Chapter: Anniversary
"My children," he spread his arms, a phantom embrace at a distance. "What do I owe the pleasure of this," he stepped down a few more steps, " surprising sight?"
Gabriel approached and put a hand on his chest. He marked the velvet lips and turned with a gesture to the others, his arm lodging itself around his father's and guiding him down one step at a time.
"We have prepared your anniversary," he answered. Matthew let out a chuckle and shook his head.
"You know I don't want to celebrate this," he said, but as he came down to the floor and Isobel greeted him with a kiss on his cheek and Lin Mar took his other arm, he fell silent. Vladimir approached, a sly smile forming at the corner of his mouth, slipping his cane under his arm before reaching up and putting a hand to Matthew's marble cheek. The grey eyes scanned the noble, slender face before he cautiously leaned in and kissed his lips as well. His gaze showed no regret as he did not dodge eye-contact when he withdrew.
"You, my maker, deserve it more than anyone else," he said as he supported himself against the cane again. The sight of their kiss took the others slightly aback, the strange vision of their so-called uncles sharing an intimacy that they had never witnessed before. Matthew was also surprised but remained calm and reciprocated the gesture with one of his rare warm, genuine smiles.
"Thank you, Vladimir," he said profoundly. Rachel and Eli came up as well, their hair set in almost an identical style but Eli clad in a dark plum evening dress while Rachel's was a deep moss green. Eli went to Matthew and placed a kiss on his cheek while Rachel stood back with her hands on Vladimir's shoulders, her fingers curling the silvery white hair.
"You deserve our gratitude, uncle," Eli said. "From all of us. Righteously, we should worship you every day. But you are humble, my lord, humble as the night shedding its cape to let the dawn arrive. But we won't stand idly by when you truly deserve our celebration."
"Eli is right," Lin Mar said just as firmly as Vladimir usually spoke despite the fact that it was her soft voice. "Every day of our lives should be dedicated to you."
"Aren't they?" Matthew raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, but not the right way!" Isobel took Matthew's hand. "Not the affectionate, passionate way."
Paris, Agribel and Rose Tiger stepped up behind him, caressing his shoulders and back gently. Patrick, Marek and Alexander, led by Zacharias, advanced him too, receiving a kiss each as well. Matthew had to give in and smile as they all closed in to embrace him. He looked out over them, kissing each of their foreheads, his hands reaching for their faces, caressing them like adoring jewels. They were his, each a tiny star in the all-enveloping darkness called the real world.
"My children," he breathed. Gabriel pushed the others aside gently and took his father's hands.
"Come," he said as he guided his father along towards the dining hall, the others following in their wake like a rustling current of garments shuffling along. Shade and Nathaniel stood by the door leading to the wind gallery. Matthew stopped and gave each a short nod, the greatest sign of appreciation he had ever given his bodyguards, before they ventured on through the gallery and to the dining hall where a beautifully set table waited. Gabriel and Matthew went arm in arm to the end and the others took their places. Matthew looked at them once more before gesturing for them to sit down. The servants came to and served them food and drink.