Years ago, Don had bought a penthouse apartment in New York that overlooked the Bay. It was at the top of one of the tallest skyscrapers and, for Don, a rebuttal to having lived in the city's sewers for twenty years! The view was breathtaking, but for Gabby it was absolutely terrifying!
She recoiled from getting too close to the windows. The view was extraordinary, but it also made her weak in the knees. Don tried to entice her to get closer by naming off the different landmarks famous in New York, especially the World Trade Center Memorial. But she would have none of it.
" That's all nice. But, I like it right here by the couch." she said, determined not to get any closer to the view.
Don didn't push the issue, but did manage to have his chef serve their dinner by the tallest of the windows in the dining room. Gabby was not at all pleased with him, " Can't we eat in the living room?" she pleaded. She could feel a tremor start in her legs, working it's way up to her knees. They began to ache a little with the stress of coping with her vertigo.
" No food allowed in there; sorry!" he explained.
"What happens when you have parties?" she asked.
" Don't have them!" and he smiled. " Sit down and eat!" and he pulled out a chair for her. She was not at all happy. Gabby sat down in a huff and realized Don had her facing the window! She went wide-eyed at first, but then turned her focus to her food. She stared down and absolutely refused to look up. Don sat to her right, placing his napkin neatly across his lap. They ate in silence for a while, but then Don spoke up,
" Tomorrow we'll go back over to the hospital and visit some more with the professor. I have some business to attend to during the afternoon, so Thomas will escort you around. There are museums and such to choose from, if you'd like, or you can do a bit of shopping if it pleases you. I've instructed Thomas to take care of any expenses. You'll only have the one day, so use it well."
Gabby was quiet through most of the meal; her thoughts were to avoid looking at that dreaded window! The sun had already set and the lights in the city illuminated the night sky. She asked Don when he was done talking, "Would it be possible to see a musical?"
Don stabbed at his last morsel of food and popped it into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully, looking at Gabby's expectant face. Finally, once he swallowed, he asked her, " Is that wise? You know that, come Monday, you will be prohibited from expressing any music! Given your ability to memorize so easily, you may find that too tempting after seeing a musical."
Gabby had almost forgotten about that. With the flight out to New York, her last look at her home in Connecticut, the day before seemed like it happened a week ago. Don's reminder of her punishment brought a bit of sobriety to her. She looked back down at her lap and nodded quietly. She asked to be excused and returned her plate to the kitchen. Rinsing it off and placing it into the dishwasher, she made her way to the bedroom Don had assigned to her earlier. He watched his niece as she closed the door behind her. He then sighed, "So much potential and she just doesn't see it!"
A while later, he knocked on her door. When Gabby opened it, Don said, " I have paper work and phone calls to make. I'll be in my den and will not want to be disturbed. You can watch some television in the bonus room or you can use the telescope that's in there to see some of the New York sky. Or, you can get some sleep." He then said good night to her and left for his den.
A while later, Gabby looked at the clock on the nightstand; it said ten in the evening. She didn't feel like going to bed quite yet, but she was bored. So, she decided she would explore the penthouse.
Gabby went to her bedroom door and opened it, then stepped out into the living area. She skirted as close to the large windows as her legs would allow. She still didn't like being up so high, but Gabby was just a little curious. She tried to at least look at the sights far across the city. What she could see just about took her breath away! It was truly a wondrous sight to behold! The lights in the far distance reminded her of precious gems and the variety of colors was enchanting!
Then, Gabby wondered where the den was. She didn't have any intention of intruding on Don, but it would be good to know its location, just the same. She saw a double-door entry just down the way from her own bedroom. Gabby surmised that it was probably his bedroom. More than likely, the den adjoined it, which would make sense considering the kind of work Don did. His varied businesses worldwide probably needed his attention at all hours of the day or night. Having quick access to his office would be advantageous. Gabby then saw another door not too far down from the double-doors. She wondered if maybe that was his den.
However, Gabby decided to tour the rest of the penthouse rather than find herself in a compromising position. Don was quite direct with her about not wanting to be disturbed. She knew herself well enough to know that if she dwelled on that other door too much, she would end up going over there just to open it!
Gabby had already seen the living room, dining room, and the kitchen. There were more rooms yet to discover. A wide hallway at the foyer opened up to a corridor to the right of it; Gabby remembered that when she first walked in. She decided to see how far down it went. There were original paintings on the walls and recessed niches with expensive looking vases sitting inside, all lit up with overhead lighting. She recognized one vase as a Ming. It was nearly flawless in detail and condition!
Moving farther down the hall, there were other doors and a larger room that took up one corner of the penthouse. Gabby decided that it was probably the bonus room that Don mentioned earlier.
The room opened up to reveal a veranda outside with dual sliding doors. Along one end of the room was a flat screen plasma HDTV on one wall. It was impressively large and would have been perfect for viewing DVD's. There was a telescope stationed in one windowed corner, facing probably the most picturesque view of New York. Because the veranda obscured how high up she was, Gabby ventured closer to the window and looked out. She was mesmerized with all the city lights! She had never seen so many before in her life. Though she could discern streets down below her, the cars were nothing more than lights. They seemed so tiny from where she stood.
