Maniac’s Mayhem

"sometimes life is a bitch sometimes it isn't. It's mostly a bitch though"

anonymous

I close the door behind me after delivering an extra plate of food to the kids. I was feeling really happy today. The children had somehow not only managed to stay calm but also to make some friends.

“Lyssa, keep an eye on the kids, will you?” I ask looking up at the ceiling.

Lyssa always endeavours to protect the next generation.

I nod, turning back to the party and almost immediately jump out of my skin. “Fuck, what are you doing here? You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Unlikely, our heart is beating at a stable rhythm.” Crow answers unrepentantly, still keeping their face just millimetres from my own. “Also, I came back to inform you that I might be gone for a bit longer. I got a job.”

I blink, looking at my own face in complete confusion. “A job? I know we don’t really have money, but there are easier ways to get it.”

“I am not doing it for money.” Crow says in a dead pan tone. “Once you marry Cierra, her assets will be shared, so we will have more than enough money then.”

“Okay, then, why do you have a job?” I ask, trying to comprehend at least a tenth of Crow's reasoning.

“To keep everyone safe, of course.” Crow answers.

I nod. Right, why did I even ask? “Will you stay for the party?”

Crow looks behind them, then shakes their head. “No, but you can have our body back for the night as long as I can have it back in the morning.”

“Actually, yeah, that would be great. Thank you, Crow,” I say with a smile as I dismiss my digital projection, finding myself back in our mind-place thing. From there I slowly try to take control of our body while Crow lets go.

I let out a breath, trying to get used to feeling air bouncing around as I breathe. Wow, this feels weird after having been a hologram for a while. Anyway, I have people to take care of, I guess, or something like that. I walk back into the living room, throwing an arm around Cierra and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Children are okay?” Cierra asks

“Yeah, they’re playing some game about dragons and cookies, I think.” I say with a shrug. “They seem to be having fun.”

Cierra gives me a brilliant smile as she hugs me tight. She suddenly freezes however, and tilts her head towards me with a confused look. “You have a heart beat.”

I frown at her, “I never replaced my heart, so I would sure hope I have one.”

With your oxygen retention and lack of organs that still require it, Lyssa estimates you can actually survive for several hours without a heartbeat before any adverse effects set in.

I shake my head, trying to not think too much about what my AI just said, and instead focus my attention on Cierra who is pouting at me.

“I know, but your hologram thing usually doesn't have a heartbeat.” Cierra says.

I smile leaning down to give Cierra a kiss. “That is because this is my real body, not a hologram.”

“Is it too late to kick everyone out so we can head to the bedroom for some fun?” Cierra whispers in my ear.

“I think so, yeah.” I say with a small smile.

"Shame, so does this mean Crow is back then?” Cierra asks.

“For now, apparently they have a job now, so they’ll probably leave soon.” I say with a shrug.

“And you are fine with that?” Cierra asks, raising her eyebrow at me.

“Yeah, I mean they have some kind of plan,” I get closer to Cierra. “Let’s just have some fun today and not worry about Crow’s little adventure.”

“So it really does not bother you that you don’t know what Crow is doing with your body?” Cierra asks while leading me by the arm into the party.

“Who said I didn't know what they were doing?” At the look Cierra gives me, I continue. “Right, so they did send me an extensive document with what they were planning, but I have not read it on account of it being over ten thousand pages.”

“I am going to assume Crow writes like a demented, well, let's say treasure seeking pirate.” Cierra says with a smile.

“Yep, so I am, like, on page two, but you know, if Crow has planned all this out this much, it should be good, right?” I ask.

“Out of the three of you, Crow is definitely the smart one,” Cierra says, pinching my side.

I laugh, showing a face of mock hurt. “You wound me.”

“Your body is made of steel; nothing I can do will wound you,” Cierra says, leading me to a frowning woman.

The woman's face grows even darker as she spots me. She crosses her arms, giving me a scowl. Cierra quickly lets go of me, giving me just a kiss and a whispered good luck before walking to some other people to engage those people in conversation and leaving me to deal with the irate teenager.

“Ashley, nice to see you again?” I venture. “Have you settled in?”

“I did,” Ashley says, giving me a pout. “But you promised me that I would be your assistant, and now I am stuck taking care of children, so I feel like I have been conned.”

“Right, I guess that's fair.” I say, scratching the back of my neck. “I could use some help, but it will be even more chaotic than taking care of kids.”

