Sydnee got off of work and entered the house. She had loved being a creature robot cross breeder but she didn't stop there with her career. She was one of the only mad scientists in her city and was proud of reaching the top of the science career track. Sydnee knew once she aged she would be forced to retire and the thought saddened her.
The house was very quiet. Sydnee knew Jack was still at work and the kids were doing homework at their friends' houses. The silence was overpowering and Sydnee once again felt grieved that soon they would all be grown and not living at home anymore. She loved how close her family was, and didn't like picturing them away from her.
Li Li did homework at her cousin Grayson's house. Usually he hung out at their's but for once his mom said he could have his cousins over so he invited them. Selah was already going to her friend Jade's house. Grayson and Li Li were the only two members of the family that seemed to be keeping a level head about all the family problems.
Zane and Sydnee still weren't on speaking terms and Xander felt caught in the middle. Shortly after Axel and Reese's breakup Kassie and Phoenix announced their plans to stay in France and they hadn't been back since. No one could really blame them. They were elderly and just wanted some peace in their golden years.
Emerald smiled at Li Li. It had been especially hard on her. Emerald, Irena, and Sydnee had always been a group of friends and went shopping and hit the town as a group. Now Emerald would do things just with Irena or just with Sydnee. She really wished they would just get beyond fighting but Axel and Andrea had divided this family. She hoped that things would change for the better soon.
Oliver seemed happy to meet Han, and asked him all kinds of questions about his art, what galleries were showing his art, what did his friends think of it. Han answered honestly. His art was well known and he was saving money for his own place. As far as friends, he admitted his best friend was his cousin, Grayson. Han heard the bus approaching and felt relieved.
Selah and Jade ran away from the school bus. Selah had become friends with Jade when Jade transferred to her school and was happy to have somewhere to go other than her house.
Han met them by the front steps. "Hey, Selah, mom says you have a dentist appointment, I'm going to drive you." Selah scowled. "Seriously?! I never get to hang out with anyone!" Han tried to ignore her attitude, which she was starting to show a lot more these days. Jade stared at Han and waved timidly. "I age into a young adult in two days." Han was unaware of her interest. "Good for you, kiddo. Selah, let's go." Selah shot Jade an apologetic look.
"No one ever let's me do what I want!" Selah complained. Han didn't respond. "And in case you didn't notice, Jade Greenwood has a crush on you." Han was surprised but didn't say anything about it. "Get into the car."
Jade stared after Han and Selah. She had met Han at a beach party with her brother-in-laws family. Even back then she liked him. But they both were so young, and she went to a different school then. She had thought about Han Bentley, but in future tense. Now the future was here and Jade didn't know if Han would ever notice her. He had at the party! She sulked going back inside.
Her dad sat on the couch beside her. "You're aging up into an adult soon." Jade smiled. She and her father had always been close and talked about everything. "Yes, dad." Oliver scratched his chin. "You know that, Han fellow. He seems like a decent guy. I interrogated him while we waited for you to get here." Jade felt excited. "Did he say anything about me?" Oliver shook his head. "No, but I have a feeling he will get to know you when you age up." He winked. "He'd be crazy not to marry you." Jade giggled. "Dad!" Oliver laughed.
Selah played guitar in her room. The appointment had gone okay, no cavities. Something else was on her mind though. Something Jace related. He had apologized to her at school but somehow Selah just couldn't act...normal around him anymore. She wanted to be his friend but knowing that he wanted more just made her feel uncomfortable. Sydnee knocked and let herself in. "Hey honey, your playing is getting better."
"Thanks." Selah acknowledged and put her guitar down. "Mom, I need to ask you something. When did you start dating?" Sydnee thought about it a minute. "I'd say I was a Junior in high school. Why?" Selah admitted. "Jace tried to kiss me. It just felt...weird. I mean, he was my best friend at school and now I just don't know what to think or do." Sydnee asked. "Are you ready to date?" Selah thought a moment. "I don't think so." Sydnee agreed. "Then don't date. Just tell him you want to be friends." Selah countered. "What if he doesn't want to be my friend anymore?"
Selah added. "What if Miranda and Tina start you know, bugging me again?" Understanding hit Sydnee. "Sweetheart, you can't date someone based on fear. If Jace is really your friend, then he will respect what you want for right now." Sydnee smiled. "Who knows? Eventually you might want to date him too." Selah wasn't appalled by the idea, but she just wasn't quite ready yet. "Thanks mom, I'm going to go call Jace."
Reese had just gotten home from after school care with Cassidy. Cassidy ran over to the swing. Reese smiled. Things were getting better steadily. Andrea and Axel had a baby boy. Reese knew this and could think on it without bitterness. She had moved on and had let go of the past. Her only want was to keep Cassidy healthy and safe.
Cannon showed up and waved at her.
Cannon smiled as he drew closer. "How are you, Reese?" She smiled tightly. She knew Axel had Cannon check up on her. At first she didn't mind, but it was starting to aggravate her. "Although I appreciate you coming to check on me, tell Axel I don't need a babysitter. Especially from him." Cannon looked confused. "What?" Reese kicked the ground with her shoe. "I know he sends you to check on me." Cannon shook his head. "Reese, other than the day you moved he's never asked me to check on you." Admitting this was hard for him. "I just want to make sure your safe. This isn't exactly the best part of the city." Reese was speechless. "Oh." Cannon paused. "I actually came to talk to you about something. Could we go inside?" Reese nodded, feeling butterflies in her stomach.
Reese tried to push the bed up to make the small living room bigger but struggled. "Let me get it." Cannon offered.
