'Click'
Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt. All of the fame belongs solely to Ono Fuyumi, consult her for any other details.
Naru: Is this your idea of revenge?
Me: Maybe...yeah it is, I avenge Mai's sorrows from you in this magnum-opus *lol* Thank You so much for the reviews everyone, I enjoyed reading your views!
14AmyChan: Thank you for being a staunch reader and reviewer *salute* Hahaha I know what happens when you read fanfics while with the family. Thanks for the help too, your idea gave rise to this chappie :-) AssailantAngel: I'm glad it was okay, I thought I had overdone Madoka...thanks for reviewing, here's your update! ACertainIdioticScientist: Thank you soooo much, your review made me happy and look, I tried to update faster! NaginiFay: Thank You for being a constant reader + reviewer as well! Well, I think everybody loves Madoka (with the exception of Naru, lol) Yumemi Sayaka: All in good time, you're going to find out soon after two, three chaps on what they really talked about :-) Thanks for reviewing! yukihime88: With school over my head it takes a lot of time to concentrate on this fanfic but I promise that I'll try to save time and update faster (plus thanks for reviewing on my other story as well!) Kagome Pureheart: That is why I adore Madoka, she's so great at plotting and takes revenge on Naru, something we guys can't do :-D. Naruisawesome: You'll find out soon, I promise, I'll include Mai and Naru's conversation in the later chaps and you get to read Luella while you wait for that conversation. Thanks for being another unwavering reader + reviewer. SymmetricalGirl8DeathTheKid: I'm glad you found it perfect, real glad, so I'm hoping you'll enjoy it to the end! Btw your review totally made my day ;-) Thanks for the favs and follows too!
Plus before I forget it people, we have successfully achieved the goal of 50 reviews! Our 50th reviewer: yukihime88 is graciously thanked by me, she deserves an award. So do all the people above!
- A-
"...Luella, Luella?"
I paid no heed to the voice that called on me, all I could see, all I could hear was focused on the picture I was holding; the sounds coming back as if it had happened tomorrow instead of two years back. I was immersed in my own world...absorbed and in a trance that had been occurring frequently over the previous years.
To any other it may have been a simple picture; granted that the two identical twins were both extremely handsome and yet to other people it may hold no value at all. Little does anybody know that the picture meant worlds to me; it was a memory, a reminder of my past, a sign that I had children – even if I had adopted them, they were still mine, they shared my name...I was their mother.
It's a strange consolation really...a temporary one, because the picture also invokes in me the feeling that a part of my little family has gone.
Gene...
It's as clear as yesterday...Noll's harsh pants and his white knuckles almost crushing the shirt, Lin's baffled face as he clutched his forehead, Martin falling to his knees beside Noll, Madoka's tears and my own whimpers when it became clear to me. I could even hear the sounds; Noll's PK smashing everything in the room, mirrors, light bulbs, chandeliers...Lin's frustrated attempts to cut Noll's connection to Gene with Madoka crying alone in the corner of the room; everything in complete chaos around me as the news finally registered.
And then came my own tears and a strange yell emitting from me...
.
.
.
.
"Luella!"
The voice, whoever it belonged to, snapped me out of my trance and I dropped the photo in surprise as I turned around to look at Madoka, frowning at me, her hand on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and pulled my shawls together, hoping for God's sake that I didn't break at the moment, the tears already streaked my cheek and yet they did nothing to lessen the pain inside me.
My Gene...he died...like that...
"Luella." Madoka came closer to me and gripped my shoulder, her voice sad. "Please, don't cry...Gene wouldn't be happy to see you like this."
Gene and Noll – my children, my boys, my twins.
I gripped her hand on my shoulder and yet I couldn't look away from the photo on the mantelpiece, it was unique, it was my family. All the memories we made, all the happiness they gave to me and Martin, all the hope they filled me with...I want to cherish that, not the bad memories; but it's difficult...especially when Noll's condition these days reminds me of his mourning for Gene.
"I – I know that." I whimpered and turned to Madoka, who shook her head slowly, silently pleading for me to stop crying. "But I don't know what to do? Madoka did you see Noll, he hardly talks now, he's stopped eating, he's becoming thinner and he rarely ever sleeps."
Madoka gave a watery chuckle and led me to the sofa, pouring a cup of tea as I wiped my eyes, willing myself to be stronger and lighter for every one's sake, I can't bear the fact that someone else might be worried over me. It's ridiculous really...I shouldn't remember bad things, I should look after everyone – I, of all people, should be strong.
