Ryan sat speechless as the limousine rolled through the neighborhood. Across from him sat his new children. Lisa slept silently and Henry sat quietly, babbling and cooing in his car seat. Under his right arm, his closest friend, confidant, and new wife, sat Thaelor, a wide, satisfied grin on her face that stretched ear to ear. In this moment, Ryan felt that this one, was the best in his life. After everything he had ever been through, all the hardships and heartaches, this one was the one that life had prepared him for. Total bliss with HIS family. All of the sudden, the car began to slow, almost lurching to a full stop.
"Reggie, Ryan shouted to the driver. What the heck is going on?"
"Sir...I'm almost at the address, but the streets are crowded with people."
Thaelor moved to the window, a gasp escaping her lips. "Oh My God."
The street leading to the Senator's mansion was absolutely overrun with a throng of people. As the car continued forward, many of the gathered multitude began beating on the car windows. Most of them reporters and paparazzi asking a myriad of questions that blended into a cacophony of noise. Enough to awaken Lisa from her slumber and shake Henry from his place of bliss. Both children beginning to cry from fright. Ryan's irritation began to show as he wanted to remove his children from their seats and quiet them down. But the assembly of humanity wanting answers from the siblings was making that an impossible proposition. Since they had to say goodbye to their father, the late Senator Robert Morrison, the country had been in mourning over the fall of one of its most beloved Civil Servants. Now the siblings were trying to get home and decompress from the most tragic entry in their lives. If only the people knew of the true Senator Morrison, they might not be so quick to lionize him. As the car inched toward the gate, the siblings were happy that the security detachment came forward to quell the mob. Several heavily armed members stepped forward to push the throng back away from the property. A large man, wearing the uniform of the Marines stepped toward the car. The driver instinctively lowered the back window to allow the occupants to answer his challenge.
"Identification please." He said.
Ryan knew of the man from just his visage. Master Sgt. Paul Morrow had been a part of the detachment for the past 4 years. He was a decent enough man, and Ryan was all too happy when he found that Paul's assignment had been extended for another 6 years.
"Hey Paul...it's Ryan and Thaelor. We're returning from our trip."
"What's with the crying sir? I had no idea you had kids."
"Paul...it's a long story. I'll have to tell you later when you come up to the house for dinner."
"I can't wait to hear that sir; and by the way, we of the Security detachment are all sorry for your loss and send our condolences."
"Thank you Paul. We'll talk to you later."
The car sped through the gate. The siblings watched as the men of the detachment stopped several photographers trying to squeeze through. From the rough way that they were handling the situation, they had no doubt that the ones still on the outside would get the very clear message...the property was off limits.
"That's going to leave a mark." Ryan replied watching the fracas be resolved in the rear window. "No kidding. Thaelor added. Those guys will be feeling that ass whipping for months." As the limo crept up the remainder of the drive, Ryan's eyes watched the top steps to the mansion. Sure enough, their faithful Butler Steppan stood ready to receive his charges. But this time, he was not alone. A short, bundle of nerves jiggled next to him in pure excitement. The siblings favorite cousin Britney.
"Did you know about this?" Ryan asked in an almost annoyed voice.
"Yeah...I texted her we were on the way home while we were on the plane. She was adamant about meeting us here." Thaelor answered. "I hope you don't mind."
"You didn't tell her...did you?"
Thaelor looked at the floor. In a sheepish voice she simply answered...."No."
When the car came to a stop, Britney bounded down the steps to greet her family. The grin on her face was undeniable and stretched the entirety of her face. Thaelor opened her door and rushed to meet her cousin just as the wheels came to a halt.
"Thhhhhaaaaaaeeeeellllllorrrrrr!!!!!!!" The pint sized relative howled.
Thaelor ran around the back end of the vehicle and hugged her cousin. Her face gave the new mother a boost in spirit just to see her. "Oh my God....I missed you so much!!!"
"It's good to have you home young lady." Steppan added as he marched down the stairs.
As the cousins hugged, the ring on Thaelor's hand turned, scrapping the back of her tiny lover.
"Ow Thaelor...what the hell was that?"
"Oh...that...ummm..."
"Hey hon...a little help here please?" Ryan remarked. His hands full with the newest addition to their life...a pink blanket named Lisa.
"Master Ryan...what is..."
Just then, the driver reached in and filled his hands with the blue blanket named Henry. Britney's mouth dropped. Grabbing Thaelor's wrist, her eyes fell onto the huge diamond encrusted wedding bands on her cousin's finger, as well as the matching band on Ryan's.
"THAELOR!!!! WHAT THE FUCK?!!!!!!"
Ryan stepped into command mode. He wasn't about to have this conversation out in the open. "Not now!" He demanded. "Steppan, grab the rest of the bags, and meet us all in the house. We'll explain inside."
