Chapter Two
ARES
“D id you bring me a present, Uncle Ares?” I look down as Elena tugs on my shirt, her little fingers pulling at the fabric. Big hazel eyes peer up at me questioningly.
“What do you think?” I whisper, then watch as her eyes widen with excitement. She should know I never visit without a surprise. It’s my responsibility as her only uncle to spoil her every chance I get.
“Elena, that’s not polite.” My sister-in-law, Daphne, walks up to us and holds out her hand. “Let Uncle Ares hold your new little sister for more than two minutes before you demand all of his attention.” She shakes her head with a smile. “Come. Let’s go and make a snack.”
Elena hesitates before taking her mother’s hand. “Vodo! Vodo!” she skips eagerly next to her mother while being led out of the room.
“Vodo?” I glance up at Apollo.
My brother shakes his head with a laugh, then rubs the back of his neck. “Avocado. It’s Elena’s latest obsession since she tried guacamole last week.” Apollo clears his throat. “Are you going to Saint Bipal next weekend?”
I ignore him and peer down at baby Cora in my arms. She’s barely a week old. I would have come sooner—been in the hospital the day of her birth—but was out of the country for business.
As the Chief Curator for Drakos Global Enterprises, I do more traveling than most. Apollo may be the CEO and face of the company, but he also has a growing family. It’s no big deal for me to act in his place as needed around the world. He has two little ones at home now and doesn’t need to miss any of their firsts if I can help it. Family comes first; it’s the foundation of our company.
“It’s a good thing she takes after your wife.” I can’t help but smile as I watch Cora’s lashes flutter over her hazel eyes before they close. Her adorable squishy face scrunches for a moment before relaxing as sleep takes over.
“She’s got my dark hair,” Apollo argues.
“Daphne has dark hair, too. Some would say they look just like their mother, between the hair and eyes.”
My brother narrows his eyes. “Fine, but be straight with me. You can’t avoid Mom forever.”
“I’m not avoiding her. I was there a month ago. Every time I’m passing through, I make it a point to stop and see her.”
“Then what is it, Arthur?” Apollo crosses his arms in front of his chest.
I shake my head. “I’m not avoiding him either.”
Our stepfather, Arthur, is a great man. He treats our mother better than either of us could hope for. He’s caring, kind, and loves her unconditionally.
Apollo once questioned if something had been going on between him and our mother while our father was still alive, but I always knew better. Neither of them was the type. I believe they genuinely were lonely, and their friendship grew into something else they both needed at the time. No secrecy. Nothing hidden. Something simple.
“Why do you never want to be there when the whole family is then?” Apollo shakes his head. “I understand it’s never been home. It’s always been the place to spend summers or little trips. It’s Mom’s home, though.”
I know what he’s getting at. My childhood home is the one I’m currently standing in, but it hasn’t felt like mine in a long time either.
It’s been seven years since Apollo and Daphne officially moved into their house and started making it their home. They haven’t changed too much of it. The old house has good bones and has always been kept up to date. There’s fresh paint on the walls and better landscaping. I know it’s filled with wonderful new memories because of the family my brother started.
Apollo would’ve left my childhood bedroom untouched if I asked. As it was, he turned it into a guest room, my own personal one. It’s where I often stayed. I didn’t have many earthly possessions, but what I did have was kept between here, my office, and my room at the family beach house.
“Well, right now, I’m focused on spending the week with my brother and his family before I head back to Europe to meet with Wellington about the London project. I want the extra days to spoil my nieces,” my voice stays soft and low, not wanting to wake up the little girl in my arms.
“You know you're always welcome here. We’re headed down to Saint Bipal tomorrow, though.” I ignore him and he continues. “Kyra is on spring break and they’re throwing her a birthday party at the end of the week. You should come, spend time with the entire family.”
My shoulders tense and I hold back a sigh of frustration at the mention of my stepsister. Mom told me about the party already, insisted I come. I didn’t think Apollo would be driving down there so soon.
“Should you really be traveling with Cora being as little as she is?” I want to make him second guess his decision.
My brother laughs at me. “The whole family is gowing. We’re taking the jet. You could come. Fly with us down there.”
No. Not happening.
* * *
I pop out the kickstand and slide off the seat of my NC750X. It’s warmer here in the early evening than in the middle of the day back in Richmond. I’m tempted to get right back on the bike and turn around, go somewhere. Go anywhere else.
After waking up at three in the morning, tossing and turning, and being unable to fall back asleep, I left a note on the counter for Apollo. It said to enjoy their trip, and I was going out for the day. Shortly after, I’d drove onto the I-95 and only got off to refuel.
