ZORA'S POVThe mood in the house that morning was glum. One could feel it in the air. I helped Katherine fold and arrange clothes. I unconsciously did it slowly, as though thinking that if I was stalled enough, I would slow down what was about to happen in the next few minutes. Katherine pulled out another suitcase half filled with clothes. She laid it open beside the one I was currently packing, and glanced at the pile of clothes on the bed. "I guess this set is the last of them," she said. I shook my head, went over to open another side of the wardrobe which was half filled with clothes. "Look at these ones."Katherine groaned. "I totally forgot that those were even there. Goodness! How did I manage to accumulate so much clothes and stuff here? I haven't even packed my shoes and bags yet. One would think that I was trying to open a dress shop here.""More like a boutique," I remarked. "You know that we went shopping several times, and besides, it's only normal for you to have lot

ZORA'S POVI shifted in bed, drew the covers up over my head, but a shrill ringing urged me to get up. At first, I thought the sound had followed me from my dreams, then I realized that it was coming from somewhere in the room. Blinking sleepily, I sat up, then groaned. I felt a pounding headache centred around my forehead."Shit," I exclaimed as I slowly massaged my temple.The headache felt like something that had the potential of increasing in intensity. Drinking yesterday was fun, now I had hell to pay for it. The shape of Elliot's body was outlined on the sheets beside me, but he wasn't in bed, or in the room either. My phone started ringing again. The sound made it seem as if red hot wires were poking around in my skull. To stop the noise, I frantically looked for the phone. I found it on the bedside table, saw it was Katherine calling. As soon as I picked up the phone, I heard a piercing squeal of excitement. I groaned. Immediately, I clapped my eyes over my other ear, held th

ZORA'S POVI watched Finn and excitedly tear off another gift wrap. I winced a little at the squeal of delight that they let out at the same time. My ears still buzzed from the last one."Mum, mum, look. He got me another doll," cried Freya as she held out a realistic looking dolly still in it's plastic wrap.I grinned. "Yes, sweetie. I can see that. You new doll is pretty. What are we going to call her?""Let me see," Finn said, and tried to take the doll from Freya.She immediately held it out of his reach."It's not yours," Freya said.Finn gestured to the pile of unwrapped toys beside him. "I let you see my own toys. Why can't I see your doll?"I felt it was time to intervene now. It was the twins birthday and they had been happily unboxing Elliot's gifts for the past hour. They had gotten through a pile and still had about half a pile more to go."Why don't we go on with opening your presents?" I suggested. "I'm curious to know what is in all those pretty boxes. Aren't you?'S

ELLIOT'S POVI looked through the pile of documents on my desk as I waited for my secretary. Seconds later, the door to my office opened, admitting her."Here they are sir," she said as she handed some more files over to me."Okay. Thank you."She resumed her seat, restarted her computer and began to work. I quickly glanced through the files, noted some information on the notepad in front of me."What about the progress reports on that account we just got?' I asked her after a while."I didn't include it because it was not completely ready yet, sir.""Okay... but it is essential for me to have that in order to properly make sense of the bulk of these reports you just gave to me."She quickly made a note and nodded. "Alright. I will get the person in charge of sending the progress report to speed things up.""Good. Now how about the project the company is working on outside the state? I haven't been able to travel to er- oversee it myself. How is it coming along? ""Oh, very well, sir.

ZORA'S POVElliot turned to Finn who he held in the crook of one arm."And how has school been for you lately, Finn?""It's been good. My teacher says I'm smart, and I always do my work at school myself. I do my homework too. Mummy knows that.""Good. I'm impressed with you. By the way, have you been drawing any more of those beautiful pictures?"Finn nodded eagerly. "Uh huh. I've drawn lots and lots of them, but they are at school now. I will get them next time, so you will see them.""I would like that very much.""Aren't you going to ask Freya about how school is too?" Finn questioned.There was a twinkle in Elliot's eyes as he looked over at Freya who he held in the crook of the other arm. She was busily engaged in licking a lollipop from various angles."Freya has told me all about her time at school. She gives me a dialy report every single day." Elliot tipped me a wink.I hid a grin. I knew exactly what he was talking about. Whenever I went to pick the kids from school, Freya w