Chapter
14
Tam
Hallelujah!
We found the green door.
She
pulls us inside, hissing, “I can’t be seen with you.
Sophie
says something in Human, “Bfzhcjz, sd hddc hljf ndml.”
“K
zj khdzlkhod lv ndmlkjb hlj.” Says the old lady stubbornly.
“Ldzxd?”
Asks Sophie.
“Fine.
Empty your pockets. And give me any jewelry.”
Sophie
pulls out Krakie and all his buddies. They are all still shaped in a
K.
Keefe
clears his throat, his eyes looking a little watery.
Biana
pulls off a black heart shaped locket on a delicate black chain. The
old lady pries it open, it has a picture of me. And one of her.
I
pull out a couple of throwing stars, and a piece of paper. The old
lady unfolds the drawing.

Biana
looks at the photo. She looks at me. I feel nervous. She comes and
hugs me.
The
old lady glares. “Number one rule if your in my house, none of
this, girlfriend/boyfriend nonsense.”
Keefe
smirks and pulls out three knives, five throwing stars, two small
bottles of hair gel, several smushed twinkies, a pack of mint oreos,
the bottle of drooly dew that Sophie gave him, and a drawing. He
unfolds it, and hands it to the old lady with a flourish.
“Enough
pockets, Foster?”
“One
is enough if you’re mine.”
The
old lady raised one eyebrow.
“Young
lady, just how old are you?”
“Fourteen.”
“Until
you are an adult, love is a four letter word.”
“How
do you spell it?” Keefe asked her.
“L-L-O-V-E.
.
. .
Are
you hiding something?” She asks us.
“No.”
Biana said.
“Unclench
your hand.”
Biana
did. A piece of paper fluttered to the floor. It was the picture of
me from the locket. I guess she pulled it out.
“I
remember giving that to you.” I say. “I wasn’t sure you’d
wear it.”
“I
never take it off.”
I
blushed and rub the back of my neck.
The
old lady looks at us, a little uncomfortable.
She
said something to Sophie and they talked gibberish.
But
soon we are let into the house.
“O.K.,
why are you at Grandmama’s house?” Sophie asks Keefe.
He
shrugged. “I told you, Foster. I’ve seen her before.”
Why
was it a trip to the Forbidden Cities? I want to ask, but the lady is
talking again, “In my house, there are certain rules for young
elves.
1.
There is a girls room, and a boys room. No going into the other’s
room.
2.
Mealtimes are specific. If you are late, you must skip that meal.
3.
If you need to talk, do it in the living room. In plain view. No
lurking in corners.
4.
The only rooms you are allowed in are the ones upstairs. The living
room, the informal dining room, the full bathroom, and (of course)
your bedroom. No going into the parlor, formal dining room, my
bedroom, the kitchen, the full bathroom down here, or the half
bathroom.
I
will give you a tour now.”
She
leads us to the stairs, we go up a spiraling staircase. We enter the
living room. It was a light gray room, with a brown carpet, and
shabby red three-cushioned couch, and two leather chairs.
She
leads us through a black swinging door to the dining room. “I will
serve you your meals here.” It had a smooth black tiled floor,
brown cabinets, and pale green walls. The table was made of the same
wood as the cabinets and chairs.
She
leads us back to the living room, and down a hall.
The
boys room is on the right. It has white walls and a gray carpet. It
has two twin beds, with crisp white sheets, and gray and blue checked
quilts. It has a brown bookcase, filled with books, and a brown
wardrobe.
The
girls room was on the left. It had white walls and a white carpet. It
had a double bed, with crisp white sheets, and a white and pink
checked quilt. It had a white bookcase, filled with books, and a
white wardrobe.
At
the end of the hall was the bathroom. It had the same paint job and
tiles as the dining room. It had a white porcelain toilet, a small
sink, and a standing shower.
She
leads us back to the living room. “I expect you to wear the clothes
in the wardrobe. The ladies have fourteen appropriate dresses, and
two nightgowns. The gentlemen have appropriate pants and sweaters,
fourteen of each, and two pairs of pajamas. I will have order. A
tight schedule.
Wake
at six.
Get
dressed and do your hair.
Breakfast
at six thirty.
Breakfast
ends at seven.
Once
breakfast is over, you will go and brush your teeth, one at a time.
After this, you will make your beds.
You
may then read and entertain yourselves until dinner, which is at
twelve.
Dinner
ends at twelve thirty.
