For some time later, the floor of the level above shook overhead where Galliard and Algretta sat in the basement, tinkering with some unfinished inventions. There were noises that grew louder and louder, and made Algretta’s cheeks turn a crimson red before she just had to put her work down and plug her ears altogether.

“Disgusting, just disgusting!” she muttered.

Galliard couldn’t help but laugh at her. “Sounds like the fire’s still burning pretty hot up there!”

His older daughter just plugged her ears tighter, shutting her eyes like it would help, muttering under her breath, “I can’t believe it… I thought they were tired! How disgusting…”

And Galliard’s chuckles went on.

A while afterward, back upstairs, clothes were strewn about the parlor along the floor and rugs, and the sounds of soft kissing and tired breathing filled the room as Cadenza and Rain laid in one another’s arms, cuddling tenderly underneath the blanket. The fire still roared quietly in the fireplace before them, but its crackles and flickering light was lost on them, when all they were focused on was their warm little spot under the blanket, and each other. Cadenza was busily tracing her fingers over Rain’s pale cheek, flushed pink now, and a little sweaty, thinking of how much she loved that perfect little smile he was wearing right this moment, and every other part of him. She leaned forward a little to kiss those lips again, smiling back softly at him.

Before she could say anything though, the phone started to ring. The smile slowly faded from the gypsy’s face before she let out a small groan, hesitating to get up and answer it.

“Algretta or Pai can answer it…” she assured Rain, nuzzling into his neck again.