We finished our hike and went sightseeing in time for our departure. This vacation is definitely one for the books, but man is it good to be back home! When we arrived, Alessia was waiting for us with the fur kids in tow, and Kooper was beside himself with excitement. Rosie, on the other hand, was like, “oh, good, you’re back,” and ran off to wherever she goes, heh. Love that girl.
Less pulled me aside and told me she left something out of her story when she called yesterday. A rather concerning incident took place, but she didn’t want me to worry or cut our vacation short. They were in the living room opening presents when a loud bang startled them. It sounded like an explosion, but the house remained intact, so she searched for the source of the sound. In the kitchen, she found a plume of smoke trailing from the stove. The cabinets and countertops seemed unaffected, so they gathered the presents and went to our house until the smoke cleared. I snorted at the thought that it was our house she referred to when she said the kids were destroying it. I’m sure she cleaned up for us. Anyway, I told her I’d go look at it right away.
I saw Arvin when I came in, so I greeted him before checking out the kitchen. Black char encrusted the stove, and a smoky smell still lingered in the air. How in the world did this happen? I’m thankful to Watcher; no one was hurt, and nothing else was damaged. The stove was toast, so I ordered a replacement and rejoined Arvin in the living room. He seemed a bit bummed, and I thought maybe he was still upset from the explosion. I kinda wish that were the case because he hit me with a question I’d kinda been expecting, but reeeeally hoped they would never ask.
“Do you know my dad?”
My stomach did a flip, and I thought I might get sick.
“Ummm … I met him once. I wouldn’t say I know him, though.”
“How come he doesn’t live with us?”
“He, uhhhh…”
I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable and a little upset. I still haven’t forgiven him. What has Less told them about Jace? I wish we would have developed a game plan when they were babies because I knew this would happen. Still, I don’t like lying to children and talking to them like they’re inept, so I gave him a very vague truth.
“He, umm, he and your mom didn’t get along, so he lives somewhere else now.”
“Do you think he’ll come back?”
“I don’t think so.”
Before I could ask how he felt about that, I heard the girls screaming outside. I ran toward their frantic voices and saw them running away from the science lab. It was on fire! Flashbacks of my last trauma threatened to paralyze me again, but my child’s safety wouldn’t allow it. Lex must have heard the screaming too and ran behind me, but I told him to go back inside. The fire spread quickly, just like it did in Maira’s kitchen. By the time I got the fire extinguisher, the tent that housed the lab was just a pile of ash! The boys were too close, running around and panicking. I yelled at them to go back inside, but they were scared, just like me.
Desi and Breanna made it to the sidewalk. Knowing they were safe allowed me to focus on quelling the fire. I needed to act fast because if those jars of chemicals broke, I might be a goner. I swept the extinguisher back and forth, hoping it wouldn’t spread to the tree branches hanging overhead. Moments later, nothing but smoke and the charred lab remained. My heart raced, and I felt like I wouldn’t be able to catch my breath. I was on the verge of breaking down, but I needed to make sure the kids were okay.
They were in pretty bad shape. Arvin cried so hard he could barely stand. Alessia ran out of the house to collect her children, and I hugged Desi and told her she was safe now. I put her to bed and stood outside her door for a moment, processing everything that happened. Sometimes, I envy the impulsive bravery of the macho man. But that’s just not me. I get scared, I panic, and I might even cry a little. I’m not ashamed of it. Fires are so unpredictable and super fast. Frankly, I think it’s appropriate to fear them. Still, I hope this is the last time I have to go toe to toe with one.
Sophia was kind enough to give me a little space before checking on me, but I would have appreciated her presence sooner. As soon as she wrapped her arms around me, I fell apart. I told her how scared I was, not just of the fire, but all the what ifs that came with it. What if Desi and Breanna hadn’t gotten away in time? That one tore me up inside, and I couldn’t deal with it, hypothetical or not. But Sophia sweetly reminded me that Desi is safely sleeping right behind us. Alessia’s kids are also safe. And I am safe. That’s so true. Even beyond this situation. I’m always safe with her, and it’s been that way since the very beginning. I love her so much.
