AN: I bet you thought I gave up on this story, well I didn't but now I am back to school which means I don't have too much time on the other hand I also had to start a routine again which sucks but It kinda helps me write.
I was trying to update every week but as it turns out I wasn't able too, and I doubt that I can now but I will try to be faster since you probably already forgot about what happened last chapter.
Chapter IV - The Letter
Henry was always in his workshop, working on his little malfunctioning devices, Charlotte hated it, sometimes he spent days in there and there was always something that caught fire, worst of all he could never spend time with her. At times like these when Charlotte didn't have anything to do she wondered if he really loved her, Henry always told her that he did but Charlotte had doubts, she knew it was partly her fault too, she was always taking care of the Institute and had little time for her husband.
" Henry. " she said as she knocked on the door.
" Come on in. " a faint reply came from the other side.
It was hot in there like it always was, pieces of clockwork and other tools were scattered everywhere, Henry was sitting on a table with his back turned to Charlotte.
" Henry, it's time for dinner, everyone is already there and we are waiting for you. "
"I'll be there soon. " he doesn't even look at her while he speaks and it hurts.
" Do you love me, Henry ?" Charlotte did not mean to say it but the words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.
Henry turns around his white shirt is stained with oil and Charlotte can see the confusion and the pain in his deep green eyes.
" You know I do Lottie, wh-why do you ask that ? " he spoke with his so fragile and insecure voice that gave Charlotte an urge to hug him and kiss him, but she didn't.
" Because Henry, we are never together, I know it's not just your fault I work too, but before this, before the institute we were always going out on dates and doing other things... and now there are days in which we don't even see each other."
The sadness was clear in his eyes, he was usually so cheerful and positive and it made her wonder if she should have left things the way they were, but what was done was done, she started this conversation and she was going to finish it.
" You don't love me then ? "
" Oh Henry. That's not what meant, I love you that's why I worry so much and that is why I also want to spend more time with you."
"That's ok." Henry was starting to smile again and Charlotte's heart was filled with joy, she always loved that smile " We should make a trip together."
" What ? " that surprised her " We can't, what would we do to the kids ? We can't just leave them alone ! "
" There's Bridgit and Agatha, they can take care of them, it would be just for a couple days besides there's Jem, Gideon, Sophie, Thomas and Cyril, they are all responsible kids. "
" What about Will, Gabriel, Jessamine and Tatiana? I am affraid Will would destroy the place without us here. "
Henry laughed " Oh come on Charlotte it will be fun, you said so yourself we are rarely together and Jem can handle Will. "
Charlotte sighed, she barely remembered the last time she had left New York, it sounded really good and even Will and Gabriel could avoid to kill each other for one weekend, right ?
" Ok, Henry."
And he kissed her, it was strange Charlotte was always the one to take the first step, but it was nice for a change, not to be in crontol of everything for once. Their tongues danced in their mouths and they only stopped when they were out of breath. It was the most passionate kiss they had had in a while.
" I love you, Charlotte. " he said panting.
" I love you too, Henry. "
It was the perfect moment until a fake cough came from behind her.
" I am sorry to interrupt your little porn session, Romeo and Juliet but I'm hungry." Will looked pretty amused which made Charlotte want to punch him, Henry however blushed.
" It was a kiss, William, I am sure you've done worst besides I've told you a thousand times to knock before you come in. "
" Hum, the door was open Charlotte. " he smirked " Perhaps, next time you decide to get heavy you will remember to close it but mean while I want to eat, I spent the whole day cleaning and I am starving, so lets go. The faster we eat, the faster you can go back to attacking each other's mouths. "
Tessa knew what she was doing was wrong, but she couldn't help it, her aunt Harriet had spent the day in her writting room as she called it, it was normal, she was a writer for a small magazine and a big part of her work was done at home, therefor she spent a lot of time working in the so called writting room. Normaly Tessa wouldn't care wether her aunt spen too much time in there or not execpt this time she really wanted to know what was so special about that letter.
Tessa tried to read a book but her mind didn't seem to register the words in front of her and she found herself rereading paragraphs over and over again without actually understanding a a single word, in the end her mind always wondered towards something else, mostly the letter but sometimes Will and Jem.
