Chapter Fifteen: Unsettled

I make my way into the guest room that I slept in last night. When I get to the bed, I sit down and look around the room. I really should head back home after I eat and talk to Jenna and Keith.

Maybe I should talk them into coming to my house. That might be smart.

I'm not sure why, but something feels different about the room from yesterday. After looking around, I notice that there is something different.

A new stuffed animal I never noticed yesterday.

A fairly large plush bear is on the chair Keiran was sitting on yesterday, along with a bouquet of rhododendrons.

This concerns me. I know very little about flowers but I remember something about these.

The almanac says that they mean danger, beware.

I take a picture of it and walk back to the living room where Jenna still is. She is drinking her coffee; when she notices me, she turns and the smile that she had leaves her face.

"What did Miss Reba say? What's wrong?" She gets up and meets me where I am.

I hold up my phone, the picture I just took on the screen. When she sees it, her eyes and mouth open more than I have ever seen.

"I know that was not there last night."

I nod in agreement.

"It wasn't, at least not when I left."

Jenna looks at the picture again.

"Keith needs to learn about this, and I think we should go to my house for this conversation. If you catch my drift."

"Of course. Let me get dressed. You can dress at your house, right?"

I nod and she goes to her room to change.

"I'll text my brother!" I shout with a laugh.

"Go for it!" She shouts back.

Bro, as much as I LOVE staying in my clothes that I slept in, Wifey and I are going to my house. So, message us so we can decide where to meet you. -Maggie

Sis, is Jen going to shower or not? Because that determines whether I go to your house or mine. -Keith

I listen to the house, and it is quiet. I walk to their room and knock. "You planning on showering?"

I text him back while I wait for a response.

How much longer are you going to be? Waiting for a response. Think she's hiding in the bathroom. LOL. -Maggie

Well, seeing as we are nearly done and I need to get our food, let's plan on meeting at my house then going to yours. I actually would feel better about being able to follow you there. -Keith

Sounds good. -Maggie

Side note, are you able to see a pic? Or should I wait for you to get here? -Maggie

Wait. Done and getting my big boy Band-Aid. :-D -Keith

Did you get Barbie or Frozen? Disney Princess? Paw Patrol? -Maggie

I hate you! -Keith

I get a picture of the Olaf Band-Aid and laugh. Now, hearing water running makes me realize Jenna must be showering. I will not let Keith know, just in case.

Sexy. Jen will love it. Hurry home; I am sure that she will want to rip your clothes off with that one. :-D -Maggie

*Rolls eyes* -Keith

Hurry home, stud! -Maggie

I still hate you. -Keith

Hurry and get here -Maggie

Yeah, yeah. We're coming, woman. -Keith

I hear the water turn off, which is good because I don't want to be alone. I realize Jenna is here, but with her in the bathroom, I highly doubt she would hear me scream if I did.

Several minutes later she comes out freshly showered and in a new outfit. Dressed in some cute pink, purple, and yellow floral jogging pants and a coordinating purple t-shirt and sweatshirt. Comfort is going to rule today.

Shit! I never called Miss Reba!

Miss Reba answers quickly when the phone rings. "I was wonderin' if you were going to call. After I talked with that Keith boy and the officers that were at your house last night, I called your clients for today and tomorrow. You are okay."

What did she ascertain from the cops?

"I am sorry that I never called Miss Reba. It's been…"

Miss Reba shushes me.

"Worry not. We're good, besides you never take time off. Call if you need anything. And I am only going to say this once. Something doesn't feel right, my child, be careful."

Shit! She has bad feelings, too. I hear her mumbling and walking.

"I've left the floor now. Honey, you have worked for us since you got your license, right?"

"Yes, Ma'am," I respond.

"And you have never given us any issues? We are like family, right?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Then don't ignore your gut. If you need to leave quickly, then text me you are leaving and go. Don't tell me where. I will give you several written references for you to take with you. Do you think you might need them?"

I gasp. This is going to be worse than I thought.

"I am not sure, Ma'am, but probably."

Miss Reba hums. "I will work on them after this client. That Keith boy can come to get them in the morning or I can drop them off at the police department. I don't want to get you involved." She mumbles, and it sounds like she is writing something down. "Alright. I have a list of things we should talk about, but not now. I will call you when I am done at the shop."

Then she hangs up.

"Fuck."

Jenna looks at me with concern.

"That was Miss Reba. We will talk about it again later."

Jenna nods.

"Are you sure you want to wait before we leave for your house? Is that wise?"

I nod and have her read Keith's text messages.

She nods at the phone. "Gotcha."

I laugh at her. "Yeah, we can wait for our handsome prince to arrive."

That earns me an eye roll.

