Keepers of the Underworld

Chapter 5

Dee and Sephi were the first to arrive at the diner. Their daughter, Melanie, had been right. The instant they walked in, they were greeted warmly, shown to a table, and their drinks were ordered. The place was clean and well-furnished. The decor had a retro fifties vibe, with photos taken locally from that era covering the walls.

"I will give Melanie credit. This is a lovely little place," Dee admitted. He had been skeptical about his daughter's choice for a family dinner but was pleasantly surprised.

"You should know to trust her regarding food and restaurants," Sephi smiled as she took Dee's hand.

"I trust both of our children when it comes to most things. Unless it involves Zach sneaking up behind me," Dee chuckled. "He does like a good practical joke."

The bell above the door jingled as Darius entered. He nodded and gave a shy smile to Dee and Sephi, who were sitting beside each other, before joining them at their table. He took the seat across from Dee so they could speak more easily about work if needed.

"Dee, Sephi," Darius politely addressed the pair. "Thank you for inviting me. It's a pleasure, as always."

"Why so formal, Darius? We have known each other long enough that you should be able to relax around us," Sephi smiled warmly at him.

Darius sighed and admitted, "It is a habit, I'm afraid."

"Well, I learned long ago that you can be friends with your bosses and coworkers. I have the feeling I will become great friends with one of the nurses at the center," Sephi told him. "I want to invite her and her husband to have dinner with us sometime if Dee allows it."

"Allow it?" Dee laughed. "More like I could not prevent it if you set your mind to it. Besides, I like Roxy. I would love to have dinner with her and Reginald."

"Can we set up for a couple of weeks from now? That way, it will give them plenty of time to work around Reginald's schedule at the fire station," Sephi beamed with excitement.

"Schedule it whenever you like. All I ask is you tell me a few minutes before they arrive," Dee smiled at her as he rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand.

"Of course. I know how you hate surprise guests," Sephi said as the bell above the door rang again. Melanie and Zach walked in, quietly bickering as they always did. Sephi waved and called out, "Kids!"

Zach and Melanie hurried to their parents' table as Melanie waved to the waitress and said, "Hi, June."

"Hi, sweetheart! I'll be right there," June replied.

"No problem. Take your time," Melanie chirped as she hugged her parents, who stood to greet her and her brother.

"Melanie," Darius softly addressed her as he kissed her hand. "I apologize to you and your brother if I am intruding. Your father invited me to join you."

"It's no intrusion," Melanie assured him as she pulled her hand away, only to wrap her arms around him in an affectionate embrace. "We might not be related, but you are family. I don't think Zach can even argue with that."

"No argument from me," Zach said as he took his seat, putting Melanie between him and Darius.

June came to the table carrying two glasses of sweet tea and placed them before Sephi and Dee. "What can I get the rest of you to drink," June asked as she pulled her pad from her apron.

"Sweet tea as always," Melanie replied.

June nodded before asking Darius and Zach, "And what about you boys?"

"Sweet tea is fine," Zach answered.

Darius replied, "I'll have the same."

"Sweet tea all around, and I will bring you a pitcher," June said. "I'll be right back to take your orders."

"I highly recommend the deluxe smash burger. They are phenomenal," Melanie told the group.

"Sounds good to me. What do you recommend to go with them?" Dee said as he leaned back and put his arm around Sephi's shoulders.

"We can get big baskets of fries, onion rings, and tots to share," she answered.

Sephi was looking at the menu when she said, "Oh, that sounds good. But the fried mushrooms and mozzarella sticks sound good, too."

"Get it all. I asked you all to dinner, so it is my treat. Go wild!" Melanie laughed. "It isn't like I will go broke even if you bought one of everything this place offers."

"I'll cover a portion of the check and the tip. You weren't counting on me being here tonight. I can't let you pay for me," Darius insisted.

"Nonsense!" Melanie said as she patted his arm. "We have already been through this. You are family, and you have made yourself scarce in recent years."

"I haven't been needed until recently," Darius spoke barely above a whisper.

"Who said you weren't needed? I moved about six months ago. It did not take long before I was wishing for your help. I thought Dad had you busy with other things, or I would have called," Zach told him.

"I am always only a phone call away, even when working on something for your parents," Darius grinned.

"So if I want to go for a walk at two in the morning, I can call you to walk with me and protect me?" Melanie smirked.

"If you needed it, yes. I would," Darius told her.

"You should not have said that. Now she will call you daily to do things for her," Zach laughed as June returned with the drinks.

"Have you decided what you would like?" June asked.

"Deluxe smash burgers all around and family baskets of fries, onion rings, tots, mozzarella sticks, and fried mushrooms," Melanie told the waitress.

"You got it, hun. I'll be back in a few minutes with your food," June said before she hurried toward the kitchen.

"Thanks, June!" Melanie called after her.

They kept the conversation light while waiting for their food to be brought. Dee had hoped that he would be able to speak with Darius before his children arrived, but that did not happen. Watching how his family was laughing and teasing one another improved his mood and put all thoughts of work out of his mind.

