This story is based on the 1998 Disney film Parent Trap.
Everybody thought those words spoken at the altar would last a life time, but in all, sometimes they don't. Yet it's the happiest day of your life, walking down the aisle, claiming your love to one another and sharing a passionate kiss to seal the deal. Your world is full of happiness but then it comes crashing down when the love of your life says those words; "I think we should get a divorce", yet it's always unexpected.
"Musa, it's not working out between us, I think it's best if we get a divorce" those words screamed throughout Musa's head constantly. That day her whole word came crashing down, why was always her question. What had she done wrong? They went arguing as much as they used to. So what changed?
Before the divorce Musa and Riven had 3 children. Musa had given birth to two girls; Harmony and Melody – Identical twins, and a boy, River. It's been 7 years since Musa and Rivens divorce, when the divorce was filed Riven took custody of Harmony, while Musa had Melody and River. Musa always regretted that day when she said it was okay. Why has she said it? When in all everything was horrible. Musa and her son and daughter lived with her father in a cosy cottage in the countryside of the Harmonic Realm. Her father was ill, so Musa decided to keep an eye on him. After the couple divorced after all those years, they lost contact. Neither one of them telling them they had a sister/brother in another Realm. Harmony didn't know that she had a twin sister and a brother. Nor did Melody know that she had a twin sister.
In the Harmonic Realm
"Mum! Mum!" cried a little girl, Melody. Melody was 6; she had dark blue hair that cascaded down her back, and violet eyes. Out of Harmony and Melody, Melody was the shy one; she was a stunning replica of Musa, and also a cry baby.
Musa was lounging in the living room, reading; Pride and Prejudice, while her father annoyingly flicked through the channels on the TV. His eyes melted into the TV screen. "What's wrong sweetie?" Musa asked, closing the book and carefully placing it on the coffee table. Melody clambered on top of her mother, grasping at her mother's silk blouse. Musa pulled her daughter into a hug and began drying the tears that leaked through her eyes.
"River...pushed me" she cried, pointing to River's bedroom door. Musa sighed.
"Dad?" she pleaded. Her father didn't respond. After what seemed minutes. He nodded. He slowly sat up, turned off the TV. He looked at Melody and smiled.
"Come here sweetheart" he gestured, opening his arms for a heart warming hug. Harmony didn't take a second to rush into her grandfathers arms earning an 'OOFF!'
"My looked how much you've grown, I remember when you were a little tike!" she giggled as she he pinched her nose. Musa smiled, her eyes were filled with happiness as she watched her father and Melody. Remembering those times Riven was once here, tears threatened to leak through her eyes but she controlled them.
"RIVER GET IN HERE!" Ho-boe yelled. A rustling sound came from the bedroom; Musa launched herself off the sofa and stood firmly, arms crossed, her foot gently tapping on the wooden floorboards.
"NOW!" Ho-boe yelled, he tightened his grip on his grandchild, Melody covered her ears. Musa eyes were filled with electricity, steam boiled out her ears, she growled with pure rage of impatience. She huffed angrily and stomped over to the River's bedroom door, she went to open it. Locked. She didn't know what possessed her mind to get locks on the doors. Musa banged her fists heavily on the door. Nothing. She growled, showing she was not pleased at least.
"River behave, show your mother some respect" Ho-boe (father) commanded.
"Dad that's not necessary" The bedroom door slightly opened, River's head peaked out. River was 5, 1 year younger than Melody. He has maroon coloured hair with highlights of blue and dark navy eyes; he was exactly like Riven in some sense. Always causing trouble. Trouble is his middle name.
"River, why did you push Melody?" she asked, with a hint of annoyance and curiosity. She arched her eyebrows desperately waiting for an answer. River didn't make eye contact with his mother; he stared blankly at the concrete wall in front of him. He waited and waited hoping that his mother would leave him alone. She didn't. River huffed.
"She keeps annoying me!" Musa sighed. "Look, that's still no reason to hurt your poor sister like that" River rolled his eyes. Typical brother sister act. Musa kneeled down in front of him, so she could talk to him. Her son looked into her mother's eyes, he could see; anger, sadness, and was that...guilt.
"Look, your sisters going off to Summer Camp tomorrow, you're probably going to miss her annoying you. So why don't you make the most of it, but first apologise. Yeah?" she suggested pulling her son in for an enormous bear hug. Riven loosened himself from his mothers grasp. He hated it when his mother went all mushy love on him. But deep down, way, way deep down he liked it.
