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cristinablackthornkingson · 5 years ago

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Arc of a Scythe Short Story #2.

It is a cool Autumn day in the year of the Ox, three years after the events on Atoll, when 23 year old Greyson Tolliver and 23 old Jericho Soberains receive the news that will forever change their lives.

Greyson and Jeri have been together for 3 years now, after the rockets on Atoll launched into space, they left Atoll and traveled around for about a year, getting to know each other and their relationship.

After a year of being together, when they were docked in Thailand, Jeri proposed to Greyson. They had just gotten back to their hotel, after exploring Bangkok. Greyson was an exhausted sweaty mess, while somehow Jeri was cool and calm as ever. Greyson had been sitting in a chair in the hotel room, texting one of his sister’s, when Jeri knelt in front of him. At first Greyson didn’t think anything of it, he thought Jeri was looking for something, but then Jeri pulled out a ring, a silver band encrusted with sparkling diamonds and presented it to Greyson, asking him to marry them. Greyson had been stunned for a few minutes, before he threw himself at Jeri, hugging them tightly and accepting the proposal through tears of joy.

They had a year long engagement, during which time they settled down in North Merica, often visiting Jeri’s homeland of Madagascar.

Their wedding was very small and private, with only a few friends there to celebrate with them.

Shortly after the wedding, Jeri brought up the idea of having children, Greyson and Jeri had talked about having children before, but nothing serious, simply that they both wanted to have children eventually, and both wanted to adopt. When Jeri brought it up after the wedding, they talked seriously about it, and decided they wanted to start a family as soon as possible. After that, they got working on the adoption process, sorting out their home study, legal work, etc. It took them 6 months to complete all the paperwork, and for the past 6 months they’ve been waiting to be matched with a baby or expectant parent.

Today was meant to be an ordinary, calm and relaxed day for the young couple. Right now Jeri is lying on the sofa, watching TV, while Greyson lays curled into Jeri’s side, his head on their chest, reading a book. Neither of them expect to be interrupted in anyway, so when the loud shrill ringing of Greyson’s phone pulls them from their relaxed, sleepy state, it startles them both, making them jump.

“Hello?” Greyson answers his phone, as Jeri turns the volume of the TV down.

“Greyson, is now a good time to talk?” The voice of he and Jeri’s adoption agent Caroline, comes down the line. His heart starts racing at this, knowing that an adoption agent hardly ever calls with anything but good news.

“Yeah, it is.” Greyson says, pulling the phone away from his ear and putting in on speaker so Jeri can hear this too.

“I’ve got some good news for you Greyson, you remember the case you presented for a few days ago? The expectant mother who was being induced last night?” Caroline asks.

“Yeah.” Greyson says in a breathless tone, reaching out and grabbing Jeri’s hand.

“Well she’s made her decision and I am very happy to tell you that she has chosen you and Jericho. The baby was born at 8:00 A.M. this morning, a healthy little girl.” Jeri stares at Greyson, open mouthed and wide eyed, hardly able to believe what they’ve just heard.

“Oh my god, that... that’s amazing. W-what do we do now? When can we meet the baby and take her home?” Greyson asks.

“Well the mother is due to sign her rights over in the morning, then there is still a 48 hour revocation period, in which she can change her mind.

What usually happens there is the baby either stays with their birth parent, or goes into foster care for those 48 hours, in this case the mother has decided not to keep the baby with her during that time so she’ll be with a short term foster family for two days, then if the mother doesn’t change her mind, you’ll take custody of the baby, and bring her home.

It will take another few months to finalize everything, but once the mother has signed over her rights and those 2 days are over, the baby is yours.” Caroline explains. Greyson and Jeri exchange a look, and Greyson can tell from the look in Jeri’s eyes that they don’t want the baby to be in foster care for those two days, where she will bond with her care takers only for that bond to be broken one way or another 2 days later, which will traumatize her. It’s much better for the baby to break as few bonds as possible, it would be better if Jeri and Greyson could care for her for those two days, then one way or the other, there will be as little trauma for the baby as possible.

