“How is Jude?” Macey asked. “He’s growing up. He’s nineteen now, you know, and in college.” “Oh my god, that old now?” Macey chuckled. She still remembered him as a rather saucy thirteen-year-old, always pushing his parents’ buttons. “Spring break was a couple of weeks ago, but when I tell him he has cousins he might just skip classes to come back and see them.” “Tante, why don’t you take our picture?” Aria said, giving her back her phone, “that way he can see us right away.” “Would that be okay?” Rose looked at Macey, who smiled and nodded. Aria scooted closer to her brother as Rose raised her phone. While Aria smiled brightly, Caden managed a grin, but his green eyes betrayed his joy. Rose snapped the picture quickly before glancing at the time. “Oh my! Is it that late?” Rose stood. “I should get going.” Macey showed her to the door disappointed they couldn’t spend more time together, but Rose w
Aria and Caden finished their lunch and colored a bit longer as they observed their inattentive babysitter. Trading silent looks, they eventually stood. “Excuse me Miss Babysitter, we’re going to take a nap now,” Aria declared. “Fine. Whatever.” Satisfied, the twins made their way towards the hall that led to the bedrooms. They paused, looking back to see their babysitter absorbed in her phone. With a nod, they turned and scurried to the front door. Slipping on their shoes, they quietly opened the door and stepped outside. Hurrying to the sidewalk, Aria paused and asked, “Did you get the information from tante’s phone?” Caden nodded, “I got oncle and papa’s phone numbers and their work numbers too. I looked it up on maman’s computer. They work at the DaLair office downtown.”[1] “So how are we going to get there?” Aria asked. “Subway.” “The what? You mean the Métro?” “He
Franklin finished his last song with a flourish. He glanced down at the case with a grimace. Playing in the subway started on a whim and as a social experiment. He tested a number of music genres to see if there was a difference in how much money he earned. So far, his results were inconclusive. He dressed in thrift store finds to play the part of a street performer. In truth, Franklin was actually classically trained and a much sought after concert pianist, though he could play several instruments. He was employed as a music instructor at the most prestigious educational facilities, although he had the clout to pick and choose the students he directly tutored. If the people rushing by him knew that, would they stop to listen? Lost in thought, he didn’t see the two small forms as they moved closer. So preoccupied, he didn’t stir until he heard someone run their fingers down the keyboard, creating a cascading sound that begged for attention. Franklin
“What about your address? Do you know where you live?” More head shakes. Franklin bit back his irritation. Were parents not responsible anymore? Did they not know about teaching their kids the importance of contact information? “So, where does your father work?” “DaLair Plaza, 41 Nassau Street,” Caden easily answered. Franklin blinked in surprise. If the boy could rattle off such an address so easily, then how did he not know his home address? The whole situation was extremely bizarre, but at least he had a place to take them. “Well, good news. You’re only a hop, skip and a jump away. Come on.” Franklin hefted his music cases and led the kids back to the tracks. They willingly followed him as he stepped on the next train. Climbing onto the bench, they sat holding hands. Franklin watched them, trying to figure them out. Neither looked panicked nor afraid, as he would expect from a pair of lo
Julius sat at his desk slowly paging through the photo album his father gave him. He couldn’t stop staring at the images of Macey and the babies. Guilt gnawed at him every minute. He should have been there. Macey should never have gone through her pregnancy alone. He should have listened to her, paid attention. He hadn’t even known she wanted to go back to school. “Julius. Jules. Jules!” He jerked to attention at his brother’s entreats. March watched him with concern. Ever since they left their father’s office, Julius paged through the album over and over again. It was clear his brother’s thoughts were spiraling into guilt and regret. “I know what you’re thinking, but maybe this is a good thing.” “How is this good?” “You’ve been worried about Macey for six years, not knowing what happened to her, if she was okay,” March said, “Now, you know.” Julius stared at his brother, letting the words slowly sink in