"Now, who's hungry?" Musa asked. Ho-boe grinned while rubbing his belly.
At the Dinner table
Everyone piled around the dinner table.
"Musa my dear, this is..." he was cut off; his throat was dry and went into an enormous coughing fit.
"Dad are you okay?" she placed a soft warm hand on his shoulder.
"I'm...f...fine dear" he coughed. Musa resumed eating. Silent spread across the dinner table.
"Melody, have you packed everything for summer camp?" she questioned while poking her mash potatoes with gravy with the fork and shoving it in her mouth.
Melody groaned. "Yes Mum!" she hissed. "For the fifth hundredth time" she mumbled. Musa glared at her.
"Just checking" Musa replied. River rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah when do I get her room?" River smirked, wriggling his eyebrows up and down. Melody ruffled his hair. Musa giggled, Ho-boe let out a loud chuckle.
"Mom where's dad?" Melody asked. Ho-boe chocked on waffles, Musa dropped her fork and her azure eyes widened. River looked between the three.
"Melody, this conversation is not up for sale" Musa quickly explained with an irritated tone. Melody shy resumed eating her pizza pocket, the melted cheesed twisted around her fork, she shoved it down her throat.
"Why? All these years I've wanted to know and I get the same response. You ignore the topic. Who is our dad? Where is he? Why isn't he with us? Why..." River yelled. 'He's just like him', Musa thought.
"River, No!" Ho-boe screamed, River looked towards his mother, tears threatened to leak through her eyes but she blinked them back. The whole family was silent for what seemed only seconds but hours. Musa lowered her head. She wiped her tears with her sleeve.
"I'm going to my room" River stormed out of the dining room. The only sounds heard were the stomping of feet rushing up the stairs and the echoing slam of a bedroom door. Musa felt like her whole entire world crashing down again. She literally felt like pulling her hair out, cowering in a corner and staying there for all eternity.
Her father sighed in shame. "Mum, I should go too; make sure River doesn't do anything drastic?" Melody said. Musa slowly nodded. All who was left at the dinner table was Musa and Ho-boe who held a shameful look on his face.
"Musa my dear, you know that this would come up eventually" Musa shook her head.
"No! Why now? Why not before or later?" She buried her head in her hands. Ho-boe placed a hand on her shoulder. Musa looked up.
"Just tell them the truth my dear. Everything will be alright" Musa smiled and hugged her father.
"It's gonna be hard, I don't even wanna say his wretched name, it's so disgusting" Musa made funny sickly faces at 'wretched' and 'disgusting'. Her father let out a laugh.
"I can think of a few words myself, but I'm not going to say them, they're not fit for the ears out a child" he laughed grinning wildly.
"Good luck dear" he finished kissing her forehead. He left to his studies. Musa slowly tiptoed to River's bedroom. Muffled crying sounds could be heard. Musa sighed. This day had to come sometime. She slowly opened the door – luckily it wasn't locked. The sight before her eyes made Musa even guiltier than before. Melody sat crying under the desk, her face stuffed down on a pillow. River was angrily throwing stuff around the room, pillows, bed sheets, action figures. Musa covered her mouth with her hand, she was shocked. 'What have I done?' Before River could cause anymore damage Musa rushed into action, grabbing his wrists tightly before he almost threw his computer. River struggled to get out of his mothers grip without hurting her.
"Melody, River there's something I need to tell you. It's about your father" at the mention of his dad, River restrained himself and calmed down. Musa let go of her son and sat on the edge of the bed, she gestured for her kids to join her. Melody cuddled close to her mother. River sat furthest away. His eyes held no emotion.
"Your father's name is Riven. I met him at Alphea, we had didn't get along much. He was more of a loner. After his father died, his mum walked out on him, sold him for money. He was orphan. He was always covering up his emotions. Yet at the same time a jerk..." Tears leaked throughout her eyes. Melody and River hugged their mother tightly. "I fell in love with him, we got married and when you were younger we got a divorce" she continued. More tears strung through her eyes. She didn't mention to them about Harmony, they weren't ready, neither was Musa. She pushed that thought aside.
"I'm sorry mum, we'll never ask again" Melody wrapped her arms around her mother. River stayed back. He watched his Mom and sister. He didn't know what to make of it. Yet when he looked back into his mother's eyes he felt as if she hadn't told them everything that she was holding back something important "We are better off without him" Musa said, looking towards River and smiled. River frowned. Musa's gaze fell to the floor. She looked up over to the clock; it read 8:54pm. Late.
