If you didn't say we were taking the kids to the panic room, I wouldn't even think that place is a panic room. It looks like an entire luxury condo in our sub-basement.
Our basement that holds my man-cave where my collection of video game consoles, Marvel and Game of Thrones toy are housed is nothing compared to this. It's a complete and spacious living space with everything you could ever think you'll need or want. There's even a kids's room full of their favorite toys, an entertainment room with a mini 8-person theater and arcade video games, and a full kitchen with an ice cream machine. There is also a gym, a kiddie pool and a hot tub, and a pocket garden. You said you have thought of everything the kids and I love and put it here so that we could enjoy staying here.
The only indication that this is a panic room is that the entire sub-basement is built with blast doors, bullet-proof windows and 3-feet thick steel walls wrapped in concrete that can withstand even a nuclear bomb attack. Oh! There's also an armory hidden behind the two-door fridge so the kids can't reach it. It is equipped with all the weapons you can think of and maybe even have not thought of. All activities above, around and inside the panic room are monitored through CCTV that are displayed on the 120-inch LED screen behind the curtain in the dining room so it can be easily hidden from the kids's view when they're in the room. Did I mention there are three armored cars outside the back entrance and a secret tunnel that leads to an escape route which will take us to a more secure bunker? Yeah. We have that.
The electricity is from the generator that is powered by the big solar panels that we have on the roof of the main house. It's engineered to convert solar energy and magnify it's power to supply electricity needed for the entire bunker. The water is from a deep well and we have a greenhouse so we can grow fruits and vegetables to eat. So, yeah, we can basically live for years here in any doomsday scenario and you are awesome.
Imagine my jaw-dropping and my eyes popping out of their sockets as we went from room to room and you described everything when we first got here. That was three hours ago. Now, Hannah and Sean are watching a movie in the theater while you are in the kids's room snuggled between our little angels singing to comfort the sleeping Thirdy who is still running a low fever and Athena whose eyes are now drooping to a nap.
Watching the three of you from the door where I quietly stand for a few minutes, I temporarily forget about the danger that is now hunting us and is being discussed by Dad and his men upstairs in the main house. I wish we can just stay here in this moment forever. If only I can keep you in that bed with those tiny arms of our babies around your body holding you down like chains that can restrain the ferocious beast who is the gangster queen Mina Salazar.
For years, they have. Our hugs successfully confined you in this home. Our kisses tamed you. Our love stopped you from going back into the wild. But now, sadly, the wild has come knocking at the front door and has unleashed the beast inside you.
Athena has now fallen asleep too. You lovingly stroke their angelic faces and then press a kiss on each of their foreheads with gentleness in your eyes and a soft smile on your lips. Perfect. You are perfect just like this. Slowly, you raise your eyes to me, your tender smile still on your lips as you nod an invitation for me to come in.
I walk to the bed and sit beside Athena. I slip an arm under you to join the cuddle, leaning towards as you meet me halfway to touch our foreheads together. You close your eyes and sigh contentedly as our noses rub on each other. I know then that you wish the same, to live in this moment of peace forever, to forget about the dangerous world outside of these walls. I close my eyes to join that wish
"I love you." You whisper and when I open my eyes, you are already staring sincerely at me.
"I love you more, Mina Anderson." I whisper back and close the distance between our lips to kiss you slowly and passionately.
"Miss Mina..." Someone calls from the door. I sigh as your lips leave mine. "Sir Rick, needs you upstairs."
Of course reality has to pull us back. The perfect moment has to end.
"Okay, Tristan. I'll be right there. Can you stay here with Chad and the kids? You, Sam and Will are the only ones I can trust with them." You tell him.
"Yes, Miss Mina. Alam niyong maaasahan niyo ako."
"What do you mean me and the kids? I'm going with you." I say.
"Chad..."
"For better or worse, Mina. Remember?" I remind you, looking into your eyes.
"Yes." You nod. "Let's go."
We carefully untangle ourselves from our family hug and kiss our kids before walking hand in hand to the main house.
There, Dad is literally drawing some plans on a whiteboard in the dining room while the group leaders of his men, some we have met, some we haven't, are sitting around the table. They all look at us when we enter the room.
I feel your grip tighten on my hand. When I turn to you, I see your jaw clench as you stare murderously ahead at a particular guy in the group. I follow your gaze and find the man that was in the store earlier.
"Mina, buti andito ka na, iha...." Dad starts but you don't seem to hear him.
You let go of my hand and march determinedly to where he is. His eyes widen in fear. Can I say it's both scary and sexy to see you stir fear in a grown man who is twice your size?
Before anyone knew any better, you grab the hair behind his back, yank it harshly backwards and then smash his face on the wooden table so hard that a couple of teeth come flying out of his mouth. The poor man's face is now drenched in blood as you press his head down on the table with one hand while you twist his arm behind him with the other. Somehow, one of your legs is hooked over his shoulder as you push his back down with your hips. I'm not sure I like seeing you straddling another man's neck but that's really quite impressive, my love.
"Name." You snarl behind gritted teeth as the helpless man shudders beneath you. All the other gang members looking on, not daring to move a muscle and risk attracting your attention to them.
"Mina, sweetheart, there's really no need for..." Dad tries to stop you from attacking the guy but you respond by slamming his face on the table again, making him grunt in pain. Dad shuts up of course. He knows trying to you now will only make things worse.
"Name." You growl as you grip his hair tighter. "Who is the bastard who blew up my shop?"
"Ca... Carlo." The man sputters. "C-Carlo Arevalo."
I have no idea who that is but it's obvious that you and Dad know him by the way you immediately look at each other at the mention of his name.
You finally release the poor man who's now coughing and bleeding as his seat mate come to his aid and take him somewhere in the kitchen.
"I'm sorry. Who is Carlo Arevalo?" I ask.
"Mina's ex-husband." Dad answers.
"Your what?!" I turn to you in shock.
