Chapter 13 Part 3 of 3 (Patreon)

“I-am-really-sorry-lords-but-there-is-a-lady-called-momma-rodriguez-that-has-been-harrassing-the-Sky-Reaching-Restaurant-and-asking-about-you-both!” He gulped down air after spitting out the words rapid-fire.

Rugrat and Erik turned completely from the window. Erik felt his stomach tighten up and Rugrat’s mouth was twitching to form words.

“What did she say her name was?” Erik demanded.

“Maria Josefina Rodriguez.”

Erik felt his entire body shake. He looked at Rugrat who stared back at him.

Is it really her?

Erik and Rugrat set their jaws.

“Which location is she at?” Rugrat said as they walked forward.

“The fifth location!”

“Stand up boy, you’re coming with us,” Rugrat said, grabbing him by the shoulder, raising him and forcing him to walk.

Erik used his sound transmission device.

“Roska we’re heading to the fifth Sky Reaching Restaurant location. Send word ahead to bring the person calling herself Momma Rodrigeuz into a private room. We’ll move through the under-city.”

“Understood, meet you down there in five.”

Erik and Rugrat walked out of the room, their guards moved around them, Rugrat handed the messenger to two of them that checked the boy’s medallion and his identity several times, asking him questions to verify he was who he said he was.

Everything checked out as Erik and Rugrat kept grim expressions, ready to be let down, but hoping they were wrong.

***

Momma Rodriguez sipped on the tea, the flavors dull to her as her heart was focused on other things.

I’ve been here for two weeks, and they didn’t care about what I had to say. Only if I was interested in eating their food. The deep fried chicken is basically the same as mine, a few changes but the same underneath it all. Then the tacos and burritos, the rice, it was just like how I made it and the things Jimmy liked.

She stood up as the doors to the room opened. A man and a woman walked into the room, their eyes passed over her and over the room before they moved to the side.

Maria’s hands shook as time seemed to slow. Two men pulled back their hoods as they entered the room.

They looked like contractors from their rugged cargo pants and shirts.

They both sported beards, the one on the right, a bit taller than the one on the left. Their broad shoulders crowded the doorway as they stepped inside.

Brown almost black hair and wet brown eyes with that same goofy grin, that blond hair and brown beard with sharp blue eyes.

Maria let out a shuddering breath, her legs feeling weak as tears appeared in her eyes.

She stumbled, the two men rushed forward, bending down to support her, taking care to not use too much strength.

“My boys,” She said shakily as tears ran down her cheeks. Strength returned to her arms as she hooked them around both of their necks.

They were half doubled over as she felt their arms wrap around her back. She felt their tears wet her hair as their bodies shook slightly.

“Momma,” Jimmy said.

She pulled them in tight again and then released them.

She backed up and wiped away her tears. The others in the room looked away, the door had been closed at some point. Erik and Rugrat cleared their eyes as well.

“I told you that there was no getting away from me! Had to chase you across this Ten Realms!”

“How did you?” Erik asked.

“Found a lady on the internet that was with the curse, with all of your experiments and posting it on the internet I went with her,” Momma Rodriguez said.

“Momma,” Rugrat’s words filled with feeling and admonishment.

“I lost your brother to war and your sister to the drugs. You two are all I have left. Do you really think that I would just sit at home! Jimmy Enrique Rodriguez!” She waved a finger as if it was a weapon with her hand on her hip as her accent became heavier.

Rugrat bowed down, stepping back.

“You are all I have left, on Earth or on these realm worlds. I might not go fight with you, but I will always be there when you come home!” Her voice softened as she lowered her finger, putting it on her other hip. “And did you think that I wouldn’t notice you’re selling all of my recipes?”

***

Erik laughed, shaking his head. His heart felt filled to bursting while his stomach was turning over, thinking that this was all some dream.

Rugrat scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Momma Rodriguez, it is great to see you,” Erik smiled. “Finally needed someone around that could keep him in line.”

“Hey!” Rugrat said, glaring at Erik.

Momma Rodriguez laughed and walked up to Rugrat, pulling his cloak in, fixing it and then patting his chest.

“We made our promise long ago didn’t we?” She said, looking at Erik.

Rugrat frowned and looked between them.

“Stick together and we’ll make it through anything.” Erik looked down, pressing his lips together and pushing his eyes closed. “And know that no matter what there will always be a home to return to.” His last words coming out raspy between his teeth as he choked up.

Momma Rodriguez moved over and pulled Erik’s cloak tight.

“And home is where we are.” She said softly and wiped Erik’s face.

He nodded and cleared his throat forcefully. He looked into her deep brown eyes, she was short, but as fierce as ever. Her wrinkles and easy smile comforted others, her steely spine and fierce eyes reminded one of the powerful lady that had raised three children on her own, losing her husband and two of them in the process.

“Lords, seems that someone around here has really no idea about you two. Lords of a city!”

There was a cough from the side.

Erik looked at Roska.

“I’m sorry but we need to verify you are who you say you are.”

Rugrat made to say something but Momma Rodriguez put her hand out.

“It’s good that you have someone around with common sense! Fierce young lady like yourself, do you have a significant other in your life?”

“I’m going to have you agree to this contract on the Ten Realms,” Roska held out a piece of paper and a small blade.

“You didn’t answer the question, and I agree to this contract on the Ten Realms,” Momma Rodriguez cut her thumb and pressed it to the paper.

“Momma,” Rugrat tried to hint.

“What she is a pretty young girl, strong and determined. She’s following you two around. So, she’s smart. I just want to know the kind of people you two have been hanging around. So, any significant other? What’s your name?”

The glow of the Ten Realms contact covered Momma Rodriguez.

Roska looked at Erik and Rugrat who gave her no help.

“Uhh, no ma’am and Roska.”

“That won’t do! Fighting isn’t everything as I tell these two!”

“I have to ask you some questions,” Roska said, timidly.

“Ask away dear,” Momma Rodriguez smiled, standing there.

She’s gone and intimidated a captain of the special teams with a few questions. If that is not Momma Rodriguez then the universe is out of balance. There can’t be two!

Roska went through a series of questions, then took samples of blood from Rugrat and Momma Rodriguez and tested them.

Roska put the gear away.

“It appears she is who she says she is.”

“Try saying that ten times fast,” Erik muttered.

“Alright, come on, I want to know everything that you two have been up to?” Momma Rodriguez moved back to the table and sat down waving for Rugrat and Erik to join her.

She pulled cups out of her storage ring and poured out iced tea for the others.

Erik and Rugrat knew better than to try and take it from her.

Roska coughed and held out another contract.

“I’m sorry but this contract makes sure that you cannot reveal any information you are told by Lord West and Rodriguez to any other person without their permission. It also secures that you will not pass on certain secrets.” Roska put down the contract.

Momma Rodriguez read the contract before she cut her finger and placed it on the contract.

“I agree to the contract outlined here.”

Power of the Ten Realms wrapped around her, binding her to the proscribed contract.

“Do you want some tea dear?”

“No thank you, I can’t while working,” Roska stepped backwards.

“Ah you military types, always something holding you back,” Momma Rodriguez clicked her tongue. “So, from the beginning you two.”

“Well, Erik and I dropped out of the sky with those capsules I made.”

“I heard that you put it all on your credit cards so it all reverted back to your family. Nicely done,” Momma Rodriguez looked at Erik and chuckled.

“Wanted to leave them a final thank you.”

“So after you landed with the capsules?”

Momma Rodriguez, from Earth; Roska and Davos from the First Realm listened with rapt attention as Erik and Rugrat told their tale from entering the Ten Realms.