After all I am the mother of Oliver Davis, the Oliver Davis who has to be pushed and punished to a great extent if you want him to do anything else than 1)work 2)work and 3) work. I can't believe what the Holy Hell is the matter with that idiot, all he ever does in that den (ahem...room) is work with all the blinds closed, his eyesight is already weak; if the same thing continues than he'll go blind one day.
What about my grand-children then? Once he gives me at least five cutie pies to spoil, I'll stop badgering him but no, that boy simply has to make me suffer in wait! I'll die before that child woos a girl let alone give me grand-kids...Hell will freeze and Angels will come down but that boy shall never – ever do something that is entirely human. I mean do I have to get all the arrogant, intelligent and emotionally blank people? Wasn't Martin enough for me to handle that now I have to tutor Noll on this beautiful, unNollish subject too?!
"Well Luella." Madoka sipped her tea and then grinned. "How's my Nollie doing...personally I hope he's suffering in his love for Mai-chan! How kawaii!"
I laughed then, more cynically I suppose as I tried to imagine Noll mooning away over something – if it would have been over his PhD then I wouldn't worry but a girl?! Which poor girl will fall for him...some poor girl like me – after all the more Noll grows, the more he resembles Martin.
"If you count not eating, not drinking tea and barely sleeping as side-effects of love," I paused and then giggled slightly. "Then he's in love!"
We both laughed in a girlish manner, trying to imagine the unearthly concept of Noll in love, mooning over some girl like a present-time Romeo and writing long love letters to his beloved. Hahaha, that's utterly hilarious! If it would have been Gene then I would have laughed and thought it to be one of the countless romances that he brewed with the countless girls at college but this was Oliver we're talking about – stern, rigid, cool and almost dead by the heart Noll, who'd rather die than admit his love for something. But Gene, he was one in his league...
Oh, Gene...
"Oh and Luella did I tell you?" Madoka paused and help up my mobile phone handing it to me. "When I came in, I heard your phone ringing and I saw that the number was from Japan. Who do you think it was?"
I pursed my lips and scrolled through the call list before I spotted the number she was talking about, it was indeed Japanese and as I stared at it, I slowly recognized the number and then a slow, sure smile spread on my face. Yes, I just forgot to mention the most latest of my schemes, oh dear Lord, it's a fool-proof one and will do a lot of good to people. Then I'll finally get to contact the wedding planners and then I'll maybe have enough time to design the wedding gown, I can just see Noll doing the vows while staring lovingly – okay maybe that is a slight exaggeration – I can just imagine him holding hands with the Japanese girl they're all talking about.
Yes, definitely cute – kawaii, if I may say!
I pressed the call button and shushed at Madoka, who was bouncing in her seat obviously wanting to hear the grand plan I had come up with. All in good time, my dears, all in good time.
"Hello." A British accent welcomed me on the other end and I smiled to myself, things were just working fine, according to plan. "Who is speaking?"
"Richard Davis, my dear boy," I admonished and then ushered Madoka closer so she could overhear the conversation. "You know perfectly well who I am, drop the formalities and report the latest news to me."
Yes, obviously I was impatient; this was a matter of Noll's future and prompt action should be taken in order to ensure that the wedding goes off fine. Why I had sent some of the Davis children to Japan formed an essential part of my genius plan and I intended on having it implemented perfectly to the very end.
"Richard?" Madoka whispered and I rolled my eyes at her, mouthing at her to keep silent.
"Ah! Aunt Luella! I tried calling you but you wouldn't pick the phone up." Richard Davis, age 18 was Noll's cousin, not a friend but a cousin who deeply cared (really?) about Noll's being. "We did what you asked!"
Another piercing, feminine hiss on the other end intercepted my hearing, this I assumed was Richard's sister, Emmy.
"Richard you dummy!" Emmy hissed. "Don't shout in the phone, 'she' might suspect us!"
Suspect? Just what were the Davises doing out there?
"Children," I sighed and stood up, cradling the phone with Madoka eagerly following me. "What exactly are you doing?"
If they dared step out of the line I set for them, then...they're in for a treat.
Madoka was making funny faces as she caught different pieces from our conversation and I completely ignored her, my whole focus was on Richard and Emmy Davis whom I had sent with an extremely special case straight to Japan. These kids remained my only hope in attaining what I desperately wanted – although I'm not so sure what that is, the wedding...or...grand kids?
