Chapter 25

Vicki was dressed in black and awaiting the others in the foyer. Roger was the first to come down and he immediately went to the drawing room to pour him a drink. A sullen face David had followed his father down the stairs and Vicki was sure she had heard Roger lecturing him earlier about not being a pest and to be on his best behavior. He now sat on the sofa resting his elbows on his knees, hunched over, resting his chin on his folded fingers. He glared at his father's back and Vicki could almost tell what he was thinking. Vicki watched as Quentin made his appearance. The front door opened and Barnabas entered the vestibule his gaze fixed to the lovely woman that awaited him.

It was not long until Julia and Professor Stokes arrived. The room was filling up quickly. Vicki sidled up to Barnabas glancing up to watch Mrs. Johnson arrive, and sit next to David. Carolyn and Elizabeth were the last down. "Oh Mrs. Johnson, the caters will be here around noon, I have Willie meeting them. If it is not inconvenient; when you get home, will you show them where to set up? I am not sure how long the family will wish to be by the graveside."

Mrs. Johnson sniffled, "Well if the sky is any indication not long, have you seen the cloud bank moving in?" On queue a roll of thunder punctuated the air. Sarah Johnson did not feel she should complain much what with them treating her more and more like family and taking more of the duties from her. Mrs. Stoddard had even indicated she would be hiring some more staff. That when she did she had plans of putting her in charge and over seeing them for their duties. With Mrs. Stoddard showing how much she trusted her it made Sarah feel important.

"Well, we better get going so we can beat the thunderhead moving in." Roger said as he downed his drink and set it on the table. He was not looking forward to this day and the longer they waited the more uncomfortable he was becoming. It was due to the fact he knew what was waiting for them once they got home. Elizabeth was going to tell Vicki she was her mother.

Elliott could feel the tension in the air, it could be cut with a knife. So using his most cordially sensitive voice he offered, "Someone could ride with us, if they wish."

Barnabas volunteered Vicki and he to ride with the Professor, "Thank you Elliott, I believe that Vicki and I would love to ride with you and Julia." With the exodus from Collinwood the group with each step taken was feeling more somber. They left Collinwood and went to their respective cars. Barnabas held the door for Vicki and then Julia and he joined Vicki in the back seat.

With the procession heading down the driveway, it was as if nature wanted to accent the day as it lit up the sky with lightning and thunder rolling angrily around them. It was as if nature's comments were letting them know that the day was not going to be pleasant. "The ballroom is almost done Julia, so it should be ready for our engagement party and your wedding by the weekend." Vicki wanted to shake off the dour feeling that had suddenly over taken the riders in the car. It was her way of bringing something a little brighter into the conversation.

Julia twisted in her seat and smiled, "I heard that the renovations on the old house are nearly completed too. So, it appears Collinwood is having all kinds of changes." Julia wanted to help dispel the tension that seemed to permeate the air around them with her own light banter with Vicki.

Vicki chuckled, "You would think the resident ghosts would be upset over so much going on, but things have been quiet." Then as an after thought as another nasty roll of thunder vibrated the car, she said, "Do you suppose they will entomb Mrs. Patterson in the mausoleum?"

Professor Stokes was the first to respond. "When I spoke with Sheriff Patterson last evening, he seemed to think they would. He told me that the family has places in the large mausoleum in Collinsport cemetery. I think that is the up and coming thing now, getting laid to rest in the ground here in Maine during the winter is rather hard to do, so the families are leaning towards getting tombs in a mausoleum. Rather prudent thing to do." The conversation turned to practical burial solutions, which turned into where the origination of entombing bodies came into history and a rather protracted dissertation from Professor Stokes on the occult. It was Elliott's way of keeping the somber mood from over shadowing the little group in the car. Vicki found the Professors voice soothing and distracting as she felt her lids grow heavy and she rested her head on Barnabas' shoulder. They arrived ahead of the deluge that had threatened them since they left Collinwood. They all dashed in side where funeral attendants waited to take their coats and umbrellas. The service was heart wrenching long and sweet as each member of the family stood up to talk about their mother and what a wonderful soul she was.

