Chapter 4
Dad was at Jack's side in seconds. Mum literally flew down behind him, grabbing Jack and looking his body over for damage. Dad was focused on Jack's face, or more specifically, his eyes. They were jet back with no trace of his golden brown. Jack was in a blood rage.
"What's happened Jack?" asked Dad
"No blood on him anywhere." said Mum
"Pip! Get Leonard here, NOW! Beck, get me some blood. Charles has some in the kitchen I'm sure."
We both muttered "Yes Dad" and rushed down the stairs. I grabbed my mobile and rang Leonard as Beck vanished into the kitchen. She came out a few seconds later with a tall silver flute full of what smelled like pigeon blood, not his favorite but it would get his attention. She handed it to Mum who lifted it to Jack's lips gently.
"Here sweetheart, drink up. This'll make you feel better."
This whole time Dad had been staring straight into Jack's eyes saying things like "Focus Jack, focus on me. No, don't look at your mother, you listen to what I tell you boy! You focus on me now." but the tone of his voice was not loving and gentle. He sounded like an animal trainer shouting at his trained dogs, forcing them to stay on task.
Leonard must have only been around the corner because I had hardly hung up when he came running up the front stairs. As he was coming in the door Jack's eyes were beginning to show some hints of brown.
Mum grabbed Leonard and asked him "What do you know? What's happened to him?"
Leonard shook his head "I've no clue Madam. He was out with Amen. I've been in my flat all evening. You want I should go find Amen for you?"
Mum all but threw him out the door telling him to "not return without Amen, and to call Andrew and get him here NOW!"
Jack's eyes were still mostly black, but Dad's forceful commands had brought Jack back to us enough that he started talking. The first words he said sent shock-waves through us all.
"Dad? I'm a dad. I've got a son!"
He didn't say anything for another hour but that was fine because we all were totally stunned. A son? How did Jack have a son? Had he gone out that night and fed on some poor man, lost control and bled him dry? Going into a panic and cutting a wrist to feed the guy to bring him back?
I could picture it happening that way. Jack had lost control in the past while feeding and killed several people but that was 9 years ago. Jack hadn't lost control like that in my lifetime.
Had he changed someone decades ago and not known this man was still around? How did he change someone and not know they had survived the change? Was that possible?
Dad had backed away from Jack a bit and Mum was holding him like a sick child, laying across her lap stroking his hair as he cried into her chest. At some point he started sobbing. He just laid there and cried like a baby for the longest time.
I hadn't noticed Father Hubbard come in, but I did hear Dad talking to him.
"Andrew, do you have any idea what he's talking about?"
"I might Matthew, I might. But can we wait and let him tell it, on the chance that I'm wrong?"
Dad's face turned to stone in an instance and he glared at Father H. "I'm not asking you friend to friend Andrew, I'm asking as his father, and as your Sire. You WILL tell me what you know!"
Father H. bowed his head and started "Just before you and Diana came back from 1591 Jack…"
"Stop Father H!" Jack interrupted, "This isn't your tale to tell, like Grandma would say. This is mine, give me another minute or two and I'll tell Dad myself. Just let me get my mind straight, OK Dad?"
Dad nodded his head and glanced at Mum. She also nodded and glanced towards Beck and me. Jack saw this exchange as he was sitting up and said "No Mum, let them stay. Pip shared his demons with me there, I'll share mine with him."
Mum handed Jack what was left of the blood, then asked "Jack honey, are you strong enough to take this into the study?"
"Yeah Mum, let's go in and sit. It'll be easier than here on the floor."
We all made our way into the study and Charles brought wine and blood for us as we settled into the various chairs and love-seats around the room. Mum sat still holding her arm around Jack like an eagle shielding her chick from danger. Once we were settled, Jack looked around at the faces, locked eyes with Dad, and began.
"About four months before Father H brought me to Yale to see you and Mum, I had this thing with a young witch from Inverness. She was just visiting London between school terms. I loved her Dad, I did. I still do. But she said she couldn't marry a vampire cause the Congregation forbade it. She didn't even want to be seen with me until she saw how things were in London under Father H."
"Slow down Jackie, it's OK, take a drink." Mum whispered to him.
