Chapter 41 #2
“I was just leaving,” Agent Weigmier said to Brennan.
“You’re not leaving with her. Grace, eight of your siblings are here?” Brennan looked baffled.
“They are? I didn’t even hear the doorbell. Eight? Only two were supposed to come, but I expected a third.” I checked my phone.
There was a picture of Hale getting kicked off the baggage conveyor belt; Tru and Pax being pushed in a baggage trolley by who I was pretty sure was my brother Dare; and Verity carrying Hope and multiple suitcases.
I sighed. “Let me finish here? Also, Nick Thanukos is here, he’s with Evan.”
“Spencer’s dad? Oh.” Brennan looked at Agent Weigmier. “He kept his promise.”
“It wasn’t a promise, but I’m happy that I could do it,” Agent Weigmier clarified. “I should go.”
“Let me move them out of the living room? If Tru finds out other worlds exist, we’re done for,” Brennan told me.
I sucked in a breath, seeing it. “Let's keep her focused on unsolvable equations and space travel for now.”
“I would agree that minimizing those who see me is a sound choice. Nick thinks I’m a social worker from the hospital,” Agent Weigmier said.
Brennan left. Eight siblings? I texted the wedding planner.
Me
I know the party starts soon, but how difficult would it be to get that bouncy castle? Also, to add six more people? The rest of my siblings showed up. They’re mostly children. Feel free to make them a kids' table, but you can keep my other siblings where they’ve been seated. Thank you.
Hale could be in charge of the kid’s table.
Fancy Wedding Planner
On it. Can it be any inflatable?
Me
Anything that will help entertain them.
I texted her their names for the table assignments. I’d probably regret putting Hale at the kids table, but I wasn’t sure where else to put him without rearranging things. The teenager table was full.
“Sorry. Is there anything else I need to know about Nick? Is he sick?” I asked Agent Weigmier.
“No. He’s in good health. Just with his age, the fact that he was a model prisoner, and giving him leniency for his world of origin, the judge decided to release him early. I think I told you everything else. Have a delightful party,” Agent Weigmier said.
“Thank you. If only Dr. K were here for the same. I don’t agree with such a long sentence for something they really didn’t understand.” I walked him out to the empty living room, though there were a bunch of bags piled on the couch and floor. “Thank you. This will mean everything to my mate.”
“I’m happy for that.” With a nod, Agent Weigmier left.
I texted Creed.
Me
Did you know that Verity was bringing everyone?
Creed
Yes, because I’m taking the boys to the adventure park tomorrow. I can take everyone if you want. Tru will probably want to stay with you. Hopey’s a little shy with me since I’ve been away at Natty and might like you better. I think Mercy and Riley have plans.
Fuck, did Dad not tell you?
Me
No. I thought it was only Verity and Mercy.
How long?
Creed
They’re leaving with Mercy tomorrow night.
I thought it was weird that you would have houseguests tonight other than Mercy, but I didn’t know they were all coming until yesterday.
Well then.
I went into the kitchen and saw my siblings in the backyard with Brennan and Riley. Where were Evan and Nick? I went upstairs.
Spencer’s door was open, and voices drifted out.
“Okay, we need to get going. Don’t worry, Uncle Nick. Everything’s fine,” Evan soothed.
“I… don’t understand. I missed so much.” Nick’s voice broke as he came out in one of Spencer’s suits.
I wrapped my arms around him. “Don’t think about the years you didn’t get. Think of what you have. You still have your wife and your son, and you’ll have many happy years together.”
“Thank you.” He hugged me back.
“Evan, all of my siblings are here. I think I’m going to make all of them but Mercy go with Creed to the adventure park tomorrow.” Not that I had any idea what that was.
“Good plan. Fuck. I’m late. I’ll see you at the party.” Evan looked at his phone and then kissed me.
“See you there.” I waved and went down to the backyard in time to see Hale throw Pax to Dare.
“Hi!” Verity came over and gave me a hug, Hope on her hip. “Sorry we were late. We had issues with security.” She looked at Hale and sighed.
Did I want to know? Probably not.
“Hi, Hope.” I waved at my tiny sister, her blonde hair done neatly in little braids. Her dress was the same blue as Verity’s. I realized they were nearly all wearing something blue–probably so Verity could easily find everyone in the airport.
Hope waved back as she sucked on her thumb.
“Dare, Chance, come meet your sister,” Verity yelled as Dare threw Pax back to Hale.
Two boys who looked a lot like Verity, with her dark hair and golden skin, ran over. One was older than Riley and Mercy but not as old as Hale. The other was in elementary school.
“This is Grace, you didn’t get to meet her last time,” Verity introduced. “These are your brothers, Dare and Chance.
“Sister, nice place,” Dare, the older one, said as he looked around. He wore black jeans with a chain, a blue band shirt, and had his eyebrow pierced. He was in high school if I remembered correctly.
