The Age of The Masrui

"Nope, you don't want a nanny because you wanna do it all yourself then you gotta suck it up and do it all yourself. Passing off to an uncle is the same as passing off to nannies."

---

"I've not said anything to anyone. I couldn't..." Karsi shook her head. "Or we'd both just be sat there nervous wrecks over it all. I pushed it down..."

"We wouldn't of, I would of been able to comfort you." Sighing, he shook his head dismissively and whispered, "It doesn't matter anymore." Moving heaid himself down on the bed beside her, slipping his arms around her waist to pull her close.

---

She laughed gently at that, answering cheerily, "Okay, okay. Point made, well done."

"We only had one until the kids turned three and its not like you're sat on your ass the entire time whilst they do things. It's an extra pair of eyes when you go to the park. It's actually being able to sit down and have your dinner warm instead of cold for the third week in a row. Being able to get sleep so you don't feel like a walking zombie. Worth having one even part time."

---

"I'm a mess aren't I? Sometimes I wonder if its the sheer amount of drugs or the head injury or if I was just born to be a gigantic mess."

"There is nothing wrong with you." Louis promised, taking her wrist and guiding her palm to rest it above his heart; hoping his heart beat would soothe her. "Lets just calm down, enjoy the silence for a little while."

---

"Mm, no I am pretty set on it. We'll see what happens after a couple of weeks though."

"You're welcome to my spare room anytime it starts screaming, brother." Caius chuckled before getting up, patting Maddox on the shoulder and giving a wave to Marlowe before heading out, Dane following behind.

Maddox wrapped an arm around Marlowe, kissing her forehead gently.

---

Karsi swallowed thickly, moving her other hand to rest on his cheek.

Louis turned his head into her hand, closing his eyes gently.

---

Marlowe smiled softly, lifting her palm up to rest it on his cheek. Brushing her thumb to follow the line of his cheek bone as she let her other arm fall around his neck. "So... your feelings; what are they?"

"That we're both completely indebted to Caliban for saving our necks out there." Maddox let out a deep breath through his nose. "It was going to go the complete opposite way until he got involved, I could feel it. It made me nauseous and I was like frozen because I didn't know what to do."

---

"Does it make me a bad person that I don't want to go to my brothers wedding. It hurts that I trusted him with my secrets but he couldn't trust me..." Karsi whispered, looking up at him. "I don't... I just don't want to be around him right now. And I don't think I will in however many days time when it is..."

"I've already thanked him," She agreed, before adding quietly; "I'm sorry you have to give up studying, I know it meant the world to you to get fully qualified and you were so close. Maybe, if anything ever calms down or blows over, you can pick up where you left off, hm?"

---

"We all know how staff gossip, and how easy it is for information to slip especially during arguments. He was trying to protect his unborn child, you would of done the same, any of us would. I also think that if you don't go, you'll regret it."

"I'm mad at them both... I don't want them at ours either." Karsi muttered, looking away then, "I'm being honest about my feelings here..."

---

"It's a small price to pay compared to how it could've turned out."

"And I am looking at the bigger picture." Louis answered, before sighing and mumbling a quiet. "Whatever you want."

---

"Mm, I just needed to check on you about it; that's all. It would be inconsiderate of me not to." Marlowe moved her hand from his cheek then so both of her arms were around his neck. Adding lowly, "Also, your father was wrong. You are plenty a man."

"I'll never fill Aiden's shoes, he wasn't wrong."

---

"Don't ask me to talk to you then dismiss what I'm saying." Karsi sighed, rolling away from him then.

"I wasn't dismissing, I was giving my opinon. I'm not entertaining this; this you have to agree with me or O am going to fight with you." Louis muttered, getting to his feet then. "I'll see you at home."

---

"You shouldn't strive to fill them, you've got your own mark to make. It may be a little different, but your shoes are just as capable of getting the job done. I believe in you, you've got this, my love."

"Right." Karsi mumbled as he got up. "Of course."

---

"Like I say... small price to pay."

"I was moments away from either being exiled or ending up six feet under and you are starting arguments, so yes, of course." He stated before leaving the room, walking out of the building.

---

Marlowe's smile faded, her inability to read how he was feeling jarring her slightly. Settling with hugging him gently instead, tangling her fingers in his hair.

Karsi waited until he’d left before curling in on herself and crying softly.

---

“Let’s take you home mm? You need rest. Today has been shitty all round.”

"But we are getting married and our baby is safe, and will get both of us." She whispered, "It's been an exhausting day, but those are two huge good things. We finally have stability, Mads."

“It won’t be anything big. Not in the next few days. Just a courthouse thing and then when we’ve got settled and the baby is older we’ll be able to have an actual wedding. Are you okay with that?”

"I'm fine with that, I just want you." Marlowe whispered, "Though I- what's wrong? You seem.. off."

“I don’t... I don’t feel like I deserve this. I’m getting everything I want and it feels weird. Not okay somehow.”

"Mm, I think a good night's sleep is going to be the best way forward for the both both us. You've dealt with all of this and been in work so, let's go home.'

Maddox nodded for her to lead the way

Marlowe headed out of the house then, getting into the car and putting her seatbelt on.

((Night night ))

Maddox followed closely behind.

Marlowe was silent until they'd gotten back to the apartment, heading inside and wandering toward the bedroom.

Maddox followed her in, undressing before getting into bed.