Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer, my OCs belong to me.
Summary: Addie and Leda decided that when they grew up they would be in a band. Soon Addie's cousin Loki was added to the mix and a while after that Robyn made up the fourth member of The Eternal Freak Show. Now with years of practice to hone their skills they're old enough to start gigging.
Basically this is a follow up to Addie & Robyn, and Loki & Leda, after the events of Family business.
Addie
I stood under the cover of the Wyoming car park, happy for that bit of shade. The day was already shaping up to be a hot one and I could do without the baking. I wish Gran and Gramps would hurry up, I thought to myself. I mean Seren and Rupert were already on the road, had been for half hour and I was still here with my bags. I bet they would have dropped me at Olympic Pines if I asked them.
Finally I felt Gran's mind heading in my direction and I sighed with relief as I lifted my bag up off the floor. I'd soon be in the car and heading back to Olympic Pines where I could hopefully spend some time with Robyn, of course that depended on if her mam was still being difficult. Dove had flipped out when she found out I imprinted on her, but mostly with Robyn because she thought she was leading me astray.
Gramps was with Gran of course, but Mam and Dad were with them too. I looked to the door a second before the four of them came out together. Mam came up to me and hugged me tightly around my waist. It was the highest she could comfortably hug me since I had my growth spurt.
"Are you sure you do not wish to travel with Dad and I?" She asked.
"I need to go back to Tregarran to meat up with the wolves." I said. "I'll come home with them."
"Are you quite certain?"
"Come on Eliza, he's sure." Dad said as he put a hand on Mam's shoulder before he lowered his mouth to Mam's ear and in a stage whisper said, "I think it's more that he wants to see Robyn sooner."
"Of course." Mam said before she looked back up at me. "Very well, I understand. However, should you go to see Robyn, please do not antagonise Dove. It would be detrimental to you both should she become angered enough to place Robyn in a school in California."
"You think that's likely?" I asked, feeling worried. After all, Mam and Dove had been good friends in college, if this was a possibility Mam would know.
"I hope not, but Dove can be impulsive at times and make rash decisions without thinking through the consequences."
"Don't worry, I'll announce myself before I go over." I promised.
"It's for your sake not mine that I caution this." Mam said firmly before she stepped away from me.
"I know." I said. "And I'll ring you once we're at Tregarran and just before I'm heading back to the Res."
"Then I will see you in a few days." Mam said solemnly.
I kissed her cheek, gave Dad a brief hug then climbed into the back of Gran's escalade. Gran and Gramps said their goodbyes to Mam and Dad before they got in too. Gran was driving while it was light, but I knew Gramps would take over when it got dark so she could sleep. I offered to do my share of the driving, but Gran turned me down and said I deserved a rest. I guess it wouldn't be so bad watching the road and at least I had room to stretch out my legs with the whole back seat to myself.
The journey went by without a hitch and I even got a full sleep with the back seat to myself. Apparently Gran and Gramps even stopped off during the night for a toilet break, but I was none the wiser. I just slept through until six in the morning when we were about twenty miles from Olympic Pines.
"Good morning sleeping beauty." Gran said as she grinned at me through the gap in the seats.
"I can't believe I actually slept in the car." I said as I sat up and stretched out my limbs.
"You have missed a lot of sleep recently." Gran said.
I nodded. I had.
"I take it you will be straight over to visit Robyn once we arrive home?" Gramps asked.
"No. It's still early. I should eat first, and maybe shower then phone Dove at a descent hour to let her know I'm coming over." I replied.
"That's probably for the best." Gran said with a smile. "I'm looking forward to breakfast too. Then a good sleep. Then we'll have to think about how to get you and the rest of the wolves home."
"Yeah." I agreed.
"How are you holding up?" Gran asked as she climbed through the seats and sat in the back with me.
"Ok." I said.
"You know you did real good?"
"Yeah." I said, looking down at my knees.
"I'm sorry you had to see such a bad scene." She said and hugged me. "If I could have stopped you from seeing what happened to Drogo…"
"None of us knew." I said and hugged her back. "How could we?"
"I should have known. I should have sensed him." Gran said sadly.
"Then I should of." I said simply. "We might be telepaths but our minds are not always out there and we was worried about Billie anyway. We didn't even know Drogo was there."
"I did." Gran said dropping her head. "I knew he was there and the reason Rea suspected something was up with Billie was because he hadn't called in."
"Gran, Billie is your daughter, of course you'd worry about her first. And even if we did go to Drogo first what would it have meant? That we got him down a few hours earlier? All the damage was done before they stapled him to the wall and at least you got to take out Jules. He was on the kill list, right?"
Gran nodded.
"If we'd gone for Drogo first, you wouldn't have gone after Billie so soon and then you might of ended up being too late to stop Jules or even met up with the rest of them in Mexico on time." I said. "And I still would have seen him…" I trailed off and squeezed my eyes on the memory.
"Oh god!" Gran gasped.
"He's safe now so there's no need to fret." I said as I tapped her shoulder. "I just don't think about it and I'm ok."
Gran sighed deeply before she hugged me tightly.
As long as you're sure. She said telepathically toward me.
I am. I replied. Besides, I'll have school and band stuff to occupy me soon I won't even have time to think about anything else.
Throw yourself into your work? Good idea. Gran thought as she smiled at me.
I smiled back and then I grinned as I felt the sudden reconnection in my mind to Robyn. She probably wouldn't feel it yet, but now we were only a few miles from each other I could feel her again and it made me feel instantly better. I hadn't realised I had that worry, I'd been too on edge over other things and she was pretty safe here, but now I knew she was safe I knew I'd also been anxious about her. I had to see her as soon as…
No. I had to wait until it was a little later so I didn't antagonise Dove. Well maybe I could call Simon first, he could talk her round I was sure. Or at least stop her taking Robyn away from me. What was a decent time to call?
"Anytime after nine I shouldn't wonder." Grandpa said.
"Oops! Am I projecting?" I asked, feeling embarrassed.
"Just a little." Grandpa said.
"But don't worry. I know it's just cause your worried." Gran said, and tapped my shoulder. "Used to happen to me all the time when I was your age and we shouldn't forget that you're more like me than any of the others."
"We didn't get to practice our telepathic abilities from birth?" I joked.
"There's that." Gran said with a grin. "But also, there's being more powerful. Mags has always been the most powerful out of my grandchildren, but you've caught up with her since you started phasing."
"I have?" I asked, shocked.
Gran nodded.
"Wait. That means I'm more powerful than Loki." I said with a grin.
"I thought you boys had set your rivalry aside years ago." Grandpa said, glancing at me in the rear view mirror.
"We don't get so agro, but a bit of healthy teasing every now and then don't hurt." I said with a shrug. "But he's taller and stronger than me so it's swings and roundabouts."
"Yeah." Gran agreed then looked out the window and sighed happily. "Almost home." She said as we started up the drive for Tregarran.
"I can't wait for something to eat and then a shower." I said, nodding my head.
"And to sleep in my own bed." Gran said with a stretch and a smile. "Though first up I need to check my email to see if Billie's landed ok. She better be in contact now she can or we'll be taking another trip to Hawaii Fang Boy."
"Perhaps this time we can make a vacation of it." Gramps said as he rounded the house for the garage.
"Damn sure." Gran replied.
Gramps pulled into the garage and we all climbed out of the car.
"I think I'll go shower first." I said.
"Yes. It will give me time to prepare a spectacular breakfast." Gramps announced.
"I'll come help." Gran said as she kissed him.
"Will half hour be enough time?" I asked.
"Make it an hour to give you enough time to complete your ablutions to the standard you prefer." Gramps said and tapped my arm. "Besides, it will give me time to make breakfast spectacular."
"Ok." I said with a shrug, figuring that Gran and Gramps wanted a little alone time now they were back home and everyone was safe. "See you both later."
I went up the steps to the ground floor directly from the garage then made my way upstairs. A shower would be nice and after some breakfast I could think about ringing Dove and asking if I could see Robyn.
Leda
I looked up at my boyfriend Loki as he pulled at the collar of his shirt, it was rare that he dressed formally, but he felt the need this morning. Ideally we should already be on the road putting much distance between the Ranch and ourselves. Truth be told I had my fill of the VCAC HQ for this year and would be glad to return to normal life.
I knew Loki shared my want to be heading north, perhaps not straight home, if time was on our side we would make a stop over at Tregarran on the way home, but before we could leave Auntie Jane had requested a visit from us. The both of us as a couple and I had never known Loki to be so self-conscious, of course I had never seen Loki when dealing with something so daunting as meeting with the most powerful vampire in America when dating her niece. One he had only weeks before deflowered.
I did not think for one minuet Auntie Jane would give Loki a hard time about being my lover, after all, it was I who had seduced him. Auntie Jane knew this because she thought we were much alike in personality, if one removed the centuries she had spent in service to the Volturi as Aro's most feared weapon.
I was certain that Auntie Jane wanted nothing more than to give us her blessing since she had not had the chance thanks to the troubles caused by the League, but was taken the opportunity to have a few words before we returned home for the foreseeable future. Regardless of this assurance, Loki was still agitating and had decided to dress formally to make the best impression. For this reason alone I too had opted for formal attire so that Loki would not look out of place.
"Has the air con stopped working?" He asked, and there was a sheen of sweat on his forehead.
I smiled at him as I took the cotton handkerchief out of my sleeve and wiped his forehead before I kissed his cheek.
"Perhaps you should be in your vampire skin for a while." I suggested.
"You don't like me pale." He said. "That's why you fell for this hot russet ass in the first place." He added, aiming for his usual feigned narcissism but completely failing.
"Come now my Lover, you know I love all your forms." I said softly as I placed my hand to his cheek. "And there is nothing to fear from Auntie Jane. She may feign antagonism toward you, but you can read her mind and know it is not serious. It will merely be her way of welcoming you to the family. Auntie does have her funny ways."
"Yeah. Well if I collapse from a stroke or something, do not resuscitate." He quipped.
"And face a future without you?" I asked, feeling saddened by the thought despite the fact that I knew he was jesting and it was unheard of for one of us many vampire variants to suffer such things as a stroke. "I don't think so."
"Lee, I'm sorry." He said and kissed my lips, and as he did so I felt the heat leave him. I'm just on edge right now. He added with his mind.