He did, then continued. "So we hung out and I showed her all over London. I was still under Benjamin's spell but he hadn't bothered me in 6 months so I was doing OK. We didn't get intimate until her last week in town. Of course, we didn't worry about protection cause no one ever thought a vampire could make a child THAT way, ya know?"
"So why didn't you say anything in the last 8 years?"
Jack looked at Dad to answer him, "I didn't KNOW Dad! I didn't know she's a weaver until last night. Amen and me was down at the King's Arms catching up. You know he's not been in London since 1918 and he's moved back in with Father H just last month. Anyway, Amen says he was up in Dundee and heard about a witch that was at St Andrews that was raising a baby that drank blood."
"Well, he didn't believe it, but the rumors didn't die out, and he took it on himself to go down and look into it. Figured Father H would want to know about something unusual like that. Well, what he sees is this witch bottle feeding a boy with what looks like strawberry milk but he smelled the blood in it. He says it can't be the same, she's supposed to have given birth in the spring of '12 and this kid is walking in the fall of '12. There must be two different women, he says."
Dad turned from Jack to Father H "Andrew, when did you plan on telling me about this? And why haven't you told me before now?"
"Frankly we weren't on speaking terms when I was getting these reports from Amen, and after that, you and I got involved with chasing Benjamin and once that was settled, well, to be honest Sire, it slipped my mind until Amen came back last month. Seeing him face to face reminded me. I had planned on telling you tomorrow at dinner to prevent this shock to Jack but, as the say, the best laid plans of mice and men…" Father H bowed his head and whispered "Forgive me Sire."
Dad gently reached out and touched Father H's head "I understand Andrew. I don't think you acted out of malice towards me, and you've never shown Jack anything but love. Now the question is, what to do?"
Jack looked up at that, "Do? What can we do Dad? I don't know where she is, hell I don't even remember her last name. It's been 8 years. All I know is her name's Liza and she was studying Biology at St Andrews in 2011."
"Trust us Jack, we'll find her, and your son. If you want us to that is?"
"If I want you to, what's that mean Dad? Of course I want you to! I love her, and he's my son!"
"Yes Jack, but have you considered the many things that might have happened? Maybe she's married another witch who's raising this boy as his own. Do you want to shock this poor child with that surprise? Or maybe adopted the child she was seen with and it's just a coincidence?"
Jack looked from Dad to Mum and you could see the pain in his eyes as he absorbed all this. "I don't know what the right answer is Dad, what should I do? Mum? Help me, what do I do?"
I could see his eyes starting to change to black again as the panic set in. I couldn't let him give in to the darkness. Not again, not twice in one night. "Jack! Hang in there. One step at a time, OK? Let Dad get some more information so you can decide your next step. There's no point worrying right now about the answer to questions that haven't been asked yet."
Mum and Dad both stared at me like I had grown a second head, but Jack's eyes changed back to his brown/green calmness and he smiled at me.
"Thanks Pip, I think I can do that, yeah."
Dad looked at me and grinned. "Pip, why don't you help Jack upstairs and let him get some sleep. I think he's had enough for today. Jack, look at me," Dad got his Alpha male tone of voice, "you go up there and sleep. Don't come down before noon. Understand?"
Jack's reply, "Yes Sire" was automatic as he bowed his head and got up to follow me up the steps.
"Bunk with me tonight Jack?"
"Sure Pip, I think I'd like that."
Even as we were leaving I heard Dad on his mobile "Hamish? Yes I know you were asleep. Yes I know you are going to bill me triple time. Yes, yes, grumble all you want, but Jack's in trouble and I need your help." Those were the magic words as Hamish Osborne loved all of us as if we were his own children.
Saturday I woke to find myself cuddled up behind Jack, holding him as he slept. I gently pulled myself from around him and told Apollo to comfort him and let me know if he woke. I grabbed a quick shower, pulled on some jeans, a Manchester United shirt, and my trainers and headed down to breakfast.
Walking into the dining room, I wasn't surprised to find Dad at the head of a table surrounded by all the major figures in the family business. Naturally my mother was there as his side, then my brother Marcus and his wife Phoebe, Nathaniel Wilson, and Father Hubbard. Across from Marcus sat Hamish Osborne (De Clermont family lawyer), Linda Crosby (Head of the London coven), and Amen Corner.
