Tiptoe through the Tulips

It was far too early for dealing with a being so full of energy.

The small child still unsteady on its feet teetered and tottered as it ran across the dew-ridden grass. A bucket balanced like a crown on its head, it snapped down, obscuring the energetic Devil’s sight, and letting it run into the side of the potted plant at the foot of the garden steps.

There was a pause as Dolcie’s mouth pinched in the centre. Was the Devil spawn going to walk it off? Or scream bloody murder?

A giggle echoed inside the bucket, the pent breath stored in anticipation of a screaming fit exiting Dolcie with a relieved sigh. Eyes rolling Dolcie watched the demon child continue to run around.

Returning the mug of coffee to her mouth, Dolcie moved away from the rest she’d made of the door frame when the scrape of a cup being taken out the cupboard came from behind.

With small curling spikes of hair pinging up with no coordination Malachi scratched at the beard on his chin, a slight wince creasing his face when the bucket-wearing child charged into the kitchen, its tiny fists beating an out of sync rhythm on the blue plastic.

“When is it being collected?” Malachi’s head nudged toward the child clinging to his leg, the clear want to shake it off in the slight quirk of his brow.

Setting the coffee cup down on the kitchen side Dolcie slid it toward Malachi. ” Soon.”

Eyeing the small being of nefarious intentions Dolcie managed a smile when the bucket was pushed up to reveal the too sweet smile that was always accompanied by a healthy amount of dribbling.

Put on the spot the night before Dolcie felt obliged to agree to babysit the child tugging at Malachi’s trouser.

An out of the blue call from Marcus, he’d refrained from begging and instead went straight for the fact Dolcie owed him one.

The man was ruthless and business-driven even in his personal affairs.

So at five in the evening, with the expected punctuality, Marcus delivered the Satan child to Dolcie with the promise of taking it back at seven the next morning.

It not only foiled Dolcie’s chances of doing any work, but it spoiled Malachi’s plans when he’d returned home less than an hour later.

Sliding a freshly poured coffee back to Dolcie a hand poised like a spider remained over it “Next time tell Marcus where to stick it.” Releasing the cup Malachi tried to shuffle back from the child at his leg.

The little hands fisted tightly to his trouser Dolcie leant across, a hand sweeping up to cup Malachi’s face a quick kiss was placed to the corner of his mouth.

“But look at it, it’s all adorable.” With an overly and sickly sweet voice Dolcie pinched Malachi’s cheek when his face contorted in disgust. “Maybe we should have one?” Wiggling her eyebrows suggestively Dolcie swallowed the laugh bubbling at the back of her throat when Malachi blanched.

Mouth ready to argue with Dolcie the words became a relieved yell when the doorbell rang. Bending at the waist, Malachi scooped the child under an arm before practically marching to the door.

Gripping the lip of the kitchen counter Dolcie’s eyes found the clock on the back wall. Punctual as always the hour and minute hand lingered on the seven.

Marcus was undoubtedly a man of his word.

Walking around the island, Dolcie padded carefully down the hall to where Malachi and Marcus were talking. Child and bucket still under Malachi’s arm Marcus’s thick brows were almost joint in the centre of his forehead when Malachi held out the child.

Meeting Malachi’s steely gaze Marcus looked off to where Dolcie was making a slow approach.

“Good morning.”

With a clipped and sharp greeting Marcus took the excitable child when Malachi pushed the young boy towards him, the bucket given a quick tap it dropped back over the boy’s head.

“Good morning, Marcus.” Dolcie responded gently, lifting the bucket off and setting it down beside a nest of tables beside the door.

With a poignant stare, Malachi skulked back down the hall, the under-breath complaints growing fainter, Dolcie managed a small smile at Marcus. “Max was as expected.”

Combing the small fuzz of blonde hair with her fingers, Dolcie smiled when Max wiped a dribble ridden hand down Marcus’s coat.

“Drew all over the walls in my office and broke Malachi’s, well,” giving a cautious gaze over the shoulder Dolcie bit her lip before turning back “He doesn’t know yet. I plan to have it replaced before he does.” Murmuring Dolcie pushed out a hip as Marcus returned a blank stare, with the faintest hint of a smile.

