Normally Laurel would have been stunned by the splendor of the private jet, but she was completely distracted and she spent hours trying to think of every person she knew who might be able to help her. She fell asleep a few times, but always woke from awful nightmares full of Carlos and Urs.
When she landed she convinced a cab driver to take her all the way home if she gave him twice his rate. The sun had just come up when the taxi pulled up in front of her house. She paid the cabbie and ran inside. It was early, but Jen was waiting for Laurel in the kitchen.
They hugged and Jen started sharing all the information she'd gotten. "I've already talked to the faculty advisor of the trip and he hadn't even realized that Cyd was gone yet."
Laurel sighed.
"But he said that they can't have gotten too far out of the village they were in the middle of the night. I've also talked to Brittney and she said she would ask Sebastien what he can do."
"That sounds like a good start. How's mom?"
"She finally fell asleep around four but she's furious and crying and won't talk to anyone." Jennifer rubbed her eyes. "I haven't really slept at all."
"Oh, Jen, go to bed. I'll take over from here."
Jennifer didn't put up a fight and she went off to get some sleep. Laurel went to the study to find her father's address book and decide who she could trust to help. The women of the house woke up at various hours of the day but walked around as if in a daze. Laurel finally got a call around four o'clock in the afternoon from Sebastien.
"Laurel, I'm so sorry to hear what has happened to your sister. Such an event adds to the already sad situation your family is in."
"Yeah, I got that Sebastien. What do you have to tell me?"
"Oh yes, I have many friends in Spain and even near the village where your sister ran away from her group. Most think they will most likely travel to Madrid if they're hoping to stay hidden. I've asked my friends to keep a look out and I will travel there myself in the morning."
"Sebastien, thank you so much. Please let me know whatever you find out."
"Of course, goodbye Laurel."
Laurel hung up and started to wait. They heard nothing the rest of the night and nothing the whole next day.
Finally, early Friday morning Laurel received a call. It was Cydalia.
"Cydalia! Where are you?"
"Oh, stop freaking out Laurel! I'm fine! I'm in Madrid with Carlos."
"What do you think you're doing? Is Sebastien with you?"
"Ugh. Yes, 'Mr. Boring' is here."
"Has he told you to come home right away?"
"No can do Laurel. I have a wedding to go to tonight."
"A wedding?" Laurel was really past all patience.
"Yes! Mine! Carlos and I are getting married tonight. He's been offered a job with the Newcastle Magpies and I'm going with him."
"Newcastle? Like Newcastle England?"
"Uh, yeah Laurel," Cyd said boredly.
Laurel almost screamed at her sister but she took a deep breath and calmed herself. "What's your plan Cydalia?"
"Ugh Laurel, I don't have time for this. Just talk to Sebastien"
The phone was handed to Sebastien.
"Laurel?"
"Sebastien, thank God someone rational is there. What's going on?"
"Well, we found them here in Madrid and Cydalia claims that it was their plan all along to get married and now that Carlos has this job offer in England I suppose this is the best course of action."
"...Okay," Laurel didn't know what to say.
"Also, it took a bit of convincing for the Magpies to take Carlos, but after some...financial talks he'll be with them for a three year contract."
"Sebastien, what do you mean financial talks?"
"It's not a big deal, Laurel. It's taken care of now."
"...Sebastien, how much do we owe you?"
"Laurel you owe me nothing."
"Fine, we'll talk about that later, Now what about Cyd. Will they go to England right away?"
"I will arrange for them to fly to New York to see your family before he reports in England."
"I'm not sure that's the best idea..." Laurel objected.
"Cydalia insists on seeing her sisters before moving away permanently."
"Fine. We'll expect them in two weeks. Thank you for everything you've done."
"Don't thank me Laurel, thank-" Sebastien cut short. "Have a good day Laurel."
And with that he hung up. Laurel was confused but decided to not dwell on it since there were so many other things to worry about.
Laurel wasn't sure of the reaction the news would get from her mother, but joy was not what she expected.
"Cydalia's getting married?" she jumped up from the bed. "My baby girl is getting married!" She strode over to her closet and started looking for an outfit.
"Mom?" Laurel questioned.
"Well that is the best news that could come from all this," Margaret said.
"But mother, she ran away in a foreign country!"
"Laurel, we all make mistakes. But luckily Cydalia has come away with a husband...and a very attractive one at that. She always was the luckiest of you girls, and the cleverest."
"Is that all that matters to you?"
"Of course not, the number one thing is that my daughters are happy and well taken care of." Margaret had pulled on her shoes and was walking to the door.
"Where are you going?" Laurel asked.
"I'm going to tell Kathy Danielson the news of course. She'll need to know."
Laurel collapsed back onto the bed.
The following Wednesday Cydalia and Carlos arrived on the Bennett's front porch. Margaret welcomed her daughter in joyfully. Cydalia was all smiles and giggles as she came into the house. Katarina was also overjoyed to see her twin sister and she blushed as Carlos walked past her and smiled. Heidi was rather indifferent as she had never really been bothered by Cydalia's ridiculous behavior. Laurel and Jennifer were both less than excited to see their sister and her new husband in their own home.
Cyd came bursting in throwing her purse at Jennifer who rolled her eyes and set it on the hall table. Carlos walked in a bit slower. He stopped in front of Laurel.
"Laurel, it's good to see you."
