Wow, Butterflies, I am in shock at the fact that we are now twenty chapters into the story. I am so glad that you all have been enjoying the story, but I'm afraid to admit that things start to wind down soon. But let's not dwell on that. Also, I'm moving at the end of this week, so I might not be able to post anymore chapters for a while. I'm really sorry, but life is cruel sometimes. Anyways, here's Chapter 20: Affirmative
Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.
Trigger Warning: Stalking is indirectly mentioned.
December 25. Christmas Day. A religious celebration for some, and a secular holiday for others. To me, it doesn't matter so much how one spends the day. I personally don't care what others chose to believe. As long as they are content with their beliefs, then I have no business getting involved. But today matters to me for a different reason. Today, I've decided, is the day I want to try and talk to Mom and see if I can convince her to return with us. Stars, I really hope this works. Zut! I still have to come up with a reason why we're going to her house, especially on Christmas. I'll ask Doyle. Maybe he can help me.
I tap on the door to Doyle's room, and he asks who is it. After I announce myself, he lets me in, and we come up a reason for the visit. It's not perfect, but it'll have to do. Then I leave him alone and head out to the living room. There, I see the others are sitting in the living room talking. I sit down and join the conversation. They are talking about all their past Christmas celebrations. Unable to relate entirely, I just listen. They have not been in Seward for most Christmases because of Doc and Drew's work, yet they always found a way to make it special. They all tell stories of funny things that happened in the past. Somehow, it seems that Zak and Fisk were always in the middle of the problems, not that that is surprising.
A while later, Doc asks if I'm ready. I tell him I am, so he goes to gather everyone. Inside, my heart is pounding. Am I ready? I would love to see Mom again, but I am suddenly very uncertain of this. What if it's not Mom? Anxieties like those grip my mind and tell me to forget this. Even if it is Mom, I doubt that she would come back just because I asked nicely. She has a reason for leaving her life as Dr. Miranda Grey behind. I just wish I had answers.
Doc and I walk up the steps to the porch. I can feel the knot on my stomach pulling tighter, and all of a sudden, I want to back out. Doc places a hand on my shoulder encouragingly. I ring the doorbell, and a middle aged woman answers the door. Either Mom had plastic surgery, or this not the woman we are looking for. The woman asks if she can help us, so I clear my throat and ask if she Indigne Albright. The woman seems both appalled and flatters before saying that she will be right back. She closes the door and leaves us outside on the porch. So much for southern hospitality. The woman returns a few minutes later with a younger looking woman with blonde curly hair pulled back in a loose French twist and blue eyes. Her face is familiar, and she has a small bump on her stomach.
"Are you Indigne Albright, ma'am?" I ask. The woman confirms this and offers for us to have a seat outside on the porch. We all sit down in some chairs and start talking.
"Ms. Albright, I'm Lily Van Rook, the one who sent you that email, and this is my uncle Dr. Solomon Saturday." We shake hands, and Doc tells Indigne to call him Doc. She smiles, but she seems a little nervous.
"So what brings y'all here?" Indigne asks. Between her American accent and use of southern slang, I'm beginning to doubt this is Mom.
"We're new in town, and we have a friend who is a student of yours. She said you didn't have plans for today," I add quickly so that Indigne is unable to ask which student. Indigne seems a bit surprised, but says nothing. "We wanted to invite you to dinner." Indigne smiles slightly.
"Thank you for the offer, Lily and Dr. Saturday. I will need some time to think it over and to check my schedule, but do look for an email from me in an hour or so." I can tell Indigne is ending the conversation from her last sentence, so I stand.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Albright. And I do hope you consider our offer." Doc and Indigne stand, and we all shake hands, and Doc thanks her for her time and for visit. Then we go our separate ways. On the way back to where we parked the Griffin, I sarcastically mutter under my breath that that conversation definitely didn't sound creepy at all. Doc must hear me, for he says that we did the best we could and that there was no way to walk into that situation without it being either awkward, creepy, or both.
Back at the airship, Doc is trying to throw what he has left to do of dinner together, and the rest of us are trying to make the airship look presentable. All of a sudden, the computer in the other room goes off, so Komodo and I hurry into the room. It's an email from Indigne. It says she would like to accept our offer. I reply that it sounds great and that Doc and I can pick her up if she would like. Then I dash off into the kitchen to tell Doc the news with Komodo struggling to keep up behind me.
