Daybreak

Natalia tucked her hand under her knee again, quiet for a few moments as her thoughts started to put themselves in order, the fact that Michael was no longer king finished really sinking in. Or started sinking in. It was hard to say which. She looked at the side of Michael's face again, then up at Destiny to study hers. A small, reassuring smile flickered across her face.

“Um,” she muttered uncertainly, feeling put on the spot. She was internally kicking herself for that oh-so intelligent reply while she started staring at the ground, unable to look at him without feeling even more awkward. “I...” How was she supposed to say she was worried when Michael saw it as a reason to celebrate?

Natalia glanced between her and Michael and said thoughtfully, "I think we'll all need a little time to adjust."

"Okay!" he said in reply as he stood back up. "Fine by me!"

Natalia watched him curiously as she stood too. Absently, she rubbed the dry dirt from her fingers, brushed her hand across her brown skirt. Then her gaze seemed to return subtly to the present with a deep breath. "Well... We were just coming to get Lamarr. Will you come home with us, Michael?"

"Well... I mean... He's in the house that we're all standing in front of..."

Natalia glanced down with a bit of a shrug before finally heading up the steps to the door and knocking.

Lilith opened the door. "Hallo, Mutter."

Natalia smiled. "Hi, Lil... Has Lam been behaving?"

Destiny attempted a weak smile, stepping back a bit. She set her basket of mushrooms down on the ground, pretending to be very interested in them as she let the rest of her family interact.

"She tickled me!" Lamarr called from inside. "She made me cry like a baby, but I'm not a baby! I don't wanna cry! Ground her! Ground her! Ground her!"

"...I did tickle him, yes."

Natalia's lips formed into a small, amused smile and she glanced at Lilith. "Come on, Lam," she called, peaking inside. "I can't stop her as long as you're in there."

Lamarr squeezed by Lilith and hid behind his mother. "Ground her," he said darkly. "Ground her, ground her, ground her."

Destiny glanced at her brother, a thin smile traced on her lips. Better get you home, she thought, but kept the words silent.

Natalia chuckled softly and bent down to pick him up, carrying him on her hip. "Alright, I think it's time to get you home." Looking a little more seriously, she turned back to her older daughter. "Could I come by after supper and talk to you and David?"