Chapter Text
The Forger Family’s First Father’s Day
Of all the things that Eden Academy hosted, it was the place for excellence and the Elite; a Father’s Day Gala would have never been on the top of his list; however, when his six-year-old daughter Anya came home, excited since her class was taking part in the gala and doing a concert.
Loid was instantly intrigued, just because he would be surrounded by the parents of Anya's classmates, who were the ultimate in Berlint high society. As it was Father's Day, to finally get in touch and hopefully make better contact with the elusive Donovan Desmond.
However, when he probed Anya for more information, to get intel, she just smiled her elusive smile and said it was a “surprise”.
In some ways, it was bittersweet that Father’s Day had been renamed as Parents’ Day, since that March, Eden was closed down, due to a very aggressive viral infection, which struck down Anya and then Yor in quick succession.
With all the Mother’s Day events they had planned, they were dashed by taking care of his wife and daughter, even though Yor didn’t complain one bit, one of the many qualities he admired her for.
He did notice that it was for the first-year students only, apparently due to the idea of fostering a community spirit, but the older years who were dorm residents would be assisting in those bids to get those precious Steller Stars.
With Anya being evasive to both her parents, only telling them to dress smart casual, like not like a big dinner, and to wear blue, so they could all be “matchy”.
Since the night before, Anya was having a sleepover with Becky Blackbell and had promised to be on her best behaviour, and she would be meeting her parents there.
Over breakfast that morning, which Loid had prepared, after walking Bond, the family's Pyrenees. Yor over tea, had confessed that she was missing Anya, since her daughter was heading to an event at school, and Yor wasn’t there to help her.
Thanks to all the actual books about Psychiatry, Loid had read, and knowing Yor’s insecurities at times at being a stepmother. He just gently placed a hand over hers, which caused her to blush slightly, and admitted, in a tone gentler than he realised.
“I know, I feel it too, we want her to be more independent, but she’s still six, it’s just a very strange place to be. One minute she’s running off with a friend, then she wants bedtime stories and cuddles. And the whole surprise factor,” Loid shook his head “I know she loves surprises…but I’m really looking forward to what this afternoon brings”, confessed Loid.
Dressing as Anya suggested in his light blue suit, which Yor followed with her new tea dress. Since it was smart enough to fit in, but not too smart to look like they were trying too hard. Since this was Eden, and most of the clothes the parents wore were bespoke anyway.
Both of them were putting the finishing touches on their clothes, with Yor applying lipstick in the mirror, and Loid checking his tie, when there was a knock at the door, and both of them looked at each other in confusion, before opening it to reveal Martha Marriott, the Blackbell’s bodyguard, standing there, who gave a polite bow.
“Good morning to you both, Miss Blackbell insisted that you should be escorted to Eden today, since, according to my little mistress, this is and I quote “A very extra special day”, if this meets with your approval”.
Loid and Yor were both surprised by this, but Loid wasn’t the type to turn down any point of entry into the Blackbell family. Since his daughter and young Becky were an absolute goldmine of information, and both agreed to this.
“This feels very luxurious for me, Loid”, Yor confessed, sliding into the Aston Martin DB4, which was an import from America, and the first time Loid had ever had the experience, as he held the door open for his wife, and slid in afterwards.
“Truth be told, I feel like Bondman”, whispered Loid, since the car was the height of luxury, which caused Yor to giggle.
“Thank you, Martha, this really is something”, said Loid, and the bodyguard was pleased with the compliment; however, Yor felt a bit uncertain and finally asked the Blackbell protector.
“Martha, is this because I know Anya gets teased sometimes, because we both work?”
Martha, who was driving, just frowned at the question, whilst Yor explained further. “I know, Eden is a wonderful school for Anya. But I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t hurt when she comes home and tells us that someone called her a peasant”.
In response, Loid reached over and squeezed her hand, which caused her to blush slightly.
“I know, I should stop feeling so negative, but both of us have worked hard to get where we are, Loid, so the fact that Anya is bullied because of us…”
“I understand, and your feelings are valid, Yor. I know it’s not nice to hear, but one thing I’ve noticed is that even though both of us work, we’re still a constant presence in Anya’s life, in comparison to some of her classmates”. Reassured Loid, whilst Martha added.
“In truth, Mrs Forger, the only reason that this experience is for the first years is that the years after, there was no interest. You seem to have the right idea, that this is a good experience, but for so many other parents…let’s face it, so many of them live closer to Eden than you, but their children board in halls” Martha shook her head, “It’s a shame, really”.
Yor understood, but then it was replaced with feelings of guilt “I’m sorry, Loid, this is your Father’s Day, and I’m making it all about my insecurities. I’m really sorry”, and in response, Loid just reached over.
“I understand, Yor, those children at Eden” he shook his head “Sometimes I wonder, but there is no way I would feel comfortable today if I knew you weren’t. I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful day”. He reassured his wife, who just squeezed his hand back, as Eden came into view.
