Chapter 1

Helga Blackwell laughed happily as she watched her family a few feet away flying kites. The 27 year old blonde set the last of plates on the picnic table and called her family over, "Guys, lunch time!" she said. Her husband of 8 years and her 6 year old daughter walked up to the picnic table. "Marissa, sit here." Helga directed the girl, pointing to a seat. The little girl had blonde hair and bright blue eyes like her mother.

The man walked up to Helga and wrapped his arms around her waist, "What are we having?" he asked kissing her shoulder. He had neatly cut black hair and green eyes.

"Mom and Dad brought pizza."

"Where are they?"

"Mom's getting the drinks ready and dad…I'm not sure where he went. It's such a big house; he probably got lost on the way to the bathroom." She giggled at the thought.

"And Olga?"

"She went to pick up Mom and Dad's cake. She hasn't gotten back yet." She said as he squeezed her shoulders affectionately, "Jake that hurts…" she whispered.

"I'm sorry honey." He pulled the shoulder of her dress down and kissed the blue and purple bruise, "That better?"

She turned to him and smiled, "Yeah." She placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed him.

"Hey you two mind?" Olga whispered coming through the gate of the fence, "Where's dad?"

"He's inside. Hey Marissa, can you do mommy a favor? Go get Grandma and Grandpa okay."

Obeying her mother, Marissa got up and disappeared inside. "What kind of cake did you get Olga?" Jake asked sitting down.

"Chocolate, dad's favorite. What did they bring for lunch?"

"Pizza. Hope you like mushrooms." He replied opening the pizza box lid.

"Mommy!" Marissa laughed happily and ran up to her mother. Bob and Miriam Pataki walked outside and were greeted by their children's smiling faces.

"Happy anniversary mom and dad." Olga said kissing her mother and father on the cheek.

"Thank you all very much." Miriam said smiling. Helga sat down beside her husband and offered the pizza, "The happy couple gets dibs." She said.

"If we had known this was going to be a party for us, we would've brought something better than pizza." Bob said.

"Pizza's fine Bob." Jake said as they sat down and began eating. After a while, Jake held up his glass, "Hey Helga, my glass is empty."

"What's the matter Jakie? Are you helpless?" Olga teased.

Jake looked at her with a smirk on his lips, "No I'm not helpless." He reached for the pitcher and refilled his glass. Olga smiled sweetly at her brother-in-law as if saying, "My sister is not your slave."

"Okay who is up for some dessert?" Olga asked, "I got you guys a cake. Chocolate dad's favorite." She stood picking up her plate.

"I am. I'll help." Helga said following her sister.

As they neared the patio door, Helga stopped Olga, "Please don't annoy Jake. He isn't in a very good mood today." She whispered.

"Well I wasn't going to sit back and let him treat you like you're his slave."

"Just cool it okay." She said then glanced back at Jake. He was smiling and laughing with her parents. She sighed with relief and followed Olga inside.

"I'm gonna refill this." Jake said picking up the glass pitcher and following the sisters. Once he reached the kitchen, he asked, "Hey Olga, can I talk to Helga alone please?"

Olga shrugged, "I don't care." She said disappearing outside.

Jake calmly set the mug down and looked at Helga, "What's your problem?"

"Nothing, honey. Why do you ask?" Helga tried to remain calm.

"I asked you to do a simple task." He ran his hand over the pitcher. Suddenly he lifted it up and hurled it Helga's head, "Now fix my water!" he shouted.

Helga ducked and it shattered against the wall, "Jake that was my grandmother's pitcher!" Helga screamed at him.

He grabbed her shoulders and threw her onto the floor, "Pick it up! I want every last piece of glass picked up before you come out of the house am I clear?"

She nodded, tears stinging her eyes. He walked over to the broom closet and took out the broom "And don't you dare use the broom either." He sneered.

"But…the little pieces."

He grabbed a handful of her blonde hair and snatched her head back, "Pick them up with your hands." He pushed her head down into the broken glass and a shard scraped across her cheek making her bleed, "Get started!"