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“She was making dinner and reading, so I’d take that as a good sign.”

Christian snorted. “And since you don’t know how she was feeling, I’m guessing she wasn’t talking about it.”

“Nope, and you know what that means.”

“It means she was feeling less like death.”

“Exactly.”

It had been a little while since Mary’s last episode, and Christian was relieved to hear it was brief. Christian had met Mary when he’d been fourteen, and it had been a few months before he’d seen her go through the agony that she had, at the time, called ‘headaches.’ At first, the doctors thought she was having migraines, odd for a girl of fifteen but not unheard of. It wasn’t until a few years ago that someone had finally diagnosed her with cluster headaches.

There were treatments, but they didn’t make the headaches stay away for good. All they did was decrease their frequency and make them not last as long. It still didn’t stop her from feeling like rusty nails were tearing apart her entire head. She swore up and down it was better to spend a day or two like that every few months rather than days in agony every few weeks. Christian had to agree, but it still hurt to see her in so much pain that she couldn’t function.

“I’ll call her later when I’m off my shift. Maybe she’ll be less stubborn if I talk to her.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m pushy, and people don’t want to talk to me like they do you.”

Christian chuckled. “I think it’s because you guys are just...both stubborn. You won’t stop, and she won’t give in.”

“I don’t think that’s totally true,” Lily said slowly.

“Right, because I haven’t watched the two of you go at it over the years or anything, you’re right.”

“Sarcasm isn’t cute, Christian.”

Christian grinned, motioning at himself even though he was alone. “Good thing I’m adorable enough to make it cute, huh?”

“I see someone’s coffee has started kicking in.”

“As if I need it.”

“Yeah, a regular bundle of sunshine and energy you are.”

“Says the woman who wakes up ready to sing half the time.”

“I just...get songs stuck in my head, is all.”

Christian’s laugh almost muffled the sound of the elevator. He checked the computer screen and sighed. General Winter was early, but Christian was used to that.

“Ah, the general is here,” Christian warned his sister.

“Ooh, General Daddy?” Lily cooed.

“Oh, God, shut up.”

He carefully arranged his face so it didn’t look like he was on the phone as the doors slid open to reveal the general. In all the months he’d been working directly under the man, Christian had never seen the general come into the office looking anything but perfectly put together. His uniform was always carefully pressed and neat, his hair had never been longer than it should be, and Christian was pretty sure he’d never seen him look groggy.

“Good morning, General,” Christian said, keeping his voice warm but not too perky.

General Winter looked at him, the corner of his mouth turning up. “Good morning, Christian. Everything alright?”

Christian nodded, bringing up the day’s schedule on his screen. “Everything’s going smoothly so far. You’ll be happy to know you don’t have that busy a day.”

General Winter snorted as he reached the desk. “Meaning, I’ll be able to eat lunch without interruption.”

“That about sums it up.”

“Well, send the schedule to my screen, and I’ll take a look.”