Dad was saying "Hamish, pull out all the stops. Find birth records, transcripts from St Andrews. Jack said she was a biology student there. Linda, get in touch with the covens in Inverness, St Andrews, and Dundee. See if anyone knows this Liza. Someone has to know who she is, or was." Dad stopped when he saw me come in.
"Pip, would you mind eating in the kitchen this morning?"
"That's fine Dad. Jack's still asleep, Apollo's watching over him. Is it OK if I run some errands this morning?"
"That's fine, have Leonard accompany you."
As I turned to go, Dad continued his meeting, "Amen, tell me again why you just dismissed this as nothing of note?"
"Well Sire, you gotta remember this was before you and Madam Bishop-Clairmont came back from 1592. We never heard of witches having children with vampires, so that never crossed my mind. Honestly, she didn't smell like any other witch I'd met, least not any I'd ever met in 300 years in London. And the kid, he didn't smell like nothing either. I mean, I didn't get a vampire smell from him, or a witch smell."
"Matthew, you've got to forgive him, the boy has never taken to education. I found him in the ashes of St Pauls in 1561, holding his dead mother. He might have been 5 at the time, but like all orphans in London, he was one of God's children, and I took him in. Growin up around us he knew what was what, and when he was dyin of the pox in '72 he asked me to save him. Thank God I didn't pass the blood rage on to him like I did Jack, but I did warn him."
Matthew was shocked. "You mean to tell me he's another great grandson of mine? Andrew, you WILL give me a list of every vampire you have sired, and everyone any of those have sired, do you understand me? Aside from getting a grip on who is out there that might have blood rage, I need to know the extent of my family! Have these children of yours been registered with the Congregation? Never-mind that, deal with it Andrew, TODAY!"
Turning back to Amen he said, "Well son, it seems we need to get to know each other, but now isn't the time, is it?" Amen shook his head, so Matthew continued, "Is there anything at all about this Liza you can remember to help us find her and the child? Anything at all?"
"She hated you Dad."
Every head in the room snapped towards the door when Jack said that.
"She what? I've met her? I can't think of anyone named Liza that I was close enough to offend Jack, did she ever say why?"
"Nah, 'course I didn't use your modern name, to me you was Master and Mistress Roydon. I learned quick not to mention you, and since I didn't know when you'd be back it was just easy to ignore. Sorry Dad, I guess I denied you to her huh?"
"No, you kept your tale to yourself until there was the right time to tell it. I did that with Diana, we all do it from time to time. But I'm curious, you say she never said why she hated me?"
"Well, your name only came up once. I mentioned Master Roydon and she says 'Matthew Roydon?' and I said that I'd known you in 1591, and she said 'he's no friend to witches, and certainly no friend to me. That's one vampire I can live without!' and there was just so much hate in her voice I never mentioned you again."
"I wouldn't have either Jack, you did nothing wrong.", turning back to Andrew he said "Her knowing that name is a clue. What do you think?"
"I really don't know Matthew. You certainly were no friend to creatures in 1591, with the exception of Kit and Henry. Was there someone you particularly wronged that would have a generational grudge? You dealt with Kit and Louisa's transgressions. Kit gave you no more trouble?"
"No, he did not. He was changed from the man he was before that time, but he was still a friend. Marcus, call Gallowglass, ask him if he can remember anything from that time. Anything tied to Scotland or witches…" Matthew slowed to a stop as a look of realization swept across his face.
"Hamish, see if you can find any descendants of Agnes Sampson."
At the mention of that name, both Diana and Andrew took in a shocked breath.
"You did nothing and let King James execute her. She was a weaver. Yes Matthew, it fits." said Diana
"We can do no more this morning. Marcus, will you keep abreast of things for me, I am supposed to be enjoying myself with Pip and Beck this weekend and now this with Jack. Oh, Amen, I think now would be a good time for you and I to talk, I'll have Charles bring something into the study and you and I and Diana can talk. Wine or blood? Or something else?"
"Just any blood he's got lying around Sire, I ain't got no picky tastes."
"That's fine Amen. Andrew, you will forgive me for not including you in this for now? I understand you're his maker, but I'm his Sire and I need to get to know the boy."
Andrew smiled, bowed, and left the room to go look for information on the elusive Liza.
