A/N: So here's a quick chapter! Not too long, I don't think!
R&R!
-Anna x
"Well kids, we need to head off this morning." Dojo appeared.
"Do we have to?" Taylor asked.
"Unless you want to skip Louisiana?" Dojo said.
"NO!" She pretty much screamed.
"Okay then. Next is to England! Zach, we're actually dropping you home." Dojo said.
"Please don't. There's nothing left for me there." He said.
"You can come back with us, sweetie." Ashley stroked his cheek. "I still want to go back."
"Why?" Jack asked.
"I need to see my parents one last time. I have one last thing to say to them." She smiled. She had clearly spent the night scheming.
"Brat'ya svidaniya." Anastasia hugged her two brothers, teary eyed.
"We'll miss you, Sestra." Viktor smiled and kissed his sister on her cheek.
"My lyubim tebya." Valery kissed her forehead.
"Look after our sister, Omi." The twins peered past Anastasia to look at Omi.
He gave a curt nod and smile.
They all piled into the helicopter. Veronika was not going to say goodbye. Veronika wanted them out. Anastasia told her brothers she loved them and that they can come visit her at any point.
"I know there are some really hostile feelings in this helicopter at the moment about things that went down between me and Rai in Russia but I just want everyone to know that I want us all to try and work together." Kimiko said with a smile.
Rai rolled his eyes at Kimiko.
"I was trying to do what was best for the team and our friendship, Rai."
"If you say so." Anastasia snorted.
"Keep out of it Ana." She said sharply.
"Kids, we'll be there in about half an hour. Can we try and calm it, please?" Dojo asked.
No response.
They landed after a half an hour of pure silence.
"Home." Ashley smiled as she emerged from the helicopter, holding Zach's hand to support him.
"You remember your parent's house, yeah?" Zach asked, squeezing her hand.
"It's exactly as I remember." She was shaking slightly.
"I'll walk you there." Zach gave her a smile.
"Jack, will you come too?" She asked; a scared light in her eyes.
"Of course." He walked with his arm round her waist.
"My house is the last on the left of that road." Zach pointed at a small turning.
The gang walked down the road and saw no houses. They kept walking with all the bags until they saw three decadent houses. One was called 'Bear Cove' which rang a bell as Twila's house; the other was slightly run down but on the right. The last house was the biggest. The last house on the left was beautiful to say the least. The signpost pointed right to read 'Gingerbread Cottage' and then left to read 'Avalon'.
They approached the blue door and before they could knock, the door opened.
"And you are?" The man asked.
"We're Zach's friends. Apparently, he texted ahead. Who are you?" Rai answered.
"I'm Smythe. I am the Hyde-Parker family's butler." He gave a gracious nod. "I was, in fact, informed of your arrival. I just expected you sooner. But yes, do please come in now." He allowed him to enter.
They were each shown to their rooms. "I was informed that certain pairings are allowed to sleep within the same vicinity." He paused. "This must not go outside this house." He left them all on that note.
"Zachariah? Where are you? Have you arrived yet?" A high trilling voice rung through the house.
"Marchioness Hyde-Parker, Master Zachariah has not arrived home yet but I have already been acquainted his friends."
"Smythe, bring them to the dining room now, thank you." She requested.
Smythe summoned the gang and at once they went down to the dining room.
They looked at the regal being in front of them. She looked them all up and down and smiled.
"I am Marchioness Seraphina Hyde-Parker." She bowed her head gracefully.
"Thank you very much for your hospitality, Marchioness Seraphina Hyde-Parker." Kimiko thanked.
"Please, call me Marchioness or Sera, most do." She smiled.
"Thank you, Marchioness." Kimiko smiled, hoping her respect had shown in her choice of name.
The door slammed.
"Mama, you're home early." A tall dark haired girl with huge emerald eyes entered the room.
