Anj0921, my queen, you gave this idea to me about a thousand years ago and I'm just publishing it now.


Photo #69: A Ride to Hongadura

"Oh, God..." Eadlyn mutters disgracefully to herself. "Not this event."

The next photo on the wall makes Eadlyn's eyes open in absolute horror. It contains a certain patch of memories she tried to just block out, which worked for many years since it happened, but looking at this photo just ruined it for her and her mind.

"Great..." Eadlyn says, huffing a little in frustration. "Now, I have to not only remember that it happened but spend another several years of my life trying to forget it all over again."

The basic context of the events behind the photo (which was Eadlyn and her brothers - ten years ago - sitting in the backseat of the car) was a trip to go visit Eadlyn's maternal aunt, Adele. There was nothing wrong with visiting Aunt Adele and her kids. That was actually the best part of the whole event. However, what Eadlyn never ever wants to remember is how they got to Adele's house from Angeles to Hongadura.

-o-

Maxon decided to take a week out of his schedule to take himself and his family to Hongadura. It's been a while since he has seen his Aunt Adele and her family and the same goes for them in return (minus what just happens to be on the media). Also considering that Osten was born two months ago, it's time for Maxon's side of the family to finally meet him. Adele's family could've just gone to the castle but Maxon thought it would be cool for the kids to experience Hongadura, where their grandmother grew up.

The thing is, Maxon wanted this to be a family trip which meant that he wanted to drive his family there himself. No issued driver, just him behind the wheel. It will not only be an amazing bonding time for the whole family but it will also be an unforgettable experience for the kids. For safety reasons, though, there will be secret service cars several miles ahead and several miles behind them to make sure that they are protected at all costs.

The three oldest Schreave kids stand in front of the car as Maxon and some butlers finish putting their bags in the trunk. America waits with the kids, bouncing baby Osten in the carrier that's strapped to her chest. America is a little upset that baby Osten is asleep now since that would mean he will wake up sometime during the car ride.

"Have you all gone to the bathroom?" America asks her kids.

They all nod. America eyes them harder.

"Are you all sure?"

They all nod again.

"We're not making any stops on the road, just to let you know."

America snickers as the kids run back inside. None of the kids probably had to go to the bathroom but the fact that they actually went to double-check makes America feel like a proud mother.

"Are you ready, love?" Maxon asks America, coming at her side.

"Endless hours on the road with three kids and a newborn, I can't wait!" She exclaims sarcastically, receiving a laugh and quick kiss from Maxon.

Once the kids come back out from their bathroom visits, Maxon opens the backdoor for them. Since the car is a van, Kaden sits in the back while Ahren, Eadlyn, and Osten take up the middle row, Maxon's in the driver's seat and America's right next to him. As the kids buckle up, it takes about thirty minutes for Maxon and America to actually figure out how to work a car seat. When that was taken care of, it took another ten minutes to figure out how to put a sleeping baby in without waking him up.

Then they were on the road to Hongadura.

"Are we there yet?" Kaden asks.

"It's been ten minutes," Eadlyn responds.

Kaden blinks. "How far is Hongadura anyways?"

America sighs a little, looking at Maxon from the corner of her eyes. Both of them know that at this point, it will be a very long car ride to Hongadura.

After about an hour of driving, America dozes off in the front seat. The smooth ride makes for a great mattress which is also how Osten is still asleep. Kaden's in the back, reading one of the many books he brought along with him while the twins play endless card games against one another.

Maxon thinks to himself what a peaceful car ride this is and how they should do this more often. Then a stuffed elephant hits the back of his head and all hell suddenly breaks loose.

Osten starts crying.

The twins drop their playing cards and try to get Osten back to sleep by lightly singing a duet. Kaden pops up from behind and makes several funny faces which fail as an attempt to get Osten to calm down. Osten continues to cry. Even giving him a bottle, stuffed animal or his pacifier wouldn't work.

"Dad, what do we do?" Ahren asks.

Being behind the wheel, Maxon can't really do anything except wake up America with his elbow. Her eyes slowly open and she fixes her hair in the rearview mirror.

"Are we in Hongadura?" America asks.

Osten's crying answers her question as a seriousn no.

America tries to coddle Osten by turning around in her own seat but that isn't working. If anything, his wailing is getting louder by the second.

"I think I should get back there," America says. "Could you pull over?"

"We're on the highway so I can't," Maxon replies. "And to make the situation worse, the next exit isn't for another fifty kilometers."

America huffs, Osten still crying in the background. There was no way in hell that she was just going to let her baby cry for another fifty kilometers nor was she going to tell Maxon to step on the gas just to get to the exit faster. Then, an irresponsible and stupid idea comes to her mind which makes her entire face perk up.

"I hate that beautiful face you make," Maxon tells her.

"Me too," America says. She faces her kids who aren't screaming their lungs out. "Ahren, unbuckle your seatbelt for a moment."

Maxon grits his teeth, already hating what's happening and praying that not only that nothing dangerous happens to the kids or his wife, but that whatever this plan is succeeds.

Ahren skeptically follows his mother's order.

"Now," America instructs, "climb over the seat."

Ahren doesn't do anything at first since he has no idea what exactly his mother is asking him to do and his father is strictly objecting it. Following his mother's obscure hand gestures and ignoring his dad, Ahren carefully squeezes over the seat and falls into the seat behind him where Kaden sits. He grunts because he landed on Kaden and his books and Kaden gasps because Ahren landed on his books.

"Now, Eady," America says, "scoot over."

Eadlyn, happy that she got the easier task, unbuckles her seatbelt and slides over. Since she was in the middle seat before, she just slid over to the edge. America unbuckles her seatbelt which really raises red flags for Maxon.

"What are you doing!?" Maxon questions.

"Same thing as Ahren," America replies. "Well, kind of."

Before Maxon could say anything (even if he weere to say anythig against her plan, she would've ignored him just like the kids did), America is already out of her seat. She cranes over and does her best to avoid slamming into something or hitting her head against the car's roof. She awkwardly sits in the vacant seat Eadlyn made and smiles brightly at baby Osten.

Osten immediately lights up as his mother touches his damp cheeks. His crying stop as he proceeds to suck on America's fingers.

Maxon sighs out of relief. "For a moment, I thought he needed a diaper change."

America suddenly cringes. "Spoke too soon."

When the pungent smell hits them, the kids all scream as they open the windows for gusts of fresh air while trying their absolute bests not to vomit. America and Maxon panic, not knowing what to do now since this is a bigger emergency than Osten crying. And Osten, like the baby he is in desperate need of a changing, just laughs.


Is it possible to drive to Hongadura from Angeles? I have no idea but just pretend that it is. Besides, if it's possiblw to drive from Toronto to Florida then I think Hongadura to Angeles is possible. Okay, so my family doesn't drive at all so my experience being on a long car ride is limited. Hopefully, this seemed legit.

Stay Tuned - "Bow down to me, I am in charge!"