Chapter 2: The Parodical Son Returns
Derek drove down the familiar dirt road that ran through his family's property that would eventually lead him to his child home. It was an odd sense of familiarity that he felt; considering the last time he had seen that very dirt road was the day he left Beacon Hill's for good. At the time it had felt liberating. Now it felt nostalgic. Maybe he had stayed away for two long. The Hale property was vast and encompassed some of the most ascetically appealing landscapes that the preserve had to offer. But nothing was as impressive was the Hale Manor. Now that was a true sight to be hold. The manor consisted of a ten bedroom house that lie along the river banks with a boat house and private dock. It was an idle place to spend a childhood, and Derek loved every minute of it.
Talia Hale was the first one out of the house when she saw Derek's car pull up. It was a classic camero, and it was also classic Derek. "Derek!" Talia cried out of joy as she moved to embrace her son. "I never thought that I would live to see the day that you came back home. You have been missed." It was no secret growing up that Derek was the favorite child. Not that Cora wasn't loved. She was; she just never could live up to the hype that was Derek. It put a strain on the siblings relationship.
There was something about being held by your mother that made it seem like everything was going to be okay. For the first time in many years Derek felt safe, and he held on. "I've missed you mom." The phone calls, emails, birth cards, and quick visit could not compare to the feeling of being home.
"Come inside everyone is waiting to see you." Talie wasn't kidding when she said everyone was waiting. Upon entering the house Derek was bombarded with family.
"Welcome home son." There was no missing the twinkle that glowed in Michael Hale's eyes when he spotted his son. Embrace his son, first, in a hearty hand shake quickly turned into a full blown hug.
Cora and Scott were seated in the living room playing with their new son. "Derek." Cora had a smile on her face as she stood up taking the baby with her. "Come and meet your nephew." Cora handed the baby over as Scott stood by his wife smiling.
"It's a good thing he looks like Cora." Scott joked.
"Yeah, a very good thing. Can you imagine the poor kid having to go through life with your mug." Derek teased.
Peter Hale was the last to welcome Derek. "Well, well, well the parodical son has returned." Peter threw out as a jib as he descended the stairs.
"Uncle Peter." Derek answered with with a begruding smile. No matter what he would always be fond of his uncle Peter.
Peter gave Derek's shoulder a brief squeeze as he turned to face the others. "Are we going to eat or what?"
The Hale's all took their place in what was the informal dinning room. This was the room the family took their everyday meals. This room was cozier with a smaller table built of a less imposing wood, and simpler dish and flatware. Dinner started out happily enough with each member of the table taking turns reminiscing with stories. However that all quickly changed with the topic turned to the reunion and thus to Eric Reyes.
"So Derek I assume that you will be attending the reunion this weekend?" Cora asked her older brother.
"Of course that was the plan." Not like Derek had a choice in the matter. He had a blackmail to find and then pay off. Maybe when this was all over he could get his life back.
"Great I have planned some very fun activities this weekend." Cora stated proud of herself. Cora head the alumni committed and took great pride in all that was done for this weekend.
"I'm sure you've planned a lovely little party dear." Talia reached over and patted Cora's like a child. This was classic Talie she rarely gave her daughter credit. In fact, the only time she showed any pride in Cora was when she married Scott and then promptly had his son.
"It's not some little party mom." Cora said barely able to keep the annoyance out of her voice. "It's a weekend filled with activties designed to entertain the alumni starting with the Alumni cocktail mixer on Friday night and ending with the opening of the time capsule Sunday afternoon."
"Cora I don't know what it is that I say to you that causes you to fly off the handle." That was also typical Talia over exaggerating things so that she could be the victim.
"Hey Cora why don't you tell me what else you've got planned?" Derek quickly intervened before things could escalate any further.
"Well Friday night is the mixer. I kept it simple for those who were flying in that day. Saturday I step up updated year book photo's followed by an alumni lacrosse game against the current varsity team, followed by the dance that night. Sunday there is the farewell brunch followed by opening of the time capsule.
"It sounds like you planned an awesome weekend. Count me in for everything." Derek sent his sister a wink.
When Derek retired to his room he was surprised that it was just as he left. It was a little unnerving. It was his parents left as a shrine. He slowly took in the room that was his home for eighteen years. There still were posters on the walls of half naked models, rock bands, and athletes. His gautar and surf board were still stashed in the corner, and his lacrosse gear still hung in the client. Hell his parents even left his playstation hooked up to the TV. What really drew his attention were the pictures of Scott, Stiles, and himself that littered everywhere. They really were closer then brothers.