I keep scrolling down my phone for a good place to go while Hades looks at them. I open one website that is calm and spacious and I read all the info when Hades takes the phone away from my hands and looks at it.
Ha-What are you looking at?
-Someplace to have some family time. Only you, me and the kids.
Ha-That's a good idea. When do you want to go?
I shrug my shoulders at him as I haven't thought that far ahead yet.
Ha-Really?
-I just thought about it. But we will have those vacations.
Suddenly the twins come running into the living room with Karma trailing Nova. They laugh and laugh and they go around the couch until in one of them Hades takes Nova and sits her on his lap.
Ha-Take it easy little speedster.
I take Karma on mine and he looks at his sister with a wide smile.
Ka-Nova now.
They nod at each other and they take each other's hands before they turn to us.
Ka & N-Is there any place where we can ride a horse?
Ha-Of course there is but is very far.
-Do you want to ride horses?
Ka-Please.
N-Can we? Pretty please.
After some begging we agree to get them to ride a horse. Karai helps them pack while Hades and I pack our own stuff and we hop in the car and Hades drives all the way there. He stops on a fast food market and gets salad for all of us and like always the twins eat from both of their plates not stopping until is completely empty. Karai goes and throws away the trash, Hades drums his fingers against the wheel and I look as the twins play with each other happily. When Karai gets in as soon as she clicks the seatbelt Hades starts driving the final part of the way. About two hours later we arrive at the place and they are amazed at the huge size of the stables and the buildings. Karai tells them where they do each thing and they're eyes shine with joy. We stop the car and Hades and I get down and as good as always Karai holds both of them back and I take Karma's hand and Hades takes Nova's. Karai comes behind us taking pictures of the place and then she gets her phone on video and puts it on her forearm on the new thing she bought to carry it hands free. Hades asks as always for the best things and they give him the passes that show that we can go wherever we want.
Ha-Here you go. Where's Karai?
Ka-I think she said something about playing with the horses.
N-She said she wanted to familiar with them or something.
-She wouldn't do it.
Ha-Is Karai we're talking about.
I nod and we go to the stables to look for her when we see that she's outside with the other horses.
Ha-Karai!
One of the horses turns to us and when she sees us she walks slowly towards us with her head bowed. Hades pets her a bit on the head still frowning at her.
Ha-Turn back.
She does and she tries to soothe him with a smile but it doesn't work.
K-Sorry. Wanted to try it. Can't I?
Ha-Yes you can but not without telling me first.
K-Dad, I have a question.
Ha-Ask.
He gets Nova up on his arms and we start walking to the stables where you can actually ride the horses.
K-Am I still your princess?
Ha-Of course you are, why you ask?
K-I thought now you would, with Nova.
Hades stops dead and he turns to her a bit shocked and surprised. Then he smiles and takes her hand and kisses it gently.
Ha-I wonder, is it perhaps that you're jealous of your sister?
Karai blushes intensely and Hades laughs at her a bit before he gets her in a close hug.
Ha-Just so you know, you are my princess.
K-Nova?
Ha-My baby.
K-Mom?
Ha-The queen.
K-And Karma?
Ha-He's my partner. Now, let's get them on the horses.
We get them on top of a horse with Karma on the front while Nova hold onto him from behind. Hades takes the horse and guides it through a basic course slowly. Karai and I look from the fence as they go. We wave at them and they smile back at us.
-Are you really jealous of Nova?
K-Not really.
-Then what happened?
K-Is the only way I could find for dad to answer my questions.
-Good one.
We keep looking at them until they come back to us running. Hades warns them not to run as he is holding the horse and that's when I see Nova falling to the ground and Karai and I jump to get her. Karma helps her up back to her feet and when I get to her I pick her up and check the wound. Is big but not bad.
N-Ouch, mom, it stings.
-Sorry baby. It just a scratch.
Ka-Nova? Does it hurts a lot? Are you okay?
I put her down and they hug each other and then they look at the wound.
Ka-Does it hurts a lot or just a little?
N-It aches a bit but it doesn't really hurt.
Ka-I know how you can feel better.
He gives her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and Nova hugs him back.
Ka-Feel better?
N-Yes, thank you.
He helps her up and he helps her out the door. I take Nova again and Karma sticks close to me looking at her all the time.
-Karma, you are such a good brother.
N-Yes he is.
