"Yeah!" Lillith agreed, still holding the flowers as she first went
to Marrabelle's room.
Gabby yelped in surprise, clutching her chest, then took a sharp
intake of breath. "Okay, geez, was not expecting that. But
whatever. Anyway, I wanted to check in on you, see if you were
okay."
"We brought you flowers..!" Shabbi said with a small smile, looking
up at the door.
Loki gave her a look. "Maybe we just wanted to stay in our rooms
for a day." He flopped back, rubbing his eyes. "And I'm just living
up to my name in this form. A monster."
There was a pause, then Marrabelle opened the door, eyes red and
puffy, hair a wreck. She tried to smile, but all that she could
muster was a famed grimace. "Thank you girls, this is sweet."
"Okay, geez, but fair. And..who says you're a monster? You never
have been one, Loki."
Marrabelle swallowed, and said, "Mom and Dad are having a little
problem right now, it's not your fault, okay? We just..need a
little time to sort things out."
"Of all the people to think that, she's the least likely. Spill it,
what happened?" Gabby crossed her arms.
Marrabelle stiffened, then relaxed, saying, "It's okay honey,
things like this just happen."
"Dang it Loki!" Gabby complained, "You're acting like a little
kid." She sighed, said, "Fine. Be like that, Magic Man. I'll be in
the living room or the front yard if you need me." She left.
"Hey, don't be like that, it's gonna be okay!" Marrabelle assured
them. "Just give it some time. Why don't you go see what Auntie
Gabby's doing?" "But we want to be with you and Dad," Lillith
complained, and Marrabelle shook her head. "I can't do that right
now, sweetie. I'm sorry."