#Chapter 30 – Rollercoaster

“Come on, boys,” Victor says, walking unannounced into my kitchen the next day. Note to self, I think, narrowing my eyes. Get a deadbolt for the back door. “We’re taking the day off!”

Alvin and Ian throw their hands in the air, shouting with joy and excitement.

“No,” I say, my voice low. “Today is a school day. We have to go to school.”

The boys collectively moan, looking at me with pleading eyes. I glare at Victor, shaking my head, warning him not to push it. He looks at me, smirking, willing to play with fire.

“Nah, let’s skip it,” he says, and the boys cheer again. “Besides, you’ll be going to a new school soon – a better school. You can skip this one for just a little bit.”

The boys are almost hysterical now with excitement, jumping from their chairs and running to their dad. I cross my arms and shrug, admitting internally that I’ve lost this one, planning my next move.

“Fine,” I say, “where are we going.”

“We,” Victor says pointedly, placing one had on each boy’s shoulder and pulling them to him, “are going to Rollercoaster Kingdom!” The boys begin to yell, jumping up and down, not knowing what to do with their excitement.

“Great, I can’t wait,” I say, smiling, my arms still crossed, refusing to be excluded. “Let’s get ready!”

“Actually, Evelyn -” Victor says, but I interrupt him.

“Who wants to see mommy ride the BIGGEST coaster!” I shout, and Alvin and Ian join in on a chorus of “me me me!” I smirk at Victor, knowing I’ve won this round.

“Let me get my bag, then we’ll go,” I say calmly. “Should we pack a lunch?”

“I don’t know, Papa,” Alvin says, his little courage failing him as he stares up at The Grave Digger, the tallest coaster in North America.

“Ah, it’s not so bad,” Victor says, kneeling down next to him.

“Yeah, it’s safe!” Says Ian, tugging on Alvin’s shirt. “They wouldn’t let you go on it if it’s not safe!”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, Alvin,” I chime in. “Don’t let them peer pressure you.”

“Are you doing it, mama?” Alvin asks, his voice wavering.

I laugh a little. “No, while you do that, mommy is going to have some ice cream and sit on a bench, soaking up the sun,” I say, spreading my arms demonstratively and smiling up at the sky.

mama won’t go,” Alvin says, his hesitance

Victor says, smiling cruelly at me. “That’s the whole reason we let her come,

says, gasping. “You

Victor says, trapping me. I glare at him.

leave Alvin here all alone,” I say,

if you go, mama,” Alvin says, reaching up to take my hand. I

say. “I’m in.

flying through the air, all shrieking at the top of our lungs, even Victor – the big bad Alpha – yelling like he’s about to meet his maker. The boys are laughing and screaming, and even though I know that Victor only planned this spur-of-the-moment trip to take

my knees shaking. The boys point at me, laughing, and Victor

bambi,” he says, affectionately throwing an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s get

tugs on my shirt. “Mama, that

I say, smiling down at him. “I’m glad we did it – it’s

we arrive at the ice

say, throwing my arms out and spinning around. “I

says,

boys sit in two chairs in front of Victor and Evelyn, who ride the swings side-by-side. As the ride turns, everyone slowly rises in the air and spins around, the inertia pulling the long chains of their

under its feathers. When the ride slows and stops the boys laugh, turning around to their parents. “That was fun, mommy, I see why you like it!” Ian says,

pumps his

something else!”

raises an eyebrow, deferring the choice to her. She laughs and shrugs. “I

nods. “Lead the way, captains,” he cheers, and the boys take off running. Victor and

money to show her that didn’t care where it went. But Evelyn didn’t let it bother her after

the moment. But as Victor tries to puzzle it out, he realizes, suddenly, that he doesn’t care. He watches Evelyn laugh, lifting her boys onto horses on the carousel and realizes that it doesn’t matter. That what does matter is this moment, this happiness,

for the first time in a very long time, Victor feels

without much thought, Victor decided not to question it and just enjoy the day with his sons.

to flag, clearly worn out by

yawning herself, “we’re going to start eating healthy.

vegetables, ever,” Alvin says, flatly, struggling

Ian

head to the front gates when, out of the corner of his eye, he spots someone kneeling next to a trash can, snapping pictures. Victor springs into action, immediately closing the

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