After
dinner, there is half an hour of free time, then an hour of silent
reading. From one to two, you will read a book of my choice.
From
two to six, there is free time.
At
six, there is supper.
Supper
ends at six thirty.
After
supper, there is showering.
Biana
will go first.
Sophie
will go next.
Tam
third.
Keefe
last.
You
have fifteen minutes to shower. Five minutes to get dressed. Two
minutes to brush your teeth.
If
you are in there longer than twenty two minutes, you will have to
clean the shower.
Bedtime
is eight.
By
the way, you may call me Mrs. Wallen.” She passes each of us a
toothbrush. Mine is blue. Keefe’s is gray. Sophie’s is purple.
Biana’s is pink.
Chapter
15
Biana
Wow.
This lady is kind of harsh. It’s six, so we head into the dining
room. She serves a thing she calls macaroni-green bean casserole.
After
that we shower, and are careful to only take twenty two minutes.
After we’re clean and dressed, Sophie and I sit in bed, brushing,
then braiding each other’s hair.
We
got a look in the wardrobe. We have these plain ankle length white
nightgowns, and all our dresses are the same style, but different
colors. We have the same, a mid-calf, long sleeved, tight collared
dress, we each have a: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet,
pink, brown, black, gray, peach, teal, silver, and gold. And they’re
all pale. Every dress is okay, except the black and gray. The silver
and gold are actually pretty.
“Wonder
if Keefe and Tam are still alive.” Sophie said randomly.
I
giggle. “Yeah, I wonder.
Your
grandmother is really strict!”
“I
hated coming here when I was young, but she was the only grandparent
who would let both mom and dad come.”
There’s
a knock at the door. “Come in!” Sophie calls.
“It’s
bedtime.” Mrs. Wallen says. She looks at Sophie and her expression
softens, “You’re still my granddaughter, Sohpie. I may be strict,
but I love you. You and your friends can stay here for as long as you
need.”
“Thank
you.” Sophie says.
“Thank
you for letting us stay.” I say.
Mrs.
Wallen looks at me and nods.
“Hey,
Grandmama?” Sophie asks as her grandmother starts walking out the
door.
“Yes?”
“How
do you know that we’re elves?” She asks.
Mrs.
Wallen smiles. “That, I will tell you tomorrow.”
.
. . . . .
“So,”
Sophie says over breakfast the next morning. “How did you know we
are elves?”
“Sophie,
ever since your parents brought you to my house when you were a baby,
I knew you were special. I could sense you were an elf, I’ve been
watching you with a spyball ever since.”
“Woah.
That’s kinda creepy.” Keefe says. He’s got his cool back on,
but without thinking, Sophie threw her red dress on today.
I
wore my orange one. Tam said it looked nice with my hair.
“So-”
I start.
Sophie
interrupts, “Why though?”
“You’re
important Sophie. I know you already know it. I know you’re tired
of hearing it. But you are. You are.”
Sophie
gives a nervous laugh.
“How
do you have a spyball?” Tam asks.
“I
am an elf.” She points out. “I lived in the Lost Cities a good
chunk of my life.”
Everyone
around the table gasps.
“Were
you exiled?” Sophie asks softly.
“It’s
seven. Breakfast is over.” She says crisply.
“Please,
Grandmama. I need some answers.” Sophie says. “This is too much.
It seems like everyone around me knows everything. Except me. Only me
excluded. I’m not trying to complain. I just need some answers.”
The
old woman sighs. “In due time, my dear.”
Sophie
sighed, she whooshed off to our room, her dress flying behind her.
“Maybe
I should check on her?” I ask.
“Yeah,
that might be best.” Keefe says.
I
go down the hall and wait at the door. Inside I hear a squeal. I open
it to see Sophie sitting on her bed and holding her imparter.
“Oh,
hey.” She says. “I
was just checking on Amy. She’s found a guy.”
“You
okay?” I ask.
She
glances down at her screen. “Yeah. . . “
“Okay.
Hi Amy!” I say to Sophie’s imparter.
“Hi!”
I hear her voice come through.
“Anyway,”
I turn back to Sophie, “I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
I
turn and go back down the hall where I see Keefe and Tam arguing
about something.
“What’s
wrong?” I ask.
“Bangs
Boy here doesn't agree with me.” Keefe says
“Your
argument is invalid because I can make it!” Tam yelled.
“Prove
it, then!” Keefe yelled back.
Mrs.
Wallen comes and stands beside me.
“So.
