Sam motioned me to follow him onto the front porch, he opened the door, "Mom! I'm home." Her response came from a distance, "Hi, honey." He led me to the Kitchen. I had never been in this house, it always looked to creepy from the outside. The inside was beautiful. Star was standing by the stove helping Lucy and Michael was sitting at the table playing cards with Laddie. Star smiled at me, "Sage, you're really staying for dinner?" I nodded, "Is there anything I can do to help?" Lucy walked over and hugged me, "No, of course not. You're the guest!" She pointed at the table, "Play cards with them two. Would you like something to drink?" I sat down and Michael dealt me some cards, "Go fish, Sage."
"I'll have some water." Before she could respond, Max appeared in the doorway, "Nonsense, have something a little stronger." I laughed, "Okay…what do you have?" He smiled, "That's the spirit. How about some nice champagne to start the evening." Lucy nodded as he bent down and kissed her, "Sounds wonderful." Max handed me a glass and began to play with us. I heard Sam telling his mom about the school supplies I had bought for him as he showed her. She looked over at me with the kindest smile I have ever seen, "Why thank you so much! That was very thoughtful, Sage." I smiled, "It was nothing really." I had to fish yet again for another card. I wound up losing that round, "I'm done I can't take having to go fish one more time." Laddie laughed and looked up at me and said, "Can I see it?" I looked at him confused, "See what?" He pointed at my face, "The scar." Lucy looked at me from over at the stove, "I am so sorry. They told us all about what happened and I guess it fascinated him a little too much." I smiled faintly, "It's okay." I leaned over and moved my bangs out of the way. He leaned in and touched it, "I'm sorry." I saw sadness for a split second in his eyes but it quickly faded. Lucy shouted out into the hall, "Dinner in 30." She looked over at me, "Those boys. Our first guest over and they're actually trying to clean up." I laughed at Stars face, "Well, at least they are trying." Star came over and sat on Michael's lap, "Marko was so excited I think he's wearing a suit." I laughed and took a sip of my champagne.
Shortly I could hear them coming down the stairs Michael looked at me and whispered, "The storm has arrived." I laughed as the four of them filed into the kitchen. All of their clothes were clean and Marko's outfit had changed completely into slacks and a nice shirt with a jacket. David was without a coat and had on no gloves. I could see the shape of his entire body, and was not surprised to find how fit he was. He did have a tattoo on one arm, which I normally don't like but it seemed to add to his mystery. He caught me looking at him and smirked, "Like what you see, Sage?" I blushed and took another sip of my champagne. Everyone smiled and Lucy urged us all into the dining room. I sat right across from David. As I pulled my napkin out from under my silverware he whispered, "I know I like what I see." I blushed again looking up at him. I turned to Star, "Could I get some more champagne?" She nodded and refilled my glass. By the look on David's face, he meant what he had said. I bit my lip as I stared at him. "Gah, get a room, you two," Paul yelled from down the table." Lucy smacked him as she set down one of the bowls of salad, "hey! That hurt." He huffed as he put some onto his plate. He passed the bowl down the side of the table. Then she brought out the rest of the meal, filet Mignon and some bread in a basket and a potato dish. I was very impressed, "Wow, Lucy it all looks great!" She smiled sitting down, "I just hope it tastes as good as it looks." I smiled, I was prepared for them to say a prayer but instead Max just stood up and gave a toast, "To a new city full of hopes and dreams. To new friends and good meals." All the boys lowly chuckled at that last bit. I shrugged it off as we started eating.
My steak was even rarer than normal but I didn't say anything. After I had taken a few bites Max began to ask me questions. "So where are you from, Sage?" I took a sip of champagne, "Oh, just a small town outside Portland." He nodded, "We just came from Santa Carla." I nodded remembering what Marko had told me during the dance. I smiled, "I think it's wonderful that you adopted so many children on your own. I can only imagine how troublesome five boys and a girl might have been." He chuckled, "Well, lets just say I managed." Then the typical questions followed, how many siblings did I have? How were my parents coping with me being so far away? Did I like the area? Did I have any future plans? To that one I hesitated, "Well, actually there is this night decorator program opening up at the local college. I might try it." Star smiled, "like clothes, or houses?" I coughed, "Oh god no, I meant cakes." She nodded, "Oh." Paul chimed in, "Does that make any money?" I looked at him, "I don't know, I just thought it might be fun to get into more seriously." Sam spoke up, "Is that what that back building is for at your place?" I smiled and nodded, "Yeah actually. My therapist suggested I try something artistic to help cope with what happened…it seems to help." David looked up from enjoying his steak, "I'd love to see some of your work." I took a bite of salad, "Maybe."
After dinner we all went into the living room, drank some coffee and played a game of charades. Marko was hilarious and Dwayne was hard to read. David didn't play but he sure made fun of everyone while it was their turn. He went outside to smoke and motioned for me to follow him. We went to the back porch and sat on the swing. While he lit the cigarette I just stared up the sky, I love how you could see them out here. "So," he said between drags, "How do you like the family so far?" I turned towards him putting my arm up on the top of the bench, "You're all okay so far." He laughed, "Just okay, huh?" I nodded smirking a bit. I really wanted to just make out with him, I could imagine our bodies all over each other, but I held myself together and continued, "I mean, you seem like a normal family. Quirky but normal." Again he chuckled and took a drag and turned towards me. He leaned in staring deep into my eyes, "Well, that's good because we like you." I made a hmmm sound and good barely get out a, "that's good." He leaned back the other way and breathed deeply. I sighed, "So where did you live before Max adopted you?" He looked out at the field, "A place not unlike here. Nice open fields, old barns and houses. Not as friendly though…" he drifted off to another place, you could see it in his eyes. I touched his arm and he came back, "Lots of problems in that time of my life. It was a good thing Max came along. I'd probably be dead if he hadn't." I moved back to where both my feet could touch the floor, "Yeah, I understand." He shook his head but didn't say anything. He wrapped his hand around mine for a few minutes before standing up, "Well we should get back inside." I rolled my eyes, "Really, they better be done with that game." We both laughed and walked back inside.
Michael looked at us as we walked in, his eyes asked something but I couldn't tell what. Apparently he got his answer and looked back up at Lucy who was going her turn. I looked at my wristwatch, 1 am. I sighed, "It's been a lovely evening but I should be getting home. I have to work tomorrow." Max stood up and walked me to the door, "it was a pleasure having you Sage. Please stop be any time." I thanked him and left. The walk home seemed lonely, but small paws was waiting readily at the door for night time cuddles. I laughed and picked her up, as I locked the door I heard the bikes start up and ride off. I wondered where they were going this time of night. I took my new medicine and fell asleep shortly afterwards. Sleep was dreamless, or at least I just didn't remember them. -Bang-I shot up and threw the overs off the bed. –bang- The noise came from the window, which was opened. I felt a fear rise in my throat. I didn't open that last night, I never opened windows this time of year. I reached for my gun and walked over to it, I could see the sun coming up over the horizon. After locking it securely I made my way downstairs to check on the rest of the house. Nothing had been taken and no signs of any intruders. I sighed in relief, and made myself some breakfast.