Diana spoke up and said "Matthew, would you mind if I let you and Amen get to know each other without me for a bit? I've had something I want to discuss with Hamish, and since he's here now, I'd like an hour or so of his time, if you and he can spare it?"
"Of course Ma Lionne."
"Certainly Diana, shall we stay here?"
"No Hamish, join me in my study please?" Diana said as she rose and walked away.
While all this was going on, I'd been having breakfast. I had called Leonard and he would meet me out front at 10. I ran back upstairs to check on Jack and Beck was coming out of her room.
"Mornin' sleepy," I said. "What ya got planned for today?"
"No plans really. I wanted to check the reading list for Wellington so I can see if any are in our library here. Other than that, I wanted to just hang out with Jack when he wakes up. What about you?"
"Actually, I wanted to head down to the Greyfriars and see if I can find anyone we know. I'm glad you'll be here for Jack, I felt guilty leaving him."
"I'll take care of Jack. I can go see some of the girls tomorrow maybe."
With that settled, I headed back to the front hall where I ran into Linda Crosby. "Oh, good morning Linda. How are you this morning?"
"Well Philip, I'm sure you know what's happening, so to be honest, I'm rather concerned. I'm going to the Greyfriars to look in our archives for any information to help."
"Well that's great. I'm headed there myself, would you like a ride? Leonard should be here any second" I said, as the front door opened and the man himself walked in looking around.
"Your car is here M'lord Philip." he said with a slight bow.
"Cut that out Leonard. You know I don't hold to all that Sire and M'lord stuff when it's just us."
He gave a pointed glance in Linda's direction and said "Yes M'lord."
I rolled my eyes and escorted her out to the Range Rover where Leonard had retreated to hold the door for us. Once we were in, he got in and asked "Where to M'lord?" with a devilish grin on his face.
"The Greyfriars Leonard, and keep it up and the next stop you'll be queuing up for benefits!"
That got a laugh from them both and we relaxed and enjoyed the drive. Linda was interested in my plans for going to Winchester and asked if I knew any other creatures that were there.
"No, actually I was hoping you might know some and could introduce me."
"Hmm, no, not Winchester. There's a Norman girl that's at Wellington, Two of the Alsop boys and Xan Windsor at Eton, and James is at Eagle. You have to remember, most witches can't afford the public schools. Daemons rarely know what they are until they're older, and vampires of course, well, no one makes a young vampire anymore. I'd bet that Amen's one of the youngest you'll meet, I just found out this morning that he was 16 when he was reborn."
"Yeah," Leonard joined in, "Amen's bout the youngest vampire I've ever met, and I've been around since 1544. Back then there was a group of us that stuck together and worked for Father H as runners and such, but not many of'm survived. Me and Amen got lucky that Jack kinda joined up with us as a crew. Father H would'a cut off his arm as let any harm come to Jack."
We pulled up at the Greyfriars as he was saying this, so we got out and Linda showed me in and down the stairs to the ancient cellar that served as home to the London coven. The whole stairway and meeting room was covered with paintings and charcoal drawings of my Mum. Jack had drawn them over the centuries while he waited for Mum and Dad to come back from 1592.
Linda went on through to the archives while I saw a group of young teens breaking up to go their own ways. One boy looked to be about 13, so I wandered over towards him. As I got closer I saw his eyes and OH MY GODS, he had the most beautiful face I've ever seen on anyone.
I started to get nervous, but found the courage to say "Hi, I'm Pip. I don't think I've seen you here before?"
"Nah, Mom's brought me to test for school on Monday. I just figured I'd drop by and find out who's who. What about you? You live here in London?"
"That's complicated, but yeah, I guess London's as good as anywhere. Where are ya testing? I've got a test Monday too."
I didn't want to sound pompous by saying where it was. Very few could afford Winchester and I didn't want him thinking I was some kinda rich snob or something.
"Grans wanted me to do Harrow but those bloody hats, no way was I doin' that!"
That made us both laugh cause I agreed with him!
He went on, "Mom said I could pick from Eton or Winchester."
NO! It can't be, no way he's goin to Winchester. The Gods can't love me that much, can they?
"So? Which are you gonna go to?"
"I'm testing at Eton. I figure if it's good enough for the future King, it's good enough for me!"