Turning way from the window, she spied a gas fireplace along one wall with two black reclining chairs in front of it. A pool table was at the farthest end and close by that was a wet bar that appeared to be fully stocked. Gabby went over and was surprised to find liquor on display. She was surprised. Don didn't seem to be one who drank alcohol. Maybe he kept that for business associates, she thought. Either way, Gabby didn't have any interest in the collection of liquor, so she went on to explore the other rooms.
Just down the hall from what had been the family room were a series of doors. Gabby tried opening them, but they were locked. Disappointed, she decided to go back to her room and shower. She soon came to the door that she assumed to be the den Don was in. As Gabby came up to it, she heard his voice. It was soft, but still penetrating. She stopped to listen. Quieting her breathing as best she could, she suddenly caught a few phrases in Japanese. Don spoke Japanese? That startled her, but it intrigued her as well. She cautiously moved closer to the door, careful so as to not make a sound. As she interpreted what Don was saying, she realized whom he was talking to. Seth!! Her eyes flew open wide and her heart started pounding in excitement. How she wanted to talk to him!! But, if she walked in on Don at that moment, he would know that she had been eavesdropping. And, she had been forewarned not to bother him.
It also occurred to her that since Don was speaking in Japanese, it would mean that Seth was able to understand it! She was thrilled to realize he was bi-lingual! Gabby remained quiet and just listened. She was enthralled with translating the language to herself as Don spoke.
" I don't know how long, Seth, okay. As I said last evening, she needs to be educated and trained in the way of the Clan. Considering her tendency to rebel, it may take up to a year or more!" He paused, obviously listening to what Seth had to say. Then, he replied, " Yes, I know, but you must understand that your father was right in making you return to Japan." He paused yet again as he listened. He then replied, " No, it couldn't work that way; you would have a disadvantage considering your feelings for her. She's better off being trained by those who can go about it without letting their emotions get in the way. We've had more experience..." Don seemed to be interrupted, then he countered, "No, I'm not saying you aren't skilled, Seth, you are more than qualified. But your heart would get in the way of her training. You don't know what Raph and I went through at her house! Believe me, once she gets her mind made up...." Again, he was interrupted! Gabby couldn't believe that Don was allowing that! Seth must either be desperate or he had a more casual relationship with Don than Gabby knew about! Finally, her uncle replied rather sternly, " I will take your opinion and your suggestion under consideration once I have an opportunity to speak with your father. He's taking the first week with her. Once that week is over, we'll... wait... hold on a minute."
Gabby had the distinct feeling she should leave right about then. Swiftly, she quietly moved out of the hallway and into the living room. She gently plopped herself into a nearby chair and picked up a magazine. Don came into the room shortly and asked if she was all right.
" Yeah, just bored. Was reading a magazine." She stood up and yawned, saying, "I think I'll hit the sack, instead, though. Big day tomorrow!" and smiled. She made her way to the bedroom and said back to Don, "G'night!" and closed the door.
Don was sure she had been right outside his office, but he shrugged and went back to the room to continue his conversation with Seth.
Gabby sat on the edge of her bed and wondered what it was Seth was trying to talk Don into. She knew it was about her training; that much was evident. Did Seth want to train her? Gabby's heart leapt at the idea! To have him train her would dispel the anxiety she was going through whenever she thought about what Monday would bring! Seth as her teacher, or sensei, would make all the difference in the world to Gabby.
The fact that Don had probably called him excited her. That might have been the reason why he didn't want to be disturbed, too! Maybe Seth had called earlier, leaving a message on the answering machine.
Her heart ached all over again for Seth. A year? Is that what Don believed it would take to train her? And, he still saw her as rebellious, too! Despite her observations just a moment ago, Gabby seethed as that ugly resentment began building up all over again. She was working at it pretty good when there was a knock at her door. She immediately tried to push back the rage that was starting to spill over, knowing that Don would sense it immediately. Gabby would then have to explain what was going on and she'd have to admit to overhearing his conversation with Seth, and..... " Just a minute; I was getting dressed." she called out, using as sweet a voice as she could muster.
" Take your time. I just want to talk to you about something." Don replied.
" Take my time? Huh, well I'll just take as much time as I - " she was muttering. But in that instant she realized that Don had been right about her. She did rebel a lot and it was one of the reasons why the professor had to bring Don and his family into her life. Tears were starting to well up again! Gabby was so tired of crying. " What's with me? Why can't I just let things slide?" Of course, this only made things worse and by the time she had her nightgown and robe on, she was already a goner.
"Gabby? Are you all right?" Don asked through the door, concerned.
" Yep. Just fine. " she replied, though not too convincingly.
" Are you dressed yet? I'd like to speak with you." he asked again, somewhat annoyed.
" Give me a moment." Gabby ran to the adjoining bathroom and grabbed some tissue, blowing her nose and trying to wipe her eyes dry. They looked red. No way could she explain it. Well, at the very least she could tell him that seeing her home again and the professor - he did look awful to her; so pale and weak – and then missing Seth, had finally caught up with her. Should she even mention him? That might tip Don off that she was indeed standing outside the door to his den. No, she'd nix mentioning anything about Seth; it would be too obvious.
Gabby finally opened the bedroom door, " Um, what did you want to talk about?" she asked.
