Seraphimo the Knife Thrower (complete)

    I had a rather unusual upbringing as a child, one that didn’t seem that way to me until I saw how other families behaved. My parents adored one another even if they were from two separate worlds. My father was an accountant, and my mother was an Unseelie fae from the high royal court. They were as mismatched as they could be, but they were deeply in love.

    My father wanted me to attend human school while my mother wanted me to run with wolves and figure out mushrooms and berries for myself. They made a compromise, during the school year, I attended regular human school. Then during the summer, I would venture out into the wild and spend time with my relatives there. It wasn’t until I got a little older, my father had to reconsider the idea of mortal school for me. My magic was developing, and I had already begun to master a control over it. As such, I was never blamed for any of the ‘foul luck’ that tormented my tormentors. Aside from me being the ‘really weird chick’ they couldn’t blame me for anything that happened to them.

    I was never bothered by the so called bullies and mean girls around me. I knew I had the real power when it came to their supposed scare tactics and cruelty. If anything, I pitied the poor saps. One girl had no self esteem, so she took it out on others. One boy had an abusive family, so he picked on others to deal with the stress at home. If anything, the people in their lives deserved the punishing, not I. That was why I beset the bullies’ families with demons that tormented them anytime they abused their children. I also cursed the popular girl’s mirror with a spirit that helped her realize where her self esteem needed to lie. 

    I could use my powers the way my mother and her kind have for centuries, but instead, I used it the way my father taught me to. I combined their methods, of course. It’s always fun to conjure demons to torment assholes, after all. But in the long run, I enjoyed helping people.

    After school, I roamed around for a bit. I didn’t feel like continuing my education with college would be a productive means for me or my parents’ money. Instead, I invested what money they had set aside for me, and I traveled the worlds of my mother’s kin. I learned more there than I ever did in the real world. I would hate to mock math, considering that is my father’s profession, but it bores me to tears.

    Anyways, in my wanderings, I come across a peculiar and lively carnival. To humans, there is nothing strange about it, well, except for the fact it is a carnival. But with my eyes, I can see everyone who works here is wearing a glamour. There are all sorts of fae and monsters running the show, performing and mingling with humans where they don’t even have a clue. The boogieman could be handing them their cotton candy, and the poor humans would be none the wiser.

    I decide to watch one of the shows, some sort of dangerous dagger act. It sounds cute, anyways. I sit in the audience, watching as a group of fae perform a dance act before a spinning target is wheeled out onto the stage. Several other target boards are brought out to the stage as well. As the music quiets and everything goes still, the silent crowd begins to murmur. The longer we wait, the louder the murmuring gets. 

    All of a sudden, a dagger hits one of the smallest targets dead in the center. It had flown from behind the audience and caused everyone to go dead quiet again. I’m smirking at the drama of it while the crowd all turns to see the man standing at the entrance.

    “Welcome!” He announces with a loud, boisterous voice. “I am your master of blades this evening,” he says as the spotlight shines upon him. “I am Seraphimo Misteri.” He throws another blade, hitting an even smaller target dead center. 

    The crowd erupts into applause, but all I can do is look at him. For a man with such a ridiculous sounding name, I can’t take my eyes off him. He is an elegant sort of fellow, short, dark, and handsome. He’s styled in such a vintage way, he looks like an image from an old cigar box come to life. His hair is pure black and slicked to the back of his head. His eyes are a shimmering black as well, holding all the mischievousness of the world inside them. His waist looks cinched, as if by corset.

    I also notice he does not simply throw his daggers, but instead, invisible shadow-like tendrils take them from his hand and guide them to the targets. No one else can see these things, except for myself, of course. Much like everyone else here at this carnival, Seraphimo is not what he appears. Instead, he is wearing a Glamour, hiding the fact he’s some sort of shadow being from another world. 

    Seraphimo goes down to the stage, performs a few more tricks with his blades, getting the crowd amped up and excited for his performance. He’s certainly charismatic and for sure a charmer. How could anyone not fall for that dashing smile of his?

    “I need an assistant,” Seraphimo announces. “But wait-” he waves his hand out. “Do not raise your hands,” he says with a hushed voice. “Do not even make a sound,” he whispers even more quietly as he hunches his shoulders. He then grins, and I can tell he will be trouble for me.