. .do you have a plan?” She asks Tam.
“No,
but I have shadows, and. . .I stole this.” He pulls a huge
butcher’s knife out from in-between two couch cushions.
“Tam,
what were you planning?” I ask.
“To
break into Ravagog, and get Dimitar back for all the trouble he’s
caused.” Mrs. Wallen informs me.
I
hear a gruff voice, “Vera, why are you spending so much time
upstairs?”
“Cleaning,
dear!” Mrs. Wallen calls. “I’ve got to go attend to my
husband.”
When
she’s gone, I drop to my knees beside Tam. Keefe stands up,
clearing the seat next to Tam. “I’m going to let you sort this
out.” He tells me.
“Tam,
why would you go to Ravagog?” I ask.
“I’m
gonna get Dimitar back.” He says, not looking me in the eye.
“Tam,
I don’t want to lose you.”
“If
you do, you’ll know I died a hero.” He says.
I
turn his head toward me, looking him straight in his silvery blue
eyes. I lean in and kiss him. He pulls me closer, into his lap, and
kisses me back. When we break apart, I ask, “Will you stay?”
“For
you.” He tells me. “You.”
I
stare into his eyes to make sure he wasn’t lying.
“Okay.”
I say. I suddenly feel embarrassed. I stand up, “See you later.”
He
nods, I can tell he’s confused, but I just have to get out.
I
go back down the hall to my and Sophie’s room. “So, his name is
Chad.” I hear Amy saying. “He’s tall and has really dark brown
hair and he is super cute!”
Sophie
laughed and I did
too.
“Sounds
really cute.” I say.
“Oh
he is!” Amy says.
We
laugh at that.
“So
what about you and Tam?” Amy asks.
I
blush. “Oh, uh. We’re fine.”
“Amy
who are you talking too?” we hear Amy’s mom calling
“Uh-
Some friends!” Amy yells back
“It’s
time to go!”
“Ah,
sorry guys, I have to go. Bye!”
Her
screen goes blank.
I
can see that Sophie’s hiding something else though because of that
awkward grin on her face.
“What
is it?” I ask
“What
is what?” She asks.
“Why
are you grinning?”
Oh.
. . I can’t tell you yet!” She giggles, “It's really exciting!”
She
jumps off the bed and runs out of the room. I sigh, get up, and
follow her.
“Tell
me!” I yell trying to catch her.
“Not
yet!” She giggles.
“Why
not?”
“Why
not what?” Keefe and Tam ask, joining in our little game of tag.
“Sophie
won’t tell me something!” I explain.
“I
can tell she's very exited, and very happy. Her emotions are very
strong.” Keefe said.
“Thats
right!” Sophie says sing-song.
I
finally tackle her on the rug and make her tell me.
“At
least give me a hint.”
“Okay.”
She says, “What’s small and really cute?”
“Iggy?”
Tam guesses.
“A
gnome.” Keefe guesses
“No.
and . . . We were all one once.” Sophie says.
We
all stand there trying to guess what it is. Then it clicks to me.
“Your
going to be a big sister!” I yell.
Sohpie
nods and smiles.
“Wait
what?” Both boys ask.
They
clearly didn't get it.
“Edaline
is going to have a baby!” Sophie squeals. “She
says she’s gonna name it,” she pauses, building suspense. “Quen
Onen Ruewen.”
“Oh,
that’s SO cute!” I yell. “Girl or boy?”
“Boy.”
She tells me.
A
slow smile spreads across Keefe’s face. “If this little guy
learns from his older sister, there’s gonna be a LOT of mystery in
the Ruewen house.”
.
. . . . . .
I
wonder why Keefe is spending so much time in his and Tam’s room.
It’s
making Sophie lonely. I’m going to find out why he’s in there.
For Sophie.
I
sneak in, invisible. He’s writing. He finishes and sighs. “Now
all I have to do is give this to Sophie.” He says. He leaves to the
bathroom.
I
sneak over to read his scrap of paper.
There
was a girl named Sophie Foster, she had all A’s on the class
roster.
She’s
really pretty, and really quite witty.
Beautiful
as the moon, she makes me swoon.
She
won my heart with her opinion, so sharp.
Her
mystery fascinates me, and forever in my heart she will be.
I
wrote this poem to tell you how much I like you.
~Keefe.
He
wrote it neatly, and there’s a drawing taped to the back. She can
see the poem, or his drawing of her. So cute!
I
go to see Sophie, who’s talking to Edaline on her imparter. “Quen
is due in eight and a half months.” Edaline says. Sophie squeals.
“I
can’t wait!” She says. “Wait! I know I don’t really call you
and Grady mom and dad but when the baby is born should I start?”
Sophie looks really guilty.
But
Edaline smiles. “Whatever you want.”
I
sneak out of the room and head downstairs where I see the boys
plotting something. I use my Vanisher abilities to eavesdrop on them.
“Okay
so all we need to do is find Big Ben and then we’ll pack up clothes
and toothbrushes. We have those thanks to Sophie’s grandmother.”
Says Keefe.
Tam
nods. His eyes steely. I go into the bathroom, and appear. I stare
into the mirror. Ravagog? Big Ben? Tam keeps trying to sneak away. Is
he even the right guy for me?
I
hear a knock on the door. I open it to Tam, his silvery blue eyes
dull. “Biana, I have to tell you something.” He says.
“What’s
that?” I ask. Acting like I don’t care.
“Keefe
and I are leaving soon.” He tells me.
“Where?”
I ask. Genuinely interested in what he’ll say.
“To
the Lost Cities.” He pauses. “Oh, who am I kidding?” He asks
himself. “We have to find something.”
“Find
what? The Neverseen?” I ask.
He
starts to deny it.
“Don't!
I know that's what you're after. To find Linh. I’ll go with you.”
“Umm.
I really don’t know about that…” He says.
“I’ll
go tell Sophie that you won't let me and her go, I’m sure she’ll
be pleased.” I say walking to our room.
“No--don’t.”
Keefe says. “Please.
We’ll let you go. Don’t tell Sophie.”
“Sweet.”
I say walking back down the hall.
“What's
going on?” Sophie asks, right behind me.
“We
are going to find the Neverseen.” I say.
“FINALLY!
Where are we going to find them?” She asks.
“Around
that big clock, called Big Ben.” Keefe says.
She
jumps around. “We’re going to Big Ben?”
CHAPTER
16
Keefe
“No,
Foster.” I say. “You’re not going. You’re going to stay with
Grady and Edaline. Safe. Excited about Quen. Most importantly, out of
danger.”
“No.”
She says. “I’m coming.”
“Drama
in paradise.” Tam says dryly.
“Shut
it Bangs Boy.” I tell him.
Tam
narrows his eyes. Biana puts her hands on her hips, and raises an
eyebrow.
“Well,
sorry.”
I
say. They can tell that they don’t believe me, but I don’t care.
“You
are not leaving me ANYWHERE!”
She
yells AT ME. “I WILL GRAB ONTO YOU AS YOU LEAP IF I HAVE TO! YOU
WILL NOT
TREAT
ME LIKE A CHILD!”
“No.”
I say.
“Fine.”
She says. Suddenly calm. “I’ll leave. Good-bye, Keefe Barnabus
Sencen. Good-bye Grandmama. I’ve got to go!” She calls.
“Your
middle name is Barnabus?” Biana asks.
Tam
laughs at me.
“So
what?” I say, storming off to my room.
.
. . . . .
Tam
comes in and we stand there awkwardly. Finally he breaks the silence.
“You
might have been too hard on her.” He says.
“I
know.” I say.
“And
you’re fine with that?”
“Of
course I’m not!” I yell.
Bangs
Boy was pushing it. I knew he was only here because Biana told him to
be. Heck, I could feel it.
“Look,”
I say, “say what you want to say. We both know Biana made you come
up here. So, say what you will. Biana didn’t used to be like this.
You better change her back to her. She’s like my little sister, if
I find out it’s you who changed her, I’m gonna beat you up.” I
know I don’t mean it, but I’m just angry.
CHAPTER
17
Tam
Keefe
came back with an anger in his eyes. And even I was scared of him.
But I know it has to do with Sophie.
“You
want to take this one?” I ask biana.
But
as I turn to face him, he’s gone. Probably to our room, or
somewhere. So that’s where I check first, but when I don’t see
him up there, I check the whole house. When we can’t find him in
the house, we run outside along the sidewalks, trying to find him.
“We
have to find him!” Biana and I both say.
“Big
Ben!” We both say again.
We
run tord the massive clock, keeping our eyes peeled for anybody
elfish.
CHAPTER
18
Biana
I
saw a tall blond boy facing away from me, so I ran up to him and
turned him around .
“Keefe!”
I yell, but then run when I see it’s not him.
I
scan the area for him but can’t find him, so I run to Big Ben and
look.
