The Age of The Masrui

"Fine, boring.. every day is the same; rude customers, this and that. Oh I got a letter though from that college, for mechanical engineering; I havent opened opened yet, I thought we could do it together." Cleo smiled, rummaging in her bag but pulling out a long brown envelope and wiggling it at him.

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"God knows... you've obviously done something though. Did you give Reid permission to take a week off? Accidently spend a little too much on perfume this week? Am I going to have to cut back on gambling?"

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"Thank you for trying," Marlowe whispered, kissing his cheek. "It may just be me, you and him. You ready for this? Dinner with the father; you never went through this when we first got together like I did." She laughed.

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"I wouldnt get too comfy yet!" Dorian laughed, sat on the edge of the sofa in the livingroom; searching through social media websites on his laptop which was resting on the coffee table in front of him. "As you are here earlier, it is your responsibility to pour the alcohol. How was the meeting?"

“Why must I have done something for me to treat you?” Bella gasped in faux shock, shoving him away in contempt. “How awful you must think of me!” She exaggerated.

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Rhys nodded, moving to sit behind her as he rested his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her as he pulled her to sit inbetween his legs.

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“No, I thought I’d skipped out on all of this. Damn.” Maddox chuckled.

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“You’re taking this European lifestyle too seriously, it’s barely noon.” Odette mused with a quiet laugh as she entered the room, sitting on the opposite edge of the sofa as she stretched her legs out over him. “Do I need to beg for your attention as I’m here earlier than expected?”

"Now he gets to interrogate you on everything you've done so far rather than what you might do too." Marlowe laughed, dishing the food out onto the plate. "Makes it much much more scary. Can you see if the youngsters and Theo are joining us too? Since Sienna has already made her mind up."

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Cleo snuggled back against him, leaning her head back against his shoulder to offer him a warm smile. "If this is a yes, you are one hundred percent coming to college with me, right? Like we agreed. We can get a nice little house, you can indulge in the party life style too."

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"I only speak from past experience, mon amour." Ronan laughed cheerily. "Last time you spent half of our savings on a hand bag."

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""It is five in the afternoon somewhere in the world, right? If you don't go and get us a drink then I'll just bring the bottle in for myself." Doroan laughed. "I uh, I'll be focused in a moment; trying to find my father on social media platforms. Marlowe has informed me he is interacting with her now, and that he does have something so.. it's just a case of finding him."

“Should we force them? They already seemed apprehensive.”

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“Right... your father who is no longer dead.” Odette frowned, pulling her legs back then as she headed into the kitchen and poured them both a glass of wine out before heading back through and passing him his glass, lightly brushing her fingers across the back of his neck as she passed.

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“I promise you I’ve not spent tonnes of money on a handbag.” Bella hummed lightly.

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“Of course.” Rhys nodded, placing a kiss beneath her ear. “Of course.”

"No, don't - don't force them, just ask them.. tell them food is in the kitchen for them to grab when they want it."

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"Yes, that on..- He began to agree, curling off to catch his breath as he felt her touch against his neck, taking the wine from her with one hand and moving his other out to catch her fingertips. "You know what you are doing with that."

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"Are you sure? I know how much you like doing that."

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"If you need to stay here, if you'd feel more stable staying here then that is fine. I can just refer for a year, until you are ready."

“I don’t know what you mean...” Odette breathed, setting her glass down to the side and taking her hand away from his as she stood behind him, trailing her hands down his front, slowly undoing the buttons as she moved to gently nip at his ear with her teeth.

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“I’m positive Ronan.” Bella laughed softly.

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Maddox nodded, heading upstairs and knocking on Christians door before entering. “Hey buddy.”

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“No, you get in and we go.” Rhys promised. “I’m by your side no matter what.”

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable." She whispered, fiddling with the envelope as the nerves built up; cautious to open it and see the results.

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Christian glanced up from his book with a warm smile, "Hi..."

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"Mm, what's with the special treatment today then? There is normally a reason. Has Karsi told you something? Is tonight's meal going to be to entirely disown me and Reid and River?"

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"Stop." Dorian exhaled, placing his glass down so he could catch both of her hands, hair on the back of his neck and arms standing on end. "I mean it. This is important to me, Odi."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable." She whispered, fiddling with the envelope as the nerves built up; cautious to open it and see the results.

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Christian glanced up from his book with a warm smile, "Hi..."

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"Mm, what's with the special treatment today then? There is normally a reason. Has Karsi told you something? Is tonight's meal going to be to entirely disown me and Reid and River?"

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"Stop." Dorian exhaled, placing his glass down so he could catch both of her hands, hair on the back of his neck and arms standing on end. "I mean it. This is important to me, Odi."

“Fine, fine.” Odette whispered, kissing just behind his ear before taking her hands back as she grabbed her glass and sitting back down next to him. “Your loss.” She chuckled, smirking when she saw the goosebumps.

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“You’re on edge aren’t you?” Bella frowned then, “Need to talk about it?”

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“Together through everything.” Rhys promised. “Don’t fret.”

