|
The Tessarae Inn |
|
The Son Also Rises CHAPTER 16 “Goodnight, my dears. It was unusual to say the least.” Blair hugged Dorian then kissed her on the cheek. “Goodnight, Aunt Dorian. Thank you for coming.” Dorian smiled at her and touched her face softly then turned toward Todd and arched her eyebrow. “You can tell Queen Victoria that she can now make her exit as well. I’m sure we all stayed well beyond our welcome just to see who would break and leave first. I guess we should all be grateful that Cassie, Natalie and Jessica had an appointments and broke the ice.” “Get along, Dorian. I’m sure there is much to do back at the bat cave.” “It’s a pity, Todd. You seemed to have produced a fine boy despite everything. Luck of the unrepentant sinner I gather.” Todd gritted his teeth and took a deep breath but Starr whirled in front of him before he could say another word. “Don’t forget about tomorrow, Aunt Dorian.” “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Starr. Do you think Sean would like to come?” “No. He’s not related to mommy so he’s not related to you so you don’t have to be nice to him. Aunt Viki can do that.” “I see. Well, it will just be us girls then.” “Right and I want to do everything. Can we go to the spa too? I want the full treatment, Pearl Pink for my nails and my toenails, too!” “Whatever you want my precious one.” Starr grinned and twisted her body from side to side. Enough of this already. When did Blair decide that Starr and Jack had to spend quality time with Dorian and he didn’t get to complain about it? Now, Dorian had her greedy sites zeroed in on Sean too. Would this night ever end? Todd walked to the front door and opened it widely. “I think I spotted a signal in the sky, Dorian. Isn’t your sign the light shaped like a grinning hyena?” “I guess if it weren’t for bad examples you’d have no example to set for your daughter.” “Why, Dorian, you’re still here. I thought you left twenty minutes ago.” Todd cocked his head toward Viki and sighed. Oh, goody. Someone else to extend this stupid leave taking at the door. But why should the goodbyes be any different? Everything about tonight was driving him as crazy. “Actually, I was waiting for you, Victoria. Let us walk out together in the spirit of new family unity.” “I see. Well, good evening, Todd and Blair. Thank you for a wonderful dinner. Good night, Starr, as always it was a pleasure. I just left Sean but please tell him again how much fun I had.” Dorian rolled her eyes and then walked out onto the landing. Viki followed. They both turned and waved just as Todd slammed the door shut. “Finally,” said Starr. “I’m going up to my room. They didn’t even bring any presents this time.” Todd watched Starr race up the stairs and once again was reminded that she was a child after his own heart. He glanced over at Blair who was dressed simply in a green knit dress but looked good enough to eat. “Don’t you ever make me do anything like that again, Blair.” “I thought it was fun. Everyone heard about Sean at the same time. No competition for insider information. We all agreed on the fling in England story. Both Dorian and Viki were gracious and loving. It was perfect.” “I’ve got to go down to The Sun. I’ll probably swing by Capricorn and get a drink. Need to clear my head after all of this.” “I don’t care what you say, you had fun tonight. I saw you smile once or twice.” “It was gas.” She moved into his arms then kissed him. “Go do what you have to do. I’ll put our children to bed and I’ll be waiting for you—upstairs—in the bedroom.” “Jeeze, Blair.” “See you later, Stud.”