"Yes, your prince charming, indeed. Good thing I love you, Mags, or I would think that you are trying to steal my man."

I laugh and find the song 'What A Man' by Salt-N-Pepa on my phone. Jenna laughs and we both start dancing. As much as we should pay attention to our surroundings, Jenna and I are having too much fun.

That is, until someone's arms wrap around me. And these are not Keith's arms.

Jenna and I scream as I try to get whoever is holding me off. I turn around and discover it is Keiran.

"Miss Magnolia! I did not mean you harm! It's okay, my sweet darlin'. I am going to protect you. You are my life, my dear."

The soothing voice he has is nearly hypnotic. I need to be strong and ignore his appeal.

"Keiran, leave Maggie alone! She obviously doesn't want you to touch her." Keith is back in cop mode.

I feel Keith's arms reach around me, and he pulls me from Keiran's arms. I feel better already.

A glance over at Jenna tells me she is not happy.

"How was your trip to the vampire?" Jenna asks. "Where is our food?"

"I knew I was forgetting something. Sadly, Keiran was adamant that we needed to come back. He thought we upset you. Which I am sure we did, based on your text from this morning."

He escorts me to the guest bedroom. As soon as he notices the considerable-sized bear and the vase of flowers, he looks at me with concern.

"Maggie, do you remember these in your room last night at all?"

I give him a 'are you kidding look.'

"I think I would have remembered those, Keith. Did you know those flowers mean danger and beware?"

If Keith wasn't concerned before, he definitely is now.

"Maggie, I think we need to take you home now. I will drive you and Jenna both and grab our food on the way, then proceed to your house. We will talk there."

I nod before we depart the room.

Keith is on his phone and calling someone. "Chief, I need some time off this afternoon… It's about Mags… Right… Honestly, I have no idea… Send a picture now and I want you to look up what the flower means… She's with me at my house and she spent the night last night… Miss Reba? No idea, sir… She might, but I just got here after being with Keiran at the clinic for the DNA test… Right… Maggie's then…" He hangs up without another word and takes a picture of the bear and flowers. He then takes more pictures of the room.

"Mags, besides the bed, do you remember touching anything last night or this morning?"

I look around, trying to remember.

"Maybe the nightstand next to the bed. The door. Light switch. I think that would be it."

He nods while typing on his phone.

"I am going to get your prints to rule you out, okay?"

I nod.

"This has been your room for years, so I am sure you touched stuff all over the place. Did you touch the bear or the flowers?"

"No, I was too scared to."

He nods in understanding. "Good deal. I hate to be nasty like this but it needs to be done."

"Of course. You are a police officer. I understand. Should we get going?"

He sighs and writes a text for me to read.

Say nothing in front of Keiran. I think he has something up his sleeve. Follow my lead. Got it?

I nod, and he smiles, putting his phone back in his pocket.

"That is an interesting bear and flowers. Are we leaving it here?"

What the hell? I was going to not talk about it. What is Keith doing? He smiles at me and I get it.

Well, not really, but I can pretend.

"For right now, I really want to get home, eat, and change my clothes."

Keith smiles. "Let's get you food, home, and changed." We are walking toward the living room when he speaks up again. "But let's not forget the most important thing, a shower. You're not as pretty smelling as my beautiful wife."

I smack him, and he fakes being hurt.

"Funny how that works; your wife showers and then smells better than I do."

I can't help but laugh.

"Beating an officer now, I see. Just wait until I tell my Chief what you did!"

We were both laughing so hard that I nearly fell over when I hit the back of the couch.

"Alright, let's not do anything crazy. Time to feed the womenfolk." Jenna smiles.

"Fine, food and taking Mags home. Keiran; it was a good morning, but I need to get going. See you at work?"

Keiran did not seem happy about this, but nods.

"Allow me to walk you to your car, Miss Magnolia. If you need me, please, call me anytime." Keiran hands me a card with his name and several phone numbers on it. "I already told work that if you called, you are a priority caller. So you shouldn't have any issues calling me at work."

The smile on his face is genuine and almost not concerning. However, something tells me it is actually very concerning. I still try to smile back.

"Thank you so much, Mister Keiran. I will put these numbers all in my phone after I charge it." I look over at Keith and he grabs Jenna's and my hands.

"Alright, let's go, ladies, your chariot awaits."

I smile at Keith and Jenna; Jenna is making funny faces at me, so I make them back.

"Silly ladies, fighting over me. There is enough of me to go around." Keith opens the passenger door and then the back door of his awesome green four-door Jeep Wrangler.

Do you know the kind that you can take apart? That one. As much as I love my Sunfire, my next car I hope will be a Jeep, just like my big brother.

