Past Comes to Present (Book 3 in the Bodyguard series)

The Letter

I smiled as Jonathan tried to get Kenako to stop reading a book. Jonathan was six now and Kenako was five. They were both homeschooled and their teacher was Master Wu. Kenako sent me a pleading look. "Jon, did you finish your assigned reading?" I asked walking over.

Jon froze. "Uh..."

"That's what I thought." I grabbed his book and put it on the right page. "Sit and read what Master Wu told you to."

"Aw, but Mom..."

"No buts," I said sternly. "No training with your father until after your homework is done."

"Thanks, Mom," Kenako whispered when Jon got up and crossed the room.

I shrugged. "Your brother needs to learn that, while training might be important, school is important too."

Lloyd walked in and Jon jumped up. "Dad! Mom said we can't train until our homework is done," he said.

Lloud glanced at me and I gave him a look that clearly dared him to contradict me. He sighed. "If that's what your mom said then that's how it is," Lloyd said. "Even if I believe differently," he added under his breath.

"I heard that," I said.

"So did I," Hydra chimed in. "Also, Jon, hiding that book isn't going to make your Mom change her mind. She'll just find it again."

I looked at Jon and saw he was in the middle of trying to stuff his book under a chair. "Jon, sit and read that chapter," I said sharply. He groaned and flopped onto the chair. He opened the book again and began to read. I walked over to my husband and grabbed his wrist. "You better still be reading when I get back," I told my son. Then pulled Lloyd out of the room. I put my hands on my hips. "You're supposed to back me up. Not disagree with me."

"Training is really important," Lloyd pointed out.

"Be that as it may, our son keeps skipping homework to go and train and Master Wu is planning to flunk him if he doesn't start doing what he needs to. Do you want that?"

He shook his head. "But why did you have to tell him that he can't train until his homework is done?"

"Because that's the only way he'll get it done."

"Okay, okay. I'll stick with your ground rules." 

There was that sound of running feet and Jade and Martin came around the corner. "Jade, Martin, please don't run in that house," I said tiredly.

"Aw, but Aunt Y/n..." Martin began.

"We like running," Jade finished. Then they took off.

"Where is Morro and Harumi when you need them?" I muttered grumpily.

Lloyd's mouth twitched. "Probably busy trying to make more."

"Ugh! They should do that at night and focus on raising their kids during the day." I paused. "Hey, when are we going to have another one, by the way?"

He blanched. "Uh...I think Jay's calling me. I'll be back." He practically ran away.

I sighed. "He does that every time I bring it up."

"I don't think he wants another child," Hydra said.

I nodded. "Maybe." I picked her off of my shoulder and onto the ground. "Can you watch the boys to make sure they do their work?"

"You mean you want me to watch Jonathan."

"I meant what I said." Though Kenako always does his homework. No matter what. I went to the kitchen and found Zane making lunch. "So what's on the menu today?" I asked.

"I'm making cheeseburgers today," Zane replied as he cut the potatoes for fries.

"Do you need some help?"

"No thank you, Y/n. But you did get some mail." He motioned to the table.

I picked it up and opened it.

Dear Y/n

It's been a while. You've been able to hide for quite some time. But now I've found you. I'm shocked you got married when we promised to be together forever. Do you remember that? When I find you I will bend you to my will and kill that husband of yours. Who was it again? Oh, right. The Green Ninja. You had two kids with him, right? I'll kill them too and we can start over. If you don't bend to my will I will make you. Do you remember how I bend people to my will? Oh, what am I saying? Of course, you do. You did, after all, live it. I can't wait to see you.

                                                                                                                      Yours Truly

                                                                                                                             Adder

I felt my heart rate speed up and panic flashed through me. How? How did he find me? We moved to Ninjago to get away from him! "Y/n, are you alright? Your heart rate is skyrocketing," Zane said.

I blinked and swallowed hard. "Y-yes. I'm fine," I said crumbling the letter. "I need to go to the palace to speak to my mother. I might not be back in time for lunch. Will you let Lloyd know for me?"

"Of course. But does it have something to do with that letter you got?"

I shoved it into my jacket pocket. "No. I need to speak to her about something important," I sort of lied. It was important and it did have to do with the letter. "I'll be back in time for dinner though."

He studied me for a minute then nodded. "Alright. I'll let Lloyd know."

I forced myself to smile. "Thanks, Zane." I turned and calmly walked out of the monastery. But as soon as I got to the stairs, I ran like hell all the way to the palace. David was outside playing. "David, is mom in the throne room?" I asked.

He nodded. "She's redecorating it. She was about to call you to get your opinion on it."

I sighed. "Of course, she did. I'll go and see." And tell her about Adder. I walked into the palace.