The alarm clock for Alex to wake up and get ready for school went off. She sighed, she did not want to leave Finnian. While on the thought, Claude tapped on the door and once he got the OK from Alex he walked in. "I have phoned the school, you will not be attending for ... around a week". Claude cared highly for Alex's education, this was like a big mystery - what was he talking about. All the teenagers knew was the information of this week off would be a "family outing".
Alois, Alex and Finnian were forced to pack a weeks worth of clothes. Claude had already prepared his pack last night, when the thought emerged in his mind. Finnian had only arrived and unpack only to be repacking. Sighing silently, Claude wondered if this "outing" were the right decision, the whole trip he just argued as he drove.. The Trancy servants stood outside and waved of the group, they were reliable enough to make sure the Manor was clean and untouched.
*Almost two hours later*
The group arrived at a cabin, all their luggage was placed inside as the teenagers ran to find the best room. By the time they arrived it was near 10am, everyone was so exhausted - the teenagers were all relaxing on beds to pass time away. Claude just sat and argued with his mind some more. Outside the cabin, it began to snow - it slowly fell onto the window ledge. Claude went and made himself a coffee as he waited for everyone to wake up. By 11:40am, the teenagers were wake, but still very tired. Claude told them to all dress for the snowy weather, each wearing coats, gloves, pants and boots. The got in the car, Claude knew exactly where he was going but the teenagers went with the flow of the trip. They arrived at their destination. The cemetery.
All four entered the tall gates and curiously looked around, the emotion of sadness covered them all like dark clouds. Claude began to have that emotion where he felt like crying but was unable to. Claude stooped and the three teens did too. Alex followed her fathers gaze on a gravestone. She gasped loudly "... m-my mum". Alex fell to the ground and Claude fell down beside her and pulled her into a tight hug. On the gravestone, it read 'loving mother of Finnian and Alex". Finnian began to cry too, Alois wanted to cry - it was hard not to. Alex began to lose her breath in between crying, luckily Claude carried a spare asthma pump in case this ever happened. He sat her up so she could inhale the medication.
"Thank you" Alex said in a quiet whispered, still regaining breath. "Oh, that is fine. I always carry a spare one with me-" a silence broke out "dad, i am talking about this 'family outing' - Claude was shocked. Besides crying, Finnian had been very silent "Thank you Mr Faustus. I never had a chance to come out here on my own - i miss mum so much". Everyone sat down around the grave, Alex sat crying the whole time as both her and her brother talked to the gravestone - speaking of life, gossip and questions. "I was nearly two when she passed away", Alex felt envy at least Finnian had two years to bond with their mum, Alex went almost straight to her father. Alex did not want to dwell on the past but she was so very jealous of Finny. Claude said that they would have the whole week to come down to the cemetery.