As soon as she noticed the lonely mailman walk back up her houses sidewalk strip, Rona Rodman with haste in her step, quickly tore open her front door(albeit nearly murdering it) and lifted her hand into her family's mail box. A large yellow envelope lay inside it, with four large blue letters, SFSU, placed strategically on the uppermost part of the envelope.
Rona, nervous, yet intrinsically determined, hewed the strip that kept the once tidy envelope held together, reached inside and pulled out a single leaf of paper.
Her eyes glued to the paper, gaining a large amount of volume as she read over each word carefully, quickly came across the very words she had hoped, dreamed about and worked aggressively for for so many years;
"Dear Rona, Congratulations! On behalf of the faculty and staff of San Francisco State University, it is with great pleasure that I inform you of your admission to SFSU as a member of the Class of 2014..."
Jaw agape, a ripple of excitement and nervousness swam up and down her body, Rona held the envelope close to her chest.
"Rona close the do-" said the tall and slightly aggravated mother of Rona as she approached the open door in nothing but a bath robe, yet she was quickly interrupted by a shriek so unlike anything she had ever heard come from her daughter.
"M-mom! I-oh my god-MOM!" Rona, completely out of breath, held up the paper that marked one of the most important moments of her life, and without missing a beat, Ella Rodman quickly read over the letter, only bothering to read up to "admission".
"AH! Rona, you did it!" Ella embraced Rona, the two jumping up and down, not giving a single care to the strange stares their neighbors gave them as they passed by. The elation between mother and daughter was so deep and impenetrable, that Ella had not noticed her robe slowly coming undone. Nothing could spoil this moment, not even a nip-slip.
After several minutes of babbling and jumping, the two escorted themselves inside, Ella immediately turning her step toward the kitchen, "I'll call your uncle and grandfather immediately...gotta give 'em a fair warning they might wanna pack their bags and leave the country, cuz here comes my SFSU baby!" Ella said with pride as she reached for the phone.
Rona followed, she refused to let go of the envelope. It was just too precious to let go. This was the day, the day everything truly changed for her. Rona's number one, the big SFSU, had accepted her. Sure, about eight other schools had accepted Rona, she had plenty of options if they had denied her. Most were located in California, four of which were located in San Fran. But this was her number one. Her arms were shaking, she was so...everything. Joyful, proud, anxious.
"Will, she got in!...yup she just got it today! Get dad, I wanna tell him!" Rona heard her mother practically scream.
"That's amazing! She just get it today?...Um, let me see if he's up to it...well, I can't say he's getting better, but he's not quite showing signs of getting worse. Wait let me go grab him...sorry sis my phone was literally just about to die when you called...alright" Will Rodman gently placed his cell phone on wooden table. He could just bring the cell phone with him, it wasn't really dying... He was happy, without a doubt. His only niece had been accepted into her school of choice...which meant she would be moving in with him, her grandfather and...he was happy that's for sure. A deep sigh escaped his lips, one that all but said differently.
Will stood from the table and began to forcibly rove up the stairs to his fathers room.
As he ascended the stairs, he heard a brief, soft cry. One that filled his heart with warmth.
"Thank you Caesar...get that one, the thick one. We can look at that one" a muffled voice came from one of the bedrooms, "That's the one."
Will released a deep, disheartened sigh. This was not a good situation, not one that worked in his favor.
His father, though easily able to lose his train of thought and memory, held deep regard for his granddaughter. He always asked about the young adult, how she was doing in school, what activities she was up to, when they would be able to visit Rona and Ella. And although it was a vague memory and concept to Charles now, the idea of Rona someday living with them in San Fran was something he desperately wanted and was often reminded of(all thanks to Ella). However, the integration of the little ape into their lives was something Will had never anticipated. What made this whole situation even more frustrating was the intuition that Will knew was bound to come true, Charles Rodman would never deny an open door if his daughter, even more so his granddaughter, asked for entrance.
Will continued his ascent, and came to stop in front of his fathers bedroom. On the bed sat a calm, gentle, man, with a book in his hands. Next to him was the energetic and knowledge craving chimp. Both sat at the edge of the bed, Caesar listening intently to what Charles was saying, as he read a fairytale to him, mouth agape and eyes wide, filled with wonder. Scenes like this always gave Will a tickle in his heart, a tug on the sides of his mouth. But the worry, the stress, none of those normal emotions were blooming through the chaos within.
Will grunted, announcing his presence. Charles paused his reading, making eye contact with his human son. Impatient, Caesar tore the book lightly from Charles hands and placed it on his own lap, skimming over the pages and analyzing the beautifully painted pictures.
Charles chuckled, and ran his hand through Caesars hair, breaking eye contact with Will.
"Will, look at him...just amazing Will, truly" Charles said, endearment etched into his words.
"Ah, yeah Dad...guess who called Dad"
This caught Charles attention immediately, "Who Will?"
