Chapter 33

One year after the battle….

"Leon, could you help me move those boxes, we got a lot to do today!" Axel asks.

"Good morning Rick," they both simultaneously greet the concierge at the entrance of the building as they do each day.

"Good morning," he happily nods back, throwing on top of Leon's box the daily newspaper. "Ready for tomorrow Sir?"

"Ready as I'll ever be!" Axel laughs. He then quietly whistles before Charlie follows them into the elevator.

After weeks of contemplation, Axel made the final decision to contact Al Mason, the real estate owner who approached Floyd outside of the hospital. After a couple of beers, he had shown Axel a few properties, all mortgage free as a gift for saving his family. Axel then found out that Mason was the current owner of the entire building where his old penthouse used to be in Central District. The site had been derelict for a couple of months with all the floors below vacant due to renovation. So Mason decided to offer Axel not just his old apartment, but the entire block as ownership. On the floors below the penthouse, they planned on building a brand new dojo, dance studio, gym and a kids centre to help keep the next generation off the streets. So far the project has been a huge success over the last six months and backed by the local government with funding. It certainly felt good to have something new to focus on, as well as gaining back his old home.

"You got that?" Axel asks Leon in the elevator as they both hold onto a couple of heavy boxes containing training equipment.

"Yeah, I'm good!" The boy confidently nods. They then stop on the 3rd floor to unlock the doors of the gym.

"So who's running this place today if we're not?"

"A couple of Max's employees are stepping in for the next few days, they'll be here any minute now" Axel explains, ripping open one of the boxes.

"Dad, there's something I wanted to ask you…" Leon shyly looks up at him.

"You want something kid, don't you? That's why you're being extra helpful…" Axel raises his eyebrows.

"Well err.… this weekend, they got this new ride going on at Sega Club. And since we can't go tomorrow, I was thinking maybe today, we could… you know?" He tilts his head to one side.

"Sure! Ask Uncle Adam, he's off work today…"

"But I wanna go with you!... Please? Just an hour. And I promise I won't spend too long on the arcade machines this time". Leon gives him a convincing smile.

Axel sighs, knowing that it's probably best if he gives in, or else there will be trouble.

"Ok, just an hour!"

"Yes!" Leon celebrates.

"Hey, what time is it?" Axel pulls out his cell phone from his back pocket but it's dead.

"It's almost 10am…. Why?"

"Because your mom is gonna kill me if I'm late. Come on, let's go upstairs!"

As soon as they walk into the apartment, the winter sunlight is the first thing they see shining high up through the window.

"You're late," Blaze stands, folding her arms.

"I'm sorry baby…" Axel gives her a quick kiss on the lips, "the company messed up that order that was supposed to arrive this afternoon."

"Hmmm, I'll have to forgive you this time then". Her expression turns into a warm smile as she wraps her arms around him.

"yuck!" Leon huffs under his breath whilst Charlie follows him to his bedroom.

"Just think, only two years left until he's a teenager" Axel laughs.

"Yeah! We're in for a treat if he continues to take after me!"

"Hey, why do I smell burning?" Axel frowns.

"Shit!" Blaze quickly pulls away from him before running over to the other side of the living area. "That's the second playpen Amber has burnt a hole through this week in order to escape… the little smartass!" The 8 month old baby looks up at them with her soft brown hair and blue eyes, cutely giggling at them as she attempts to crawl over towards the coffee table. As soon as Blaze picks her up, she starts crying and fussing.

"Why is it that every time you're around she hates it when anybody else picks her up?"

"Because I'm her favourite person…. See?" As soon as the two of them exchange the baby, Amber stops.

"I don't know how you get her to calm down so quickly, especially at night" Blaze gives him an exhausted sigh, placing her hands on her hips.

"She's inherited your good looks, but I told you she'd take after me… ain't that right cutie?" Axel smiles as he playfully throws and catches Amber up in the air, hearing non stop giggling from her.

Blaze can't help but smile at them both in awe. "Want some breakfast?" She asks.

"It's ok, I'll make it" he replies whilst moving towards the kitchen, still holding the baby. "I thought you were going downstairs to the gym today, usually you'd be out by now?" He asks.

"Nah, I'm trying to avoid Max's client, Jeff Spencer. That perv keeps showing up and he's starting to piss me off! If I have to hear the words, 'hey Blaze, you looking thicccc today' one more time, I'm gonna lose it!"

"Want me to have a word with him?"

"Nah, I handled it already!" She proudly smirks.

