N2-4
N2
Chapter 4: Conference
Dale paced about with her hands on her hips. Her ex had said he'd arrive in a minute. She didn't expect this to go very well.
A little knock came. She opened the door.
Flash stood waiting in a short brown coat. "Is April all right?"
Dale hesitated. "She's okay. You just missed her."
"Where did she go?" He looked relieved. "I just want to tell that Daddy- -"
"Flash..." She stared. "We have to talk."
He winced a little. "What's going on?"
"I let April know."
Flash quieted, shifting a tad, turning his head with a curious frown. Obviously, he didn't understand. Or maybe he did, and hoped he was wrong.
"I told her, Flash."
His eyes grew wide. "Everything?"
Dale faced the floor. "Everything."
He struck the wall. "How could you make that decision alone?"
"Flash!" She scowled. "Have you not paid attention? I thought that our daughter was going to die! Try to understand what that did to me. This was the scariest night of my life—worse than the mission on Beta 14. I let my emotions get the better of me. I told her there was something that she needed to know...and April started pressing me to tell her what."
He paced a bit, holding his brow.
"You know how she gets."
Flash eyed the ceiling. "Yeah," he murmured. "I definitely do." A few seconds later, he faced her again. "All right," he said. "Does Rick know too?"
"I didn't tell him...but April will."
"Let's go to the mansion. Let's talk to them."
Dale took a seat right across from the teens. Flash was positioned in the chair at her side. As expected, the kids were quiet, neither of them making much eye contact. For 18 years, she'd thought about this, wondering how the day would go. None of those fantasies were pleasant at all.
She looked to Flash, letting him lead.
"Listen..." he said, cautiously. "Both of you know this doesn't change anything."
Rick looked down at his interlocked thumbs.
April stared aside, her jaw quivering.
"We both love you. We always will," Flash declared.
Rick looked up. That was a start. His eyes were meek, a little confused.
Dale felt a sorrow that she couldn't describe. She had never wanted to hurt her kids, but she had always known that she would someday. The truth was going to be hard to take.
"When can we meet her?" Rick inquired.
Their actual mother. The one by blood. They would want to meet the birth father too.
"She's on the line now," Flash revealed. He tapped a little button and they eyed a computer.
The image of the woman was fuzzy at first, but several of her features were discernible. Deep pale skin. A small tiara. Wide gold hair that hung along her back.
The picture grew clearer, and there she was. "Hello, my children," the royal said, wearing her usual confident grin. "I have observed you for several years."
April stared, fascinated.
Rick looked utterly curious too.
Hadea eyed them. "Long ago, I fought Suramong for the Netherworld throne. That is why I sent you to live abroad. He had victimized both my parents already. His wife had abducted my sister as well. Obviously, they would target you next." She faced Dale and Flash, staring a moment. "So I asked the Gordons to shelter you, to raise you in human society. In return, I offered them Netherworld weaponry, tools that they needed to defend the Earth."
Which they had done, for so many years. Hadea's weapons helped them to counter Ming. Without her aid, they might have lost, but Dale never liked to consider that.
"Now that Suramong no longer lives, it is time for you to return to me," Hadea declared.
April and Rick both looked disturbed.
Flash stood up. "Now hold on a minute." He was afraid. Dale could tell.
"That was our bargain," Hadea affirmed. "I claim Prince Richard and his sister now."
April rose too, her face aghast. "Listen, miss, I don't know who you are..."
"I am your mother."
"Fine. Whatever. If you say so..." She was clearly still taking everything in. Obviously, it remained surreal. "But I can't just go and hop on some throne. I have a life here. This is my home." She faced Dale with a little hint of affection.
Dale stood now. She loved her kids.
Hadea faced Rick. "I would be content with having one of you—for the time being, as humans say."
Rick turned around. "I...I..." He rubbed his head. "I can't just leave. Jedda needs me. And Amy, well..."
"You are permitted to bring a guest," Hadea told him.
Rick eyed Dale, and then his Dad, asking them what he was supposed to do. He turned to April, who was still shaken. Everyone stood, holding their silence.
Finally, April stepped forth. "All right," she said. "I'll go to her."
"No," Rick uttered. "I'll do that."
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Chapters
Commander Abigail Gordon seeks the assistance of LJ and Rick.
April and Rick hurry to stop Ming's latest scheme.
April and LJ are faced with grim odds.
The Gordons gather to discuss the current matter.
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