I'll protect you from Auntie Jane. I promised, utilising his telepathy as we continued the kiss.
Loki pulled away from me and I saw the colour return to his skin as he allowed his human part to regain control.
"Let's go see Jane." He said with a nod.
I smiled and slipped my arm through his before we left my room. We made our way to Auntie Jane's office and I knocked on the door. The door opened almost immediately and we entered.
Auntie Jane was not behind her desk for once. She was standing partway between the door and her desk with her hands clasped behind her back as she greeted us with a blank look. I raised my eyebrow, sure that Auntie Jane meant to play with us.
"You wished to see us Auntie Jane." I prompted.
"I did." Jane said in an unamused voice. "I wished to look upon the man who thinks he is good enough for my niece."
I sighed in an exaggerated manner.
"Auntie please, can we dispense with the charade? You requested that Loki and I visit with you this morning while everyone else is already making moves to leave, and all you do is intimidate the man I love?"
Jane rolled her eyes.
"Honestly Elfleda, you're no fun." She said with a pout before she went behind her desk and sat down. "Besides, Loki knows I'm only messing with him. I would not do this if I wasn't confident he was reading my mind."
"Sorry Ma'am." Loki said, dropping his head.
"I have no problems with you reading my mind. I am used enough to your grandmother to know how to keep my most cherished thoughts secret." Jane said in a fond voice before indicating the chairs opposite her. "Please, take a seat."
Loki and I sat opposite Auntie Jane.
"Please relax Loki, I only called you to give you my blessing, after a few questions from a concerned matriarch. I must look out for my nieces and nephews of course."
"Yes Ma'am." Loki said and he was still tense so I took his hand.
"It is not because I disapprove you understand, but because I know how things stand for you wolves. I take it you have not imprinted on Leda? Of course you haven't, if that were the case you would have become an item several years ago. You see why I am fearful for the well being of my niece?"
"Auntie Jane, Loki and I already discussed this. I know the risks involved in dating him and I love him enough that I would allow him to be happy with the one he belongs to. Until that time he is mine and mine alone. That is all I need to know to be happy with my Loki." I stated wholeheartedly for I knew this to be the truth.
Auntie Jane regarded me for a long, almost uncomfortable moment before she smiled.
"That is all this old woman needs to settle her mind." Auntie Jane said with a nod of her head. "Loki, until such a time as fate dictates otherwise, please consider yourself part of my family with all the protections that entails. Any problems, be sure to call on Auntie Jane."
"Yes Ma'am." Loki said.
"Please Loki, you're my niece's lover, I'm sure you can call me Jane."
"Yes Jane." Loki said, his voice still a little squeaky, but some of the tension had left him.
"There was also another matter I wished to discuss with the both of you. I have heard that you're interested in getting a place of your own. I believe I can help you out."
"We wish to do it of our own accord." I said with a frown.
"I am also aware of this fact." Jane said as she picked up her tablet and began scrolling through it. "However, you both did a great service to the Vampire Nation, and like everyone else who helped during this difficult time you will be paid. However I thought perhaps instead of me paying each of you in one lump sum I combine your payments and issue it to you in instalments over the next year as rent for an abode of your choice."
"Is this something we have to decide on immediately?" I asked.
"Of course not. Take time to think about it and get back to me within a month. I will then pay you as you wish." Jane said with a nod.
"Thank you Auntie Jane." I said levelly, unsure at present whether I liked the offer or not.
"Thanks." Loki added.
Jane smiled before she said, "Now I know you wish to be going so feel free to leave, but be sure to visit with me at some point in the near future."
"Of course Auntie Jane." I said as I got to my feet.
Loki and I left Jane's office and returned to my room. Loki sighed but still didn't relax.
"I'm gonna change into something comfortable for travelling and then I'm getting the hell out of Dodge." He said, and I sensed he wished to wait until we were travelling to discuss Jane's proposal.
"Likewise." I said as I pulled my dress up over my head. "That's why I put my clothes ready before we went to see Jane."
"Glad I took your advice." Loki said, already in his shorts and pulling on his t-shirt. "Can't wait to be out of this heat either."
"Agreed." I said as I put my dress into my bag. "All set?"
"Yeah." Loki said, tapping his holdall that was now on his shoulder.
"Then let's go." I said, taking his hand and kissing his cheek before we left my room.
Of course there was one stop we had to make before going to the car park, I had to let Papa know I was leaving and that I planned to stop by Tregarran on the way home if Addie and Robyn happened to still be there. It was something that needed doing if I wished for Papa to let me have some freedom when we returned home.
I knocked on Papa's door and he answered almost immediately. I wondered briefly if perhaps he'd been pacing, waiting for my call, ready to pounce on the door as soon as I arrived. Perhaps that was somewhat paranoid of me and so I pushed the thoughts from my mind as I brought a smile to my face.
"Papa, we are about to depart." I said.
"I guessed as much." Papa said, his gold eyes moving between the bags that Loki and I held. "I will see you tomorrow when we arrive home."
"I may not go straight home Papa. If Addie and Robyn are still in Olympic Pines we will make a stop over. We promised Essie and Tobias a Freaks concert if this be the case."
"We did." Loki confirmed.
"Perhaps I will stop by to take in the concert too." Papa said, I'm certain in a hope of catching us out.
