Chapter Seven #2
Amelie takes Sawyer’s hand, and I don’t blame her.
With the memories we left her with the last time she was here, I’m surprised she was even willing to agree to come back.
We were absolute assholes scaring her, not believing what she had been through.
I wish we were different and asked questions before we acted, but that isn’t who we are and Amelie knows that now. Accepts it even.
Kalen bounds up to the door and lets himself in, calling out to Mum. She calls back that she’s in the kitchen. One of the things I miss the most about living with her is her food. Don’t get me wrong, the chef at Dad’s can cook, but there’s nothing like her homemade comfort food.
We all follow the delicious smell into the kitchen, each of us taking turns to give her a hug as Amelie stands awkwardly by the table, unacknowledged by our mum. I bite my tongue, wanting to say something, but deciding to wait and see how it plays out.
“Dinner will be ready shortly,” Mum says.
We all follow Sawyer’s lead and sit while Mum pulls out plates and cutlery, placing them on the table.
“Let’s cut to the chase and you tell us why we’re really here,” Kalen announces. He usually isn’t this abrupt with her, being the baby and the favourite and all.
Mum walks over and takes a seat between Kalen and Slate.
“I wanted to clear the air. I hate that I let my resentment for Laura turn me into a raging bitch.” Mum looks at Amelie as she talks.
“I wanted to apologise to the woman who not only captured the heart of one of my sons, but all of them. I don’t understand it, but I won’t judge, as long as you’re all happy.
The Order has a way of dragging men down with it and turning them into a shadow of the people they once were. ”
Amelie’s eyes go wide. Yes, our mother knows about The Order. She knows the basics and that’s it. Wives don’t get the luxury of knowing their husband’s involvement, and that’s if they even bother to tell them at all.
“Yes I know about The Order, and that my sons are involved. I despise the misogyny of it all.”
“That’s all about to change,” Amelie says, making it my mum’s turn to be shocked.
Amelie looks at Sawyer and he nods. She can tell who she wants in theory, but the ramifications of telling the wrong person can be hard to deal with.
I’m glad she checked with Sawyer first, but obviously our mother can be trusted.
“The Order is no longer run by men or only about men.”
“Since when?” Mum asks curiously.
“Since Amelie is the one rule they tried to keep hidden, and have done everything in their power to eradicate,” Sawyer answers.
“She has two biological parents from founding families. She’s basically who Harold hoped Kalen would be. So by default, she’s now the boss. The rules don’t explicitly state that only a male could take the seat. Dad found a loophole.”
“If he found a loophole Slate, he’s up to something. It might not be anything bad, because your father is a good man, but he’s up to something, nonetheless. I could never work out the Laura angle. She isn’t his type…no offence.”
“None taken. I’m glad that woman isn't my biological parent, but I feel sorry for my brother.”
“Who’s your mother?”
Amelie cuts another glance at Sawyer, who shrugs. He’s saying it’s up to her if she wants to reveal this information or not. I’m not convinced it’s a good idea but it’s not my place to say anything, so after a beat Amelie goes on to explain about Debbie.
Mum’s jaw hangs open as Amelie reveals more than she probably should about Debbie. I watch them carefully. Our mum’s eyes glisten with unshed tears at finding out Debbie is alive. She tells Amelie they knew each other growing up and Amelie blinks in shock, probably seeing her in a new light.
I’m glad that they seem to be getting along.
We are all super close to our mum and it would have made it harder to navigate if she didn’t apologise.
We understand the hurt of her marriage breaking down after so many years, and being stuck working at the school with our father, left without many options.
Because she knows about The Order, she had to be kept in line by our father or she would have been killed.
The system is fucked.
Slate and I were abused for years before anyone took notice. We don’t know the full story of what happened to our parents and why they took off, though I have my suspicions. We have relatives within The Order that we barely know. They made zero effort to try and claim us.
Sawyer keeps his truth close to him. We don’t know much about his parents besides that they are dead. I know he sometimes talks to the one living relative he still has, but I think that only started after accidentally killing his friend.
If Monty hadn’t adopted us, god knows where we would have ended up.
Even if at times I feel like having us inside benefited him.
He says we are part of the Knox family, but we still have our real families’ blood in our veins and having three bloodlines on his side really has to help him with whatever he had planned. Or has planned.
We haven’t been able to figure it out yet, and maybe we never will.