    Seraphimo holds up a dagger, a rose gold blade, in fact. “I have a secret way of choosing my assistants for the evenings.” He says. He then places the blade into the pocket of his jacket and takes out a silk scarf from his sleeve. The crowd gasps as he ties it around his eyes, but already I’ve seen his shadow tendrils sneaking through the crowd and sniffing people out. I call to one, beckoning it towards me. The other tendrils soon follow it, coming to me as I woo it over. 

    “Now!” Seraphimo takes the rose gold blade, and the crowd erupts with screams and panic. “My blades always know the right assistant for me.” He throws the dagger, or well, one of the tendrils carries it.

    I grab it from ‘midair’ taking it from the tendril and standing up in my seat. The audience gasps and murmurs in shock. Confused little Seraphimo lifts up his scarf and looks up at me as I waggle the blade between my fingers. 

    “I think it’s me you want,” I say with a smirk.

    Seraphimo’s stunned and confused expression melts into perhaps his most sinfully charming smile yet. “Yes,” he whispers as he drops the scarf from his eyes. “I want you very much.” He holds his hand out towards me. “Come down, if you’d like.”

    I move to the aisle and step down until I am standing before Seraphimo. I’m quite a bit taller than he is, but I don’t mind it at all. I place the rose gold blade back into his palm, letting my fingers linger on his skin. Our eyes have been locked the entire time, and the audience has vanished between us. 

    “What are you going to do with me?” I purr.

    Seraphimo bites his lip and takes my hand. “Hopefully nothing,” he says as he leads me to the spinning target. “But we have all night.” He then turns back to the audience, remembering that they are there. “I am going to take my new assistant, lovely as she is,” he chuckles, “and strap her to this target.” He spins the target and, around the edges, it lights on fire.

    “Not to worry, she will be kept perfectly safe.” He looks at me. “If that’s what she wants.”

    I smirk and arch my brows. “You’re so suggestive,” I whisper.

    He stops the target from spinning and takes hold of my hand. “Step up there, and I’ll strap you in.”

    “Will it hurt?” I ask, loud enough for everyone to hear.

    “Of course not. You’ll be quite comfortable. I assure you.” He steps up to strap me in, and while he’s close, I strike like a panther.

    “What if I want it to hurt?” I snarl into his ear.

    Seraphimo smirks, trying to keep composure for the audience. “Later,” he whispers. He then looks into my eyes. “My god, who are you?”

    I grunt as he restrains my wrists. “Marlene,” I coo.

    Seraphimo finishes tying me in place and steps down from the platform. “You may see a damsel in distress before you,” Seraphimo announces to the crowd. “But my daggers do not just pick anyone.”

    I can see his shadow tendrils stretching out and wrapping around the target. One comes to me, stroking my cheek and brushing through my hair. Oh, so he wants to touch me, does he? Good. I want him too.

    The tendrils then spin the target and the audience bursts out in a clamor. “No need to worry!” Seraphimo laughs. He then throws a dagger over his shoulder, and I hear a woman scream. “I swear, she’s perfectly safe.” He chucks another dagger over his shoulder and it lands between my fingers.

    Seraphimo then turns around, watching as I spin. He throws two daggers at once, both landing on either side of my head. “Are you worried for our maiden?” He calls out to the audience. He then goes to a table covered by a cloth and pulls the cloth away. There are swords and much more dangerous items lined up there.

    “You should be,” he growls. He takes up a saber and shows it off to the crowd. He then throws it sideways and it chops into the target going along the length of my leg.

    He does this several times until there is a sword along each limb. He then stops the target from spinning so I am upside down. “Not even a single strand of her beautiful hair is cut,” he says as he runs his fingers through my hair. He takes a lock, kissing it before turning back to the crowd. “She is perfectly safe, as you can see.”

    “I wouldn’t quite say that,” I grin and the crowd laughs.

    Seraphimo looks at me and bites his lip. “What makes you think you’re in danger?”

    “Blades are predictable. The man holding them is not.”

    His grin is making me swoon. He turns back to the crowd. “One final trick before I let the damsel go,” he says. That’s when I notice his shadow limbs are starting to surround me. They wrap around my arms and legs and loosen the restraints on me. “Before the night is over,” Seraphimo continues. The flames on the target shoot out bigger and the entire wheel catches on fire. The shadows pull me back as the audience screams and the target is engulfed in flames.

    The shadows carry me through a void and place me in, what I assume is, a box. I can hear Seraphimo telling the crowd to be quiet and, a moment later, he opens the box I am in and I sit up.

    “Not all is lost,” Seraphimo winks to the crowd as they erupt in applause.

