In Which Florian's Reputation Is Saved

December 17, 1158

Once again, Florian was home early. The baroness had fired him--although he wasn't bothered, seeing as she made a point of "firing" him at least once a week. It meant nothing; he would go back tomorrow and the baron would greet him as he always did and he would continue to work as per usual. Meanwhile, he had a few more hours to spend with his kids and Thetis this afternoon--he really didn't mind at all.

"Hello, Papa," Evera greeted him, dropping her doll on the second floor of the ark and beaming up at him.

"Papa!" parroted Setran happily.

Florian grinned. "Evera, Setran. I hope you've been good for Thetis today?"

"They were angels," Thetis softly insisted from the couch, "as always."

Cautiously, he sent a quick glance her way. She sat quietly and pensively, the bulge of a growing baby just visible beneath her nightgown and a somber air looming about her teal eyes. To Florian, she appeared rather conflicted, for which he could not blame her. On one hand, Norwan's recent death had released her into a newfound freedom unlike any she had ever known; on the other, she was still mourning the loss of her young son, and Florian could think of no greater injury than the passing of one's own child.

No... if anyone had right and reason to have absolutely no idea which way was up and which was down, it was Thetis.

"Mind if I join you?" he inquired as he made his way over to the couch.

Surprisingly, she smiled as he lowered himself down beside her. "Go ahead."

He turned to her and nodded. "Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm fine," she answered. "Thank you."

It was shockingly easy to be polite around her when he had to be. Ordinarily, Florian was somewhat affectionate with her in his own curmudgeonly way, but seeing as she was obviously hurting, he felt the need to be at least something of a gentleman--besides, it gave him more justification to be rather disrespectful toward that despicable witch of a baroness.

"You sure?" he pressed gently.

"Yes," insisted Thetis. "I'm just... thoughtful, that's all."

Florian raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what is it you're thinking about?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess my baby and I are homeless now, aren't we? I mean, I technically own the house now, I suppose, but I really would rather not go back there."

"Thetis..." he sighed, edging slight toward her. "Come here a minute? Please?"

Her eyes closed, she did as she was told, drawing nearer and leaning into him as he slung his arm around her shoulder.

"I hope you realize you're welcome to stay here as long as you like," he assured her. "It's not as if I don't have room for both you and your baby."

She giggled--not as boldly as she once had, but at least it was something. "I'm sure you'll be sick of me soon."

"Are you kidding? You're great with the kids and you don't care if I walk around in my underwear--you can stay as long as you damn well please!"

Her lips curled into a slight grin; it wasn't as if she never smiled anymore, but he sure appreciated it like he never really had before. "Well, thank you, but people are talking as it is."

"Sorry?"

Thetis sighed. "I don't want to ruin your reputation, Florian."

He had to laugh--it was pure instinct. "My reputation? What reputation? For God's sake, Thetis, I've been to prison; I don't think there's much use worrying about my reputation."

"But still," she argued meekly as he lifted her onto his lap, "I... I really don't want to be any trouble..."

"But I want you to stay."

He hadn't met to say it--it had just slipped out. "Er, I mean... uh, I really don't care. It's fine. Uh... whatever."

"Well, thank you," Thetis acknowledged his offer with a hug, seemingly oblivious to his second response, "but really, Florian, I wouldn't feel right about living here after the baby was born. People are so cruel--they wouldn't take to me living with you without marrying you, especially if the baby happens to be yours."

"So... you'll only stay if I marry you?"

She laughed prettily as he gently set her down. "Well, I didn't say that, but I guess that's the case."

"That's mean."

Another laugh--if nothing else, at least he was cheering her up. "That doesn't answer much, does it?"

It didn't. God, he wanted her to stay. The kids wanted her to stay... and she herself wanted to stay, he was sure of it. Why should she care about what the neighbors would think? Florian didn't even know most of them--what did it matter?

But maybe he was being insensitive; with all she'd suffered, she was welcome to be irrational.

Mindful of her swelling stomach, he pressed her to the cushions and brushed his lips against her own. After a moment or so, he started to gently suckle her bottom lip, then slid his tongue into her perfect mouth, savoring her exotic flavor as he spiraled about her own.

"What the hell?" he breathed between kisses. "Not like I have anything to lose, is it? Fine, I'll marry you--whatever. Whatever makes you stay."

NEXT CHAPTER: