Revelations
Chapter 9
It was close to 8 A.M. when the Steeles and the Stetsons arrived at the Siron Hotel that morning.
Laura asked a clerk at the reception desk, "You have a guest named Bridget Steele? Could you please ring her room and tell her-"
Then the four adults turned as they heard a voice answer, "Don't bother. We're here."
Jennifer and Bridget were just off the elevator and walked toward their parents slowly.
Laura and Amanda hugged their daughters while Remington and Lee noting the aloofness coming from their children eyed them and then one another baffled at the display.
Lee knew Jennifer was much more outgoing than this but today, there wasn't even a smile in her eyes which worried him.
And Remington knew Bridget's moods so it stood to reason she just needed coffee first and then she'd be functional, much like her mother.
But he also noticed there was something that had changed with her and wondered if Laura would notice it as well.
As the hugs ended there was an awkward silence and Bridget gestured stating to Jennifer, "These are my folks, Remington and Laura Steele..."
As Jennifer nodded to them she commented the same way gesturing to Lee and Amanda, "These are mine. Lee and Amanda Stetson."
Lee sighed and responded, "Uh, Jen? We-The four of us that is, kinda already know one another. We met years ago...Before we even dated or got married."
The bewildered look that came from Bridget caused Laura to answer gently, "It's...It's a long story Honey. Which we'll talk about later."
Bridget sighed and nodded stating sarcastically, "Yeah, I'm sure we will. Like all the other talks we've had...Or at least, were supposed to."
Remington cleared his throat having had enough at this point!
He remarked quickly giving a slight smile as he pulled Bridget away from the group, "We'll be only a moment..."
When they were away from earshot Bridget yanked away from Remington's grasp hissing softly, "What's up with you?"
Remington shook his head commenting, "Me?! We raised you to be a civil young lady and you're damn well going to be! Now what the hell is your problem?!"
Bridget avoiding the question shook her head then and went back to the others querying, "Mom, did you check in yet?"
Laura noticing the tension between Remington and Bridget answered slowly, "N-No. But we only just arrived and-"
Bridget nodded and went to the desk clerk stating, "Mr. and Mrs. Lee Stetson and Mr. and Mrs. Remington Steele need rooms. Do you have anything for them?"
The female clerk answered, "I'll look, Ms. Holt."
Bridget replied, "Fine. Thanks, Patty."
Looking at everyone there she then commented, "Jen and I will be in the conference area. I'll have coffee and danish brought there. We'll see you after you get settled."
Tapping Jennifer she answered, "C'mon, Jen..."
As the two girls left Lee stymied asked Amanda, "What the hell was that? I've never known Jen to be so...so closed off from us."
Remington sighed looking at Laura, "It would appear she or both girls have axes to grind about something.. Particularly Bridget. I'd say it's about more than not being a morning person. Eh, Laura?"
Laura shrugged helplessly at him and queried softly, "What did she say to you, exactly?"
Remington swallowed and commented going to the desk,"Nothing really. But what was that you said about my being her whole world? Not any more. I can tell you that right now..."
Clearing his throat he remarked, "C'mon, let's check in and go see what this is all about..."
As Lee and Remington signed for their rooms and got the keys Laura asided to Amanda, "Some fun weekend this is going to be. But this isn't normal. Whatever's going on, I know for a fact that Bridget loves her father."
Amanda sighed nodding in agreement answering," Yeah. Jennifer and Lee have midnight phone talks sometimes. It's like their own secret club or something. This has totally thrown him for a loop as well..."
Laura commented, "Well. Whatever it is, we've got to get to the bottom of it before it tears our families apart..."
TBC