“Hi. You could play so many games in this backyard,” Chance agreed, wearing a blue shirt for some sports team.
“Yes, they play flying disc sometimes,” I told them.
“That guy, what secret agency was he from? He has to be an agent, between that car and his suit,” Dare said.
“Dare.” Verity gave him a look.
“Oh, come on. I looked up Compass BioTek after the parents shit a pumpkin about Creed applying. I absolutely believe that you work with secret government agencies.” Dare grinned at me.
“Shhh.” I eyed Tru, who was on the porch swing with Riley and Mercy. “It’s not an agency that Tru needs to know about, at least not until she’s old enough for a work permit.”
Verity and Dare laughed.
Chance looked puzzled. “She got the internship, right? I had to look up a lot of words to help her fill that out.”
“Thank you for that,” I said. “She did. I’m teasing. Tru is so smart, but we don’t need her taking over the universe yet.”
Chance blinked. “I thought she wanted to solve an equation no one has solved and go into space.” He sucked in a breath. “Are you working with the Agents in Glasses?”
“That’s a movie, Chance,” Verity reminded.
“If we are, I can’t tell.” I grinned.
Chance nodded. “Understood.”
“Well, thank you for having us all. Dad’s sorry that he couldn’t make it. I have something for you from him in my bag. Where can we get ready? Wait, why aren’t you ready? Shouldn’t you be in hair and makeup?” Verity appraised me.
“They’re not coming, so I have a slight hair and makeup emergency.” I sighed, knowing we were now behind schedule. “Um, the boys can use the guest house. The girls can use the creepy doll room, and you can be with me? Wait, the little ones probably need help.”
“I’ve got them,” Mercy assured. “Hi, Big Sis.”
“Hi, Mercy.” I hugged her. Her hair was up in a messy bun, her blue shirt with a skate smash team on it.
“Grace.” Tru ran over and hugged my leg.
“Hi, Tru.”
“Please, let’s not go in the—” Brennan winced as Hale threw Pax into the pool. “Pool.”
“Hale, get the boys, girls, you’re with Mercy,” Verity yelled. “Hopey, baby, get dressed with Mercy, okay?”
Hope pouted as Verity handed her to Mercy.
“You, too, Tru,” Verity added.
“Hey, Babycakes.” Riley joined us. “I love your hair. We’re going to have a getting ready party. I’ve got the perfect music.”
Verity turned to me. “Let’s go.”
“I didn’t know you all were coming,” I murmured. “It’s totally okay, but I might make Creed take them all to the adventure park tomorrow.”
Where were they even staying tonight? Here?
“He’s supposed to take them all to the adventure park.
I literally gave him money to cover the tickets.
” She sighed. “Hope is very shy with him, so he probably figured he’d just leave her with you.
Typical. Tru wants to stay with you, but she’s going to love the adventure park.
Don’t worry, Creed can handle them, he just doesn’t want to since Mercy won’t be there to help. Dare and Hale are capable.”
“Maybe we can meet them at the adventure park for dinner and fireworks?” Riley suggested, her and Mercy joining us, the little ones in tow.
“Possibly? It would be nice to see everyone, though I have a brunch and a lunch tomorrow. We’ll figure it out,” I assured.
“Come on,” Riley told Tru and Hope.
Tru tugged on Riley’s feathered robe. “I love it.”
“Thanks. Let’s go.” Riley grabbed some bags and herded them down the hall.
Verity grabbed a purple suitcase and a purple, sparkly, wheeled makeup case. “Good thing I know how to do makeup quickly. We’ll have you ready in no time.”
“Thank you. Um, let’s go upstairs. Warning, I don’t have my own bathroom. I share one with Evan.”
“The giant omega.” Verity giggled. “Sorry.”
“Oh, I know. He’s delicious,” I laughed as I led her up the stairs. “I went home with him when I first met him.”
“Do tell?” She grinned.
We went up to my room, the dress already laid out on my daybed.
“Your room,” Verity breathed. “This is the prettiest room. The painting on your door is beautiful.”
“Riley painted it. She and Evan did a lot to make this room ready for me.” I went into the bathroom and got my makeup and the curling iron someone had gotten me, but I’d never used it.
When I came out, Verity was taking a dress out of her bag.
“I think I can get away without steaming it?” She smoothed the lavender dress.
“I’ll ask someone to bring up the steamer.” I texted the group chat, not actually sure where everyone was.
Verity went over to the bed. “This is the dress? I’m a little jealous that you have a Dubois Sapphire gown.”
“Whose show are you doing? It’s for Paris Fashion week, right?” I asked.
“The main one I’m doing is Ferrell. A few of my friends are going to be there. I think we’re going to try to sneak into a party at Surpressa.” She started digging through my makeup.
“Ooh. That sounds fun. We got kicked out of the one here,” I told her as I pulled over a chair.
“You did?” Her blue-green eyes sparkled. “Sit. I want to hear all about it.”