A/N: I didn't like the Winters family, but Vivian seemed kind enough despite her brother's interference.
When I walked up the steps of my Pa's estate with Vivian it felt like more time had passed than the twelve months we spent living in all the major cities in Europe. Vivian smiled at me as she opened the door. Walking through the house I heard the piano. I looked around and then heard my name. I hadn't even had a chance to turn around because I felt somebody hug me.
"Sean!" I heard a female voice call out. It was my youngest sister Lexy. She's grown so much. At the age of 13, I could tell it wouldn't be long because she caught the eye of a young gentleman, but her debutante ball wouldn't be for another five years. "Wait until Pa sees you here." Lexy's voice brought me back to reality. I saw Clay, Pa and Marita walk into the room.
"Sean! Vivian!" Pa hugged me and nodded at her with a smile.
"Mr. Logan."
"Your family now Miss Winters. It's Ned, or Pa, whichever you prefer." She smiled back gently. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Alice walk in with Jeremy. Pa adopted Jeremy a few weeks before Vivian and I were wed, I hadn't spent much time with him, but obviously both Pa and Alice were fond of him. I saw Vivian walk over to them as Pa continued to talk.
"Lexy, go finish your lessons." He said gently.
"But Pa." She responded holding my hand.
"You were almost done. Sean will be here when it's over." Lexy looked at me and I squeezed her hand.
"Go on Lex. You have to do your work." She walked off upset. It had been a long time and we'd have plenty of time to spend together.
"Sean!" Alice called and walked over to hug me. "We've missed you around here." Her deep brown eyes sparkled as she smiled. Alice was always gentle, but stubborn. She filled Ma's place when she died and that was a lot of responsibility on her. She'd run Pa's home since she was 13 years old; although she was five when Lexy was born and Ma died.
"What was Paris like?" Lexy asked.
"Lexy." Alice started to say.
"No, it's okay." I sat down and had Lexy jump almost on top of me. "It's beautiful Lex. It's similar to New York but bigger. They have fancy stores and restaurants. There are people everywhere."
"It sounds wonderful." Lexy responded with a smile.
"Oh it is. You'll have to go sometime Lexy." Vivian said. "We'll take her, won't we Sean?" I looked at her and nodded.
"Come on Lexy. It's almost time for supper." Jeremy walked out of the room. I looked over at Alice.
"What's going on between you and Jeremy?" I asked and she blushed. Even at 19, Alice was shy about romance.
"We're just courtin, Sean." She paused. "And we're not the only ones." Alice nodded towards Pa. He'c been spending time with somebody? I wondered who. Pa missed Ma and never wanted anything besides our family. I looked at Vivian. She looked up at me.
"We should see my father and William. To thank him for the trip." I nodded. It was nice to be home. It was good to see that time didn't stop for the family just because we were gone.