After everyone was asleep in the house, Beatrice would always come into Duo's room to talk. they would sit on his bed and discuss things that had been kept a secret for far too long. "Do you know who your real parents are?" "I did, but they died. I lived most of my childhood on the street as a..." Duo clenched his eyes and hugged his arms to his chest. "A whore" he spat out. "Oh...Im sorry" she replied gently, reaching up to stroke a locke of chesnut hair from his face.

The two spend a tremendous amout of time together. I refused to see that there was something between though. My daughter had been raised a lady, and knew not to meddle in such ways. All the children seemed to get along dearly. John would occasionally tease Duo, but nothing harsh. Albert loved him like his own, and so did I. But there was something strange about the orphan from space. He had some kind of insecurity around him that disturbed me. I could never put my finger on it though. So i payed it no heed. I often cought glimpses of them sitting on a blanket in the courtyard talking. It was so sweet that Beatrice had someone of equal knowledge to talk to. She always was a bright child.

"Nah, this place isnt all its cracked up to be" Beatrice joked, shielding the sun from her eyes. The two spent alot of their afternoons sitting in this spot in the courtyard on a blanket. a picnic everyday almost. "Well sure it is, Its better than living on the streets, not having anywhere to belong." "Well im sure anyplace is better than being homeless." "You seem so different from the rest of your family. Why is that?" "Um I dont know actually. My family is very close minded. I was surprised to hear that they were going to adopt another child. And then you came. Its hard to see that you had gone through all your sufferings. You cant tell at all." "I had to hide it." "Hide it? why?" "People wouldnt have understood if i had just poured my heart out to them. Not even my friends. So i kept it all to myself and hid under my smile." "Its a real shame, Its a very beautiful smile, that hides so much sorrow. You really are something else. I guess i do that in a way, hide my feelings. Sometimes i have to, so to not hurt my family. It really does get old, but there is nothing i can do about it." "You learn to live with it though, i have." "Oh by the way, Mother told me to tell you about the family reunion." "Family reunion?" Duo paused and stared at her. "Yes, everyone in the family wants to meet you" Beatrice smiled a comforting smile, that failed to crush the fear whelling up in her brother. "Well its not like they are going to be out to get you. There is no need to be frightened, they will love you. Its in two days." "Two days?!!! I still havent learned half the stuff you rich folk do here!! and they want me to go show off to abunch of people i dont even know?!!!!" "Duo calm down. Ill help you with whatever else you need to learn" She reassured him. Duo fell back and stared up at a cloud. "This is down right rediculous! cant i just fake sick or something?" "No silly, sit up. Here ill teach you. The first thing you must know is manners. All gentlemen MUST have manners. Here These are the things you have to say..."

***Two days later***

"Duo dont be nervous. It really is quite allright. Just say Bonjour to the people who talk to you in french and i will take care of the rest." "Thats not what im worried about" Duo sighed nervously as the family van pulled up to the park sight where the reunion was held. "There are so many people" he gasped as he looked out the window. "There are all the cousins" John pointed out the window at a group of teenagers and small children. He continued to point out groups of people and telling who they were. They finally parked and got out to greet everyone. Duo swore half the family ran up to him when he got out of the car. He immediatly started to panic at the sight of people pointing, asking a million questions and reaching out to touch him. "Allright everyone take a step back and let him breathe" his father finally shouted. Everyone took afew steps back and let him through with Beatrice at his side. All day Duo walked around within his family as they introduced him to both old and young people of his new humongous family. It was a brunch party so there were several long tables that stretched across an open area. A white gazebo was infront of the main table, reflecting the sunlight and making everything look holy. Everything was white, the tablecloths, the chairs, dresses, everything.

Duo's immediate new family sat at the front table, Duo in the middle. His father and mother on each side of him. Albert stood up and tapped a tea spoon on his champaigne glass to get everyone's attention. "Today, we celebrate the glorious arrival of a new member into this family. I am pleased to present Duo, the orphan from the stars. Allthough he has only been with us a short while, Im sure everyone has warmed up to his gentleness and kind nature. Duo came to us an ex soldier, having fought in the war" Duo's father kept talking about the war and his part in it all. He talked about things that Duo wished to be kept a secret, and that wasnt to be known by civilians. He wondered how they had found out. It turned out his father said some rather insulting things about him. He sat in silence but flashed that ear to ear smile when everyone applaused timidly. That uneasiness returned to him once more. He felt uncomfortable sitting where he was and only wanted to get away. No chance of that happening. He felt unwanted by his new found family, not understanding them one little bit. The only person Duo really understood, was Beatrice.

After the lunch was over, Duo took off around the gazebo and down a trial between trees to another clearing. There was another Gazebo in the middle of it, white like all the others. He sat on the side of it and cleared his head. "Duo?" a familiar voice said from next to him. He turned to be facing Beatrice. "I couldnt stay there anymore. How did he find all that stuff out about me?" "I do not know, i never spoke a word to him i swear." "Probably a backround check. Damn. I never cleared it. How much longer till this thing is over?" "It should be coming to a close. We can go wait in the car if you want. The elders are leaving. Too much heat i guess." Duo laughed and stood up. "Yea, lets go to the car, Its out of the heat and away from all these nerveracking people."