Memories of Futures Past

Aloysius dreams
 
March, 1899
 
He woke at the sound of the key in the lock and so did the dog. Aloysius tensed his muscles just as nine kilos of big-eared, black and white terrier launched from his midsection and charged the front door. He smiled; his family was home.
Barking and the shrieks of children mingled at the door before reversing course in a headlong charge down the hall. Aloysius rolled to his knees from the couch to receive the onslaught with open arms. Anja, nine, hit first. She's the young image of her mother, but for the Esch blue eyes. She aimed to bowl him over because the concept of 'half' never stuck with her. He spun her sideways and caught her, then did the same with Melker, all of six. So clearly their son, marked with a mix of their skin and strawberry blond hair. Aloysius wrapped them up in his arms and kissed his giggling children before sending them in pursuit of the dog.
He was still on his knees and smiling when one of the most powerful women in the world entered the parlor. Margarete Esch. Some fools think love fades with age but fifteen years after they wed, she was more radiant in his eyes than ever. Aloysius rises, kissing her like it's the first time.
 
Memory unbidden -Burning buildings and spell light throw everything in garish relief. Gunshots and spellcasting concuss the air, a drum beat beneath Peg's voice as she sends curses and spells into her erstwhile grandmother. She's glorious.
Aloysius is on one knee, covered in blood. Some of it is his, most of it, not. May Muckbone is in front of him. She's been kissed by Ash Wand so many times there is barely anything holding her together. She's defiant, with one last barb to throw. "You're an idiot to love her." She hisses. "Do you know what you get when your kind mixes with ours?"
Aloysius rises, Ash Wand kisses May one last time.
 
"The love of my life." He whispered into Peg's hair, before waking back to now.