And there it is, of course he's not going to Winchester. I couldn't be THAT lucky. To find another creature going to the same school would be just too much. But, on the bright side, Eton's not far from London so maybe we can hang some.
"I'm testing at Winchester. Mum and Dad wanted Wellington but I got them to change their mind. My twin sister's testing at Wellington."
"No kidding? You're a twin too?"
"Too? You mean you're a twin? No way the Gods would make two boys as cute as you!" Er…. did I say that? Did I really just say that out loud? I must've turned bright red cause the boy just smiled.
"No problem mate. I'm thinkin you didn't mean to actually say that huh? It's all good. My brother's gay so it doesn't bother me. But I'll let ya in on a secret if you'll keep it between us?"
My ears were still burning as I nodded "Yeah, I love secrets."
"He's testing for Winchester." He winked as he said this, like he was suggesting something
"Really? Didn't he want to be with you at Eton?"
"Well, you said your sister's going to Wellington, didn't she want to be with you?"
"We talked about it and figured we wanted to get some space. I mean, we've been together 13 years now so it's time we're starting our own lives. I'm betting it's the same with you and… What did you say his name was? Er, I don't think you told me your name, did you?"
"Oh sorry, Mom says I've got the manners of a dock worker. I'm Lennox, Lennox Sampson. And my baby brother's Tavish."
"Baby brother huh? Beck's older than me by 20 minutes and she never lets me forget it. How much time is there between the two of you?"
"Well I was born at 11:25pm and Tavish came out 'screamin like a banshee' Mom always says, at 12:03am, so we have different birthdays."
"No WAY!?" I said, "That's cool, we're the same way! Beck was born at 11:55pm and I came along at 12:15 the next morning. We also split zodiacs!"
We had been talking and I hadn't noticed the other boy come in, when suddenly, from behind me, I heard "Changed sides Len? I'm gone an hour and I come back and catch ya flirting with a cutie!"
I turned and froze. I couldn't believe it. I swear I felt my heart stop. This angel before me had the most incredible emerald green eyes. This must be Tavish. I must have stared too long cause I felt Lennox poke me in the back.
I felt my ears burning again as I put my hand out and said "Oh, um hi, I'm Pip, you must be Tavish?"
For having been so bold at first, I couldn't understand the reaction I got. Tavish just stood there with his mouth open, staring at me. Not a move, not a sound. It felt like we stood there 5 minutes until Lennox called out "Earth to Tav, Earth to Tav, wake up little bro!"
That jarred him, and he turned to his brother and glared, then turned, gave a little bow, took my hand and held it to his lips, "Enchanted Sir Pip, I am Tavish, at your service Sir."
That got us all giggling and before I could reply, my mobile rang. It was Beck, Jack was awake and had asked where I was. She wanted me back home so we could have elevenses. I told her that I was on my way and rang off.
I turned to the boys, "Sorry, but I'm needed at home. My older brother had quite a shock last night and I've gotta go be there for him. Let's swap mobile numbers and we'll hang out again, if you want to that is?"
"If I want to?" Tavish sounded insulted. "I'd offer to come by now but we're supposed to meet Mum at John Lewis at one."
"Well call me and we'll figure something out. We're in London until Friday. I've got to get going or Beck will kill me. It was nice meeting you guys!" and I quickly turned and jogged up the stairs to find Leonard waiting outside.
Riding back to Clairmont House I realized I had dodged a bullet. I almost asked Lennox and Tavish to come home and meet everyone but they had plans. If they had come, they would've found I'm from a mixed family and that wasn't accepted by most creatures yet.
Sure Mum had gotten the Congregation to overturn the ban on creatures intermarrying 8 years ago, but traditions died slow painful deaths, so we had always been warned not to reveal our true nature to other creatures without speaking to either Mum or Dad. They might have turned their back and walked out when my vampire brother greeted them. Or if they saw through Apollo or Lucy's disguises.
I was starting to realize how difficult things would be at a public school, keeping my supernatural nature from the humans, and keeping the details of that nature from other creatures. I had worked myself into a panic by the time we pulled up at Clairmont. I was so lost in thought I didn't move until Leonard almost yelled "M'lord? M'lord Philip? PIP!"
