serendipity

00: "i am deeply sorry..."

(seraphina's pov)

november 30th (3 years ago from present storyline)

maxon and i are laying together in living room on the couch watching 'Meet the Robinsons'. the movie is interrupted when we hear a knock at the front door.

everyone's mood has been off since dad won't be home for christmas this year but fingers crossed he is here for new years.

dad ended up being deployed mid july for an emergency it seemed like, but i'm not too sure.

i wait for a second to see if mom is gonna get the door but it seems like she might be in her room. since dad has been deployed, she tends to stay in there a lot but she still eats with us and makes sure we're up and ready for school—and daycare in maxon's case—in the mornings. luckily, we're on break for thanksgiving right now but we go back in a couple of days.

"maxon, i'm gonna get the door real quick. stay here." i say to my two year old brother. if someone isn't watching him, who knows what mischief he'll cause. he didn't seem to hear me though cause he was too engrossed in the movie.

i walk to the door, unlock, it and open it. i come face to face with two men who seem to be wearing their military uniform, with what look like pity swimming in their eyes.

confused, i ask, "hello, is there something i can do for you?"

one of the men asks, "is this the residence of alexander ariti? and is your guardian home, perhaps your mother?"

"yes, it is and she is home." i say, still very confused as to what is happening.

"may we please come in and speak to your mother?" the other man says in a somber tone.

in response, i open the door wider and step aside, allowing them to come into the house. i close the door behind them as they walk further into the foyer that leads directly to the living room where you can see maxon watching his movie. although, now his full attention is on the men and i, equally confused on what is happening right now.

"you can go and sit on the couch while i go and grab my mom if you would like." with that i left the room to walk down the hall in the direction of my parents bedroom.

i come to a stop at the door and knock and wait to go in til i hear her say "come in".

i walk in and see her sitting on the bed holding a picture frame of the family. i hate to disturb her while she isn't in the best mood but it seems important.

"hey mom, there are two men here that want to talk to you. they are waiting in the living room."

"alright honey, i'll be out in a second." she says, looking up from the picture frame.

i take my leave and walk to the living room where i hear my adorable brother in a fit of laughter after he told the two men a joke. they just stand there while trying to suppress a smile that i can easily see. maxon never fails to amuse me at how he cracks himself up all the time. i find it rather adorable.

i sit down right next to a still giggling max and say to the men, "she will be out in just a second." right as i finish my sentence, mom comes walking out and greets the two men.

"hello gentlemen, how may i help you?" she seems rather fearful though because she replies in a shaky voice. the somber expressions come back to mens faces once she says that.

"hello mrs. ariti, my name is thomas and my friend, right here, is matteo. i'm sorry to disturb you and your family at this moment but we have news we would like to share with you." my mother just nods in response, indication thomas can continue. "i think you should sit down m'am." once he says that a look of realization swirl in my mothers eyes, but she still complies.