“So, about family,” March hesitated, “do they know…” Julius stiffened, glancing up at him. Did his children know they had a father? Did they want to meet him? Would they even give him a chance after he missed so much of their life? “I—I wanted to ask, but…I just couldn’t do it in front of the kids,” Rose gave him a sympathetic smile. “I really don’t know how much Macey told them. I’m sorry.” “That’s all right,” Julius tried to sound convincing. “I already missed so much. I don’t have the right to be called dad.” “They are five years old, Julius,” Rose gently admonished. “Yes, you’ve missed five years, but they have a lot of growing to do. You can still have years with them—as their father.” “If Macey lets me,” Julius sucked in a breath. Rose wasn’t wrong. In the grand scheme of things, five years was not long, but it didn’t alleviate his guilt in the slightest. He hadn’t been there for his wife when she nee
They rushed off the elevator and headed to the front desk when laughter brought them to a sudden halt. Their gazes went to the waiting area to see a man in his mid-forties in a finely tailored suit seated in one of the chairs. His hair was dark and neatly styled despite thinning as he aged. Seated comfortably on his lap was a content Aria. Sitting on the coffee table in front of them, swinging his legs, was a slightly bored Caden. As surprising as it was to see the twins, it was even more surprising when Aria spoke perfect German. “Was hat vier Beine und ist reisebereit?” “Ich weiß es nicht, Prinzessin. Was ist das?” “Ein Elefant!”[1] Aria giggled and earned a hearty laugh from the gentleman currently entertaining her. Or perhaps it was the other way around. Caden snickered at the over-the-top response. He didn’t think his sister’s joke was that funny, but he also wasn’t paying close attention as he had th
“You realize your mother is probably out of her mind right now?” Augustus shook his head, holding out his hand to Stephen, who placed his phone in it, already dialed and ringing. He only had to wait a moment before a panicked voice answered, “I can’t talk now! I have to go!” “Macey, before you hang up—You wouldn’t be looking for a pair of adorable twins who happen to be standing in front of me, would you?” “…They are with you? Thank god.” “It seems they didn’t like their babysitter and snuck away,” Augustus said, choosing not to elaborate on details. There was time enough for that later, when she wasn’t panicked. “I’m at the gallery right now. Can they stay with you until I’m done?” “Of course. I have another hour before I can knock off work, then I’ll take them home. You can pick them up there,” Augustus fell silent, listening to her response before saying goodbye and handing the phone back to Stephen. He gave the twi
“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.” “Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened. “…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinki
Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future. “You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and
Two Months Later The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant the
She nodded. “Going down?” Silas repeated. “Just what have you three planned now?” “It was more like a hunch,” Lexi said. “Sean found something real interesting when he deep-dived Ryker Holdings. So we asked Duncan to keep an eye on someone, just in case.” “D
“Late? A test for what?” Silas asked not following. “Are you serious?” Tracy snorted a laugh. “Ava, you’re going to have to be a little clearer,” Opal chuckled. “Remember, it’s his first time.” Silas glanced from one to the other even more confused. Looking
“There you three are,” Tracy said as the trio returned to the party. “We were just about to send the search party to find you.” “Auntie Tracy, you’re so silly,” Alexis giggled. “How are you feeling mom?” Ava hugged her tight but Alexis didn’t feel any tension or strain in
Finding no support anywhere Jenna finally fled. No one paid her further mind as they watched the kids swarm around their parents comforting their mother. It was a sweet and tender scene and many began to see Silas in a completely different light. * * * Jenna screamed as she storme
Jenna stepped forward intentionally shoving her shoulder and made Ava stumble back. “W-What is—” Jenna stuttered as the video paused. “Who was calling who shameless?” Alexis demanded standing next to her mother arms crossed in front of her chest. “So playing with people’s
The music started slowly with just a few notes announcing the beginning of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The simple melody became more complex as notes overlapped and weaved a new organic pattern but always maintaining the integrity of the piece. Conversation lulled as everyone turned their