Chapter 245: Wilmington Airport

Wednesday, January 25th, Afternoon

The loud bang of the aircraft landing on the runway woke her up. Kay lifted her head and removed her neck pillow. Looking over to her side to see, Ivy was waiting for the aircraft to slow down. Slowly, the plane taxied towards the terminal.

Ivy reached under the seat before her and collected her bag. Without a care in the world, Ivy slowly put her stuff away. Kay watched Ivy for a minute before she pulled out her bag and started packing her stuff.

Once the aircraft parked at the terminal, they got ready to disembark. After the plane settled in its parking spots and the hatch opened, Kay and Ivy got up. From the overhead bins, they collected their carry-on suitcases and disembarked from the aircraft.

Kay led Ivy up the jetway and through the terminal. As Kay and Ivy crossed the terminal's open floor and made their way through the crowd, they came to the security checkpoint. They don't need to pass through a security check, but they pause before leaving the security zone. They finally ended up in baggage claims.

Not having checked any bags, they just had to wait for their ride. Ivy watched as Kay looked around the crowd. Kay stopped, smiled, and walked with a purpose to a blonde older man. Ivy watched as they made eye contact; his face broke in a broad smile once the connection of who Kay was, was made. Ivy watched as they hugged each other, and she noted they were around the same height, and their hair color was roughly the same.

Kay and the older blonde man broke apart, and they started to talk. After a moment, Kay turned around and signaled for Ivy to come over. Ivy nodded and walked over to them.

"Ivy, this is my dad, Lucas," Kay said, "Dad, this is my girlfriend, Ivy Kowalski."

"Nice to meet you, Mister Scott," Ivy said and offered her hand. Lucas took her hand and shook it firmly, Ivy noted.

"It's a pleasure," Lucas said and smiled, "You don't have to call me Mister Scott."

"What shall I call you?" Ivy asked.

Lucas laughed, "You can call me Dad," he said.

"Okay, Mister Scott," Ivy said.

Lucas chuckled, "Let's go," he said and turned to Kay, "Your sisters are going to be waiting for you at Beaulieu."

"Beaulieu?" Ivy asked.

"Where we're staying," Kay said.

Lucas nodded, "Do you have any luggage?" he asked.

Kay shook her head, "No, we brought everything as carrying on," she said.

"Okay then, follow me," Lucas said. The three of them walked out of the terminal. They headed over towards the short term parking lot. They headed over to Lucas' veteran SUV.

"Dad, you're still driving that thing?" Kay asked.

"It still works," Lucas said and opened the back hatch. He helped the two women load their bags into the SUV.

Being a gentleman, Lucas held the rear door open for Kay and Ivy. Ivy gave Lucas a curious look, not having this experience; Kay pushed Ivy, gently, in the back seat. Lucas closed the door behind them. He got into the driver's seat and headed out.

"So, what's the plan for this thing?" Kay asked.

"Well, Sunday night, your Aunt Brooke is hosting the team for dinner at Beaulieu," Lucas said.

"Just the championship team?" Kay asked.

"I'm not sure, but I believe you can bring a plus one," Lucas said.

"Okay, my guess it will be formal," Kay said.

"Of course, it will be formal, Kay," Ivy said.

"Shit, I didn't think I packed anything too formal," Kay said.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Lucas said.

"Shopping?" Ivy asked.

"What are we doing at the school?" Kay asked.

"The usual photos, the mayor will give the team a plaque, and we'll go out at halftime for the crowd," Lucas said.

Kay nodded, "Okay," she said.

"Are we going to shop to wear proper clothing?" Ivy asked.

"I'll handle it," Kay said.

"Really?" Ivy asked.

"Yes," Kay said, and turned to Lucas, "You said, sisters, plural, which ones?"

"Ellie and Sawyer," Lucas said.

"No, Candi?" Kay asked.

"Not yet," Lucas said.

"Not yet?" Kay asked.

"She's coming in this weekend," Lucas said.

Kay nodded, "Okay," she said.

