We have biked before so the girls caught on fast; I sit on the bench with my arm draped around Helena’s shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asks me and I feel her lips on my cheek. “Just reminiscing time, the kids are growing up” I say checking the girls from the corner of my eye. “Just wait until they start school and then they are dating. Soon they are grown up as well” Helena says resting her head on my shoulder. “Father used to say that as a parent you only loan your children for a while” it is not often I hear Helena talk about her father and I see a shadow of sorrow marrow her beautiful features. He died in a car accident when Helena was a teenager and it was for certain that point in life when Peggy Peabody and Helena drifted an entire ocean apart. Another thing that not was mentioned and that turned Helena in to a cold person was the death of her beloved sister Melanie. Melanie died of leukaemia when Helena was mere 5 years old and Helena was almost banned to talk about her. I give my spouse a kiss and a reassuring smile before I take hold of the little girl that climbs onto my lap. “Mommy is sad?” Dana leans over to Helena and I let her climb over me. “It’s okay. Do you have fun biking?” she receives a nod and a big smile. “Listen, your guests are gonna be here in a couple of hours” I tell the other girl that also sit down together with us.

After the birthday party

“Tired?” I ask Helena as she finishes up the work of cleaning up after the party. “Yeah, 15 screaming kids and Alice can really tire a woman out” she answers as a small smile plays on her lips. “Well, I know a certain way to tire a woman as well” I lean in and kiss her and she groans into my mouth. “I’m gonna get the kids ready for bed” I say kissing her one last time before rounding the corner. I help the kids to bed and they are out even before I close the door. The day have taken a toll on them, and I smile to myself happy that we as parents can make our girls that happy, however they have no idea how happy they make us. Helena walks in to say goodnight and I pour myself a glass of wine. Suddenly the walkie talkie on the kitchen table crackles and Helena’s voice emits, “Honey, I am lying naked on the bed”. I set the glass down and turn the flip leaving the kitchen bathed in darkness.