Don could see she had been crying, but he chose to ignore it. He, too, was getting tired of her tears. " I just wanted to tell you that Serena Brightwell is singing at Carnegie tomorrow night! I know what I said earlier about it possibly interfering with your training, but you would have Sunday to get it out of your system. I'm sure the professor would enjoy having you sing for him."
Gabby wasn't sure she heard right, "Serena Brightwell's in town?" Her face lit up and she forgot all about her tears and her excuses for them. " You mean it? Really?"
" I wouldn't offer unless I did, Gabby!" and Don smiled just to see the happy expression on his niece's face. " I have arrangements to make for the professor so I will be busy during the afternoon. But, I will be joining you as escort for the evening performance. The dress is semi formal, so Thomas can take you around tomorrow at the different shops. He knows which ones will accommodate you and he has a good eye for what looks good. Don't hesitate to take up his advice! We can visit the professor in the morning. I will explain to him your absence for the afternoon. No doubt, he will be happy for you!"
Gabby was so excited, she jumped up and hugged Don. He was taken aback by it, but then laughed and told her, " Your welcome!" and he hugged her back, then gently pushing her away, he told her, " Now, you need to get your rest!" He kissed her forehead and cupped her face in his hands, smiling at her. Then, saying good night and excusing himself, he left to go back to his room.
The professor looked better the next morning. Don had some business to do in the hospital so he left him and Gabby alone to visit privately.
Gabby sat with her father and told him about seeing the house again. She told him of Don asking her to work the uneven parallel bars and his reaction. Gabby had noticed that her uncle was impressed with what she did, but she felt it was not that big of deal. " How come you never told him about that?" she asked him.
" Never thought it important. What was important was that you seemed happy. All of your talents and abilities I thought were inherent. To tell them that you could do these things might have appeared ordinary. To me you were anything but!" and he smiled at her. " Tell me about the others in California, though. It has been so long since I've seen Don's brothers. I know that Mike married and has children of his own. Tell me about them, please!"
Gabriella introduced her father to the extended members of the family he knew years ago. When she mentioned Rahab, her description of her peaked his interest the most! Her beginnings were quite extraordinary to him as Gabby explained how she had originally been an iguana. " Iguanas are very temperamental creatures." the professor commented. " I can only imagine the emotions she has to deal with!"
" Yes, she said as much to me not even a week ago. Things have calmed down quite a bit for her though, from what she shared." Gabby said.
"And her children! What of them?" he asked, his interest keen.
Gabby listed off Rahab's children, now adults or nearly so, " The oldest is Gaele. She works here in the East at one of Don's laboratories. I'm told her field is biotechnology. I haven't met her, yet. Her father is Mike. Then there's Devon, that would be my half brother...."
The professor interrupted, " Raph fathered Devon? I take it that Raph and Rahab had a relationship?"
Gabby explained, " Well, yes, but only after Rahab had Gaele with Mike. He had discovered Rahab out in the desert. Then, when Raph married her, that's when Gaele was born. Then, Devon came along and then there was Seth, then Raph and Rahab divorced…"
"So, Raph has two sons, then?" Jordan asked.
"Ah, no - Seth's father is Leo! Again, it's kind of difficult to explain. But, anyway, when Rahab divorced Raph, she married Mike and they then had Riahna. She's slightly autistic."
The professor was quiet for a while, thinking about all the different fathers and only one mother in the bunch. Finally, he shrugged and said, " Considering that she was even more unique than any of them - being the only female - I guess it would be cruel to have only one of them procreate with her!" He looked hard at his daughter. A smile crept into his face.
" What? Why are you smiling, Father?" Gabby asked, grinning in response out of reflex.
" So, my dearest daughter, which of the two young males do you prefer?" he asked. "Or, maybe you would accept one of the turtles? Maybe Leo? Or, Don! He seems intellectually your equal, I think!"
Gabby's eyes flew open, "Oh, not Don, please! Besides both of them being my uncles, Don is so stern and Leo intimidates me like nothing else. And they're all so much older than I am! Oh...my, Father, what a loaded question you just asked." Gabby laughed, but blushed just the same.
" Come, it's only a matter of numbers that one of them will appeal to you! You can tell me...I won't say anything to anyone!" and he laughed.
" Well, everyone in the family knows, so…okay… it's Seth. But, he's away in Japan at the moment...." Gabby said. She became quiet, however, and that prompted the professor to ask her,
" You seem disturbed by that. Is there anything wrong?"
Gabriella was not sure if she should tell him everything that had happened since her arrival. Yet, how was she to explain her schedule to him and how strict she had to adhere to it once they returned to California. She decided to give her father an abbreviated account.
" Well, I didn't want to worry you about this at first, but I know that once we're at Mike's, I'll have to explain it to you anyway. My arrival there didn't go very well. I sort of hit it off badly with - well, just about everyone. " She was controlling her emotions this time. Gabby was tired of crying. " I've come a long ways since then, of course, but it was very difficult in the beginning. I got lost in the forest behind Mike's place...."
" You were lost? How?" her father asked her.
" Well, I sort of tried to run away." she explained. The professor gave her one of his stern looks. She smiled and looked down sheepishly. Then, Gabby continues, " Mike killed a mountain lion while I was lost and he helped me to find my way back. Don wasn't very happy with me because it took most of the day to track me down."