"That would be wonderful." I said and kissed his cheek. "I'll let Essie know you plan to drop by too."
"Very well." Papa said, caught off-guard by my enthusiasm.
"Then I shall see you soon." I stated. "You too Kitty-Kat." I called to my stepmother.
"Have a safe journey." Kitty-Kat called in reply.
After several more goodbyes Loki and I made our way to my car and we were on the road for home.
Robyn
I was on the edge of waking up when I felt it. Didn't know what it was at first, but it was a calm come over me, and the sudden realisation that Addie was ok. I opened my eyes quickly, I hadn't realised I thought he wasn't, but now I knew he was ok I felt relieved. He was nearby and it freaked me out a little that I knew he was getting closer.
I turned over and curled back up around my blanket and pillow hoping to get back to sleep, but it was no good. I was awake and really excited to see Addie now I knew he was close by, though I didn't see it happening anytime soon. I had two days left of this little vacation with my parents and I don't think Dove would be happy giving me any time away from them.
I got up and stretched before I went over to my dressing table where my phone lay. I picked it up and checked it, I didn't have any messages yet, but it was still early, he probably thought I was still sleeping. He was awake though. He had to be he just got back.
The thought of seeing Addie again gave me some cheap thrills, seriously, he might not have the experience, but then most of the guys I'd been with weren't exactly experienced. The difference was, Addie was in it for both of us, those guys before him, were mostly in it for themselves, or if not, so chuffing they were finally having sex that they just blew their load before I'd even warmed up.
Addie was different and he was mine. I sighed and moaned a little and that shocked me. I opened my eyes and from my reflection I saw that I was touching my own boob and I saw the smile spread across my face as I remembered what Addie said to me just before I had to go away. He said he'd throw his mind out to me, and over all that distance he wasn't sure we could connect, but now he wasn't so far away, I was well within his telepathic range.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I wasn't really sure how to do this, but I'd been mind talking with Addie for years so I did what I did when we were in the same room. I thought his name loud in my mind and thought it toward Tregarran because I was sure that's where he was.
Addie? Addie? Addie?
Robyn? Addie thought back and I felt a wave of love and warmth flow through me as his mind connected with mine.
I got through to you! I said grinning at myself in the mirror.
You did. Addie replied.
Oh my god it's so good to hear you and feel your mind. I didn't realise I would miss you this much. But you're back now. How are you? I thought in a rush.
Glad to hear your voice again, feel even better when I see you again. He said wistfully.
I'm looking in a mirror. I said.
Ok. He said.
I mean, I've heard the stories of some of the telepaths being able to look through other people's minds…
Ok. But let me know if you feel uncomfortable. Addie said in serious tones.
Will do. I promised.
Ok. Here goes.
I controlled my breathing and looked at my reflection. Then I felt something in my mind and I realised it was Addie. I could almost smell him and taste him. I smiled at myself in the mirror and blew a kiss. I felt light sparkle through me, it was Addie thrilling at seeing me and seeing my kiss.
You wanna see more? I asked as I reached up to the strap of my pyjama top and went to drop it.
No. Please! I don't know what'll happen if I get aroused when I'm in your mind! Addie said panicked. Besides, I'm in my grandparents' house and I got to shower and get dressed within an hour and then I got to go for breakfast. Then I'll ring your mam.
Why? I asked.
To ask if I can see you. To talk to you after the long week I've just had. Hopefully she'll see the light.
You're really gonna phone her? I asked.
I want to do it right. And I don't want to make her take you away to California.
If she does I'll run away back to Forks and I'll let her know that's what I'll do and if she tries to block me in some way. Well as soon as I turn eighteen and I'm an adult… I trailed off, maybe that was going too far.
You wouldn't want to cut her out of your life. Addie said, and he was right about that. And it would also mean cutting your dad out of your life.
I guess it wouldn't be right to ask Simon to go behind Dove's back. I said.
No it wouldn't. Addie said softly and I could almost feel him stroking my cheek in comfort. I'll go do my showering and stuff now and hopefully I'll get to see you in a few hours. Also, do you want me to shave?
What do you mean? I asked.
I haven't had chance to shave in a few days and I got a bit of a beard coming in. So, do you want me to shave now, or later before I go home and Mam sees me?
I thought for a moment then watched myself shrug in the mirror.
I guess if this is the one chance I get to see it. I considered.
It won't look bad to your mother? Addie asked, feeling worried.
It'll make you look older so it'll get her off my back. I said.
Ok. Then I'll see you in a while.
See you in a while. I replied, then I felt him pull away.
I got up and went to shower, trying to imagine Addie with a beard and whether I'd like it or not.
Addie
By the time I finished breakfast it was after nine so it was ok to phone people. I sat in the office Carlisle used when he was here and dialled Dove's mobile number.
It rang and then it was answered.
"Hello. This is the office of Dove Bradshaw, Cherelle speaking, would you like to leave a message?"
"Um…I'm Addie, her daughter's boyfriend. Is she there?" I asked.
"Ms Bradshaw is away on vacation at the moment." Cherelle said in an efficient manner, polite but clearly wanting the call to end to clear the line for more important things.
"I know. But this is her mobile." I pointed out.
"I'm not at liberty to answer that." Cherelle said promptly.
"I know it's her mobile. Like I said, I'm her daughter's boyfriend. I wanted to talk to her about something. It's important."
"I'm sorry but Ms Bradshaw is unavailable until Thursday, would you like to leave a message?"
"Oh forget it!" I said and slammed the phone down.
I thought for a moment then rang Simon's number. It rang four times before it was answered.
"Hello?" Simon answered.
"Hi Simon, it's me Addie. Can I speak to Dove please?"
"You don't want to speak to Robyn?" Simon asked, sounding surprised.
"I do. But that's why I want to speak to Dove first. I'm in Tregarran and I was wondering if I could come over and visit with Robyn for an hour or two this morning."
"I don't see why that would be a problem. Sure, come over. Right away?" Simon asked.
"What about Dove?" I asked.
"Just come on over. I'll let security know to let you in. Shall we say ten minuets?" Simon suggested, ignoring me.
"Ok." I said, although I wasn't sure what would happen with Dove.
"Then I'll see you in ten." Simon said before he hung up.
I put my phone in my pocket before I checked my reflection just to make sure I looked presentable, whished I'd actually shaved after all, but it was too late for that now, and I went to find Gran and Gramps who were hanging out in the pool room.
"I'm going over to the Cranston Farm." I called to them across the pool.
"Ok. Call if there's any problems." Gran yelled back.
I saluted before I left through one of the many doors on the poolroom and made my way into the back garden. I headed into the trees and ran to the Cranston Farm. I reached the fence and checked my phone. It wasn't quite ten minutes yet. I had to wait out a few minuets just so Simon would have the ten minuets he asked for. Once the ten minuets were up I made my way around to the front gate and pressed the button.
"Yes?"
"Hi. I'm Addie." I said. "Addie Llewellyn."
"Not on the list." The security guard replied.
"Pat, let him in." I heard Simon say since Pat obviously hadn't taken his finger off the button.
"But Ms. Bradshaw said…"
"And I'm telling you to let him in." Simon said, his voice sounding closer to the mike. "Or I'll do it myself."
A moment later there was a buzz and the gate began to swing open.
"I'll come meet you at the front door kid." Simon said to me.
"Ok." I replied and stepped in through the gates when there was enough room.
I remembered to keep my pace human as I jogged up the drive to the front door. I raised my fist to knock, but the door opened and Simon smiled at me and pulled me into a big bro hug.
"Good to see you kid." He said as he pulled me into the house and led me over to the sofa.
I sat down since Simon put his hand on my shoulder and made it clear that I had no other choice.
"So, Robyn told me you imprinted on her." He said cheerfully.
"Yeah." I said, not sure where this was going. Was he leading em into a false sense of security?
"I'm glad." Simon said.
"You are?" I asked, wondering if he was having me on.
"Yeah. Look Ads, Robyn may think I'm totally blind, but I know she isn't innocent, hasn't been for a while. I've been worried about the call that she's pregnant or she brings home Brett the slacker pothead to come leech off her famous parents, so it's a relief that's off the table now. Not to mention, I like you so there's a big plus."
"Thanks?" I said, really not knowing how to respond.
"And don't sweat it kid, it's true. And Dove likes you too, it's more that she's worried about you." Simon said, his voice filled with concern.
"I know." I said. "I got that much when I talked to her last week. I wish she wasn't mad at Robyn though."
"She's not mad anymore, and if she is, she ain't taking Robyn anywhere. I am her father. I got some say in her upbringing too." Simon said firmly.
"But won't that cause problems between you two?" I asked, feeling worried.
Simon just smiled as he shook his head and got to his feet.
"Come on. Dove and Robyn are up in the family room."
I stood up too and followed Simon up the stairs to the first floor. He opened the door directly on top of the stairs and it opened onto a more comfy, intimate sitting room than the reception room downstairs.
Dove looked up as soon as we stepped in and the smile she had for Simon froze and turned into a frown. Robyn looked at me too and she looked worried, like she wasn't sure what to do.
"Ain't ya gonna greet your boyfriend?" Simon said in teasing father tones.
Robyn smiled and stood up before she crossed the room and hugged me tightly.
"You're safe." She whispered in my ear.
"Yeah." I confirmed.
"And still in one piece."
"I didn't even make the battle. It was all over before me and Kekipi got there." I said.
"I want to hear all about it." Robyn said as she took my hand and led me over to the love seat she'd been sitting in. "And maybe you could share it with Mom and Dad too so they know all you've been through and maybe Mom could take some ideas from it for her next movie?"
I didn't really want to talk in front of Dove and Simon, but I realised that Robyn was trying to show Dove what an asset I could be.
"Ok." I said as I sat down. "Um…where do you want me to begin?" I directed at Dove. "You want me to tell you about Hawaii too?"
"Sure." Dove said as Simon sat next to her and put his arm around her.
"Ok. Well what do you know?" I asked, so I wouldn't be telling them stuff they already knew.
"Nothing apart from you went to Hawaii to save Billie with your Gran and Gramps." Simon said.
"Ok. Well, we got there and, well we were too late." I said, feeling a touch of indigestion with the shame.
"How late?" Dove asked in worry and I got a flash of her thinking of Billie being dead and she didn't want that for the baby sister of her best friend from college.
