What A Year

Delacruz, Victor's parent's pov

“What if this plan doesn’t work, Richard?” Linda says, turning away from the window to look at me.

“Linda, Zeke’s land is on holy ground. He has all those enchanted doorways. No one could possibly know where to look.” I try to reassure her. “But we aren't safe at home anymore, amor.”

She turns her attention back to the window. “I know, honey. They are my family, after all. I’m just afraid they won’t stop looking.”

I walk to stand shoulder to shoulder with her.

Outside, our six-year-old son Victor plays tag with the neighbor’s boy—whose name I’ve already forgotten.

“Sebastian,” Linda says, smiling up at me.

“Always reading my mind,” I reply, staring back at her lovingly.

She pulls me down for a kiss. “It’s my right, mate.”

We stand there a while longer, watching the two boys laughing and chasing each other in the yard, while several unopened moving boxes sit behind us. I know moving closer to Zeke was the safest thing we could’ve done. He’s got all kinds of protections and shields surrounding his properties—including this beautiful home he gave us. No one will ever know where we’re hiding.

I give Linda one last kiss on the lips and return to unpacking. Just then, Victor comes running inside.

“Dad! This is Sebastian. He said I can call him Seb since we’re friends now!” He turns to his mother. “Mom, can we have something to drink?”

As Victor follows her into the kitchen, I turn to the little blond boy standing just outside the front door peeking in.

“Hi, Sebastian, I’m Richard,” I say, giving him a friendly wave.

He returns my smile with a polite one of his own.

Victor comes barreling out of the kitchen with two cups of sweet tea. “Okay, bye!” he calls out excitedly, and quickly closes the front door behind him.

Maybe this move won’t be so bad. I still miss our old home—but maybe this really could be a good place to make a new one.

Linda's thought passes through our bond.

I walk over and wrap my arms around her as we begin a new future.