That woke me up, "Oh, sorry Leonard, I was thinking about something. Thanks dude. And keep up the M'lords and I mean it, you're gonna be on the dole!"
He laughed, "I'm 500 years old M'lord, wouldn't be the first time!" giving me an evil grin as he drove away.
I had just passed the first floor landing when Mum called to me "Pip? Would you go get Becca and join your father and I in his study?"
"Ah, sure Mum. Is there something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong really, but rather than explain it twice, meet us in the study in ten minutes and we'll all talk. If Jack's awake he's welcome to join us."
I nodded and ran up the stairs to my room. Jack was on the floor wrestling with Mop, er, no, that's Apollo. Dang, my disguising spell was pretty good!
"How ya feeling Jack?"
"I'm OK. Beck says Dad's got everyone working on my issue so I feel like I'm stirring up trouble again. I should've just never said nothing."
"Hey! Look at me! We're a family, and we help each other. Your issues are my issues. You need help sorting this out and that's what we're here for. Keep feeling sorry for yourself and I'll have 'Pollo drop you on top of Big Ben just before midnight so your eardrums burst!"
That got him laughing. "Thanks little brother, I needed that. I don't guess I should call you my 'little brother' much longer huh? You're as tall as me already!"
"Yeah, well, I may be as tall as you, but you're older and always will be. And I'm still the best looking!" and stuck my tongue out.
That did it. Jack jumped up and chased me out into the hall, tackling me and tickling me until I was screaming "I GIVE! I GIVE!"
Beck came running out "Will you two ever grow up?"
Jack and I looked at each other for a second, then both looked at her and said "NEVER!" and blew raspberries at her.
She just rolled her eyes and turned to go.
"Wait, Mum said she wants us in the study for what sounds like a family meeting. If Jack's up for it?" I said as I turned to him, asking with my eyes.
He just shrugged and helped me to my feet. We all pounded down the stairs and I yelled in "Mum, do we have time to grab a snack first?"
"Come on in Philip. Charles has cheese, nuts, wine and some blood already laid out."
We went in and I went straight to the buffet in the corner. Oh Gods does Charles know how to set up elevenses! I loaded up a plate with three different cheeses, a mix of nuts then grabbed a mug of wine and sat in a chair on the side wall. Beck grabbed a much smaller spread, mumbled something about me and a bottomless pit, and grabbed a glass of blood and sat across from me. Jack of course got a mug of blood and had half of it gone when Dad came in, followed by Amen and Father Hubbard.
I looked at Mum to ask what was up but she just shushed me and nodded at Dad.
He looked around the room and started, "Well, a lot of things have happened this week, and they have brought to my attention several things I've failed in my role as head of this Scion. The Bishop-Clairmont scion is a branch of the De Clarmont family, headed by Baldwin. I alone answer to Baldwin for any infractions of vampire or Congregation laws by members of our family."
"As you all know, our family includes all of Marcus' children in New Orleans, all the creatures Andrew has adopted throughout London over the centuries, and their descendants if any have moved from London. All of the Bishop witches and their descendants, the Norman witches in Mississippi now that Sophie has pledged her family to us, the Wilson line of Daemons in Sydney, and the list goes on. In fact, I'm ashamed to admit, I can no longer name everyone."
I'd always known Dad had a lot on his head but I had never really heard it spelled out. I was shocked. No wonder he was always texting or calling or emailing. No wonder he had so many people helping him. And he still couldn't keep track of it? I started to realize I was lucky he'd live longer than me cause all this stuff could end up in MY lap someday!
"This morning I found that," Dad glanced at Amen who nodded, "Amen is Andrew's son."
"Of course he is Dad," Beck said, "he's a creature and he lives in London."
"No Becca, I mean he was sired as a vampire by Andrew. He is Andrew's son in all senses. This means he is a Bishop-Clairmont. Just as Jack is, just as Andrew is, along with several others we'll be meeting soon, I hope"
With this he looked at Father H, who nodded and Dad went on.
"I've talked to Andrew and he has been Father Hubbard for 7 centuries, and sees no point in changing his name." Dad's gaze now turned to Jack, "Jack, has been Jack Blackfriars since he was given into Andrew's care when Diana and I left London in 1592 to return to the present."
