Fading {Book Two of The Descendants series}

Chapter Fourteen

"Happy Birthday to you!!" Everyone sang. Lexie laughs and clapped at all the attention she was getting.

"Can you believe she is three already?" Stephanie said squeezing her daughter tightly.

"It seems like she was born just yesterday," Zane smiled.

"Come her, Baby!" Winston said picking her up and twirling her around in the air.

"Hahaha do again! Do again!" Lexie giggled.

"One more time," Winston said tossing her gently in the air and catching her again.

"Goodness! Be careful!" Stephanie said. A hand fluttered over her heart.

"Don't worry, Stephanie," Lloyd laughed. "He's got her!"

"I know but it still makes me nervous," she smiled.

"Say, has anyone seen my mom?" Winston asked.

"I haven't seen her for a couple of days," Stephanie shrugged. "Now, who wants birthday  cake?"

"Me!" Several voice shouted.

"Noah, don't you want any?" Cole asked his son.

"I'm okay, Dad," Noah shook his head. The made Amaya lift her eyebrow. She and Cole exchanged glances. That wasn't like Noah.

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Noah sat outside in the semi-darkness. He snapped a stick in half and threw it into the dirt. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice someone coming up behind him.

"Noah?"

"Ah!" Noah jumped. "Dad! Don't do that!"

"What's wrong?" Cole asked sitting down next to his son.

"I-I'm pretty sure Ella is cheating on me," Noah said looking down at his hands.

"What makes you say that?" Cole asked in a surprised tone.

"She is acting different lately," Noah said. "She used to answer all my calls and texts right away but she doesn't anymore even though I know she has her phone. She is always on it when we are together. She doesn't talk to me like she used to. She never seems interested in our conversations. I could go on."

"Have you thought about asking her about it?" Cole asked.

"I'm too scared of the answer," Noah sighed.

"If she has been cheating on you, then she isn't worth it," Cole said shaking his head sadly. "I know it's really hard, but it's the truth."

"I think I love her, Dad," Noah said sadly. "We've been dating for over two years!"

"Communication is key," Cole said. "Maybe something is just going on at home. You will never know until you ask."

"Okay, thanks, Dad."

"Anytime, Son."

*************************************

"What is wrong with Noah?" Amaya asked as Cole walked into their bedroom.

"Relationship trouble," Cole sighed. "I think our son might be going through a breakup soon."

"But why? Ella is such a nice girl and Noah really likes her," Amaya said. She picked up Amy and handed her to Cole. She was about five months old now.

"He thinks she may be cheating on him," Cole said taking the baby and holding her close.

"Poor Noah! I hope that's not the case!" Amaya said sadly.

"I hope not either," Cole said sitting down on the bed. He was interrupted by a gurgle from Amy. "Well, hello, cutie."

Amy responded with a coo and another gurgle. Cole smiled.

"Do you get to see dada," Amaya smiled at Amy.

"Did you miss Daddy?" Cole talked in a high pitch voice to her. "Did you miss me?"

Amy laughed and spat all over his face. Cole wiped his face off with his free hand. Amaya burst out laughing.

"I'll take that as a yes?" Cole said.

************************************

"Ronin?" Haley called out the back door. "For goodness sake, where is that man?"

"Who are you looking for?" Jay asked walking by.

"I'm looking for Ronin, but I can't find him anywhere," Haley answered. "Have you seen him?"

"Last I saw him, he was sparring with Tyson," Jay answered.

"I looked in the training room though," Haley said. "He wasn't there."

"I meant out in the woods," Jay said. "It's a field exercise."

"I'll just wait for them to get back then," Haley said.

Just as the words came out of her mouth a breathless Ronin came running in the door. Jay looked alarmed.

"Tyson may have-" Ronin gasped for air before continuing. "-broken his ankle. Boy, that kid is heavy."

"Where is he?" Haley asked with concern.

"He is right outside on the porch," Ronin gasped. "Good heavens, I never though a fourteen year old could weigh so much."

"I'm only one hundred and seventy dad!" Tyson yelled from outside.

"And your six feet tall already!" Ronin shot back. "I have no idea where you got your height. It definitely wasn't my side of the family."

"Ronin, your six feet," Jay said.

"I wasn't at fourteen! The doctor said he should grow another four inches at least!"

"Can you guys stop talking and help me?" Tyson shouted.

**********************************

"I'm really not sure why we have been holding them for so long," a short man with wiry glasses asked. "We attacked our targets and have left them for three months? It doesn't make sense."

"Exactly." The woman said. She flashed a pearly smile at him.

"I fail to see your logic," the man said.

"It doesn't make sense to the ninja," she said. "It doesn't make sense to anyone except for me."

She pointed at her head and smiled again. The man raised an eyebrow at her.

"I got their attention and got what I needed for the moment at the same time," she explained. "Now they've been lured into thinking they're safe since nothing has happened. I can now bring about the next phase of my plan more easily since they aren't as on edge."

"I suppose that makes sense if you aren't in a hurry," the man nodded.

"Believe me, I have all the time in the world," she said darkly.

I missed this so much! I read through all of my books this week so I could update without any plot holes! It's been so long that I'm worried there may still be some. Let me know if you see any and I'll fix it! -LL_18