“Caroline, is it at all possible for Jeri and I to care for the baby, for those two days? If the mother changes her mind, we’ll bring the baby straight back to her, we swear, we just hate the idea of her going into foster care and bonding with her carers for those 48 hours, then having to have that bond broken one way or another. At least if we care for her for those 2 days, she’ll have as few broken bonds as possible, either way.” Greyson asks in a tight tone. He knows if they bond with the baby, and the birth mother changes her mind, it will hurt like hell for he and Jeri, but it’s better that they get hurt, than the baby gets hurt.

“Well yes, if you’re sure that’s what you want to do.” Caroline says.

“It is, it really, really is.” Greyson says, squeezing Jeri’s hand.

“Alright, well if all goes as planned, the baby will be discharged from the hospital at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow, so why don’t you come to the adoption agency for about 2:30 P.M. and you can meet the baby, and take her home.” Jeri and Greyson grin and Jeri leans in to kiss Greyson on the cheek.

“Sounds perfect, we’ll see you then.” Greyson says, before hanging up and turning to Jeri. “This is terrifying.” He says in a breathy tone. Jeri nods and cups Greyson’s cheek.

“Yes, it is but we always knew it would be, from the get go. Adoption is bitter-sweet, someone looses out and gets hurt one way or the other, either us or the mom, but what matters is that the baby doesn’t get hurt.” Jeri softly says, stroking Greyson’s cheek. Greyson smiles and leans into the touch, kissing Jeri’s palm.

“You’re right, of course you are. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The next day, Greyson and Jeri arrive at the adoption agency just before 2:30 P.M., already having received a text from Caroline letting them know that she is back from the hospital and is in the adoption center, with the baby.

“You ready?” Jeri asks Greyson, as they approach the steps leading up to the building. Greyson nods and slips his hand into Jeri’s.

“As I’ll ever be.”

They walk up the steps and into the building, where they are immediately met by Caroline, with a car seat at her feet, containing a bundle of blankets. The baby is wrapped up well, you can barely see her, apart from her little hand peeking out from one of the blankets.

“Well hello, you ready to meet her?” Caroline asks, bending down to unbuckle the baby. “Who wants to hold her first?” She adds, as Jeri and Greyson settle on the sofa against the wall.

“Jeri, Jeri’s going to hold her first.” Greyson announces. They hadn’t discussed who would hold the baby first, but it feels right that Jeri be the one to hold her first, for some reason.

“Alright, here you go.” Caroline says, gently and carefully lowering the baby into Jeri’s arms. Jeri’s breath hitches in their throat and tears well up in their eyes.

“Hello.” Jeri quietly says in a teary tone. “Sweet baby, you’re so beautiful.”

Greyson reaches out and strokes the baby’s dark hair with the back of his finger. The baby has dark skin, the same shade as Jeri’s, chubby little cheeks, lips like rose petals, and big brown eyes. She really is one of the most beautiful people Greyson has ever seen, she is perfect.

“I’ll give you three some privacy.” Caroline quietly says, before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her.

“Baby, I’m your Nini and this is your daddy, we love you so much, and waited for you for so long. I really hope we do get the pleasure of being your parents and getting to raise you.” Jeri softly and quietly says, as Greyson wraps his arm around Jeri’s waist, slipping the other underneath Jeri’s arm that is cradling the baby. Seeing this baby, that he and Jeri might not even get to raise, he simply cannot understand people like his parents, who have child after child after child, and then abandon them like they’re nothing, he doesn’t understand why the Thunderhead ever allowed it.

Over the next two days, Jeri and Greyson take it easy and simply take time out to love over the baby and bond with her, making sure she has an amazing first two days of life, full of warm milk, snuggles and kisses and lots and lots of love. Though all the time, they are nervously waiting for the phone to ring and for Caroline to tell them the birth mom has changed her mind. But, thankfully it never happens, and at 8:00 A.M. two days after the baby’s birth, she officially becomes the newest member of the Soberains-Tolliver family.

