Chapter One.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee, the ring of children’s laughter, and the gentle, tired voice of a mother filled the Del Rio household.
Eleanor, weary from the weight of her pregnancy, walked over to Jason and softly took hold of the laughing toddler's hand. "No, Jason. Food is for eating, not throwing." Jason only continued to giggle, paying his mother’s words no mind.
Elliott ran into the kitchen with his school shirt unbuttoned and his hair still damp. The faint, permanent scent of motor oil followed him, and Eleanor instantly knew Joshua was right behind him.
"Elliott, buddy. You’re going to be late for school," Joshua’s calm, deep voice resonated through the small kitchen. He looked away from Elliott and found Eleanor watching him with a soft smile.
Joshua smiled back, his dark eyes softening. "Morning, Ellie." He walked to her and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "Slept alright?"
"I did, but the baby was dancing the entire night," she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she leaned into him.
The boys beamed at their parents' display of affection. "Look, Jason. Dad kissed Mom," Elliott whispered loudly.
Jason looked up with wide eyes. "Mama, I wanna kiss too!" he chirped in his sweet, toddler voice.
Eleanor turned to Jason and pinched his chubby cheeks. "Will you promise to eat your food first?" she asked, her voice melodic despite her exhaustion.
Jason nodded eagerly. "I pwomise!"
Eleanor kissed his cheek and began to feed him. Meanwhile, Elliott attempted to hide in the corner with his favorite toy, hoping to escape the rest of his morning routine. Joshua saw right through the tactic; he swooped in, picked the boy up, and swung him high into the air.
"I got you!" Joshua roared playfully.
Joshua took a giggling Elliott away to the bathroom to fix his clothes and dried his hair. He finished with Elliot and took a good, long look at him.”You look presentable enough.” “Dad, why should I go to school while Jason doesn't?”
Elliott asked in his innocent voice. His dark eyes became foggy as a window in winter looked up at Joshua. “Because Jason is young and not old enough.” Joshua’s eyes turned stern,”Don't cause any problems for you mom when you get back from school. She is already tired as is.”
Elliott fidgeted with his finger, his gaze cast downward as he slowly nodded. Joshua smiled and patted his head,“Good. No-". Joshua’s words were abruptly cut off by a loud ring from his phone. “Go on now before you miss the bus.” Elliott eagerly nodded as he picked up his bag, his voice cheerful, “Bye Dad!” His steps echoed through the small house and the sound of the front door opening and closing rung.
Joshua picked up his phone,his eyes became cold as he tightly held the phone. The message, a single line said. ‘We need to talk.’