I sit on a bench with them and Karai gets a first aid kit and when she comes back just before I start cleaning I turn to her.
-This is going to sting a bit, bear with me, okay?
She hugs her brother and nods at me and I start cleaning. She bites her lip and closes her hands in little fists. Karma tries to soothe her while he gives her a few pats reassuringly. I finish cleaning it and I give them a wide smile.
Ka-Is done Nova.
She moves her leg a bit before she smiles and laughs happily.
N-Can we go home?
I nod and I send a text to Hades wherever he is and he appears at our side in less than fifteen minutes. He looks at Nova and he kneels in front of her and rests his head on her lap.
Ha-What happened to you?
N-Is just a scratch. Karma took care of me.
Hades smiles and he gives them both a kiss and a hug.
Ha-So, who wants a gift?
Their eyes beam with joy and Hades laughs a bit before he stands and offer them a hand each and they take it gratefully. We go to the gift shop and they immediately feel attracted by the clothes specifically. Karma takes a hat and he puts it on and he shows it to us smiling while Nova takes a pair of boots for herself and she shows them to us as well.
Ka & N-Can we get them please?
Ha-Yes you can, one toy and a full set of clothes for each.
They get the toys first and they take two puzzles and they give them to us smiling as they take off and choose for the clothes they want. They take it in pairs. Very similar on the design and everything.
N-Karma, oh Karma.
Ka-What?
N-Can you help me choose? They are almost the same but these one has the design on the back and this one is on the neck and the bottom. Which one?
Ka-I think the one with the neck and the bottom is the best.
Nova hugs him tightly and she puts the other shirt back on the rack. When they finish they come back to us with their clothes in hand. We check the sizes and amazingly enough they took the correct size in all of them. Hades turns to pay and when he's about to pay he notices them looking at him and he turns around.
Ha-What?
Ka & N-Can we pay? Please.
They make puppy eyes at him and he sighs and he gets his wallet and takes out the money and gives half to Nova and half to Karma. He takes Nova first and she pays happily.
N-Hi, thanks for everything. Nice day.
She waves goodbye and he takes Karma up and he gives the money with a big smile. He waves goodbye and Hades gets him back down. The cashier gives him the clothes and he takes them and thanks her. We go back to the car where Hades saves the gifts on the back of the car. On the way back home I turn the music on and Karai hums on her seat while her siblings look at her silently and calmly. When we get back home we see a lot of police and ambulance passes us.
-What was that?
Ha-Something must have happened. I know what can get you relaxed.
He turns to the kids on the backseat.
Ha-Who wants to eat?
They cheer up and nod smiling and Hades goes to my brother's restaurant but what we find there is worse than anything.
The place is surrounded by police cars and ambulance and I feel my heart stop as I start to think the worst. I get down from the car and I run towards the restaurant.
-Josh, Josh, Josh.
One police stops me from going further in and he holds me in place.
Officer-I'm sorry but you can't pass. This is a murder crime scene now.
-A murder?
I see as they get some dead bodies out with their faces covered and I try to get to them but some officers try to stop me but I don't stop. I check the bags and when I check the fourth I see my worst fear come true. Josh, my brother, lies there. Dead and cold to the touch. I try to wake him up in my attempt to negate the truth.
-Josh, no, you can't be dead. You can't be, Josh, big brother.
I rest my head on him and I cry as I hold his hand tightly. I feel a hand on my back and I turn to see Hades standing behind me. I give him a hug and I cry a bit more.
-Where are the kids?
Ha-Karai took them back home. Do you need anything?
-Can I be alone for a bit?
Ha-As long as you need, I'll be waiting when you're ready.
I give him a kiss and I go away and I go to Josh's apartment. I go to his room and I lie down on his bed taking comfort on everything. I take all the pictures and everything that might be good to save. I find a video of when he taught me to tie my shoelaces and I put it on the TV. I watch it multiple times and I play all the videos he has of good moments we spent together. From helping me with my homework to teaching me how to cook. I hear a knock on the door and I speak loudly.
-Who is it?
AC-Is me, Alex, can you open the door for me?
-Leave.
AC-This is not good for you. Talk to me.
-I said leave me alone.
I throw a box towards the door and then I put a chair so no one can enter the door. After that I don't hear them anymore and I turn to keep watching the videos again. Not long afterwards I fall asleep in front of the TV.
