A snippet of the Damon family.
The two small boys squirmed in their father’s arms as he fell onto the bed with them secure in his embrace. They laughed as he wrestled them until they were both too tired to struggle any more.
“Dad!” Anthony wined, before brushing the long red strands of hair that had fallen into his mouth.
“Okay, okay,” Scott said, pulling away from his sons to sit up right. “Story time?” The boys nod furiously before crawling under their thick feather-down quilt. Scott chuckles under his breath as he watches his twin sons. Their matching dark grey eyes shining up at him in anticipation.
“Once upon a time, a curious and powerful witch sought out a rare, but beautiful treasure. A blood red jewel that shone brightest in the dark. It’s said to have silver vines that never tarnish, twisting around the stone.” As Scott speaks, his hands move in harmony with his words. Some of the signs are shaky, but combined with his voice, shimmering images flutter into existence before him.
“According to legends, if you obtained this treasure you could live without want for centuries. So the handsome, brave, intelligent-“
“Are you talking about you, dad?” Anthony interrupted. His brother, Jasper, silently laughed when Scott twisted his face into a pout before continuing.
“Ahem… so the witch set off on his quest. Facing trial after trial, he crossed a continent in search of this fabled jewel. But he wasn’t the only one looking for it. A hunter, draped in flannel and leather, was hot on his heels. They went head to head once, deep in the desert. But with the use of clever illusion spells the witch safely slipped away. Finally, he reached the city of angels. A place where steel stretched for the sky and stars were within arms reach. Now most people would expect to find a treasure of this value somewhere equally spectacular. But this treasure wasn’t hidden in a golden temple or an iron vault. Instead the witch found the treasure room moved, its location only known by its guardian. A rare and beautiful dragon.”
“Now you’re talking about mom,” Anthony said, interrupting again. Scott pursed his lips as he playfully glared at his son before continuing.
“This dragon had no equal. Scales as red as rubies, fangs that could cut through diamonds and passion that burned as bright as a star.”
“He’s talking about mom,” Anthony stage whispers to his brother who silently giggles.
“Maybe you’d rather tell the story?” Scott asked before reaching out and fluffing Anthony’s hair. The boy beamed at him then jumped up on his knees. His fingers moved faster than his mouth as he picked up the story.
“The dragon thought the witch was funny,” Anthony said. “How could he take a treasure from someone so powerful? But the witch wouldn’t give up. So he told the dragon stories that made her laugh until she gave him the treasure for a promise.”
“And what was the promise?” Scott asked.
“To always be around to cheer her up when she’s sad. Now they could live together forever. The End.” Anthony bows then falls onto his stomach. Scott attacks his son’s exposed sides, tickling him until the boy curls up with laughter.
“Let me guess, Olive already told you this story?” Scott said.
“She tells it better. More action.” Jasper signs.
“Well she’s at camp for the rest of the summer so you’ll have to deal with your sappy old man instead. And you forgot the part where they find a way to break the jewel and create three baby dragons from the dust.”
“Ugh... Dad you’re so lame. Next time focus on you fighting the hunter. That’s cool,” Anthony said, his brother nodding in agreement.