"Thank you, dear brother, cause fighting for you would just be wrong."

Jenna laughs at my comment.

"BURN! Do you hear that, hubby? Two women fighting over you is wrong!" Jenna says in between laughs. Okay, not laugh, a cackle.

"Wifey, don't pee your pants. Please, hubby just had the car detailed. Right, brother?"

And my saying that made Jenna worse.

Keith is in the driver's seat waiting for her to stop. Looking out the window, I notice Keiran is outside, watching us.

"Keith, make your wife stop." Jenna tries to calm down but fails after hearing me threatening her husband. "Don't make me make you, woman."

"I… can't… breathe! I… can't… breathe! Stop!" Jenna pants.

We hear a knock on the driver's side window and I expect to see Keiran when I look over; but it's not him, thankfully.

It's Keith's boss, Chief Brooks Davis.

"I thought that boy would ne'er leave! Lord above! Alright, let's go see this stuff, Christopher. I have Detective Lee and Officer Houston with me. Since I know the house, do you want to stay with the girls?"

Keith nods and looks over at Jenna and me.

"I am going to need both of your prints to rule you out. Can you let Officer Houston take them?"

"Anything you need, Chief Davis. Do you have what you need here, or will we need to get to the station?" I ask with concern. "Also, Miss Reba talked to me earlier…"

Chief Davis shuts me down with a smile. "She came and saw me. I have what you need, dear Magnolia."

I nod my thanks, and we leave the Jeep, going into the house.

"The flowers and the bear are in the spare bedroom. They were not there last night when Mags went to bed but were there when she woke up."

Chief Davis and Detective Lee make their way to the room I slept in last night.

"Holy shit! That is an enormous bear. Magnolia, what is your favorite flower?" Detective Lee asks.

"Not rhodies, roses, or magnolias—that much I can tell you. Depends on the mood I am in—daisies, lilies, lilacs, or dahlias. Does that narrow it down?" I try to not laugh.

"I am shocked that you don't like your namesake flowers. Why is that?"

One thing the town knows Chief Davis for, it's knowing everyone's business. Right or wrong, he knows each member of the community, each child, approximately when they were born and—most importantly—how much trouble they cause.

I am well known because of the issues with Mamaw and also the child service investigations I was a part of as a child.

The man knows just about everything, about everyone.

New people are not the norm for this town, so it is hard when the new people, like Keith, come around. Former military, and wanting to join the small-town police force no less, after marrying one of the local girls. 'Most likely to marry a preacher'—or at least, Jenna's parents had hoped.

But once the town got used to Keith being married to Jenna, the town accepted and loved them as though they were high school sweethearts. This is a feat since Keith and Jenna are even more respected than some high school sweethearts from my graduating class. Just saying…

"Honestly, roses are just such a common flower and get overused. Magnolias, while they are pretty, bruise easily and are very temperamental. I don't want to be thought of as a temperamental person, like my flower namesake."

Chief nods and moves on.

"Fair enough, but know one thing, your mother named you Magnolia because she wanted you to have a true Southern name. Be proud of your roots…"

I stop him there.

"Technically, I recently found out that I am not a true Southerner. Mamaw and Papaw were from Boston. I may have been born here, but I am really a Yankee by my family tree."

Chief Davis looks at me with concern.

"You know where your grandparents are from? How? Only a few people know about that! You should not be one of them!"

The confusion is apparent in his voice.

"Mamaw is the next Jesus. She told me yesterday, she did not die in that car accident when I was five. From what I gather, she is in the Witness Protection Program or something. She wanted to take me with her, but others would not allow it. So instead, my parents abused me on a nearly daily basis. Do you know how many nights I slept on that damn back porch? How many cold nights? Or how about for my parents to be safe during the child abuse investigation that I could have a room again. Though, I only had that bed for maybe two weeks. Did you know that? And that Miss Montgomery took me in because my parents did not welcome me in my own house? Oh—and this is my favorite—they arrested my father at my house yesterday as a peeping TOM! What kind of sick bastard does that to his own daughter? Dear Chief Davis, do you know if he is still in jail?"

Based on the look on his face, I would say no.

"That makes me wonder if I have a fair shot at justice here. I understand that a peeping Tom is not high on the list of people to worry about, but don't you think it is concerning when the victim is the daughter of said Tom? Not only that, but has anyone checked in on my mother or sister? Or is that a nonissue since I was the disposable child?"

Both Detective Lee and Officer Houston are in shock. Keith is standing next to me with his arms folded across his chest. Jenna is sitting down on a chair, trying to make sense of it all.

"Chief, are you telling me that Maggie's father is out of jail? And with no kind of restraining order in place to protect Maggie?"

