Duke didn't know why Nathan had called him. He just knew that Nathan had called him. As he was driving his truck, he also wondered why Nathan couldn't have just said what was so important over the phone. When he arrived at the station, though, he did not expect what he saw.
"Prue, is that you? I haven't seen you for years!" Duke exclaimed on seeing the raven-haired woman. "This must be your daughter. Interesting eyes, I must say. Wouldn't have expected blue."
Prue looked intently at the businessman. "My mother had blue eyes. So, I carried the gene."
"What about the father?"
Prue grinned. "That, my dear Duke, is what you are to find out. The only rule is no DNA test."
"Prue said that Hazel's father's family was Troubled. So if Hazel's Trouble activates, we should know," Nathan put in.
"Oh, and Duke, I'm leaving Hazel with you. I'm sure you'll be more than happy to accommodate her on your boat." Prue smiled sweetly. "Well, I must be off. I work for a transit company in Washington State. Very busy this time of year." With that, Prue got up and left.
Duke turned to Nathan. "Okay, what just happened? And why do I have to take care of this, this thing over here?"
Nathan sighed. "Prue said that we might find her useful. And she specifically stated that you were to take care of Hazel. There's quite a few forms to sign."
Duke was furious. "Why can't you take care of her? I have a business, you know! Two, in fact."
Nathan sighed. "Prue said to mention baking and sending you banana bread if you didn't do it. I don't know why, though."
Duke paled at the mention of bananas. "I'll do it. But what about school, and medical care? Not to mention finding her father. Why no DNA test?"
"Prue said she wanted to challenge you and that you might want to deny the truth, if was a test."
"Great. Just what I need, a teenager."
Well, Duke thought, might as well get to know my new charge. Even if I don't want it.
"How do you know my mom, Longshanks?" Hazel asked.
Duke turned to study the teenager. She was tall and thin, and had the same dark hair as her mother, which just brushed her shoulders. Her eyes were a bright blue, unlike anything he had seen before. She had a slim yet long nose, and her chin had a cleft in the middle.
"Well?" Duke realized he'd been staring.
"High school. We met and hooked up for a couple years. You look just like she did, back then." Beautiful, Duke thought to himself. "And my name isn't Longshanks." Hazel just shrugged and put her ear buds. "Not my problem," she retorted, leaning against the wall.
Author's note
Hey, this is my first fanficton on here, and I would really appreciate it if you would leave a review! Thanks for reading!