    After the show ends and the audience files out of the tent, Seraphimo and I are left alone. Or well, it feels like we are alone. People are cleaning off the stage and taking his props away as they prepare for the next act.

    “I think I’m in love with you,” Seraphimo replies.

    I stoop down, kissing him hungrily. “You better be,” I grin.

    Seraphimo moans softly, his long lashes fluttering as he recovers from the kiss. “Who are you, Marlene?” He whispers.

    I rub my smeared lipstick from his lips. “I’m a lot of things. But right now, I am mainly hungry. Care to take your willing victim out for a meal?”

    “My pleasure.” He holds his arm out for me to take and I gladly do.

    He takes me to his dressing room, where there is a table and candles waiting for us as well as a bottle of wine.

    “Do you seduce all your assistants like this?” I ask as I take a seat.

    “I did none of the seducing tonight. You’re the one who has captured me and locked me in a cage.” He uncorks the wine with one of his shadows then pours me a glass. 

    I smirk as I take it. “Then how do you explain this setup?”

    “I’ve got people looking out for me,” Seraphimo chuckles. “How’s the wine?”

    “It’s good,” I say as I swirl it in the glass. “Sex would be better.”

    Seraphimo shakes his head and groans. “You’ve been sent to destroy me, haven’t you?” He asks. “Oh well, I am powerless, I am simply going to have to accept that fate.”    

    “Oh no, don’t worry, what I have in mind is going to take years and years to accomplish. Perhaps even a lifetime.” I take another sip.

    “You’re in luck,” Seraphimo sits beside me. “I have lots of those for you to ruin.” He purrs as his lips brush against my neck.

    I set my glass down. “Are you finally making a move?” I put my hand on his thigh.

    He growls in my ear and nibbles my earlobe. “Is that what you want? Because I can make many moves right now.” His shadows sneak up around me, brushing along my legs and up my blouse.

“You’re very handsy,” I whisper. “Good thing you have so many.”

Seraphimo pulls back and looks at me curiously. “You can see them?”

I arch my brow at him. “Can’t you?” I ask sarcastically.

Seraphimo grits his teeth and snarls. “You’ll have to tell me what you are eventually. I’m already planning the engagement ring in my head.”

“We should make love a few times before any ring is discussed.” I purr. “Unless you have something in mind for the bedroom, that is.”

“I can’t tell if you’re going to devour me or make me devour you,” he moans. He kisses my neck and bites me. Sharp teeth drag down my skin as his shadows open up my blouse.

“Why can’t I do both?” I ask. I stand up, moving out of his reach. I step out of my clothes, remaining only in my underwear. I lay on his bed, posing for him as he opens his collar and removes his coat.

“Now, show me what’s under that Glamour.” I hitch up my leg to give him a good view. “Before I show you mine,” I tease.

Seraphimo strips away his clothes, showing me he is wearing a corset underneath. He keeps it on, even as his body starts to shift. It goes dark and shimmering, becoming very much like a shadow. His neck stretches out and his head takes on a strange birdlike quality with great big eyes that swoop back. 

“What do you think?” Seraphimo’s voice is dark and rumbling like a distant storm with static. He moves to the foot of the bed.

I bite my lip as I watch him. “I hope you have stamina,” I say as I sit up. “Because from now on, you’re mine.”

Seraphimo’s shadowy limbs coil and wrap around me. “I have everything you need,” he snarls. “Bed of nails? Hot poker? Leather straps? Perhaps a few knives to play with?”

I chuckle as one of the tendrils moves inside my panties. “Later. For now, let’s just play nice.” I then gasp and moan. I strain to keep composure, but my cheeks are burning. “How about that?”

Needless to say, Seraphimo and I became inseparable. Our attraction and desire for one another was an immediate and powerful thing. To this day, it is like new for us. Passion and romance every day, like teenagers who can’t keep their hands off one another. I joined the carnival that very night, leaving with Seraphimo and Mr. Faire’s Children of the Night Carnival.

 I become part of Seraphimo’s act, using my own magic to add some new elements to his already wonderful show. Our chemistry makes it electric and I know people enjoy watching us. We enjoy being watched.

As the years go by, the carnival grows. Mr. Faire adopts new children, much in the same way he saved my Seraphimo ages ago. The new children join us and soon, the carnival is like a life of its own. As much as Seraphimo and I enjoy the crowd, the family is another thing. We must steal our moments together when we can, often times in shadows or hidden places.