Jack got that 'deer in the headlights' look on his face and I could see his eyes getting a hint of black, so I got up, walked over and put my arm over his shoulder.
"Philip, step away please. I need to speak to Jack."
I started to protest but Mum gave me a smile as if to say 'it's fine, do as he says' so I went back to my chair but didn't sit, keeping my eyes on Jack.
"Now, Jack, come here son."
Jack slowly stood and cautiously stepped towards Dad, his eyes on the floor the whole time, looking the whole time like he could bolt at any second. When he was just at arms length Dad reached up and put a hand on his shoulder and with the other hand, lifted Jack's chin to look him in the eyes.
"Eyes on me boy. You have been my son since 1591. No one has ever contested that fact. Andrew, when he returned you to our care, said the same and you witnessed this, did you not?"
"Yes Sire."
"No Jack, what do you call me?"
"Yes Dad." Jack said, with blood tears starting to form in his blackening eyes.
"I will not force this on you, but I would be honored if you would start using Jack Bishop-Clairmont. You're my son, and I'd like the world to know it."
Jack broke down sobbing and grabbed Dad in a death grip of a hug that would've crushed a warm-blood crying into his shoulder, nodding his head and saying "Really Dad? Really?" He glanced up at Mum and she just nodded. "Oh yes Dad, yes, but everyone's got all these names and I'm' just Jack. I don't fit."
"Well, that's easy Jack. We'll talk about it later, but I think Jack might be a nickname for Joseph, so how's Joseph Philippe Matthew Roydon Bishop-Clairmont sound to you?"
At that, Jack sobbed even more and we could barely understand him as he said something like "It's perfect Dad, it's just perfect."
Dad held Jack for another few minutes until he regained control, then passed him to Mum, looked over at Amen and nodded.
"Now for you. Andrew and I feel that Amen Corner, while fitting for you after being reborn, just isn't the best name for a young man in modern England. What do you think?"
"Well Sire," he said, glancing at Dad, "I've used James a few times over the centuries. I wasn't but 5 when Father H found me but I swear my mom told me my dad's name was Charlie. I don't remember anymore what my name was so I'll go with whatever you and Father H say I should." he finished with a glance at Father Hubbard.
"I'll leave the final decision to Andrew and you, but I would suggest James Charles Andrew Bishop-Clairmont."
Andrew nodded his agreement but Amen looked at them both and quietly said "May I say I'm honored Sire, but if it's OK, I'd like to be James Charles Andrew Hubbard. I'm far enough removed from you that I don't feel like your son, and Father H has always been my dad, I'd like to keep it that way if I can?"
Andrew shed a blood tear on hearing this, and Dad just nodded as he said "Yes James, I think it would be fitting. I think it would be perfect in fact."
"Another small issue of business is that all De Clermonts are Knights in the Order of Lazarus. Andrew has never bothered with this, and I will respect your wishes in this Andrew, but I would like to have Marcus induct Jack and James into the Order as soon as we can all be at Sept-Tours."
Everyone's eyes turned to Andrew who seemed to be thinking for a moment, then he said "I will neither encourage nor discourage these boys from doing this Matthew. As for myself," and he rose, walked over to Dad, and knelt before him as he grasped his hand and kissed it, "I will serve my family as my Sire asks."
You could've heard the proverbial pin drop. Everyone knew that Father Andrew Hubbard hated Granddad Philippe and had only sworn to obey Dad to help stop Benjamin and his reign of terror. The idea that Father H was willingly submitting to Dad was HUGE!
Dad looked down at him and said "Stand up Andrew. We've had our problems over the years, but you have always behaved with honor, and I'm proud to have you as a son of this family."
Father H stood, clasped arms with Dad like the Knights always did, and stepped back to his seat.
Jack looked at James and nodded. They both stood together and walked over to Dad and repeated Andrew's actions, although the handshakes were clumsy, they got their intentions across.
Dad looked at Mum and I could see something in their eyes, almost like Dad was asking if she still agreed or something. You know how married couples are.
Dad turned to look at Beck and me and said "Now, we get to the part that required Philip and Rebecca to be here. Philip, Becca, your mother and I have talked and we really want your thoughts on this but, we're not sure Wellington and Winchester are the best choices for you two."
I looked at Beck and she was staring wide eyed back at me.
What just happened?