Ivy soon arrived at her base and stepped down from the armoured vehicle. The mont her boots touched the ground, the vehicle began to shimr and disappear, dissolving out of sight as it was recalled back into the system.
Without wasting any ti, she made her way into the shelter.
"Mommy!!!"
Aria and Lila’s voices rang out in unison the mont their gazes landed on her. Their faces lit up instantly as they ran toward her with excitent, clearly intending to throw themselves into her embrace.
But Ivy raised her hand imdiately, stopping them just before they collided with her.
"Sorry, sweethearts," she said gently, her tone soft but firm. "Mommy needs to take a quick shower first. I’ll be back very soon, okay?"
The twins blinked, then nodded obediently.
"Okay, Mommy," Aria and Lila replied together.
Without further protest, Ivy turned and headed toward the bathroom.
There was no visible blood on her body, but she was drenched in sweat, and more importantly, she had been outside in the apocalypse. That alone was enough reason for caution. She couldn’t allow her children especially at their young age to co into contact with anything that might carry disease or contamination from the outside world. Their immune systems were still developing, and in this world, even the smallest negligence could be dangerous.
Ivy always made sure to be extra careful.
Once inside the bathroom, she bathed thoroughly, scrubbing away the sweat and the remnants of the harsh outside environnt. Only when she was satisfied did she step out, dry her body, and get dressed.
She chose a bright yellow floral jumpsuit that hugged her figure comfortably while still being soft and practical especially suitable for feeding baby Hope later.
After getting ready, she made her way back to her children, who were already waiting for her.
The mont they saw her, Aria and Lila rushed forward again....this ti successfully throwing themselves into her arms.
"My sweethearts," Ivy said warmly, smiling as she bent down to plant gentle kisses on both their foreheads. "How are you both doing?"
"We’re fine, Mommy," Aria replied imdiately, her voice cheerful.
Ivy’s gaze then shifted toward baby Hope, who was peacefully asleep in her little spot.
"Did she wake up?" Ivy asked softly.
"No, Mommy," Aria answered with a warm smile. "She’s still sleeping. She’s such a foodie... but also a very good sleeper."
Ivy couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle as she gently ruffled Aria’s hair.
"That’s good to hear."
After a brief pause, she straightened slightly. "Anyways... would you girls like so treats? Ice cream?"
"Yayyyy!!!"
Aria and Lila squealed in excitent, their voices rising so high in joy that Ivy quickly turned and leaned over baby Hope, gently patting her back to prevent her from waking up.
"Sorry, Mommy," both girls whispered imdiately, lowering their voices.
Ivy only chuckled softly in response before standing back up.
She walked over to the deep freezer, where different flavors of ice cream were carefully stored.
"Which one do you want?" she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.
"Chocolate and vanilla!" Aria and Lila chorused together, this ti much more quietly.
Ivy nodded and selected a mixed flavor for them, while also taking a chocolate one for herself. Carefully, she placed the bowls on a tray and returned to the living room with them.
"Here you go, sweethearts," she said as she handed each girl their bowl.
The twins accepted them excitedly, carefully settling down on the sofa. Ivy joined them shortly after, sitting comfortably as she watched them.
"Oh, that reminds ," Ivy said suddenly, glancing at them with a raised brow. "Are you both fine with the equations I gave you earlier?"
"Yes, Mommy," Aria replied instantly, sitting up a little straighter with pride. "We’ve already submitted them in your room. We’re just waiting for you to mark them."
"Good," Ivy said approvingly. "I’ll check them soon then."
She picked up her iPad and turned on a movie, letting it play softly in the background as she finally opened her ice cream.
Just as she lifted a spoonful toward her mouth—
Ping. Ping. Ping.
Her system alarm suddenly rang in her mind.
Ivy paused mid-motion, her expression shifting slightly.
"What is it this ti around?" she muttered inwardly, her face showing a trace of annoyance as she stared at the screen.
Just then, her system interface flickered and expanded in front of her vision, projecting a clear alert over the environnt.
At the sa ti, two pickup trucks pulled up directly in front of her base and ca to a stop right outside the bunker entrance.
"What? I didn’t order anything..." Ivy muttered inwardly, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the vehicles, waiting for whoever was inside to reveal themselves.
A few seconds later, the doors of the first truck swung open.
Ten burly n stepped out.
Each of them carried thick, rough wooden sticks, and knives were visibly strapped to their waists or tucked into their trousers. Their presence alone carried hostility, the kind that made the air feel heavier.
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