Outside, two nicely dressed men were carefully examining the Chancellor's PTV with dubious expressions. The younger seemed more interested than concerned, while the elder's clear eyes took in every detail of the collision as he circled the vehicle.
Noble looked at the damage for herself. Like most things at the Awakened Academy, the light pole was made to withstand a hit from an Awakened. The PTV itself was robust, made to withstand an unexpected attack. All in all, the damage was not nearly as bad as Noble had thought when she heard the crash.
The elder man in a dark suit frowned when he saw the couple approach.
Noble quickly found out why as Fort cleared his throat as he passed the elder man the keys. "They were in the PTV and I couldn't wait. Forgive me."
This was the Chancellor's driver.
The grey-haired man took the keys and gave a snort. His eyes shifted to Noble and they softened. He nodded gently, then climbed into the car and drove away.
"He didn't say a word on the way over here either. I am unsure if he can't or just won't."
Noble had almost forgotten the younger well-dressed man, so his words startled her. She regarded him now.
His beady eyes and sharp nose gave him a rodent-like face. He smiled and held out his hand.
"Greetings, Director Fort. Master Noble. I'm Agent Raton."
'You've got to be kidding. Surely that's a nickname, and his mother wouldn't have done that to him…'
Oblivious to Noble's thoughts, Fort shook the man's hand with a small smile. "It's nice to meet you. I hope you aren't here to cart me or my wife off for questioning. We've only just been reunited."
Raton waved off the concern. "Nothing like that. I've been sent to drive you home legally and also deliver this."
The government agent presented Fort's communicator, which had been left behind in the Director's mad dash to the hospital.
"The Chancellor said that he better not see you until at least tomorrow if you know what's good for you."
Raton gave Fort a meaningful look before chuckling.
"Shall we?" The affable agent led them to another PTV. This one was sleek and black, clearly government-issued.
Fort leaned toward his wife and whispered in her ear. The feeling of his breath was so pleasant that she almost missed his question. "Is this alright?"
'Is what alright? Oh, the PTV!'
Pursing her lips, Noble nodded slowly. While Noble hated riding in vehicles because of their unpredictable movement, she wasn't exactly dressed for public transit. And with Fort's strong reaction to her looks, Noble wanted to have as few people as possible see her until she could look in the mirror.
"I'll just float a little higher than usual. It will be fine," she patted his arm lightly. "Even if I bump up against the seat and get a shock, it would be nothing compared to what I have already experienced today."
Noble shrugged.
Fort pressed his lips together. He didn't like his wife talking about pain so lightly.
Raton opened the back door for his passengers to enter.
Tossing his communicator onto the backseat, Fort stepped back. But before Noble could enter, she was swept off her feet by her knight in shining armor…or rather her knight in a blue blazer.
"I will keep you safe from the PTV. Just think of me as the wheelchair you should have taken out of the hospital."
"You're ridiculous!" Noble wriggled in Fort's arms, and he tightened his grasp.
"Sorry, wheelchairs cannot talk."
With that, the couple ducked into the car with Raton shaking his head. "And they say I'm random…"
——
Fort bride-carried his wife into his house despite her protestations.
If she had really been opposed to the idea, she could have broken him a hundred different ways. So he reveled in the feeling of her body against his.
She was light as a feather, as always. And she was back.
That part was still hard to believe.
He stared at her. She was even more beautiful than he could describe. It was more than just her physical features, though they were now even further beyond his league.
Noble was precious to him. When she had left, a part of him had left with her. He had barely felt like functioning, but he had pressed through both for his children and for Noble.
As long as he hadn't given up, Fort hoped that she wouldn't either.
And she hadn't! Noble was here.
He was whole once more.
And more nervous than he was willing to admit.
He froze in the doorway of their home, afraid that the illusion might break. No, he couldn't think like that! Noble was home with him.
Only joy awaited them here.
Noble's blush deepened, inviting him to take her lips in his.
Fort had barely begun to take advantage of the moment when a voice called out across the house.
"Is that my little girl?!"
"It's me, mother. Though I'm not exactly little anymore." Noble gave her husband an apologetic pout and he put her down.
Fort should have known Lena would be there. His mother-in-law had moved in almost as soon as Noble disappeared. She had been invaluable in keeping the kids in a routine and himself in one piece when he felt close to falling apart.
So while he was grateful beyond words for the fantastic woman that his wife called mother, right now he wanted nothing more than to kick her out of his house!
But of course, he would never do such a thing. And Noble's excitement as she threw her hands around her mother's neck reminded him that he was not the only one who had missed her.
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he missed the beginning of Lena's instructions.
"I spoke with Sarai and have confirmed that the kids should be home in a moment. There is a meal in the refrigerator that can be heated up as soon as you want it, so there is no need for anyone to cook."
"Thanks, Mom," Noble held tight to her mother's hands.
"I have plans tonight—which I can cancel if you want!—but I thought it might be good to let you have a little bit of family time this evening." Lena studied her daughter's face carefully.
"Don't cancel your plans for me, Mom. That isn't fair to you!" Noble smiled brightly. "Though I'm curious what kind of plans you have that you didn't immediately cancel when you heard I was home."
Fort had a good idea what the plans were, but thankfully the attention was not on him at the moment.
"We can talk about all that later," Lena answered easily, drawing a curious look from her daughter. "I tidied up your room and left a fresh set of clothes on the bed. You probably just have time for a quick shower before the kids get here."
"It seems like you've thought of everything!" Noble hugged Lena again. "Thank you."
Fort could feel the meaning behind the words. Lena hadn't asked what had happened, merely tried to provide a smooth transition for her to be home again.
There would be time for stories later when Noble was ready. For now, they both wanted to provide the new Master with peace and comfort.
Fort watched the pleasant movement of his wife's mouth as she told them both she would try to be quick.
She gave him a small kiss goodbye, which turned into a longer kiss of sweet hello.
It wasn't until Lena cleared her throat lightly that Noble finally pulled away with a sigh.
"I'll be back in a moment!"
Fort wanted to follow her. That kiss has practically been an invitation. More than that, a small part of him worried that something terrible would happen to her as soon as she left his sight.
But at that moment, the front door flew open.
Brock and Blaze hurried into the room and threw their bags on the ground.
"Hey, grandma! Hey, Dad! How's it going?"