Chapter 2 Arriving

Dad had the huge SUV packed with the all of our bags thirty minutes after we got off the plane. Living with my Mom so long had made him very efficient. Despite the fact that we had been traveling all day Dad was full of energy now that the sun was almost completely down. Luckily for him the day light was much shorter during the winter. I could tell he was trying very hard to get me excited. During the forty five minute drive he didn't stop talking about all the great things to do at the lodge.

As we pulled up at the first gate guard I felt my pulse start racing. All he was doing was checking our paper work and IDs but I felt a rush of fear. As we pulled under the awning for the lobby I started hyperventilating.

"Calm down Paris or you're going to pass out walking inside and make a true Ivashikov entrance. This is not a big deal we can go in, you can wait for the luggage while I check in. Once we get our keys we can find our rooms. " Dad smiled reassuringly at me.

Forcing myself to take a deep calming breath I turned to him and said, "I know I'm just ready... to get this over with." I finished quietly. Even though I know Dad heard me he ignored my comment.

The passenger side door was opened by another man in a guardian uniform with a very serious face. Swinging out of the the SUV I jumped down and quickly entered the enormous foyer of the lodge. I waited patiently for the ridiculous amount of luggage to be removed from our rental and pulled into the lobby. I wanted to look like I belonged standing there but the fact that I kept glancing up to look for Dad was making it very clear how uncomfortable I was. I walked further into the lobby to stand closer to the two story fire place while people continued to shuffle around me.

My mind started to wander and I felt my face frown as I noticed the ridiculous amount of luggage being pulled in. My Mother had packed anything and everything I might need, twice. She had spent hours making extensive lists to make sure nothing was left behind. Sydney was not interested in sending her daughter into battle without all necessary equipment. Suddenly I was ripped from my thoughts by a loud boisterous laugh just behind me.

I slowly turned to see the source of this racket and was shocked to see six huge boys all starring at me. All there faces seemed to be surprised as I turned to look at them. I noticed they all still had ski gear on and must just be passing through the lobby. There seemed to be some unmistakable quality they all shared. It wasn't something I couldn't exactly put my finger on.

As I scanned the group there was one pair of huge brown eyes that seemed to hold my attention. I was mesmerized by how tall he was, really very tall. His hair was shaggy long around the sides but neat around his ears and face. I tried for a warm sweet smile but he made no attempt to return it. He looked at me like he was trying to solve an annoying puzzle but his soulful eyes continued to hold mine.

"Paris," I heard clearly my Father say from across the lobby. I turned quickly to see him wildly gesturing with his arm to join him. I moved toward him so quickly it must of looked like I was running to safety.

"This is Paris I can't believe it! Wow are you pretty! Although you look a lot like Daniella.", a beautiful woman with deep brown hair said enthusiastically to me. "Calm down Rose she isn't used to you yet you"ll scare her more." A man with a slight accent said in her ear.

"Paris these are my dear friends Rose and Demitri" Dad said trying not to laugh.

"It's such a pleasure to meet you. I have heard so many stories about you," I retuned with a huge yawn. "I have really been looking forward to finally meeting you." The long day and change in time zones was starting to take a toll.

"You ok kid. You look exhausted and possibly half starved. " Rose frowned. "We were just on our way to meet our boys for a bit to eat, but they just got in off the trail. If you want you could join us."

"Why don't we drop off our bags and meet you in the Cafe." Dad answered, "We called Jill on our way from the airport. She is waiting to hear from us, I'll see if they want to join us."

I wasn't just hungry I was famished. But all this stress was making me doubt my ability to actually eat. I was also ready to climb in the huge 300 thread count Egyptian sheets and collapse. Hoping to make a better impression, I nodded along with the others as they made plans to meet up.

The bellhop gestured for us to follow him down the long hallway to one of the enormous glass elevators. After riding up to the thirteenth floor and around several turns we arrived at our adjoining rooms. It was very nice of her to get two rooms but really very unnecessary.

"Which room do you want Paris." Dad said with a smile.

"I don't care Dad but what's with the two huge rooms?" I wondered.

"You have to understand my this is how my mother shows her love. She wants you to like her or she wants something from us. Bribery is how she hopes to get it. Plus she isn't used to anything but the best, it's necessary for her in a way it isn't for us".

"Well lets not rub it in too much to Ben and Mom", I replied with a the first genuine smile I had all day.

"Good idea sweetheart", Dad smiled back. Seeing my face he seemed to relax.

I turned and helped direct the bellhop to unload the ridiculous amount of bags. I grabbed a brush and pulled my long blonde hairstraight down my back and added a sparkly head band to make it look neat. Looking in the mirror I noticed my bright green eyes looked cloudy so I washed my face and hands hoping it would wake me up. Just then I heard a knock on the adjoining door.

"Ready Paris? We better get a move on this place is huge and I'm not really sure how to get there." He said holding the door for me. We walked back toward the elevator getting turned around a few times trying to retrace the path we had taken.

"Hey have you talked to Jill or Eddie yet," I asked as we finally boarded the elevator. I was really excited to see Jill she always treated me like the little sister she always wanted. Eddie her guardian/ boy toy was great too. I think he had a soft spot for me and Ben. Wherever Jill was Eddie wasn't far.

"Yeah I called them as soon as I we got in the rooms they were ready to eat I bet they'll probably beat us downstairs," he added pushing the button for the ground floor.

"I'm glad I got a chance to finally meet Rose and Dimitri. I was starting to think you and Mom made them up to make exciting bedtime stories." I laughed. I was starting to think this trip might actually be fun.

As we came around the corner I could see both Jill and Eddie chatting with Rose and Dimitri. Jill looked up and immediately abandoned her conversation to throw her arms around Dad in a huge hug. You could tell their connection was as strong as ever. Next, she pummeled me with an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek. "I missed you both so much. I'm so glad you are finally here," Jill said finally releasing me from her hold so Eddie could have his turn to hug me.

"Hey girl I heard your Dad forgot to feed you," Eddie smirked. Dad made a guilty face and we all turned to walk toward the restaurant. "No you know how much he hates airports. He was in a crazy hurry to get to see everyone," I continued as we walked to the hostess stand. The hostess took one look at Jill, a glance at Dad, and hurried us over to a huge circular table that had a tremendous view of the slopes. This was easily the best table in the small restaurant. "You were always a loyal one Paris," Eddie joked as we all took our seats.

Everyone began to chat about work and life as the waitress came over to take drink orders. I noticed there was only one extra seat at the table.

"Excuse me Ma'am," I spoke to Rose. She gave me a flabbergasted expression in return, "Sweetheart you can call me Rose and him," she gestured to the right with her thumb," Dimitri. How old do you think I am calling me Ma'am?"

I could feel my face flush I'm sure a lovely shade of pink. " I was just wondering you mentioned that your children were joining us." Rose smiled at the mention of her children, "We have two boys Mason and Alex. Alex wanted to continue out on the slopes with his friends so I made him promise to join us another time. Mason should be here any second. He was just getting out of the shower when we left the room."

"Really that's odd my mother always gave me the impression that your children were still small," I said with a shy smile. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone come around behind me as I finished speaking and I turned to hear.

"Well I have been called many things but small has never been one of them." I heard him say it but all I could see were huge brown soulful eyes.