" They had to track you down? That's amazing. Don and Mike are superior trackers. I find it hard to believe it took them all day!"
Gabby shrugged a bit, explaining further, "Well, they did find me, but they sort of kept back to see what I would do. Mike didn't interfere until the lion tried to charge me." She noticed her father's eyes grow bigger, so she quickly changed the subject, " Anyway, Don 'decided' after that experience to show me how to 'protect' myself, " she chose to twist his discipline of her around a bit, thinking that it could lead to a confrontation between him and the professor, " and then later on in the evening, Raphael was brought home from the hospital..."
"Raphael was in the hospital?" her father asked,
" Yes. It seems he had been in a fight and was knocked unconscious. The police found him after a disturbance call was made. He's fine, though - seems to be recovering well enough!" Considering he was part of the tribunal in her sentencing just a couple days ago suggested as much to Gabby. "Anyway, on Thursday, Seth, Devon and I went into Carmel. It was sort of a 'coming out' event for me since I'm not used to being out in public without my cape."
" How come you didn't wear your cape, Gabby!" the professor asked, concerned.
" It – was sort of lost between Connecticut and California." she explained, again not giving the full detail where Don had disposed of it. She hurried back into explaining her day in town, " So, we walked around the shopping district and had lunch, did the beach, I sang at a karaoke bar, we came home...."
The professor stopped her with his hand, " Wait, you just said you sang at a karaoke bar. Did you get permission from Don to do that, Gabby?"
Gabby was surprised her father would even know enough to ask her that. She replied carefully, " No....I didn't. I was intrigued with music. We were taking a nap on the beach when I decided to find out about the person who was singing. Seth and Devon were sleeping at the time."
"What happened?" her father asked her, his expression serious.
" Well, ah ... I wasn't planning to get up on stage, but they were playing some of Serena Brightwell's music and ... well, I was sort of pushed up on the platform. The place had a policy that once you were on stage you had to sing to get off. I only wanted to sing one song, just to keep them happy, and then I planned on getting off. I asked for the outside speakers to be turned off, but half way through, the deejay switched them back on. I guess it woke Seth and Devon up. Anyway, I didn't expect any applause but that's what the people did and then the next thing I know I'm singing another one and that's when Seth and Devon arrived and then they grabbed me off the stage and then ... we went back home." Gabby became quiet after her run-on sentence. It was an obvious sign to the professor that it wasn't just that simple.
"Gabby, what happened after that? Did Don find out about it?" he asked her calmly.
" Well... yeah...Devon had to call him because ... well ... people there were taking pictures of me!" she mused.
The professor groaned, " Oh, Gabby...didn't they tell you about not getting photographed, that it's one of their important rules of their Clan?"
Gabriella was trying her best to keep the tears back. Her throat constricted as she realized that the professor was more in-tune with Don and his family than she had previously believed. She answered him quietly, "Sort of, I mean, Seth had said something about it a day or so before, but I had my eyes closed when I was singing and I didn't realize people were taking my picture! " Gabby paused, wondering if she should tell him what affect her actions had on the others. Finally, she decided she had to be honest, continuing, " Anyway, because Seth and Devon both are, well, experienced, they were punished worse for it - I guess. I never did see Seth again after that!!"
" Is that why Seth is in Japan?" he asked her.
Gabby nodded, her head bowed in contrition. A single tear escaped and ran down her left cheek
The professor wiped it away and then begged her to him. He hugged her as hard as he could, and whispered, " What else happened, my dear. You need not hold anything back with me, okay? I love you but I know that Don and his family have some difficult rules to learn. Tell me, please, so I may not be surprised when I go home with you!"
So, Gabby filled him in on what her schedule was going to be like. She mentioned how scared she was and that she wasn't sure if she could stand being down in the gym all day. Gabby cried while she told the professor she was afraid she would bolt and run away again. She admitted that she didn't want to do that, not with all that Don was doing for him and for her. " I don't hate Don now, but early on I did. I was so afraid of him, Father!!"
The professor was quiet for a while, just holding his daughter in his arms as she rested against him. Gabby's crying subsided as she felt the peace of being so close to the one who had raised her all these many years. Finally, her father told her, " You have been greatly endowed with gifts and abilities that only Don and his family can bring to fruition! Gabby, do not lose courage! If I can come through this operation and this insidious disease, then you can endure whatever training they have in place for you! Do not let your fears or your insecurities get the better of you. AND – " he pushed her away gently so he could look full in her face, wagging his index finger at her, " DO NOT let your anger and your rage overpower your common sense!! That will be your undoing unless you learn to control it!"
" I know, Father, and I've tried. But, sometimes it seems so out of control! If I weren't so afraid of Don's temper, I think I would have been absolutely unbearable at times! I probably was, just the same. I know that I exasperated him the first couple of days!"
Her father smiled, " Yes, I know! I talked with him before you flew out here! He filled me in on everything! I am glad you were honest with me, although you did abbreviate some aspects of your time in California!" Then he winked at her.
Gabby laughed, " You mean, all this was just an exercise in being truthful?" She would have gently punched him in the arm if it weren't for his being so frail looking.
