Sydney waited for Noah's return or any news over him. Something about him leaving abruptly made her restless. Gideon did come out to have breakfast or answered any questions from Sydney but he was silent. And, he didn't even play the games over his cellphone. Instead, he had practically locked himself in the room with Nick because he didn't leave him.

Two hours passed but there was no news at Noah. Amber was chirpy as always while Nick tag along with Gideon to convince him to play the video games. Sydney was sitting in the living room waiting for Noah and looking at Amber coloring when she received a call on the landline.

"Mrs. Miller?...Mr. Gideon Miller has asked us to arrange a car for him. But Mr. Miller asked us to inform you of any such requests." Sydney heard and look around to find only Amber.

"Where he wants to go?" Sydney asked,

"He asked me to only prepare the car." The reply came making Sydney look at the stairs that were empty but were way to her boys. "No, he won't be going anywhere," Sydney said before hanging up the phone and went to the first floor. But the moment she was about to get inside the room she saw her boys getting out of the room.

"You two look great," Sydney commented,

"We have somewhere to go," Gideon said monotonous and Nick looked excited.

"May I ask where?" Sydney kept the smile on her lips unaffected.

"I am short on some supplies. And, he wants to tag along." This made Sydney look at Nick who nodded to second Gideon's claims.

"Gideon, you are...supposed to ask your parents or at least tell them," Sydney said giving him a questioning look this time.

"I was about to tell you. But you found me here,..."

"No,...look you can't trust the staff alone and ask them to drop you anywhere. Your parents should always know or be with you...Nick? Will you explain to me how this idea seems fine to you too?" Sydney asked to which Nick replied,

"He said we can go anywhere we want. And, I asked him to show me." This made Sydney look at Gideon back.

"You two can't go anywhere you want. Not until you are big enough to know and understand that parent's approval is necessary for a five-year-old." Sydney said making Gideon frown.

"If we can't trust the staff, change the staff." Looking at Gideon's disappointed look Sydney's heart squeezed when she said, "Even if I change the staff you need my permission. And, I am not permitting you,"

"I want some supplies..." Gideon insisted with his eyes widened,

"You can write it down I will arrange it," Sydney answered knowing how much Noah and Jasper were trying to protect them.

"I want to go out mom. I really want to go out." Gideon yelled making Nick intervene.

"You can come with us, mom. Then, it won't be a problem."

"No, I will ask the staff for the things. Listen,..." Sydney came on to her knees to get the eye level. And, removed the bag from Gideon's shoulder before adding, "You two are my big boys. It is not safe out there. Let's do the outing after some days. What do you say?" Sydney suggested believing they will trust her.

"Nick, was right. You are a coward." This made Sydney look at Nick in shock. Silence remained for a few minutes before Sydney added,

"Let's do it," Sydney got away holding Gideon's bag for him.

The moment Sydney came to cross the living room Amber couldn't help but ask, "Where you all are going?"

"Honey, we are leaving for a short trip to the mart. We will be home soon." Sydney replied but stopped when Amber whined,

"I want to come too," Passing a look at Amber for a few seconds Sydney replied,

"Ok, you are coming,...but you will hold my hand all the time," Sydney said but found Gideon snort in response. Ignoring him Sydney called for a driver to prepare a car for them and shortly they were in the nearest mart.

"You two can go and look for things. I will be with Amber to see if she likes something." Saying this Sydney left the boys and got to the aisle for where she can find colors or sketchbooks.

But before Gideon could take a single step Nick interrupted. "It's not my mom's usual self. There is something fishy." Passing a look at Nick Gideon chuckled, "Nothing is fishy. I guess she knows that I can deal stuff better than you,"

This made Nick shook his head in disbelief before he tags along with Gideon to look for nothing but some fruits.

"Are you here to buy fruits?" Nick asked,

"I am here to show you that I can come out, remember?" Gideon made him recall making Nick say, "Oh yea, I forgot. So what are we supposed to do?"

"You can buy anything. It's on me." Gideon said making Nick say, "I have a card too, now."

"What you two kids are doing here?" A man in the blue uniform that looks like a worker in the mart came to ask them.