"Okay time for bed, River brush your teeth, Harmony wipe those tears and we are never to speak of the subject again" she commanded. Melody nodded. River didn't respond. Musa left, closing the door. She manoeuvred herself to her bedroom; she picked up a photo of Melody and River.
"If only you were here Riven... if only" she whispered.
The next morning
In the hall, Ho-boe, River and Musa waited for Melody.
Melody POV
I've just been rechecking that I've got everything for summer camp. Mum suggested that I could go to summer camp since I couldn't bear having to spend a whole summer with River. Lately, I've been feeling quite lonely, but I could never Mum or river that they wouldn't understand. But after what my mum said my whole life still doesn't make sense, my dad left us, he didn't want us. As my mum said 'We're better off without him' yet why do I get the feeling that there's something else she didn't tell us. I saw the look in her eyes and I noticed that River did to. Last night I stayed up last night researching on my laptop for my father. The results showed that over 400 people had the name Riven; one has to be my father. My objective this summer while I'm off at summer camp is; 'To find answers about my father'.
"Melody hurry or else you're going to be late!" I hear my mother yell from downstairs.
Anyway, I zipped up my suite cases, and carried them out the bedroom door. I stopped halfway remembering I completely forgot the research. I had to find my father, I flung my luggage to the floor and scampered into my bedroom, I remembered that I left a load of documents on my bedside table. As I neared the table I realised it wasn't there. It always is. Sweat dripped down my face, my hands started shaking and my adrenaline started pumping inside of me. My hands scattered across the room, searching everywhere. Clothes flying across the room, wardrobe doors open, but as much as I searched there was still no sign of my sign of the file. I swear if River had come into my room I will kill him. I turned around, a massive pile of clothes left in the centre of the room. I am no way dear god leaving without those files.
"RIVER HAVE YOU BEEN RUMMAGING IN MY ROOM!"
"MELODY DONT YOU USE THAT TONE WITH YOUR BROTHER! NOW GET DOWN HERE RIGHT THIS MINUTE, YOUR GONNA BE LATE!" my grandfather yelled, the floor boards trembled. Yes we all had a temper; luckily I know when to control it.
I huffed, grabbed my luggage and stormed out of my bedroom and there standing at the top of the stairs was River. He was evilly smirking. He revealed from his back...my file!
"River give it back!" I whispered loudly. He held it above his head. Damn why did I have to be small! I jumped and jumped trying to grab the file. He laughed.
"I'll give it back" he grinned. I stopped jumping and arched my eyebrows.
"What's the catch?"
"Why must you think there's a...well you let me have you room and you let me help" I sighed.
"Fine...but why do you wanna help" I asked with curiosity. Me and River never get along, we never do brother sister things, we hate each other. My point proved a moment ago. He handed my back the file, I stuffed it in my backpack.
"You think you're the only person who wants to know who his dad is then you're wrong. Beside's I hate grand-pa. I hate being surrounded by girls. Why do you think I spend some much time with my mates?" He snapped. I rolled my eyes. I didn't bother to respond to his insults. I grabbed my luggage.
"I'll help, but don't screw it up" he hissed silently. I stuck my tongue out. I stomped down the stairs as loud as I could, River following. Her blue eyes glared at me.
"What took you so long?" she questioned.
"As I said before, River has been snooping in my room!" I yelled pointing to River who leaned against the banister.
"Bitch!" he muttered.
"Doushbag!" I muttered back, he heard. River wacked me on the back of my head.
"Jesus Christ that hurt!" Musa rolled her eyes.
"Kids" Ho-boe sighed.
"Well I better get going or else I'm going to be late"
"Why yes, you should. Now, remember to put sun screen on, behave, and be nice you might even make some new friends. And have fun". She smiled. I looked back at my mum, I nodded. I hugged my mum and my granddad. I turned to River, I kicked him in the shin and grabbed my luggage and left without punishment. He deserved it, how dare he call me a bitch and none the less my head is killing me. Down the street I could hear the menacing shouts of my Grandfather and the loud screaming of River squealing in agony. Ha! Ha!
I caught a bus that would take me to the airport. For then on there I would fly all the way to Alphea Summer Camp in Magix. My adventure has just started.
"Dad wherever you are, I'm going to find you" I thought.
