The Age of The Masrui

Dorian threw his he back with a laugh then, flinching when the movement made him spill some of his coffee. "Ah shit."

"Oh no, you werent the funny thing about that." He hummed, getting up to grab some napkins from the side counter and pat at his jeans. "The funny thing is that Odette has told me the exact same thing. The only thing that hasnt happened yet is the press hasn't spread that rumour."

"How is Levi's anyway - you said you were stressed with it? Still on a downward track?"

"All ticking along, I'll have to add Karsi onto the list of people I need to go and see. Though she has been perfectly capable of getting in touch with me herself if it was something that urgent she wanted to see me about." Dorian grimaced. "How are the kids - other than the teething issues with the baby?"


(( Anyone else? ))

"Have you spoken to the kids parents? I'm sure they'd be horrified to find out their brats are being horrible to a Levi."

---

"Can I get help zipping this dress up?" Marlowe called from where she stood in Altair's bedroom, wearing a navy blue figure hugging dress and black heels as she got ready for a meal out with the dance company.

---

"I cant believe your here!" Faye squeled happily, wrapping one arm around Christian and the other around Theo as she pulled her brothers into a hug. "This is the best surprise ever!"

"Theo organised it all." Christian whispered, flinching at the force in which he was pulled into a hug. "Jesus Faye, calm down. It hasn't been that long."

"I must of gained weight since the last time I wore it. I can't reach it anymore." Marlowe whispered, turning to the side to stare at herself in the mirror as she sucked her belly in. "You can still change your mind and come with me,"

---

"He doesn't have to know you've done it. They don't have to know everything, especially if it is to keep them safe."

---

"When are you two going to move over here properly? There isn't anything back in the states for either of you."

"Work. Family." Chris frowned. "We can't just run away like you did Faye."

"Felicity's whole family is here, she misses her fancy English tea doesn't she? And people are crazy everywhere so she'll have plenty of options for new jobs. Bea is tiny, better to move her now then when school is serious. Come on, please. All of the important things are here."

"You mean you?" Christian snorted.

"Yes, I mean me! Mom won't care, she's too obsessed with Uncle Altair to care about us."

---

"I will, but it'll be an incredible one with you." Marlowe whispered, turning to face him once the zip was up - lifting her arms up to drape them lazily around his neck.

---

"Lux and Antione had their first fight the other week, she threw him out. So, I've been in secret conversation with Felix all week to keep an eye on him as that is where he ran to - not that either of the kids know that."

"Felicity's whole family is here, she misses her fancy English tea doesn't she? And people are crazy everywhere so she'll have plenty of options for new jobs. Bea is tiny, better to move her now then when school is serious. Come on, please. All of the important things are here."

"You mean you?" Christian snorted.

"Yes, I mean me! Mom won't care, she's too obsessed with Uncle Altair to care about us."

---

"I will, but it'll be an incredible one with you." Marlowe whispered, turning to face him once the zip was up - lifting her arms up to drape them lazily around his neck.

---

"Lux and Antione had their first fight the other week, she threw him out. So, I've been in secret conversation with Felix all week to keep an eye on him as that is where he ran to - not that either of the kids know that."

"Things just bubbled up for them both. She's missing Serena, he has that level of self-awareness now where it's sinking in that no one ever did look for him." Dorian shrugged. "A meaningless fight, they happen. They'll be as right as rain soon, it'll just take time."

---

"They aren't strangers, they're my colleagues. You've seen them dance with me." Marlowe frowned. "It's not just them there, I'll be there too."

---

"What makes you think I'll get bored? I like it here. I've already got friends, next weekend I start a weekend job. Ben is here. I like it here."

"Ben has been amazing letting you stay but you can't keep putting this kind of pressure on him, your not his kid."

"Fuck you." Faye hissed.

"I'm just saying it isn't fair, Faye. What happens when he meets someone? How will it looks to explain he has his ex girlfriends daughter living with him?"

"They could turn into aquintances, like a lot of the Levi business partners have done for me. Never mind, hm? I'll go by myself. I'm not going to force you."

---

"Let me just get my coat, we'll go for a walk or something." Faye muttered, glaring at Christian before disappearing into Ben's apartment.

"She's living in la la land." Christian sighed.

---

"Mm, about the age Marlowe was when all of our worlds collided. You don't realise how young we all were until the kids in the family start to reach those same ages."

"She needs to be realistic to stop herself from getting hurt. He'll ask her to leave eventually, and it'll just seem like another abandonment."

---

"The criteria is pretty low on that one for me though 'don't attempt to kill them' - yeah, done." Dorian chuckled.

---

"No, no. I can work out my own way home, you dont have to wait up."

Marlowe smiled softly then, moving her hand from his neck to rest her palm on his cheek instead then. Brushing her thumb against his face affectionately. "I can't wait to marry you."

---

Christian shook his head, pessimistic.

---

"So have you." Dorian smiled. "Your kids don't know how lucky they are having the ability to chose what they want to do with their lives."

"A daughter who wasn't terrified her baby would be whisked away from her, or the baby's father would be paid off or killed." Dorian frowned. "Isaac's existence isn't a reflection on yours and Darya's parenting, Cal. You never would of told Marley and Maddox they were bad parents when Sienna was pregnant so don't do it to yourself."

---

Marlowe nodded, whispering, "In my mind it's two scenarios; wherever he is he is fine now, and he doesn't care anymore because he finally gets it or he is pissed up there too which doesn't make much of a difference because he would of been pissed down here so... I still want to marry you, Altair, if you still want to marry me."

---

"We can't risk her breaking."