The Age of The Masrui

"I'm not interested in it if it is going to condemn me to loneliness my whole life. It suited me when I was younger, not anymore. I have enough working against me without that elephant in the room aswell."

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"We are going to find out in a month or two," He laughed. "How very exciting, hm?"

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Afterwards, Penelope rested her head against his chest with a contented sigh. Tracing patterns against his stomach.

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By the time Maddox would of came back, Marlowe would of dozed off in her seat.

"Fine, perfectly perfect." Penelope hummed gently. "Are you okay? What's going through your head?"

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Louis turned his head to catch her lips.

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"I know, but I did so." Alexia shrugged. "Are we still over, or am I still going home to drown my sorrows in some mimosas?"

"You do? Well, I feel like that is a good thing considering we have two children together and so many years behind us at this point." Louis laughed softly against her lips.

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"Your meant to work to live, not live to work... seems like I've had to balance all wrong, you've made me see that."

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"Oh? What makes you think that?"

"I think we both fell on our feet. Two messes that have straightened one another out. Even if you do drive me insane with nicknames. If someone ever finds a way to give our children nicknames can I please order them killed?"

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"Russian blood with the drinking, I could easily drink you under a table." Penelope laughed, whispering, "I uh.. I want to know your family but maybe we can do it slower. One or two at a time rather than everyone at once?"

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"Yeah, yeah sure. You two jump in, tell me where you like to drink." Alexia whispered. "I'll drive there, you can drive back."

"I uh... I will try? Just don't be offended if I have to disappear half way through the night, okay?" Penelope asked, sitting herself up so she could look at his face then. "Big crowds, not really my fortè. You know how much I hate the gallery galas, parties are pretty close to it. What am I going to have to wear?"

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"Mm," Louis hummed thoughtfully. "Fine, fine. That sounds like a good compromise."

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Dorian frowned, making his way over and leaning against the car. "Is this going to be the most awkward car ride of my life?"

"Just get in," Alexia frowned, rolling her eyes when Dorian laughed and got into the back.

"The blue one," Penelope repeated with a quiet laugh. "That is a very specific preference you have there."

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"Hey now," Alexia frowned as she set off, "I wasn't aware that tonight was going to involve a drinking competition."

"Everythjng is always a competition," Dorian laughed. "Why, are you worried your going to lose?"

"Oh, no. Not at all."

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"I would say we are pretty successful adults, yes."

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After a couple of hours, Marlowe drowsily stepped out of the car. Making her way through the cemetery to check up on Maddox.

"Maybe I will wear one that is going to be a bit more challenging for you to get off next time," Penelope laughed quietly. "I think I am making this far too easy."

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"See, lover boy here is such a romantic." Dorian chuckled.

Alexia shook her head at that, humming playfully, "Am I third wheeling here?"

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Louis nodded in agreement. "I think we're making everyone proud."

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Marlowe hesitated, before approaching and sitting herself down beside him.

"Got worried, needed the air to wake up." Marlowe listed softly. "You can pretend I'm not here, if you want to."

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"And your father would be proud of you, you've been doing so well. None of them believed that you could stay on the rails, but look at you - your the strongest you have ever been."

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"I think I am the one third wheeling," Dorian mused, getting out of the car once they parked up. "Lets go and get drunk."

"Has he got drink issues?"

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"When is this party?"

"Three days, okay. Just let me know when you are going to be picking me up and I'll be ready." Penelope whispered.

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"No rush," Marlowe whispered, glancing across all of the headstones. "My mother is four rows up, two to the left... my father six rows up. My granddad didn't want him anywhere near her, but Dorian and I needed them both in the same place. I don't know if Rian still comes here, but I don't. I struggle with it."

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"Mm, well he needs to get over it then, right? Sounds like she is in a pretty serious relationship." Alexia slowly got out of the car then, closing the door and walking around to offer him the keys.

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"She is special.. as is Cain."

Marlowe smiled sadly and shook her head in the negative, "I've been holding back so much that it wouldn't be fair on you right now for me to do that. I just.. you'll never stop missing him, Mads and some days you are going to feel it more than others. I - you and I aren't good at this, talking about death. We barely mention our baby, but I have no doubts that you get the same sharp pain I do sometimes you know when you have to write how many kids we have on a form or when things are good and I find myself close to asking you if we can have another. I- the point is, death is hard to deal with and I wish that I was better at it so I knew how to help you, and the kids. I'm sorry I'm not perfect, sorry I can't take the hurt away. I'm sorry that you don't feel like your enough right now, but you are.. your always enough."

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"Good," She smiled.

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"Ypu two look after each other, I think it's nice you have a friend like that."

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"Mm, it feels like it won't be long until he'll be a teenager. He is growing up quick."

"I'm no good at it either; after my parents it turned into survival, after our daughter it was straight to making sure Theo was good to be okay." Marlowe whispered, swallowing thickly and slipping her arms around him. "What... what are you feeling right now?"

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Penelope shook her head, "I'd rather we show up later, less pressure that way. We can slip in quietly, people will already be caught up in their own conversations."

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"Everyone needs one of those," She nodded, Dorian pushing a drink over to her as soon as she sat down on the bar stool. "Oh, thanks."

"We'll do rounds, so you best keep up."

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"An athlete, I reckon." Louis laughed.

"Maybe both," Louis laughed. "Why does there only have to be one?"

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"I don't know how you are going to manage to carry both of us home," Alexia mused softly to Caliban, grimacing as she watched Dorian down half of his drink. "Jesus, learn to enjoy it."

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"Thank you,"

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"Time will help that, so they say... or you learn to live with it. Both have been said." Marlowe whispered, resting her head against his. "Do you want to talk to someone? I sometimes think I should to. We could do it together, we send See to therapy... so we shouldn't feel embarrassed about going ourselves. So much has happened."