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“You coming down for dinner kiddo? Your mommy and I are hoping it won’t just be us with our guest.”

((Should Bella be up to something? Hadn’t intended it but ))

(( I mean she could be No idea what mind ))

"I just wish she would decide if we were all 'good enough' for her or not. This in-between thing is driving me insane. The Levi's behave like it is only they who are affected, when it turns our world on it's head too."

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"I can wait another year, if it makes that promise easier for you to uphold. That's all."

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"Oh I... do I have to? I.. I don't want to talk to strangers tonight." Christian frowned.

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"Mm, I mean it Swan. This is important too me," Dorian hummed softly, having a sip of his drink as je moved his attention back onto the screen. "Speaking of Swans, I've booked us tickets for Swan Lake tonight at The Palais Garnier."

((Neither do I, hmm ))

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“You’re good enough. You and your family... our family.” Bella assured, pulling him back into her, smoothing his hair down again. “She’s never been very... emotionally mature. Behaving exactly like a child would in this situation mm? Not realising the adults hurt too. I’m sorry.” She frowned. “What is it you want her to say? If this meeting, this get together went your way, how would it go? Lay it out for me, what would just ease it all away?”

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“No more waiting. Open it, darling.”

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“It’s your mother’s father. There’s ice cream in it for you.”

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“Oh how original.” Odette rolled her eyes, digging her foot into his ribs playfully. “I hope you’ve got seats off to the side and hidden. And you know where the hidden exit is. My family are partial to the ballet as you should know, Monsieur Miller.”

Dorian flinched, hitting her foot away from his ribs. "If you would rather I cancel then I will, I just thought ut would be nice and I actually know a think or two about ballet; not much but enough to know if the dancers are good."

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"I.. I don't want to. This book is good a- and I want to skip up a year in school so I need to make sure I know every bit of it. I'm sorry." Christian frowned.

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"I- I'm scared."

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"Blood doesn't matter, that is true. Rhys is my son, blood or not but blood does matter with Karsi.. with losing Rowan, and River being up and down with her health, I mean she us doing good the past few years but for how long- right? She took the immortality pill with cancer cells still in her so they'll always be there, it'll always be a risk. One sibling dead, another where there is always that fear Reid who is always so fragile. I'd just.. the thought of having another sibling matters, another person to help, to care, to drink with... anything. It just matters, and I can't cope with being in limbo for so long."

Dorian flinched, hitting her foot away from his ribs. "If you would rather I cancel then I will, I just thought ut would be nice and I actually know a think or two about ballet; not much but enough to know if the dancers are good."

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"I.. I don't want to. This book is good a- and I want to skip up a year in school so I need to make sure I know every bit of it. I'm sorry." Christian frowned.

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"I- I'm scared."

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"Blood doesn't matter, that is true. Rhys is my son, blood or not but blood does matter with Karsi.. with losing Rowan, and River being up and down with her health, I mean she us doing good the past few years but for how long- right? She took the immortality pill with cancer cells still in her so they'll always be there, it'll always be a risk. One sibling dead, another where there is always that fear Reid who is always so fragile. I'd just.. the thought of having another sibling matters, another person to help, to care, to drink with... anything. It just matters, and I can't cope with being in limbo for so long."

“Why do you wanna skip a grade kiddo?”

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“Ballet will be good. I’ll wear a hat and a nice dress... and nothing underneath.” Odette grinned happily.

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“I think the barrier for her is it being public. I was speaking to Dane and she’s just terrified that if it gets out she’ll lose Levi’s.” Bella combed her fingers through his hair gently. “But it’s not fair that she won’t say yes or no to bring your sister, I know... she’s already an aunt to the kids but I know they’d be more excited if she was more than just aunt because she’s mommy and daddy’s friend you know... I know Louis is gonna sit and talk to her beforehand. He’s not blind either, he knows it’s messing you both up.”

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“Don’t be.” Rhys rubbed her arm in comfort gently. “It’s okay.”

"It is too easy at the minute and it is boring, it has been too easy for a whole year now."

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"I don't give a shit about the companies, I never have really that was Rowan's deal not mine. I just... I just need an answer Bells. I gave her time to process, but it can't drag out for years."

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"Oh, that sounds amazing." Dorian hummed softly, finally closing the laptop and taking a sip of his drink as he slipped an arm around her waist.

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"Can you open it for me?"

"It is too easy at the minute and it is boring, it has been too easy for a whole year now."

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"I don't give a shit about the companies, I never have really that was Rowan's deal not mine. I just... I just need an answer Bells. I gave her time to process, but it can't drag out for years."

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"Oh, that sounds amazing." Dorian hummed softly, finally closing the laptop and taking a sip of his drink as he slipped an arm around her waist.

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"Can you open it for me?"

“Oh now you want to pay attention to me?” Odette teased as she leaned into him, running her fingers up his arm.

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“And you don’t wanna sit back and enjoy the easy ride?”

