The Clash, Book One

Chapter 34: One Little Tear, Part A

A few hours into their road trip, Alena pulled into a gas station behind Roni and Henry.

After pulling up at a pump, the three of them stepped out of their vehicles. Alena left the door open before she reached for the gas cap on her bug.

She had barely reached for the nozzle when she heard two squeals: "Want out, Mommy!"

Alena couldn't help but sigh before she told them, "In just a minute, you two."

The girls continued to be a bit fussy about being let out of the booster seats - some of it likely due to their tiredness from traveling.

Alena could scarcely concentrate to fill up the car, and she ran her fingers through her hair.

Regina then strolled over and observed, "It seems like you could use a hand with the twins."

Alena offered her a grateful smile before she told her, "Thank you, Roni. I really appreciate it."

"It's no problem," Regina assured the young woman. She then chuckled and added, "I remember what it was like dealing with a rambunctious toddler - and you have two of them."

Alena chuckled as well before Regina bent down and began unbuckling the twins.

"Tank you!" Emma and Lily both shouted, giving Regina wide smiles.

She smiled back in response as she replied, "You two are welcome," bending down on their level.

Lily then asked, "Want picture, Roni?" a curious expression in her brown eyes.

Regina looked as though she had to think about it before she answered, "I would love it if you and your sister made me a picture."

Lily clapped before she turned to Emma and exclaimed, "Color Roni pretty picture!"

"No! Not color! I want draw picture!" Emma argued, her arms crossed over her chest.

Lily couldn't help but jump at her sister's tone before Alena scolded her other daughter: "Emma, what has Mommy told you about yelling?"

Emma looked down for a few moments. She then quietly spoke, "Not nice, Mommy."

"That's right," Alena began. She then explained, "And what do you do now?"

The little girl looked thoughtful for a moment before she answered, "Say sorry." At Alena's nod, Emma turned to her sister and spoke, "I sorry."

"Otay, Emma," Lily replied before pulling her twin in for a hug, one that Emma returned.

When they pulled away, Roni gently offered, "I'm sure whatever picture you decide to make me will be very pretty."

"Pretty!" Emma then agreed before Alena added, "Maybe you two could even make your own picture," as Regina rose to her feet.

The girls nodded before Alena maneuvered them over to a bench near the pump she was using. They sat down before they both began singing a song from Tangled.

Alena and Regina couldn't help but smile at the sight. Lily then paused singing and asked, "Favite princess, Roni?"

The dark-haired woman smiled before she answered, "I did always like Snow White and Cinderella."

Alena couldn't help but shake her head and grin as her girls gasped with Emma then exclaiming, "Us love them too!"

"Good princess story," Lily then added with a bright smile before she and her sister resumed singing.

Regina smiled once more before she commented, "They remind me of you when you were their age. How they're curious about everything and how they make friends with everyone."