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“So, that’s the matriarchs. That’s the bloody alpha of the whole of Sanctuary. She scared the ever loving shit out of me growing up.”
“Well, right now she’s expanding her knowledge of the Star Wars universe,” I replied. “Does she like lemon or milk?”
I had to admit, it was interesting to sit on the couch and watch the proceedings. Lois had gone, but her mother, Nelly, remained.
“There are strong elements of the mono myth in this,” Ophelia said as she regarded the display.
“The hero's journey,” Daphne said with a nod. “Now, young Kade, is this Skywalker the hero, or this Solo character?”
“Um…both?” he said with a shrug, then started to chatter about the various strengths and weaknesses of a tie fighter.
“Perhaps it is this Leia who is the hero,” Nelly said, “and these are her pack. I like that idea much better.”
“Leia and Luke are brother and sister,” I said, sipping my tea.
“Hm…that does complicate things,” she replied. “Now this Chewie. Is this his beast form?”
I shook my head and settled back against the couch, nursing my tea. The ladies ended up helping themselves when they wanted it, with polite comments about my tea making. I resisted the urge to snort at that, but they were being very, very amiable, which was a stark improvement.
Renee sat on the floor with Kade, a spaceship and a mini figure in her hand. She tried to play along, but was quickly corrected by Kade. Apparently, it was pew pew, not pow pow. He showed her how the planes were used in a dog fight, something that had the matriarchs leaning in to observe.
“And this is how actual wars are fought in the human world?” Ophelia asked. “I had seen videos, but it was difficult to credit.”
“Yeah, in the world wars and such,” I said. “Things have been more peaceful now though.”
“Very skilful,” Daphne said. “Though it must result in a large loss of life.”
“Aaron’s unit has been petitioning for the acquisition of aircraft and the subsequent training. Perhaps it's something we should look into,” Ophelia
said. She turned to look at me. “Your display…” I swallowed, sure I was about to get an epic spanking. “Was edifying to see. There is always a concern when we take in outsiders that they will not follow the values of Sanctuary. Children are our greatest asset.”
“May the line remain unbroken,” the ladies all said.
“It is for them that we build everything. But mates are also important. Seeing you step up to protect what’s yours… Flick, you wouldn’t have done that when you first came. You wouldn’t have thought you had the right. I’m proud of the changes you’ve made. You’ll take your place here one day and look down on your own grandchildren. I know you’ll be an asset to our community.”
“And I’d like to offer my apologies for my daughter,” Nelly said, her eyes dropping. “She has been troubled since her mates were killed in an industrial accident, but I didn’t realise how much. To snap at a child…” She shook her head and looked up at Peter. “And not just one, I believe. I am so sorry, my son.”
“It’s OK, Nana…” Peter mumbled, shuffling behind me.
“No, it's not,” Daphne said. “We assumed Lois had things in hand, and she didn’t. You had no siblings to protect you… We should have done more.”
I looked up at him, and saw the moment he was going to dismiss all of this and make it sound like nothing.
“You probably should have,” I said before he could. “But there’s nothing to stop you from being involved now.”
Maybe I was being high handed, maybe I was butting in where I shouldn’t, but a selfish part of me wanted Peter to have a family supporting him as Aidan’s obviously did.
“That’s right, we could,” Daphne said, looking down at Kade. “Your son will have a strong beast. You’ll need help with him. We’ll make a point of coming around, and bring the cousins and their children.”
“As will I,” Nelly said.
Oh, I thought, thinking of all the lovely peace and quiet we’d been enjoying. I looked up at Peter, wondering what I’d done, and he just cocked an eyebrow and smiled.
“Thanks Nanas,” he said in reply. “I’d like that.”
They left not long after that, promising to mobilise the families, which sent Renee into a flurry.
“Don’t worry about Mum,” Aidan said as I watched her man the phones, ordering people around left, right, and centre. “She loooves this kind of thing. Getting lots of families together, having a big do, and you gave her an instant grandchild. You’re sweet for at least a couple of years.”