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“I know, mon amour... I know.” Bella soothed gently, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

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Rhys nodded, reaching over to take the letter and opening the envelope, flattening it so she could read.

Christian shook his head in the negative, "Nu uh.... done the easy stuff all of this year. I need to show them I am smart enough to skip ahead."

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Cleo grimaced, lifting her hand up to cover her eyes so she couldn't read the contents of the letter which offered congratulations and offered a place to the mechanical engineering course hosted at Stanford University in California.

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"I despise feeling so needy. I've already tried to show her the softer side, too."

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"I can't find anything online."

“If you come down and eat with us, I’ll speak to your teachers mm?”

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“Soft Ronan is my favourite Ronan.” Bella laughed softly, running a finger down the side of his face.

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“So why aren’t you all over me then? I’ve had a long day Dorian, don’t keep a lady waiting.” Odette hummed.

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“You got in, my darling.” Rhys whispered into her ear, gently squeezing her. “Well done, I knew you could.”

"That isn't fair, dad." Christian frowned. "I don't wanna talk to a stranger, please don't make me."

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"Soft Ronan is only for you and other people on occasion. Soft Ronan Karsi has seen far too much of and doesn't seem to be appreciating enough."

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"My father is interacting with my sister on the daily and pretending I don't exist. She claims he is perfectly fine, but there has been nothing off of him on my end so I just don't understand. My mind us in other places right now, Odi."

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"I- no.. no your joking." Cleo whispered, lowering her hands and opening her eyes. "I didn't."

“Well you can relax a little because they’re coming here tonight instead...”

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“You did! I’m so proud of you... so so proud.”

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“Okay Chris, okay.” Maddox nodded. “Run downstairs and grab your dinner? You can eat it up here.”

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“I can leave.” Odette offered sincerely then. “If you’d rather just have some space for yourself to work through it all I don’t mind Rian.”

"I would like you to be here, if you are ready to move it up a level and start taking on all of the complicated shit that comes with a relationship with me; like I'd take on yours of course." Dorian mumbled, before grimacing and holding a finger up in a 'one minute' motion before getting to his feet and heading into the bedroom. Coming back out with a bouquet of flowers and a black leather box that contained a diamond necklace inside; offering them out to her; "What I mean to say," He began, before continuing in French; "I would like us to be together officially now, Swan. Other than seeing my daughter, you are what I look forward too; you give me goosebumps, butterflies, it is electric. I know we have been open, I know that we haven't been using labels but I care enough for one now. I am ready for the emotional baggage, if you are ready for mine."

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Christian nodded, putting a bookmark in before slipping off of the bed and heading out of the room.

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"They are? I thought Louis said we were to go there... I need to work out what to eat then."

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"We're going to California?"

"I would like you to be here, if you are ready to move it up a level and start taking on all of the complicated shit that comes with a relationship with me; like I'd take on yours of course." Dorian mumbled, before grimacing and holding a finger up in a 'one minute' motion before getting to his feet and heading into the bedroom. Coming back out with a bouquet of flowers and a black leather box that contained a diamond necklace inside; offering them out to her; "What I mean to say," He began, before continuing in French; "I would like us to be together officially now, Swan. Other than seeing my daughter, you are what I look forward too; you give me goosebumps, butterflies, it is electric. I know we have been open, I know that we haven't been using labels but I care enough for one now. I am ready for the emotional baggage, if you are ready for mine."

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Christian nodded, putting a bookmark in before slipping off of the bed and heading out of the room.

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"They are? I thought Louis said we were to go there... I need to work out what to eat then."

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"We're going to California?"

“I called Karsi and... might’ve gone off on one. Told her it was unfair for her to keep dragging us over there to break your heart every time. She... agreed and said we could do it here if you’d be more comfortable. I’ve already called your favourite restaurant and placed an order in for later so they’ll deliver.” Bella assured. “I just... wanted you to be at home if she decided to mess around again.”

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“Looks like it.” Rhys pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I believed in you, I’m so proud.”

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Maddox headed into Faye’s room then. “Coming for dinner princess?”

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“Oh, oh wow.” Odette murmured as she moved to sit up properly, eyes widening at the necklace. “You shouldn’t have...” she whispered, expression warning when he began to use her native tongue. “You’re sure about this? About... what will happen when people find out? The backlash? You want this?” She asked tentatively.

Cleo grinned, twisting to face him properly then as she took the letter from him and put it to the side. Lifting her hand up to rest her palm against her cheek, "I can defer for a year Rhys, if you don't want to go. I don't want to take you away from your family, but I'm not going to leave you either. If you need another year at home then, then we can stay its okay."

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Faye was laid on her back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her room pitch Black as she used her light that projected the constellations onto the sky. "Yeah... I'll come eat now. What are we having? Is it yummy?"

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"It took a little longer than I would of liked to save up for, what with extra security being needed and things." Dorian chuckled in English, though assured on French; "I am all in, Odette. I can handle the backlash. Loving you is as simple as hello."

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"You... you did?" Ronan questioned, smirking up at her. "I bet she didn't expect that from you."