"We are here to buy...we don't need you," Looking at Gideon's outburst that person left only sparing them a disappointed look.

"I might buy something for Amber,..." Nick muttered making Gideon say,

"She doesn't need anything...come with me." Seeing Gideon getting to the exit of the mart Nick said, "I guess we shouldn't,"

"You are not serious. We can go out and stroll around a little." Gideon seemed disappointed at his reluctance.

The moment they go out Nick asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"You can stop following me if you want to," Gideon replied,

"You take me out here,..." Nick was about to say when they were interrupted.

"Will you please buy something from me?" They both saw a man coming in front of them with his face covered,

"What do you have?" Gideon asked getting his credit card out.

"Oh, we don't accept credit card," Gideon was still looking at that man's suspicious looks when he heard a gasp from Nick. Looking at his back he found Nick being taken with the man who was dressed the same as the man talking to him. His face went pale but the moment before he could do something he too was lifted off the ground.

Mom! He wanted to yell but only shrieked inwardly. His futile efforts to lose the hold on his waist only made that man's grip tighter. He could smell his strong perfume while he imagined Amber's face. Was he never going to see her again? He thought.

In seconds, he found himself thrown into a black car. And the moment engine started he saw the door being open and Nick was coming in too.

He finally took a gulp of air to his lungs the moment he found Nick around him. He wanted to ask Nick if he was fine when he heard, "Gideon! You ok? Don't worry I am with you," In response, Gideon only blinked twice.

"Shut up, you little arse. It doesn't matter if you are with him." The person sitting with them finally let go of his mask and they found a man in his early twenties with very young features. He was tall and his hard jaw and grey eyes with his British accent made him look as if he was Harvard graduate. The screen between them and the driver and how the car was covered with black sheets made both boys unable to look where they were being taken.

"What do you want from us?" Nick asked making that man smile a little before he said,

"Why I should be telling you that?..."

"My dad will reach you and he will save..." Nick startled when that man suddenly leans in to him and looked grim.

"That's...impossible."

Their car went on for twenty minutes before it came to a halt. "What's wrong?" That man yelled to the driver and make kids jump. There was only silence from the driver's side. After five more minutes that man left before warning them.

"I dare you to walk out," They remained still for a few minutes before Gideon said, "What do you think will happen?"

"I don't know," Nick replied but his throat went dry when he saw that door is opening again. But the moment they saw their mom's worried face asking them, "Are you two fine?" They burst into sobs and jump to hug her tight.

Boys walked out to see two more cars and a man explaining to their mom that the men were arrested. "Thank you," Sydney thanked the person in the suit and took the boys back to the car.

Boys saw their mom and Amber in the car and got their cheeks red with a guilty pout lingering on their faces. Sydney ordered the driver to drive the car and look at her boys who were shivering, "Hey, I knew you will manage. If it wasn't for the signals you sent the security we wouldn't be able to track you two." Sydney said making Gideon say, "You are not a coward. I am sorry,"

This made Sydney hold Gideon in her arms tighter. "We are fine, and it is all that matters. But,...there are some bad people out there kids. And, until your dad doesn't catch them, all of you have to promise to stay at home." Sydney told the kids and waited for their response.

"I agree,..." Gideon nodded his head making the rest of the two follow too,

"But what exactly happened?" Amber asked making the three of them look at her amazed.

"Nothing...sweetheart," Sydney replied with a smile and passed a proud smile to her boys too.

Kids were put to bed and Gideon took longer than usual. He wanted his mom to stay longer with him. And, she had to tell him many times that nothing will happen in the house.

Noah came in to notice the living a little quieter and darker than usual. The heard some sounds from the kitchen and the moment he walked in he noticed Sydney making coffee in her blue t-shirt.

"Hey," Noah came to hug her hard and she too jumped to fall in his arms. "Where were you? I was so worried. You didn't even return my call. What were you up to?" Sydney asked many questions in one go.