Then the preacher gave his sermon and read Psalms 23, The Lord is my Shepard and together the gathered assembly spoke the prayer. There was the occasional sniffle and emotional hiccupping from swallowing air to keep from crying, as the ceremony drew to an end. With the conclusion of the service, the room was emptied and the casket was prepared for internment at the cemetery. Penny held to her Dad's arm as they left the room to go to the awaiting limo. The flags had been placed on the roof of the cars and they were lined up to follow the hearse. The funeral procession went through town; the group in the Stokes vehicle had grown quiet. Each appeared to be lost in their own thoughts. Vicki was feeling exhausted from all the emotional upheaval around them and sat withdrawn.

Barnabas held her hand in his and kissed her forehead. "Are you all right my dear?" Some deep inner sense that had always been a part of her made her feel on pins and needles. Her sixth sense was telling her internally that her whole life was about to change forever. Vicki could only nod. A part of her was afraid of what was coming. It got worse the closer they got to Collinsport cemetery and as they arrived behind the other vehicles and the hearse was pulled under a porte conchere, the pallbearers stepped up in the driving rain storm to take ahold of the casket and walk inside the mausoleum. An inexplicable panic filled Vicki while she followed the others into the mausoleum. There the Preacher concluded the service as he intoned the last prayer, which was the Lords Prayer.

Slowly the mourners filed out of the building and back to their cars and soon they disappeared into the driving rain. Vicki saw the Collins family gathered with the Patterson family by the entrance and with Barnabas in tow walked towards them. Vicki noticed that George hung close to Mrs. Stoddard and heard Carolyn say, "Then we will meet you mother and you Sheriff Patterson back at Collinwood. We have a nice dinner waiting for everyone."

Jason came over and hooked his arm around Carolyn's shoulder, "So, gorgeous you want to ride with me and sis?" Vicki had the feeling she was reliving her school days with Jason at her side and she was glad that Carolyn could only offer to one of George's children.

Carolyn giggled like a schoolgirl and nodded, "Sure, when you are ready." She slipped her arm through his arm hooking them together and hugged him close. The rain was trying to breach their safe spot under the permanent canopy.

Barnabas sheltered Vicki close to him and he could feel her tremble, "My dear are you cold?" Vicki felt a chill that would be not shaken. Nodding yes, she huddled closer to him as Professor Stokes went to get the car; waiting his turn to drive under the shelter Elliott turned the heat up. Julia had already told him about Vicki's parentage and he was now aware that she was going to be told who her parents were after dinner. Professor Stokes knowing her as he did, he knew her intuitive prowess would have already alerted her to something being a miss he had felt it himself watching Elizabeth and George standing close to each other through the funeral. It was hard to not see there was something special between them. In this day and age if anyone of half a mind had paid attention to the two they would have thought his or her actions very inappropriate. Thank god for the storm, the majority of the people were more concerned with getting over the funeral and back into the dry warmth of their house.

Finally, all the parties were loaded into their respective cars and were now heading to their homes. Stokes found the quiet of the car disconcerting and he tried to engage Julia in conversation letting Barnabas sheltered Vicki close to him in his protective way. They felt the fury of the storm as it lashed its rage filled rain at the car and sent the wind to buffet the car attempting to drive them off the roadway. Elliott was just glad when he could finally drive his car under the shelter of Collinwood's porte conchere.

Collinwood

The dinner had been a welcome break in the emotional upheaval of the day and as the meal concluded, and the plates were cleared, dessert was being served, when Elizabeth and George rose together. Barnabas had seen the nod of Elizabeth's head when George looked to her. "Vicki, would you and Barnabas please join Sheriff Patterson and myself in the drawing-room."