“I will pay for it to be replaced, just let me know how much.” Assuring Dolcie any damage and expense would be covered Marcus gave a small thanks, placing a kiss on her cheek Dolcie saw them out the door with a smile and a wave.

Balancing on the door, Dolcie nudged it with a hip to close it “Are you going to stop sulking?”

Shouting down to Malachi a short laugh came when he replied: “Only if you promise me right now you won’t look after that demonic brat again.” Appearing in the archway of the kitchen, Malachi’s expression was terse.

Arms up Dolcie shrugged gently “Best stay sulking then.” Fingers tapping on the door and a smile curved her mouth when Malachi scoffed at her.

It was not as easy as saying no. Not when Marcus was not Max’s father, but his Godfather and

Dolcie was Max’s Godmother.

Max’s parents had disappeared overnight some months ago, so Marcus took Max full time, on the agreement that Dolcie would look after Max when asked.

It was a strange matter surrounding Elijah and Jade’s sudden vanishing.

Their case was cold, but not the first in passing years, and little Max was lucky to have Marcus and Dolcie who put a blockade on the social services placing him in care.

Fingers bunching the sleeves of the over sized sweater into the palms of the hands Dolcie stood in front of Malachi, head tilted to look up at him a small smile found its way across his mouth when she whispered small promises of what would happen later when Malachi returned from work.

Malachi’s mood appeased Dolcie exhaled gently when he placed a kiss on the side of her head, mentioning that he needed a shower before work Dolcie entered the living room.

Stepping on the edge of the toy bucket, a hand reached down as it flipped up, swinging up under an arm Dolcie set it on the coffee table before retrieving the toys that littered the floor.

Finding an old tattered teddy bear Dolcie stroked back the old fur surrounding the amber eyes, the off centre red checked bow frayed at the edges Dolcie pouted with the nostalgia that came with looking at the old bear.

It felt longer than sixteen years ago since the small bear was gifted to Felix.

Setting the small bear aside from the other toys Dolcie continued to clear the mess that Max left behind, a slight frown given when finding a crayon crushed into the cream carpet.

Their house was not one for young children anymore, Felix being almost eighteen and barely at home, it was strange to have a small child around again.

It would be a lie to say that Dolcie didn’t miss running around after a small terror, Felix was just as much a handful as Max when he was little.

The only real exception was that the house Max was systematically destroying was far more expensive than the poky flat Felix was raised in.

Having Felix as young as Dolcie did, it meant temporarily putting her career on hold.

It was only when Felix was in infant school, and they moved into the house that Dolcie was able to start up the business.

Being a seamstress was not a job for when small and inquisitive children were floating around.

Though there was one or more occasions where Felix and his friend Elliott discovered that sewing needles and pins were not toys.

It had been a painfully embarrassing experience to return Elliott to Vivienne covered in plasters from where Felix had turned him into a pincushion.

That occasion only seemed to pave a path for the two boys’ future relationship.

It was funny to Dolcie that Felix and Elliott had known each other since they were four, and still they spent more time arguing and winding each other up, than getting along.

Both Vivienne and Dolcie knew that they got along a lot better than the two boys would ever admit, even if they did lock heads, and fists on occasion.

Sitting back from the ruined section of carpet Dolcie searched the pocket of her jeans, taking a quick photo of the black smudge it was sent to Marcus, no attached message.

Putting the phone in her back pocket Dolcie got off her knees when the front door slammed, the thud of a bag being dropped Dolcie counted down on her fingers.

“Five...four...thre--”

“Muuum?” Felix shouted loudly, apparently forgetting the time of the morning the squeak of his shoes on the wood as he headed for the kitchen made Dolcie’s brow twitch.

Ignoring the shout Dolcie poked her head out the door, searching the wood for any scuff marks she was relatively pleased to find none.

“What do you want, ratbag?” Entering the kitchen, Dolcie eyed Felix with a raised eyebrow as he stuffed his head in the fridge on the hunt for food.

“Is the demon gone?” Pulling back Felix peered curiously at Dolcie, a slice of ham hanging out his mouth.

Nodding, Dolcie slid on a kitchen stool, arms folding as Felix started preparing a sandwich she placed her chin in the palm of her hand.

“How is Ryan?” Starting up a small conversation once Felix passed over her coffee Dolcie watched Felix’s face lose colour.

