“That was freaky and cool!” grinned Anna. “Stand back up! I need a hug! You need a hug!”
Theodore finally laughed as he let it go, “Yes indeed, lovely lady, I think we all need a good hug!” He stood and hugged Anna and then Meagan, and then both before the entire family giddily started laughing and hugging each other almost at random.
The boisterous laugh and unpleasant smell of Roland soon joined the group and was soon followed by Roland himself as bear hugged an unprepared Theodore. “That was an awesome shot, lad! Your dad...” there was a painful pause as earlier words about his father had never been too civil, “your father taught you well! Think how much even better you'd be if you didn't keep going offworld!” He laughed again as Theodore fought for good air as he tried to graciously accept the complement.
Roland mellowed as he turned to face Anna and swished his whiskers and held his long tail. “Ain't nice of me what I said about your looks. Ain't right neither. Just shows I ain't cultured like I ought to be. But I don't take nothing back about you being part of us! Word on the street is you are going away for Winter but will be back next Summer. We all look forward to you coming back to stay.”
Anna graciously shook Roland's hand as she fought to keep a straight face under the onslaught of smell that was his breath and body. “Thank you. Thank you for standing up for me in front of that... rascal.”
Roland laughed and offered a few other color choice descriptions of his own for the man in question before finally bellowing out, “Hey! We came here to dance! Let's dance!”
28
“Theodore,” called Aidden as he entered the house. “Theodore, where are you?”
“Kitchen, dad. Doing schoolwork.”
Theodore melted as soon as he saw his father's face, “What's wrong? Trouble in town again?”
Aidden shook his head slowly, “No. No, you just need to get right down to the Firemeadow's place. Anna... Anna needs you.”
Horror consumed his mind, “Did they lose an infant?”
“No... Not that bad. You just need to get down there. I'll stack up your books and papers, just go.”
“I'm going to worry all the way...”
“Problems with her parents... I should be looking at your butt going out that door, young man!”
Theodore nodded and sprang from the table, he gave Emily a quick kiss on the head as he ran past her in the living room and bolted out the front door. Problems with her parents... sick? Injured? Was there an accident? He knew worrying would answer nothing. Knowing the truth and walking that path are often difficult. He did his best and just concentrated on his breathing as he maintained a fast jog the entire way.
As he approached the Firemeadows low broad house, he quickly caught sight of Mary out front. She instantly locked eyes on him and beckoned him closer before giving him a quick hug, “She's in the back infirmary, room two. Quite a mess... She needs you. Don't worry about us, we'll just work around you two.”
Theodore thanked Mary and quickly made his way inside and to the back of the house. As he opened the door and what was left of his heart melted as he saw Anna collapsed on a bed sobbing. He ran to her side an knelt by the bed taking her hand, “I'm here...”
She squeezed his hand and held it long and tight before rolling half way over to look up at him. “I got a pair of letters from my parents today... Dad... father...” she just started bawling again.
Theodore grimaced and moved to sit on the bed next to her, “Did something happen to him?”
Anna just stared off into space before curling up in his lap. “His good heart left him...”
“He's dead?” Theodore asked in horror.
Anna shook her head. “No... he's alive... just... He's not the man I always thought him to be.”
Theodore carefully caressed her hair and just gave her time to talk.
“I had sent a letter telling them both about everything. Bells on rings, you, Meagan, moving back here next summer,” she let out a long sigh. “Apparently he went through the roof. He wants me to have nothing more to do with you and come home immediately.”
Theodore's stomach tied in knots. He had always been afraid of something like that, but had always held out hopes for the best. Hollow hope it seemed...
“According to him I've gone from curious and wide-eyed to cursed and wide... well... you know what fathers think... I don't know what to do, Theodore. I just don't know.”
Theodore sighed and started with the obvious, “Do you still want to come back and start a family?”
She smiled up at him through tear soaked eyes, “Yes! More than anything! But it tears my heart so to hear my father that upset... I love my father. I really do. That's what makes this hurt so much. The easiest thing to do would be to learn to hate him. But I just can't bring myself to do that.”
Theodore sighed and held her tight, “He loves you. From his world view he is doing the right thing. He's trying to protect you. That's what parents do. But at some point he is going to have to let go, all parents have to. This time next year you'll be legally an adult.”
“I know all that... There is another problem: my mother sent a separate letter.”
Theodore's stomach churned even tighter, “What did she say?”
Anna smiled as she wiped away the tears, “She said wonderful things! I had mentioned being lonely at home, she offered to take sabbatical for my final year of school. She'd still work in the anthropology department, but would be home when I got home and wouldn't be on emergency medical call. She glowed at the thought that I had found someone so dear to me. She just wants to make certain she can come to the wedding!” Anna laughed briefly before the tears started to come back.
“Okay, your mother has taken it very well. So, is there a problem with your mother or just your father?”
Anna would have been crying, but she was running dry. “They had a fight. A fight over me and you. Father has all but moved out of the house. They are already talking about getting lawyers involved.”
