways.

However, when I yell for Matthew to bring Mira back down, I keep waiting.

...and waiting.

Trinity looks at me with his hoity glare as if to say that I was wrong for some reason or maybe I'm to blame for Matthew not coming down. I know I told MAtthew it would take a lot for me to trust and to like Trinity, but the irony in it all is that I'm the one giving in to it all now.

"Where is he?" She asks but I shrug my shoulders. "Figures."

"Trinity..." I say her name and push myself up from the chair, grimacing to the movements until I get to a standing position and make my way to the stairs and place my hand at the bottom and take the first step only to look up and see Matthew standing there with Mira in his arms. She's quiet and from all the way down here, I can see the blue soother in her mouth and her one arm squished up against her face. I grin and nod to Matthew.

"Coming?" I halfway whisper out and take the stairs slowly, adjusting to the exercise. At the top of the stairs, I stand one step below Matthew and Mira. "What's wrong, Matthew? Why aren't you coming down? She alright?" I place my hand up to touch the back of her head and feel her very fine, soft hair. I place a kiss on her cheek and she flinches slightly before relaxing and suckles on the paci a few times. "I'm trying to help, Matthew. Do you not want me to?"

[Jack Lexington]

While I stand upstairs thinking I shouldn't go back down I can hear footsteps below and then see her face. She's looking up at me expectently and asks. "Coming?"

Then she slowly climbs the stairs until we stand face to face and she's worried about Mira.
"She's fine. Still sleeping."
She checks her baby daughter and then me. "I'm trying to help, Matthew. Do you not want me to?"
I just look at her with a sad expression because I know she's doing what I should.
"I know." I offer her a forced smile and kiss her on the forehead.
"It just seems wrong to let her in and show her Mira after she closed me out for almost 8 years. That's a very long time, Kyanite."

With a sigh I start descending the stairs. "But it's now or never, I guess. Maybe I'll just be the better man for once, after all I started this mess."
There's no need to hide what I have done. Kyanite knows me pretty well by now with all my ugly sides: The temper, the girl hating, the self conflicts sometimes.
Not today though. I've grown for a while with my daughter on the way.

Once we make it down the stairs I slowly enter the living room and find my sister with a smile on her face.
"Wow." She mouthes and stands up to approach us. Then she takes a good look at Mira but doesn't dare to touch her.
"She's beautiful." trinity whispers and looks at me in awe as if to say 'who knew you make such good babies.'
I offer her a tiny smile and state. "Her name is Mira."
One thing I'm not going to do is offer my sister to hold her.
So I sit down with the baby in my arms across from her.

[*]

I'm not as much worried about Mira once I get up to see her face to face and see her innocent features that are nothing but calm. How her smooth face and cheeks resembles nothing of age at all yet. Just some perfect little human all nestled away in her fathers protective arms and protective he is being right now. Especially with his sister, he's wanting to keep her away even though I set out to do that in the first place. Things might be changing and it's up to Matthew on this one as well. I've shown that I'm ready to give Trinity a chance.
He offers me a kiss on the forehead as he says that he just don't want to show Mira to her. I agree one hundred percent, but I'm trying, so why can't he? "I understand, Matthew. I really do, okay? I just want to help..."

He gives a heavy sigh and starts to walk down the stairs and I follow him listening to his words that come from him with more maturity to follow. "But it's now or never, I guess. Maybe I'll just be the better man for once, after all I started this mess."

"Well, if you feel that way about starting it, then you can stop it just the same?" I question him, glancing back at him for a moment and then once we reach the landing, my hand cups around my baby's head and I rub my thumb against her cheek before Matthew takes off with her to Trinty, who gets up to get a better look at my daughter. Just as protection is hitting for Matthew, I eye her with every ounce of resentment I have against her but also the questions whether she's just wanting to use this moment to create a scene.

With her gentle smile, my harsh stare that she doesn't notice goes unknown. My features soften when I see her mouth the word 'wow' as if she's really surprised that Matthew is allowing her this opportunity.

"She's beautiful."