"Auntie, we did what you said." Richard whined and I rolled my eyes at nothing. "We followed Taniyama Mai; we've been keeping full tabs on her since the last two days."
"Stop driving too fast Richie!" Another shrill voice could be heard and after racking my brains I recognized this voice as Janet Davis', age 17 and another cousin of Noll...who Noll particularly despised but I liked Janet, she was such a sweet child! "If you keep driving at this pace then Julian won't be able to catch up with us!"
Julian Davis had gone too?! Just how many people had boarded the plane for Japan!? I had only sent Richard and Emmy to follow Mai. Oh God, those children might be wreaking havoc over there, I had just sent two people to keep close eye on Mai Taniyama since a lot of evidence proved for him to be Noll's to-be-wife and I had to had complete information over all her activities. It's called possessiveness, yes I know it seems a bit overdone but you can hardly blame me – when you have a son like Noll, extremist measures have to be taken – why, they are quite essential!
"Aunt Luella," Emmy was speaking with cold authority. "Just like you said we observed Mai's behavior for 48 hours and I am quite happy that you care for her."
Madoka looked like she was about to die of shock, her eyes bulged, she gasped and shot an accusing finger at me.
"You sent the whole Davis family to stalk Mai-chan?"
I winced internally at her emphasis on stalked...it wasn't stalking, I was just following the girl in order to establish knowledge over everything she does and her behavior. Is that so bad, now?
"And oh!" Janet chimed in. "She's really cute too!"
I smiled to myself and paced around the room, excellent, it was going as I planned and I found new confidence in my plotting abilities. Of course Martin had told me that it was completely irrational and stupid but then again what rational thing did Gene, Noll and Martin ever did, hunting ghosts and putting themselves in harm's way and affiliating with creations that never do good to anyone's being. Ha, as if there discouragement could ever put me, Luella Davis, down!
"Now – children, I was thinking to take her under my wing." I decided to take the advice of the children in this matter. "What do you say to that?"
Madoka was now looking like a volcano about to burst...no doubt she was outraged at me for ever keeping the plan from her.
"Auntie, until altruistic people like you are alive, no harm can come to this world – hey Julian! Where the hell were you gone to?"
"I was buying a bento, all this spying stuff makes me hungry." Came the retort from the quick-witted Julian.
I sighed once more, squaring my shoulders, the noise of a car's door shutting hit my ears but I was already lost to the real world as my gaze wandered off to the different photo frames on the walls around me. There were Gene, Noll, Martin and me in different images at different occasions, the twins' birthday, Noll's certificates, Gene's prizes and a whole new world was on those walls.
Do you know what it's like to be told that you can't have a child...it's the worst feeling in the world, the type of depression that eats you from all corners, the sort of hollowness that empties a woman. It's one of those curses that befall great tragedy upon womankind and still Martin married me, even after knowing this he wanted me as his bride. It was sweet but then again I was insecure, no longer Luella but a person whose self-confidence had been destroyed had been destroyed. Misery seemed to follow me – but that was before we decided to adopt the twins.
That day seemed hopeless too...but as soon as I spotted Gene in the corner making faces at Noll, I knew that I had to adopt those two essentially. I talked to Gene and was touched by seeing him shake my hand with his chubby one, that cheeky smile adorning his face and then there was Noll; a child Martin wanted – quiet, intelligent, undemanding and rational. So we decided to adopt both and that was when life improved for me. I became a mother, I put my whole life into those two...somehow wishing they could be related to me.
"Hey Aunt Lu!"
I barely answered Julian's greeting since I was so lost in my own musings bu I managed to break through my thoughts and concentrate on a much important issue.
"Hello Julian, I wasn't expecting you to go with Richard and Emmy."
The sound of clicking heels could be heard clearly down the hallway and I almost expected another guest to visit Noll since his return last month, the house had been flooded by guests; relatives paranormal researchers, colleagues from BSPR, family friends and their annoying, flirtatious daughters and for once I was glad that Noll had a heart of steel. By Jove I won't let some flirty girl to marry my Noll and it's not like Noll will fall for such a person at all (if he does fall for a person of which chances rest below zero) Then suddenly a black-haired girl stepped inside, holding a five-year old boy whose eyes shown in clear excitement and I put the phone back to my ear.
"Oh Julian, here comes Amelia!" I smiled widely. "I assume she's here to meet Noll."
"Uncle Noll!" The child in her arms chanted but his mother, meaning my niece was clearly not enthusiastic, instead her face showed much frustration. "Where is Oji-san?"
