Aimee took in a deep breath, letting out a contented sigh. The morning was always her favorite time of the day, rising before anyone else was up so she could get whatever she wanted done. She was the one in the household to get the coffee started, to make some breakfast when she had time, grabbing the paper to read it before anyone else had dibs on it, and simply enjoy the silence for a little longer before the world woke up and spoiled it all over again. Now that she lived with Evan, though, she found it took a little longer before that quiet was inevitably disturbed and, in all honesty, she didn’t mind it.
Her family had been a big one, filled with lots of loud siblings, two over-active parents and a couple cousins, aunts, and uncles thrown into the mix now and then when they came into town. Being one of the eldest meant Aimee was stuck caring for the littlest members of the family more often than not, since an extra pair of hands were always helpful when it came to her mother’s inability to stop having children. Aimee had siblings still in diapers, something she didn’t always completely understand, since there had to be a point when Mrs. Savage had to stop with the babies, right?
But, as hard as it had been to help take care of the children (more work than anyone ever pegged), Aimee still knew that’s what she wanted. Perhaps nothing that big, but she wanted a family to call her own. That time, obviously, wouldn’t be soon, since there was a lot of transitioning that needed to happen and Evan simply didn’t feel prepared.
She heard him on the stairs as she finished up an omelette to split between them, dividing the halves onto separate plates as she came into the dining room. There was no need for formality in their home, both still dressed for bed as she gave him a light peck on the cheek, setting down one plate, keeping the second for herself as she sat at the large table.
“I didn’t hear you wake up,” Evan commented lightly, giving his wife a smile. Aimee chuckled.
“You never seem to anyways,” She replied easily, giving him a teasing smirk. “I swear, you could sleep through the apocalypse if given the chance!”
“I don’t sleep that heavily!” Evan protested. She merely gave him a cheeky grin as she took a bite from her omelette.
The two lapsed into a deep silence, though Aimee had a feeling it wasn’t just the food that kept Evan from speaking. She snuck a sideways glance to her husband, a light frown sretching across her features. “You’re awfully quiet.” She took a bite from her omelette. “What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing…” Evan lied, though he was unsuccessful as he poked and prodded at his food. “I just…I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
Evan wasn’t supposed to be a leader. That was his brother’s position in their clan and Evan was happy to let him take the lead. Grant was better at it anyways– he had the charisma, the skills needed to lead a group of them, and he had the correct upbringing, knowing that he’d take over the reigns when their father passed on. Evan had been raised to simply be his brother’s right hand, should anything go wrong. That plan had gone out the window when Evan refused to take back his proposal to Aimee though, resulting in the split and leaving Evan suddenly in charge.
In short, it wasn’t a position he was ready for.
“If these people hadn’t felt you were right, or had the right ideas,” Aimee began in a consoling tone, “then they wouldn’t have followed us here. They must have some faith in your ability to lead us and keep everyone safe if they came all this way, right?” And, after a moment, she added (with a little smile), “Besides, you’re not alone in leading them. You’ve got me and you know I’m here to help as best I can.”
True, the leader dealt in all things, be it disagreements within the clan to any and all things magical, but Aimee was determined to do her part, regardless of what it was. She wasn’t afraid to take on any extra work that she could manage. If it would help, she’d do it, within reason of course.
Evan gave a feeble smile.
“Must you always be right?”
“I’m not always right,” Aimee said as she stood, clearing their plates, “just in the mornings.” She gave a little wink as she left the dining room. Her own discussion about the possibility of children would have to wait– too much was going on right now. Perhaps it was for the best anyways. Aimee hummed softly to herself, washing the dishes as she heard her husband retreat upstairs again, leaving Aimee to her silence once more.