"Thank you." I declare without haste because she is beautiful. I'm not being baised or anything either. She really is georgous. She's got that tad bit of darker complexion than my own, just like her father, but she's got my hair color. I can't stand how beautiful she is and that she is part of Matthew and I.

"Her name is Mira." Matthew tries at the small talk so I don't dare interrupt the two. Instead, he walks away from Trinity and sits across from her, keeping Mira as close to his person as possible. Mira grunts as she gets moved, becoming used to the new angle that Matthew put her in, but she settles quite nicely. So, I take a seat on the couch with Matthew, but my eyes go to Trinity.

"So, tell me about your little boy. What does he like doing? Any kind of games or anything? Does he train yet or are you still waiting?" I prop my head over on my hand for a moment and take a breath. I feel exhausted from walking the stairs. I still feel pregnant in a way. "I wouldn't mind seeing Edward one day soon. I've never been around younger kids much. Is he a handful?"

"No more than just the usual kid. Very active and loves to run. But I do what I can with training, though I'd rather not discuss that with you." She mentions but the way her tone is, I'd say that training is a sore subject. Maybe she don't want him to be in the games or maybe she does. Maybe just because it's me is the reason why she's blunt about the subject. I only nod and look from her to Matthew.

"What about you, Matthew? Planning on raising her like dad raised you? You know, with the games?" I get the sense that I might have offended her cause she suddenly asks about my own daughter, born just three days ago, being trained. I shake my head.

"I'd rather not discuss that with you." I politely throw back at her and reach to the end of the table for my cup of tea and take a few sips. I have no idea what to say now to her. Will she think I'm going to offend her with everything I say or question her now? Maybe it's best to just let Matthew ask the questions.

[Jack Lexington]

I really can't believe I'm sitting across from my sister, who has visibly changed over the years but, of course, is still the same person, who didn't want anything to do with me.
I study her face while her eyes are glued to baby Mira with a smile on her face.
She looks older but also less temperamental. That might be an act though. Her hair is a bit shorter but still strawberry blonde.

The girls exchange a few words for which I'm thankful because I don't have to speak.
"So, tell me about your little boy. What does he like doing? Any kind of games or anything? Does he train yet or are you still waiting? I wouldn't mind seeing Edward one day soon. I've never been around younger kids much. Is he a handful?"

Trinity's answer is harsh and makes me frown again.
No more than just the usual kid. Very active and loves to run. But I do what I can with training, though I'd rather not discuss that with you."
It makes me wonder why- is it because I took part in the games and got quite far? Is she one of those anti-training people?

"What about you, Matthew? Planning on raising her like dad raised you? You know, with the games?" She suddenly adresses me so I look at her with cold eyes while Ky answers.
"I'd rather not discuss that with you."

I want to know what she means so I flat out ask her.
"What do you mean? Enable me to actually kill to win?" It's almost as if I've slapped myself in the face with that statement. My father is to blame for my ability to kill a man. In our case it was an advantange- one that I'm not proud of.
"Or win the games?" My eyes narrow somewhat. "I appreciate the way he trained me and I think we'l make sure that Mira will also be able to stay alive in the games if she has to. Kyanites a career, too." I tell her with a bit of pride.

My sisters eyes switch over to the brunette as she nods. "I know. I've seen her when they broadcasted the pregames. I didn't know you two are together though."

Mira decides that this is a good time to scrunch up her face and start a cute little cry so I bounce her a bit to soothe her and stand up.
Maybe she can sense the tension in the room.

[*]

She's definately tempermental, I can tell that much already. She don't seem to like me much though the feeling is definately mutual. Maybe it's because she just found out that I didn't tell Matthew that she came to see him at the hospital, although, I thought I might have mentioned it... a few weeks later, of course. Her latent attitude goes directly to Matthew instead of myself and asks something about Mira being trained. I don't even want to think about training her until she's older cause it's just a hard thing to think about.I don't want her to turn out like myself. I don't want her to have to deal with the harsh pain of training and the fear of death, but to not train her would be certain death if she were to be reaped. Matthew goes on to ask Trinity about her question that she directed to him.

"What do you mean? Enable me to actually kill to win?"

