Nadia

After an hour we start to put things away.
"Asad, Aries!" Jakub calls out while I grab our basket. Our boys run back covered in dirt.

"Looks like you two are going to have to take a shower," He tells them, ruffing up their already messy hair.

As we get in the car I drive back home stopping to get ice cream. Once at home, we notice a familiar face standing in our doorway.

"Zula is here," Jakub states the obvious causing our boys to squish their faces against the windows trying to get a better look.

"Aunt Zula is here!" Asad cheers opening his door as soon as I put the car in park. Aries follows right behind him and I shut off the car's engine.

"I think they are excited to see me," Zula shouts loud enough for us to hear, followed by her laughing.
By the time Jakub and I get out of the car, our boys are hugging Zula with much joy.

"Asad, Aries you're both full of dirt and you are hugging your Aunt? Go take a quick shower," Jakub laughs as he watches his boys peel away from
Zula.

"I call first to take a shower," Asad tells his twin brother while they run inside.

"Hello, Jakub" Zula greets stepping closer to us.

"Hi Zula, how are you?" My husband greets giving her a hug. Once she lets go Zula turns to me with the biggest smile. No, she isn't my sister, but she's been my best friend for as long as I can remember.

"Hi Nadia, how are you?" Zula asks as I give her a hug.

"I'm great how are you?" I respond letting her go, I gesture to the house as my husband walks inside.
Inside, Zula grabs a chair from the kitchen taking it to the living room. She places it across the couch and sits down. As I sit across from her Jakub offers refreshments.

"Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee? Food?" Jakub asks while putting Asad and Aries blankets that laid on the couch away.

"I'm good, thank you," Zula responds as Jakub returns taking a seat by my side.

"Is everything okay?" Jakub questions first, seeming a bit worried. Zula only came to the house when she needed help. Which was understandable with the life she lived.

"It's time" Zula whispers hoping the boys won't come in.

"Really? I thought it wasn't until another 2 years?" I ask shifting in my seat.

"So did I, but something unforeseen happened. They are advancing faster than I predicted." Zula admits Jakub fidgets with his hands, clearly stressed.

"Okay, what do you want us to do?" I question leaning forward.

"Just protect them, which should be easy since you've helped me many times," Zula assured us while standing up.

"I'll do the rest okay?" Zula promised and we waited until we heard the shower stop for the second time.