"Avabrielle, these are Zachariah's friends." She gave a small gesture to the gang. She turned to address the group. "This is my daughter, Lady Avabrielle Hyde-Parker. Daughter, this is…" She trailed off, not knowing their names.
"I'm Raimundo Pedrosa, lovely to meet your acquaintance. These are my friends, Clay, Omi, Taylor, Anastasia and Kimiko." He gestured to each one of the gang with a curt nod.
"Where is Zach?" Avabrielle asked.
"He is looking after Ashley and Jack at the moment." Rai asked.
"Ashley? As in Twila-Cassidy's cousin?" Avabrielle's eyes brightened slightly.
"Yes, actually." Taylor twanged.
"What an interesting accent, dear. Would anyone like a cup of tea?" The Marchioness asked.
"Yes thank you." The gang chimed.
"Smythe, our guests would like some tea. Could you put a pot on?" She asked.
"Of course, Sera." He smiled and rushed into the kitchen.
"Is Twila here too?" Avabrielle asked.
The door opened and Zach walked in.
"ZACH!" Avabrielle ran and hugged her brother very tightly.
"Ava, it's so good to see you!" He laughed, swinging her round.
"Where's Twila?" She asked.
"In China." He went deadpan.
"Why is she in China?" Avabrielle asked, confused.
"Avabrielle, drop it." The Marchioness snapped.
"Sorry." That was the only response.
"Jack, aren't you going to help me with our bags?!" A large shout came from the huge hallway. "You can't expect me to carry it in my condition!"
"It's not…" Ava trailed off with a smile.
"It is." Zach said smugly.
"Ashley!" Ava went running into the hall but the loud thudding footsteps stopped very quickly.
"What?" Ashley's outstretched arms were not holding Ava like she had expected.
Ava said nothing.
Jack pulled the bags into the dining room and the scurried out to help a heavily pregnant Ashley.
"Ashley! It's so wonderful to see you!" The Marchioness immediately greeted her without even a glance at her belly.
Ava continued to stare at her belly.
"Sera, it's wonderful to see you." She gave her a small hug.
"You're absolutely glowing, darling. We must discuss your arrival back. I assume you aren't married to the father?" Sera was blunt and straight to the point and Ashley loved it.
"No we aren't. Sera, this is Jack. He's the father and my boyfriend." She smiled as Jack slid his arm around her waist.
"Right, lovely to meet you Jack. You will have to pretend to be married or get married here. You know what credibility is like here; date, marriage then children. Are you in love?" She asked.
"More than ever." Jack smiled at Ashley which made her blush.
"Good, we can arrange you a beautiful wedding if you would like, Ashley?" Sera suggested.
"We should probably do it our way and just pretend." Ashley said.
"Definitely." Jack said.
"Well, as long as you're happy. So how far along are you?" Sera asked.
"I'm about seven and a half months!" Ashley gushed.
"That's so wonderful. I assume you'll be having it back in China?" Sera hoped she'd have it here.
"Yes but I was actually hoping to ask you something. I've told Jack a lot about you and we've got something big to ask from you but we want to ask once Jack is certain." Ashley was so hopeful.
"You know you can ask me anything. I have spent more times holding your hair back and helping you along since you met Zach than your parents." Sera bit at the word parents.
Ashley became teary eyed. She just pulled her in for a hug.
After releasing the hug, Sera snapped. "Avabrielle, it is so rude to stare." She didn't even have to look at Avabrielle to know she was staring.
"Sorry." She mumbled.
"Mum, we've invited Ashley's parents round for dinner tonight. She needs to announce the child and, more importantly, say one last word." Zach's twinkle returned in his eyes at the thought of mischief.
"I have more than just one word to say to Ivan and Marie but of course, I'll ask Smythe to prepare a meal for all of our guests." She nodded.
"Your wish is my command, Marchioness." Smythe bowed his head, smiling.
A/N: Anyone remember if Zach knew about Twila's death or not? I cannot remember!
R&R!
-Anna x