" My dearest Gabriella," he explained, " Don and I are very close and he has shared everything about you to me - most especially about the oysters!" and he laughed, much to Gabby's embarrassment!
She recoiled from getting too close to the windows. The view was extraordinary, but it also made her weak in the knees. Don tried to entice her to get closer by naming off the different landmarks famous in New York, especially the World Trade Center Memorial. But she would have none of it.
" That's all nice. But, I like it right here by the couch." she said, determined not to get any closer to the view.
Don didn't push the issue, but did manage to have his chef serve their dinner by the tallest of the windows in the dining room. Gabby was not at all pleased with him, " Can't we eat in the living room?" she pleaded. She could feel a tremor start in her legs, working it's way up to her knees. They began to ache a little with the stress of coping with her vertigo.
" No food allowed in there; sorry!" he explained.
"What happens when you have parties?" she asked.
" Don't have them!" and he smiled. " Sit down and eat!" and he pulled out a chair for her. She was not at all happy. Gabby sat down in a huff and realized Don had her facing the window! She went wide-eyed at first, but then turned her focus to her food. She stared down and absolutely refused to look up. Don sat to her right, placing his napkin neatly across his lap. They ate in silence for a while, but then Don spoke up,
" Tomorrow we'll go back over to the hospital and visit some more with the professor. I have some business to attend to during the afternoon, so Thomas will escort you around. There are museums and such to choose from, if you'd like, or you can do a bit of shopping if it pleases you. I've instructed Thomas to take care of any expenses. You'll only have the one day, so use it well."
Gabby was quiet through most of the meal; her thoughts were to avoid looking at that dreaded window! The sun had already set and the lights in the city illuminated the night sky. She asked Don when he was done talking, "Would it be possible to see a musical?"
Don stabbed at his last morsel of food and popped it into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully, looking at Gabby's expectant face. Finally, once he swallowed, he asked her, " Is that wise? You know that, come Monday, you will be prohibited from expressing any music! Given your ability to memorize so easily, you may find that too tempting after seeing a musical."
Gabby had almost forgotten about that. With the flight out to New York, her last look at her home in Connecticut, the day before seemed like it happened a week ago. Don's reminder of her punishment brought a bit of sobriety to her. She looked back down at her lap and nodded quietly. She asked to be excused and returned her plate to the kitchen. Rinsing it off and placing it into the dishwasher, she made her way to the bedroom Don had assigned to her earlier. He watched his niece as she closed the door behind her. He then sighed, "So much potential and she just doesn't see it!"
A while later, he knocked on her door. When Gabby opened it, Don said, " I have paper work and phone calls to make. I'll be in my den and will not want to be disturbed. You can watch some television in the bonus room or you can use the telescope that's in there to see some of the New York sky. Or, you can get some sleep." He then said good night to her and left for his den.
A while later, Gabby looked at the clock on the nightstand; it said ten in the evening. She didn't feel like going to bed quite yet, but she was bored. So, she decided she would explore the penthouse.
Gabby went to her bedroom door and opened it, then stepped out into the living area. She skirted as close to the large windows as her legs would allow. She still didn't like being up so high, but Gabby was just a little curious. She tried to at least look at the sights far across the city. What she could see just about took her breath away! It was truly a wondrous sight to behold! The lights in the far distance reminded her of precious gems and the variety of colors was enchanting!
Then, Gabby wondered where the den was. She didn't have any intention of intruding on Don, but it would be good to know its location, just the same. She saw a double-door entry just down the way from her own bedroom. Gabby surmised that it was probably his bedroom. More than likely, the den adjoined it, which would make sense considering the kind of work Don did. His varied businesses worldwide probably needed his attention at all hours of the day or night. Having quick access to his office would be advantageous. Gabby then saw another door not too far down from the double-doors. She wondered if maybe that was his den.
However, Gabby decided to tour the rest of the penthouse rather than find herself in a compromising position. Don was quite direct with her about not wanting to be disturbed. She knew herself well enough to know that if she dwelled on that other door too much, she would end up going over there just to open it!
Gabby had already seen the living room, dining room, and the kitchen. There were more rooms yet to discover. A wide hallway at the foyer opened up to a corridor to the right of it; Gabby remembered that when she first walked in. She decided to see how far down it went. There were original paintings on the walls and recessed niches with expensive looking vases sitting inside, all lit up with overhead lighting. She recognized one vase as a Ming. It was nearly flawless in detail and condition!
Moving farther down the hall, there were other doors and a larger room that took up one corner of the penthouse. Gabby decided that it was probably the bonus room that Don mentioned earlier.
The room opened up to reveal a veranda outside with dual sliding doors. Along one end of the room was a flat screen plasma HDTV on one wall. It was impressively large and would have been perfect for viewing DVD's. There was a telescope stationed in one windowed corner, facing probably the most picturesque view of New York. Because the veranda obscured how high up she was, Gabby ventured closer to the window and looked out. She was mesmerized with all the city lights! She had never seen so many before in her life. Though she could discern streets down below her, the cars were nothing more than lights. They seemed so tiny from where she stood.