"Stop thinking for once and just relax," Noah said holding her close as he looked at her face, and exhaled before saying, "You are beautiful,"

"Don't...I need to know what you were up to,...what that call was about," Sydney asked making him caress his forehead before saying, "I have got this Sydney. You don't need to think about it." He set a hair lock behind her ear and grazed his thumb over her mouth making her melt in his arms. "Just take care of my Shannon. By the way how the false alarm went? Why it was necessary? And are you satisfied with the work? If it wasn't your text telling me that it is a false alarm. I was going to lose it,..."

"Oh, so you had the time to read my text but not reply to them...Noah, I waited for you,..." She was cut off with his mouth over hers and his hand getting in her t-shirt. She leaned into him more kissing him hard.

"You look so hot arguing," Noah said pulling away.

"This is exactly we will not do while I am talking,..." She tried to say but was cut off with a kiss again. This time she had a smile on her mouth when Noah looked at her.

"Gideon took it so bad. But it was necessary to show him that his actions can have consequences." Sydney explained making Noah nod.

"How about the agent doing? Did you like his work?" Noah asked making Sydney nod. "I didn't get to see him but it was smooth," Sydney said getting her hands around his neck.

"From the incident today, I know you will do anything to control your kids..." Noah tried to say but was cut off,

"...to save my kids," Sydney corrected,

"Yea...you are one manipulating and scheming queen," Noah said darkly getting close to her mouth.

"I am going to take it as a compliment," She said looking at his mouth too,

"Dad," Gideon appeared making them both jump. They fear if he had listened to him when they heard him say, "I can't sleep in my room...can you stay with me?"

"Of course, honey. Come here,..." Noah offered a look to Sydney before getting to his knees and telling him, "I am so proud of you today, your mom told me what happened,..."

"I was so scared. I thought I won't see you again," Gideon hugged Noah while Noah offered a look to Sydney who seemed guilty too.

"I wanted you to be there," Gideon added making Noah say, "But I knew your mom was there. I knew she will save you." Noah pulled away to look at him before telling him, "Parents are made to protect kids, and we two will always protect you, Nick and Amber."

"I love you,...and I am sorry for letting Carol in,...I knew you don't get along with her but I thought,..." He hiccupped before adding, "...I thought it will be rude to turn her away."

"It's ok,...I am not mad anymore," Noah said and Gideon hugged him again.

From the next day, Kids started listening to their mom more. She let them play video games but the boys had to participate with games Amber can come up with. All this time they couldn't go to school and Sydney used it to make them learn football more.

It was after two weeks when Sydney was waiting for Noah and he was late because of his session to the therapy. No matter, how much Sydney asked him to share things with her Noah denied telling her to only take care of herself.

Sydney couldn't help but notice how much work he was going through. It was his job, their protection, his session, and now her visits to the doctor for Shannon all at once. Having dinner with him was the only private time they were managing at the moment.

She heard the car pulling up and got to the door to receive the flowers. "Thank you so much." Sydney smiled and he leaned in to give her a peck on her lips saying, "love you," But she could see right through him of how much tired he was.

"How was your day?" Sydney asked looking ravishing in her light pink dress that reached her calves.

"It is all good now," Noah passed a smile getting his hand to knead her a*s while she loses his tie before getting to his back to remove his office jacket.

They were dining and Sydney was sharing the highlights of the day when Noah said, "We need to talk," Looking at his tense face, Sydney asked, "About what?"

"I have to go for two weeks on a business trip. I want you all to stay at home all the time. I...I don't want anything to happen to you or the kids. Will you stay at home...all the time," Noah asked making Sydney narrow her eyes. "Fine, it's not that we are going out so much already, Noah...You know I am living for the day when I can tell my kids that they can go out, go to school like normal kids. I am...I am running out of activities to stay them engaged..."

"It will be soon. Trust me." Noah said making Sydney smile.

"I do trust you, Noah. I know how much you are doing for us already but I wish it was not happening to us...and you were not required to do all of this work."

"I am fine, don't worry." Noah tried to make her relax.

The next day Noah was home until 11 in the morning and spent time with kids before telling them to listen to their mom and promised them to call them every day. At 7 in the evening Noah called again to check on her and asked her to talk to kids too. Kids were happy how their father was calling them now. Sydney put the kids to bed at 9 and was strolling around the kitchen when she received a call from the staff.