“Tam,
what are we going to do?” I ask Tam.
He
looks just as worried as I do. “We have to find him, where were we
talking about going that would involve him?”
We
both stop to think.
“The
Neverseen!” I say, “This is bad, this is really, really, bad.
What if he finds them?”
“We
just have to find him before they do.” He says.
We
begin our search again.
I
see four black cloaked figures. I run over, and using my power as a
Vanisher, pull back their hoods. Linh. Keefe. Fintain. And, “Dad?
Woah! What?” I scream.
My
father, Alden Vacker, a part of the Neverseen. His teal eyes go hard.
“You wouldn’t understand. If you’d brought Fitz and your
mother, and I’d brought Alvar, this would be a family reunion.”
He smiles evilly.
“Um,
stop right there, your blaming me for not bringing Fitz and mom, but
you completely drop the part where you join the Neverseen! WHAT IS UP
WITH YOU? Why are you like Alvar? Why do you want to cause so much
hurt, not only to our family, but to the rest of the world?”
“The
world is up with me! I’m not like Alvar. He’s like me! Why do you
think he joined the Neverseen?”
“No,
he said he joined the Neverseen because he was jealous of all the
attention Fitz and I were getting, not because of you!”
“I
made
him jealous! I
practically
showed him the way to the Neverseen! I
told
the Neverseen he would be a good member!”
I
close my eyes and think of all those times he helped us.
“And
was he? Are you? Are any of you?” I ask.
“We
are ALL good members.”
“Not
the way I see it.”I mutter
A
tear slips down my cheek. “Are you even my dad? Are you
Alden
Befne Vacker?”
Suddenly
Fitz appears with mom.
“You
kept hinting you were going to be in the Forbidden Cities. We wanted
to find out why.” Fitz said, he didn't look or sound surprised.
But
my mom on the other hand was already crying, already fading in and
out as part of her ability as a vanisher.
“Well,
sorry. Got to go.” Alden says, unremorsefully.
“NO
YOU’RE NOT!” All my heart broken family scream.
Fitz
threw some throwing stars at him. Mom and I us our abilities and
start attacking them all.
He
inspects his star wounds. “Crap.” He says, and light leaps away,
after throwing mom and me off. What gets to me, is he leaves his
team.
CHAPTER
19
Tam
The
Vacker family was a mess. Biana, Fitz, and Della were so angry. But I
wasn't focusing on them, I saw the one person I wanted to see for a
long time.
Linh.
“Tam!”
She screams, running over and throwing her arms around me.
“I’m
not letting go!” I say into her shadow vapor.
“Your
have to.” Her shadow vapor tells me.
Biana
starts sobbing uncontrollably, and Linh gently pushes me in her
direction.
“Now,
I hate to be rude and interrupt this touching moment, but do you know
who we are? Why are you acting so calm and dramatic?” Fintan asks.
Fintan
blasts us with some of his boiling hot fire. Linh responds with
freezing water, but Biana still gets hit. Only her. The rest of us
escape unscathed, which makes me feel ridiculous. She rolls around to
put the flames out, and lays there moaning. Linh drenches Fintan with
another wave, leaving him shivering. He leaps away, swearing revenge.
“So
close to taking him!” Keefe says.
“Jeez.”
I say. “Cool it.”
“I
can’t.” He yells. “We were so
close.”
Then a tear leaks down his cheek. “Alden was like my dad too.”
His voice cracks.
Fitz
starts crying with his mom and Biana. Della pulls them and Keefe into
a hug. Linh and I just stand there, until Biana pulls me into the
hug, and I drag Linh with me.
CHAPTER
20
Sophie
Well,
I don’t know where my priorities lie anymore. With the Vackers, who
are doing a little better over the past eight months? With my
soon-to-be little brothers? Or Keefe? I talk to him every day at
school, and sit with him at lunch, and call him on the weekends. But
I talk to Grady and Edaline every day. And I go to Everglen three
times a week.
I
also have homework. Blech. At least summer break will come soon.
Today is Friday. The last day. Three glorious months off of school.
Then there’s no homework. I’m actually on my last sheet for
today.
I
don’t have any reason to worry. Quen is taken care of. Edaline has
a rope. Attached to this rope are two bells. One next to Grady’s
head, the other next to mine. When Quen is being born, she pulls it.
Grady takes the Pathfinder with the crystal locked on the birthing
center, and leaps her there.
