Chapter seven: unsure of how they made it

The children went openmouthed looking at their mother with perplexity. It seemed that they didn't give credit to which they had just heard.

"YAAAAAAAAY!" they yelled very excited. Rose got up of her seat and she went to give Amelia a big hug.

Her Mother smiled at her and then she looked to the rest. "On Saturday I will take you to meet the spaceport," she commented them. "but you will have to behave when you come with me!" all agreed quickly.

Rose returned to her seat. She could hardly contain herself. She exchanged glances with Victoria and then both looked at Derek, smiling.

"Katherine, sweetheart, come here" Amelia asked her extending her arms.

Katherine got up and when she got to her mother's side, she hugged her. "I'm sorry to make you feel sad, forgive me?"

Her daughter stared at her. "Mom, there's nothing to forgive because nothing in this world would make me be upset with you."

"Well then, now that the whole issue is solved," Delbert said checking the clock in the wall. "you should get ready; the airbus should be arriving in any second."

"In thirty seven seconds exactly, Dad" Derek mentioned.

Rose arched an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

Victoria covered her forehead with her hand. "Now you have done it," she reproached to her sister, shaking her head. "we will be hearing his explanation all the way to the school."

Derek frowned. "If what you want is a short answer, I will tell you that I know because I have just seen the airbus by the window." He got up, took his backpack and went to the living room.

"Derek, don't forget to put on your coat and your scarf," Amelia reminded him. She turned to Rose and Victoria. "and that also goes for all of you. It's cold out there."

The little Canid stopped and folded his arms. "But Mom, it's such a sunny morning; I will drown by the heat before reaching Four Meadows."

Amelia folded her arms. "Don't make me start, youngster. You know better than anybody how dangerous a cold can be."

Derek sighed and gave Helen a sidelong glance. She smiled shrinking her shoulders and taking the coat and the scarf. She knew that he couldn't win that discussion. He resigned and went toward the housekeeper to let her help him to put on the garments.

Rose and Victoria said goodbye affectionately to their parents and went with Helen to pick up their backpacks. She offered Rose to help her with her scarf, but Rose refused it.

"The wool provokes me itch," the girl replied in a low voice. "besides, it doesn't combine with this dress." she hung her backpack on her shoulder and she made sure that her hair was well arranged.

"Good-bye Mrs. Wright" Derek said crossing the threshold of the living room.

"See you later, little Derek" Helen answered. She put two tentacles in front of her mouth to raise her voice. "And good luck for you in your swimming practice, young Victoria."

Victoria looked above her shoulder as she followed her brother. "Thank you" she said.

Rose took her scarf because she knew that if she didn't take it; her mother would ask her to put it on. She accelerated her steps to reach the others.

"Have a nice day, Miss Rose" Helen wished her.

Rose smiled. "I thank you, Mrs. Wright. Have a nice day, too."

"One more thing, Miss," Helen mentioned. "you could have told me that you liked pancakes submerged in milk."

Rose stopped confused. She really didn't have idea of what the housekeeper meant. Suddenly, she raised her eyebrows and turned toward the table. "Oops" she said to herself when contemplating her plate and seeing the disaster she had made during her moment of nervousness.

"I know a recipe which have both ingredients," Helen continued. "if you want, I can have it ready for tomorrow's breakfast."

"Hem... n-no, t-thank you Mrs. Wright" Rose stammered. "I was... just tasting a new combination, but I think they are better separated." she said goodbye again and left.

Katherine, when she saw that her brother and her sisters had already abandoned the dining room, she gave a kiss to her mother in the cheek. "I got to go, I love you" she walked quickly to take her stuff. In the road she hugged Delbert. "good-bye Dad"

"Oh, wait sweetheart," Amelia asked her. "you will need this before leaving." she took the letter that Katherine had left in the table and she revised inside her robe. Apparently, she couldn't find what she looked for, so she looked inside the newspaper and then under the table. Delbert withdrew a pen from his shirt and cleared his throat.

