The Age of The Masrui

“No…” Odette sighed. “We said a family day so… if you’re going home we’re all off home and we‘ll do something together at home.”

---

“I can’t imagine your children are fond of their father after what he’s done.”

"Theo has never been his biggest fan, Chris is not talking about it and Faye is cautious. My eldest is really torn, always been a daddy's girl so this has changed a lot for her - something she can't turn a blind eye to." Marlowe whispered. "The Levi's will always be my family though, Caliban is one of my best friends.. it's him I went to, between him and my own brother I flit between house wise now."

---

"I think Lux needs time just the two of us, Odette."

“The Levi’s? That’s - okay.”

---

“So do me and Lucia. But fine.” Odette muttered, moving to get the things she needed from the boot of the car without another word and heading off.

"A lot, right? You still want to be talking to me?"

---

Dorian exhaled slowly, quietly getting into the car and driving away.

“Am I in danger of having my legs broken for it?”

---

“Great. She’s probably gonna bitch about how I ruined her family day now.” Lux muttered.

"Maddox has no right to dictate who I do and don't speak to since he left me," Marlowe whispered, "So, I think you'll be fine."

---

"Don't Lux." Dorian sighed.

“Then i like my chances.”

---

“You dragged me back to sit in silence then? Got it.”

"Dragged you back. Why can't I win with you right now Lux?! You don't want to play happy families with them so I am taking you home. I just want you to stop bitching about my wife and your baby sister! It isnt much to ask!"

“Maybe mom should’ve let that man shoot me instead. You would’ve had your perfect family then and she could’ve had hers with Kadir.”

"Why would you say something like that?"

---

"Well then..." Marlowe smiled, finishing her coffee before continuing; "In the case, let's get going. I can show you that dance, embarrass myself."

“Because it’s true… she wouldn’t have died if she hadn’t saved me. She didn’t deserve to die… she should’ve let it be me…” Lux whispered miserably. “Her life wasn’t worth mine…”

---

“Let’s go.” Ben nodded in agreement, finishing his own drink and following her.

"You think she would of been able to live with herself had you been the one to die? You think I would be able to? Don't be silly."

---

(( Hmm.. how far should we go with these two? ))

“You have other kids. Mum wanted other kids you said so yourself. Wouldn’t have been attached anymore if I died so you could’ve lived your lives in peace… should’ve been me dad.”

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((It’s up to you how far you think she’d go))

"Wouldn't of been attached." He repeated with a scoff. "Stop this nonsense."

---

(( I don't know ))

“It’s not nonsense to me! You don’t understand! You just want me to be all happy and cheery again so we can get on with our lives and move on! I can’t!”

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((It’s entirely up to you ))

"I am grieving too Lux, so no, no I don't want that."

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(( Will Marlowe and Maddox end up trying to be together again? ))

“It’s what it feels like with all this sunshine and rainbows let’s do this together a family shit! I don’t care about any of it! I don’t care about her trying to make me do fucking spa days or us doing days at the beach or Marlowe taking me to conventions or Henry trying to play games with me! I don’t want to do any of it! It doesn’t make me happy! Nothing makes me happy! I can’t feel happy!”

---

((I have no idea if I’m being honest ))

"Right, fine. We'll stop talking to you then." Dorian mumbled miserably. "I can't win. I'm done, for now...."

---

(( Fair enough Marlowe would probably go all the whole way if it meant comfort ))

Lux shook her head tearfully before opening the car door and flinging herself out into the road.

---

((We can see how it all plays out))

"Fuck! Lux?!" Dorian hissed, slamming the breaks on and emergency stopping the car. Opening up the car door and stepping out, narrowly avoiding cars ploughing into him.

Lux lay curled in on herself further back, the skin on display scraped red raw. She cried into her arms hysterically.

Dorian sprinted over, crouching down and encompassing his arms around her. Fighting to keep his voice steady as he whispered, "We need to move off of the road, baby girl. Come on now, off the road..."

---

"Ta-Da..." Marlowe hummed awkwardly as she pulled her feet beneath her after showing him her dance. Tilting her head to the side to study his face closely and gage a reaction.

Lux wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his chest.

---

“You were… mesmerising.” Ben grinned after a few minutes, having just watched her in awe before he found the words.

"You're getting big to carry now, growing up fast." Dorian grimaced, moving one of his arms to support her better as he swept her up off of the floor and moving onto the pavement with her. Lowering them both down to sit on a nearby bench, "You could of killed yourself, silly girl. What were you thinking? I can't lose you. I can't lose you too."

---

"Was six months away from getting into a private school," Marlowe breathed, shoulders sagging in relief. "I was sure I was going to be the next big thing."

“I don’t know… I don’t know.” Lux cried, “It all hurts so much inside. It hurts so much!”

---

“You can still be the next best thing. You’ve still got talent.”