“We’ll be late,” Seraphimo growls as I take him in a dark corner between the fence and the tent.

I kiss him hungrily, lifting up my skirts so he can make quick use of me. I haven’t worn panties in ages, not since I started making Seraphimo wear them. “I don’t care,” I moan as I lean against the fence. “I need you now.”

Seraphimo wraps his shadowy tendrils around me, pulling me to him and lifting my long legs off the ground. “You always need me,” he whispers.

I feel him inside me and I can hear the crowd as they start to pile into the tent to take their seats. The intro music starts and Seraphimo starts to move. I can feel him deep inside me, just where he belongs. He pulls me back, holding me to his chest as his shadow limbs support me. He kisses my neck as his ethereal cock thrusts inside me.

“After all these years,” he growls to me. 

I giggle and look back at him, kissing him. “I promise, this is just a taste of our anniversary.” I squeeze tight around him. “I just can’t let you go on that stage yet.”

Seraphimo laughs. “It’s our ritual.”

We make it in time, we always do. A quick clean up backstage as the music starts and a smoothing of clothes and we’re all set and ready. Like Seraphimo said, it’s become our little ritual to ensure that the show goes well.

There are some evenings where I sit in as fortune teller, as that tends to get extremely popular, especially around college towns. I enjoy doing it, aside from the fact I am usually alone in the booth as I do it. The questions are all usually the same. The young ask about the romance and futures. The older ones ask about their wealth and continuing ease, as well as their health. It is every so often I get a surprise.

One evening, as I am shuffling my deck, a little girl comes in with her father cooing behind her. “Go ahead, ask her.”

The little girl sets her freshly one stuffed prize on the table then slides me the fee for the fortune. “Can you really tell the future?”

I can’t help but chuckle. The little girl obviously dressed herself. She’s wearing rain boots, a rainbow-striped turtleneck, and bright red sequin shorts. Her hair is meticulously done in a fishtail braid and she has blush smeared on her cheeks. She had been looking forward to tonight and wanted to dress up for it. Good for her.

“I can,” I reply. “With cards, the lines on your hands, sometimes even with a special charm.”

“Does it have to be my future?” The little girl asks.

I look back at the father, who is obviously trying to give her her space and freedom. I look back at her and shake my head. “Are you worried about someone?”

She makes me lean down so she can talk to me without anyone hearing. “I wanna know if my dad will find a date.”

I smile at her. “You have such a good heart. Tell you what,” I hand her back her money. “Take this and go to the tent with the big archway out front made from pink flowers. Inside is a lovely young woman who goes by Tatianna. I have a feeling she and your father will see one another and not be able to look away.”

The little girl cocks her head to the side. “Will she like me?”

I brush her hair aside and cup her cheek. “She adores creative little girls just as much as adorable single fathers.” I boop the tip of her nose. “If that doesn’t work, I owe you.”

“Deal!” The little girl gives me a hug and rushes over to her dad, dragging him to the exit and towards Tatianna’s tent.

I smile after them, feeling a dreamy sensation flood over me. I then snap to attention, realizing what has truly come over me. I close up shop and rush out, heading towards mine and Seraphimo’s dressing room.

“Oh, darling!” He says, trying to hide the fact he’s eating from his supposedly secret stash of candy. “I was just thinking about you.”

I come up to him, kissing him and smoothing my hands down his shoulders. “We’ve been together a long time now, Seraphimo,” I tell him. “Making love, performing, not to mention all the sex,” I chuckle softly. “Don’t you think it’s odd, in all that time, we have not even considered the possibility of a pregnancy happening? Let alone discuss it.”

“It never seemed the right time,” Seraphimo chuckles as he pours me a glass of wine. “Is there a reason you’re bringing it up now?”

I take the glass and look up at him. “It has come to my attention that I want children.”

“Blessed be!” Seraphimo gulps down his wine then kneels before me. “We should get started on it right away then! We’ve been practicing enough.”

I laugh and smooth my palm down his cheek. “You are so ready to be a father?”

“I have been ready to be a father all my life!” Seraphimo stands back up and sits beside me, kissing me lovingly. “A child with you would be too wonderful to ask! A tiny terror with your eyes and keen intellect? Perhaps even a little of me mixed in.”

I smooth my fingers through his hair so it starts to fall loose from the slicked back style. “It has never come up before. I had no idea you felt so strongly about it.”

