Judith's POV
"Ma-ma!" my little Luc giggled. How come he is so adorable?
I'm telling you, I didn't give birth to a human, he is an angel fallen from the skies. Ahem, I am not saying this because I am his mother, he has to be an angel or else how could you explain his bright smile through his rose-tinted chubby cheeks, his brown hair like strands of spun gold kissed by the sun, paired with his mysterious eyes twinkling like stars?
I am not the least bit worried about his looks, I am sure he will break many hearts; just like me back in my day. What I'm worried about is his personality, my husband's genes have to go somewhere after all.
Back at the academy, believe me or not I fell for him first but he fell harder. We both were in the art department with different subjects of mastery. On a fateful day, after finishing my hand-craft classes I had to visit the forgery class and there I saw him. My breath caught in my throat as I saw a fine young man with scruffy brown hair, rolled-up sleeves, his veins visible along with his calloused hands stained with marks of his craft. With each strike of the hammer against the glowing metal, sparks danced like fireflies in the air, illuminating the rugged features of his weathered face. There was no grace in his movements, no elegance in his appearance, only the raw strength and determination of a man consumed by his work. As he carved and shaped the sword, his focus was unwavering, his brow furrowed in concentration. He cared not for the aesthetics of the blade nor its outward beauty. To him, the true measure of a sword lay in its strength, its balance, and its ability to withstand the rigours of battle.
As he carved and shaped the sword with such focus and precision, I couldn't help but admire his skill and dedication. There was a certain beauty in his craftsmanship, a silent strength that spoke volumes without uttering a single word. And so, without wasting any time I proposed to date him. We were quite a popular couple back in our days.
And after dating for quite some time, I still remember the day as clearly as yesterday when Marcus proposed to me for marriage. No, there wasn't any ring or a bouquet of roses. No, he didn't confess through a letter, it wasn't even a poem dedicated to me. What he gave me was - a sword. A freakingly heavy sword.
At first, I thought, was he telling me to fight? I can't even lift it though. He just put the sword on my table and left...HE LEFT.
What was I supposed to do with it?
So did I accept it? Of course not, how could I accept, he didn't even say anything, he just left. The next day he saw the sword lying on that table all alone, and it was a sight to behold. He started crying then and there, such a crybaby he was. The whole class of students including the teachers left us alone saying, we should solve our private matters and stop being a nuisance. I still feel embarrassed thinking about that day. What he said next really moved me though.
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He said this was the sword he crafted tirelessly for several months. It wasn't just a piece of metal with its hilt adorned with intricate design but a testament to his dedication and love. The sword is more than just a weapon; it symbolised his unwavering devotion, a pledge to protect and cherish me for all eternity, an offering not just a gift; his very soul, bound to me in a bond that transcends time and space.
"No! Say Ba-ba ...it's easy, say BA-BA-BA-BA" I returned back to the present. Marcus was at it again.
"MA-Ma"
"No-no it's BA-BA sa..."
"Oh! stop it for god's sake Marcus!" Like a sulking little puppy, Marcus walked to the corner of the room while murmuring god knew what.
Now I feel bad for scolding him. Ever since Luc had uttered his first words "Ma-ma" Marcus was so heartbroken, it felt like I had two babies to take care of rather than one. From day until night, he kept reciting the words Ba-ba like a mantra and my dear son giggled like a goat, saying 'Ma-ma', he is just 6 months for god's sake. My worries did not end there, but also for the pile of books stacked up in our once-bedroom, for now, it looked more like a library.
My gullible husband, fell prey to the merchants' cunning ploys, convinced that those weighty tomes would unlock the secrets of the universe, something Luc would need in the distant future. I swear, they'll serve as glorified paperweights until the end of time! And how much did he pay for them you ask? We could live happily for a year without lifting a finger was the sum he paid. It didn't end there, he had been working extra hard on making the swords to earn more. He says he would save up more, when Lucifer would be learning magic in the town it would come in handy. Last month he even sparred with Mr Thompson, what was the reason again?
"Marcus, why did you spar with Mr Thompson, come again?"
"He said his daughter Canary was as beautiful as an angel..."
"Oh" Well, then this spar was justified.
No this is not the issue, I was indeed on the verge of tears knowing that he cared so much for our Luc, that he could just become a fool and do whatever for his son. But...
Sniff. Sniff. It smells like...
"Oh my dear baby, did you poop? lemme change your diaper, come here, sweetheart"
Marcus scurried over to bring Luc's diapers, such a good husband and father he was. With a tender touch, I gently lifted Luc, holding him close as I carried him to his cradle. As I changed his diaper and looked at his innocent eyes I couldn't help but wonder...my biggest worry.
"Something feels off..."
To be continued...