Right now, both Greyson and Jeri are lying in bed, with the baby curled up on Jeri’s chest and Greyson lying curled into Jeri’s side.

“So, what should we call her?” Greyson asks, stroking the baby’s dark curls.

“I’ve been thinking about that, and I’ve been thinking that I’d like to give her a nautical themed name, since the sea and being the Captain of a ship was such a huge part of my life. I’ve been looking up some names, how do you feel about Isla Cordelia Soberains-Tolliver?” Jeri asks. They’ve had this name in mind since they met the baby, but of course they and Greyson did not want to name her while she wasn't officially theirs, but every time Jeri looked at her, they could only think of her as Isla Cordelia.

“Isla, Isla Cordelia Soberains-Tolliver, yeah I like it. What do you think baby, do you like that name?” Greyson coos, stroking her cheek. The baby doesn’t stir, and continues to sleep peacefully. “Ignoring me already, we’re going to have fun when you’re a teenager.” He adds with a smile. Jeri laughs and kisses the baby’s head before placing a quick kiss on Greyson’s lips.

“So you like it? The name?” Jeri asks. Greyson nods.

“I love it.”

That evening, while Jeri makes up some bottles of formula for Isla, in the kitchen, Greyson sits with her in the living room, unable to tear his eyes away from her.

As Greyson watches Isla taking in all her surroundings, he makes a split second decision, that (without him yet knowing) will change everything, forever.

He reaches over to the coffee table and picks up an ear piece that he bought on a whim, a few months ago. Holding Isla in one arm, Greyson slips the earpiece into his ear, and takes a deep breath.

“Thunderhead.” He quietly says in a shaky tone. “Thunderhead, are you there?” There is silence for a few seconds, in which Greyson feels like his heart is about to burst out of his chest, before a familiar, calm voice replies.

“Good evening, Greyson.” Greyson closes his eyes, as the voice of the Thunderhead brings memories flooding back. He takes a shaky breath and holds Isla close, before speaking again.

“I know it’s been a long time since I spoke to you, you know why that is, and honestly I didn’t intended to speak to you again anytime soon, but then I became a dad and I... well I want my daughter to know you, since you basically brought me up and were my only friend for a long time. So, Thunderhead, I’d like to introduce you to my daughter, Isla Cordelia Soberains-Tolliver.”

Again there is a brief silence, before the Thunderhead replies.

“She is beautiful Greyson, congratulations. You are going to be a wonderful father.” It says.

“I... I’m never going to forgive you for taking over Jeri’s body without their permission like that, for using them, and Jeri and Isla are always going to come first now, they’re my family now, but... I do think Isla should have the choice to talk to you when she’s older, so I will talk to you again, provided you’re not going to make Isla unsavory too?” Greyson asks, with a hint of bitterness in his tone.

“No, of course I will not make her unsavory.” The Thunderhead replies. Greyson nods curtly.

“Okay, well... I’m going to spend some time with my family now, maybe I’ll contact you again tomorrow. Bye, Thunderhead.” Greyson says.

“Goodbye, Greyson.” And with that, Greyson removes his earpiece and leans back against the sofa, with a sigh.

A few seconds later, Greyson begins to hear shouting out on the streets, and is about to get up and see what is going on, when Jeri rushes into the room, a look of shock and disbelief on their face.

“Greyson, you’re not going to believe this!” Jeri exclaims.

“What? What’s going on?” Greyson asks in a confused tone, getting up from the sofa and crossing the room to meet Jeri.

“I... I’m not unsavory anymore, I was using my phone to check the time, and suddenly the big red U just vanished.” Jeri explains in a breathless tone of disbelief. Greyson’s eyes grow wide in shock.