Vicki dabbed her mouth with her napkin and stood and waited for Barnabas to join her. Vicki gave George and Liz time to get to the drawing room. A knot had formed in her stomach as she walked with leaden legs to the doors. "Please close the door and come in and sit down." Elizabeth's tone had become serious and for a moment Vicki wondered if she had done something wrong. She watched Barnabas close the doors.

Vicki was truly concern by the seriousness of Mrs. Stoddard's behavior. "Mrs. Stoddard is there a problem?" She had grown so close to this family it just seemed she had become attuned to their feelings. Now, she sat and felt her throat constrict. Barnabas reached over and took her ice-cold hands into his and he put his arm around her shoulder. She looked from the anguished filled face of Mrs. Stoddard to the stoic calm look of Sheriff Patterson. "Vicki, you know how I feel about you?"

Liz was leaning into George Patterson for support. "I think I do." Vicki's own throat had grown dry and hoarse with her own emotions now becoming frayed.

Liz started pressing her hands together and was drawing on strength from George gentle squeeze to her elbow. Looking down then up she began to speak, "Well, I have . . . " She paused and looked at George, "We have something we need to tell you." Vicki looked from Barnabas and then back at George and Liz, "Vicki, what I am about to tell you will affect your life and our lives too. You see, about 23 years ago, George and I were young and in love with each other. We got trapped in the fishing shack and we became lovers." She paused for effect then went on for fear she would lose courage. "Afterwards, George went off to college and I found out I was pregnant. I did not want anyone in the family to know because I feared that the shame of what we had done would tarnish the family name. I also had a real fear for George and his family. If my father had known I was pregnant with George's baby he would have ruined George's father and destroyed George or any hopes he might have for a future here."

She swallowed looked to George then she turned to face Vicki, " The biggest mistake I made was that I did not tell George because he had found another love. So, I went to New York and gave birth to a baby girl. I knew I could not keep her so I put her in a foundling home." The words were being said, they made sense but to Vicki and the numbness that was slowly filling her body and making a knot in her stomach Vicki knew her life had changed. Vicki's world was spinning out of control and she had gone deathly white. "That baby girl was you Vicki, you are my daughter and George's daughter."

Vicki looked from George to Liz and jumped up, turned and fled the room. "Vicki, darling wait, please let me explain." Elizabeth's voice was filled with insecure anguish watching Vicki dash out of the room.

Barnabas stood up and walked to the open doorway, "Elizabeth, let me." George went to Barnabas and stopped him. "No, its my duty, you two now need to tell my children about Vicki. I will bring her back. I think I know where she went."

Widow's Hill

Vicki ran in the cold driving rain, she rain until she could not run any more, she had not even been aware that she had been crying, deep, long drawn out moans of pain filled her and erupted with her labored breathing. She arrived at the top of widows hill. She stood in the driving rain, with her clothing plastered against her and her hair laying heavy with rain over her face and neck. She stood a forlorn figure on widows hill arms wrapped around her body as she bent over drawing in long deep gulps of air. "Why? Why?" She cried out to the fury of the storm that lashed out against her and the land. Turning she staggered back to the rock, she slumped and let the rain beat against her. She was numb and unaware of the lightning around her or the crashing of the sea below.

She felt something warm wrap around her shoulders and strong arms draw her up and hold her against a warm chest. She clung to the chest and cried. She was slowly coming back to reality as she gulped in the air and wet rain and then she grew silent as the comforting hand pulled her wet hair back and stroked her head and patted her back. "If I had known about you, I would have come for you. You would have been raised with my children." She could hear his voice in the deep barrel chest and she felt him sigh. "I would have spared you this pain if I could, but you had to know. The fact I did not know you as a child does not diminish the fact that I love you Vicki, as much as I do my other children, your brothers and sister. Then there is Carolyn who is you sister too."

The voice filled with concern and love continued to vibrate against her cheek. "You have to understand that Liz wanted to keep you but she could not. She had a duty to her family and your grandfather Jamison would have made her life a living hell as well as mine if he had known." Vicki took comfort in his arms and hearing him talk rationally allowed her to think and remember how important they were to her. How she wished she had known who her parents were and now she knew.