The chief nods.

"Is that why you asked if she wanted one? My answer was, 'As long as that ass is in jail, she does not need one. But the minute that he is out, she needs to have one.' Damn you! This is Maggie's life you might endanger!" Keith walks away from the man in front of us and paces the room.

"Son, there are things you don't understand about this town, since you are not from here. There are certain things that are done around here and that is that. I hope you understand that."

My mouth opens wide in confusion.

"What kind of things do I not know, Chief?" I ask in concern.

"What do you know about your family?"

"I know everyone lied to me all my life. Other than that I really have no idea." I look at Keith and then back at the Chief. "Is there something that you know about my family that you think I should know, Chief?"

The chief looks at me and smirks. "I know enough. Like that your grandmother was supposed to marry my father, but she didn't. Have you heard of the Morris family?"

That last name is a name I have heard. There is a family in town with that last name and they are some of the sweetest people you could meet. Except for their four-year-old granddaughter, Owl. Not sure if that is her actual name or nickname. But she screams all the time like an owl.

Mental note, 'Magnolia' is a fabulous name.

"There is a Morris family in town. They seem like wonderful people. Why do I think you don't mean them though?" I ask.

"I'm not talking about them; I am talking about the MORRIS family. The crime family. Mafia… From Boston," Chief replies with a chuckle.

"Why would my Mamaw have been involved with the Morris crime family?" I ask.

The look on the Chief's face was one that I couldn't read.

"Because she was engaged to be married to my father. She ran away the night before their wedding." He takes a breath. "Actually, she didn't run. Somehow she tricked everyone into thinking she was dead."

I gasp, and so does Jenna.

"What do you mean 'she tricked everyone into thinking she was dead'? Why would she do that?"

"I will tell you that your grandmother was supposed to marry my father. It was supposed to bring two families together. Hers—the Volturi—and mine—LaRose—were to combine after their wedding. When discovered that Camilla Maria Voulturi had died in her sleep, there was a war. How could a Mafia princess pass away? How could nobody have known? She had five security guards guarding her at all times before the wedding… Other than when she was changing."

"So, someone got my grandmother, this Camilla Maria Volturi, out of a highly guarded house and planted a dead body in her bed. Am I the only person who thinks that is ridiculous?" I look around and notice that nobody looked at me. Worse than that, it seemed they were thinking there might be some truth to it.

"Well, Chief. If that is what I can call you. Do you or your family have any theories?"

The look on his face gives nothing away.

"Frankly, the window was low enough that it could have happened. I am not sure why nobody would have thought that she might escape from her window… but, they had never caught her leaving her window before that night…"

I stop him, again.

"Who's to say that Mamaw was this Volturi woman? Maybe they just look alike..."

" I wouldn't have wasted the last almost twenty years of my life here to make sure that I dealt with your family. Because of your grandmother's betrayal, you and your family must all die."

I try not to look scared and instead seem like a brave woman.

"My name is Magnolia Rose Stephenson. I am not a Volturi. My Mamaw's name was Martha Marie Michaels until she married my Papaw and added his last name of Wood. My Papaw was Joel Bernard Wood. They had four children: Lavender, who died at two days old, Michael and Mitchell, who died at fifteen months old from what I was told was a house fire when Mamaw and Papaw were at the hospital, giving birth to my mother—Primrose Tulip Wood—the only one who survived to adulthood. They left the boys with a sitter…" I try to cling to my family story, what I knew, at least before my grandmother came back to life, that is…

"Know this, Miss Magnolia. There are two ways that this will end. One will have you marrying the next in line ruler of my family, or you die. Those are your two options…" He smiles at me and then looks over towards Keith and Jenna. "And your friends will follow you. Since you are always together and all. Christopher… Consider yourself fired."

"For what?" Keith asks.

"For your relationship with a known member of a crime family, of course. But, I won't fire you just yet. I will give our dear Magnolia a few days to pick her course. You are an excellent cop. It would be a shame to ruin your career over something this easily solvable." Chief Berkley smiles as he grabs my hand and offers it a kiss.

I think I found someone worse than Keiran. If I am reading between the lines right, this man in front of me is the next in line for the family, or at least thinks that way.

"I look forward to hearing your response. Until we meet again… my future bride."

I try to take my hand back but can't until he lets it go. Once he does, he looks around the room and laughs.

It takes a lot of work, but I finally can turn my head. I really wish I hadn't.

AN:

Hello everyone! Thank you for reading and commenting! Hearing your thoughts on each chapter means the world to me.

Thank you to my team who makes my words make sense and awesome!

I don't own Twilight or it's characters. I just borrow them. (Not that they are Twilight Characters YET.)