"If it was that late do you think I'd be here rather than mourning with my family?" I asked.
"Then what do you mean?"
"If we'd been ten minuets sooner we could have saved Billie and Isla from a lot of torment." I said darkly as I saw the glimpses in my mind that I'd picked up from my brief encounters with Billie and Isla and the gaps I'd filled in thanks to Loki.
"What do you mean?" Dove asked.
"They were kidnapped and almost turned into sex slaves." I said looking down at my feet. "But ten minuets earlier we could have taken out the vamps. We would have saved Kekipi being crushed too and got Drogo down off the wall earlier."
"Off the wall?" Dove asked.
"Ok. I'll just take it from the top and I won't stop until I'm finished." I said and took a deep breath before I told them everything that I'd witnessed in Hawaii then my trip down to Wyoming. I finished with setting out home with Gran and Gramps.
"Wow." Dove said looking sick. "You really witnessed all that?"
I nodded, and Robyn pulled me into a big hug and I cwtched her into me and kissed the top of her head.
I'm gonna spoil you rotten when we get home. Robyn thought toward me. You deserve it.
I don't want to be treated differently because of it. I just want to forget. I replied.
Ok. Robyn agreed.
"Is Robyn in any danger?" Dove asked.
"No. The League have gone and she'll always be protected by me, a hell of a lot of wolves on the Res and when we eventually start touring there'll be Loki and Leda. There'll be no safer human in the world than Robyn."
"But Drogo is a half vamp and he got hurt." Dove said flatly.
"Yeah, but he's of moderate strength and has no special abilities. Loki and I are both vampire wolves, we're as strong as full vamps, not to mention we can turn into wolves and tear them apart with our teeth and on top of that we can use the alpha voice and then Leda can take away their senses to disorientate them long enough to take them out. Down in Mexico they saved Billie, Loki and Leda did along with Seren and Rupert. Leda took away the guard's senses and Seren held them in place while Loki and Rupert tore them apart. They wanted to make it quick and silent to stop them being able to call in back up, or you know, if they had butties in the back ready to take out Billie, Isla and Brah as soon as there was trouble."
"Do you think they'll tell me their side?" Dove asked.
"I don't think Seren, Leda or Loki would have a problem, but I can't promise anything about Billie and Isla because they've gone back to Hawaii. I suppose Brah might talk to you, he is going to live at Northern Heights."
"We'll have to ask Prue about it." Simon said.
"Of course if you want to speak to Loki and Leda you can do so soon." I said as I felt Loki's mind getting closer and joining with Gran's. "I guess they were serious."
"About what?" Robyn asked.
"That if you were still here when we were passing Olympic Pines we'd give Gran and Gramps a Freaks' concert." I replied.
"Well we could use the practice and they do got all the instruments over at Tregarran." Robyn mused before she turned to her parents. "You up for a night out?"
"We wouldn't have to worry about hoards of rabid fangirls over at Tregarran." Simon said enticingly.
"That's true." Dove said with a nod.
"And if I phone Gran or Gramps and ask if you can stay the night then I can lead you through the trees and no one will even see you leave. Then I'll lead you back tomorrow morning when it's light again." I stated.
"Except we'd still have to go through the front gates." Dove said and I gave her a level look.
"You really think I don't know there's a secret way out of here? I'm a telepath." I said and tapped my temple.
"Tony used to know things like that all the time." Simon said to Dove before saying to me, "Yeah, there's a way out the back."
"Then we'll go that way." I said with a shrug.
"What about luggage?" Dove asked, seeming determined to put an end to this.
"I'll carry everything. You know I'm strong enough." I said. "I could even run it all over just before we leave then come back to lead you through the trees."
"It's all covered Lovely Dove." Simon said as he looked into Dove's eyes and even though she was his wife and they'd been together for decades, that magic that got women's hearts fluttering all over the world hit her and she gasped slightly before leaning in closer to him. "So, you wanna come out on a date tonight?"
"We haven't had one for a while." Dove whispered. "But we still need to check in with Tobias and Essie."
"I'm on it." I said as I pulled my cell from my pocket.
I decided to phone Gramps since he was the one who'd organise everything.
"Hello Addie?" He answered after the second ring.
"Yeah Grandpa. I take it Loki and Leda just arrived?"
"They have." Gramps confirmed.
"Do you remember we said about a concert?" I asked.
"I think I recall such a thing." Gramps said, teasing me a little because of course he remembered.
"Well, would it be ok to have two extra members to the audience?" I asked.
"Dove's parents?" Gramps guessed, but I knew he was certain of my answer.
"Yeah." I confirmed anyway.
"I see no problem with that." He replied.
"And would it be ok if they all stay the night too? That way I can lead them through the woods to avoid Simon's fans." I stated.
"Then I will make up a room for them as well as Robyn. When shall I expect you?"
"Would two hours be enough time for you to air out the rooms? That'll give us enough time for a small rehearsal then shower and change." I stated.
"Yes. And perhaps have something to eat before the concert. I will make a meal for all of you. Something special. It will be a blessing to cook for so many again in my own kitchen." Gramps said happily.
"If you need an assistant." I offered.
"And deprive the Freaks of their guitarist and singer? I think not." Grandpa declared in that funny way he had.