"Ella."
"Really...what did she want?"
"She-ah...She's actually still on the phone. She's got some news for you Dad."
Charles's eyes enlarged and anticipation ran rampant through his mind. He hadn't heard from his daughter in...4...maybe 5 years. Since she moved up North with his precious Rona, it had been hard to communicate. This was news, this had to be important!
"Well where's the phone Will? What's happening? Are she and Rona alright? God Will...I haven't heard from my own daughter in almost 3 years!" Charles exclaimed, quickly standing from his spot on the bed, causing Caesar to tumble where he had once been sat. The ape gurgled happily, giving his human father a pleasant smile, but quickly going back to his book.
Will felt his back and neck stiffen. 3 years...it wasn't hard to believe that that was the last time Charles remembered speaking to his daughter. But the time had changed. Last time Charles hadn't spoken to Ella in 2 years, when really Ella tried calling at least once a month, and their conversations were filled with what's, whens, whys, and hows, as she tried to help Charles recall their previous conversations. This was one of many signs that Charles was getting worse, but that wasn't what Will wanted to think about right now.
Now, was filled with stress of a whole new level.
"Yeah, Dad, they're fine. Ella's got some good news! Phones down stairs on the kitchen table," Will said.
Charles instantly walked past Will, and hurriedly descended the stairs. Caesar, no longer wrapped up in his book, scampered after Charles, excited and curious to find out what he was in such a hurry for.
Will attempted to grab hold of the young ape. He feared that Caesar might be clamorous as Charles spoke with Ella.
'Wait a minute' he thought. Say Caesar did make a ruckus, Ella would be inclined to ask a hefty amount of questions, she'd want to know the goings on in the house. She'd never let her own daughter move into a house with an ape, even if it were the house of her brother and father. Will quickly let that thought flutter away as he realized he never wanted Ella to find out about Caesar...but maybe...no...this was too much, and could easily turn into a disaster, and the number one cause of potential disaster making had just flown down the stairs without a second thought.
Will descended the stairs in a rush, hoping, praying, Caesar wouldn't make any loud, attention grabbing noise.
Now, Will loved his niece dearly, but with a young ape and adult in the house, things might get complicated. He didn't want anything negative to happen to his niece or surrogate son. It would be better if Rona lived away from the house. She wouldn't have to deal with secrecy and hiding. And who knows how she would react to Caesar, who in turn might react negatively to harsh emotions directed toward him. Both would be miserable...that's just how it would be, Will felt that that would be the absolute result should Rona live with them.
"Ella, how are you my darling! Do you know how long it's been, you need to call much more often...was it now, oh Ell I'm sorry...of course I remember...Well let me speak with her...hello Rona, how have you been?...A-are you sure? Rona that's amazing! I'm so happy for you...does that mean...When?"
Will walked into the kitchen just as Caesar gave a "WHOO" as he jumped onto the table next to Charles.
"Oh nothing Rona, I'm sorry, nearly tripped over myself in my state of anticipation, no worries. So, when?"
That was it, that question. "When?"
Charles played that scenario like it was butter on toast. The deal was pretty much sealed now.
Will rubbed his eyes, while letting out a heavy, desperate sigh.
Rona would be moving in, Charles would never say no to his only granddaughter...there was only a sliver of a chance he could talk Ella out of this arrangement.
Will felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine. Ella was in a good mood, obviously. But he knew, just knew his questioning their original decision, should Rona be accepted to any University or College in San Fran, she would stay at the Rodman house, her fury would be uncontrollable and deadly...but he had to try.
"Well my lovely Granddaughter, we will prepare a room for you as soon as possible so that you can come here as soon as you'd like...certainly darling...ha ha, you bet a hundred trays of brownies...yes, he's right here" Will made eye contact with his Father, who's eyes were glittering with a flurry excitement. A brief second of lost supervision was enough for Caesar to escape from the kitchen. Will didn't even see or hear him exit, too intent on figuring out how to tell Ella, no. For a second his senses came back to him, Will looked at the spot where Caesar was last, next to the window. There was, of course, no sign of the little ape.
Will turned to Charles and mouthed 'Where's Caesar?' Charles faced screwed tautly and he turned to see if Caesar had gone missing. The vanished chimp grew a seed of worry in Charles as he finished speaking with Rona and handed the phone to Will.
Will lifted the phone to his ear, eyes searching the dining and living room. Quietly, Charles began to exit the kitchen, pointing toward the living room, a cue that meant he was going to search for Caesar.
A thankful gleam entered Will's eyes. Satisfied, for now, he spoke, "Hello?"
"Hey Uncle Will! Can you believe it? I'm so excited to move in with you and gramps!
"When do you think I can move in?" The girl certainly never missed a beat, getting right to the point without a moments hesitation.
"Uh...Rona how about I talk to your mom about this for a moment."
"Oh...okay. Hold on" Rona replied confusion laced in her voice.
