Disclaimer - I don't own any part of The Covenant or its Members. I own Tori and whatever else wasn't in the movie. Ivan Aguéli is a real painter and author of the 18 and 19 hundreds but the scroll is fictional. For my purposes he will be my painter.

------------------------------------------------Covenant-------------------------------------------------

Arrivals That Bond

Tori laughed hole heartedly until the scenery around started to change. The trees that whizzed by were amazing. It was clear that fall had come to Ipswich. The tall oaks and maple trees had turned to lovely shades of red and orange. The leaves that fell from them twirled slowly down from up high and were swayed by the passing breeze. It had been a long time since Tori had seen such natural beauty.

"Beautiful."

"I guess so. But after you see it for all your life, they become only trees."

Tori held back her comeback. She enjoyed the scenery as much as she enjoyed the drive through this desolate road. Tyler took the lead and Tori followed him close. Hell, she didn't even understand how she got to Ipswich herself but getting to the Danvers' Manor was another deal. She could see that the Danvers liked their privacy. She hadn't seen a house in a while. They had driven for a good 10 minutes when they pulled up to what she suspected was the manor's gate. Although a palace was much less extraordinary than this place.

'Holy Crap! - They're loaded!'

Tori couldn't believe the Caleb she knew … the funny, relaxed yet adorably smart Caleb lived here. The house in front of her was huge. She looked up at the three story brick mansion. With its flawless glass window and its perfectly sculpted lawn … Danvers Manor was impressive.

"Scary huh? "The stunned look on Tori's face was priceless to Reid, but she dim just for the hell of it. "Yeah."

The group got out of their vehicles and headed for the door. Tori was at the back with Tyler and Pogue nearest to her. Reid and Caleb were leading the group. As they reached the door, it opened up to show the 4 most amazing looking women Tori had ever seen.

The excitement rolling off of them was tangible and as the boys parted to allow their mothers their glimpse of Tori. Tori stood at just 5'5 with brown hair and light brown eyes. Her skin shone with the reflection of the falling sun. Its golden color accentuated by its rays.

She looked fed and happy, but by all accounts she could be anything but. Tori wore her best smile … the genuine one that can melt hearts. And boy was it good. Evelyn Danvers stepped forward.

"I'm Caleb's mother - Evelyn. Come in - we have some catching up to do."

The four older ladies retreated into the house leaving Tori and the boys alone on the front steps. They all just stood there for a while, looking at each other and to the house.

'Please, don't let her change her mind.'

And all of a sudden everyone was in motion again. As if a spell had been broken and they could move again. Once inside they all headed to the study. Everyone except for Tori.

Tori stood in the entrance hall. She was plastered by the beauty that surrounded her. Obviously the Danvers Manor held most of its beauty on the inside. 'Caleb does stay on the inside of this house, so yeah, Beauty is inside if this house.' All around her she could see scenery's carved into wood work and gold and crystal covering most of the space around her. It was the most impressive building she had ever seen.

The boys had back tracked when they noticed Tori wasn't with them. They found her in one of the halls. She was admiring one of the Danvers' unique collection pieces. It was one of Ivan Aguéli's least know works.

An 1876 original Arabian Scroll. It didn't matter that no one could read it, Mrs. Garwin treasured it all the same. No one knew why.

Tori could feel she wasn't alone anymore, but it didn't matter to her. She turned around slowly and met the boys' eyes.

She couldn't help the single tear that rolled down her cheek. Tyler reacted first. He stepped forward and reached for her. Tori quickly smoothed the tear away and offered the boys a smile.

"It's nothing. Lets go have this chat before they think I didn't like them."

As they approached a large Oak door, Tori's nerves grew more frantic. She drew in a large breath and walked into the study.

As they sat among the expensive furniture, Tori began to feel a sense of belonging seep into her. The ladies sat on a long armchair. They looked regal and well cared for. Intimidating was the main description given to these ladies and Tori could see why. The boys scattered around the room as Tori took her place at the grand window.

"You could sit you know." Miranda Perry remarked with a slight smile.

Miranda was a delicate woman, but the wisdom in her eyes told of untold stories. Stories that not every 'delicate' woman would have experienced let alone tell. Her hair swept up into a French twist, you could still see her wild side by the way she dressed. A pair of charcoal gray slacks and a royal blue silk blouse. All that was paired with risqué boots that would befit any rocker chic. Her green eyes shown with joy giving Tori the confidence to speak her mind.

"Standing will do just fine."

"Of course it does." Evelyn muttered under her breath. (The boys never sat.)

A look passed between Evelyn and Anne.

Anne Simms was an elegant woman. She had a slender face with deep auburn hair and clear blue eyes. Her spirit shone through her eyes and at the moment her eyes with amusement. She was as prim and proper as Evelyn but she still had that strong air of youth that Evelyn, had only, a bit of. She smiled a warm smile that Tori recognized as the one Tyler sported when he was trying to be reassuring.

