"Regus. No!" Venus leaped over the couch and collided with the child, knocking them both to the ground. Venus clutched Regus to her chest as she slid along the floor. Her back slammed into the coffee table, and the items on top clattered and shook. Regus' hand released the handful of tools and items that they had been clutching so tightly. Each dropped to the floor with a loud clatter.
Regus' sobbing filled the small living room of their moderately sized house. Venus pushed away her son and cooed at him, stroking his hair back into a small ponytail.
"I'm sorry..." She coddled, rocking him back and forth.
"It's okay..." Regus sniffed a slimy, green booger back into his little, snub nose. "I shouldn't have been running with Dad's tools."
Venus stroked his cheeks and wiped away his tears.
"Here." She grabbed a few tissues from the toppled tissue box and handed them to Regus. "Blow your nose like Daddy taught you."
Regus' little toots and blows made Venus smile. He was her baby, her and Eli's treasure. Nothing could replace him in their lives.
The sound of the front door clicking shut interrupted Regus' attempts to blow his nose. Eli rounded the corner to meet Venus and Regus sitting in a pile of clutter. Regus' face was red and dirty from his tears and boogers. Venus' face was tight from holding in laughter.
Eli planted his hands firmly on his hips and dropped the bag he was holding.
"What happened here?" He said slowly as his eyes took in the mess of a living room.
"Oh. We were having a bit of fun." Venus patted Regus on his back and rubbed his chubby arms.
"I can see that. And without me?" Eli narrowed his eyes playfully at the two. Regus and Venus exchanged glances and turned simultaneously to beam bright white smiles at him.
Eli chuckled and hurried toward the two, joining them in their fun.
"Hey, buddy, why don't you help me clean this up and then go find Sammy to play for a bit before dinner?" Eli hooked his arm around Regus and pulled him close to his chest.
Regus nodded intensely and shot up from his spot on the floor. He raced around, grabbing all the tools and spilled items. The two adults joined him, and soon the living room was spotless.
Regus ran for the door and struggled to slip on his little sneakers. As he reached for the door, Venus cleared her throat. He turned around to see her leaning against the wall, arms outstretched.
He smiled sheepishly and blushed as he scooted over to her. Venus wrapped her arms tightly around her son and groaned as he squeezed her tight.
"That was better." She teased. "Be safe. Come back by 6." She held out her pinky finger and smiled at her son. Regus slid his finger around her and replied,
"Promise, Mommy. On my pinky." He stretched his thumb up and met her thumb. "And seal it with a kiss." He made a kissy noise and then ran off to the great outdoors and his next adventure.
Venus entered the living room and flopped on the couch near Eli. He wrapped an arm around his wife and pulled her close.
He looked down to see Venus staring up at him, wide-eyed, her chin resting on his chest. He dipped his head and met her lips. She hopped onto his lap and cupped his face in her hands, pulling him closer.
Their breathing mingled as they kissed in sync. They became the hot mess they always were.
Eli pulled away and smiled.
Venus slid her arms from around his neck and crossed them firmly across her chest, making sure they accentuated her breasts. Eli's gaze slid to her low-cut shirt and cleavage but met her eyes once more.
She rolled her eyes and slid off his lap, pouting along the way. She turned up her nose and refused to look at him.
"Sweetheart," Eli began, his voice low. "I'm sorry. I can't have sex or even kiss you right now." Eli leaned back and covered his face in his hands. "As much as I want to..." His voice was muffled, but Venus heard every word. A smile curled her lips at his words.
"It's okay. Maybe tonight?" She purred as she traced a finger down his chest.
"Definitely tonight." Eli slumped forward and turned his head toward hers. "I've just been seeing a lot of naked bodies recently."
"If that were to anyone else, they would be greatly offended," Venus smirked. "You've been busy at the morgue?" She slumped on her husband's shoulder, snuggling into the crook of his arm.
"Yeah. We found Serena's father, and there've been several dead rogues popping up along our borders." He buried his face in his hands and sighed. Venus rubbed his back with her hands and nails. She felt his muscles relax at her touch.
"I heard about her father. Any leads on who did it?" Venus propped her head on his shoulder.
"Yeah. But it's confidential." Eli rubbed his temples and turned to his wife. "Don't press on it too much. Atlas has it under control."
Venus nodded and eyed Eli suspiciously. He never kept things from her. Why would this be something to keep hidden? She was a rank above him anyway, so why would it matter if she knew?
The two snuggled on the couch for a few moments before Eli let out another sigh.
"Why aren't you pushing for an answer?"
Venus knit her brows and pushed away from him.
"You asked me not to push, so I didn't." She riled. "If I ask, you get mad, and now when I don't ask, you get mad. Make up your mind."
Eli covered his face and rolled his eyes. He groaned as he slid deeper into the couch.
"What happened?" Venus placed a hand on his and squeezed.
"I know who killed Serena's father. But Atlas needs to make a step and make things right with her first."
"What does that mean?"
"It just means that Atlas needs to make a step forward with her, is all."
"That can't be all." Venus pressed.
Eli shook his head and lifted his gaze to hers. The bags under his eyes were larger than normal, and his eyes more dead than they should have been. Her face softened, and she interlaced her fingers with his.
"Tell me what's wrong." She nodded.
"Atlas-" Eli's voice broke, dropped off is more like it. The words that should be there refused to leave his mouth. Venus nodded, asking for more, but no words came.
"Atlas knows something about Mr. Clell's death, doesn't he?"
Eli nodded once.
"He knows the person responsible, doesn't he." Venus' voice grew irritated as her mind raced, putting pieces together.
Eli nodded once more.
"Was it a rogue?"
Eli shook his head once.
"A pack member?"
Another nod.
Venus propped her chin in her hand and thought hard. Her face scrunched as she searched her brain for clues.
"Who would want to kill Mr. Clell other than me?" She whispered to herself.
Eli snorted as he looked at his wife.
"I would, for one." He pulled her close to him and stroked her arm. "He knocked you out, remember?"
"Kinda' hard remembering being unconscious." She quipped before turning back to her thoughts.
"It's okay. It doesn't mean it was our pack member, just a pack member. Let's go make dinner." Eli pulled away and left the living room.
Venus sat there, frozen in her thoughts for a moment before she shot from her seat and strode angrily after Eli. She threw him against the wall and pinned him there.
"Sweetie, now is not the time for a quick one."
"Oh, shut up." She barked. "It was him, wasn't it!"
Eli waved his hands as much as they could move against the wall and gave her a sheepish look.
"You're gonna have to be more specific. Who's he?"
"Atlas." She spat. Venom leaked from her words. "It was him, wasn't it. God damn it."