Lucas turned off the road and started up the driveway. As the SUV made the final turn, the south range of Beaulieu Manor came into view. Lucas saw in the mirror, Ivy lean forward, and her jaw drop.

"Wow! We're staying here?" Ivy asked.

"yes, you are," Lucas said.

"It's better than the carriage house," Kay said.

"Is this place a castle?" Ivy asked.

"Brooke based Beaulieu off of one," Lucas said, "Actually, more correctly, a palace."

Lucas smiled and turned along the road to lead them to the East Range. He parked the veteran SUV by the main door. They piled out of the SUV and collected their bags; Lucas led them into the East Range Foyer. The door opened before they got there, and the Creepy Butler was standing there.

"Welcome back, Mister Scott; I see the collecting of Ms. Scott and Ms. Kowalski went well," The Butler, called Lurch behind his back, said, and turned to Kay, "Welcome back Ms. Scott," he said, then turned to Ivy, "Ms. Kowalski welcome to Beaulieu Manor."

"Thank you," Ivy said, unsure and wide-eyed from what she saw so far.

"Please leave your bags," The Butler said, "The staff will bring them to your room," The Butler said.

"Thank you," Kay said, with an easy that Ivy had never seen in her before. Kay is used to Beaulieu.

"Where's Ms. Davis?" Lucas asked.

"She's in the family parlor, with Ms. Scott, Miss Stafford, and Miss Scott," The Butler said.

"Thank you," Lucas said, and turned to Kay and Ivy, "Follow me."

Lucas, Kay, and Ivy walked through the foyer to one of the ground floor galleries. Lucas turned down one way, and Kay followed, knowing where she was going. Ivy found her head on a swivel. Lucas looked over his shoulder and smiled, the same reaction, one Lucas has seen many times before. Ivy even looked out one of the windows to the inner court. Lucas noticed that Ivy seemed to be on overload. Lucas finally turned into a doorway, which Kay followed; Ivy eventually drifted into the room.

Ivy found herself in a well-appointed room. An older woman, who seems to be around Lucas' age, was sitting in an upholstered chair working on a tablet. Ivy noted three other women in the room, a pair of light blonde-haired women and a brown-haired woman. One of the blonde women looked like Kay's age, where the other two were teenagers. The woman with the tablet looked up and removed her reading glasses. She smiled and stood up.

"Kay, it's great to see you again," Brooke said and walked over to Kay, where they hugged.

Ivy noted that Kay was significantly taller than Brooke. For some reason, Ivy thought she looked familiar but couldn't place it.

"It's good to be back, Aunt Brooke," Kay said as they broke apart.

Brooke smiled, "It's great to have you back," she said and turned to Ivy. Brooke walked over to her. "You must be Ivy," she said to Ivy.

Ivy nodded, "Yes," she said, unsure of what was going on.

Brooke smiled a dimpled smile, "Well, welcome to Tree Hill and Beaulieu Manor; I'm Brooke Davis," she said.

"Thank you," Ivy said and nodded.

Brooke nodded, "The facilities are at your disposal, I don't know what Kay told you, but there is a book in your room with everything listed, etc.," she said.

"Okay," Ivy said, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Brooke canted her head, "I'll get out of the way," she said and stepped away.

Ivy noted the other three women had come over. The brown-haired one was short, Ivy noted, while the two blondes were taller. They each took a turn greeting Kay. Finally, Kay showed the three women over to Ivy. Ivy said the two blondes were most likely they were sisters.

"Ivy, I'd like you to meet my sisters Ellie and Sawyer, and also Brooke's daughter Keni," Kay said.

Ivy nodded, "It's nice to meet you," she said, kind of out of it, "Is there someplace I can lay down?"

Brooke nodded, "Yes, Keni, please show Ivy and Kay to their room," she said.

"Yes, Mom," Keni said and turned to Kay and Ivy, "Please, follow me."

Kay nodded, and Ivy did as well. They followed Keni out of the parlor.