I
have a home crystal to the Vacker’s house, I’ll stay there until
Grady comes to get me.
.
. . . . . .
I
hear ringing. I wonder what it is. I vaguely remember the bell. I
jump out of bed. I leap to Everglen, and press my thumb to the
sensor. They added my thumbprint.
I
race up the path to the house. A few rays of light are streaking the
sky, but not enough. It’s too dark. Too in the open.
I
open the doors, and walk to the living room. I clap my hands instead
of snapping, and a lamp turns on instead of the crystal chandelier.
I
grab a random book off the shelf, and sink into the overstuffed cream
chair next to the lamp.
I
open it to the first page, and realize it’s a scrapbook. Pictures
of Alden and Della on their wedding day. Alden smiling with her while
she’s pregnant with Alvar. Holding Alvar. Avar growing up. When
he’s about ten years of age, Della is pregnant with Fitz. Alvar is
in most of those photos, but not all. Pictures of him holding Fitz.
Alden and Della do too. There’s pictures of Della, with Alden one
side, twelve year old Alvar on the other, and two year old Fitz
pointing at Della’s stomach, probably Biana.
But
there are a few that really get to me. Alvar holding Fitz on one
knee, Biana on the other. Biana looking adoringly at her brothers as
they both hold her. But the worst/best is a family photo, Alvar is
between his parents, as Della holds Fitz, and Alden holds Della. They
look at each other, not the camera. They seem to love each other.
“Found
that book, huh?” Biana asks me, flopping into the gray couch
opposite me.
“Already
up?” I ask.
“Yeah.
I couldn’t sleep.” She says. “So, Quen is coming?”
“Yes.”
I say. Excitement leaking into my voice.
“Your
going to be a big sister!” She says.
I
think we squeal so loud we wake up everyone else in Everglen because
Della and Fitz come down and join us.
“How
are you, Sophie?” Della asks.
“I’m
good. And you?”
She
shrugs.
We
start to talk about giving birth and you know what is weird? Fitz
doesn't look the least bit uncomfortable. He just sat there and asked
questions. But he helped in the birthing process for Silveny, so he
might know all about it.
“So
it doesn't hurt?” Biana asks Della.
“No.
It’s just very hard to get comfortable.” Della says, probably
remembering giving birth to all her kids.
“For
humans, it hurts a lot.”
I
say.
They
all turn to me.
“I
don't know that from experience!
I
just know that from my human mom!” I explain.
“So,
will Grady come to get you, or both of them?” Della asks. “If
both of them, I want to know whether or not to make a big breakfast.”
That,
I
realize is a good question. Grady told me it would be him, but plans
often change at the last minute.
“I’m
not sure.” I decide to hail him. “Hey, Grady how’s Edaline?”
I ask.
“Good.”
He says. “Are you?”
“Yeah.”
I say. “Hey, are you coming to pick me up, or you and Edaline?”
“Neither.”
He tells me. “Edaline, Quen and I will come pick you up.”
I
smile. “Bye.”
After
he clicks away, I turn to Della. “Both.”
She
smiles. “I’ll start cooking.”
Biana
and I follow her because we want to help. Fitz follows because she
mentioned food.
“So,
Biana, you can roast the brattail, and put it in the pan. Sophie,
will you follow this recipe to make lushberry juice? I’ll make
blitzenberry muffins--Edaline showed me how to once.--Fitz, you can
go ask the gnomes for gretin tubers.”
I
follow the recipe exactly. I mash lushberries, and put them in a
pitcher and pour in a bottle of youth. I mix them, and then set the
pitcher aside, to help Biana roast the brattails.
Once
the muffins are in the oven, Della is worried about Fitz, and is
about to go look for him, when he stumbles into the kitchen, hidden
beneath a pile of pink tubers. He dumps the pile on the floor, and it
reaches up to his waist. She sets him to mashing them.
She
then puts the lushberry juice in the fridge to keep it cool. She
pulls the blitzenberry muffins out of the oven, and onto a tray, and
scrapes the gretin tuber mash onto a domed platter, and places the
lid on top. “Done!” She says. “Well except from the table. I’ll
set it.”
Diamond
plates, crystal goblets and silverware, silk napkins, and fancy name
cards. The Grady
one
sat at the head of the table. The Edaline
on
the right of that. Beside that was the Sophie. Next to that was the
Keefe. On the left of the Grady
was
the Della
card.
Next to that the Biana. Beside that was the Fitz.
