*Oghma here! Hope you're all staying safe, it has been one hell of a turbulent year. But if nothing else, I was able to get this chapter done by the holidays. The Preacher's Son still has quite a lot of story to cover before it's all finished. Thank you all for your patience, and I hope to see you next time!*
*Disclaimer: Excessive sizes, unrealistic anatomy and proportions, and cheesy romance ahead. All characters depicted in sexual situations within are of 18 years or older.*
*
As soon as Marcus had put the last of the dishes into the dishwasher, he made his way over to the fridge to gather up two aluminum water bottles chilling inside. He and Matthew were going out for their morning jog in a few moments. Previously, it had been the closest thing to freedom, but now it was merely an indulgence. Keeping in shape had always been a habit of his, and now that he had the opportunity he was working on getting back to fighting fit. Of course, he still had to find a new gym nearby, which was a task easier said than done. Jiu Jitsu, boxing and Muay Thai gyms were a dime a dozen, and though quality wasn't always guaranteed the law of averages meant that the good ones were common enough. But Catch? He'd grown quite fond of the style ever since he started learning as a kid, and it just felt wrong to abandon it. Well, he had plenty of time on his hands right now. If he didn't find a Catch school, maybe he could find an open minded one that'd let him teach. As he shut the refrigerator, he started walking towards the front door.
"Oh, Marcus! Do you have a second?" Yukiko's voice, drew his attention over to the kitchen table where she was still seated. She had placed a light brown paper folder on it, stuffed quite full of what looked to be legal papers.
"Sure, what's up?" He asked, putting the water bottles down and taking a seat.
"Well Marcus..." She continued, her voice soothing and reassuring in that well-conditioned maternal way only years of experience could provide. "You've been a wonderful guest ever since you arrived. Daigo loves the wrestling lessons, and the help you've provided around the house has been amazing!"
"Hey, I'm happy to do it." He replied with a soft smile. "You've been great to me. Just wish I could do more to thank ya. Soon as I find a job I'll start payin' you back for everything."
"Oh, you know you don't need to do that." Yukiko responded. "I'd just be happy to see you get back on your feet. But as for the job search? I think you might want to have a look at that." She pointed to the folder. "The IBE might have found a solution for you."
"What's this?" Marcus queried as he picked up the folder to look it over.
"The deed to an old warehouse, plus the shipment orders for gym mats, punching bags, kettlebells and all kinds of other exercise equipment." Yukiko rattled off. "We paid for them, but everything's in your name. Of course, we don't have a name for this gym yet but we figured that was something you'd want to do."
"...This is a joke right?" Marcus finally said. "You're just giving me a gym? Come on."
"It's no joke Marcus. I figured after 2 years in that...place, you'd want to go back to your passion. I mean we're still working out hiring you some staff, but what better way than to do this?"
"My...my own gym?" He sat back into the chair and slumped limply in surprise. "I... I don't know what to say."
"Thank you?" Yukiko said with a giggle.
"Yeah... yeah I guess thank you." He replied with a nod. "But... I'll never be able to repay you, you know that right?
"You think this is a loan?" Yukiko answered with a soft giggle. "This is a charitable donation from the Institute for Breeder Equality. We're giving this to you as part of reparations for the trauma and suffering you went through."
"I...thank you." Marcus responded. "But that's still gonna be a lot of money. Can you take a hit like this?"
"Oh... I don't think we're going to take any hits." Yukiko said slyly. "Matter of fact, I think we're going to come out of this on top."
"What do you mean?"
"We're suing the Save the Family Initiative" replied Yukiko.
*
"Wow!" Ruth exclaimed as she ran towards the window. It was a fairly nice condo; two bedrooms, one with a set of two beds and another with a single. A single bathroom with a nice big tub and shower. A small kitchen with a gas stove, fridge and granite counter for preparation, as well as a small table just big enough for a family to have a meal together. And best of all, a balcony with a view overlooking Stearn's Wharf.
"Beautiful isn't it?" June said.
"Yeah!" Ruth replied. "Can we go there tomorrow mommy? Please?" her voice was in that special pleading tone all children eventually learned how to do when they really wanted something. June sighed, not out of frustration or disapproval, rather it was more of out of fatigue. It had been a long drive, and the drama she had gone through that day had been particularly draining on her. There was still a lot to do; She needed to call a lawyer, get the paperwork started, find herself a more permanent source of income that wasn't a slowly drying up inheritance... but then again it could probably wait just one day. Perhaps a day of kayaking and dining out would be just what they all needed.
"Yes Ruth of course." She reassured. "But right now it's way past bedtime. Go wash up, brush your teeth and get your PJ's on." Ruth uttered a soft whine of protest, but it was quickly overtaken by a discrediting yawn.
"Okay mommy." She mumbled, running over to the suitcase where her pajamas were. As she ran off to the bathroom, June looked over to Leah. All throughout the journey, she had been silent. Even when June had dropped the bombshell on her, she had said very little. This was very uncharacteristic of her. Unlike most 14 year olds, she wasn't very standoffish or sullen. Rather, she was a bright and enthusiastic young woman. She sang for the church choir, organized the school Bible studies and prayer breakfasts... A perfect picture of a good Christian youth. Even a bad mother could tell something was weighing on her mind, and June was as far removed from that as could be.