Now it was midnight, usually she would already be in bed but she couldn't sleep without knowing about the letter, Tessa had never seen aunt Harriet so nervous, she really needed to read and find out who this Mortmain was.
So now Tessa was sneaking in her aunt writting room, it was locked which was unusual, aunt Harriet was always loosing the keys so she kept most things unlocked around the house, that meant her aunt was hiding something, gladly Tessa sort of knew how to pick a lock, thanks to Will.
Last year, Will had tried to break in their history teacher's house, more like mansion really, to steal the tests while Mr. Starkweather was visiting his granddaughter for the weekend and of course Will had dragged her and Jem and surprisingly Sophie along, Tessa suspected her friend had only came because of Jem, regardless it had been fun and the four of them got and A.
Will had briefly explained how to pick a lock which he had learned from his older sister, Tessa still remembered the odd look Jem had given him then, Tessa understood though, she had heard of Will's younger sister Cecily but not about any older sister.
After one hour of trying to pick the lock and breaking 7 hair pins and 3 paper clips Tessa decided to sneak into her aunt's room and look for the key, it was more risky but Tessa realized that she couldn't pick a lock no matter how hard she tried, besides aunt Harriet slept like a stone so it hadn't been as hard as she thought it would.
Now finally inside the office she just had to look for the letter and...
" What the fuck re you doin Tessie ? "
When she heard her brother she jumped and nearly screamed but contained herself, Nate was clearly drunk and he probably wouldn't remember this tomorrow.
" Nothing just go to bed. Oh and don't tell aunt Harriet about this or I will tell her about the 100 dollars she gave you and you lost gambling. "
" Chill Tessie, just askin, 'm goin to bed. "
Tessa rolled her eyes as her brother stumbled all the way to his room. She wondered if Will was like that too when he was drunk. No forget Will, focus on what you're doing.
The writing room was small, It only had a small desk with a laptop and a bunch of papers, in front of it next to the door there was a huge bookshelf with her aunts and some of Tessa's books although she kept most of them in her bedroom, there was also a small window next to the desk and Tessa could see the moon, it's light giving the room a creepy atmosphere like in an horror movie so Tessa decided to turn on the lights, it would be better to look for the letter anyway, and the chances of her aunt waking up before 7am were from slim to noun.
Tessa searched all the letters on the table and opened every drawer on the desk but the paper she was looking for wasn't there, she sighed, and sat on her aunt's comfy chair thinking. Where would you hide something you didn't want to be found? That's it. In a book. Aunt Harriet loved literature as much as Tessa did and her favorite book Whutering Heights was on the bookshelf in front of her with all the other books and that was strange, after all her aunt usually kept her favourite books in her bedroom not in here.
It was the perfect place to hide it though, even if Tessa wanted to read the book again she would have used her own copy and not this one.
She opened the book carefully not to damage it, it was a really good book after all and her aunts favorite besides this edition was old and expensive.
Tessa couldn't contain the smile on her lips as she opened the book on page 62 and there it was a piece of paper with careful handwriting and the name A. Mortmain written in the right conner.
She sat in the desk and read the letter, her mouth opening as she did.
Dear Harriet
It's been a long time since I saw you last, I've been looking for Elizabeth and Richard for years and imagine my surprise when I find out they are dead, in a car crash of all things, what a pity. I give you and your family my sincerest condolences.
I was expecting they would help me in my project, I know you don't know everything but If I knew Richard as well as I think I did he would not destroy the work of his life and of all people you are the only one alive that must know anything, I am aware our dear Elizabeth confided in you, she told you her secrets and you told her yours. However, dear Mrs. Moore secrets are not always as hard to find as we think they are.
I know what you've been hiding for 18 years and I will not hesitate in telling your precious son about it, or should I say nephew ? Think of how mad he will be, how much he will hate you. But worry not for I have not came to New York to ruin your little family, I came only for Richard's work, give it to me and you can keep pretending Nathaniel is just your nephew.
I expect to hear from you soon.
Axel Mortmain
Tessa refused to believe, Nate couldn't be her cousin, could he ? What was she going to do now ? And what did Mortmain want with her father's work ? What was her father's work ? Tessa knew he was scientist but she didn't know in what area he worked in.
Sorry for any mistake you may find, again I remind you english it isn't my first language.