Turning way from the window, she spied a gas fireplace along one wall with two black reclining chairs in front of it. A pool table was at the farthest end and close by that was a wet bar that appeared to be fully stocked. Gabby went over and was surprised to find liquor on display. She was surprised. Don didn't seem to be one who drank alcohol. Maybe he kept that for business associates, she thought. Either way, Gabby didn't have any interest in the collection of liquor, so she went on to explore the other rooms.
Just down the hall from what had been the family room were a series of doors. Gabby tried opening them, but they were locked. Disappointed, she decided to go back to her room and shower. She soon came to the door that she assumed to be the den Don was in. As Gabby came up to it, she heard his voice. It was soft, but still penetrating. She stopped to listen. Quieting her breathing as best she could, she suddenly caught a few phrases in Japanese. Don spoke Japanese? That startled her, but it intrigued her as well. She cautiously moved closer to the door, careful so as to not make a sound. As she interpreted what Don was saying, she realized whom he was talking to. Seth!! Her eyes flew open wide and her heart started pounding in excitement. How she wanted to talk to him!! But, if she walked in on Don at that moment, he would know that she had been eavesdropping. And, she had been forewarned not to bother him.
It also occurred to her that since Don was speaking in Japanese, it would mean that Seth was able to understand it! She was thrilled to realize he was bi-lingual! Gabby remained quiet and just listened. She was enthralled with translating the language to herself as Don spoke.
" I don't know how long, Seth, okay. As I said last evening, she needs to be educated and trained in the way of the Clan. Considering her tendency to rebel, it may take up to a year or more!" He paused, obviously listening to what Seth had to say. Then, he replied, " Yes, I know, but you must understand that your father was right in making you return to Japan." He paused yet again as he listened. He then replied, " No, it couldn't work that way; you would have a disadvantage considering your feelings for her. She's better off being trained by those who can go about it without letting their emotions get in the way. We've had more experience..." Don seemed to be interrupted, then he countered, "No, I'm not saying you aren't skilled, Seth, you are more than qualified. But your heart would get in the way of her training. You don't know what Raph and I went through at her house! Believe me, once she gets her mind made up...." Again, he was interrupted! Gabby couldn't believe that Don was allowing that! Seth must either be desperate or he had a more casual relationship with Don than Gabby knew about! Finally, her uncle replied rather sternly, " I will take your opinion and your suggestion under consideration once I have an opportunity to speak with your father. He's taking the first week with her. Once that week is over, we'll... wait... hold on a minute."
Gabby had the distinct feeling she should leave right about then. Swiftly, she quietly moved out of the hallway and into the living room. She gently plopped herself into a nearby chair and picked up a magazine. Don came into the room shortly and asked if she was all right.
" Yeah, just bored. Was reading a magazine." She stood up and yawned, saying, "I think I'll hit the sack, instead, though. Big day tomorrow!" and smiled. She made her way to the bedroom and said back to Don, "G'night!" and closed the door.
Don was sure she had been right outside his office, but he shrugged and went back to the room to continue his conversation with Seth.
Gabby sat on the edge of her bed and wondered what it was Seth was trying to talk Don into. She knew it was about her training; that much was evident. Did Seth want to train her? Gabby's heart leapt at the idea! To have him train her would dispel the anxiety she was going through whenever she thought about what Monday would bring! Seth as her teacher, or sensei, would make all the difference in the world to Gabby.
The fact that Don had probably called him excited her. That might have been the reason why he didn't want to be disturbed, too! Maybe Seth had called earlier, leaving a message on the answering machine.
Her heart ached all over again for Seth. A year? Is that what Don believed it would take to train her? And, he still saw her as rebellious, too! Despite her observations just a moment ago, Gabby seethed as that ugly resentment began building up all over again. She was working at it pretty good when there was a knock at her door. She immediately tried to push back the rage that was starting to spill over, knowing that Don would sense it immediately. Gabby would then have to explain what was going on and she'd have to admit to overhearing his conversation with Seth, and..... " Just a minute; I was getting dressed." she called out, using as sweet a voice as she could muster.
" Take your time. I just want to talk to you about something." Don replied.
" Take my time? Huh, well I'll just take as much time as I - " she was muttering. But in that instant she realized that Don had been right about her. She did rebel a lot and it was one of the reasons why the professor had to bring Don and his family into her life. Tears were starting to well up again! Gabby was so tired of crying. " What's with me? Why can't I just let things slide?" Of course, this only made things worse and by the time she had her nightgown and robe on, she was already a goner.
"Gabby? Are you all right?" Don asked through the door, concerned.
" Yep. Just fine. " she replied, though not too convincingly.
" Are you dressed yet? I'd like to speak with you." he asked again, somewhat annoyed.
" Give me a moment." Gabby ran to the adjoining bathroom and grabbed some tissue, blowing her nose and trying to wipe her eyes dry. They looked red. No way could she explain it. Well, at the very least she could tell him that seeing her home again and the professor - he did look awful to her; so pale and weak – and then missing Seth, had finally caught up with her. Should she even mention him? That might tip Don off that she was indeed standing outside the door to his den. No, she'd nix mentioning anything about Seth; it would be too obvious.
Gabby finally opened the bedroom door, " Um, what did you want to talk about?" she asked.
