It turned out the paramedics had a couple of questions for Noble before she could depart. The man was not cooperative with those trying to help him, and the medics had turned to the professor in search of answers.
At last, Noble told them that she didn't know anything more and asked them to excuse her. She was not the next of kin and had not seen what happened, so most of what she had told them was her opinion as it was.
As soon as she was able to pull away, Noble rushed home. She knew at this point her children were likely already there.
She hated it when they made it home before her. They all had after-school activities, and the professor had planned to have dinner ready when they got home.
Rushing through the door, Noble floated her satchel to the sofa while she hurried to the kitchen. "I'm here. I'll have dinner ready in a bit!"
"It's almost ready," Fort called over his shoulder. He was at the stove stirring a steaming pot. "I thought you were supposed to beat me home today. Did I have our schedule mixed up?"
"No," Noble kissed her husband before leaning against the counter next to him. "Did you not get my communication?"
"I try not to look at my devices once I get off work," Fort shrugged. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, there was just a train accident…" Noble pursed her lips, recalling the nasty man and his hurt foot.
Looking at his wife's face, Fort dropped his spoon. It continued its spin around the pot without his guidance.
"A train accident!" He lowered his voice. "Are we talking about a minor thing or will you be on the evening news reels?"
Despite Fort's belated attempt to be quiet, all three children bounded into the room.
"A train accident?!" Brock bounced up and down making crashing noises.
"Did a gate open and swallow the train whole?!" Blaze asked excitedly.
"A gate wouldn't swallow a train. The train would crash into it and splinter into a million pieces," Honey clicked her tongue at her little brother's ignorance.
"Mom! You watched a train splinter into a million pieces?!" Blaze's mouth dropped open.
"What? No!" Noble felt the conversation begin to spiral out of control. "My train home had a problem with the brakes and stopped suddenly. Everyone was thrown forward and a man broke his foot. I helped him off the train and made sure the medics took care of him. Then I had to wait for another train to come the rest of the way home."
"I liked Blaze's version better." Brock's disappointment was profound. He hung his head, imagining the great scene that might have been.
"I'm glad you are alright. I would be upset if anything happened to you," Honey's voice was tinged with sadness.
Noble pressed her lips together, trying to decide if she should ask. Fort made the decision for her.
He touseled Brock's blond hair. "You would put your mother in danger just for a story! Put your energy into setting the table instead. Food will be ready in a moment."
Eager to be fed, the children abandoned the conversation and put the dishes in front of each chair. Noble followed Honey with her eyes. The professor could still feel the lingering sadness even after the conversation had passed.
"Are you alright?" Fort whispered.
"I'm fine." Noble used her lips to point toward the table. "I think it is our daughter we should be worried about."
"Is it a now problem or an after-dinner one?" Fort tilted his head to look at Honey.
The teen seemed fine to him, but he didn't have the uncanny sixth sense of his wife.
"After dinner, I think. Depending on what it is, she may shut down in front of you and the boys," Noble answered after a slight hesitation.
"You know best." Giving a short nod, Fort turned to the children with a big smile. "Who's hungry?"
All three children expressed their utter starvation.
Fort clicked his tongue, "Hm, that is too bad. I think I only have enough food for your mother and me here. I might have some crackers in the pantry for the rest of you."
"Daaaad," the boys groaned. Honey rolled her eyes but graced her father with a tolerant smile.
"Ok, ok." Fort held up his hands in surrender. "I suppose we can share. What do you think, my love?"
Noble laughed lightly. "I suppose."
Using her Aspect, the professor lifted the meal from the pot and split it into five perfect portions. The food landed on each plate waiting for the diners to join.
Soon enough, the entire family was digging in. Noble felt like she blinked and the children were gone and heading back to their homework.
"The days pass slowly and the years pass quickly, they say," Noble sighed as she lifted her husband's and her plates. "But sometimes even the days fly by!"
Since Fort made food, Noble did the dishes. Not that it was too much trouble. Her Ability to make things hover made the job fly by…literally.
Wiping a drip off the final dish, the professor leaned on the counter and stared down the hall for a long time.
"You sure you don't want me to go?" Fort asked from the living room couch. He might not be able to sense emotions, but he could read his wife's face.
Noble shook her head slowly. "I've got this. If you will go check on the boys' math homework, I will talk to our daughter."
"Sure, give me the hard job," the man teased.
The woman's eyes swirled slightly as she narrowed her lids. "On second thought, I will trade with you. Checking nine-year-olds' math seems much easier than working through a fourteen-year-old's emotions."
Fort's face paled. "No. I was only kidding! If you send me in there alone I might buy her a PTV just to make the crying stop once it starts."
As she passed by the couch, Noble patted her husband's cheek and gave him a quick kiss. "I love you, but if you are buying anyone a PTV because they are crying, it better be me." She winked.
"Yes, ma'am," Fort stood and saluted.
He followed her down the hall, parting ways with her when he continued to the boys' bedroom. 'Good luck,' he mouthed.
'Hopefully, I won't need it.' Noble took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door.
"I'm doing homework," the voice came from the other side of the white wood.
"I know." Turning the handle, Noble peeked her head into the room. Honey was pouring over a digital textbook, deep in concentration. "I just wanted a moment of your time to talk."
The teen tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, nothing like that. I just noticed you seemed rather sad, and I wanted to check on you." Noble tensed, unsure how her observation would affect the girl.
The professor knew better than most just how unpredictable emotions could be, especially in the formative years.
"Oh," Honey looked back at her text.
Relieved that the girl had not brushed her off, Noble sat on the edge of the bed next to her daughter. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Do I have a choice?" Honey kept her eyes firmly downward.
"Always," her mother replied easily. "But I think you want to talk about it…"
The teen smiled sadly. "Why do you always know everything?" She set down the schoolwork and leaned into her mother's open arm, laying her head on Noble's shoulder.
"If I did, I wouldn't have to ask you what is wrong, would I?" Noble teased before kissing the top of the girl's head.
Honey rolled her eyes. "You probably already know."
"Tell me, please." Noble stroked her daughter's hair until Honey sighed.
"It isn't a big deal. You'll probably think it is silly. I'm just worried about him. That's all..."
Noble froze. 'Did she just say him?'