Phyre Sparks

Chapter Two: A Loving Family

“As you three are aware, we are now in another country. the one that I used to live in when I was your age.”

Jewel hesitantly raised her hand.

“Yes dear?”

“Does that mean that there will be a chance of us meeting your mom and dad, mom?”

She flinched upon the mention of her parents but quickly hid it.

“Maybe, baby girl, maybe. For the time being, they don't wish to see us.”

“But why?”

Her baby girl began to cry, causing pain to blossom in her heart. Memories that should remain forgotten wormed their way through her mind, catching her off guard. Try as she might to push them aside, they refused to be ignored. A young child stood in the middle of an unlit hallway, staring through the crack of an open door. Unlike the hallway where she stood, the room on the other side was another world of its own. Brightly lit with laughter filling its walls, that room filled with things that she yearned for but was to forever be denied from those who sat within. Looking through the crack, she could see a large dining room table sitting in the middle of the room. People varying different sizes and ages sat around it, having a great time. At the head of the table, a group of three were having a merry old time as the child in the middle of the group, an exact copy of the girl in the hallway, was happily talking about how her day was with her parents listening with pride across their faces.

The girl wanted to enter, to cross the invisible line that separated between her and everyone, but no one would welcome her. She was just a stranger, an imposter who didn't belong to the world filled with light. To them, she was the shame that should never be revealed to that light. Just as the girl in the light went to grab some cake, an elderly woman walked up to the young child. Not saying a word, she held out a hand to her which she took. Dragging her away, the shadows engulf them. Only a single tear dripped down her cheek before the child disappeared, leaving the world of life and laughter behind.

“Mommy.”

Someone called for her, drawing her out of her memories. Shaking her heard, she addressed the child who called for her.

“Yes, Jesse?”

Her son huffed, releasing a tired sigh.

“Jewel wants to know if we will meet your mom and dad during this trip?”

He quoted with his fingers the mention of the trip they were on with air quotations. The children knew of their biological grandparents and the actions of what they did to their mother. If those two scoundrel wolves came poking around, they weren't going to be happy. In fact, they would be forever pleased if they stayed far away and never bother them if they had any say in it. If their old man got the exact same idea, well let's just say that they won't welcome him with open arms. Their mother bent down and grabbed onto his sister's hand, meeting her gaze. Lifting her hand, she wiped away the tears that threatened to drop.

“Jewel, you guys don't have to worry. Those people won't ever come around.”

“But what if they want to have a relationship with us?”

“And they won't. Understand this, you don't have to have anything to do with them. They mean nothing to me, you guys are my whole world. Now, will you put on a brave smile for Mommy.”

Jewel sniffled before wiping away her tears and beamed a bright smile towards her.

“That's my brave girl.”

She embraced her daughter in a hug, while looking over her daughter's shoulders at her boys. Seeing the jealous looks on her boy's faces, a gentle smile appeared across her face.

“Alright you two, come on. Time for a group hug.”

She held out an arm to her sons while keeping the other clutching her daughter. Not one for taking things for granted, they wasted no time as they dog-piled into their mother's arms. Jewel shouted a quick ‘hey’ due to them squashing her in the process, but that didn't stop the laughter from escaping as the small family enjoyed their moment. The passing crowd looked at the scene with an air of peaceful bliss, followed by a sudden longing to see their own families. A few people took out their phones to contact their loved ones, while others ran off. Their steps filled with haste as thoughts of reuniting with their children or parents burned with a fierce intensity, making it hard to ignore.

The small family were unaware of crowds' reaction as they were immersed within their own world. Before long, the mother dropped her arms, letting her babies go as she raised back to her feet.

“Alright you guys, now back onto the main topic. Can any of you guess what rule number two is?”

She gave them time to think as she waited for one of them to raise their hands the moment they got their answer. She didn't have to wait for too long before her eldest raised his.

“Yes James?”

“Well mom. If the first rule was stranger danger then it would make sense that the second rule would be on the topic about runni-ing off.”

Unsure, he played with his feet as he clasped his hands behind his back. He didn't dare look at his mother, afraid to see disappointment across her face.

“Very good, James!”

She praised as she rubbed his head, catching him off guard as she directed her attention to her other children.

“What about you two? Do you guys have anything else to add?”

Jewel shook her head, ducking behind her toy stuffed fox, still unsure about what to say. Jesse lifted up his glasses as he added in his two sense.

“If it is about running in general, could it be about staying close, not running off.”

“Ding! Ding! Ding! Winner, winner, chicken dinner! That is correct Jesse! The second rule is to stay together. At the end of the day, even if we remain cautious and follow each and every rule I put in place. There is still a chance that any of us could end up separated from the others and if that does happen, you must remain with whoever you are with. If you happen to be on your own, I want you to find a place to hide and give me or the person who is with you a call. Describe your surroundings to help us locate you. Is that understood?”

“Yes mom!”

The triplets shouted at the same time.

“Good, now I don't know about you guys but I can't wait to meet up with Uncle Rick. How about you?”

The triplets jittered with excitement as they agreed with their mother, wanting to rush ahead but thought best not to, remembering their mother's two rules. Jewel decided it was time to pull out her most powerful move while motioning her brothers to help. The boys were hesitant. They were boys, strong men that needed to put up a strong front, otherwise others would judge them harshly. Even though they didn't need to worry about that sorry due to their young age, it was still embarrassing but how could they say no. Their young sister was asking them for help and if they didn't, they really couldn't call themselves her brothers. Releasing a sigh, the two boys looked at one another, then to their mom, pulling out their greatest and most embarrassing weapon that they had.

The young mother wanted to explode due to cuteness overload. All three of her children were doing their absolute best with puppy eyes. Her daughter was even letting a few tears drop to add more effect to her act. Ohh, my children, you guys really have grown. I don't know who your father is but you guys make the foxphyre gene in you proud. Not wanting to show them how much it was affecting her, she folded her arms and looked away with her eyes closed.

“Mom, come on. Please.”

Her children pleaded. She knew what they wanted but she just couldn't help but tease them. Peaking one eye open, she looked towards her children and instantly regretted it. Her children doubled down on their act, making their eyes sparkle with innocence. The scene made her look away in defeat. She wanted to tease them some more but it seems that it wasn't meant to be. Releasing a pensive sigh, she started to walk away.

“Mom?”

They called to her, worry coated their tone. Glancing over her shoulder, she directed her attention towards her children.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Uncle Rick won't be waiting long.”

Joy blossomed across their faces as they raced to catch up. All excited to meet someone that they haven't seen in a while. The young mother could only shake her head at their antics.