Amelia seized it, unfolding the letter. "Thanks dear" she said. She leaned on in the table to sign it quickly; she put it again in the envelope and gave it to Katherine. "Tell teacher Rachelle that I will take charge of taking you to the head office of the Baker Foundation this Saturday."

"You mean that I will go to the spaceport too?" Katherine inquired overwhelmed.

"Why, of course!" Amelia exclaimed. "if Derek, Rose and Victoria will go; I see no reason to leave you behind."

Katherine showed her charming smile again. "You are the best, Mom" she walked toward her and hugged her. "thank you"

Her mother caressed her head gently. "Now, go my child, enjoy your day."

After hearing such news, it would be a good day for sure. Katherine made half turn and ran after her brother and sisters. She shook her hand to say goodbye to Helen when she passed to her side and she got lost of view. "Wait for me!" she exclaimed.

She reached them just before they crossed through the main door. She hugged Rose who was the last of the procession, taking care of not mistreating her hair. Her sister smiled and returned her the hug. Then, she went toward Victoria and Derek, who walked side to side, and she put her arms around their necks. "Thank you guys, you don't have idea of how much I appreciate what you did for me."

"Dass gad bodtess ad fod" Victoria babbled, performing an exaggerated pantomime of needing air.

"What?" Katherine asked removing her arm.

"I said that's what brothers are for." Victoria repeated. "which reminds me," she said glancing at Derek. "I must congratulate you for your ingenious plan, big bro."

Derek didn't respond immediately. He loosened his scarf because the sun was very shiny and outside wasn't so cold, at least not to use it. He looked toward the fence, where the airbus was landing beyond the gate of the mansion, exactly when he predicted it would. "My plan had nothing to do" he retorted without turning to see them.

His sisters looked each other. As usual, they didn't understand what he was talking about. Katherine arched an eyebrow and Victoria shrugged her shoulders.

"Don't be so modest" Victoria replied, giving him a clap in the back, with a joking tone.

Her brother twisted his mouth and frowned. "I'm serious. It didn't seem suspicious to you that Mom didn't say anything the same moment I mentioned the Interstellar Academy?"

Somehow, her brother had a valid point there but to Victoria the meaning was away beyond of her knowledge.

"I think she already was planning to take us to the spaceport anyway," He concluded. "she was doubtful at first, but what Katherine told her about the medallion could have helped her to made up her mind."

Katherine got happy and lowered her head to see the medallion. "You think so?" she inquired looking him. Her brother nodded. Certainly she didn't think her mother would accept when she gave her opinion on the matter.

Rose walked a bit quicker to be beside them. "It doesn't matter what changed her mind, we all win." She said. "I only regret that we will have to wait until Saturday. But it will be worthwhile."

"You are right!" Victoria agreed. "get ready everybody, because this will be an incredible experience. You can't imagine all the things I have heard this port has to offer."

"Just remember, this is not a family trip." Derek reminded her. "not for now. Mom still has to believe that this trip is strictly academic. If we do it well, the next one perhaps won't have to be it."

"Oh come on, Derek" Victoria said. "don't be such a spoilsport. You are worrying more than necessary." She ducked a little her head to see her brother's face from below. When he looked at her, she put a funny face and he couldn't help but smile.

"There!" she said. "you see? You are joyful, too. Go on, admit it."

He rolled his eyes. "Alright," he said with a tired voice. "I am"

Finally, the four reached the gate. In the wall there was a small microphone and since Rose was closer to it, she approached. "Rose Doppler" she said aloud through the microphone.

The big gate of steel began to open slowly, making a metallic creak. By the other side, the airbus awaited. A red ship, floating a few feet from the ground. On each side it had windows of thick glass. The racket that only kids are able to do, was clearly audible from outside. Some of them took a look through the windows and greeted the Dopplers. Once they got to the door of the airbus, Mr. Wallace opened it. They entered and he said hello to them candidly. The girls went to sit down to the bottom while Derek sat down in the nearest seat to the driver.

Mr. Wallace closed the door and ignited the engine. He noticed how Derek was looking him and smiled. "So, little Derek, would you be interested in continuing our talk about the new system HP-Dyna R8 recently installed?"

Derek nodded.