Ashley nods. “I can handle chaos; I grew up alone in the Undercity.”

I reach out my hand, ruffling her hair. “Sure, you are a big girl now. Be here tomorrow at ten and we sort out all the things we need to get done. In the meantime, just enjoy the party.”

“Thanks,” Ashley says, looking down at the floor. “And Evelin I do really appreciate everything you have done so far.”

“You're more than welcome. Anyway, I'm going to say hi to my mom,” then I boop her on the nose ”and hands off the liquor; you are not of age yet.”

“Yes, Mom, I will keep to the chocolate milk,” Ashley says with a smile.

I spend some more time at the party greeting everyone and talking about current events, while the kids stay mostly in their room. Though Cali does come out once to ask for more ice cream, and after being handed an entire tub, she happily skips back to her room, making me dread the mess I will have to clean up later.

As the initial excitement dies down and everyone has had a drink or two and something to eat, Cierra drags me to the middle of the room, grabbing her glass and raising it up into the air.

“Everyone, can I have your attention please” Cierra says loudly, everyone quieting down to look at the two of us.

Cierra grabs my hand while taking out a small red box out of her pocket. “Evelin, my crazy Evelin, you have been the light of my life for so long that I want to show the world how brightly you shine. Will you marry me?” She asks me with a smile.

I nod, trying my best not to cry. “Yes, of course. "

The next moment passes by in a blur. I think I kissed her and I definitely put on the ring, then hugged and talked to a million different people. When it is all over, I find myself on the couch with Claire sitting in my lap, her back resting against my chest as I lean my chin on her shoulder.

“So you like getting married?” Claire asks while playing with the ring on my finger.

“Yes, I hope that is not a problem?” I ask, placing a kiss on her neck.

“Not a problem, just unexpected. You don’t come across as the stable relationship type,” Claire says with a chuckle.

“I think I am actually pretty good at digging in and settling down when I want to.” I say with a grin. “I mean, I have a house, a fiancé, and two kids now. All I am missing is the sports car for the complete midlife crisis, and that all in half a year.”

Claire chuckles, turning her head around to give me a kiss on the cheek. “So the ambulance does not count?”

“That is a fair point, so I got my luxury ride.” I say with a smile. “Maybe I can get Jasper to put some spoilers on it.”

Claire giggles. “You are awful, you know that, right?” She then brings my hand with the ring closer to her face. “So when am I getting a ring?”

I pause. “I didn’t realise you wanted one.”

“I mean, I do. Maybe not right now, but eventually. Like marriage feels like a lot for me right now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to get married.” She rambles out, sounding a bit shy.

“So does this mean that I should slowly persuade you to come live with me?” I say with a smile, holding the cute bundle closer.

“No, I need to focus on college, and with you, Cierra, and the kids here, I don’t think I would get much studying done.”

“I see. That makes sense,” I say, trying my best to not let my disappointment show.

“Are you disappointed?” she asks, turning to look at me.

I nod. “I would be lying if I said that I'm not, but I also understand. I mean, the kids have only been here for a few days and they have already taken over my life completely, so don’t worry. I get what you mean, and I know you did not sign up to be a mother yet.”

“Right.” Claire shifts around to try and face me better. “I will still come visit you a lot, I promise.”

I smile, patting her head. “No worries, I am so proud of you. Just go and get that diploma. We will be cheering you on.”

I lean in a bit closer and capture her mouth, giving her a kiss that was a bit more passionate than would be appropriate in a public setting. I only stop when I feel Claire’s hand on my chest slowly pushing me away. Giving me a good look at her blushing face.

“You are a bad person, you know that, right?” Claire says, looking away from me with a pout.

“Then maybe you should stay the night so you could teach me some manners.” I whisper in her ear with a grin.

She turns even redder at this; her blush creeping all the way to her ears. “Okay.”

A sudden bit of noise makes me turn my head to the side, finding Shinon standing next to the couch. I slowly push Claire off my lap and drop from the couch onto my knees so we can be at eye level.

“Hey honey, do you want more snacks? Or maybe something to drink?” I ask the girl.

“Liar!” she suddenly shouts loudly, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes.

“Uhm honey, I am not sure what I lied about, but I can probably explain if you let me.” I say with a smile, quickly sifting through my digital catalogue of memories trying to figure out what she is talking about.

“You told Mum you loved her, you liar.” She says, running forward at me.

Only when I feel the sharp pain in my chest, do I realise that the kid has grabbed a knife off the table.