"Well the offer's there, but I guess you're right." I replied with a chuckle.
"Yes." Grandpa replied. "Now I will go plan with your grandmother and I promise there will be rooms available within two hours."
"Thanks. See you later."
"See you later." Grandpa replied before he hung up.
"Sorted." I said as I put my phone back in my pocket. "Grandpa is expecting us in two hours."
"That'll be enough time for you and Robyn to catch each other up on everything." Simon said before Dove had chance to open her mouth.
Dove scowled at him but he pretended to ignore it.
"Why don't you go and tell Addie about the news we got from your Olympic Pine cousins." Simon said.
"Ok." Robyn said, confused why Simon would think it was important for me to know as she got to her feet and grabbed my hand. "Come on."
She started leading me to the other door in the room and then up to her bedroom.
"And I expect you to respect my roof the same as you respect Liza's." Dove said. "No funny business."
"I promise Mom." Robyn said in exasperation. "Not like two hours would be enough time." She added under her breath as we left the room and I tried not to chuckle as she led me up the stairs.
"This is the first time I've ever been this far into your house." I said as we reached a corridor and started going along it.
"I know. It was always easier to hang out over at Tregarran. A lot more kid friendly originally, then less boring when we got older." Robyn said with a shrug.
"Not to mention here you could have your parents to yourself which isn't something that happens often." I added softly.
"You reading my mind vamp boy?" Robyn demanded as she stopped and turned to glare into my eyes, which she had to tilt her head to do now.
"I didn't have to, to know that." I said gently as I reached out to stroke back her hair.
Robyn looked solemn for a moment before she smiled and batted my hand away playfully.
"Dove said no funny business." She said and grabbed my hand before leading me further along the corridor to a door that looked fancier than the others we'd passed.
Dove put her finger into the collar of her top and came out with it hooked around a chain. There was a key on the end of the chain. She took the chain from around her neck before she unlocked the door.
"I don't like the thought of the security guys getting in my room when I'm not here." She said as she opened the door and led me into her bedroom.
The room was very pink, which was something I wasn't expecting.
"I know. I haven't decorated since I was like six. We're not here enough for that." Dove said with a shrug before she crossed the floor space and dropped down onto the bed, sighing as she sank into the mattress.
I closed the door and crossed to the bed.
"Did you ever like pink?" I asked.
"When I was six and still thought I was a princess. Before I went to school and had a bunch of bitches make me feel like an ugly hag." She said sadly and I felt a pull in my heart at the thought of all that hurt Robyn went through. I had my fair share of being picked on in school, but nothing like Robyn.
"Know when we're a world famous rock band, do you know what we should do?" I asked.
"What?" Robyn asked as she sat up and took my hand and pulled me to sit down next to her.
"Invite every one of them girls who made you feel ugly to a party and show them just how beautiful you are now." I whispered, cupping her face and kissing her before adding. "How beautiful you always were."
Robyn didn't respond, she just pulled me into a hug and I held her close to me in comfort wishing I could take all that past heartache away from her.
"I don't want you to." Robyn murmured into my shoulder. "If it wasn't for them bitches getting me down Dove never wouldn't have suggested I come live with Liza and who knows when we would have seen each other after you started phasing? Might have been years from now when I was in the throws of my third Hollywood marriage, a warning to Tinseltown brats everywhere."
"You wouldn't of been like that." I said.
"Addie, I was like that. I just wasn't old enough to marry yet." Robyn said sadly.
"You were just looking for love." I said softly as I stroked her back.
"In all the wrong places." She grouched.
"Don't beat yourself up about it. It's the past now, let's just look to the future." I suggested.
"You're right." She said and clasped my hand. "Freaks forever."
"Freaks forever." I repeated.
Loki
It had been a long journey, and I was glad we were stopping off at Tregarran before we made our way back to the Res. It also gave me and Leda a little more time to spend together before we had to go back to separate houses for the foreseeable future. Course we'd get to sneak away to the tree house on the nights I wasn't running, but it wasn't the same as getting to share her bed.
Actually, would Gran and Gramps let us? They were pretty free spirited, but I wasn't sure they'd allow us to be together under their roof. Not that I'd feel comfortable to do more than make out so close to Gran's sucking mind, but I didn't care if we just slept as long as I got to wake up with her in my arms.
I looked across at her as she concentrated on the road, watching the dappled sunlight that was coming through the trees make glowing red patterns on her chestnut hair. It had been almost a month, and I still found it hard to believe we were actually together. I'd wanted it for so long and had actually given up on the idea of even a casual hook up, but here we were, in the now and she was my girlfriend.
"We're almost at Olympic Drive." Leda said.
"Yeah." I replied. "I can already feel Gran's mind and I'm not sure but I think Addie might be over at the Cranston Farm."
"Then Robyn is still here." Leda said with a grin.
"Yep. Good job we decided to drop by. We get to perform now." I said, looking forward to getting behind the keys again.
"That will be divine after the past week." Leda said with a sigh as she pulled onto Olympic Drive.
"It'll be good when it's completely behind us." I said.
"Yes." Leda agreed and we both smiled in relief as she turned onto the almost hidden drive of Tregarran, the old mailbox that Auntie Billie had painted up as a ladybug when she was a baby that used to make a good marker for newbies was now faded and mostly lost amongst new growth. That made me feel sad, I wanted it to be colourful again.