"What did you do? Break his nose?"

"I'll have you know, I am capable of managing my anger issues… to a certain point" she answers, switching on the toaster.

"Put it this way, you can't help it, your sexy ass gets hotter all the time".

"You're too kind!" Blaze winks.

"So how did you handle it then?" Axel raises his eyebrows, intrigued.

"He kept insisting that he wanted my digits. I just really wanted him to leave me alone and continue my workout. So I wrote down Estel's number….." Blaze explains, rolling her eyes with guilt on her face.

Her comment causes Axel to spit out some of his juice as he bursts out laughing. Amber smiles up at him, trying to wipe his face. "That guy won't be bothering you again, that's for sure!"

The two of them suddenly hear the door knocking as Estel and Adam show up. "Sup bro?" The guys greet one another first. Estel then angrily confronts Axel. "Hey! You shouldn't even be here right now. It's bad luck!"

"Estel it's fine, there's still more than 24 hours to go…" Blaze replies.

"Hmmm…. By the way, I received a phone call this morning from a Mr. Jeff Spencer. At first the dopey piece of shit thought I was you, even though I can't fake an English accent. Then he suggested that I'd meet him at the gym as he liked the sound of my voice…..".

"So what did you do?" Blaze awkwardly asks.

"What do you think I did? I showed up with a machete and my gun and I told that fucker that if he calls me again or harrasses any other female in that gym, he's dead meat!"

"It's better than breaking his nose I suppose…" Blaze quietly smiles at Axel.

Shortly after, more of the team arrives at the apartment and morning turns into afternoon.

"Are you sure you fellas are gonna be ok with the baby, taking Leon out and entertaining one another?" Blaze asks, seeing the crates of beers and takeout flyers scattered around.

"Just go and enjoy your night and I'll see you tomorrow" Axel hugs his arms around her, "the longer you stay here, the harder it's gonna be to let you go, especially in that red dress…you look so hot right now!" He whispers in her ear, "and you smell so good!"

"Hey knock it off you two! We have a party to attend!" Estel shouts at them.

"Hey, hey, and where do you think your going young lady dressed like that?" Adam barely recognises Cherry who is wearing a short pink dress, heavy makeup, hair curled out with black high heels on.

"She's coming with us!" Blaze smiles.

"Hell no! Not dressed like that, she ain't! How the hell are you gonna get her into the club, she's still 17!" Adam's eyes almost pop out of his skull with the vein in the middle of his forehead pulsing. "And what if some grown ass man tries to harrass her?!"

"I got news for you Hunter, your daughter is with us so they won't refuse her entry. Estel is bringing her badge anyway…. And secondly, Cherry can beat the shit out of most grown ass men! So try not to give yourself a heart attack…ok?" Blaze sits him down. "Oh and one other thing, I have permission from both Cherry and Estel to kill you if you don't pick up my dress and deliver it to the hotel tomorrow morning on time. Understood?"

"You sure you still wanna marry this girl Axel?" Adam stubbornly folds his arms.

"I've now accepted the fact that I'm signing my life away tomorrow…" he jokes before Blaze punches his arm.

"I'll see you tomorrow, and don't be late!" Blaze says to him before giving Amber and Leon a kiss on the cheek. As she walks towards the door wheeling her luggage for the night, the door knocks once again.

"Sammy, I thought you wern't arriving until….. Oh…! Can I help you?" For a moment, the boy standing outside closely resembles a young Sammy Hunter, only Blaze realises that it's not him.

"Hi err, I'm looking for my dad and my sister? Is my Uncle here too?"

"Chris?! Wow, you've grown up! Sure, come in" she gives him a warm smile. "Adam, there's someone here to see you…"

"How's it going son? We've really missed you…" Adam happily greets the 13 year old boy, pleasantly surprised. He then removes his shades, unsure whether to hug him or shake his hand. It has been over 2 years since he last saw his son who always kept his distance by his mother's side growing up.

"I'm good. I saw on the news what you and the others did to save this city. I just wanted to stop by to say that I'm proud of you dad." There is a short awkward silence between the two of them before Cherry breaks the ice by rushing forward to hug her brother.

"Chris?! What the hell are you doing here?"

"Why the hell are you wearing a dress and makeup? It's not like you!" The boy laughs.

"I know right?" Adam chuckles.

"Bachelorette party!" Cherry winks. "How did you even bring your lazy ass here by yourself?" She asks.

"I caught the subway, mom knows" he shrugs.