“I... Jeri, I just spoke to The Thunderhead for the first time in three years, I introduced Isla to it and told it I want Isla to be able to talk to it as she grows up, if that’s what she wants. Do you... do you think it took away your unsavory status because it knows how much I love you, and how much you mean to me?” Greyson asks. Is it possible that this is the Thunderhead’s way of apologizing to Jeri?

“Maybe, can you ask it?” Jeri asks. Greyson nods and grabs the ear piece again, quickly slipping into his ear.

“Thunderhead,Thunderhead are you listening?” He demands.

“Yes Greyson, I am.” The Thunderhead replies.

“Did you take away Jeri’s unsavory status? Did you do it because I love them, as an apology to them?” Greyson asks.

“Yes, yes I removed Jericho’s unsavory status because you love them, because they mean so much to you, and yes I also did at as a way of apologies. But Jericho is not the only one I have redeemed. Everyone that I made Unsavory after the sinking of Endura, is now no longer so. Being introduced to your daughter, Greyson, has given me a new faith in humanity and so I have decided to forgive them.” Greyson and Jeri share a look, of both delight and disbelief. They know the Thunderhead isn’t messing around, it never does, and certainly not about something this serious.

“I... okay, thank you.” Greyson says, before pulling the earpiece out and looking down at Isla, nestled in his arms, still taking in all her surroundings.

“Jeri, I think our daughter just kind of saved humanity.” Greyson says in a serious tone. Jeri laughs and nods, as Isla wraps a tiny hand around Jeri’s finger.

“Yes, yes I think she did. Greyson, if people know The Thunderhead forgave humanity, because of Isla, she’s going to be famous, like you were when you were The Toll, people will want to meet her and see her, it could ruin her childhood.” Jeri says in a tone of concern. They don’t want their daughter to be a celebrity figure to the world, they want her to have a normal, ordinary childhood.

“I know The Thunderhead, and it’s not going to tell everyone exactly why it chose to forgave them, especially not when it involves an innocent baby like Isla. The Thunderhead won’t tell everyone, so if we don’t either, no one has to know. We can tell Isla when she’s older and then she can make the choice of whether or not to go public with it.” Greyson says. Jeri nods and their shoulders droop in relief.

A few hours later, while Isla naps, Greyson and Jeri place her in the middle of the bed and lie on either side of her, Greyson holding and stroking her little hand while Jeri strokes her thick black curls, both of them admiring their beautiful daughter.

“I can’t believe we get to raise her and be her parents.” Jeri quietly says. Jeri has only really started wanting to have a child, in the last 2 years, since they and Greyson got married, but every time they presented for an adoption case but were not chosen, Jeri’s heart broke a little, they desperately wanted to be a parent and it had begun to feel like it was never going to happen, but then Isla came along and put Jeri’s heart back together and made them the happiest person in the world.

“Neither can I, I feel like the happiest man on earth, I have such a perfect family, like I always wanted. I love you, both you of you.” Greyson softly says, leaning up to kiss Jeri.

That night, Jeri and Greyson are awoken to Isla’s loud, high pitched cries. The sound breaks Jeri’s heart, and they quickly get out of the bed and scoop Isla up into their arms, kissing her forehead and holding her close.

“It’s alright sweetheart, I’ve got you. What’s wrong huh? Are you hungry?” Jeri coos, lightly bouncing her.

When Isla hears Jeri’s voice, her cries immediately die down and she snuggles into Jeri’s chest, gripping Jeri’s shirt with her tiny hand, nuzzling her head into Jeri’s chest.

“Oh sweet little baby, were you lonely? Did you miss me?” Jeri quietly says, kissing Isla’s forehead and taking a minute to revel in the weight of her in their arms. “Come on, lets go out into the living room so we don’t wake your dad, he’s a grump when he first wakes up.” Jeri adds in an amused tone. Greyson is not a morning person, and can barely function before 9:00 A.M., if he has to get up before 9 he is a total grump and takes at least half an hour to fully wake up, but Jeri doesn't mind of course. Jeri loves how Greyson’s hair looks first thing in the morning, and thinks his grumpiness is adorable, Jeri loves to greet Greyson in the kitchen in the morning, with a cup of coffee and a kiss.

