Jim's Folly
And here I thought this story would only make twenty chapters. Hah!
Sorry, guys….I know Angel never wants to speak to me again, but….yeah. Abby, darling, you're on the ball as usual. ;)
Mia, don't fear. Your questions will be answered.
Chapter Thirty-One
Raven stood, antsy, at the boat dock while she waited for the next arrival.
Jim had decided to not come and let her rendezvous with her brother be a family moment. He'd have a chance to meet Mark eventually.
Raven bit her lip, twiddled her thumbs and paced impatiently as people came off the ship.
She studied each one, even the ones that clearly weren't humans.
It was when a tall, dark and handsome man stepped off the ship that she paid acute attention.
He looked like her, with dark hair and dark eyes. He looked around, his eyes finally settling on the young girl before him. He studied her for a moment, and then smiled widely.
"Hey, sis."
She didn't know what to do. So, she stood there. Waiting.
He didn't wait long. He scooped her into his arms and held her close, towering nearly a good foot over her. "It's good to see you again," he whispered into her ear, stroking her hair.
She silently wrapped her arms around his waist and rested against his chest for a moment. He was back. Her brother was back.
He held her out in front of him, cocked his head to the side, and studied her.
"Stars, you're beautiful," he murmured. She blushed and looked at the ground.
"How old are you, twenty?"
She grinned. "You're still trying to get into my good books about the age thing?" Mark laughed. Raven bit her lip. "I'm twenty five."
"You don't look a day over twelve," Mark replied.
Raven sighed heavily and turned. "Should we get going? Jim wants to meet you," she said. He reached for her hand. "And I want to meet him, of course. So, tell me about what's going on. How's…Andrew?"
Raven's eyes grew dark. "I'll tell you later."
Mark frowned. "Stepping on thin ice?"
"Ice that's already broken, I'm afraid."
"Did…you lose him?" Mark asked, referring to her pregnancy.
She shook her head. "No…he's still alive. He's just…well, not with me."
"The courts gave him to Simon, didn't they-" Mark replied, spewing off numerous swear words before continuing to listen to his little sister explain.
"Simon kidnapped him, Mark." Her words caught her brother off guard and he frowned. "What?"
"You heard me. He kidnapped my little boy and I haven't seen Andrew in three years. He's eleven years old by now."
Mark frowned, his eyes full of pain. "I'm so sorry, baby…" He put an arm around her and squeezed tightly, hoping to offer some comfort.
"It's okay, Mark…we'll find him. Jim and I are hopeful."
"Did he know Andrew before this happened?" Mark asked. Raven nodded. "Andrew adored Jim. He'd be ecstatic if he knew we were getting married."
"Ah, yes, the wedding." Mark smiled faintly. "My baby sister's getting married and I don't even have a girlfriend. The irony."
Raven blushed as they walked boarded the small monorail that would take them by the new BenBow Inn.
Choosing a seat, Raven and Mark sat down. "So…" Mark said quietly.
"Tell me about yourself, brother," Raven said. "How's Elena?"
Elena was Raven's little sister.
"Elena…" Mark nodded quietly to himself and pulled out a picture. "She died from her illness last year. It's…been a hard year for us."
"Us?"
"Dad and I. Mom died after you left home."
So it was just Raven, Mark and their father left.
"How's Dad?" Raven asked, frowning.
Mark nodded. "He's okay. He's getting old, I mean…he's got a son in his late twenties, etcetera etcetera."
"Are you calling him old?" Raven asked, laughing. Mark shrugged. "I'm just teasing the old guy because I can. When he's around, it's a big thwack for Markie-Mark!"
Raven had noticed before, but kept noticing in the words he was using that mark's accent had faded to a faint amount.
It was barely evident that Mark was even Romanian anymore.
Soon enough, the monorail pulled to a stop outside the Inn and a few people got off, including Raven and Mark.
"Well, Mark?" Raven asked, squeezing her brother's hand. "Ready to meet my fiancé?"
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Jim was nervous. He saw them up the road a little, walking hand-in-hand. He was beyond nervous. He tried to swallow it, but he knew it would be with him for awhile. Great.
Morph could sense his nervousness and nuzzled the captain, chirping quietly as if to say "I'm here for you."
Jim smiled, feeling acknowledged. "Thanks, buddy."
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door and Jim opened it to see Raven and a tall man with dark eyes and dark hair. The resemblance was uncanny.
Jim smiled. "You must be Mark." Sticking out his hand, Mark nodded. "Good to meet you, Jim."
"Likewise," Jim replied, nodding. The two shook hands and Raven gleamed with joy.
Jim didn't know whether it would be appropriate to greet his fiancée with her older brother present, so he just winked at her and led the two into the kitchen where Mark would meet Mrs. Hawkins.
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