Behind the Mask of Alexandria Drear

Getting Away (Chapter 23)

     November, 19th, a week of the mother and daughter spending time together, Rocco had come up with an idea for them to all get away for a while. After all the events that have happened, it was about time they all had a break to get their mind off the gloom that was around the mansion. When the two women asked where they were going, the Duke either shook his head or said it was a surprise anytime they asked. Helping pack a couple bags that they could carry, for the short trip ahead, the Duke knew it was close enough for their vacation and yet far enough away to give the pair a peace of mind.

    Rocco had decided that flying would be the best option, which confused the mother and daughter even more, causing the warlock to chuckle. But none the less they where on their way to the vacation spot as Rocco called it, no more questions where asked on the way, only Helena and Alexandria shared conversations as he lead the way. Keeping is eye out for landmarks that was on the small map he'd drawn out just in case, you can never be too cautious in his mind. As the shore approached he turned back with a smile. "Why not a little beach vacation? With everything that had happened, you two could both use this. So we will staying in Basildon for a few weeks, plus if anything was forgotten I am more than sure we can find it or something close here." The Duke said with a smile, landing just before the sand and set his things down as he waited for the pair. Only to have them rush by in a matter of minutes to the water, blinking a few times before looking back; seeing their things thrown down and their heeled boots along with the mess.

   "Well that did not take them long now did it?" Rocco muttered to himself with a soft smile, normally it would irritate him to be ignored, yet with Helena and Alexandria he found it easy to just let it be. Besides why ruin such a sweet moment between mother and daughter? This time away was more for them than himself, no he was merely there to make sure nothing went wrong and to help where he could. There was no reason to interrupt, instead the Duke picked up the woman's things and moved them away from the sand; placing them on top of the rock wall not too far away. Taking off his own shoes, just to avoid a mess and to just walk in the sand as he waited, rolling up his pant legs to just below his knee. Rocco looked up every so often with a smile watching the witches, it was a nice change to see genuine smiles and not forced like he could tell before. He grabbed a couple towels to lay down on the sand, laying down and covered his face with one as well; just to avoid a burn really, figuring they'd wake him up when they needed something or wanted to go home. It didn't take Rocco long at all to fall asleep, even with a short flight, he hadn't slept well in a while with Alexandria's night terrors waking him; having screams and randomly being hit while she was asleep.

Meanwhile, Alexandria and Helena had continued to play in the ocean like children. Laughing all the while, it was only a couple hours later that they'd become tired and completely soaked. The Duchess smiled and pulled her daughter into a tight hug just after they'd left the salty water. Not able to help herself, even with the week they'd had it just seemed like a few minutes to her. "I am so glad you had decided to stay with me my darling little bat, you could have easily gone to stay with your friends.. But I truly mean it when I say that having you back has been the best thing so far.. Having you and Rocco back.. It all seems like a dream if I am honest.. I do not wish to let you go, I could wake up at any second it seems.."

    The teen smiled as she hugged her mother back, resting her chin on the woman's shoulder. "I know, but I can assure you mama this isn't a dream. If it was then we would be having the same one, that doesn't happen you know that. I highly doubt it would even be a spell either." Helena replied pulling back a bit to cup her mother's cheeks and gave a loving smile. "This vacation is just want you need, I've had a vacation so to speak my entire life.. It's nice to see how happy you are." She said softly and rested their foreheads together for a couple minutes before pulling away again. "How about we wake up lazy bones and go find a place to eat, I think we could all use something."