Half an hour later, as Jeri stands in front of the living room window, with Isla cradled in one arm, suckling on her bottle, Jeri feels a pair of arms slip around their waist, startling them from their thoughts.

“Hello gorgeous, what are you two doing up?” Greyson quietly asks, placing a kiss on Jeri’s shoulder before resting his head on Jeri’s shoulder.

“Isla was hungry, and she missed me.” Jeri replies, gazing down at Isla.

“Oh? Did she not miss me?” Greyson asks in a teasing tone. Jeri laughs lightly and says

“No, only me, but I missed you.” Greyson grins and leans in to kiss Jeri on the lips.

“I missed you too, come back to bed.” Jeri sets Isla’s bottle down, as she finishes eating, shifting her so that she is held against Jeri’s shoulder.

“Alright, I should wash her bottle but I’ll do it in the morning.”

Soon the small family are curled up together in bed, Isla laying stretched out on Jeri’s bare chest, as Jeri rubs soothing circles on her back, and Greyson curled into Jeri’s side, one of Jeri’s arms around him.

Greyson falls back to sleep almost instantly, as does Isla, but it takes a while longer for Jeri to drift back off, though Jeri does eventually get back to sleep, happier than they have been, possibly in all their life.

The next morning, Jeri is awoken to the sun shining in through the window and onto Jeri’s face. Jeri groans and rubs at their eyes, their arms automatically coming up to encircle Isla, on their chest. However, when Jeri goes to put their arms around their daughter, they find Isla is not there, nor is she in her bassinet, and Greyson isn’t in bed either.

Jeri gets up and throws on a light bathrobe over their bare chest and old sweat pants, wondering if Greyson has taken Isla out for a walk or something.

When Jeri walks into the living room, they are met with possibly the most beautiful sight in the world. On the sofa, are Greyson and Isla, side by side, Isla propped up by the back of the sofa. With one hand, Greyson is drinking a mug of coffee, and with the other he is holding a bottle of milk to Isla’s mouth, and both her hands are around the bottle. It is such a beautiful father daughter scene, Jeri feels as though their heart may melt.

“Ah so Isla’s getting in our morning routine is she? You have your coffee, I have my tea and Isla has her milk?” Jeri asks in a teasing, amused tone, coming around to the front of the sofa and bending to kiss Greyson before kissing Isla’s forehead.

“You got that right, it’s a Soberains-Tolliver family tradition now, to have a hot drink in the morning, with your family.” Greyson says, beaming up at Jeri.

“Well I like the sound of that, I like the sound of it very much.”

1 year later, on the morning of Isla’s first birthday, Jeri sits at the kitchen table, one arm resting on the table, watching Greyson sitting on the floor beside Isla, who is playing with her toys. Jeri is drinking tea, Greyson is drinking coffee, and Isla is drinking warm milk, which she keeps pretending to hand to Greyson and then pulling away at the last minute, laughing herself silly each time.

Jeri can still hardly believe what a perfect family they have, and how privileged they and Greyson have been to love and raise Isla and be her parents, it is certainly one of the best things Jeri has ever done.

As Jeri observes their husband and daughter playing together and laughing and smiling, they make a decision to mention something to Greyson, that has been on their mind since Isla was about 10 months old.

“We should have another one.” Jeri says in a direct tone, hoping Greyson will feel the same way.

When Greyson turns to look at Jeri, his eyes have gone wide, but there is also a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He looks between Isla and Jeri, and thinks for a moment, before nodding and saying

“Yeah, okay, let’s have another baby.”

Just want to give a big thank you to a friend from the AOAS group chat here on Tumblr, who would prefer to remain anonymous, for allowing me to use their headcannon of The Thunderhead being introduced to Greyson and Jeri’s baby and then forgiving humanity, it’s such a great idea and thank you for letting me use it!

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