“So, you are afraid they are going to get divorced because of us,” summed up Theodore as he leaned against the wall and sighed deeply. “Well, from your father's world view...”
Anna shrieked, “Would you stop with that 'world view' crap! Stop trying to pretend that other places aren't all messed up! This isn't about cultural imperialism or nationalism! If something stinks, it stinks no matter where it is! 'Oh, the locals are surrounded by a horrible stench; it must be me and my cultural bias.' Maybe it just smells like crap and people need to wash their fool streets!”
He kissed her gently on the head, “Alternatively, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Theodore sighed as he collected his thoughts, “Okay, pardon me if I'm mercenary for a bit. I'm going to a good school on a rock solid scholarship. I've proven I'm both capable and willing to look after your safety as well as your needs and wants. The only obvious concern is I'm a Taik and you are human. So that makes him speciesist.”
Anna laughed softly, “That is the first time I've ever heard you say something unkind about anyone!”
Theodore frowned, “And it was about your father...”
Anna sighed and tried on a small smile, “At least that means you aren't a complete Pollyanna.”
Theodore smiled, “I do try to find the best in everyone. But you are right: at some point searching for the good when the bad is staring you in the face is foolish.”
Anna hugged him warmly, “I'm glad you are an optimist. I really am.” She laughed as she beeped him on the nose, “You get that from your parents. Your father especially. But even they knew they needed to fix their house.”
“Enter Emily,” he grinned.
“She helped fix the house without compromising everyone's personality. That is why your family is so perfect! They solved their problems and everyone was better for it. There was no compromising, just loving and sharing! No wonder you are such a screaming optimist!” Anna laughed and snuggled back into his lap. “Okay, mister optimi
st, what do you suggest?”
“Assume your father will get over it. Tell him to stop whining and be nice to your mother or he won't ever get to see the grandkids,” grinned Theodore.
“That I can work with,” she laughed.
“Home early for lunch,” observed Emily as the pair entered the kitchen. “Everything alright? I noticed Theodore left in a hurry.”
Anna hugged Emily warmly and smiled up into her eyes, “Got a grumpy letter from my dad and an awesome letter from my mom, so that about broke even. Only weird thing from my ma is she wants to make the wedding, so that will take some planning. On the good side, she's going to only be working half days this next year so I'll be seeing a lot more of her.”
“That is wonderful! Well, not about your father, but your mother, that is so good to hear!” beamed Emily. “You should get something to drink, you are parched girl.”
“You can smell the salt, can't you,” laughed Anna as she rubbed her eyes. “Yeah, Dad's letter was grumpy but after talking with Theodore, I got over it. Had a good start to the day at least, Bluebell's boy broke his leg!”
Emily laughed in confusion, “How is a boy breaking his leg a good start to the day?”
“I got to go in and fix it while he was under stasis. That was so cool!”
Emily laughed as she turned back to preparing lunch, “Remind me to not talk shop with you.”
Aidden grinned, “So you two are still rock solid?”
Anna playfully frowned at Aidden, “Of course!”
“Old lady Deidre finally decided she's at risk living alone, so she finally agreed to move in with her sister over in Kellyston.”
Theodore waited for the tail to swish the other way; his father hadn't said everything. “Okay, spill it.”
“Conditional on the three of you getting married, she's offered to sell the house for two thousand. Foundation is good and the main beams are solid but it needs reroofing, new windows, fresh paint and heaven help the patterns of the rugs...”
“Two thousand? That's a steal! I couldn't take advantage of her like that,” blurted Theodore.
“Alternatively you could take a wedding gift as it is meant.”
Theodore laughed and hugged Anna tight, “That is wonderful of her!”
Anna giggled, “So much for feeling like an outsider.”
“Hey, I think even Roland would come and help prime the walls.”
“Only if he takes a bath first,” countered Anna as she wrinkled her nose.
“I think we can all agree that's a good idea,” laughed Emily.
“Have we netted positive on the day yet?” grinned Aidden.
“Yes. Yes, indeed!” grinned Anna as she hugged Aidden.
29
“Caught you working hard, did we?”
“Well he did seem to always favor the girls to an honest days’ work...”
“Girls indeed! Is that two he's all snuggled up with?”
“Two girls indeed! And they seem to be dressed well for the heat.”
“Or not dressed as the case may be...”
Theodore looked up from the hammock he was sharing with Anna and Meagan and looked at the pair of interlopers. “Maurice, Marcel?” he laughed. “What in the world are you doing here?”
The d'Evelston twins grinned as they walked up to the hammock.
“Having a bit of a holiday out...”
“Seems the parents were encouraging us to explore a bit...”
“They got tired of you and kicked you out of the house?” laughed Theodore. “And, oh, by the way, since when do you two know a bloody thing about an honest days’ work?”
“We've been here all of two minutes and flinging insults, he is!”
“After everything we've done for you; shipping you books 'n all!”
“And I was very thankful for those three books!” replied Theodore with an honest smile.
Anna grinned, “So, these are the evil twins you talked so much about?”
“Evil? He called us evil?”