Eraklion
At the same time, in Eraklion, the sun beamed through the metal blinds hanging above the wide open windows in a small apartment downtown. A light breeze danced through the air. A delicious aroma wafted through the house. The sun brightened as time ticked on, hitting her a girl directly in her eyes causing her to squirm and toss and turn, earning'OOF!' as she tumbled out of bed. This girl was Harmony, she was 6 and had; dark blue hair that cascaded down her back, and had violet eyes. She was a badass and lived with her father, Riven and Growler, the husky. Riven worked as a Nobel Knight to the Kings and Queens of Eraklion and Royal Vizier of the Court Room and is notably the best swordsman in all the Realms. It was summer, her dad was on vacation. She groaned as she got out of bed, she'd been packing all night for this stupid summer camp that her Dad was shipping her off to. She didn't want to go but was literally being forced to go. She knew the reason; her dad was inviting his snobby 'girlfriend' over and she hated kids, more mostly Harmony. She quickly got dressed. She sighed as she looked at her Pokémon alarm clock; it read 8:30 am. Harmony was never a morning person, she preferred noon. She pulled her luggage out of the bedroom and threw it near the door. Her stomach grizzly growled. It was breakfast. She hurried into the kitchen to find her father cooking pancakes.
"Morning Dad!" Riven turned to her and let loose of a tiny smile. His eyes were half open, showing that he'd probably spent the whole night watching rubbish crap on TV. She sat down at the table. Riven yawned, he began pouring cracking some eggs in the frying pan and heating the oven up.
"Do I have to go?" Harmony moaned.
"The Heck you do!" Riven snapped.
"But..."
"No buts, I'm meeting Cynthia, if you were to stay here you'd get in the way off business!" he hissed. Harmony stuck her tongue out and huffed. She crossed her arms and slunk lower down into her seat.
"Wish Mom was here" she mumbled. Riven looked up, not caring and noticing his eggs were burning.
"DON'T EVER MENTION THAT WORD IN THIS HOUSE AGAIN!" He yelled.
"But why? I don't even know who she is? Where is she? Why isn't she with us? Why..."
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" he cut off. Silence filled the room.
"Please that's all I ask. Nothing more" she whispered, tears threatening to well up in her eyes as she couldn't stand looking at her father's face, 'Why was he so mad?' She begged and begged until...Riven had to give in. She knew puppy-dog eyes would never work.
Riven sighed. "Look...your mother...her name was Musa" he began, Harmony's gaze lingered to her father.
"Musa?" she repeated. A small smile crept across her face.
'Musa...Musa... It's got a nice ring to it' Harmony thought.
Riven felt sweat beginning to drip down across his face, not from the intense heat coming from the sizzling burned eggs but from the panic of mention Musa. This wasn't the right time to talk about Musa. Heck he was planning on going through life not ever mentioning her.
"She died, years ago" he quickly lied. Harmony's smile dropped and transformed into a frown.
'What have I done? Why did I just say that? Oh, crap I turning into Sky! That god forsaken woman's made me gone soft' Riven thought.
Riven turned the oven off, threw the burned crusted eggs into the bin and made his way over to his daughter. He pulled his daughter into a hug. Harmony rested her head on her father's chest.
"Hey, cheer up; you're going to summer camp. You're not leaving yet and you're already crying" he smirked. He loved his daughter with all his heart. Harmony elbowed her father in the stomach.
"At least I cry at all!" Harmony snapped, she looked at her father. He was grinning widely like a Cheshire cat. She raised her eyebrows. He began tickling his daughter with his warm hands. She squealed deafeningly. While Riven was tickling his daughter, Harmony quickly glanced over to the clock.
"Dad, I've got to go or else I'll be late!" She yelled, desperately trying to avoid being tickled to death. Harmony kissed him goodbye and left. The door slammed shut.
'This is your entire fault Musa, you betrayed me, how could you? I thought you love me...' Riven thought. It had been 7 years since the divorce. Some much has changed. Riven had recently began dating again, he was going to propose hoping to forget all about Musa. Yet wherever he went the thoughts of Musa always came crawling back into his mind. Whenever he went to see the guys they always asked at Musa. Just the mention of Musa made Riven want to bury himself alive. But he was going to marry Cynthia to forget all about Musa. Harmony needed a mother; he knew that they didn't like each other, heck Cynthia, she didn't even like children. It would work one way or another. Riven would make sure it would.
But little did Riven or Musa know that their untold secrets are about to be uncovered...
