September 25th, 1997
Angel Island, 10:42 pm
Derek pulled the keys from the ignition and quickly exited the Range Rover, grabbing one of Natalya's nearby bags and waiting for the other two to get out. Once they had gathered everything up they headed into the house, where Duncan greeted them. Dropping her bags near the door, Natalya ran into the elderly butlers' arms, where she was received and hugged tightly. Standing back, Duncan offered her a wide smile.
"Welcome home, Miss Rayne." He spoke, picking up her bags and smiling at the young man who seemed to be hiding behind her. "Everything's ready for you in your old room and a room has been prepared for your guest."
Derek smiled on the scene, thinking how right the house seemed now that she was home. Dexter reluctantly followed Duncan toward the guest room and Natalya headed into the living room. Nick and Philip were both seated there, and when she entered they both stood.
"Talya!" Nick cried, gathering her up in his arms and spinning her around. Philip caught her up next, hugging her and kissing her forehead.
"Welcome home, Taly." He spoke, watching as she wrapped an arm around Nick's shoulders and smiled broadly.
"So how have my partners in crime been getting on? Playing nice, I assume." She questioned, looking between them. Nick nodded and received a pat on the head.
"Nice accent." Philip commented, receiving a punch on the arm. Derek hadn't realized until then that her voice had a French accent to it. He was about to comment on it when Alex entered the room. Both she and Natalya shrieked girlishly and flew into each other's arms. When they were finished the five sat down on the couches. Dexter soon joined them, sitting next to Natalya on the couch. Once they were all settled Alex began the questioning:
"How's life at Paris House treating you?"
"You know, I used to hate it there. Everyone in the house was so old and bossy." She explained, and Derek listened closer. "Then Dex showed up. Ever since then I've loved it."
Alex didn't fail to notice the way Dexter brightened at Natalya's unintentional compliment, or the dark look that passed over the faces of Nick and Philip. Each had their own reasons for being protective, though neither of them chose to share these reasons with the other. It figured that Dexter had a little crush on his coworker; Taly always seemed to have a way of inadvertently attracting the opposite sex. To avoid a rumble Alex pressed on, being sure to avoid the topic of love and relationships and focus more on school and life in general. They talked late into the night, finally growing weary around the wee hours of the morning. Everyone retired to their rooms, and most fell quickly into a deep and quiet slumber.
Derek pulled the keys from the ignition and quickly exited the Range Rover, grabbing one of Natalya's nearby bags and waiting for the other two to get out. Once they had gathered everything up they headed into the house, where Duncan greeted them. Dropping her bags near the door, Natalya ran into the elderly butlers' arms, where she was received and hugged tightly. Standing back, Duncan offered her a wide smile.
"Welcome home, Miss Rayne." He spoke, picking up her bags and smiling at the young man who seemed to be hiding behind her. "Everything's ready for you in your old room and a room has been prepared for your guest."
Derek smiled on the scene, thinking how right the house seemed now that she was home. Dexter reluctantly followed Duncan toward the guest room and Natalya headed into the living room. Nick and Philip were both seated there, and when she entered they both stood.
"Talya!" Nick cried, gathering her up in his arms and spinning her around. Philip caught her up next, hugging her and kissing her forehead.
"Welcome home, Taly." He spoke, watching as she wrapped an arm around Nick's shoulders and smiled broadly.
"So how have my partners in crime been getting on? Playing nice, I assume." She questioned, looking between them. Nick nodded and received a pat on the head.
"Nice accent." Philip commented, receiving a punch on the arm. Derek hadn't realized until then that her voice had a French accent to it. He was about to comment on it when Alex entered the room. Both she and Natalya shrieked girlishly and flew into each other's arms. When they were finished the five sat down on the couches. Dexter soon joined them, sitting next to Natalya on the couch. Once they were all settled Alex began the questioning:
"How's life at Paris House treating you?"
"You know, I used to hate it there. Everyone in the house was so old and bossy." She explained, and Derek listened closer. "Then Dex showed up. Ever since then I've loved it."
Alex didn't fail to notice the way Dexter brightened at Natalya's unintentional compliment, or the dark look that passed over the faces of Nick and Philip. Each had their own reasons for being protective, though neither of them chose to share these reasons with the other. It figured that Dexter had a little crush on his coworker; Taly always seemed to have a way of inadvertently attracting the opposite sex. To avoid a rumble Alex pressed on, being sure to avoid the topic of love and relationships and focus more on school and life in general. They talked late into the night, finally growing weary around the wee hours of the morning. Everyone retired to their rooms, and most fell quickly into a deep and quiet slumber.