"And she let you get on the subway by yourself? Yeah right!"

"The streets are safer now, they have been for a while even at night".

"Well, I'm glad you're here bro. Why don't you stick around for a few days after the wedding? We've missed you" she pats him on the shoulder.

Chris then gives Adam a nervous stare, unsure whether he'l be allowed to stay with them or not.

"Boy, remove that basketball cap and backpack! We'll pick up some clothes and a suit for you tomorrow, you're staying here with us!" Adam nods.

"Thanks!" The boy enthusiastically smiles back.

"God help us!" Cherry jokes as she leaves the apartment with Blaze and Estel.

"Hey Ax? You still taking Leon to that indoor theme park around the block?" Adam asks.

"Yeah! Why don't you two come with us? This is news to me but Max and Sammy just texted saying they're already there." He shrugs.

The rest of the day for the guys is fun and just what they needed. Axel expected their trip to the local indoor theme park, Sega Club to be fairly routine with just him and Leon. But so far, the group have ended up spending hours there.

"You planned this all along, didn't you?" He glares at Leon whilst they compete together on one of the arcade machines.

"Well, all of us did actually," the kid shrugs.

"We figured that since the ladies have left us with a minor and a baby to look after, you can't really go out to a bar on your last night of freedom, so this is the next best thing!" Adam replies.

"Thanks, I prefer this" Axel smiles.

"So, are you ready to try the world's highest indoor roller coaster?" Sammy excitedly grins.

"I'll pass," Adam folds his arms, glaring at his brother pessimistically.

"You get to look after the baby then!" Max, Sammy and Axel immediately race forward, keen to jump on the white knuckle ride first.

"Do they always steal the front seats?" Chris asks Leon who is secured in his chair next to him.

"Oh, we're better off way back here. I bet you 5 bucks that one of them will be sick. They've been drinking since the ladies left….."

"$10 says your pops will throw up first!"

"I'll raise you to 15 on your uncle Sammy. He usually is the first to puke on a boat".

"Deal!" The two boys shake on it.

Adam has no regrets as he stands by the side of the rails, holding onto Amber whilst watching the others speed around loop by loop followed by vertical thrill seeking drops. No wonder they call this ride 'Sonic Boom'.

"Fuck, I think I'm gonna be sick…" Max burps, feeling disoriented as soon as they step off the brand new ride. He can't help but lean against one of the hedgehog statues behind him.

"I told you that drinking before coming here is a bad idea!" Axel laughs.

"I'll be right back," the wrestler then rushes off to the restrooms.

"I'll go and buy him some water, he ain't looking good!" Sammy replies.

"That was lit!" Chris grins from ear to ear.

"Let's go on it again later, this time we can be the ones to take the front seats!" Leon suggests.

"Too bad our bets fell through…"

"There's always Tekken?" Both boys glance at one another then they excitedly run over towards the next array of arcade machines to compete against each other.

"Who do those two kids over there remind you of?" Adam grins, keeping an eye on them from a distance.

Axel laughs "we were more trouble than them at that age. One thing's for sure, they'll be growing up in a much safer city than we ever did. All of our fighting has paid off, so that they will never have to…."

"Speaking of our younger doubles, I think she's teething..." Adam is relieved to finally hand Amber back over to Axel. "I know, this one looks just like her mom".

"Try putting some brandy in her milk, it will help her sleep at night…" Adam is surprised as soon as the baby stops crying when Axel holds her.

"Hey er, there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you, before the others get back…" Adam sighs.

"What's wrong?" Axel frowns, still distracted with the baby.

"It's about the twins. Word's out that they're appealing against the death penalty…"

"So? It's been over a year now and those two are no longer a threat. Whether they get the needle or not, they're still locked up for life…"

"But if their appeal is successful, they could be transferred to a federal prison outside of Wood Oak and well beyond our jurisdiction".

"And you're telling me this the day before my wedding?" Axel huffs.

"I'm sorry man, Estel and I only found out the news last night…"

"Ok, but not a word of this to anyone, especially Blaze. It's taken her months and she's still trying to get over what happened last year."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not there in the middle of the night when she's having nightmares or on edge every time there's a noise outside the apartment. She's also very protective of the kids and it took a lot of convincing for us to stay here in Wood Oak." Axel explains.

"I didn't realise…"

"Just keep one eye on the situation in the future. Either way, the syndicate is finished for good, we made sure of that! Now are you gonna finally relax and enjoy this weekend or what?"