“What do you think our assignment will be?” Alison asked.
The girls were huddled in Alexa’s room sorting through various pieces of gear. Alison’s demeanor was one of excitement. Alexa, on the other hand, was more subdued.
“Don’t know.”
“Aren’t you the least bit excited? Our first real mission!”
“We’re being sent out to kill someone. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“I’m sure the person deserves it. That shouldn’t be your concern. You should be concerned about how and where it’s supposed to happen.”
“Alison. Dad was right, you know. This is no longer a game. This is real. We’ve trained our whole lives to do one thing and one thing well. Kill.”
“You think too much. It’s what we do. End of story.”
Alexa remained quiet as she changed out batteries in her communications set. In her own way she was excited. This mission meant they were no longer looked on as kids, but as a fully integrated part of the adult family business. But if she were honest with herself, she was also dreading the mission. She had come to realize that she might not be as suited for this life as her twin. She would perform. As Alison said, it’s what her family did and was. But she didn’t have to embrace it as fully as Alison was doing.
She thought about the man who had stood behind them downstairs. He obviously was part of this life. She wondered about his connection to the family. Who is he, really? He’s not that old. Maybe in his twenties, like Ben. Maybe Ben knows him. I’m going to ask. Her thoughts were interrupted by Alison.
“Do you want to go back out to the town and throw some knives?”
“Nah, I’m going to take it easy the rest of the day. But you go if you want.”
“Not as much fun without you.”
“Sorry. Not feeling it.”
“Spoil sport.” Alison gathered up her things. “I’m going back to my room. See you at dinner.”
Alexa watched her go without comment.
Dinner was an unusual affair. All five kids were in attendance, plus Sam’s wife and new baby. The whole family hadn’t gathered in one room for some time. While not a celebration, the atmosphere was nonetheless more festive than usual. Alexa noted the two empty place settings and looked to her parents. Neither acknowledged her.
As all were settling into their places, there was a knock on the door, and it opened to reveal her two cousins.
“Come in, come in!” Sarah welcomed them.
The siblings were stunned. They knew Samuel had told the cousins they could never return to the farm years ago when they were sent on their first mission. The mission that resulted in the death of the oldest one. Now here they were, apparently going to join the family for dinner.
Sam, Ben, and Caleb all stood and formally offered their hand to each cousin. Alison and Alexa just nodded, remaining seated.
“I trust you’ve both been well?” Samuel asked when everyone had seated themselves.
“Yes, thank you,” they answered in unison. They looked to Clara and the baby.
“Is this Jonathan Samuel?”
Clara smiled. “We call him Jon Samuel. Sometimes just Jon.”
She stood and brought the baby to the cousins. They tickled the baby’s cheeks and smiled when the infant laughed.
“I’ve told Nathan and Cameron they may consider the farm as their base. They will be building their home on the property.” Samuel informed the group.
The only one not shocked by this news was Sarah. She picked up where Samuel had left off.
“They have more than proven themselves in the field. It’s time to bring them home. They’re family. They’re our family.”
After an initial silence, the conversation became a boisterous unending stream of ‘remember when’ as everyone shared stories of earlier days. In a conversational lull, Nathan looked to the girls.
“I hear tomorrow is your first mission.”
They nodded.
“Good luck. Stay safe,” he said, as he turned back to answer a question Caleb had asked.
Samuel stood, bringing the dinner to an official close. He looked to the cousins.
“Boys, you can bunk in the school tonight. Tomorrow we’ll tour the property and pick out a site.”
Nathan and Cameron stood, thanking Sarah for dinner, and, after saying goodnight to everyone else, walked to the door and exited. Samuel turned to the girls.
“Come. We have things to discuss.”
They followed him into his office.
Ben and Caleb jumped up and began clearing the table. “Mom. Sit tight. We’ll deal with all this.”
Sarah smiled and looking at Clara, reached for the baby.
_________________________________________
Later, as Samuel and Sarah snuggled in bed with each other, Sarah looked at her husband.
“How’d it go? Do you really think they’re ready?”
He sighed. “They asked all the right questions, and a few wrong ones.”
“What do you mean?”
“Alexa wanted to know why the person was being targeted.”
“What’d you tell her?”
“What I tell everyone. That’s not our concern.”
“How’d she respond?”
“She didn’t like my answer but let the subject drop.”
“I’m worried about her.”
“Me, too. But we must let go and see how things unfold.”
“You have the safety net in place?”
“Yes. Matt is fully read into the mission and ready to provide backup if needed.”
“Then as you said, we must wait and see how things unfold. It’s a tough assignment for a first mission.”
“It is. But I had no choice. What’s required is not something the boys could do.”
“They’re so young. This is really throwing them into a new world.”
“I know. But we’ve done our best to prepare them.” He gave his wife a hug. “Work through your demons tonight. Tomorrow we must present a united, confident front.”
She sighed and snuggled closer to his warmth.