Her world had not come to an end and her life was going to become better. She had real brothers and sisters and a family, something she wished for as long as she could remember. She even knew she loved Mrs. . . . no she could not think of her as that any more she was Mother, mom, mommy, whatever she wanted to call her she was her mother. She had a mother and a father and they wanted her as a part of their lives. She looked up at him and through her tears she smiled and tip toed up and kissed his cheek. "Dad. I guess I have to get used to calling you Dad don't I?"

Collinwood

He hugged her close and kissed her cheek, "I would love to be called Dad by you. Now, come on, your mother and brothers and sisters are waiting for us and you are soaked and need to change your clothes." Together they walked back to Collinwood entering the foyer, "Go up and change and come back down, we all will be waiting for you in the drawing-room." Vicki hugged her father and went sloshing up the stairs. George watched her disappear into the family bedroom wing and turned to go to the door and opened it. Elizabeth sat tearfully on the sofa being consoled by Carolyn and Barnabas. "She is upstairs changing and I think she is more rational. Carolyn where are Penny and the boys?"

Carolyn stood up and straightened and tugged her dress down and walked to the doorway. "They were in the library, I'll go get them."

She disappeared out the door and met her Uncle Roger on his way in. "You better go in Uncle Roger, the pudding hit the fan and Vicki knows that George Patterson and Mother are her parents." Roger stopped in his tracks.

Drawing Room Collinwood

"What did you say?" Carolyn just pointed and turned on her heels and walked to the den. Roger burst into the drawing room and glared at George. "So, you are the father!"

Elizabeth stood up and stood in front of George. "Roger don't you dare! George just found out a week ago." She had stood defensively in front of the father of her first born and glared at her brother. Unfortunately the confession came with the arrival of the Patterson children.

They entered in time to hear their father had just found out something a week ago. Together they all asked, "Found out what?" Thomas, and Jason stepped next to their father and glared at Roger. Penny hung back with Carolyn. George sighed and put a protective arm around Elizabeth.

"Kids, your Dad just found out he was a father of a 23-year-old beautiful baby girl. Her name is Victoria Winters."

Thomas and Jason punched one another, "Told you she looked like Penny."

Penny looked at Carolyn, then she looked at her father holding protectively to Elizabeth and she asked, "Is Mrs. Stoddard her mother?"

George nodded and the boys stood back and looked at their father. In their eyes their father had become a hero, he had actually had sexual congress with the leading lady of Collinwood and Collinsport and in whispered awe Jason spoke, "Wow! You and Mrs. Stoddard were together? Who would have thought that would happen?"

Roger mumbled, "I need a drink." He sulked off to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a stiff drink. "So, you told Vicki I presume. How did she take it?" Roger asked before tossing back a strong drink.

"Not well. She ran out of the house in tears." Carolyn looked at Penny and nodded to the upstairs, the girls made a quick exit and went up the stairs.

Roger snorted, "Well what did you expect. None of us were very nice to her when she came here. I am the biggest louse of the group. I treated her ghastly." Roger poured himself another drink and taking it to the sofa to slump in front of the fireplace.

George looked at Liz and then at the others in the room. "We are going to give her all the time she needs to get use to us and support her in whatever she needs. She has to have time to get used to the idea she is a Collins-Patterson. From what I understand she has been looking her entire life for family. Now she has one ready made and it was a bit overwhelming to discover she had brothers and sisters."

Jason laughed, "Dad, its our right as brothers to pester and torment her. I just have one question. Did mom know?" Thomas had sobered a bit after realizing that their just departed mother's feelings should have been taken into consideration.

George looked down catching the embarrassed look on Liz's face, taking a shaky breath he replied, "Your mother knew I had feelings for Mrs. Stoddard, she did know about Vicki. She had figured it out some time ago, but she did not tell me until a couple of weeks ago that she knew about Vicki and it was her dying wish that we tell Vicki she had a family."