"Hello Mrs. Miller, Jasper wants to see you in person," Sydney heard the staff say and didn't waste any time to say, "Let him in," She walked into the living room and meet him. She smiled looking at the bouquet and received the flowers.

"How are you doing Jasper?" Sydney asked setting the flowers in the vase.

"I am fine, Mrs. Miller,...but I need to talk to you about something important.

Sydney looked at him in confusion because it wasn't Jasper's style to be heard this doubtful.

"What is it?" She asked without wasting a minute and taking a seat across him.

"Umm...you see how Mr. Miller has provided you all with security. And, how he is going to extra lengths to keep you all safe..."

"Yea,..." Sydney asked not knowing where it was going.

"Well, it will never work this way...this is what I and other teammates believe,..."

"What are you trying to say?" Sydney asked,

"They...they will never come out if we keep doing that. They are waiting for us to loosen up a little. And we are not giving them any chance to come out,..."

"But we can't let our kids be vulnerable. You know how dangerous it could be," Sydney said in casual tone thinking it is the best option. But it made Jasper quiet as he looked at her intently. Silence remained for a few minutes when Sydney spoke,

"You are not talking to make my kids and me a bait to lure them out?" Sydney asked in surprise with her nose flaring up in anger now.

"This is exactly what I am talking for and sitting here right now."

"You haven't thought about the consequences right? And, how did you believe that I will agree to this...Have you? Talk to Noah about it?" Sydney asked him a lot of questions in a single breath.

"I proposed the idea to him two weeks ago but his reaction was cruder than you,"

"Of course, he is right."

"Your decision can make everything better. I,...and my team will always be there..." Jasper tried to talk,

"Oh no...we can't even think about it,..." Sydney cut him off,

"Don't worry...I have planned everything out...Gideon and Amber will stay here. We don't want them. We only need you and Nick. They only want you two..."

"Oh,... and you took the liberty to believe that I only love Gideon and Amber and will put Nick's life at stake...Jasper, I am disappointed in you,"

"We only have two weeks until Mr. Miller comes back. You...you can decide. Take your time...."

"It is nice to see you jasper..." Sydney stood up showing him the way out.

Her belief that she has no one to trust except Noah strengthened. But she couldn't sleep the whole night thinking about the possibilities of what can happen if she agrees. Her Noah can relax again. Her kids could go to school like other normal kids but the moment her mind started wandering Noah's voice echoed in her brain. I don't want anything to happen to you and kids. Will you stay at home?

No,...no I can't do this. She thought thinking about the possibility of ever looking at that man again. The morning came but she was uncertain either she slept or not last night. Kids finished their breakfast how they do normally and went to play with their gadgets or asked her to tell a story.

Noah called at five in the evening and told them how much he missed them. Kids were face timing with Noah while Sydney's mind went to how they can ever hide the fact that Nick and she are not living with Gideon and Amber at the same place. No matter how much she tried she could not stay away thinking about the fact that there was something she can do about it.

At dinner time when she was looking at her kids she started, "I have a very different idea. But it will be a very different game. Who is in?" Sydney said making kids look at her.

"I am in," Amber said making boys nod a little after her making Gideon asked,

"What is it exactly?"

"It is a game. We call it, face time. In this game, for three days two of us will live in a different place. But...we can face time. And, we will choose the partner with writing our names on the paper, and then Gideon and I will choose our partners." Sydney said making kids silent.

"Three days is a long time," Amber said,

"Yea, it is a long time. But this is how it is played," Sydney tried to keep a smile on her face but failed.

"I like to do face time. But where the other team will go,..." Amber trailed off thinking about the options.

"You don't need to worry about it, I will manage a place." Sydney said making Gideon say, "But dad told us not to leave the house." Sydney looked at him for a while before saying, "We will have to keep it from your dad,"

"I won't lie,..." Listening to Gideon Nick agrees too,

"I won't lie too,"

"We aren't lying. We are playing. And these are rules..." She could feel her throat paining a little. And, she couldn't stop looking at Nick all the time. She wondered if Nick will ever forgive her for putting his life in danger like this when unfolding the paper Gideon read, "Amber,"

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