Don could see she had been crying, but he chose to ignore it. He, too, was getting tired of her tears. " I just wanted to tell you that Serena Brightwell is singing at Carnegie tomorrow night! I know what I said earlier about it possibly interfering with your training, but you would have Sunday to get it out of your system. I'm sure the professor would enjoy having you sing for him."
Gabby wasn't sure she heard right, "Serena Brightwell's in town?" Her face lit up and she forgot all about her tears and her excuses for them. " You mean it? Really?"
" I wouldn't offer unless I did, Gabby!" and Don smiled just to see the happy expression on his niece's face. " I have arrangements to make for the professor so I will be busy during the afternoon. But, I will be joining you as escort for the evening performance. The dress is semi formal, so Thomas can take you around tomorrow at the different shops. He knows which ones will accommodate you and he has a good eye for what looks good. Don't hesitate to take up his advice! We can visit the professor in the morning. I will explain to him your absence for the afternoon. No doubt, he will be happy for you!"
Gabby was so excited, she jumped up and hugged Don. He was taken aback by it, but then laughed and told her, " Your welcome!" and he hugged her back, then gently pushing her away, he told her, " Now, you need to get your rest!" He kissed her forehead and cupped her face in his hands, smiling at her. Then, saying good night and excusing himself, he left to go back to his room.
The professor looked better the next morning. Don had some business to do in the hospital so he left him and Gabby alone to visit privately.
Gabby sat with her father and told him about seeing the house again. She told him of Don asking her to work the uneven parallel bars and his reaction. Gabby had noticed that her uncle was impressed with what she did, but she felt it was not that big of deal. " How come you never told him about that?" she asked him.
" Never thought it important. What was important was that you seemed happy. All of your talents and abilities I thought were inherent. To tell them that you could do these things might have appeared ordinary. To me you were anything but!" and he smiled at her. " Tell me about the others in California, though. It has been so long since I've seen Don's brothers. I know that Mike married and has children of his own. Tell me about them, please!"
Gabriella introduced her father to the extended members of the family he knew years ago. When she mentioned Rahab, her description of her peaked his interest the most! Her beginnings were quite extraordinary to him as Gabby explained how she had originally been an iguana. " Iguanas are very temperamental creatures." the professor commented. " I can only imagine the emotions she has to deal with!"
" Yes, she said as much to me not even a week ago. Things have calmed down quite a bit for her though, from what she shared." Gabby said.
"And her children! What of them?" he asked, his interest keen.
Gabby listed off Rahab's children, now adults or nearly so, " The oldest is Gaele. She works here in the East at one of Don's laboratories. I'm told her field is biotechnology. I haven't met her, yet. Her father is Mike. Then there's Devon, that would be my half brother...."
The professor interrupted, " Raph fathered Devon? I take it that Raph and Rahab had a relationship?"
Gabby explained, " Well, yes, but only after Rahab had Gaele with Mike. He had discovered Rahab out in the desert. Then, when Raph married her, that's when Gaele was born. Then, Devon came along and then there was Seth, then Raph and Rahab divorced…"
"So, Raph has two sons, then?" Jordan asked.
"Ah, no - Seth's father is Leo! Again, it's kind of difficult to explain. But, anyway, when Rahab divorced Raph, she married Mike and they then had Riahna. She's slightly autistic."
The professor was quiet for a while, thinking about all the different fathers and only one mother in the bunch. Finally, he shrugged and said, " Considering that she was even more unique than any of them - being the only female - I guess it would be cruel to have only one of them procreate with her!" He looked hard at his daughter. A smile crept into his face.
" What? Why are you smiling, Father?" Gabby asked, grinning in response out of reflex.
" So, my dearest daughter, which of the two young males do you prefer?" he asked. "Or, maybe you would accept one of the turtles? Maybe Leo? Or, Don! He seems intellectually your equal, I think!"
Gabby's eyes flew open, "Oh, not Don, please! Besides both of them being my uncles, Don is so stern and Leo intimidates me like nothing else. And they're all so much older than I am! Oh...my, Father, what a loaded question you just asked." Gabby laughed, but blushed just the same.
" Come, it's only a matter of numbers that one of them will appeal to you! You can tell me...I won't say anything to anyone!" and he laughed.
" Well, everyone in the family knows, so…okay… it's Seth. But, he's away in Japan at the moment...." Gabby said. She became quiet, however, and that prompted the professor to ask her,
" You seem disturbed by that. Is there anything wrong?"
Gabriella was not sure if she should tell him everything that had happened since her arrival. Yet, how was she to explain her schedule to him and how strict she had to adhere to it once they returned to California. She decided to give her father an abbreviated account.
" Well, I didn't want to worry you about this at first, but I know that once we're at Mike's, I'll have to explain it to you anyway. My arrival there didn't go very well. I sort of hit it off badly with - well, just about everyone. " She was controlling her emotions this time. Gabby was tired of crying. " I've come a long ways since then, of course, but it was very difficult in the beginning. I got lost in the forest behind Mike's place...."
" You were lost? How?" her father asked her.
" Well, I sort of tried to run away." she explained. The professor gave her one of his stern looks. She smiled and looked down sheepishly. Then, Gabby continues, " Mike killed a mountain lion while I was lost and he helped me to find my way back. Don wasn't very happy with me because it took most of the day to track me down."