Grady
and Edaline come in with two cute babies. They both have a little
peach fuzz on their heads. And non-definite eyes. And being their
older sister, I get to hold them first.
As
I was cuddling Quen, there was a knock on the door and Keefe walked
in.
“Hey.”
He said. Then looked at the baby in my arms. “So,
this is Quen?”
“Yeah.”
I say. “Edaline had twins.” Then it hits me. “Wait! Edaline,
you had a multiple birth!”
She
smiles sadly, “Yeah, but now I get three children. Quen Onen and
Orend Quade. And, you, Sophie. Our daughter.”
I
smile my cheeks slightly pink, Keefe grins evilly, ”Are we playing
my favorite game? Make Foster blush!!!” I laugh, and Keefe walks
over and wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close. His
breath tickles my ear when he whispers, “I’m sorry for yelling at
you, I should have apologized beforehand. But. . .will you accept it
now?”
“Yes
I will.” I whisper back.
Grady
cleared his throat.
“We
can get waaayyyy worse Grady!” He leans down and kisses me. I laugh
and kiss him back.“Can I hold him?’ Keefe asks
“Sure
!” I say.
All
of a sudden Quen starts smelling funny and Keefe passes him back.
“Ummm, never mind, that baby isn’t as nearly as fun as Glitter
Butt.”
Even
Gardy laughs at that one.
“So,
let’s eat some breakfast!” Della says.
While
we eat, baby jokes and prattle pins are exchanged despite the
fact that Keefe keeps sneaking longer and longer looks at me and when
we’re done with breakfast, he grabs my hand under the table. It
feels normal and happy and safe. When it’s time to go I hug
everybody and then hug Keefe again.
He
whispers, “You, me, Ro, and Giganatior seven-o-clock under
the Panakes tree love yah Foster.”
I
whisper back, “Love you too.”
He
swiftly kisses her on the nose before Grady sees and then leaped
away.
That's
good, and then, he gives me the catch.
When
we get home, the first thing I did was put the babies in the house
then I look at the clock. It’s 6:54. It wouldn't hurt to go up
early, would it? I don’t think it would. So I say I’m was going
outside for a minute and I’ll be back soon. Then I take off for
Calla’s Panakes tree. When I get there I see Ro standing on
the ground.
“Hey,
Ro.” I greet her.
“So.
. . any chance you could give me some tips?” She asked.
“On
what?”
“How
to get that idiot out of the tree.” Ro replied rolling her eyes.
I
laugh. “I’ll get him. Wait, why can't you?”
Ro
mumbles something under her breath.
“She
can’t climb trees!” Keefe shouts out to me jubilantly.
“#*&$
you Keefe!!” Ro yelled.
“
That’s
Lord Hunkyhair to you!” Keefe yelled back. I laughed just as
Keefe slipped hitting his head and letting out a pain-filled yelp
just as he hit the ground head first.
“OH
MY GOSH!” I yelled. Fear was shooting up and down me.
I
ran to him and leaped him to Elwin’s office. And once I got through
the door and Bulhorn went berserk I looked right and left but Elwin
was no were to be found. I somehow managed to use my shakey
telekinesis and lift him up on his cot and hail Elwin.
Elwin
saw my face and said, “I’ll be right over.”
I
managed to sit down next to Keefe and take his hand right before I
lost it. The last thing I remember was Elwin picking me up setting me
on the cot next to Keefe and handing me a vial a sparkly pink
sedative before I fell asleep.
CHAPTER
21
ELWIN
Working
on Keefe’s head was very difficult and Bulhorn wasn't helping
at all. Several elixirs later Bulhorn stopped screaming but sat
close and after smearing a green balm on his head and bandaged
it Bulhorn curled up under my desk.
I
quickly woke up both Sophie and Keefe and left them in the room but
watched from my door it was heartbreaking and fulfilling at the same
time.
“Keefe?”
She asks the same time he asks,
“Foster?”
She
gets up and runs over, and throws her arms around him, kissing him
all over.
Just
because I’m their doctor doesn’t mean I don’t eavesdrop on
them.
“Don’t
do that to me ever again!” Sophie yells at him
I
step through the door. “Okay. you guys are gonna have to stay here
for a while. Keefe, because of your head injury. Sophie, trauma.
Probably a week. Maybe more.”
“What?”
Sophie groans
Keefe
kisses her gently, “Hey, Foster, at least we’ll be here together.
Don’t let this get you down.”
Sophie
stares at him blankly. But then she laughs.
