just_joshing (just_joshing) wrote in weddedto_sonora, @ 2008-07-30 00:10:00 |
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Current mood: | energetic |
Christmas Company
The twins might have been disgruntled as they walked towards the welcoming cottage, but the events they had planned for midterm was plenty enough to keep their spirits up. The fact that their parents were currently in Norway was kept in the back of their minds, only to be brought up when the topic was. Instead, their thoughts were on getting their trunks through that door and collapsing on the old patched couch. Renaye, Josh, and Irene all entered the house, taking in the comforting scent of home. Josh let his trunk drop with a loud thud, hoping to signal Elaina that they were back. It was nice being in the small cottage again. Though the return had a bittersweet feel to it, the bitterness would soon pass. It always did. Renaye set her trunk atop Josh's and gave him a grin that said, "I'm so glad we're not in Norway." Not two seconds later, the sound of Elaina's footsteps reached their ears. The seven-and-a-half-year-old girl appeared from the hallway, almost tripping over her pink pajama bottoms. Her brown eyes landed on the twins and a smile burst onto her face.
"Guess who's here!" She said, a statement that seemed like a curious greeting as she ran up to them. Josh's eyebrows met, a little confused. Hadn't he said right after Christmas when he told Laurie? Maybe he had miscommunicated something... Renaye rolled her eyes, smiling, and decided to play along with the game. She was sure this would end in the introduction to an imaginary friend.
"Who is it, Mona?" She asked, using her nickname. Renaye had never met anyone more obsessed with painting than her little sister. Elaina always carried a watercolor set and a disposable camera in her bag. She loved all that creative stuff. It was Renaye's prediction that her sister's paintings would be as famous as the Mona Lisa one day, thus, the name. Elaina grabbed the twins hands, pulling them into the kitchen. Renaye exchanged a quick glance with Josh, who was considering the impossible chance that Laurie had arrived today with a glimmer of excitement. Laina led them into the kitchen, her brown braids dancing over her shoulders. She gave a hop of excitement as she entered through the archway and held her hands out in a Ta-Da! fashion.
"Mom! Dad!" Renaye cried out as Josh stood beside her. Claera and William Warren were sitting at the kitchen table, hovering over the unraveled blueprints of the Nimbus 2001, examining its design to help with their own models. Their eldest children, however, stood by in utter confusion. Why were they here? Hadn't they said that they were staying in Norway? Josh was battling a mix of emotions. At first he was happy to see them, but all the same he felt a strange twinge of anger. So now they decided it was appropriate to show up? Where have they been for the last three Christmases? Renaye seemed to be struggling with the same thoughts. Finally, the blonde girl decided to speak.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" She said, with only the slightest falter. The two parents looked up and smiling broadly at their children.
"Surprise!" Dad said. "Sit down, sit down. I've missed you guys! Come catch up." The twins took the two open chairs, their expressions still shocked. "How's school? You two doing your own separate things?"
It was amazing how little they knew. Josh doubted that they even knew what house they were in. The first few years of Sonora were probably the most important in terms of parental-dependency. Those were pretty much gone now. At least Elaina had them now. Renaye sent Josh a disbelieving look and turned back to Mom and Dad, both of whom seemed to be glued on their words.
"No, actually we're making the effort to stick together. We're in the same house, so that--"
"Oh you're in the same house!" Mom exclaimed. "That's great!"
Josh sent a quick look over at his sister. Renaye's eyes, though their shape remained quite consistent, flashed. Her composure was calm, but her attitude was frozen.
"Yeah, Mom," she said in a sarcastically enthusiastic tone, "Do you remember what house that is, or should I help you with that? It's been three years, you might have forgotten..." Mom looked blankly back at them, at a loss for words. Dad gave a slight cough.
"Anyway..." Dad said awkwardly, "What we came here to talk to you guys about was... Well, we've arranged some stuff with work so it will take less effort. We won't have to be as attentive to it. What that means is, we're planning on moving back here with our kids."
"Oh, you mean us?" Renaye snapped, arms crossed. Dad's previously patient expression turned stony. He stood up with that "Dad" sort of air that made you shrink in your seat.
"Listen, Raye," he said, "Your mother and I know we were wrong to stay away for so long. We're trying to fix this so we can be a family in one house, rather than seperate countries. There has been a lot that we've missed and we don't plan on missing more. We've rearranged a lot with the store so we can be with our children. It's up to you whether or not you join us in the old house, but we're here now. That doesn't replace the past few years, but there's nothing we can do about that now. So are you going to drop the attitude, or are you going to stay this way through Christmas?"
Renaye's guilted silence was answer enough. Her arms had slipped from their entanglement and her green eyes fell down to the floor. Josh felt a stab of guilt at Dad's words. It wasn't like Renaye was the only one thinking the comments she had voiced. She wanted them to know how she felt about it, and she told them. Josh wanted them to know too, but now... now he just felt like his stomach was filled with how guilt.
Will looked over at Mom and said, "Want to hit the ice cream shop?" Claera sighed, but nevertheless stood, making her way to the back door. As the two reached it, they turned.
"You three coming, or what?" Mom said with a small smile. Renaye, eyes still to the floor, nodded, a slight smile brewing on her lips.