Noise to my right had me hesitating. I could easily slide back on and take off. Fast enough and nobody would know I was even here. Yet, I watch as one of the garage doors open.
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away.” Apollo laughs. “I should’ve guessed you wouldn’t want to be without transportation. You know, we could’ve put your bike in the cargo hold. It’s not huge, but there would’ve been plenty of room.”
I shake my head as I guide the bike inside the garage and remove my helmet, leaving it on the seat. “No,” I argue as I move to the panel on the wall to close the garage door. “I wasn’t planning on coming, but you were right.”
“What was that?” Apollo lifts his hand to his ear, cupping it as if he hadn’t heard me the first time.
I ignore him, unstrapping and grabbing my bag off the back. “Everyone inside?”
“Hey,” his tone grows serious. “Mom is going to be thrilled you’re here. This is good, Ares.”
I sigh and motion for him to lead the way. It’s not too late to turn around. Part of the reason I always tell my mother I can’t come is because on the off chance I head this way, something stops me. I don’t like to upset her. To be fair, I travel a lot for work, but I’m the one who handles the travel arrangements. I could just as easily tweak them to be around for the quality family time she desires.
My mother doesn’t know I’m here. I could leave now, and Apollo wouldn’t tell a soul. That’s a lie, he’d probably tell his wife. It wouldn’t be fair, though. I also didn’t get to spend enough time with my nieces yesterday. If I focus on them, it won’t be so bad.
It’s been four years since I’ve seen her. Carefully planned out trips to avoid coming back here anytime she would also be under the same roof. Only now, I know she’s inside this house. Her room is right next to mine. It’s been a haunting reminder every time I’m back.
Four years, but not long enough. I know the girl who is on the other side of the door Apollo approaches. My spoiled little stepsister.
Ares - Age 6
The door opens before we approach it. My mother and brother lead the way, my father walking behind me. I hesitate to go inside. What if she doesn’t like me? What if I don’t like her? I’ve never been around a baby before.
“Go on, Ares.” My father steps up behind me.
I slowly walk into the room to see my dad’s best friend, Arthur, smiling down at his wife, Demi. Demi is laying in the hospital bed, but she doesn’t look sick. I don’t know why I thought she might look it. Maybe because we’re in the hospital.
“She’s beautiful.” My mother looks over into the clear looking baby bed.
I walk up slowly, carefully. Inside the weird looking bed, wrapped up in a little striped blanket, is a baby with squishy looking cheeks. Her lip wobbles as if she’s been crying.
“Why is she sad?” My hand moves to my hip. Why would they let her be sad?
Everyone around me laughs.
“She’s sad you weren’t here yet,” my father teases behind me.
“She’s beautiful, but a crier. This is the quietest she’s been since she arrived early this morning.” Arthur laughs.
“Can I hold her?” Apollo beams next to me. “I’ll be very careful.”
“If you sit down and promise to be careful,” Arthur walks over to the baby.
Apollo doesn’t waste anytime moving to the little couch along the wall. He sits with his back all the way back and holds out his arms. “I promise.”
Everyone laughs quietly as Arthur lifts the baby from her bed, she whimpers a little until placed in Apollo’s waiting arms. “She’s kind of chubby, but in a cute way. Like the puppies we saw at the party last week.”
I step closer to get a better look at her again. He’s right.
“Do you want to have a turn too, Ares?” Arthur asks.
I shrug, but move to sit next to my brother. I patiently wait my turn as the baby takes in a deep breath. When her lip quivers like she’s going to cry again, I ask if it can be my turn.
“Don’t take it personally if she starts crying.” My father teases as the baby is moved from Apollo’s arms to mine.
I carefully hold my arms around her. “What’s her name again?”
“Kyra.” Mother sits next to me. “It looks like she’s happy you’re here.”
My eyes stay focused on Kyra’s face. “Duh.” Kyra’s eyes open, a pretty light blue color stares up at me. “Hi, Kyra.” She makes a weird noise and stretches a little in my arms, but I’m careful to not let her fall. “Who’s going to look after her?”
“What do you mean, sweetie?” My mother questions.
“She doesn’t have a big brother like me. She’s so little, she needs someone.”
Everyone laughs again.
“She didn’t cry when either of you held her,” Demi speaks up nearby. “I think that means she knows you’ll be there to look after her.”
“They both will.” Mother nods next to me. “Her own little protectors.”
“I didn’t agree to that,” my brother argues. “I already have to deal with my brother.” He hesitates. “But she is cuter. Okay.”
“Don’t listen to my brother, Kyra. I’m a delight and I will always be here for you.” She may not have an older brother, but I can be something like that for her.
Dad says the Storey family is like family, so she can be like a little sister or a cousin. She can be like family, and I can help look after her.