Amelia Davis, age 25, she was the eldest cousin of Noll and Gene, ready to play the big sister role whenever possible and much like Madoka, except that she rarely black-mailed and had higher understanding levels with both the twins being a psychic herself. The dear girl was married with a boy named Alex who adores Noll.
Oh and did I tell you that she and Madoka aren't on good terms exactly; they both had he crushes on Lin in their teenage and completely despised each other. Both the girls also did not like the way the other handled the twins. And now even after Amelia had gotten married, Madoka carried that air of malice around her.
Like she is doing now...
"Aunt Lu!" Amelia threw her bag aside and barged in the sitting room, her face showing clear annoyance. "Where. The. Heck. Is. Noll?!"
And without my even telling where Noll was she marched towards the library, almost stalking towards the place with her fists clenched and I knew that Noll was going to get a good talking this evening.
I turned to the phone again and heard the four teens snickering at something.
"What are laughing for?" I asked and Janet squealed in response to my question, irrelevantly.
"Mai is so cute!"
"Ah, yes I have been told Janet my dear"
"And it's not only that." Emmy remarked. "Her choice of fashion is quite remarkable too, not to mention she's kind and extremely helpful..."
"Ideal wife for Noll!" Richard hummed in approval.
"Just look at her mini-skirt! It's so pretty!" Janet squealed once more and I sighed listening patiently to the ramblings of the children.
"I think she's blind if she's in love with someone like Noll." Julian mocked and I controlled the vein that threatened to pop in my forehead as all the four in Japan burst out laughing. "I mean Noll liking a girl is like...like..."
I simply snorted internally, cursing those kids but I knew the right thing to do at the moment.
"Aunt Luella?" Emmy's voice could be heard clearly. "What do you suggest next?"
I paused for a moment glancing at Madoka, suddenly feeling very impetuous...the move was bold yet it would do good to all in England and Japan, I couldn't bear Noll's moronic face for one more day until he either talks or confesses to the girl. Idiot. Grrr...
"You abduct her, you all kidnap Mai Taniyama."
Later that night, me, Madoka and Amelia sat on the terrace, sipping tea and discussing Noll in great detail.
"I talked to him." Amelia sipped her tea. "And it seems that he is quite melancholy, many times while talking to him, I saw him spacing out."
"He doesn't drink tea anymore." I put in and it was true, Noll had barely touched a cup always saying that he didn't want it at all. "I'm getting quite worried, I think he still can't handle Gene's death..."
"Oh Aunt Lu, open your eyes and see his face!" Amelia huffed. "There is a girl behind this recent development, he was never so broody before!"
Madoka nodded and then shrugged.
"Ladies, to be honest – he is hopelessly smitten with Mai-chan and unless we come to know what they said to each other before parting, we won't know what's the whole story."
"I agree..." I pursed my lips and then noticed that Amelia's son Alex was not there. "Amelia dear, where is Alex?"
"Oh, he wanted to spend time with Noll, he thinks of Noll as some superhero, that child, always going on about the Japanese Noll teaches him."
I smiled and then got up excusing myself, feeling that I should check on Noll to see that everything was alright.
However, as soon as I entered Noll's room a strange sight met my eyes; Alex was asleep in Noll's lap curled like a kitten and Noll too had fallen asleep in his chair with his bangs covering his eyes.
I 'awed' at the moment seeing Noll actually act nice to a child but then the next thing that captured my attention was something far more meaningful. My eyes just fell on Noll's cell phone and I noticed an unread message, it read as:
Dear Naru,
Hope you're happy...I don't know why I texted you but I just wanted to know if you're alright and if everything is fine. Gene doesn't come in the astral plane anymore and I'm a bit worried and I feel alone but other than that everything is fine over here. Hope you're well and your tea-addiction has ended.
Lots of love,
Mai
P.S: Since the morning I felt as if someone's following me, weird ne?
Oh really now, Naru? What a nick-name...what a beautiful love-story, who knew Noll would befriend such a nice girl.
Luella Davis - you have got a wedding to plan...
I apologize for such a long, random chapter but please pardon me, my brain is fried with school work dear readers not to mention exams are floating above my head so infrequent updates and other stuff...you know. I know you were waiting for Luella and anticipated something much more funnier but oh, well...
And this chapter is dedicated to my cousins since Naru's are purely fictional and in a way are my OCs.
Lots of love and cakes for those who review and make my day brighter,
-borntoflyhigh