“I wasn’t at Ryan’s.” answering bluntly Felix stuffed the sandwich in his mouth, his habit for avoiding answering questions.

With a sigh, Dolcie sat straight, fingers tapping the edges of the coffee cup.

“You’re not going to try and tell me you were nailing some girl last night, are you?” Overly calm, and bearing a knowing smile Dolcie snorted when Felix choked on his mouthful a fist thumping his chest.

Eyes wide with alarm, and cheeks returning with colour and a vigorous shade of red Felix stared at Dolcie for a long time.

Did Felix honestly think Dolcie was unaware of his orientation?

“I know Felix, so does your dad.” Attempting to calm the panic building in Felix’s face, a small shrug followed.

“When are we going to meet Ryan anyway?” Beaming Dolcie sat forward when Felix stuttered “I’ve stalked your Facebook, he’s handsome, a little freckly but-”

“Mum!” Felix shouted, a hand slapping down on the kitchen side. Laughing Dolcie’s head cocked when Felix went an even brighter red.

“Is Lixy in love?” Continuing to tease Dolcie couldn’t help but laugh as Felix stuttered excuses for why Ryan would never be meeting Dolcie and his dad.

Ready to make another comment Dolcie put it on hold when the vibration of her phone distracted her.

Reading the reply from Marcus stating he’d see about having the carpet cleaned professionally,

Dolcie responded that he could just pay for a new rug.

Quicker than with the first text Marcus came back with a straightforward no, and that Dolcie should not push her luck.

“Do they still have no idea what happened to Uncle Elijah and Jade?” Felix cut across Dolcie’s thoughts, and the sarcastic message she intended for Marcus.

Meeting Felix’s sad gaze, Dolcie’s head shook slowly.

“No, they haven’t been able to find anything out.” Answering quietly Dolcie stared into the contents of her cup, though it wasn’t for long, her head snapping up when Felix spoke again.

“They’re dead.” Stating it as though Felix was totally confident of it, he slumped into a stool “It’s the only thing I can think of.” Glum and pouting Felix eyed his sandwich before throwing it down on the plate.

Lost for words, Dolcie reached across the island, a hand gently running over Felix’s cheek and she offered a sympathetic smile.

“Don’t think too much about it.” Whispering Dolcie returned to her coffee. It was hard to admit, but Felix was probably right about Elijah and Jade.

The first Dolcie knew about it was when Malachi had arrived home, ashen-skinned and pacing through the kitchen. For a long time, Malachi said nothing of what had him so anxious, hands wringing and brow furrowed.

Dolcie eventually got a word out of Malachi when she’d placed a hand on his shoulder, gently imploring him to tell her what had him so worked up.

“It’s Elijah and Jade,” Malachi had whispered, but not before leaning around the archway of the kitchen, checking that Felix was not listening in “They’ve gone missing.”

Those three words had been the start of a long and arduous battle to take custody of Max.

Though by being Godparents Marcus and Dolcie should have been the first consideration, social services made it incredibly difficult.

It was only with Marcus’s connections and a good lawyer that social services had been court ordered to hand Max over into his care.

From there, the news got no better.

Malachi was heading the investigation into the multiple missing persons, a case that was baffling all of them. Alarmingly after making contact with other forces across the country, they discovered how widespread the problem was.

All over the country, young couples were going missing. There was no significant pattern to follow, no evidence left behind, and no witnesses could offer them anything substantial to work with.

The only clue they were ever left with was a single tulip flower.

One fully bloomed Tulip laid on the doorstep of the home of the victims. Never locally bought.

The time it had taken for the police to connect the dots, it was discovered that their perpetrator had been active for at least five years.

That piece of information was kept quiet, and luckily the newspapers had not grasped the full depth of the story when another new couple went missing.

Still, Malachi and his team were doing their best, but with nothing to work on, they were moving blind. A fact some, like Felix, could not understand.

Since Felix was just a toddler, he’d adored Elijah and would have followed him anywhere if he were allowed. It was something that never changed as Felix grew up.

So it was heartbreaking when Malachi and Dolcie had to sit Felix down and explain that Elijah and Jade were missing.

Expectedly angry, it was when Felix started to cry that Dolcie felt her heart shatter. And it broke when Felix hurled his hurt at his dad, Malachi.