A couple of hours later, Dad, Indigne, and I walk up to the airship door. It opens, and we all step inside. Something I notice about Indigne is that she seems very at ease with us, despite the fact that we are complete strangers and are taking her to our house. She has to be Mom. Why else would she be so comfortable with the idea of spending the evening with us? Yet, part of me is unable to let go of the fear that this is not Mom. But it doesn't make sense that Anonymous would lie to us this far. No, I have to trust Anonymous. I have to believe that this is Mom.
Doc calls everyone to the table, which is decorated beautifully. Komodo and I really outdid ourselves (just kidding, but I do think the table looks nice). Doc pulls out Indigne's chair for her before taking his seat as well. Introductions are made, and I can tell that Indigne is caught off guard a little bit when Doyle introduces himself as my uncle. Zut. She probably thinks Doc and Doyle are married or at least together. I explain that my" Aunt Drew" couldn't make it today because she was working back where we used to live. Indigne smiles slightly and wishes Drew safe travels.
After dinner, Indigne and I step outside and talk. I ask her a few questions about the Garick School of Ballet, and she answers them. Suddenly, she lets out a small gasp and places her hand on her stomach. I ask if she is alright, and she replies that she fine. I wonder if that was my little sibling kicking. But Indigne seems so small. She might just be carrying a small baby.
"Ms. Albright, is it a boy or a girl?" I ask. She gives me a surprised look.
"A boy. But don't mention that I'm expecting to anyone just yet. I'm trying to keep it quiet because people tend to make a big fuss over pregnant women and babies." I laugh a little and promise that I won't tell. We talk a while longer. Indigne is an easy person to get along with, which is nice.
"Ms. Albright," I begin to ask, "are you familiar with a woman named Miranda Grey?" Indigne thinks about the name for a while.
"I know the name, but I can't remember from where. I'm sorry, Lily."
"That's okay. She is my adoptive mother, but she vanished without a trace a few months ago. We've been trying to find her, but our lead went cold after we got here." I stop to catch my breath. "I know her, and she vanished for a reason, but I need her back. There are so many questions that need answers, and only she can provide those answers. And I just miss her so much." Tears start to flood my eyes. These are not fake tears; they're genuine. I didn't realize how much I miss Mom until she is inches away from me but still intangible.
"It's alright, Iris. You'll find her. I'm really sorry you're going through all of this." Indigne pauses. "Do you need a hug?" I nod, and she gives me a gentle hug. "I promise that y'all will find her."
"Thank you, Ms. Albright." I wipe my tears from my now red and blotchy face. "If- if you come across her, will you please ask her to remember her promise?" Indigne nods.
"I will, Lily."
Later that night, after Doc has left to take Indigne home, I am sitting at the kitchen table with Komodo by my side. Doc is still not back, but I want to talk to him about Indigne. I'll just have to wait, I suppose. Looking, down at Komodo, I realize that we never seem to spend much time together anymore, not like we used to anyways. Now he just watches me and keeps me from doing anything stupid. I sigh and shake my head. No more. As long as I have Ningirama's powers, Komodo and I will still have a connection, and I am determined to make it strong again. I climb out of the chair and sit with Komodo on the floor. He puts his head on my knee for the first time in who knows how long. It feels good to be this close to him again.
"Hey, Komodo, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
"What for, Lily?"
"For cutting you out. I got scared when I noticed our connection was going away, and I didn't want anyone to get hurt when it finally went away. I realize now that I was only hurting you and myself in the process."
"I understand, Lily, and I forgive you. This has indeed been a taxing time for all of us, and you were simply doing what you believed to be the best thing at the time. I couldn't ask for more of you."
"Thank you, Komodo." I pet him gently as we sit together in silence. We can hear the others still awake in the living room, but we both tune them out.
"Lily, are you concerned about this situation with Anonymous?"
"A tad. Should I be?"
"In my opinion, yes. This person clearly knows you, your story, and the people around you all too well. I want you to be careful. I fear the road ahead of us is far bumpier than anything we can imagine."
About that time, Doc walks in the door. I wave to him as he enters the kitchen, so he sits down on the floor with Komodo and me. The three of us discuss Indigne for a while before Doc asks me what my conclusion is.
"I can't say if this is me being desperate to find Mom or what, but I believe that Indigne Albright is in fact Mom."
"Good because I convinced her to come with us to Iceland. We leave tomorrow."
That's the end of Chapter 20! What do you all think Komodo was talking about, and Indigne really Miranda? Tell me what you thought, and I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I'll have Chapter 21 up soon! Don't forget to follow, favorite, or review! Thank you all so much for reading! I love you all!