The Search

Chapter 1.

Jade

Something I wasn't proud of was running away from my family at such a young age. But something I was proud of, is who I became and what I made for myself.

At an early age I realized the fashion industry isn't an easy one, especially when you're trying to keep your name small but your brand big. 

It was even more difficult when you tie it into being a stay at home Mom too.

Today happened to be another one of those chaotic days. My husband Nikolai and I, are trying to get all of the kids to school in time.

It's not an easy task.

"Alex, please get up." I sigh sitting down on the edge of the bed at his side. 

He groans rubbing his eyes and looks at me for a while before finally getting up, "I can't wait until I'm gone with school," He kisses my cheek groggily making his way to the bathroom. 

He's graduating this year and a few months from now he'll be an adult.  Nikolai and I had him young, we were sixteen and stupid but he and his twin sister know how much we love them.

Even if they were unexpected. 

Nikolai is in Sophie's room when I enter, softly trying to get her awake.  She doesn't look too good. 

I step forward and feel her temperature, noticing how she's quite hot.  I give him a knowing look and he disperses into the hall to retrieve the sick day materials needed.

I sit next to her, "hey sweetheart." I whisper pushing the stray hairs out of her face. 

Nikolai comes back and places a cold towel on her head, and checks her temperature.  "101." He states, tsking and then kisses her forehead, "we'll leave you to sleep baby, call if you need anything."

She nods her head mumbling something and I close the door as we leave.  "I knew she didn't look right at dinner yesterday, she barely ate anything."

"You know she gets sick easily, nothing we haven't handled before." He gives me a soft peck.  "I'm going to call in and excuse myself, I'll use a holiday."

"Nik," I warn making my way to our third oldest's room. Colten is brushing his teeth when we enter, hopping into some socks.

Nikolai laughs behind me, "you've got time, what's the rush buddy?"

Colt shakes his head mumbling something and then hops into his bathroom. "Come for breakfast soon." I call out and close his door. "Perhaps taking some time off isn't best right now, I thought you had some crazy case."

"The case isn't as important as our family, you know that, I'll call Greg." He says following me to Ollie's room, our second youngest.

We knock and he opens the door walking past us with his book in hand, already dressed and looking showered.

I brush my hand over his soft curls following him. "I could have helped you, you know." I say stopping him and leaning down so we're talking eye to eye.

"I did it myself." He states opening his book already taking his bookmark out. He begins down the stairs.

"Watch where you are going please Ollie," Nikolai calls out shaking his head. Next we enter the nursery and Nik picks up an already awake Lexi from the crib.

She smiles happily and stares content as Nik changes her. She grabs and chews on my finger waiting quietly and patiently, she's a very quiet baby compared to her other siblings.