Chapter 269: Candi's Arrival
Saturday, January 28th, Morning
The day started early, much too early for most people, but they were residences and use to odd hours. They would get sleep when and wherever they could. All three of them slept as they flew across the vast country, that the continental United States.
Candi always had been a light sleeper, especially since high school, so she would wake up and check on her friends. Fawn slept away in her seat, curled up like nothing bothered her. Madyson, a hardened veteran of long flights, generally visited her family in Melbourne, Australia, about once a year.
Leaning back in her seat, Candi stared at the console. Checking her watch, they were just a short time out from Wilmington, North Carolina. She needed a vacation; that's what they told her. But she's going to a place that's has caused her stress in the past. Candi looked over the sleeping body of Fawn and out the window. It's like a band-aid, she told herself, just rip it off.
As the aircraft lined up for final approach, Candi noticed Fawn began to stir. Candi smirked as Fawn sat up.
"How long have you been awake?" Fawn asked.
"Maybe, since we were over the Mississippi River, I don't know, I didn't check," Candi said.
"You need to sleep," Fawn said.
"I'll sleep when I'm dead," Candi said.
"How many people do we know say that when we see them in the ER?" Fawn asked.
Candi rolled her eyes and leaned back. "Yeah, well, even a vacation keeps me ahead of everyone else," she said.
"Just most of the country," Candi said.
"I heard there's a reason they call them the flyover states," Madyson said.
"Most of the food in this country comes from those flyover states," Fawn said.
Madyson shrugged, "I guess," she said.
Candi shrugged as the announcement came over that they were landing. She got comfortable as the aircraft landed. She was watching from across Fawn as the aircraft taxied towards the terminal. In the distance, Candi could see several private jets, and closer just lines and lines of commercial jets.
Finally, as the aircraft arrived at the gate, slowly, the people started to shuffle about, as they got out of their seats and collected their carry-ons. Candi soon found herself among them as she collected her bag.
The three roommates walked up the jetway and across the terminal to baggage claims. Candi perked up when she saw a tall blonde man standing there, holding a sign that said, "Scott." Candi smiled and walked over to him.
"Which Scott are you looking for?" Candi asked, with a teasing tone in her voice.
"The pain in the ass oldest one," the blonde man said.
"James lives in Miami," Candi said.
"No, the oldest granddaughter," the blonde man said, with a playfully annoyed tone to his voice.
Candi laughed, "Hi, Dad," she said and kissed his cheek.
"Hi Candi," Lucas said, "Still a wise-ass, I see."
"Always," Candi said playfully.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Lucas said, "How was your flight?"
"Long," Candi said.
"Hi Lucas," Fawn said, coming over to Lucas.
"Fawn, how are you?" Lucas asked, turning to Fawn.
"I've been good; how have you been, Old man?" Fawn said, and they kissed each other on the cheek.
"It's been a thing," Lucas said.
"Dad, this is my friend and roommate, Madyson Longford," Candi said.
Lucas offered her a hand, "Lucas Scott," he said.
"Madyson," Madyson said.
"Welcome to North Carolina," Lucas said and shook her hand.
"Thank you," Madyson said.
"You're welcome," Lucas said, "Did you check any bags?"
"We have checked a bag each," Fawn said.
"So, how are we getting to Beaulieu?" Candi asked.
"My car," Lucas said.
"You're still driving the ageless wonder?" Candi asked.
"Yeah, it serves me well," Lucas said.
"No, limo?" Fawn asked jokingly.
"There were only two available today, and y'all are the third arrival," Lucas said.
"Who were the other two?" Candi asked.
"Your grandparents and aunt, and the second one was the New York Crew," Lucas said.
"I'm surprised Fallon didn't book her own limo," Candi said.
"You know how Brooke is," Lucas said.
"Yeah," Candi said.
"Oh god, yeah," Fawn said, laughing.
"Fallon?" Madyson asked, "Why would she book her own limo?"
"Fallon is a bit complicated to explain," Candi said.
"How so?" Madyson asked.
"Believe me, it's a bit confusing," Fawn said.
"Let's get your bags," Lucas said.
"I'm down with that," Candi said.
"The sickness?" Fawn asked.
Lucas shook his head and led them over to claim their bags. They followed him to the short-term parking and his veteran SUV. Lucas opened the back hatch and helped them put their bags in the cargo area.
"Madyson, you get the front," Candi said.
"Are you sure, Candi, with your long legs?" Madyson asked.
"I'm good," Candi said.
"You sure? This is not some sort of set up thing?" Madyson asked.
"I'm sure," Candi said.
"Okay," Madyson said and climbed into the front of the veteran SUV.
"Why did you do that?" Fawn asked.
"Why do you think?" Candis asked back.
"You answered my question with a question," Fawn said.
Candi laughed, "That I did," she said.
"It's Beaulieu?" Fawn asked.
"Yeah, remember your first time seeing it?" Candi asked.
"Yup," Fawn said.
"How can I deny Madyson that reaction?" Candi asked.
"Are you two coming?" Lucas asked from the driver's door.
Candi and Fawn climbed into the back seat. Candi put on her sunglasses, Bella's by Hoes Over Bros. Lucas started the SUV and drove off. As they left the airport property, Lucas looked into the mirror at Candi.
"Which car was yours?" Lucas asked.
"Why?" Candi asked.
"I couldn't remember, so I didn't get any out of Leighton for you," Lucas said.
"Wasn't it the red one?" Fawn asked.
"I thought it was that one," Lucas said.
"No, that was Kay's; I was the green one," Candi said.
"Well, we'll go to Leighton and get it tomorrow," Lucas said.
"Leighton?" Madyson asked.
"Where I grew up," Candi said, simplifying her life.
"Will we get to see it?" Madyson asked.
"I don't know; it's closed up," Candi said.
"Oh, I see," Madyson said, "So, where are we staying?"
"I've told you, my Aunt Brooke's place called Beaulieu Manor," Candi said.
"We've been on the road for a while; when are we getting there?" Madyson asked.
Candi and Fawn noted the final turn. "We're just about there; you can see it out the front window now," Candi said.
"Yeah, it's nothing but woods," Madyson said and turned to look out the front windshield, "What the? Whoa! We're staying here?"
Candi smiled behind her sunglasses and nodded, "Yeah, in the East Range, I believe," she said.
"It looks like a palace," Madyson said.
"I believe she modeled it after Hampton Court Palace," Candi said.
"No way? Is this a private house?" Madyson asked.
"Among other things," Lucas said.
"It's a complex," Candi said.
"It's complex?" Madyson asked.
"No, a series of buildings with different functions, a complex," Fawn said, laughing.
"No way," Madyson said.
"Fawn laughed, "Way," she said.
"What's so funny?" Madyson asked.
"I reacted the same way when I first saw Beaulieu," Fawn said.
"I believe it," Madyson said, with a nod as they drive around to the East Range.
