The 'Grand' Surprise

By. Silvar

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A/N: For the record- this story is really quite AU. The ages are messed up, because Silvar is a dolt. And there are some OC's and plot inlays and other shows and whatnot mentioned every now and again.

MOST IMPORTANTLY to the story…Ben and Ian's ages are switched out. Again, Silvar is an idiot. Anyhow, this means that at the treasure time Ben was 49, and is now 50(a year later) while IAN is 43 now. Okay. Math all figured? Dunce hat on? Okay- you're ready.

(AND THIS IS NOT A RILEYxOC!!!!)

enjoy.

Alyssa knew she had reached the right house as the taxi pulled in; the house was huge- way huge. And the 'grounds' were all well-kept down to the last sparkling rock in the flawless gravel 'driveway'. Just looking at it all made her wish for a large mud clot- or just any sort of clutter!

Once the taxi came to a stop, Alyssa hopped out and threw a few bills back to the driver. From the stunning, picturesque window to the dining room, she could see him. That was Ben. She glanced down at her dirty brown converses for a minute, and then glanced back up- not being able to contain herself.

Around the table, Ben was just going to sit down. On the other side a pretty blond lady sat in one of the chairs, smiling at something a black-haired man next to her was saying. He was talking emphatically, and one arm was casually draped over the back of the blonde's seat.

Alyssa took a deep breath and, to satisfy herself, kicked a piece of gravel into the perfect, lush green lawn. Then, tugging her small rolling bag behind her, she walked up the 'charming' steps and picked up the door knocker (naturally there was no doorbell) and tapped it against the door 3 times.

Riley was just finishing up his story when the sound of the door knocker rang through the house. (For lack of a better phrase- he never knew what to call it) Ben put down the plates, and walked over to the door and opened it with Riley and Abigail watching in interest from the table.

The girl was wearing a dark-green hoodie and a pair of dark jeans- with a pair of scruffy-looking brown converses. Her light brown hair was pulled up into a haphazard ponytail, and her blue eyes widened when Ben opened the door. In style, his did as well.

"Emma!" he exclaimed. Riley and Emma exchanged a look, "I mean…" Ben said, trying to recover. The girl took on a new expression then: More severe, and sarcastic.

"Oh, there. I was afraid you wouldn't remember her. No though, I'm Alyssa, not Emma." A slight pause, "I'm her granddaughter. Which means, I'm your granddaughter as well."

"W-what?" Ben stuttered, Abi stared for awhile, and then recovered, "Please… Alyssa, come in."

"Oh, thanks!" the girl said, offering a smile from where she leaned against the doorway. She came farther in, pulling her rolling beg behind her, and closed the door. She then turned back to her alleged grandfather, "Yeah." She started, "ummm… you two had mom when you were… 18… I think. Then, ahh, mom had me when she was 17." Alyssa paused, seeming to add something up in her head, then nodded. "I'm 15 by the way," She added.

"Oh…" Ben said, still unsure of what to say.

"Mom was… well, she OD'd –sorry- and Grandma isn't really 'guardian' material. So, the official people said it was either to stay here with you, or foster care." There was another silence, and naturally Alyssa started to babble in order to fill it.

"So are these guys my aunt and uncle?" She asked with some brightness in her tone. Now, she could have been asking if they were siblings. But something in her tone made it clear she was asking if they were. Well… Married.

Riley's arm dropped from around Abby's chair- suddenly aware he was resting it there.

"Oh! No!" he exclaimed, "nononono, I… am Riley Poole, I'm a a a friend, of both Ben and Abby, a friend. A friend." He paused, " I mean. Hi, I'm Riley, aged 28."

"And I'm Abigail Chase." Abby stood and walked over beside Ben, "aged 28 as well." She added, sending a wry smirk over the Riley, who shrugged, "And I'm Ben's girlfriend."

If she had announced that she had found an eye in her drink the silence might have been more awkward. Might have been, being the key word there.

"Ok." Alyssa said with a shrug, "So, is it cool if I stay here?" she asked, turning back to Ben.

"Yeah, of coarse you can." Ben said, running a hand through his hair. He turned to Riley, "Can she stay in the guest room on your floor?" Riley nodded, and Ben looked relieved.

"Come on." Riley said, standing and walking towards the stairs, "Would you like help with your stuff?" Riley asked, motioning to her rolling bag. Alyssa shook her head.

"Nah, I'm good. Lead the way 'Uncle Riley'!" she exclaimed with a smirk. Riley smiled to himself before disappearing up the stairs with her fallowing behind- her rolling suitcase slamming against the stairway with. Each. Step.

"You have your own floor?" Alyssa asked once they were up the stairs. Riley nodded.

"Yup, I rent the third floor." He told her, whilst leading her up another manicured staircase. A short minute later, he pushed open the door to her new room.

Like everything else, the guest room was positively perfect, not to mention meticulously cleaned until it shined. The wood of the classical, four-poster bed was a rich cherry wood that matched the beautiful amour and vanity, not to mention a lovely desk. The sheets and comforter (and the walls) were a light neutral tan, with dark red accents- matching the large floor rug over the nice hardwood.

Alyssa froze, and immediately shut the door, almost clipping Riley in the process. She took a deep breath and opened it again, "Sorry." She said sheepishly, "I'm just not used to everything being perfect- I feel like I'm in a Nancy Drew novel." Riley laughed… in fact it took him about 3 minutes to stop laughing.

"Yeah, Ben's kind of a stickler for perfection." Alyssa looked up in surprise.

"Ben? I figured it was that Abigail lady."

"Nah." Riley said, an almost wistful smirk on his face (if that's possible) "Abby can't match a pair of socks. I actually have a theory that Ben had planned out every room of his dream home before he even found The Charlotte." Alyssa froze again, "Oh, what? Sorry?"

"Nothing- My… my Mom's name was Charlotte." Again, Silence overtook the lovely hallway, "Anyway… I better unpack; I'll talk to you later?"

"Right." Riley said, grinning, "Have fun."

"You got it uncle Riley." She countered, already unzipping the rolling bag.

Ben was still standing in shock, staring at the stairway where his alleged granddaughter had just passé. Abigail walked over and dropped her hands on his shoulders.

"Ben… are you alright?" she said after a moment. He shook her off and started pacing around the wood entryway at panic speed.

"What do you think!" he exclaimed, waving his arms. "I just 'discovered' that I have a daughter. A dead daughter actually… and a GRANDAUGHTER who's here! Most stupid clichés only have to deal with the daughter part, furthermore a dead druggy one or a granddaughter!" Abigail winced and glanced up.

"So… what are you going to do?" she asked- rather severely, "Throw her out? Hunt someone else down? Find this 'Emma' person? Send her to your dad!?"

"Of coarse not. She can stay here." Ben said, taking a deep breath and resting his head in his hands, "I'm sorry. I'm just stressed."

"It's alright." Abby said, "I'm sorry too."

"Oh God… Dad!" Ben exclaimed, groaning, "How the Hell am I going to tell him!?"

End A/N: Uhhhh Well, I hope you enjoy. Let me know if you want another chapter. :D