Malachi had stood firm against the verbal lashing Felix unleashed, kept his composure up until the second when Felix told him that he would hold him responsible if they were not found.

Having expected to find Malachi angry, it was worse to see his face twisted in anguish.

Though Felix and Malachi got along, they had never been close. The hours Malachi had to put in to get to where he was in the police force meant that often he was not at home.

At first, Felix didn’t seem to even notice and was always happy to find that Malachi was home. However, as Felix grew up, and he became more aware of his father’s absences, a distance between them started to grow.

Worryingly, Dolcie was aware of the resentfulness that Felix held toward Malachi, and she understood why Felix relied on Elijah as much as he had.

Though it was by no means a malicious move, Elijah acted like a surrogate in place of Malachi as a father in some ways. The pressure on Malachi to bring an end to the case was not only coming from his superiors but also his only son.

Malachi had expressed to Dolcie that he wanted nothing more than to tell Felix that Elijah and Jade had been found, that both were alive and well, but just like Felix had mentioned only a few moments ago, Malachi didn’t believe they were alive.

When he’d said it, it hit Dolcie hard, and she’d become angry with Malachi. Only when Malachi explained that he didn’t want for it to be true, but that it was a gut instinct did Dolcie understand what he was trying to say.

Malachi knew the odds of an adult being kept alive were minimal. Especially when no ransom had been made.

The stark reality was that Elijah and Jade were probably dead less than a week after they went missing.

Sliding a hand under her chin, Dolcie broke out her thoughts when Malachi stroked her back, a small kiss placed on her head, he moved to rest on the island.

“Where were you last night?”

Felix looked at Malachi with a snarky smile “At a wild orgy, snorting cocaine.” he snapped back, sarcasm playing slowly in his tone, Felix picked his sandwich back up.

Malachi’s eyes rolled, lips curled in annoyance, he shot Dolcie a glance “You should have swallowed him.” he muttered, though not quiet enough that Felix did not hear.

Once more choking on his food Felix slapped the counter, a look of utter disgust tossed at Dolcie and Malachi.

Hiding the small smile behind the coffee mug Dolcie slid off the kitchen stool, walking around to pat Felix on the back “Shouldn’t be so quick with that sarcasm,” she warned gently, slowing in patting Felix’s back once he took a clear breath.

Eye’s narrowed Felix shuddered before turning away “Maybe you should have swallowed, then I wouldn’t be stuck with arseholes for parents.” he grumbled under his breath, moving towards the sink for a drink of water.

“Please,” Dolcie started, the mug near slammed down on the kitchen side “We pulled the short straw getting lumbered with you,” she replied, with an over exaggerated sigh.

Malachi nodded, fingers stroking his beard “We kept telling the nurses that they’d made a mistake and handed us the wrong baby,”

Nodding along, Dolcie shrugged dramatically “We even tried taking you back.” she peered across as Felix stood back, staring between them “But it’s not like Tesco, they don’t swap or exchange without a receipt.”

Standing up Malachi slid his hands into his trouser pockets “, And we lost that slip of paper. So we just had to deal with the spud that we brought home.” he shrugged one shoulder “The worst decision of our lives, really.”

With a look thrown at them, small smiles crept across their mouths as Felix flipped his middle finger at them.

Eventually Felix rolled his eyes, tongue poking out before he made a false and sarcastic laugh “See, this is where I get this sarcastic attitude from.” he quipped. “Being stuck with you two.” he pointed to them both before walking out the kitchen, popping his head back around the archway to add “And neither of you are funny, and I’m not a spud!”

Listening to Felix stomp up the stairs Malachi and Dolcie shared a small laugh, a slight pout filling out her lips when Malachi announced that he needed to leave for work.

Coming to stand in front of Dolcie they locked lips briefly, her hands wrapping around the back of his neck as he attempted to leave.

“Just a few more minutes?” she pleaded, giving her best sad eyes Malachi’s head rolled back slightly “Y’know I want to stay,” he sighed placing his hands on the counter behind.

Malachi’s attempt at reasoning with Dolcie stopped as she trailed kisses across his neck before whispering enticements to stay a little while longer in his ear.

Slipping out of Malachi’s hold Dolcie dropped down, his hips thrust forward as he leant heavily on the kitchen counter with a moaned “Christ.” as Dolcie got her way, and Malachi agreed to stay home a little longer.