A Trip

Dinner had barely ended when Ere'ana dropped the announcement like a bombshell.

"We're going to Heaven tomorrow," she said with a smile, folding her hands neatly on the table.

The room fell silent. Kikidori, Kael, Yumi, Akuma, and even little Aralyn exchanged a series of wide-eyed, incredulous looks.

"No," Kikidori said flatly, leaning back in his chair.

"No," Kael echoed, crossing his arms.

"No," Yumi chimed in, not even looking up from her tea.

Akuma raised his hand lazily. "Seconded. No."

"But I want to go!" Aralyn piped up, her eyes sparkling. She jumped up from her seat, raising her tiny hand like she was in school.

Kikidori didn't hesitate. He calmly stood, picked Aralyn up by the back of her shirt, and carried her to the nearest window. Without breaking stride, he tossed her out.

"Doesn't count," Kikidori muttered, brushing his hands off as if to emphasize the point.

A few seconds later, Aralyn strolled back into the room, beaming. "Do it again!" she begged, holding her arms up like she wanted another toss.

Kikidori sighed and ignored her, sitting back down at the table.

Ere'ana wasn't fazed by any of it. She stood, hands on her hips, her angelic aura glowing with quiet determination. "We're going, and that's final. You'll thank me later."

"No, we won't," Kikidori muttered under his breath, earning a glare from his wife.

By the next morning, Ere'ana had somehow managed to convince—*or more likely guilt-trip*—the entire family into agreeing. And so, with varying levels of enthusiasm, they took to the skies.

Kael flew near the back, his arms crossed and his expression sour. Yumi and Akuma trailed behind, whispering sarcastic comments to each other about Ere'ana's insistence on "family bonding." Kikidori, of course, flew dead last, muttering complaints the entire way.

When they finally landed at the gates of Heaven, Kikidori let out a groan. "Why are we here *again*?" he asked, glaring at the golden gates.

The angel guards tensed the moment they saw him. "He's not allowed in," one of them said firmly, gripping his weapon.

Ere'ana stepped forward, her radiant presence making the guards flinch. "He's with me," she said in a tone that brooked no argument.

The guards hesitated before reluctantly stepping aside. Kikidori smirked at them as he passed, clearly enjoying their discomfort. "Miss me?" he asked, earning only glares in return.

Ere'ana led the group through the pristine streets of Heaven, her wings glowing softly as she walked. The rest of the family followed reluctantly, looking around with varying degrees of boredom and disdain.

"Where are we even going?" Yumi asked, breaking the silence.

"You'll see," Ere'ana replied cryptically, her tone cheerful.

When they stopped in front of a massive, ornate church, Kikidori froze. His expression darkened as realization dawned on him.

"No," he said firmly. "Absolutely not."

Ere'ana turned to him, her smile unwavering. "It's just a quick visit."

"I'd rather die," Kikidori muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Can I throw him out a window this time?" Kael asked dryly, earning a laugh from Yumi and a disapproving look from Ere'ana.

"Let's go," Ere'ana said, ignoring the protests. She opened the heavy doors of the church, motioning for them to follow.

As they stepped inside, Kikidori groaned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Kill me now."

End of Chapter 44