“Our hearts are connected, I think we knew all along we would discuss it when we were ready. I believe we’re both ready now.” He clutches my hands and kisses my knuckles. “But the question begs an answer, would we want to have it here?” He asks.

“Where else would we have it?” I ask. “Nowhere is safer than here for us.”

“But we move so much,” Seraphimo says, shaking his head. “Didn’t you say you enjoyed growing up in the same place all your life?”

“I did,” I say quietly. “But that’s different. Here, our child would be able to grow up with more people like them around. They’d get a good education still, and we would be happy.”

Seraphimo tilts his head. “But what if there was an inkling that they were not?”

I sigh and shake my head. “Then we would take the proper steps to assure all are happy, of course.” I lay my head on his chest. “I do not want to leave our home here. Even if we are constantly surrounded by your family.”

Seraphimo rubs my back and kisses the top of my head. “Paradise is anywhere that I am with you,” he croons to me. “Do not doubt that for even a second, my love.”

I sit up and grin at him, meeting his kiss. “So we are agreed then?”

“Of course,” Seraphimo stands up and strips away his clothing. “We shall try for a child, as many as possible in one go.”

“One is as many as possible,” I warn him.

“Ah, why not try to overachieve?” He stands before me, naked, aside from his corset. “I suppose we should be traditional from now on?”

I giggle. “I don’t think the position matters, love.”

“It’s the injection,” Seraphimo says with a hum. “I suppose that means I should be the one doing the penetrating tonight.”

The following morning, I sneak into town with some of the other girls. We go supply shopping every now and again, and while they’re stocking up on snack food, I place a few pregnancy tests into my cart. I’m rounding the corner, intending to hide the little boxes under a fluffy blanket, when Mr. Faire comes out of nowhere.

“My dear, Marlene, how are you this morning?” He asks with his usual chipper attitude.

I hesitate, not wanting to have mine and Seraphimo’s plans known to the entire carnival. I then smile brightly, putting on my usual cool as can be act. “Just looking for that espresso Seraphimo so enjoys,” I say. “He’s been out for a few days now and I know he’s starting to dig into his chocolate stash.”

“Oh dear,” Mr. Faire murmurs. He looks around and, for a moment, I think I’ll be able to make it without notice. “Looks like the coffees are over there. But maybe they have one of those fancy dispense it yourself racks that-” he glances into the buggy. “Marlene!”

“Mr. Faire,” I say with my sternest voice.

He looks at me with wide eyes and a slack expression. 

I press my finger to my lips. “I trust you to keep the silence,” I reply. “No need in going about spreading any sort of rumor.” I give him a very sharp look. “Is that understood?”

Mr. Faire beams, his smile is radiant and pure. “Oh, but,” he bounces. “You and Seraphimo are so dear to me! Is it true? Are you pregnant?”

“Not even close,” I huff at him. “If I were pregnant, why would I be buying these tests?” I grab the blanket from the wall I had been reaching for before and use it to cover my shopping cart’s items.

“Oh,” he gasps. “I suppose that does make sense.”

“Seraphimo and I are trying,” I hiss warningly at him. “We discussed it last night and both agreed.”

“I’m going to be a grandfather?” Mr. Faire starts to tear up.

I’m not quite sure what or even really who Mr. Faire is. No one is, in fact, I am certain Mr. Faire doesn’t even remember his origins himself. I do know that Seraphimo has been with him for a very long time and Mr. Faire has been collecting his children and taking care of them for even longer. He’s the age to be a grandfather, but it sounds so weird coming from someone you consider a dear friend.

“Be quiet,” I hiss at him. “Not until we say so, you are not allowed to say another word on the matter!”

Mr. Faire sighs and nods. “Of course, Marlene. I won’t say a word. But I am just so excited! You have no idea how happy I am for you and Seraphimo!”

“That is exactly why you must keep it in check,” I warn him again before walking off to make my purchases before anyone else can see.

It doesn’t take us long. Come the following month, one of the tests yield a positive result. Seraphimo is elated, and I am taken breathless. It isn’t a dream we had held for long, but it is a dream, all the same. We decide not to tell anyone until we’re a little further into the pregnancy so we can enjoy it to ourselves for a little while.

Living in the carnival, sometimes it is hard to have something that is just yours and yours alone. With this baby coming, it feels like Seraphimo, and I have something that is just for us. This amazing little gift of life is ours, no one else's. But of course, since I live in such a close-knit family, it won’t feel that way for long. Everyone will want to help and make sure I am ok. Everyone will be making things and offering what they can for when the baby is born. For the time being, Seraphimo and I just want our bundle to be ours.

