Sunset

I think there comes a time in everyone's life when they have to realise that their parents are only human. They're not superheroes, or geniuses, or gods. They're just regular people, and they've got no idea what they're doing. To me, the day that you have this realisation is the day you're no longer a child, even if you're not ready to be an adult yet. The day you truly become an adult is the day you can look at that realisation and honestly say 'that's fine, I don't need them to be perfect.' Only then have you reached the stage where you can be your own person.

Elise's head rests in my lap, laying on the sofa in the living room, my hand gently stroking her hair as the TV plays some black and white film. Nothing against old movies at all, but right now, my only concern is the human being resting on my thighs. She hasn't said much since her parents left, but I don't want to push it, she'll talk when she's ready, she needs to process. In the meantime, I'll smother her with love and affection... It's all I've got to offer really.

"So, I rush a marriage as part of a political manoeuvre, suddenly, I'm too young, but you can go ahead and move into a bar, because that's more reasonable!" The sound of Rouge's voice cuts our intimacy short. She enters and flops into Jasper's chair, undeterred by my glaring in an effort to warn her now isn't the time. "So, you two ready for... Whatever it is that's been planned for tomorrow?" She continues.

She's intentionally ignoring me, isn't she? "Rouge, now-" I begin.

"You should be excited!" Elise grins. Huh? But she was... Of course, she needs me to look after her, but she needs everyone else to keep going. If they worry she'll just feel worse. It's easy for me to forget just how tough my girlfriend is when I see her so vulnerable so often. "Trish and I have a bunch of surprises in store, it'll be the best birthday ever!" She brags, pointing decisively at my sister.

"No less than I deserve." Rouge waves off her statement. Ruby apparently senses this gathering of potential attention, as she scurries in and leaps into Rouge's lap. "It could be the last chance we have for all of us to get together, kinda crazy when you think about it." She thinks aloud, stroking the pup's head.

Oh good, existential dread, always a fun addition to the mix. Honestly though... It's more than that it doesn't feel real, the logical part of my brain is kicking in too. Maybe I'm in denial, but the last time? Nah.

"Bullshit." I blurt out. Rouge looks at me with a mixture of confusion and annoyance, as if I'd undercut her. "I... I just mean, there's more to it, I mean, technically Gene already left and it's not like that changed everything. I don't think there's a specific day that we'll consider the 'last day' or anything. The world's more complex than that. Like, how long does it take to become a doctor?" I ask, trying to explain my meaning.

Rouge considers my question suspiciously, as if she's trying to figure out where I'm going with this. "Ten years, at minimum, if you're specialising like me closer to fourteen. I'll probably be done in eight." She adds, with a smug smile.

"Yes, baby sister, you're super smart, we're all as impressed as we have been for the last nineteen years you've been bragging about it." I laugh. "My point is, how much of that is at uni? Half? After that what're you gonna do? You're gonna come back here, finish your training, and after that? Who knows, but... I dunno, it feels like we're treating a lot of things as final... We're not even twenty yet. We've got another eighty years in us. Maybe a hundred if you're a particularly good doctor!" I conclude with a chuckle.

As much as it may seem like this is solely for Rouge's benefit... That speech is more for Elise. This isn't the end. You'll see your family again. She seems to appreciate my optimism, her lingering smile beaming up at me from my lap.

"Urgh, I think I liked it better when you were an emotional wreck. This whole 'mature' thing ruins all the fun of messing with you." Rouge scowls.

*

"Axel?" I offer.

"No way. Smoke?" Elise counters.

"I'd love one, but it's an awful name." I giggle, as she elbows me in the ribs. "Maybe we should hold off coming up with names until we actually get a dog, yeah?"

We'd retired to bed, but really neither of us were tired. Usually this would be the sort of time that we'd suddenly lose all our clothes and inhibitions, but the events of the day have kinda dampened the mood. That being said, Elise apparently has an 'extra surprise' for me tomorrow. I chose not to press further, partly because I want to be surprised, and partly because if I think about what that could actually mean for too long it'll light my loins on fire.

"Thank you... For looking after me today." Elise purrs, resting her head on my chest.

I can't help but chuckle at her politeness. "It's in my job description. I have to look after you when you look beautiful... Which is all the time. Really it's a round-the-clock job." I respond.

"Good to know you won't care when I'm ugly!" She mocks me.

"I mean, the heat-death of the universe is a while away yet. You've got time." I answer immediately. I may have been watching documentaries about space to fill the time at work. But hey, I could use more hobbies anyway.

Elise rolls her eyes at my line but doesn't retort. Ha, that means I had the cuter line. "Hey... Lapin?" She whispers softly, sitting up slightly, and pointing me to the clock. '00:03.' I look back to her as her lips press into mine.

"Happy birthday."