Jason thought about this and nodded, "Sounds like mom. So now what happens?"

Barnabas had sat quietly and rose to walk to the French windows that looked out over the front lawn. "She marries me and we start our own life together. I would expect that as her family you all would be welcome in our home when ever you wish to come. After all we will be family on Halloween."

Thomas sat next to Roger on the sofa. "So now what?"

George sighed and held to Liz, "We wait for her to come down and welcome her with love and open arms."

Vicki's room Collinwood

Vicki sat in front of her desk. She fingered the music box in front of her and sighed. Pulling her hair back, she put it in a wet ponytail. She pulled off her wet clothing and hung them up in the bathroom letting them drip in the tub. Walking back to her bedroom, she changed into dry skirt and warm sweater. Hearing a knock on her door, she called, "Come in."

Carolyn and Penny poked their heads through the door and then entered her room and stood looking at her. Both girls looked compassionately and anxiously to their sister, "Vicki you going to be ok?"

Penny walked to her side and gave her a sisterly hug. "I for one am so happy we are sisters. I was close to Carolyn, but now I am even closer because of you. Not only that, I finally have someone that can run interference between my brothers and me. I always wished I had a big sister and now I do."

Vicki smiled and hugged her back. Penny stepped back and looked at Carolyn. She smiled at her and both women hugged each other new tears wetting their cheeks. "I too always wanted a big sister to cry on and now I have you. I really could not ask for anyone more appropriate to be my big sister than you Vicki." Vicki pushed her back and looked deeply into her blue eyes.

"Carolyn are you sure you are ok with this?" Vicki knew that Carolyn had always been the little princess on the hill and now she had to share and she wanted to make sure it was all right with her to share that status.

Carolyn hugged her again, "Of course I am. Who could ask for a better big sis than you? I loved you as my friend Vicki, but I love you more as my best friend and sister."

Vicki sighed turning to grab the box of Kleenex tugging out one for herself she handed the box around for the girls to grab a tissue if they needed one. "I am afraid I have upset your I mean our mother. I was just so overwhelmed and shocked. I not only found out I have a mother but I have a father and sisters and brothers."

Carolyn holding to Vicki's waist laughed, " I know I act like I am so grown up at times and would not be ruffled about anything. However, I guess it would have overwhelmed too."

Penny glanced around Vicki's room and then back at her, "And now you are gonna marry the dreamy Mr. Barnabas Collins."

Vicki gasped, "Oh my, I left poor Barnabas down in the room with your mother. We had better get going back down there or I may not have a fiancé." The girls burst into laughter and ran out of the room and headed downstairs.

Drawing Room Collinwood

Vicki entered the drawing room and her gaze was brought back to a tearful red-eyed Liz Stoddard. Vicki walked over to her and forced a smile to her lips and spoke softly. "Mother."

Elizabeth immediately drew her into her arms and hugged her. "Vicki darling. I would have given anything to keep you. I wanted to bring you home when I hired you as David's governess. I just did not know how to tell you and then so much began to happen. Now, you know can you forgive me?"

Vicki hugged her, "I understand mother, I really do. I am just glad to be here now. I have a history and a past and I am complete. I not only have two sisters I also have two brothers. Who could ask for a better wedding gift than this?"

Thomas came over and tapped her shoulder, she turned and he picked her up and swung her around. "Welcome to the family sis!" He kissed her cheek and sat her down,

Jason then picked her up and gave her a big bear hug. "Yeah what he said sis, welcome to the family." He set her down and then the boys looked around the large house. "Nice set up you have here sis, but I hear you are marrying that guy over there and will have your own digs. Hope you invite your brothers for a visit."

Vicki felt herself welling up with tears this time it was tears of joy. "Anytime, you all are welcome to our home right Barnabas."

Barnabas moved to her side and smiled, "Whatever you want my love." He kissed her forehead and walked with her to the sofa. "Speaking of the wedding, we have an engagement party to plan."