Kids from One Alpha

Chapter 76: Fishing

Serena woke up early to the sounds of her mother making something in the kitchen. Her parents had been overwhelmed with joy when Serena asked if she could come stay with them for a while. Since she’d arrived, she’d spent more time with her brother than she had since she was a child, and her parents had kept the kids occupied almost every minute of the day. Serena had nothing but play time with them. Thomas and Charlotte took care of the cooking and the house, and her mom even did her laundry! Part of her felt like she was a kid again, herself. She was greatly enjoying having the quality time with her whole family, not having to worry about the pack or emergencies, or when Logan might do something else strange. Stretching, Serena looked out her bedroom window. She groaned. The sun had barely started to rise! Dragging herself out of bed, she went down to the kitchen, finding her father with his fishing pole and tackle box. The kids were at the breakfast table eating and there were two new kid’s fishing poles next to them. “Oh good, you’re up.” Thomas said, winking at her. “Going fishing?” Serena asked, taking the coffee her mother handed her. It was an automatic gesture every time she entered the kitchen in the mornings now. “That was the plan, why else would we be up so early?” Thomas asked her. Serena chuckled. “Want to come, mommy? We got new fishing poles!” Olivia said. “I see that,” Serena said. “I could use a day on the lake.” “Great,” her father said. “I still have your old fishing gear.” Serena raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure I’ve outgrown that,” she said. Laughing from behind her, Santino entered the kitchen, getting his own cup of coffee. “You can barrow mine, sis,” he said, patting her on the back as he walked past her. “Thanks,” she said. “But, weren’t you planning to go?” she looked at the clothing Santino was wearing. He had clearly been gearing up to go out on the boat. “I’ll go next time,” he assured. “Have a day on the water with your kids.” “Okay,” she said with a smile. Serena went upstairs and quickly changed into clothes that were appropriate for fishing. She sighed, taking a quick look at herself in the mirror She hadn’t been fishing in a long time! Although Serena really loved her life in Night Sky, she had forgotten just how amazing

it was to be in a household filled with family. With just her, the kids, and Dana, it wasn’t the same. At her parents’ house, there was always warm food available, plenty to do, all kinds of warm hugs and friendly smiles. Everyone always had advice, and they way they all learned to move around each other in a perpetual, graceful dance. She missed that. Even Santino’s gesture of letting her go fishing instead…she missed that closeness! The kids had never been on a boat before, and they were thrilled to speed through the waters until they got to the best fishing grounds. Thomas slowed the boat way down so they wouldn’t scare the fish as they approached. “Go fast again,” Olivia said. “We will go fast on the way back,” Thomas assured her. Already, the twins were damp with spray from the motor. Serena shook her head, laughing at them.

“Want to learn how to bait your hooks?” Serena asked, opening the tub of nightcrawler worms they’d got as bait. The twins each held out their rods to her.

“Be very careful, kids,” Thomas said, “those hooks her sharp. Never touch one, okay? If you need something, get your mother or me.” “Okay,” the twins mumbled. “That’s right. Don’t wave them around, either,” Serena warned. “Always make sure no one is next to you when you drop your line. You don’t want someone else to get hurt with your hook.” The nodded. “Those are worms,” Olives said, making a face as Serena pulled one out. “Fish like worms,” she said. Thomas handed her a knife and Serena swiftly cut the worm in half.

“Eww,” Olivia said.

me or Grampy bait your hooks today, okay?” she said

the shoreline. There weren’t any other boats on the water this morning. “If I catch a fish, can I bring it to show Uncle Logan?” Olivia asked, looking over at her mother. “Maybe you should just draw a picture of it for him,” Serena

of Night Sky?” he asked. She nodded. “The kids have grown quite attached to him,” she explained. “For some reason, he has taken it upon himself to be involved in their lives.” “That’s good, isn’t it?” Thomas asked. “Having someone to help out.” Serena shrugged.

abandon something he has committed to,” her father said. “I’ve had enough dealings with him to know he is a good man.” “Mommy, I think I got something!” Olivia cried, jumping up and down. Thomas grabbed the net and Serena ran to her daughter’s side. “Okay, reel it in nice and slow,” she said. “You definitely got a fish

into the net. While Olivia and Oliver watched with glee, Thomas took the hook out of the fish’s mouth. “Hold it up like this.” Thomas said, showing

it.” Serena laughed. “The fish belongs in the lake,” Serena said. Olivia pouted, but she threw the fish back. “I really wanted to show Logan,” she muttered. Oliver caught a fish next. He got his picture with the fish, but just after the shot was snapped, the fish wriggled and Oliver dropped it. It flopped around on the