Suzie giggled awkwardly, turning her gaze to the delicacies in front of her.
"I don't think I'm capable enough of even maintaining their legacy, that's why I chose to give them to someone more capable, in that way, at least their legacy won't crumble overnight and might even florish, giving peace to their souls."
Reed sighed, then leaned forward slightly, giving a sad and depressed impression. But then, he felt something soft surrounding his head.
Sophia softly hugged him, patting his head to reassure him that everything was going to be alright and that they are with him, always.
After a while, the emotions settled down as she broke away from him. He looked straight at Sophia and intoned.
"I was thinking about going on a vacation trip with you two, for a new, different start."
Hearing vacation trip, Suzie's ears perked up as she happily joined in the conversation.
"Where, umm, how about paris... or maybe... london... or... "
Reed smirked faintly, amused by her excitement.
"The destination had already been pinned. It's out of america."
"Then it better be something good, hmph~"
Suzie pouted, clearly displeased by his inactiveness to her discussion about the trip.
Well, to be fair, she didn't know the apocalypse was coming… so all she cared about was having fun, fun and lots of FUN.
Sophia gave her own nod of approval, completely accepting his lies.
Suzie stared at both of them, cheeks puffed.
"Hey! Why do you both look so uninterested about us going on a international trip?! Mom, better start preparing now, i want to go ASAP!!"
Reed reached across the table and flicked her forehead lightly.
"First, Eat your dessert."
Suzie yelped, rubbing her forehead.
"You bully!"
Reed chuckled, But deep down… He felt warmth, the warmth was what he had lost in his past life.
This time… he wouldn't lose it again.
...
Two days later.
CDG Airport, Paris.
"At last, Paris, here we come!"
Suzie happily exclaimed as she came out of the airport.
"Hey, slow down or you're going to slip!"
Sophia scolded from behind, Reed on the other hand, carried their luggage as he calmly watched the prattle between the mother and daughter.
As for why they're in Paris and not in china, in the remaining three week before the apocalypse, he wanted them to enjoy all they want, all they can.
Suzie spun around like a child released into an amusement park, her pink hair fluttering in the breeze as she stretched both arms wide.
"Paris! Paris! PARIS!!"
She practically shouted it, as if the city would somehow vanish if she didn't announce her arrival loud enough.
Reed's eyelids twitched while Sophia pinched the bridge of her nose.
"This girl…"
She muttered, then looked at Reed with a helpless expression. "Do you really think we should let her be? If you haven't told me to hold back, i'd slapped some sense in her already."
Reed shrugged, hoisting the luggage up more comfortably.
"If she becomes agitated more than required, you are free to do so."
Suzie turned around and pointed at the Eiffel Tower in the far distance, her eyes shining.
"Reed! Mom! Let's go see eiffel tower!"
Sophia sighed.
"You can't see it from here, Suzie."
"Not now but i soon will!"
Reed chuckled quietly, walking behind them like a calm guardian watching over two unruly kittens.
The airport's exit was crowded. Tourists chattered in different languages, dragging suitcases across the pavement. Taxis lined up obediently, their drivers shouting destinations and prices.
Suzie, being Suzie, instantly approached the nearest taxi.
"Bonjour! om-nay mwhah ah lach toorh eyfel, seel voo plei!"
The taxi driver, choking on his saliva, cough lightly as he intoned.
"*Ahem* …Madame, I can understand English."
Suzie froze, then she coughed awkwardly.
"*Ahem* Yes, E-eiffel Tower, Merci."
The taxi driver gave her a look that said 'you better watch your mouth out there', then motioned them inside.
Reed silently sat in the front seat with the driver, while Suzie and Sophia took the back seats like they were the leader of this expedition.
The taxi began moving.
Paris unfolded before their eyes.
The buildings were elegant, the streets filled with life, and the air carried a strange mixture of perfume, bread, and the faint smell of old history.
Suzie pressed her face against the window like a puppy.
"So pretty…"
Sophia watched her daughter's childish excitement with a soft smile, then glanced at Reed.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Reed's expression remained calm, but his eyes softened.
"It's nothing."
Sophia shook her head.
"No. It's not nothing."
She paused, her gaze turning toward the passing streets.
"Ever since your parents died… you've been carrying too much."
Reed didn't reply only the taxi's hum filled the silence. Suzie suddenly turned away from the window, looking at him, she grinned cheekily.
"Hey! You two are whispering again! Are you talking about me?"
Sophia immediately straightened her posture.
"No."
Suzie narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Liar."
Reed smirked faintly.
"We're discussing how to sell you to the French."
Suzie gasped, horrified, as she also played her role quite well.
"You monster!"
Reed chuckled.
Sophia couldn't help but laugh softly too, though she quickly covered her mouth.
The taxi driver glanced at them through the mirror, his expression unreadable.
"…American families," he muttered.
...
Half an hour later.
They arrived near the Eiffel Tower.
Suzie practically leaped out of the taxi before it even fully stopped.
Reed stepped out next, his eyes sweeping the area out of instinct.
Even though the apocalypse hadn't begun, Reed couldn't stop himself from analyzing everything like a battlefield, it had become an instinct to him.
His gaze flickered over the crowd, taking in tourists, street performers, vendors, laughing children, couples taking pictures in the memory of this place... of them together.
It was a beautiful scene, albeit a fragile, soon to be destroyed one.
Sophia stepped beside him, looking up at the towering structure of iron.
"It's… magnificent."
Reed nodded causing her to spun around, holding her phone as she captured their moments together.
"Here, say cheese! *CLICK* Reed! Mom! Hurry!"
Sophia smiled.
"Alright, alright."