Twilight: Gods among us

The sunlight streamed through the window, painting golden streaks across the room and warming Jaxon's figure. He stirred slightly, his eyes blinking open to see Leah curled up beside him, her hair fanned out across the pillow. For a moment, he stayed still, watching her peaceful form, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

As much as he wanted to let her sleep, the day ahead weighed on his mind. Shifting carefully, he reached out and brushed his fingers against her temple. "Sorry, Leah," he whispered, his voice low and warm. "Didn't mean to wake you."

Leah stirred, a faint grumble escaping her lips as she scrunched her nose, clearly annoyed. Her hand lazily reached up to shield her eyes from the sunlight peeking through the window. "The sun's too bright," she huffed, turning her head away.

Jaxon chuckled softly, unable to hide his amusement. "Can't blame the sun for doing its job," he teased, rubbing her temple in slow, soothing circles. "But hey, I need to tell you something important."

At that, Leah's brow furrowed slightly, and she rolled over to face him, propping herself up on her elbow. Her sleepy eyes sharpened with worry as her hand reached out to cup his cheek. "What happened?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

"It's nothing bad," Jaxon assured her, covering her hand with his. "It's actually... about buying a home. I've been looking at a place not too far from here, near the cliffs. It's close enough that you can visit your parents anytime—and vice versa."

Leah's expression shifted, her fingers brushing lightly against his cheek. "Are you not happy here?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness. It was clear how much her family meant to her, and the thought of moving away seemed to weigh heavily on her.

Jaxon shook his head quickly, leaning closer to reassure her. "It's not that. Living with your family has been amazing, and I couldn't have asked for better. But I think it's time for us to have a little more privacy. Staying here forever doesn't feel right. I already feel like I've been taking advantage of your family's kindness. I need something that's ours—something that gives me peace of mind."

Leah sighed, her fingers trailing down his jawline. "That is true. Family is great, but... you're right. Staying here already feels like a stretch. I get it."

She paused for a moment, then her lips curved into a small smile. "But I have one condition."

Jaxon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what's that?"

"I get to have a garden," she said with mock seriousness, though the glint of mischief in her eyes betrayed her playful intent.

He laughed, the irony of her request not lost on him. "A garden? You, who absolutely hate gardening?"

Leah shrugged, her smile widening. "Hey, I didn't say I'd take care of it. I just want one."

"Well, you're in luck," Jaxon said with a grin. "Because I already bought the house... a couple of months ago."

Leah froze, her expression shifting to disbelief. "You what?"

"Yeah, about two months ago," he admitted, his smile faltering slightly.

Leah narrowed her eyes, a playful frown tugging at her lips. "Wow. Two months. That must've been a HUGE secret," she said sarcastically, her voice dripping with mock betrayal. "Not even a hint? Not even a 'Hey, Leah, thinking about buying a house'? Okay, I see you, Jaxon."

Jaxon's eyes sparkled with amusement as he retaliated, reaching out to tickle her sides. Leah squealed, twisting away from his hands, but he wasn't letting her off easy. "You're being dramatic," he teased, his hands relentless.

"Stop, Jaxon!" Leah screamed, laughing uncontrollably. "I'm gonna pee! Stop!"

Finally, Jaxon relented, his hands falling away as they both caught their breath. "Alright, alright. You win," he said, leaning back against the headboard with a satisfied grin.

Leah sat up, brushing her hair out of her face as she glared at him, though the corners of her mouth twitched with the hint of a smile. "You're impossible," she muttered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

"Ladies first," Jaxon said mockingly, gesturing toward the door with an exaggerated bow.

"Har har," Leah shot back, rolling her eyes as she grabbed her robe and headed for the bathroom. Over her shoulder, she added, "Don't take forever getting ready. You've got important things to do, remember?"

Jaxon chuckled as he watched her go, her playful sass lingering in the air. He stretched, feeling the day truly begin to take shape.

---

Jaxon and Leah descended the staircase together, their conversation lively as Jaxon animatedly discussed his latest ideas.

"I'm telling you, Leah," he said, his hands gesturing as he spoke, "solar power isn't just the future—it's now. Imagine if every home here ran on renewable energy. No massive bills, no dependence on grids. It's clean, and it's sustainable."

Leah raised an eyebrow, amused. "And how exactly do you plan to tackle the entire energy crisis on your own?"

"Not on my own," Jaxon replied with a grin. "But with the right partners and investments, it's doable. You'll see."

Reaching the last step, they were greeted by Sue, her warm smile lighting up the room. "Good morning, loves," she said cheerfully, her eyes scanning the pair. "I see you're both heading out. But Jaxon, aren't you supposed to be going to school?"

Jaxon nodded, flashing a reassuring smile. "Yes, ma'am. I am. But before that, I've got something special to show Leah."

Sue gave him a pointed look, her tone shifting slightly. "Good. I don't want you missing any more school. It's a place to gain friends, after all."

Jaxon mumbled under his breath, "Friends are overrated."

Leah's sharp pinch to his side made him yelp softly, cutting off any further remarks. Sue arched an eyebrow at the exchange but continued, her voice softening. "Even if you don't need the knowledge, seeing how successful you've become," she said with a chuckle, "it would still be sad to miss your childhood."

The melancholy in her voice made Jaxon pause, memories flickering in his mind. Not wanting her to linger in guilt again—like the last time this topic came up—he straightened and saluted dramatically. "Yes, ma'am. School is a good experience."

Sue laughed, the sound warm and motherly. "Such a kidder," she said, shaking her head. "Now, eggs and waffles with extra syrup, made just for you."

Jaxon stopped mid-step, her words hitting him unexpectedly. A tender smile curved his lips, unbidden but genuine. "Thank you… Mom."

Sue froze, her back turned as she processed his words. It was the first time he'd ever called her that, and the genuine emotion behind it made her eyes sting with tears. She quickly busied herself at the counter, not wanting to let him see her reaction. "You're welcome, honey," she said, her voice steady but a touch softer than before. "Now, eat up and get ready before you're late."

Leah caught the brief flicker of emotion in Sue's expression, her own lips curving into a smile. She nudged Jaxon lightly as they made their way to the table. "That was sweet," she murmured, sitting beside him.

Jaxon shrugged, though his grin gave away his satisfaction. "It was overdue."

Sue returned moments later, balancing a plate of pancakes and a bowl of grapes. She placed them in front of Leah with a teasing smile. "Pancakes and grapes for my baby, just the way you like them."

Leah laughed, shaking her head. "Thanks, Mom."

The three fell into a happy rhythm. Jaxon and Leah ate with gusto, their quiet chatter filling the space, while Sue moved around the kitchen, preparing more food. The room was alive with warmth.