"Perhaps when Billie returns we could offer to help her redecorate it." Leda said. "But the thing we must remember is that Billie can return, she isn't lost to us and so a faded mailbox is not such a sad thing as it might seem."
"You're right." I said with a nod and cheered up considerably as Tregarran came into a view.
Leda drove around the house to park in the garage.
We're in the rec room. Gran informed me as we got out of the car.
"Rec room." I informed Leda and she nodded.
We left our bags in the car to get later while we made our way up through the house and to the rec room where Gran and Gramps were sat on the sofa.
"How was the journey?" Gran asked as she got up to hug us.
"Great." I said. "Although I could do with a shower."
"And perhaps a nap." Leda added hopefully.
"Yes. About that." Gramps said as he stood up too. "I take it you would like to share a room?"
I wasn't sure what to answer.
"We know you won't get up to anything here, but I can hardly say anything if you share a bed when I used to share one with Tobias." Gran said. "We just need to know whether to set up two rooms or just the one."
"Just the one please." I said carefully.
"I will be but quarter of an hour." Gramps said and reached up to tap my shoulder on his way past.
"In the meantime take a load off. Can I get you anything from the juice bar? Drinks? Snacks?" Gran offered.
"Thanks." I said as I sat down and Leda sat next to me.
"Coming right up." Gran said as she went to the juice bar and came back with sodas and chips.
She sat down next to us and motioned for us to help ourselves. I leant forward, grabbed a big bag of fiery hot Doritos and a can of coke. I sat back, opening the bag and propping it beside me before I opened the can, had a swig and placed it on the table before stuffing my mouth full of chilli hot nacho goodness.
"I was preoccupied with Billie down on the Ranch." Gran said as Leda picked up a small bag of the weird prawn cocktails crisps that she liked from the UK, it came as part of a multi pack Gramps had shipped especially for her, Addie and the twins. "How are you both doing since the battle?"
"Fine I guess. We didn't really suffer in the battle and it was good to be a hero saving Auntie Billie." I replied.
"Can I see that again?" Gran asked as she held out her hand.
I nodded, wiped my hand on my t-shirt to get Doritos dust off them then took Gran's hand, closing my eyes as I remembered how we rescued Billie.
"Thank you." Gran whispered as she pulled her hand away. "I'm glad you were on the ball at least. How did you even hear her through all that din?"
"I don't really know. Just one of those weird things we get from time to time. How messed up her mind was at the time I'm surprised it was coherent enough for me to track it. Guess someone was looking out for Billie in that moment." I said with a shrug.
"There are things we don't know about in this world. I mean twelve years ago I would have found it hard to believe in ghosts, and we had one right here in Tregarran." Gran mused.
"Thank you for securing Mama in my dreams, it is a great help to talk to her." Leda said.
"You still do?" Gran asked, looking surprised.
"Most every night. A girl needs her Mama, even when she is close to her Papa and has a good stepmother she can confide in. Mama knows everything of my life, like she would if she survived my birth, and she gives me advice when I need it."
"I met her too." I said.
"You have?" Gran asked.
"Dream walking." I said with a grin.
"Deliberately?" Gran asked.
"Nope. Totally by accident."
"You're more powerful than Astrid and Lydia." Gran said.
"I know." I said with a nod, it's not like it was something new to me.
"No. I mean a lot more powerful. Not at Mags' level, but close." Gran said looking thoughtful. "I guess that's something to think about."
I shrugged. As long as I was more powerful than the GT I really didn't care.
Grandpa entered the room, placing his phone back in his pocket.
"Addie just phoned. It seems that he wishes to continue on with your plan of a Freaks' concert. Dove and Simon will also attend. They will be here in two hours, but your room is ready if you wish to rest in the meantime."
"I could use an hour's nap." I said, stifling a yawn.
"As could I." Leda agreed.
"If you would care to grab your bags I will show you to the room I prepared." Gramps said. "I have to prepare a room for Dove and Simon as well as contemplate whether to prepare one for Robyn or feign that there is only the one extra room available and risk Dove's wrath."
"I think perhaps you should maybe prepare an extra room for Robyn and if they have to be separate…" I looked sadly to Leda.
"It would be wrong for us to share when our friends cannot." Leda said solemnly.
"Then I will prepare three rooms. I had placed you furthest from Addie, so I may put you next to each other and then Dove and Simon on the end there, that way Addie and Robyn can be next to each other too."
"Ok." I said, wondering if we'd have to wait for Leda's room to be ready.
"I see no reason you cannot share in the meantime." Gramps said with a smile. "Shall we?"
Me and Leda went down to get our bags then Gramps led us up to the room next door to the one Gramps usually put Alec in if he was visiting. Gramps said he'd put me in the one near the corridor so that Dove and Simon were really far away from Addie and Robyn. Then he let us get an hour nap before the others got here.
Thank you for reading
Sorry this took a long time but there's been a combination of a cold and cough that has bugged for the last three weeks and doesn't look to be going anywhere soon, and other RL annoyances taking up my free time. I'll try and get the next update up quickly, but there'll definitely be something before Christmas.
Gemma x