Will heard the phone being passed to a new speaker, a soft murmur playing through the background.
"Will?" he heard Ella inquire.
Will swallowed, his heart beginning to pick up a quick pace. If there were anything he feared more than death itself, it was his sisters wrath. This wasn't going to end well, he could feel it wasn't going to, but he still had to try.
"Ah, yeah Ell. Um..." he paused. He felt pathetic. He was a Ph.D awarded Doctor, one who studied and was attempting to cure life's miseries, a monarch of the medicinal world, currently being brought to a near nervous breakdown as he listened to the voice of his sister. What fear could do to you, it was just amazing.
"What Will?" he could hear it already, the slight twinge of irritation. It would only get worse from here on out.
But then, out of his peripheral vision, to the right side of the kitchen, he saw a small black blob moving toward him. A blink later Caesar sat in front of him on the table, providing Will an adorable grin while holding out an orange.
A cold sweat formed on his brow and back, and he quickly signed, 'Silence' which caused Caesar to furrow his brows, he just wanted his orange to be peeled and shared.
"Will!" Ella blurted, more tension in her voice.
"What's he doing?" Will heard Rona ask in the background.
"I have no-Will!" Ella shouted causing Will to wince and Caesar to gaze curiously at the phone.
Caesar signed 'Why' to Will, terribly interested in the hidden person in the phone. She sounded angry and he wanted to know why.
Will quickly signed 'Wait' to Caesar and finally spoke, "Ell, jeez blow my ear off why don't you"
"Well, jeez Will I wouldn't have to if you weren't apparently hard of hearing" Ella retorted fiercely. "What do you want? Rona wanted to speak with you. What is so important?"
"Ah...Ella I-I don't think it would be a good idea for Rona to come...live-with-us" Will said carefully.
There was pause, a very tense, very pregnant pause.
He heard Ella take in a slow breath. Without even thinking, Will roughly grabbed the orange from Caesar and threw it across the kitchen, causing Caesar to yelp in surprise and stare at his father in utter confusion and hurt.
Will came to his sense, again, and signed 'Sorry' to him. He was such a nervous wreck right now, this wasn't going well, this was never meant to end well. He heard Ella pronounce a soft "What..."
"Will? What was that? Are you okay?"
"Uh" he coughed, "Y-yeah, um...so-"
"Why do you think Rona shouldn't come live with you...Will what aren't you telling me?" Ella interrupted with aggressive urgency.
Will had not noticed his father walk into the kitchen area, a lonely orange in hand, and furious expression on his face.
"Will, why on earth would you do that? Look at Caesar, you've hurt his feelings!" Charles exclaimed, causing Will to jump. The act of orange throwing was provoking a full on berating. "And what's this about Rona not coming?"
"WILL!" A strong voice came through the phone. Caesar wore concern on his face, clearly disliking all of the negativity and shouting. He reached for Will's hand, rubbing it as though he found comfort in the action.
Will knew then and there he was defeated, and he slumped into one of the chairs, paying no mind to the elements that were working against him as they marked him blameworthy about this and that. Now he thought one thing, not even Caesars soothing rubs could get him out the haze he was in, and that was there was now unconditional certainty that Rona would soon be living with him, Charles...and Caesar.
It has been...awhile since I last wrote a fic. If anything, I'm kinda just writing this for fun, not to be serious or anything.
A word of warning, I am going to be changing a few aspects of "Rise" namely the timeline. Certain events, dates, etc will be slightly altered to fit the time frame of this fic. I will also be re-configuring the amount of time Caroline will be shown. While I did like the character in "Rise" I kinda felt Caroline was just...there, not really important to the plot, and that was made more apparent in "Dawn". She really won't be featured too much in this, but will not be dropped.
This fic will mostly look into the relationship between Rona and Caesar. This is, of course, not a romance. There will be a very limited amount of romance in this fic, and it won't even be mentioned in Part 1 of this series. I do plan on finishing this fic(I already have a few chapters done, they just need to be edited), and I do plan on writing a sequel(where that romance, if you're honestly dying to know, will be mentioned) that will extend into "Dawn", however, depending on when "Dawn" will be released on Blu-Ray, I won't be publishing the sequel for quite some time.
This is going to be a semi-slow fic, and starts right before Will injects Charles with ALZ-112, if you weren't able to figure that out.
Please be patient with updates. I'll more than likely be posting 1 chapter per week. I ask for patience, because I have tendinitis in both of my wrists, and sometimes it is very painful for me to type. Trust me when I say I already have a few chapters written. My word count is over 16000 thus far for this fic.
Please, if you see any mistakes, let me know. I'll more than likely be going back and fixing whatever mistakes I see, so the word count may go up, or down per chapter depending on how picky I get. Constructive criticism is something I accept. I don't care for flames, if you honestly don't like my fic, don't read it. Go away in peace.
