The Seattle sky for once was free of it's usual gray pigment and black thunderclouds. It's bright blue color was a sight rarely seen as was the sun that was beaming down on the beach. The sand was a gleaming white littered with splashes of multi colored shells. Before them the aqua tinged water stretched out to meet the sky.
It had been Logan's suggestion to spend the day at the beach. That in itself was unusual. He usually preferred to spend his time in front of the computer. But as he had pointed out, it was rare that this many of the X5 siblings were in the same place at the same time and not injured or in trouble. It seemed a perfect way to catch Rein up with everybody. It would also a new experience for Joshua to enjoy.
The beach was deserted, which was one of the reasons Logan had chosen it. As they climbed out of the van and Jondy's car, they were hit with a light salty tasting breeze. Joshua raised his face up to feel the sun beat down on him. It was the strangest sensation for him.
Zane had brought a Frisbee for his dog to play with and it soon became a team game when Krit, Syl, Alec and Joshua joined in. The sound of crushing shells under their every step, mixed with waves crashing on the beach.
Original Cindy had been invited along as well. She sat on the blanket they had spread out with Jondy, the twins and Rein. It occurred to her that Rein was staring at his siblings. "What's up Boo? Did you forget you had such a good looking family?"
Rein chuckled at his new friend. "It's not that. It's just been too long since I last saw them. We even seen to have acquired a few new members. I feel as if I have missed an entire lifetime." When he got no reaction from Cindy, he decided to explain. "The last time I saw Max and Jondy, they were eleven years old. We were all kids with shaved heads and wearing identical gray tunics. Now I'm faced with sisters that are more beautiful than most models you see in magazines and I find out that I'm an Uncle. I guess it's just a shock to the system."
Original Cindy nodded. "I hear ya, Boo. It's all good though, right?"
Rein nodded. "Yeah. It's all good."
Original Cindy looked around her. "Where are Max and Logan? They were here a minute ago."
Jondy peered out from beneath a giant sunhat, while she managed to keep her twins on the blanket. They had started crawling that week. "They went for a walk. I think Max is taking advantage of Logan actually wanting to be away from his computer." She watched the Frisbee game in front of her. This was how their lives should be. Full of enjoyment and with all of them together.
Strolling hand in hand further down the beach, Max and Logan let the sea water lap around their ankles. For once it was as though they were a normal couple. The sun beat down on them as they explored the inhabitants of some small rock pools and headed back to where they had left the others.
Joshua sat between Jondy and Max with Jondy's baby girl on his lap. "Can we stay here?" Despite the efforts of the others to get him out of the house when it was safe, he was starting to feel as though he was back in a cage.
Max was leaning back against Logan. "Joshua, we've talked about this before. It's not safe for you to be outside a lot. This beach is deserted for the moment, but that doesn't mean it always will be. Besides, wouldn't you get bored of it here after a while? The weather isn't usually this great."
"I guess." Joshua looked so downcast. He really was like a child. It didn't take long for him to cheer up, especially when Jondy asked him to go for a walk with her and the twins.
Rein observed the giant man towering above his petite sister. Alec had decided to join them and was now teaching Joshua how to skip shells across the water's surface. "She still doesn't know the attention she draws, does she?" He voiced his thoughts out loud, not really caring if he got an answer or not.
Zane gave a short sharp laugh. "It's what Jondy was made for. I just wish she wasn't so effective. Being the object of White's obsession wasn't in the escape plan."
"Neither was being split up across America." Syl pointed out. "Why don't we just enjoy the rare good weather and forget about White for one day?"
They all agreed with Syl. It was a shame to ruin such a beautiful day talking about White. They were soon all laughing at the sight of Joshua, fully dressed, doggie paddling in the sea.
"Joshua. You're going to stink out the van with the smell of wet dog." Alec pulled his shirt off and slung it over Jondy's shoulder before diving into the water after Joshua.
Gradually, one by one they all headed into the water except Jondy, who went back to the blanket with the twins and Rein, who didn't really have a fondness for big pools of water, thanks to Manticore.
"Logan seems like a good guy." Rein commented as he watched Logan and Max floating around in each others arms, weightlessly in the water. "Max certainly thinks so." It was evident with the happy look on his sister's face.
Jondy nodded absentmindedly. "It took Logan a while to break the walls down that Max built up around her. They look as though they haven't a care in the world, don't they."
Rein could hear a twinge of envy in his sister's voice. "Yeah, but the world's never been that kind to us. At least they have each other."
Jondy smiled at her brother. Glancing up at the sky, she noticed gray clouds had started to form. "Oh well, it was nice while it lasted." She waved the others back onto the beach. "We'd better get going. I think it's going to rain any minute."
They all grabbed their gear and crammed themselves back into the two vehicles. Alec had just slammed the van door shut when the rain came pelting down.
Max leaned forward and kissed Logan. "Thanks for bringing us out here today." She could taste the salt from the sea water on his lips.
"You're welcome." Her happiness at his day off, made the pile of paperwork he had waiting for him back in his apartment more than worthwhile leaving.
Everybody in the van groaned when Logan and Max forgot they were in the van and passionately kissed each other. Krit banged on the side of the van. "Get a room you two. At least drop us off first before you start climbing over each other." He teased.
The change for the worst in the weather was dismissed, as everyone bathed in the enjoyment of the day they had spent together at the beach.
THE END
