Chris knocked on the door, after so long away he felt uncomfortable just walking in. The door opened and they were greeted by an elderly woman. “Hello, you must be Chris” ushering them into the hall. “Your parents aren’t up yet but they are looking forward to seeing you” Jen thought his parents must be very frail, it was just after four in the afternoon and they were still in bed. Chris dropped the bags by the table and looked round. Turning to his family he introduced them. “Welcome, I’m Jean by the way, house keeper, cook and anything else that may be required” Chris shook her hand “Thank you” he wanted to ask about Mary but changed his mind, he’d ask Dad later.
Jean showed them to their rooms and telling them dinner was at seven left them to settle in. “What do you think?” Chris asked Jen. “Wow, this is some place” Chris nodded “It’s been in the family for centuries, at least I think it has dad never gave us much on the history of the place or his life before mum” Looking round he realised they were in his mums old room, decorated differently but the furniture was the same.
Jen lay on the bed and was soon asleep.
Just before seven he and Jen went for Luke. “Ok son?” he asked. Luke nodded. “Some place why’d you never tell us, I mean they must be loaded” Chris ruffled his hair and smiled, trust him to think of money but then that’s all he thought of these days, the latest Xbox game or new mobile – kids and their gadgets.
The three sat in the dining room and ate dinner with Jean with the woman answering most of the questions that were asked, the meal was delicious and to Jen’s delight Luke ate his with relish, when mentioned Jean muttered something about the air - her secret, the burgers was very, very rare.
Jen looked round the drawing room; the castle was huge but surprisingly homely. Luke grumbled about the lack of TV but his dad calmed him with news that there was one and he’d show it to him later. Chris’s nerves had steadily been building as the day wore on and now with it nearing eight he was a cat on a hot tin roof. With the door opening he leapt to his feet and swallowed hard. Jen watched the couple enter, the man about Chris’s height with jet black hair and piercing grey/blue eyes had to be no older than forty while the woman with brown hair and the most unusual coloured eyes was she guessed in her twenties.
“Mum, dad” Chris greeted them hesitantly. Jen looked at him, was he mad they couldn’t possibly his parents. “Christopher, good to see you after all this time” his father replied while his mother crossed the room and hugged him tight. “My goodness, you look good” she stammered trying to hold back the tears. “You mean old” Chris replied jokingly. He turned to his dad who watched him for a moment then crossing the room gripped him in a tight hold. “It’s been so long, so very long” Valan mumbled emotionally. Chris turned to his wife whose jaw was hanging loose in shock. “This is Jen, my wife and my son” he turned to the boy. “Luke” Valan and Katie greeted them warmly and took a seat. “So tell us, what have you been doing all this time”
Soon Chris relaxed, his parents weren’t cross, didn’t even mention his lack of contact in fact they seemed relieved to have him back. The room felt relaxed friendly as the conversation drifted from this and that. Chris wondered where Sayan was. “She’s out hunting at the moment, she should be back shortly” Valan told him looking at Jen unsure just how much she had been told. “Its ok dad, she knows” Chris told his father telepathically, Valan nodded. “Oh but you don’t know” Katie turned to Chris “You have another sister” “Another sister!” Chris looked from his mum to dad. Valan nodded. “Annabella and from the sounds of it she about to hit us” he chuckled.
Just then the door burst open and a pale blond whirlwind descended. “Well hello their Bro, about time you showed up” Chris stared at her then turned to his mother cocking an eyebrow. “I know, blond, she must have got that from my mother” Katie told him. Jen heard the note of distaste in the woman’s voice and wondered what had happened between them. Chris stood “Hello Annabella, it’s nice to meet you” Bella laughed “God, you sound as stuffy as that two” she nodded to their parents. “I hope there’s a bit of life in those old bones” “Bella!” Valan warned but was ignored. “As you can see, dad is way too uptight; I guess that’s what happens to you when you’re nearly seven hundred”
Jen stared at the woman, pale, so very pale like the rest of them, even Chris had little colour to his skin. The woman was stunning but what was with the sun glasses, at night and indoors? Bella shook hands with Jen and greeted Luke asking what games console he had, delighted to find he had an Xbox she quickly had the young lad in deep conversation about the best games. “Dad, do they know?” she asked silently, getting a nod. “Thank god for that” she exclaimed. “I was beginning to think I would have to wear these bloody things for your entire visit”
Removing her glasses she slipped them into her pocket. Jen gasped “Your eyes – there red!” Bella giggled “Yeah” Luke studied them then announced “That’s so cool, are they real?” Bella gave him a playful punch “As real as you and before you ask, yes I was born with them” Chris noticed Jen turn white, the reality was beginning to sink in. “Dad, I think we need to talk” he nodded towards his wife. Valan and Katie turned to Jen then back to Bella who agreed. “How’s about I kick your butt on Call of Duty” Luke leapt to his feet then looked at his father. “Go ahead” Luke followed his new found Aunt to the door. “Do you have a TV?” Bella nodded “Sure we do and wait till you see it, it’s fucking huge” “BELLA!” everyone in the room exclaimed on her language, except Jen - her mind was contemplating running.
“Shit, this is awesome” Luke exclaimed as he looked round the huge room. “Pretty neat isn’t it, dad had it sound proofed a few years back on account of the racket” Taking after her mother she had become skilled on the piano and violin at an early age but her love was guitars, electric ones. “What do you think of this?” Bella stood near the TV; Luke stared as he’d never seen one so big, a smile spread across his face “Bet I can whoop your ass”
Settling on the sofa control pad in hand Luke looked round then to his aunt who didn't seem much older than him - the decision already made that this visit was going to be a blast.
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