With the Black Umbrella {Deacury}

Black Umbrella

Two children stood on a stool placed just below a window, enabling them to peer through it. Outside, the sky was gray and was the typically scene of a wet winter. Clouds coated the noon sky like a wool blanket, and rain falling out the sky as if someone was wringing a soaked towel. Cars whizzed by, causing waves of water to splash around left and right. The sound of feet padding along the soaked sidewalk was a common sound heard all around. And luckily for the children, they were protected by the warm and cozy shelter of their gigantic home.

The children peeked over the window sill and watched as a crowd of people waited for the pedestrian crossing signal to flash green. All the kids saw from above were a bustle of umbrella tops protecting the people from water droplets. This was the children's favorite part of the day.

"I spy a green umbrella." The little girl bounced. The slightly younger boy next to her stood on his tiptoes and searched around for one, but soon gave up.

"I don't see one." He whined. His older sister giggled.

"There isn't any!"

"That's cheating." The boy pouted.

The children continued playing their joyous game of "I Spy" until their father rudely interrupted. They heard his footsteps from a mile, causing them to glance at each other.

"Children! Back away from the window it's freezing, you'll get sick." Freddie scolded. The children hopped off the stool and scurried away in a fit of laughter. Freddie sighed and looked out the window. He watched as life began to play right before his eyes. Each individual person out there had a story of their own, it was truly fascinating. The colorful display of umbrellas was absolutely beautiful to him, but one umbrella stood out the most. A black umbrella amongst them all twirled softly in the rain. Freddie watched at the crowd dispersed, and he caught a glimpse of the owner of that umbrella. What a mysterious man.

"Daddy, you're going to get sick too." Freddie's daughter scolded. The man huffed and shut the window tightly.

"You're absolutely right Lexa. Now tell Axel that dinner is going to be ready in a few." Freddie crooned. Lexa twirled on the balls of her feet and ran away.

She wasn't always so high spirited. Just a few months ago, she was a crying mess. Her mother cheated on her father, Freddie, and had the audacity to file a divorce. Lexa missed her mother but she occasionally got to pay her a visit. Axel on the other hand, didn't care as much, he never attached to her, or anyone for that matter.

Freddie however, missed her dearly. He loved her and was absolutely heartbroken to find out what happened. He struggled to take care of his two children but he did everything he could, they were all he had. He wasn't financially struggling, but more in a parenting way. They were growing up too fast, he didn't know what to do.

"He said he doesn't want to eat." Lexa tattled as she came back to Freddie. That was typical of him, Axel often skipped meals to solve jigsaw puzzles instead.

"That's okay darling, just take a seat at the table while I go fetch him." Freddie ordered. Lexa nodded her head and sat at the dining table.

Despite them being twins, Lexa and Axel were complete opposites. Lexa had Freddie's fair skin but her mother's curly blonde hair. She had a slight overbite and her eyes sparkled blue just like her mother's. Lexa was absolutely beautiful in her own way and was labeled the outgoing twin. She loved singing, dancing, and hanging with friends. Axel however was antisocial. He had Freddie's dark brown hair and his mother's pale skin. He also had Freddie's dark eyes. He was quiet and loved to read. He was very intelligent for someone his age. But Freddie loved them both equally and could never imagine living without them.

Freddie walked to his son's room and knocked. Privacy was respected in their house.

"Come out Axel, it's time to eat." He called. Axel stepped out his room and closed the door. The two made their way downstairs for dinner. Freddie went into the kitchen and served their plates while the kids sat and waited patiently. He placed a plate in front of each child and one for himself.

"Thank you." The children said in unison and dug in. He watched as his children begin slurping up their plate of spaghetti.

He remembered when he first fed his children in high chairs. They threw food at each other and laughed about it, they weren't able to talk yet. His wife walked in and took a photo, and placed a kiss on Freddie. It was then, he was sure they were meant to be.

"Why are you smiling Daddy?" Lexa asked.

"He's probably watching how sloppily you eat." Axel commented.

"I don't eat sloppy!" She shouted. She continued to eat, making sure to look as posh as possible.

"You guys are ridiculous." Freddie chuckled.

"Some more than others." Axel whispered, barely audible.

He loved his little family.