Chapter Two: Meeting the Great Grandparents
"Great Granddaughter?" Roxton's blue eyes were wide as he sat back on to the grass and stared at the raven-haired young lady in front of him.
Challenger squatted down next to Jamie and looked at the young man.
"My God, he's the spitting image of my brother Edward."
Jamie opened his eyes and sat up quickly only to let out a groan of pain.
"Easy son. You've most likely got a concussion." Challenger put his hand on Jamie's shoulder.
"Who are you?" Jamie asked as he touched his forehead, his fingers coming away with blood on them.
"I'm Professor George Challenger."
Jamie let out a short laugh. "Right and I'm Santa Claus."
Abby stood up and walked over to Jamie. "Then that makes me Mrs. Claus." Abby replied as she reached into the balloons basket and took out the first aid kit. "They are who they say they are."
"They?" Jamie looked at Abby.
"That's my great grandfather." Abby nodded over her shoulder to where Roxton was just standing up and dusting off the seat of his pants.
"That's Lord John Roxton?" Jamie said surprised.
"That's me." Roxton offered his hand to Jamie. "And you are this young ladies fiancé."
Jamie nodded as he looked from Abby to her great grandfather. The similarities in their appearance were noticeable when the two were standing next to each other. Abby had the same olive skin and blue eyes as Roxton and Jamie couldn't help but notice that they both were standing in the same exact way, feet shoulder width apart with arms crossed over their chests.
"Well if you are her great grandfather;" Jamie looked from Roxton to Challenger, "You must be my great uncle."
Challenger's face split into a wide grin. "You look just like my brother Edward."
"Edward was my grandfather." Jamie stuck his hand out to Challenger. "Nice to meet you… Uncle."
Challenger swatted Jamie's hand to the side and grabbed Jamie in a bear hug. Jamie felt the breath pushed out of him and groaned.
"Sorry about that son, I'm going to guess that you also have some bruised ribs." Challenger helped Jamie to stand up. "Let's see what we can save from the balloon and head back to the tree house. It'll be dark soon."
"Tree house?" Abby said.
"You are familiar with it my dear aren't you?" Challenger asked.
"Yes, yes I am. I've heard, well we've both heard and read stories about it. In your journal's, in grand..I mean Roxton's and Ned's journals." Abby answered as she went about gathering things together.
Challenger looked over at Roxton who was quietly pulling out one of the backpacks from the balloon. Challenger knew Roxton well enough to realize something was bothering him. He could only imagine the questions that Roxton must have, hell he had enough to keep both he and Jamie talking non stop for hours. If Abby were Roxton's great granddaughter, then that was proof they would make it off the plateau. Suddenly, Roxton asked a question that stopped everyone in their tracks.
"Abby, if I'm your great grandfather, who is your great grandmother?"
Abby turned slowly to look into the mirror copy of her own eyes.
"Lady Marguerite Roxton."
(TBC)