Cannon stood in front of Reese clearly torn. "This is really hard for me, because Axel and me were best friends at one time." He clasped his hands. "I used to be afraid of commitment. The idea of having a family. I was very wild in high-well you know, you saw me and Axel both I guess" Reese nodded. "Then Axel and you had Cassidy and got married, and I realized that having a family wasn't a bad thing." Cannon tried to be delicate. "Seeing Axel hurt you, hurt Cassidy like that really bothered me."
"What I am trying to say, and failing miserably at, is that I care about you, Reese." Cannon paused. "I understand if you don't feel the same way. If your interested let me know and if your not let me know. I am here if you need me regardless."
Reese threw her arms around Cannon. He chuckled. "So I'm guessing your interested." Reese smiled. "Yes, I am interested."
Cassidy coughed from by the door. Reese and Cannon laughed. "I should probably go." Cannon stated. It was getting dark outside.
Cannon walked to the door and Cassidy blocked it. She was always a curious child. "Do you like my mom?" Reese blushed. Cannon took the question in stride. "Yes, I do very much or I wouldn't have hugged her."
Cassidy continued to question. "Do you promise not to yell at her?" She vividly remembered how Axel treated Reese and even as a child she was determined to prevent it from happening again. Cannon noted the seriousness of her tone and he nodded. "I promise."
Cassidy added. "And you'll never hit her?" Cannon looked alarmed. "Of course not." Reese felt humiliated. Cannon looked at Cassidy with perception. "Can you promise me something, Cassidy?" She nodded. "If I keep all my promises....will you promise me you will forget about all the bad things that happened?" Cassidy thought a moment. "Well, what if I can't forget even if I try to?" Cannon tried not to smile. Children were so honest about everything. "Well, how about you just try your best to?" Cassidy nodded. "Okay. Sounds fair." They shook hands before Cannon left.
Han was spending the evening painting a family portrait. He had mastered the art skill and felt it was time to test his ability. He had everyone pose, took a photo, and got to work.
Selah and Li Li wanted to stay up to see Han's finished work so they played chess to pass the time.
While Sydnee played the piano Jack watched Han paint in amazement. He was doing a fine job, and the painting was looking better than the photo. He was shocked how quickly time had passed. Han had been just a little kid when he and Sydnee started dating. Now, he was a grown man...and a legacy holder at that. Jack wondered what Han would do with his life, where he would go, who he would marry. Mostly he just wished Han would live life to the fullest, and never have regrets.
The girls made their way into the music room as Sydnee played an especially hard piece. Li Li and Selah both were impressed by their mom's piano playing. The piano composition reminded Sydnee of life. Ups and downs, good and bad. She had learned in her own life, that not losing sight of what was important was key. Sydnee looked around and realized nothing in the world mattered more to her than family.
Meanwhile, Axel met with his dad for dinner. Axel knew his father had changed the will and left everything to Cassidy. He had struggled with the idea of never having great wealth again but gave up on changing his dad's mind. Cassidy had a rough childhood and he wasn't going to argue and deprive his daughter of an inheritance. He did wonder though if Jeff would leave anything for his son, Zachary. "Axel, you okay?" Axel nodded and then shook his head. "I was just wondering if you were leaving Zach any kind of inheritance. It's not his fault that I messed everything up." Jeff wasn't surprised Axel brought up the will. "I will make sure he has enough. Don't worry about that."
Jeff stated. "You really ought to see Cassidy. She is your daughter! You haven't seen her since the divorce." Axel knew he should. "I know, I know, dad. I just can't bring myself to face Reese." Jeff shrugged. "She's moved passed it. She's going on a date tomorrow." Axel couldn't help himself. "Oh yeah, with who?" Jeff thought and then remembered. "I think it's one of your friends. "I think his name was Caption? Or something like that.."
Axel felt betrayed. "Cannon?! Cannon is taking Reese out?" Axel was fuming. "And to think I trusted him! He's supposed to be my best friend and he's making moves on my ex-wife!" Axel could barely keep his voice down at this point.
Jeff looked at his son very calmly. "Well what did you expect her to do? Join a convent? She's young and has a small child. If you get to start all over then don't you think she does too?"
Axel stood. "I'm sorry dad, I've got to go...I'll call you later." Jeff watched Axel leave. Axel was straightening out his life in some ways. Jeff knew Axel worked two different jobs and had been paying child support consistently. He knew Axel had a good heart deep down. Jeff hoped he would live to see Axel reach his full potential.
Axel arrived home. Andrea was holding Zach, yawning. "How's he been?" Andrea shrugged. "I don't know. How most toddlers are I guess." Axel frowned. Andrea had the mothering skills of a rabid cat and he hated leaving Zach home alone with her. "Here, I'll take him." Andrea passed him to Axel and went to take a bath.
Axel held Zach. "Hey, little man. How was your day?" Zach laughed and then babbled in that unique baby language that all babies have. His dad's words echoed in his ears. Maybe he should go visit Cassidy. Axel hoped he would be a better father to Zach than he was to Cassidy. Right in this moment, staring at his son, Axel didn't think life could get any better. Axel was right. Life really wouldn't get any better.
Out in the swamp, hidden among the cattails and milkweed, Linden Murdock waited orders. He had kept an eye on this particular family for some time. The man who lived here, was involved with the wrong person. Sinbad Rotter had many enemies in this city. Anyone associated with Sinbad was at risk. Things are about to go down, Murdock thought. His boss had carefully outlined every detail of this job to him. Murdock didn't like being a hit man, an assassin by most people's books. Killing just came naturally. Why not turn a profit on a bad habit? Murdock heard some static in his earpiece and winced. "Repeat?"
The voice on the other end became clear. "You have clearance. " Murdock stared at the house. "Understood."
End of Part 18
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