Honeymoon.
Traditionally, it was a short or long trip a newlywed couple would take after their "I do." And that was how Lola expected it to be. Even though staying in Anteca was already a vacation for her, she still thought Atlas would follow tradition.
The man always followed the book.
And he did.
The problem was... when Lola and Atlas touched down on this small island — just the two of them, because he didn’t bring the twins — everything went smoothly. That is, until they reached the castle on top of a hill. That was when things began spiraling.
"..." Atlas deadpanned, staring at everyone inside. "What are you all doing here?"
Surprise lit up Lola’s face as well. She stood by the entrance, staring at the people in the hall. And those people... were the sa ones they left in Anteca. The young couples of the family, except Nina and Finn — or so she thought.
But right now, she was seeing Penny and Zoren, Kiara and Hugo.
"My husband and I have been separated for months," Kiara said with a bright smile, sitting casually on the armrest beside Hugo. "So we’re going on a honeymoon."
"I need a honeymoon in my life," Penny added dramatically from across them, pressing a hand to her chest. "Why are you asking ? Also, this castle was my husband’s."
"Was," Atlas repeated flatly. "Was, Penny. Also, you just went on a vacation with him before you landed in Novera."
"I need at least six to seven honeymoons per year."
"..."
"This place is huge!" Penny continued. "No one’s going to bother you. In fact, you shouldn’t bother my honeymoon either!"
Her husband nodded as always. "We’ll be stargazing in the attic. No need to worry about her."
"Get out," Atlas uttered coldly. "Don’t make count."
Because where in "honeymoon" was the phrase "family trip"?
But before he could erupt further, Lola reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. She waited until he looked at her, then said gently,
"I think it’s okay?" She humd with a smile. "I don’t mind. But I’d be with you if you mind."
Because if he was sending them away because of her, she’d rather they stayed. She liked hanging out with them. And she knew her siblings missed Atlas — their first brother — since he had been in the secret society for so long. Of course, they wanted to maximize whatever ti they could get with him.
Atlas didn’t answer imdiately. He studied her expression. "The mont they bother you, they’re out," he warned, turning to everyone. "Do you understand?"
"Yes~!" Penny chid, clapping happily.
Hugo nodded with a smile, cocking his head toward Kiara. "Want to swim?"
Just then, Slater erged from the side. His sudden appearance made Lola and Atlas turn. Unlike Atlas, who clearly expected it, Lola was taken aback. She thought only the couples were here.
"Oh!" Slater grinned, raising a hand. "Hello, sis~!"
"You’re here too?" Lola blurted, looking around. "Who else ca here?"
"Everyone," Hugo answered with an innocent blink. "I an... almost everyone."
"Everyone as in...?"
"Mommy~!"
Lola flinched at the sudden, loud greeting from the other side. She whipped her head toward the voice, only to see Chacha and Second beaming, with Chacha riding Haji’s back and Second standing proudly beside him. Lola’s face twitched the mont she saw Haji.
"Haji?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"
Haji, exhausted and depressed, stared at her darkly. "Apparently, I have a triathlon to join."
"A triath—"
"Mommy, don’t forget I signed you up too!" Second bead.
Lola almost choked. She coughed, rembering the "arrangents" the twins had made for their "honeymoon."
Just what made think that even if we left the kids with their grandparents, they would actually stay there? These kids are smarter than I am.
A shallow breath escaped her before a small chuckle slipped past her lips. She looked at Atlas, then turned to everyone with a smile.
"Who said honeymoons can’t be a party, right?" Slowly, her lips stretched until her full smile showed. "Let’s have a lot of fun."
Because she knew that soon, she, Atlas, and the twins would have to go to the Secret Society to deal with Atlas’s affairs — and the people who had ddled with their fate. As much as possible, Lola didn’t want to regret not creating mories with the people she loved.
There would be ti in the future, but she wanted to carry more of these monts. mories they could talk about once they reunited again.
For now, enjoying this wouldn’t hurt.
Later that day, Lola and Atlas settled into their chosen bedroom. Apparently, Hugo wasn’t lying when he said almost everyone was here — because later that day, Nina and Finn arrived... with soone nad Mint. Then, sohow, a guy nad Ray — Zoren’s cousin — also showed up because he was pursuing Mint.
Unfortunately, the Bennet elders couldn’t co even if they wanted to. Allison didn’t even know her children were here until she or Charles called her and learned where they all were. So the group fully expected an earful once the vacation ended.
Amala also couldn’t co because she had flown back to Novera with Silo. Cedrick needed looking after, after all.
Overall, it was a chaotic but fun day. Hugo kept pushing Haji to train in less than three days for the triathlon. Kiara took care of the twins as they "helped" with training. Penny ran along the shore, making her husband chase her. And Nina and Finn relaxed on the lounge chairs by the ocean, sipping cocktails like they were having their own honeymoon.
The day continued until the bonfire was lit. Lola and Atlas sat on a log near it. Watching the flas rise, she rested her head on his shoulder, their hands intertwined as the ocean breeze brushed against them.
"This is perfect," she murmured, looking up at him. "I think we have the most unique wedding and honeymoon."
He sighed heavily. "Those children." He was referring to everyone — not just the real children.
"Haha." She chuckled. "Those children will be soone I will miss once we go back."
"..." He looked down at her, keeping her hand securely in his. "Have you thought about the secret society?"
"Not much, but yeah." Her lips curved faintly. "You weren’t expecting to let you go there all alone, were you?"
He chuckled lowly. "It’s not going to be easy."
"My life was never easy in the first place," she said, eyes drifting back to the bonfire. "And it won’t be easy, whether I’m in the secret society or not. So I’m picking this poison."
"I won’t make you regret it."
"You better not." She smiled, relaxing against him. "I know I won’t either."
The future ahead of them was sothing Lola still felt uncertain about. But it didn’t scare her the way life used to. Not when she had Atlas. Not when she had her children. Not when she finally had herself.
Ironically, the secret society didn’t scare her. It didn’t even worry her. If anything, she couldn’t be bothered with it at the mont.
And as Lola’s life finally began looking up — as everything began falling into place and she was able to live on her own terms — those who stole from her couldn’t say the sa.
Not when Karma finally caught up with them... and embraced them tightly.
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