In fully chivalrous mode, as they parked up, Loid slid from the car and took Yor gently by the hand, who blushed that little bit harder, as Martha parked up, and then joined them, as they approached the Blackbell family.
Byron Blackbell, the CEO of Blackbell Heavy Industries, a major military contractor in Ostania. and his wife, Bettina. Who greeted the Forgers with warmth as both thanked them for letting them ride in the car, which Byron just shrugged off, with a wave of his hand.
As the two parents caught up, along with Martha, Loid noticed the rest of the families, who were stiffer and more formal with each other, knowing that these events were more about connections than the children.
That bristled with him slightly, aware that he was being a hypocrite, since he was also there to gather any intel if needed.
However, several parents noticed the Forgers, and said hello to them, and asked how they were, since both of them had found, by virtue of being the parents of Anya Forger, the saviour of the Eden School Bus abduction, curried favour with them too, and they responded in kind.
“By the way, I neglected to ask, how was Anya last night? I really hope she wasn’t any trouble”. Loid asked the Blackbell’s, who responded that Anya had the best night with Becky, and it was also a joy to have her stay. The Forgers were reassured.
“Thank you, I do get a bit apprehensive, especially since the Bus, that she’s ok, especially overnight”.
“Oh, Doctor Forger, you shouldn’t worry, I promise you if anything happened to your delight of a daughter, every tank, helicopter and every Blackbell arsenal, will be there to protect her”. Stated Bettina Blackbell with confidence.
“Comforting to be sure, but I hope it never comes to that”. replied Loid, and Mister Henderson appeared and directed all the parents to the Eden Theatre.
Looking around, Loid noticed families who were not there, but told himself that maybe they came through another entrance, due to their statue,
As all families took their seats, along with Martha, since she was as close to Becky as her biological family, Byron Blackbell turned to the Forgers.
“My precious Becky wouldn’t tell me anything about this, aside from that it was a surprise. Did you get the same information?” Loid replied in the affirmative, as Yor looked around with Bettina, and both whispered to each other, but their husbands heard everything.
“I don’t see the Desmond family. I think they are the only family not present”
“Maybe they came in separately, or are watching elsewhere”, stated Yor, but Bettina wasn’t convinced.
“I don’t think so, Donovan apparently didn’t come to their eldest son’s event either, and everyone knows that Melinda Desmond doesn’t even live in the house”
“Really…that’s” there were no more words for Yor to say, only she felt sad for the Desmond child. However, Loid, who was her psychiatrist and never talked about his patients, filed this under information for the future.
The lights flickered, and all chatter ceased as Mister Henderson came onto the stage, which grabbed the attention of everyone.
“Good afternoon, parents of Eden’s first years, and welcome to your first Parents’ Day celebration”
What followed was a round of applause from said parents.
“Now, the children have arranged a most elegant display of their talents in this short concert. Now I will stress there is no programme of events, since the students wished to surprise their parents, on this Parents' Day, due to the Eden being closed.
This is a celebration of both parents today. With the results of their hard work, to be followed on the green with fun activities, and of course, the traditional Eden Garden Party, now your young scholars have worked very hard in celebration of their parents, so to all of you, please accept this tribute”.
Another round of applause. As the lights dimmed fully, the first of the Cecile Hall students came to the stage, and there was a ripple of mummering from the audience as they spotted their child.
Cline Hall’s, Prince Tertius from Septevia, and a few of his classmates were doing a fencing display. To the delight of the parents, which impressed Loid, and got a fierce round of applause as the prince took a bow afterwards, in a way that he was sure made people swoon.
Loid noticed the Crown Prince and Princess in the audience, but kept a low profile and dressed more like civilians and wondered how he could gain an introduction with them, followed by some singing and dancing, and was then followed by Class Two with more dancing.
However, a highlight was Arnold Crowley performing a magic act, with Byron Blackbell turned to Loid and muttered, “From what Becky tells me, I was sure he was going to summon a demon”, which caused Loid to just smirk and agree; he noticed Crowley’s parents were delighted with the achievement.
Watching the various classes. Loid realised that Anya’s class were clearly the finale, as finally the students from her class filed in, causing Yore to grasp Loid’s hand, “Look, there’s our Anya”.
Out of all the students was little Anya Forger wearing a blue dress, and her pretty pink hair expertly done, “Oh, she looks adorable”, stated Yor, since she hadn’t seen her daughter last night.
As the class laughed into their musical number, starting with the Eden anthem, before drifting into classical Ostania songs, in perfect harmony.
“Did you know about this?” the Blackbell’s asked the Forgers, and they both shook their heads, watching their little girl, being so confident on the stage, as finally the notes faded, and all the students stepped aside as Becky and Anya walked forward, and launched into a duet, which caused their mothers to gasp.
