The exam week arrived, and the twins were very busy with various tasks and their studies. They wanted to finish the final semester exams because they couldn't wait to go on the study trip to Paris, which was organized by the French teacher and their language club.
They were excited about the trip. Not only because they really like the city of Paris, but Altair and Vega also wanted to experience traveling with their peers. Besides, they were also excited to go to the fashion capital of the world because their close friend, Jean-Marie would travel there for her modeling work.
All the waiting made the exam week feel easy, and both of them could get through it happily.
"Finally, the exam is finished too ...!!!" Vega exclaimed happily as she arrived home after the final day's exam.
"Ahh .. nice. After this, you can go on vacation in peace," said Nicolae, who welcomed their arrival. "All my classes are also finished. After taking you back to Manhattan later this afternoon, I will go straight to the airport to travel to Grosetto."
Vega smiled broadly. "You're meeting us in Paris, aren't you?"
Nicolae nodded. "Of course."
He hadn't returned to Grosetto in six months. Summer in his parents' castle must be beautiful. It would be good for him to look for a new atmosphere before leaving for Paris and then adventuring with his best friend, Terry. They planned to travel to Macchu Picchu.
After Altair and Vega had lunch and a short rest, they left for Manhattan. Nicolae handed them over to their parents, then he left for Italy.
"Send my regards to Father," Elios said as he sent his brother off at the airport. "I am thinking of having a family gathering in August, on our wedding anniversary. What do you think?"
Nicolae nodded. "Great idea."
"I'll let you know the details later," Elios said.
"Of course." Nicolae smiled slightly and waved. He walked towards his boarding gate. He would fly from New York to Milan, and from there, he would drive to Grosetto. The journey was quite long, but he loved it.
***
"You haven't forgotten anything?" Elios repeatedly asked as he sent Altair and Vega off for their trip. A bodyguard would take them to school and joined their peers from the language club. They would all depart together from school to the airport.
Because his face and appearance were iconic and quite easy to recognize, Elios was forced not to take his children to school. This is one thing he always regretted, being in his position. But he couldn't do anything about it.
If he insisted on sending the twins and someone saw him, Altair and Vega's secret identities might be exposed. As a very overprotective father, he did not like it when his children were exposed to the public because their privacy and their lives could be threatened.
"I have brought everything, Father. I don't miss out anything," said Altair patiently. He knew his father quite well. "Try to ask Vega. Maybe she forgot something."
Vega stuck out her tongue. "Not me."
Elios nodded. "Good, then. When you are on the trip, don't trouble your teachers... And, when Nic comes to Paris, you should always update him on what's going on."
"Fine, Father ... I understand," said Altair.
Vega also nodded. "Me too."
"Good. Your mother and I love you very much." Elios smiled and kissed his two children's foreheads. Aleksis followed suit by hugging and kissing them. Both of them clearly felt it was really hard to let go of their two teenage children to travel alone, but they had no choice.
"We will go now..." Altair and Vega said goodbye and went to school. They really can't wait to get to Paris immediately.
After both of them disappeared from sight, Elios and Aleksis exchanged glances and took a deep breath.
"Gosh ... they're so big now," Aleksis murmured. "Time flies."
Elios nodded at his wife's words. Yes, time flew by so fast. Maybe people were right when they said that when people were happy, time would seem to pass by so quickly. He could see it now.
He had been reunited with his family for almost seven years, and it seemed that the incident only happened yesterday. The years had gone by so fast, and there had been so many things happening.
He could be with the only woman he loved. He could raise their children together. He considered them a gift because he never expected to have any children from Aleksis when they were first married.
Now he also experienced the process of being a father from the beginning when Ireland and Scotland were born. Everything felt very pleasant.
His life with Aleksis was so perfect that sometimes a little fear crept into his mind because.. perfection should not exist.
He had to pinch himself often and realized that his life was not a dream. This was indeed real. He did not want to go back to his old self. The old him was negative and was always ready for bad things to happen.
For that, he must forever thank Aleksis, who had entered his life ... ah, actually she forced her way in, many moons ago and knocked down his walls that he was finally willing to open his heart.
That was the best decision he had ever made in life. And since then, his life had changed. He was finally happy. And though that fear still lurked in his heart, Elios tried to get rid of it and did not tell anyone. He just wanted to love his family as well as possible and be the best man for them.
He nodded, confirmed Aleksis's words, and then kissed her forehead. "Too fast. Sometimes I feel we must hold on so as not to be dragged by the flow of time."
"Soon, they will become adults ..." Aleksis added.
"I'm afraid to imagine them growing up and leaving home," Elios commented honestly. "Hopefully, they don't quickly fall in love and get married."
"I hope the same."
The couple sighed together.
***