Chapter 15: Family II

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Nora Enos busied herself in the kitchen, preparing a special family dinner. It had been far too long since her husband, Robert, had been home early enough to enjoy a meal with their four children. Chris, the eldest at 19, had even taken the time to submit his university work early, just to be there for this rare occasion.

Tia, 16, and Nicky, 14, were setting the table, their excitement palpable as they anticipated their father's arrival. Even little Eddy, just a year old, seemed to sense the special nature of the evening, babbling happily in his high chair.

As the minutes ticked by, Chris glanced at the clock, a hint of concern in his voice. "Looks like Dad's running late again."

Nora smiled reassuringly, her eyes filled with understanding. "Your father's job at the Hunter Hub is demanding, Chris. He needs time to unwind before he can truly be present with us."

Tia nodded, her tone gentle as she added, "Don't be too hard on him, bro. Dad's working hard to provide for us, especially with your university fees."

Nicky chimed in, "Yeah, it's not like he wants to be late."

Chris sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I know, I know. It's just... I miss having him around, you know? I rushed through my work just to be here tonight."

Suddenly, a familiar figure materialized in the living room, a playful grin on his face. "Well, Chris, you don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm here, bud."

"DAD!" The three older children exclaimed in unison, their faces lighting up with joy.

"Bah-bah!" Eddy squealed, reaching out his chubby arms towards his father.

Robert scooped up the giggling baby, planting a kiss on his cheek before turning to his wife. "Sorry, I'm late, everyone. It's been a crazy day."

Nora embraced her husband, her voice warm with affection. "Welcome home, dear. You're just in time for dinner."

As the family gathered around the table, the conversation flowed easily, laughter punctuating the air. Chris and Robert, in particular, savoured the opportunity to catch up, their bond evident in the way they leaned towards each other, hanging on every word.

But as the plates were cleared away, Robert's expression grew serious. He took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the faces of his loved ones. "There's something I need to tell you all."

The room fell silent, a palpable tension settling over the family as Robert recounted the events of the day – the assassination attempt, the Cobell brothers, and Evan's timely intervention. Chris and Tia reacted with a mix of fury and disbelief, while Nicky expressed profound relief at his father's safety. Nora, her eyes shadowed with concern, listened intently, her mind working through the implications of the attack.

"I can't believe someone would stoop so low over a simple test," Tia fumed, her fists clenched tightly.

Nicky placed a comforting hand on his sister's shoulder. "The important thing is that Dad's okay, sis. The police will handle it from here."

Chris shook his head, his brow furrowed in confusion. "It just doesn't make sense. Why would they reveal their plan to Dad like that?"

Robert sighed heavily, his voice tinged with weariness. "In all my years at the Hub, I've never encountered participants quite like the Cobell brothers. Their audacity is astounding."

Nora, her mind already several steps ahead, asked, "So, what's the plan moving forward? You'll hand over the assassins to the AA police, and Gale will take it from there?"

Robert nodded, his eyes meeting his wife's. "Exactly. Gale's already briefed the police, and they want me to come in to provide more information. They'll be issuing wanted posters for the brothers as well."

"We should have Evan over for dinner soon," Nora suggested, her voice warm with gratitude. "To thank him for his help today."

"I couldn't agree more," Robert replied, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

As the evening wore on, the family settled in the living room, the soft glow of the television illuminating their faces as they watched a movie together. Nora excused herself to put Eddy to bed, while Robert found himself engrossed in conversation with his three older children. One by one, they drifted off to their rooms, until only Robert and Nora remained.

In the comfortable silence that followed, Robert shared the news of his unexpected day off, courtesy of Gale. Nora smiled; her eyes distant with memories. "He's always been there for us, hasn't he? Ever since our days in the guild."

Robert nodded, his thoughts drifting back to a time when the four of them – Nora, Gale, Noah, and himself – had been inseparable. As members of Squad 7 in the renowned Sun and Moon guild, they had faced countless challenges together, their bond forged in the heat of battle and the depths of shared experience.

He remembered the day he first met Nora, the instant connection that had sparked between them. With Gale and Noah's encouragement, they had taken a chance on love, a decision that had led to a beautiful marriage and the family they cherish today.

But the memories were not all pleasant. Robert's mind wandered to that fateful mission in Seoul, where they had fought side by side with Squads 3 and 5 to contain a portal outbreak. The monsters had been relentless, the losses devastating. In the end, only five members of Squad 7 survived: Gale, Nora, Noah, Tae Park, and himself.

The experience had changed them all, setting them on different paths. Gale had found his calling in teaching, rising through the ranks to become the head manager of the Hunter Hub. Noah had joined the royal guard, eventually becoming The King's Shadow. And Tae... Tae had vanished, his whereabouts unknown to this day.

As for Robert and Nora, they had chosen to focus on their family, creating a life filled with love and laughter. But the call of the hunt had never truly left Robert, and when Gale had offered him a position as an instructor, he had accepted, knowing that Nora would support him every step of the way.

"I wonder where Tae is now," Robert mused, his voice barely above a whisper. "He was always there for us before you joined the squad. A real beacon of light in the darkness."

Nora reached for her husband's hand, her fingers intertwining with his. "I miss him too, Robert. But I have to believe he's out there somewhere, living the life he's always wanted."

She studied Robert's face, noting the weariness etched into his features. "You should get some rest, love. It's been a long day."

Robert nodded, a yawn escaping his lips. "You're right. Let's head to bed."

As they made their way upstairs, Robert couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over him. For his family, for the love that surrounded him, and for the experiences – both good and bad – that had shaped him into the man he was today. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, he was exactly where he was meant to be.