" They had to track you down? That's amazing. Don and Mike are superior trackers. I find it hard to believe it took them all day!"
Gabby shrugged a bit, explaining further, "Well, they did find me, but they sort of kept back to see what I would do. Mike didn't interfere until the lion tried to charge me." She noticed her father's eyes grow bigger, so she quickly changed the subject, " Anyway, Don 'decided' after that experience to show me how to 'protect' myself, " she chose to twist his discipline of her around a bit, thinking that it could lead to a confrontation between him and the professor, " and then later on in the evening, Raphael was brought home from the hospital..."
"Raphael was in the hospital?" her father asked,
" Yes. It seems he had been in a fight and was knocked unconscious. The police found him after a disturbance call was made. He's fine, though - seems to be recovering well enough!" Considering he was part of the tribunal in her sentencing just a couple days ago suggested as much to Gabby. "Anyway, on Thursday, Seth, Devon and I went into Carmel. It was sort of a 'coming out' event for me since I'm not used to being out in public without my cape."
" How come you didn't wear your cape, Gabby!" the professor asked, concerned.
" It – was sort of lost between Connecticut and California." she explained, again not giving the full detail where Don had disposed of it. She hurried back into explaining her day in town, " So, we walked around the shopping district and had lunch, did the beach, I sang at a karaoke bar, we came home...."
The professor stopped her with his hand, " Wait, you just said you sang at a karaoke bar. Did you get permission from Don to do that, Gabby?"
Gabby was surprised her father would even know enough to ask her that. She replied carefully, " No....I didn't. I was intrigued with music. We were taking a nap on the beach when I decided to find out about the person who was singing. Seth and Devon were sleeping at the time."
"What happened?" her father asked her, his expression serious.
" Well, ah ... I wasn't planning to get up on stage, but they were playing some of Serena Brightwell's music and ... well, I was sort of pushed up on the platform. The place had a policy that once you were on stage you had to sing to get off. I only wanted to sing one song, just to keep them happy, and then I planned on getting off. I asked for the outside speakers to be turned off, but half way through, the deejay switched them back on. I guess it woke Seth and Devon up. Anyway, I didn't expect any applause but that's what the people did and then the next thing I know I'm singing another one and that's when Seth and Devon arrived and then they grabbed me off the stage and then ... we went back home." Gabby became quiet after her run-on sentence. It was an obvious sign to the professor that it wasn't just that simple.
"Gabby, what happened after that? Did Don find out about it?" he asked her calmly.
" Well... yeah...Devon had to call him because ... well ... people there were taking pictures of me!" she mused.
The professor groaned, " Oh, Gabby...didn't they tell you about not getting photographed, that it's one of their important rules of their Clan?"
Gabriella was trying her best to keep the tears back. Her throat constricted as she realized that the professor was more in-tune with Don and his family than she had previously believed. She answered him quietly, "Sort of, I mean, Seth had said something about it a day or so before, but I had my eyes closed when I was singing and I didn't realize people were taking my picture! " Gabby paused, wondering if she should tell him what affect her actions had on the others. Finally, she decided she had to be honest, continuing, " Anyway, because Seth and Devon both are, well, experienced, they were punished worse for it - I guess. I never did see Seth again after that!!"
" Is that why Seth is in Japan?" he asked her.
Gabby nodded, her head bowed in contrition. A single tear escaped and ran down her left cheek
The professor wiped it away and then begged her to him. He hugged her as hard as he could, and whispered, " What else happened, my dear. You need not hold anything back with me, okay? I love you but I know that Don and his family have some difficult rules to learn. Tell me, please, so I may not be surprised when I go home with you!"
So, Gabby filled him in on what her schedule was going to be like. She mentioned how scared she was and that she wasn't sure if she could stand being down in the gym all day. Gabby cried while she told the professor she was afraid she would bolt and run away again. She admitted that she didn't want to do that, not with all that Don was doing for him and for her. " I don't hate Don now, but early on I did. I was so afraid of him, Father!!"
The professor was quiet for a while, just holding his daughter in his arms as she rested against him. Gabby's crying subsided as she felt the peace of being so close to the one who had raised her all these many years. Finally, her father told her, " You have been greatly endowed with gifts and abilities that only Don and his family can bring to fruition! Gabby, do not lose courage! If I can come through this operation and this insidious disease, then you can endure whatever training they have in place for you! Do not let your fears or your insecurities get the better of you. AND – " he pushed her away gently so he could look full in her face, wagging his index finger at her, " DO NOT let your anger and your rage overpower your common sense!! That will be your undoing unless you learn to control it!"
" I know, Father, and I've tried. But, sometimes it seems so out of control! If I weren't so afraid of Don's temper, I think I would have been absolutely unbearable at times! I probably was, just the same. I know that I exasperated him the first couple of days!"
Her father smiled, " Yes, I know! I talked with him before you flew out here! He filled me in on everything! I am glad you were honest with me, although you did abbreviate some aspects of your time in California!" Then he winked at her.
Gabby laughed, " You mean, all this was just an exercise in being truthful?" She would have gently punched him in the arm if it weren't for his being so frail looking.
" My dearest Gabriella," he explained, " Don and I are very close and he has shared everything about you to me - most especially about the oysters!" and he laughed, much to Gabby's embarrassment!
