“Mooooom, hurry uuuuup!” Lukas Franks tugged relentlessly on his mother’s hand, urging her to walk faster, not caring she was trying to balance his sister on her hip while trying to keep up with him.
“Lukas, calm down, dude!” his father said. “I promise, the world isn’t going to stop spinning if we aren’t there right when the door opens.”
“But I promised Neko!” Lukas leaned almost all the way back as he continued to pull on Elaine’s hand. “Come oooooon!”
Elaine sighed and rolled her eyes to the heavens. “I have never known a ten year old to be this excited to see his cousin.”
“Who also just happens to be his best friend,” Jordan reminded her, hefting Chloe on to his back. The car ride to Helman Hall had been long and both girls were exhausted, just wanting to get to bed as soon as possible. Whatever their brother wanted was irrelevant.
Kayla rested her head on Elaine’s shoulder, her thumb in her mouth. “Tired,” she moaned.
“I know, baby, we’re almost there.” She gave the three year old a kiss on the forehead and looked to Jordan. She could tell his own excitement was barely being restrained. She had to admit, she was just as excited, but dealing with three kids and a five hour long drive had taken its toll on her. Immortal or not, exhaustion was still a thing.
They walked up to the huge manor, the butler, an elf with black eyes, escorted them inside. The interior hadn’t changed too much in the last ten years since the Helmans had moved in, the first floor still feeling as welcoming as the first day they arrived. She was certain the only major changes had been to the family’s floor two stories up. It was to be expected, of course, given the circumstances.
Victor led them through the house to the back of the house and down the winding staircase that led from the large porch, chairs stacked on unoccupied tables, a few of the maids running around getting things ready for their masters’ return. It had been a year since they had left and the excitement was well understood among everyone.
The God Kings were beloved by all the exiles and their absence had not gone unnoticed. Commander Jordan and Lady Elaine were terrific rulers in their own right, able to handle everything on this side of the Veil without much difficulty, but they weren’t Hawk and Hero.
They made their way through the expansive gardens to the path that led to the archway and the door that separated their world from the Veil. Lukas had given up on pulling on Elaine and dashed ahead, eagerly bouncing from one foot to the other, chanting, “Neko, Neko, Neko,” over and over like an incantation, willing his best friend to appear.
Chloe and Kayla’s attention were also piqued, Chloe asking to be put down once they got to the door. Jordan obliged, putting his arms around the eight year old’s shoulders. Her birthday was coming up and this was going to be a wonderful present for her; she’d missed the Helman’s, too.
“Think the Albrights are coming with them this time?” Elaine asked, hoping the answer was positive. It had been even longer since they’d seen Persephone, Alerik, Ava, and the twins and she’d missed Persi terribly. Communication between them and the realms was easy and they saw each other through mirror portals often, similar to video calls, but it wasn’t nearly the same as being together.
Jordan shrugged. “It’s possible,” he said. “Nox and Charlotte should also be here a little later. Finn was supposed to join them but he’s in school and can’t get out of it.”
“Makes sense,” Elaine nodded. “Maybe next time.”
At that moment, a bright line of light appeared in the center of the arch, opening outward slowly. The Franks family stood with anxious anticipation, eager to see their family again. Lukas had to be restrained by his father’s strong hand before he dashed into the Veil to meet them first.
A minute later, they could hear Mercy’s familiar voice calling out in exasperation. “Lady Ynda, I swear to god!”
“Just come on, Mercy!” a girl’s voice laughed in return. Chloe’s eyes got wide and she began to fidget. A second later, a blonde girl with bright blue eyes appeared, a great big smile on her face as she ran straight for Chloe. “Twin!” she shrieked.
Chloe wrapped her in a big hug, both spinning around. “Twin!” Chloe responded. “I missed you so much.”
“So did I!”
“Tell me everything, I must know!”
“Ugh, you won’t even believe it if I told you,” Princess Ynda Grace Helman replied, rolling her eyes. She smiled at the rest of the family but her attention was solely on Chloe. Elaine and Jordan were used to this and didn’t take offense; Lukas simply didn’t care.
“So try me,” Chloe responded, taking her hand and both of them walked away.
Mercy appeared a second later, her face showing her relief. She smiled at the family, greeting them with a curtsy, her brown hair hanging in tendrils around her round face.
“Lady Elaine,” she greeted, “Commander Jordan. Wonderful to see you again.”
“You don’t have to be so formal, Mercy,” Elaine said, hugging her with her free arm.
Mercy laughed. “Old habits,” she shrugged. She jerked her thumb back at the door. “They’re coming now.”
Not a moment later, a tall boy with bright red hair exploded through the door on red and blue wings, smashing into Lukas, tumbling them both in a somersault, laughing. Jordan and Elaine rolled their eyes. Typical.
“Lukaaaas!” he cried in excitement.
“Nekoooo!” Lukas replied.
“My duuuude!”
“My guuuuuuy!” They disentangled themselves and Lukas stared straight into Prince Toji Grace Helman’s red and blue eyes. “When did you get wings?”
“They grew a few months ago, aren’t they cool?” He flapped them, showing off the purple flames that appeared.
“Super cool! You gotta show me what you can do with them now,” Lukas said as they got to their feet.
They walked back to Elaine, Jordan, and Kayla, Neko brushing the grass from his pants. If Dad saw, he’d be furious. He smiled warmly. “Hey, Aunt Elaine, Uncle Jordan. Good to see you.” Mercy gave Lukas a hug and helped him straighten his shirt
“Hey, bud,” Jordan said, giving his nephew a hug. “You got taller in the last year, haven’t you?”
“Pop said the same thing,” Neko laughed. “Can’t be helped!” His eyes darted to the door. They’re almost here.” He smiled, his eyes shining with the news he wanted to share but wasn’t allowed to. He had promised to keep it a secret, even though it had been hard as hell to do, especially with Lukas. “Wait till you see,” he said, his voice filled with quiet pride.
All eyes turned back to the door as two figures appeared, one tall, the other shorter. Jordan and Elaine could no longer suppress the wide grins that had been teasing their lips. From the light, Hero and Hawk walked through, stunning in their royal uniforms, though Elaine knew Hero would be out of it the second he got the chance. She knew how both of them preferred casual clothes, even when meeting dignitaries from the other realms and those who represented the exile communities.
However, it was what Hero held in his arms that drew Elaine’s hand to her mouth and a tear to her eyes. “You guys!” she exclaimed.
“Congratulations!” Jordan said, giving his brother a huge hug. Their eyes went to the tiny bundle, Jordan tugging a tiny bit to reveal the baby’s face. “He’s beautiful.”
The fathers beamed with pride. “Elise said he was a gift for us for all we've done,” Hero said.
“They knew we’d been wanting one more, so…” Hawk said with a shrug.
Neko couldn’t stop smiling. “This is my brother, Havik,” he said. He turned those strange and gorgeous eyes up to them. “Now my family is complete.”
-*-
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