Disclaimer: Jurassic World and the Jurassic Park franchise are the property of Universal Studios, Michael Crichton, Steven Spielberg and Colin Trevorrow. I own nothing from this story aside from the plot.
Authors note: Greetings readers! First off, I'd like to thank everyone for the great response to the first chapter, thanks especially to Invader Johnny for the review. Now onto the next chapter where we have our first interaction between Zara and the boys here. As always, Comments and constructive criticism are appreciated, always looking for ways to improve as a writer. This story is self-proofread so apologies if there are any mistakes.
The next morning, they were both having breakfast in the hotel, the breakfast lounge bustling with life as it usually did with the sound of silverware clattering and idle chatter from the parks guests. At their table, Zara was busy tucking into a plate of eggs and sausages while Claire was sipping some coffee, a simple cinnamon roll on her plate.
"So, I've printed out an itinerary for the boys activities today." Claire said, pulling out a list from her briefcase and handing it to Zara, who examines it, slightly shocked at how detailed it was, planned down to the second.
"Then I take it you'll be joining us?" Zara said, noting that something this detailed meant Claire was going to be there.
"Well, yes and no." She replied, a little reluctantly, chewing on her bottom lip.
"Claire, what are you not telling me?" Zara said, brows furrowed in confusion.
"Umm, well I'll be at The Innovation Center to greet the boys, but I won't be with them at the park, something came up."
Hearing this, all Zara could do was cover her face in her hands and groan then she said "Really, who is it this time?"
"It's Mr. Masrani, he wants to come down and see how the Indominus is doing."
"But Claire, you promised!"
"I know what I said alright, but…."
"But what?"
"This is the first time he's checking on the Indominus and I need to be there to make sure everything goes smoothly. After that I'll be free for the whole week."
"The whole week?" she asks, eyebrow raised questioningly, doubt shadowing her face.
"Yes."
"Then, here's your itinerary back, I won't be needing it." She says, handing Claire the piece of paper.
"But, how will I know where you guys are going to be, where you're going to go?"
Zara held up a hand in a calming gesture, "Claire, relax. I can handle this, it'll be fine".
"But what if something happens? Like a dinosaur escapes its paddock or a power outage or…" Claire flusters out, panicking at the thought of something terrible happening.
"Claire, calm down. I've read the employee handbook, I know all of the parks safety protocols by heart in case of an emergency and besides, we have one of the best safety records on the planet, what's the worst that could happen?"
Later, Zara was found near the docks, anxious to see Claire's nephews. The kids, Gray mostly were excited when they called that they were almost at the docks, ready to meet their Aunt Claire and Zara and spend a weekend in the park.
Aunt Zara, she turned that word over and over in her head. The kids took a liking to her the second Claire introduced her to her sister's family all those years ago, Zach was eager to ask about any details on what it was like to work at the park . Then came the multiple Christmases with the family she attended and the Aunt label stuck.
She was broken out of her reverie, a little ball of energy came running from the boat, screaming,
"Aunt Zara!"
She bends down to catch him in her arms, twirling him around before setting him down and ruffle his hair before remarking,
"Gray, it's been such a long time! Look at how much you've grown!"
"Nice to see you again Aunt Zara!" his smile is infectious and she smiles back at him to then ask,
"Where's your brother, I thought he'd be…"
"Hi, Aunt Zara." standing a little awkwardly behind him is none other than Zach, the older brother. Zara rushes forward to hug him but he squirms in her hold, grumbling,
"C'mon Aunt Zara, people are staring."
"Zach, is that any way to talk to your Aunt that you haven't seen since last year?"
He finally relents and hugs her back, muttering a reluctant,
"I'm sorry."
"Good, now come on, you both must be dreadfully tired. Let's get to the monorail so we can get you to your hotel-"
"Where's Aunt Claire?" Gray asks, wondering where she would be, clearly expecting her to be there.
The pit of her stomach drops, she dreaded one of them would ask that ever since this morning when Claire asked her to go alone, due to that meeting with the Verizon execs.
She kneels down to face him and try to find a way to explain to him, but before she can say anything, Gray depressingly says,
"She's not here is she?"
"No, no she's not, but she will meet us later at the visitor center." she replies in the best way she can.
"But she'll be with us in the park later, right?"
"Definitely, she will." she knew it was a lie, but she had to reassure him, Claire could explain it to them later.
She can still see he's a little bit depressed, but luckily you know exactly what to do to cheer him back up.
"Hey, Gray. Do you know what the most dangerous dinosaur we have here is?"
He shook his head "No."
"It's the Ticklesaurus!"
Her hands rush to his sides, beginning a merciless tickle assault on him that bring him to tears laughing, she can sense Zach rolling his eyes at the old trick but it works and that's what matters. She stops after a while, ruffling his hair as he's still giggling.
"There, feel better?"
He nods in response.
She stands back up, taking Gray's hand and leads them both to the monorail station "Alright then, let's go, don't want to miss the monorail."