Name: Blossom
Story: Pleasant Surprise
Colors: Blush 12. (walking in step)
Supplies and Styles: canvas
Title: Taking Stock
Word Count: 622
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Bernard and Alene think about their kids.
Warnings: none except tooth rotting fluff
Notes: For some reason this had me pulling my hair slightly and I'm happy I finished it. Oh and Enzi is a singer that's going on his first tour. Well enjoy! Comments are welcomed!

Bernard finished his last report for the day and closed the folder in relief. He couldn’t believe it he finished all his paperwork for the day. He knew his assistant David would be shocked when he told him. He chuckled as he stretched his arms over his head. It felt good to take a break.

Bernard pushed the chair back and walked away from the desk. He left his study and walked over to Alene’s office. He leaned against the doorway and watched her put a few books away in her bookcase. It reminded him of the first time they met and she put a folder away in the nurse’s office.

Alene turned to him with a playful smile. “Are you going to stare at me all day or let me know what you want?”

“Hmm, I think I’m going to stare at you some more.” Bernard grinned. He pushed off from the doorway and walked over to her.

Alene laughed with a fond shake of her head. She leaned into Bernard’s arms when they wrapped around her waist.

“Are you finished for the day?”

“Yep, are you?”

“Yeah.”

“Want to take a walk?”

“Sure.”

Bernard smiled as Alene’s hand slid into his own on their way out of her office. They walked down the backstairs and over to the back door that led into the gardens. Bernard wrapped his arm around Alene’s waist as they walked past green bushes and orchids that started to bloom. The evening sun shone through the bushes as a warm, summer breeze moved the sweet smell of the flowers around.

Alene hummed as she leaned against his shoulder. “Can you believe Bello is going to get married soon? It seems so sudden.”

Bernard nodded. “It does. Sometimes it feels that I’m showing him how to control his fire.”

“Or I’m showing him the right way to teleport. It’s not only Bello either everyone is off on their own thing. Angel is working in a lab now, Enzi is on tour, Chris is getting closer to that young Necromancer, and Michelle has started her exams. Kia and Adam haven’t found what they want to do yet, but it’s only a matter of time before they do. Everything seems to be moving so fast.”

“Sure feels that way. I didn’t think I’d miss Angel’s explosions or Kia flipping off the couch so much.”

Alene laughed softly. “Me either. I’m happy they’re finding their own way, though.”

“Me too. You know, yesterday Albert told me some good news. He’s getting married to Alex soon and I’m going to be his Oirou! I’m pretty excited.”

“That’s great! Cathy found a new home and I’m going to help her move this weekend.” Alene squeezed his arm and looked up, admiring the orange in the sky. “Sounds like we’ll still be busy.”

“Yeah, but we won’t be as busy as before.”

“That’s true, so many things are happening, even our jobs have slowed down. I didn’t imagine it would happen so quickly. It feels like I blinked and everything changed.”

“It does feel that way, doesn’t it?”

Alene nodded. “Yeah, but that leaves us time to take walks like this and explore new things.”

“Anything you have in mind.”

Alene winked. “Where’s the fun if I tell you everything now?”

Bernard laughed and kissed her cheek. “I’ll always look forward to that.”

Alene smiled and pressed a quick kiss against his lips. “So, now that we have time do you want to pick dinner? I feel like trying something new in the kitchen and need a new helper, now that my regular helpers are gone.”

Bernard nodded. “Of course.”

They turned back to the house and talked about dinner along the way.