"Now I'm sure the boys have given you the preliminary set of rules but if you need any answers then we are the ones to answer you."

Tori smiled to show her she was doing okay, she knew mothers needed signs to detect turmoil, so she eased Mrs. Simms with a single smile answered her kindly.

"I was told that I am to go to school. I'm slightly above average when school is concerned, so that won't be a problem. I'm to be adopted - although I don't understand how that will work."

"That I can answer. I am an attorney and by the laws that govern Ipswich, you are legally an adult at the age of 17. We were told you are of that age, so after you sign the proper paper work, you will legally be your own guardian. This will give you the freedom to do as you like and while you are under our watch you will not be in need of anything." Those were the words of the eloquent Mrs. Elizabeth Garwin.

Mrs. Garwin was nothing like Reid. Yes, she had the same hair and eyes but that was about it. Her dress was rather casual compared to the women around her. She wore simple blue jeans that were stylishly cut and a black dress shirt. Her red strappy sandals made her look ever more casual and juvenile. It was clearly a wonder the woman that sat before her could be a lawyer but definitely not odd that she were Reid's mom. The attitude had to come from somewhere and it definitely had something to do with this woman.

Nodding, Tori only knew that she would do anything to stay with them.

"I'll sign anything."

"Good."

Mrs. Simms thought of including the bit of research they had done the week prior to Tori's arrival. She knew a thing or two about loving art, she herself had it running through her veins. Now, she was able to offer Tori her chance and she would be able to offer Tori her chance.

"We know that you've been a performer for some years - if you'd like we can set up a meeting with the Provost for admission into the schools new performing arts program."

"The Provost?"

Tyler laughed softly at Tori's confused look. "It's just a fancy way of saying principal."

"Oh. That sounds easy enough to do."

Mrs. Danvers's took the amused look that passed between the boys as a good sign to go on with the explanation.

"The new semester starts in about a week. You have been registered for the final semester you're missing and everything from books to your dorm room have been taken cared of. We have much to do before then though."

"Of course."

It was Caleb's turn to speak up. He knew everyone was getting carried away and were forgetting some pretty important arrangements.

"You are all forgetting something."

"What would that be?"

"Where am I staying? That's it, right?"

Pogue nodded in understanding. They had all gotten carried away discussing school and what was to come that they had forgotten one basic need, shelter.

"Yeah, That."

Mrs. Garwin blushed at that. The idea of telling her everything that they had planned and yet they had forgotten to arrange her stay with them. She knew that excitement was the reason for being forgetful but that didn't ease her mind, or Tori's.

"Oh of course. We had forgotten that part. You can choose where you'd like to stay. But take into consideration that every house is as different as its owner."

"How so?"

"What Eli is trying to say is that our houses are different and that you should choose the one that suits your personality."

Mrs. Danvers nodded and spoke up for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. "You see darling, my house is more rules and set timelines. I like order."

"Tyler and I have a home that is surrounded by a cozy feel and quiet meditation."

With a shy laugh, Mrs. Perry spoke up next. "Hard work and discipline … used to be me, but now I just like the quiet."

Turning to the last mother to speak up, the group had to give Mrs. Garwin credit. Her shocked face was the vision of perfect embarrassment.

"Why do I always have to go last? My house is going to sound like the loony bin."

"It won't if you say it right." Reid piped in under his breath.

"Behave Reid. Fine. Our house is … well it might seem overly done but its not. I have had to grow accustomed to loud music at all times of the day, late curfews and an infinite well of understanding, but in all, it's laid back and comfortable."

Reid's scowl showed exactly what he thought, and at that moment he wished his mother wasn't so free lanced and had the ability to hold a conversation without getting lost.

"Way to go … I think you scared her."

"Shut it. It takes more than that to scare me. Plus, I like it. Sounds like me … all loud music and no sleep."

"Good. That is settled, now let us talk to the girl. Boys? Would you mind?"

The boys filed out of the room and left their mothers with a rather calmed Tori. They settled down in the kitchen, each with a Coke and a thoughtful expression. Tyler was the first to make his thoughts known. He just had to know.

"Why did she pick your house?"

"Because you're mom's too stiff and I guess Tori needs a little more than 'meditating' with Anne."

Tyler scoffed at his best friend. Even though none of their houses were too far away from another, he was liking the idea of having her around all the time.

"What about when we go back to school? You think they'll get her a room close to ours?"

"We'll just wait for her to come out and then we can see what the moms told her."

------------------------------------------------Covenant-------------------------------------------------

Well, one more chapter. Next we see some interaction between the boys and Tori. Maybe some shopping. I'll update soon enough!

Later …….