Anna laughed, “Letches, too, I do believe. But from what I gather you two wear that label like a badge of honor! I don't suppose either of you two speak a word of the Highland Old Tongue do you? Meagan here doesn't speak the trade tongue.”
Meagan for her part had propped her head on Theodore's chest and was just watching the exchange with amusement.
Marcel cleared his voice and stated in a muddled version of the Old Tongue, “Beer, please!”
They all had a good laugh at that. Too good of a laugh as Anna fell out of the hammock setting off a chain reaction that sent Meagan and Theodore to the ground in short order.
Theodore laughed as he helped the two girls up and did his best at introductions spanning two languages. “These are some of my friends from the university: Marcel and Maurice d'Elevston. And these two lovely ladies are my fiancées, Anna Westmore and Meagan Rose.”
“Fiancées. Plural, did you catch that, Maurice?”
“Plural, indeed! What a lovely pair... of ladies indeed!”
“Two of them... I think the lad must be a Highlander of Afon.”
“How is it he came to our university was it then?”
“By scoring higher on the entrance exams than either of you two,” grinned Theodore.
The twins grinned and nodded, “That might have had something to do with it.”
Theodore just laughed, “Okay, so how long are you two going to be around?”
“We've just gotten here and he's already trying to get rid of us.”
“Maybe it is your reputation that has preceded you,” grinned Anna.
“Oh, hurt, I am! Stabbed me in the heart proper. Only a kiss will save me now!” mused Marcel.
“Okay,” grinned Anna. “But I'm warning you, Theodore likes to use tongue.”
Marcel broke out laughing, “Then maybe I'll give it a miss, ma'am! Nothing against you, Theodore.”
Theodore just grinned, “Want me to see if we can squeeze you two in for dinner? Meagan is visiting for the week so the table is already crowded, but I'm sure we can work something out.”
“We could eat outside,” offered Anna with a grin.
Maurice just tutted, “Better idea: we take you and your family into town and we pay!”
“If nothing else,”grinned Marcel, “than to see how well we do ordering beer!”
Theodore suddenly caught sight of the Chief Constable Sean retreating into the distance. Apparently the twins had been given an escort. “Come on, let me introduce you to the rest of the family. Second Mother and little Rose can both speak a smattering of the trade tongue. The rest of my family, not so much.”
“Well, if little Rose is half as enchanting as these two ladies, maybe that will serve us well enough.”
“She's adorable!” grinned Anna. “But she is only six, by the way.”
Maurice and Marcel both broke out laughing at that. “Oops!”
“So, it seems you two are taken by our choice of attire,” teased Anna as she jiggled playfully.
“Hard to go wrong with knee high skirts and bikini tops,” leered Marcel.
“Not quite as modest as I would have expected. Honestly...” added Maurice.
“Try wearing a fur coat in the middle of summer heat and see how you fare,” grinned Anna.
“But you seem short the fur coat, miss.”
“Yeah, but I have to make sure I keep Theodore's attention.”
“Okay,” interjected Theodore has his fur flared. “That's enough of that! Inside! All of you!”
Aidden, Fiona and Charlotte were happy to greet the new guests and were tickled at the idea of going into town to dine with the young men. But it was ultimately up to Theodore and laughing Emily to sort out the whole exchange through the mix of languages.
“Brought something you might like to see,” grinned Marcel as he produced a folder of papers. “Printouts from the news last week.”
“Figured you didn't have a gate-synced computer at your house,” grinn
ed Maurice.
“No. No computer at all,” grinned Theodore as he started to pour over the printouts with glee.
“What's it all about?” asked Emily Second mother as she stared over his shoulder.
“That!” grinned Theodore as he held up a picture of a man bound in shackles, “That is the man who threatened me there in the student union!”
“They caught a right big lot of them!” grinned Marcel.
“Caught a few and then the door blew wide open. Fifty arrests on our planet alone.”
“More on three others.”
“So, does this mean you can safely go back to the university?” asked bright eyed Emily.
“It looks that way! Still going to wait for official word, of course!” Theodore was tickled pink! Finally! “Hey Dad,” he asked shifting languages. “When is the last time there was word on the planet of someone looking for me?”
“Two weeks, maybe three. I take it from your grin that they caught the ruffians behind it all!”
“Not sure about all, but it’s a darn good start!”
There were grins and hugs all around as Theodore read the highlights of the various news reports to his parents. The relief on their faces was obvious; they had all held themselves bravely for the children and a sign, any sign, that it was starting to come to an end was well received.
“Does that mean you are going to go away?” asked Rose with pain in her eyes.
Theodore all but melted as he scooped up his little sister, “Yes, but not for several weeks yet. Don't you worry.”
“I'm not worried. I just like having the pretty girls around,” smiled Rose.
Theodore laughed, “Me, too!” He grinned as he looked at his family and friends. Yep, midterm and interterms were going to be back home, even if it was a hassle...
“Enough of the giddy blubbering or you’re gonna' make my brother and I go all teary eyed,” lamented Maurice mirthfully.
Theodore Page 12
