Chapter 422 - Four Hundred And Twenty-two: Farewell
Reina's point of view:
Luke 22: 7: Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
That was the only Bible verse that came to mind as I watched my family have dinner. Just like Jesus had the last supper with his disciples, this might as well become my last supper with my family - Tomorrow was the D-day.
The kids were ignorant to what would happen the next day, the clan wanted it that way to avoid unnecessary panic and drama from them. But I was sure as hell that Isabella knew what was going on, else she wouldn't be giving me these strange looks.
She just kept stealing glances at me and each time our gaze met, she would tear her gaze much. Isn't that creepy or am I being too dramatic?
As usual, the twins and Neon quibbled on the table, and surprisingly to them I didn't complain and they went on - they must think their mother had a change of heart. If only they knew I was savoring the happy moments.
I don't know what tomorrow might bring, so I wanted to etch every single detail into my head. According to our supposition, Miguel hasn't many men but that finding wasn't accurate plus the fact anything could happen.
Although they didn't successfully exterminate me, Angela's death was a clear taunt, and no crazy man would do that unless he was prepared for the war. The fact that Miguel was willing to take on a big gang like ours meant that he probably had a card up his sleeve.
"Mommy,"
"Huh?" Ailee roused me from my thoughts.
"Can we catch some fun tomorrow? You know, go to the amusement park and all?" She said, fluttering her eyelashes with a pouted lips.
I didn't have to ask what they were up to again since the answer was pretty obvious.
"No," was my stern reply.
"What?!" The girl didn't believe I would say no to that, "Why? It's just fun and we promise not to do anything evil," She whined.
"Because tomorrow is war and I want you all as far away from it,"
Of course, I didn't say that out loud but that was the idea here. Yes, our gang was pretty loyal, but then, if Jesus could have a betrayal amongst his twelve disciples, ours wouldn't be any different - we had hundreds.
Miguel would be prepared as well and trust me, he sure as hell would fight dirty - hiding in the shadows to kill my mother was a pretty low move. I won't let my kids into harm's way, which is why they would be at home - guarded and safe. I knew If possible, Miguel might find ways to blackmail and threaten me, I would not let my children be the bargaining chips in his crazy game.
"My answer remains the same, Ailee," I said to her, but of course my stubborn daughter didn't give up. I wonder who she inherited that stubbornness from? Niklaus probably.
"And I asked why?!" she demanded
"Because whoever killed your grandmother is still out there and until we catch him, you, no, all of you are not safe. That's why," I decided to be straightforward with them.
You see, my kids are not your average ones and unless I don't want my lovely daughter sneaking out tomorrow - this wasn't the first time - I better be honest with her. To all of them.
Allen was the worst of the twins, he was as sneaky as his father. He might not say a word but once your guard's down, he'd be the first to sneak out. So therefore this was the best approach: giving them the background of the war at hand, not the war itself.
"So, no sneaking out or blatantly disobeying my order of leaving the house most especially tomorrow, alright?"
"Yes, mother"
But Allen asked out of nowhere, "Why are you so particular about tomorrow, mother? Is anything special happening?"
"Nothing!" I said too abruptly, arousing suspicion as confirmed by Isabella who clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
"Your mother would help the police search for the criminal tomorrow so she wants you all in the safe zone aka at home. Does that answer your question?" Niklaus finally spoke up for the first time since the dinner.
Although we've settled the issue of me joining tomorrow's attack, I have a feeling he's sulking quietly - I'll settle him later.
"Alright, we would not move an inch out of the house," Allen promised and for that, I was grateful since promises are a huge deal to the male twin than his sister.
As children would be children, they found another source of amusement in the next minute, and all the impending fun was limited to the house thankfully - I would simply make sure the fire extinguishers and alarm are working properly before I leave tomorrow.
In no time, dinner was over and I tucked the kids to bed even though I knew they would get up as soon as I leave - they sleep at their own time. But I just wanted to spend time with my kids - since this might be the last time. The thought of leaving them choked me but I controlled my emotions. I had to catch Miguel before he ended my kids too.
"Sleep tight, son," I called Neon by that title for the first time and you should see the way his face widened into a grin - there was no sleeping for him tonight. He was so happy that he reached out and hugged my neck, and whispered too, "Goodnight, mother," while I hoped inwardly that Allen wasn't watching this since he shared his father's same jealous spirit.
"Goodnight, kids," I said, clapped my hands thrice as the light went out, and took my leave. But then, I didn't leave right away but waited by the side and as expected, they didn't fail my anticipation. Not less than a minute, I heard clapping and the light came on.
"Those kids," I shook my head, chuckling to myself as I went down to Isabella's room.
"Hey, open up, Isabella. I know you're not asleep!" Isabella normally chatted late into the night with Pedro, so I knew her pretending to be sleeping was just an act.
I knocked on her door for over a minute and at last, she opened it. But then, the girl had an indifferent look as she leaned against the doorway.
"What?" I asked under her intense scrutiny.
"If you're here for goodbye, you better save it," Isabella said to me before I began, which confirmed my suspicion. She knew.
"Listen Isabella - "
"No, you listen here, mother " She interrupted me, "If you don't return safely tomorrow, I swear to God, I'm going to convince my father to marry another woman that would take care of me and your lovely kids, you hear me?"
And that my people, is Isabella's version of farewell.
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