When their meal arrived, everyone was shocked except Melanie. The burgers were nearly the size of dinner plates. Each basket containing the sides was mounded up and spilling over as they were shifted around on the table. The food was not fancy, but the aroma was mouthwatering.

"Mel, you get to pick where we eat from now on," Zach said as he dropped a handful of fries on his plate and poured ketchup on them.

Melanie giggled, "I will pass on that. I just thought we needed a change from the usual fare. As much as I love this place, I don't see it being in the family dinner rotation very often."

Dee took a bite of his burger as he watched Sephi cut hers in half to make it more manageable. Melanie laughed as he moaned as the burger flavors hit his taste buds.

"Dad has just given his seal of approval," Melanie giggled.

Sephi took a bite and nodded. She swallowed and said, "I want this place added to the family night rotation. This might be the best hamburger I have ever had."

"Try the mushrooms," Darius said as he covered his mouth to speak while chewing. "They are divine."

Everyone began trying different things from the baskets. They tried various combinations of ranch dressing, marinara sauce, garlic butter, mayo, and ketchup. After a few minutes of eating, June returned to the table to check on them and was carrying another basket.

"We will be adding this to the menu, and I thought you would like to taste test it for us. They are fried green beans. I know that sounds odd, but it is one of the best things I have had in a long time," June said.

"Ooooo, I hope those are like the ones I had in New Orleans a couple of years ago. They were fantastic," Zach said as he greedily eyed the basket.

"Do any of you need anything?" June asked.

The family glanced around the table at each other before Dee answered, "We are fine. Thank you. And thank you for letting us try the fried green beans."

"It's my pleasure. If you need anything, just yell. Melanie knows I will come running," June laughed.

The meal continued with a lot of conversation and laughter. Even Darius had begun to relax and enjoy the night. By the end of their evening, they had eaten everything. Sephi had only eaten half her burger, letting Zach and Darius split the other half between them. She had been delighted to gorge on the mushrooms and green beans. She glanced at her daughter to see her smiling.

"Should we be worried about that grin?" Sephi teased her daughter.

"I am contemplating a chocolate shake to enjoy on my walk home," Melanie answered.

"That sounds like a good dessert, but I do not like the idea of you walking home at this time of night," Dee told her.

"Dad, stop worrying. I walk at night all the time," Melanie told him.

"One of us will drive you home," Zach said.

"No! I will walk."

"Then I will walk with you," Darius told her. "That way, you will be able to walk and not be alone."

"But you drove. Your car is parked out front," Melanie pointed out.

"And I can return to get my car after you are home safe. Do not argue," Darius told her firmly.

Melanie tipped her head to the side and studied him closely. A smile slowly spread across her lips and turned into a laugh.

"Always the protector," Melanie smiled at Darius. Melanie waved to June and asked, "Can we get five chocolate shakes to go, please?"

"Sure, hun. I'll bring them right out to ya," June said as she went behind the counter and went to work.

"I'm not sure that I can hold anymore," Sephi sighed, leaning her head on Dee's shoulder.

"That is why I ordered them to go," Melanie smiled at her mother. "You can sip on it slowly and enjoy it even if you aren't hungry now."

"You are going to spoil us," Dee smiled at his daughter.

"She is trying to butter us up for something. That is what she is doing," Zach said as he tried to ruffle his sister's hair.

"I am not," Melanie huffed as she tried to pull away from her brother before Darius knocked Zach's hand away.

"Be nice to your sister. Melanie is treating us to one of the best meals I have had in a long time. Show her some respect," Darius told Zach in a hushed warning tone.

Zach smirked as he held up his hands in defeat and leaned back. He studied Darius for a moment before dismissing the man's actions. Darius had always been protective of him and Melanie, which was probably all it was this time.

June brought over a tray containing their milkshakes. As she sat them on the table, Melanie placed a stack of cash on the table and smiled at June. The waitress picked it up, counted the amount, and gave Melanie a cross-look.

"Don't argue. You deserve that and more for putting up with us all evening. Use it for the twins' birthday presents," Melanie told her.

June patted Melanie's cheek and said, "You are such a sweet girl. I know exactly what I am getting them. Thank you. I'll take plenty of pictures at their party so you can see what I have planned for them."

"I'd like that. I'll see you next week," Melanie said as she stood with the rest of her family.

Dee led the way out of the diner and into the parking lot. The only vehicles left were theirs. Dee sighed as he looked at his daughter. It did not matter who she was. She was his daughter, and he would worry about her walking at night.

"Dad, it's OK. I do this walk all the time, and Darius has already volunteered to walk with me," Melaine said, trying to soothe his nerves.

"I know, and I know he will keep you safe," Dee said as he hugged her.

"I will guard her with my life, my king," Darius softly told him.

Sephi said, "We know Darius. Dee is just being overprotective tonight. One of the residents at the center has us both feeling protective of our children."

Melanie hugged her parents and brother as they said their goodbyes. She waved to them as she walked away from the diner. Darius was walking so close to her side that he was brushing against her. She had always found comfort in his company, and tonight was no different. However, Melanie wanted more than comfort tonight, and she was determined to get it.