They were singing “Goodbye Forever”, a tragic song, popularised in the first Ostania- Westalis War, and had never stopped being loved. As the lyrics began, with Becky being perfect, Anya began her lyrics, and realisation dawned in the audience.
“Anya…is she singing in Westalis?” Yor exclaimed, as Loid just sat stunned, as his six-year-old daughter delivered the song perfectly, with no pause or hesitation, with a smile on her face.
Every single word struck a nerve in Loid, in Twilight, he was from Westalis, both of them.
For Twilight, the boy he once was, a town obliterated by war, as Twilight, a member of Wise, and Loid Forger, a student at The Westalis Academy of Psychiatry, according to his very forged documents.
That small boy, he once was, one who was happy and laughing before everything suddenly flooded back to his memories. Out of the corner of his eyes, Loid felt tears, beginning to develop, as Yor, noticing this, just squeezed his hand.
This was for him, and no one else, his own little girl, loved him that much that she would basically declare herself and her father from Westalis if anyone put it all together.
Everyone on stage faded, for Loid, as Anya, was singing, just for him, and it tore a rip in Loid’s soul.
Anya didn’t care for comments or repercussions. Just her pride for Loid, he realised, and he felt a moment of guilt at the idea of leaving them both, treating her in such a disposable fashion, even after this.
Loid Forger really was a father, and his daughter had given him a gift like this; this was worth more than anything to him, and he had no idea what to say.
“That’s incredible; you really had no idea”, Byron Blackbell asked the Forgers, who both shook their heads, as Anya and Becky, in different languages, began to harmonise together flawlessly. The sad song about a father leaving for war, and maybe not returning, as several of the parents sniffed back tears, along with brushing them from their eyes
Becky and Anya reached the crescendo, and the song faded, before they just turned to each other and grabbed each other’s hands and smiled.
All the parents got to their feet and gave them, and the rest of the students who were coming onto the stage for the final bows, a standing ovation.
With Becky and Anya receiving the highest amount of applause, and both girls just beaming, but quieted down. When Mr Henderson and Benedict Ivan Goodfellow, the Headmaster, came onto the stage. Which drew audible gaps, since this was a rare occurrence indeed.
“Parents, especially those who have attended, some from quite some distance”, referring to Prince Tertius, parents from Septevia.
We are very proud of our first year at Eden for the impressive and elegant showcase of their talents. One thing we didn’t inform them, until this moment, is that one student will be the recipient of a Stellar Star for their hard work and dedication.
Now unbeknownst to any of your parents, but in the audience were teachers from other years, who for the past few weeks have been observing your children. Combined with the performance today, have decided to grant one student a Stella Star for all their hard work, for keeping with the Eden standard, of whom I am unaware until this moment”.
There was a ripple with both students and parents, since this was such an important moment, and Loid, even though he knew Anya stood no chance, still leaned forward in anticipation.
Out of the wings, one of the teachers came out and handed Headmaster Goodfellow an envelope to carefully open the lush, very expensive paper, as everyone leaned forward to hear the results.
“For her hard work and determination, as well as her friendly attitude, the Steller Star has been awarded to…Miss Anya Forger of Class Three Cecilie Hall”.
There was a gasp from both the stage and the audience, and Loid and Yor couldn’t believe it. Anya had won a Steller.
However, on the stage, Anya just looked at Becky, who was delighted for her, but Anya looked out at the audience, who were clapping for her.
Before she carefully walked over, and gestures for Mister Henderson, who bent down, and she whispered in his ear, before he straightened up and walked over to the headmaster.
Henderson spoke in a tone so softly that not even Loid could pick up on it, and he just frowned. Before Headmaster Goodfellow, normally a stoic man, instead wore a smile on his face.
“Parents, in a moment that demonstrates the best of Eden Anya Forger turned down the Steller Star, and asked that it be given to Becky Blackbell, out of dedication and fairness.
Anya did speak in Westalis, and she was the one to translate the song into Westalis perfectly. However, Miss Blackbell has been the one who has been assisting her, and due to their hard work jointly, and in a first time. A Steller Star has been awarded additionally to Miss Becky Blackbell.
“Anya, Anya”, Becky leapt as both girls ran to hug each other on stage, whilst the audience and stage erupted in another wave of claps and cheers, and Loid was delighted, since it gave a definite in with the Blackbells, but that his daughter was so unselfish, as Byron clasped a hand on his shoulder.
“Incredible girl you have their Forger; you should be very proud of her”.
And when Loid answered in the affirmative, he realised how correct that was, as Yor was brushing tears of pride from her eyes.
“That’s our Anya”, as Loid reached over and gripped his wife’s hand and just smiled, as two bouquets were brought out and presented to both Anya and Becky.
“Yes, that’s our Anya”.
To be continued…at some point
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