=============== Put her children to bed? Who was she kidding? Only Jack was cooperating in the least. Starr and Sean were like two colts on a sugar high and she really didn’t have the heart to totally clamp down on them. Finally, though they were at least pretending to try to sleep. She strolled around the living room then flopped down on the couch with a big smile on her face. Her life was coming together. Starr was accepting Sean begrudgingly. It was going to take time but their relationship was already better than she could have expected at this point. Jack was as wonderful as ever. She and Todd still had lots of things to talk about, especially about Ireland but they had time. Lots of time. The only thing she was impatient about right now was having to wait for him to get home. Her body was aching for him. The doorbell rang and she glanced at her watch. It was ten o’clock—too late for a causal visit from someone. It was probably just Todd. He was so hell bent on getting away for a while he probably forgot his house keys. She swung open the door and said, “I’m glad you’re home.” It wasn’t Todd. It was a stranger. A tall and slender man, with dark brown hair and hazel-green eyes. There was something oddly familiar about him, although she knew she had never seen him before. “Oh, I’m sorry I thought you were someone else. Who are you?” “Name’s Ethan Dawes. I’m an old friend of Todd’s.” He had a warm voice and spoke with an accent that was somewhat familiar. He was definitely not from the states. Where would Todd have met him? “I’m sorry but I’ve never heard Todd speak of you. How do you know him?” “Well, I’ve heard him speak of you and the description did not do you justice.” Blair smiled despite her wariness. “May I come in for a minute?” It was late and she didn’t know this man. Todd was not home but her children were. Oddly enough there was something about him that she liked and trusted but she was not going to take any chances where her children were involved. Ever. “I am sorry but this is not a good time. Todd is not available. I’ll tell him you came by though. Maybe you can stop by tomorrow and I’ll tell him to expect you about… What would be a good time?” For a moment a hint of anger seemed to flash across his face but then he stepped back and nodded. “It is wise given this age and time not to be of a trusting nature. I understand that I am unknown to you. I will come tomorrow about…” “Uncle Ethan!” Sean rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly. “I thought I’d never see you again.” “Ah, lad, you knew I would always keep my sites on you. You look mighty fine.” “Just one more story, please.” “I promised your mum only one more story two stories ago. I am a man nearly of my word. I will save more tales of the Daoine Sidhe for another time.” Starr grinned. “Okay, but you promised. I’ll expect more tomorrow.” “Your wish is my command.” “And I liked the Banshee story. I want another one of those. The one with her washing the red dress in the moat and singing with the bright light was so cool.” “I liked the one with the coffin. They tried to put Jeremy in but he saved himself with the hazel switch. You never told me that one before, Uncle Ethan. Was a good one.” “Yeah, and…” Blair raised her hands with her palms toward the children. “Starr and Sean, it’s eleven o’clock! It has been a really long day. You have to go to bed now but I’m sure Ethan will come by tomorrow.” Sean looked up at her. “Can he say good night to me upstairs in my room? I want him to see my new room.” Blair felt herself beginning to choke up with emotion but she pushed the feeling away. Seeing the joy Sean seemed to take even in the simplest thing reminded her of how far they had come. So much had been at stake and she didn’t even know it. “Of course, he can see you room but then you have to promise me you will go to sleep.” “I promise,” Sean said solemnly. Starr harrumphed. “Well, he’ll have to see mine too. Mine’s better.” Ethan smiled at Starr. “I’m sure it is. If your mother looks on it favorably, then I am of a mind to.” Ethan commented on everything in the rooms with lavish attention. He complimented Starr on her stuffed animal collection and behaved appropriately in awe of the lizards. He seemed genuinely interested in Sean’s current fascination with American sports. Of course, once upstairs Starr and Sean both begged for yet another story but Ethan kept to his word and refused but then noted that Blair had not said he could not sing them a song. Sean and Starr begged her to let him and, of course, she agreed. It’s not as if she had a choice with three sets of eyes imploring her to let him sing. Ethan sang them the most beautiful ballad she had ever heard and it was like a lullaby to the children. They settled down and all but drifted off to sleep. She and Ethan tucked the children in and finally they actually closed their eyes and Blair saw them drift off into the world of dreams. She had to smile at Ethan. He seemed to have a special touch with children. She had never seen Starr take to someone so instantly. She wondered why Sean never talked about him. But then Sean never talked about his “home” except in short snippets. To this day she was not exactly sure where he had lived in Ireland. She stepped into the hallway then closed the door gently on Sean’s room. When she turned around, Ethan was standing very close to her. He had an odd expression on his face. It wasn’t sexual—not really. She had seen enough come-ons in her life to recognize those types of signals. This was different but still intimate – the expression of wonder at realizing you’ve connected with someone you never expected to even like. She stepped to the side and put some distance between them. “Thank you for helping me settle them down.” “It was a pleasure. It was all a pleasure.”
Comments?
The Son Also Rises FAN FICTION SLIDESHOWS
|