I was staring at my laptop as I was trying out a recipe my sister sent to me. The kids always loved whatever new recipe my sister came up with. I didn't take it to heart as my sister the chef of the family but I still tried.
"Mom, can I borrow some money to go to the movies this weekend?" Avery asked as she entered the kitchen,
"What are you going to go see?" I asked her as I looked up
"Jupiter Ascending. Channing Tatum is in it." She answered, "Stacey and Veronica are going and Stacey's mom said she could drive us." She added.
"None of your other friends are going?" I asked her as I looked over to her brother as he entered the room, looking at what I was cooking.
"No that's just it. So, can I have some money?" She asked as I resumed cooking
"What boy is going, Avery?" I asked her as I turned to look at her.
"Did Sam tell you?" She asked as she was upset,
"He didn't tell me anything. You know I was your age once." I informed her,
"But I thought you wouldn't let me go if you knew a boy was going." She looked at me,
"I would still let you go but now I'm going to send your brother with you guys." I told her as she groaned, "Look, I don't mind if either of you date but if you don't want me looking over you guys, one of you is going to have to watch the other." I explained to the both of them before my phone started to ring, "We will talk more about this later." I told her as I looked down to see Sully calling me. I watched the two walk out as I answered,
"Hey Sully, how've you been?" I greeted,
"I've been holding up. How are the kids?" He asked
"They're doing good and Avery is going on her first date apparently." I told him as he laughed,
"I can already tell that she's going to be a handful." He laughed, "Speaking of dates, I was wondering if you wanted to join me as my date to this auction to steal Avery's cross." He spoke,
"There is more than one?" I asked him,
"Apparently." He answered
"Where is it?" I asked him
"Italy." He stated,
"Italy?! I can't go halfway across the country, when I have to take care of the kids." I whispered so the kids wouldn't hear me,
"They're old enough now that you can go away on trips and you can have your sister watch them." He suggested
"And what am I supposed to say to them?" I asked him as I was looking over the recipe again.
"Tell them you have to go away on business for your book or something. Look Nate is going and you haven't been on an adventure for years. I would appreciate it if you joined us, kid." He told me sincerely.
"Why didn't Nate say anything to me? I just saw him the other day at Jameson." I asked Sully
"He just called me a few minutes ago. Are you joining us or are you going to sit this one out?" He asked me
"I'll call Adeline and talk to her. What do I need to wear?" I asked him
"Don't worry about the dress, I got that covered. Your plane leaves tomorrow and pack some extra clothes just in case." He told me
"See you then." I sighed before hanging up and then dialing my sister's number.
"Hey! How's the recipe coming along?" She asked me,
"It's coming along…I need a favor." I asked her as I scratched the back of my head,
"What?" She asked me,
"Can you watch the kids for a few days?" I asked her
"Where are you going?" She asked
"Italy. Sully wants me to accompany him and Nate will be there too." I answered her
"I thought you were done treasure hunting after what happened." She spoke,
"After I attend this fancy party I'm on the next plane home. I promise and the kids will love being with one of their favorite Aunts. They love your cooking." I complimented her in hopes she would say yes.
"Fine, when do you leave?" She asked,
"Tomorrow. You can pick the kids up after school and have them grab whatever they need. I'll leave you some money for the kids. Avery has a date this weekend at the movies so make sure you give her some. I'll explain to the kids at dinner. I owe you one big time." I thanked her,
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't get yourself killed. I don't want to be the one to tell your kids of the person you used to be." She laughed,
"I'll tell them about that life when they're older." I sighed, "Dinner is almost finished, I'll send you an update tomorrow." I told her before I said my goodbyes. Now I had to figure out how to tell the kids and what would be a believable lie. I hated that I had to lie to the kids but I never told them about hunting for Henry Avery's treasure as it hurt to talk about Sam… I sighed as I had to figure something out. I turned around to finish cooking the pancetta and brussel sprouts linguini with a hint of bacon as my sister claimed it was a whole lot better with bacon. I grabbed plates and thought about telling them that I was going with their Uncle to Malaysia as Jameson kept asking him about it. I could tell them I was going to research the area for my next book and help Nate with recovery. It could work but there was no way of knowing without telling them.
"Avery, Sam, dinner's ready!" I called them. I made their plates and set them on the table before seeing the two, "So tell me a little about this boy" I told Avery,
"Jonah Ruggiero, he's in my creative writing class and my history elective. He's likes to play guitar and is on the soccer team." She told me,
"And what grade is he in?" I asked her,
"He's a junior." She answered.
"Well I'd like to meet him if the date goes well." I told her as I sat down at the table,
"Why don't you drop us off at the movies and you can meet him there?" Sam Jr. suggested,
"That's not necessary." I looked to Sam before sighing, "I just got a call from your Uncle Nate that he was going on the Malaysia job and he needed my help. I'll be gone just for a few days and I figure that it would be good to research the location for my next book." I lied to them before shoving a mouthful of food in my mouth,
"Are we going too?" Sam Jr. asked me,
"No, you guys are staying with Adeline while I'm on my trip." I told them
"Can you at least facetime us while you're there?" Avery asked,
"If I have time and the reception is good but no guarantees. I'll make sure to take pictures." I told them,
"Can I at least tell my friends you're going to find really cool artifacts, like grandpa?" Sam Jr. asked,
"You shouldn't lie to your friends about things like this." I told him even though I was the one lying right now.
"But it sounds way much cooler than going to dig up trash." Sam Jr. rolled his eyes,
"Well I'm sorry I dig up trash and not treasure." I laughed as if the two only knew.
"When are you leaving?" Avery asked,
"Tomorrow morning. Adeline will bring you guys to school and bring you back here to pack anything you need when you are staying at her house." I told them both,
"Can you at least bring back some cool souvenirs?" Sam Jr. asked,
"I'll do my best. Just make sure to be good for Adeline,okay?" I looked to them both,
"Only if Sam doesn't ruin my date." Avery spoke as she looked at Sam Jr. and he rolled his eyes.
"I doubt he will, do you guys want to watch a movie before I go back?" I asked them,
"Can we watch one of the Indiana Jones movies?" Sam Jr. asked me,
"Anything you guys want." I smiled at them before continuing to eat. I still felt bad that I was lying to them but while I was in Italy I would get them souvenirs and hoped they wouldn't find out.

A/N:I hoped you liked this chapter! Originally I wasn't going to delve a whole lot into Alex telling the kids but I figured splitting the chapters would work out for the better. :D