Seraphimo kisses and talks to my belly, snuggling up to it and singing quietly to the baby. “You do realize they haven’t even formed ears yet.”

“We are early bloomers in my family,” Seraphimo says. “Overachievers with a great yearning and zest for life. I bet our little peanut already has ears and is singing along with me.”

“Oh, sure,” I laugh and lay back, enjoying his attentions to my belly.

“We will have the most gifted, talented, and beautiful baby in all the world. Because, as I said, my family are all over achievers. Even if the world tells us that we are not, we always believe that we are.” He kisses my belly then looks up at me. “Besides, you are the mother, it has no choice in the matter.”

“Flatterer,” I sigh. “Tell me more.”

“You are going to be the most beautiful mother there ever was,” he says as he crawls up and lays behind me. He puts his arms around me, holding me tight. “I will do everything to make sure that, after the birth, you do not have to worry about a thing. I will handle nights, I will take care of all the diapers.”

“Don’t spoil me now,” I grin. “A baby is fifty-fifty. Half you and half me.” I turn so I can look into his gorgeous eyes. “But I adore your enthusiasm.”

Seraphimo kisses me. “I never had the experiences you did,” he tells me, and he places his palm over my belly. “Not until Mr. Faire saved my life.” He buries his face in my hair. “I do not want our child to ever question its place in this world. Let alone think that no one in it will ever love and adore them.”

“It is already the most loved baby in the world. Do not doubt yourself, love, you will be an amazing father.” I sit up as Seraphimo places his head in my lap. “You will be loving and honest, and you will teach our baby everything it needs to know about throwing a blade.”

Seraphimo laughs and sniffles. “Sorry, my love, I got lost in remembering.”

I brush my fingers through his hair. “The past is gone, and yes, it may still hurt, but I am here to kiss you wherever it may sting.”

Seraphimo sits up, clutching my face between his palms, and he kisses me dearly. “You always know just the right words to say, my love.” 

“Only because it is you. I do not think that power would work on anyone else,” I laugh as I kiss him again. “Now lay down. Get some rest. We’re moving in the morning.”

“You are not allowed to move a thing,” he fusses at me as he joins me in bed. “You will stand aside and look lovely.”

“Like always,” I tease as I curl up beside him.

Of course, we tell Mr. Faire first. After another few weeks, we decide to start telling people about our good news. Mr. Faire, true to fashion, breaks down crying in his excitement. He is so happy and excited, sometimes he cannot express the full breadth of his feelings, so tears are naturally what happens.

The carnival is all excited for us, and pretty soon, we have everything we need for the baby when they arrive. Someone has made us a crib and rocking chair, just about everyone has made us clothes and blankets for the baby. We also have names picked out, but we have decided to keep them secret until the baby arrives.

And arrive soon, it does. It is late in the night, and my cries wake up the entire carnival. I am whisked to the doctor’s tent, where I am in labor for longer than I ever care to be. But by dawn, a little squirming thing is placed in my arms.

“We have our little Valentine,” Seraphimo whispers to me.

I look at her, marveling at her snow white skin, her hair is soft and flowy just like her father’s shadows. Her eyes are big and wide, holding a small cosmos in each of them. She burbles and grunts, barely crying at all. She’s so soft and small, I can barely stand it. 

“Valentine,” I coo to her. “I thought I was ready, but I was not prepared!”

“Neither was I,” Seraphimo cries, wiping his eyes and grinning. “Look how beautiful she is.”

“Don’t worry,” I whisper to him. “Her head won’t stay that shape.”

“Oh,” he sighs and nods. “I didn’t want to say anything because she’s so perfect, but uhm...good.” He kisses my temple, smoothing away my hair. “Are you ok? Do you need anything?”

“Rest, but I do not feel tired.” I hold Valentine close as she whimpers and coos. “I just want to look at her a little while longer.”

After recovery and a long time of nesting, we take Valentine out for her first stroll around the carnival. She takes to the place, and more stars glow in her eyes when she is approached by her grandfather.

She clings to Mr. Faire, loving him already. “I can babysit anytime you need me to!” He assures us as he holds fast to Valentine. “You name it. I’ll even do it now.”

“Now?” Seraphimo gives me a look, and I return it. 

“Now would be good.” I hand over her diaper bag and stroller, and Seraphimo and I rush off. It’s been a while since we’ve done our little ritual. Now is the perfect time to start again.