I
go to get some medicine for Keefe and to give them some privacy.
.
. . . . . . . . . . .
“Okay,
Keefe, if you take this vial, you can go home in two days.” I was
fighting Keefe just so he could take a small vial.
He
shakes his head. “You’re lying. I’m an Empath I can feel it.
And that,” He points to the tiny glass jar in my hand, “is just a
ton of yeti pee and other gross stuff isn't it?”
I
have to admit, the kid was good, but he still needed to take it.
Sophie
left three days ago and since then, Keefe has been driving me crazy.
So, being a doctor, I have dealt with kids like this, so I give him a
mild sedative and give it to him in his sleep.
CHAPTER
22
Sophie
Keefe
hailed me one day and told me he was out of the healing center.
“That's
so great!” I whisper.
“Why
are you so quiet?
“The
babies just
fell
asleep.” I tell him. “They’ve been crying literally nonstop.
The moment on falls asleep, the other wakes up. It’s like they’re
taking shifts.” I laugh tiredly.
“Oh,
okay, well, anyway,” he’s stuttering/hesitating/looking really
nervous.
The
twins were now a few weeks old and already causing trouble. I really
just hope they don’t turn out like Dex’s siblings.
“What's
wrong? I may not be an Empath, but I can tell something is up.” I
say matter of factly.
“I
wanted to ask you an important question. But, ummm not over the
imparter.”
“Ok.” I say “Where?”
“Meet
me in Silveny’s enclosure.” And with that, He clicked off.
I
got up from where I was sitting and quietly ran to Silveny. I opened
the gate and saw Keefe standing there.
“Wanna
go for a ride?” He asked.
I
get on Silveny and Keefe hops on Greyfell’s back. We shoot upward
and do loops and twirls. Then Keefe guides Greyfell closer to
Silveny.
“Hey,
Sophie?” He asked me.
He
called me by my first name, he never does that.
“Why
did you call me by my first name?” I asked him.
He
holds out a box and says, “Will you marry me, Foster?”
He
opens the box and inside was a ring. It was a silver band, and
on the top was a purple tinted stone I had never seen before cut into
a teardrop shape.
I
take a deep breath and gather myself, trying not to cry. “Yes. “
I say.
He
places the ring on my ring finger and hugged me tightly.
I
was sixteen and he was seventeen. It felt a little weird getting
engaged at that age.
“What
do you Dad would say?” I ask.
Since
the twins were born I started calling Grady and Edaline dad and mom.
And since Grady hated Keefe, I really wanted to see his reaction. So
we went inside and sat on the couch, waiting for Grady’s scolding.
“WHAT?!?!?!”
He yelled when he saw my finger, then covered his mouth because he
yelled so loud the babies started crying.
He
leads me, Keefe, and Edaline with the twins outside. The he
starts saying all these silly things.
“Why?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?”
He asks me. “No consideration, you didn’t even include your mom
and me in this decision!” Next he reels on Keefe. “You, you
should have asked my blessing! The fact that you think you can just
ask for a marriage like it’s no big deal--and again--without the
father’s consent! I-”
“Sophie,
will you hold Orend?” Edaline asks me. Quen looks a little like
Jolie, with soft amber hair, and bright blue eyes, but Orend has flat
blond hair, that’s often sticking up every which way, and aqua
eyes.
I
take him from her arms, and kiss the top of his head. I rock him to
sleep, while Edaline takes care of Quen.
“So,
I don’t think you’re old enough.” He finishes his lecture.
I
forcefully hand him Quen. “I don’t care!” I yell. “You
can’t stop me from being engaged! I am and will stay that way until
I’m married!” I see his stunned expression. “Yes! Engagement
means I’m marrying Keefe someday, and you’re NOT stopping me!”
Keefe
already left, because Grady made him. I go hop onto Silveny’s back,
and circle into the sky, Greyfell following. We teleport into the
void, and as we float in the void, I realize I need to see Keefe. But
not Lord Cassius. I still crack the sky to the Shores of Solace.
Keefe
runs outside, “Foster?” He asks. Which is the one thing I want to
hear.
Only a few more days till legacy comes out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EEEP
YAY!
Also I am meeting Shannon Messenger! So I will post something about that soon wooh!
YAY
MY FOSTER KEEFE HEART
LOVE
THERE PERFECT
Anything yall wanna see in this fan fic?? ships? cannons? suggestions? truths or dares?
Sparkly t-rex
This is really cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! We think your pretty cool to!
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