What is he saying? Why would he say it like that? There's something in his tone that is biting and I look to Mira for a moment cause her tiny little eyebrows furrow and lighten back up as his voice turns and becomes just as bitter as Trinity's question.

"or win the games? I appreciate the way he trained me adn I think we'll make sure that Mira will also be able to stay alive in the games if she has to. Kyanite's a career, too."

I nod, showing her my absolute need to be shown as someone who is strong enough to fight back when necessary. She's quick to answer though, stating she saw me in the pregames but didn't know we were together. An answer most people never realized about us both.

"Yeah, well, guess that happens when you are no longer a part of someone's life. YOu miss out on important life events and life in general." I huff slightly and hear the tiny cry erupt from the newborn being held by Matthew. He begins to bounce her and tries to get her to calm down, but I'm wondering if she's getting aggitated with the voices around her or if she's hungry. If anything, Trinity's presence might not last much longer if she keeps up her attitude toward me or Matthew.

Just like that, Matthew's bouncing has her settling down. That massive tiny cry is slowly brought down to a whimper as I watch her bottom lip quiver. It's so adorable how she does that cause she acts so dramatic when she cries. It's enough to rot your teeth from the sweetness. Her hand moves upward and reaches out as her finger latch on to Matthew's shirt and squeezes tightly and moves her head around until she starts to suck on nothing but air.

"Use her soother." I tell him, but I've started to notice how Mira will quiet down for Matthew when he bounces her. She won't do it for me, but for him, she will, oddly enough. It only makes me smile though.

"Wow. I'm impressed, little brother. I never expected you to be a father-like person." I instantly look at her and look at her dumbfoundedly.

"What does that mean, Trinity?" I wonder cause I can't tell if she's being rude about it or genuinely nice.

"It's nothing bad, Kyanite. Chill would ya?" I life my eyebrow at her, absolutely appalled. "You gotta understand that I've never seen him be gentle around nothing growing up. A fighter... this is kind of interesting to see."

She lightly chuckles and stands up only to take a few steps closer to Matthew and Mira. I stay where I am though cause I'm curious about what she's going to do. I guess my maternal instincts are wanting to kick in and protect Mira but Trinity's hand goes to Mira's foot as she plays with the socks covering her toes.

"Hi, little Mira! Big strong daddy got you, doesn't he?" She coo's to my daughter but I look at Matthew and watch his posture. If he doesn't want her near Trinity, then I am going to put my foot down. "You are just precious, yes you are! You've got him wrapped around your tiny little finger, don't you?"

[Jack Lexington]

The tension in the room is almost visible and makes me tense up. Inwardly I’m already going into fighting mode but the baby in my arms keeps me somewhat soft.
When my girl friend snaps back at Trinity I almost want to tell her that I can fight my own battles but won’t tell her that in front of anybody else. "Yeah, well, guess that happens when you are no longer a part of someone's life. YOu miss out on important life events and life in general."
I tell myself that Ky’s just trying to help so I remain quiet and bounce Mira, who starts looking for something to suck on. Ky wants me to use her soother but I offer her my knuckle instead. Not the cleanest thing but I’m sure it’ll be okay.
"Wow. I'm impressed, little brother. I never expected you to be a father-like person.", Trinity says as she gets up and while the brunette is unsure what to make of that statement I know that Triny actually means it. Good way to smooth over the waves.

"It's nothing bad, Kyanite. Chill would ya? You gotta understand that I've never seen him be gentle around nothing growing up. A fighter... this is kind of interesting to see."

Her words can be taken the wrong way but I take it as a compliment.
"I know, I didn't expect it myself to be honest." There's no need in pretending our baby was planned. It's still as welcome as if it was.

"People can change, you know." I say in a softer tone while she looks down at Mira.

Suddenly our eyes meet and her lips curl up with cute smile. "That might be true."
Her hand reaches for my shoulder to make that connection and something inside of me tells me to let her do it. I nod and smile back hoping that she has changed, too.

"Do you want to hold her?" I offer with a brief glance at Kyanite. "Be careful. Precious load."