TILL WE MEET AGAIN

Chapter 3

Ellie

We drive through the hotel gates and park in the designated parking lot. My dad says a short prayer thanking God for the safety of our journey and hops out of the car, I do the same and follow him to the reception.

A lady dressed in a navy blue uniform approaches us and I figure she works here. While she and my dad hold up a conversation, I take the chance to look around. This place is so luxurious and spacious. A couple walks in and is immediately attended to by another lady dressed in the same uniform as the one talking to my dad. Am I going to stay here? But then, where are my cousins?

"Come on, let's go find your cousins,"my dad interrupts my thoughts . I think I was staring too much.

" The guest house your family will be accommodating, Mr. Claine," the lady informs my dad. "is a separate part of the hotel for the guests who would like a bit more privacy. It is a the next house after the hotel."I hear my dad mummer a thank you.

We get back into the car and it takes us ten minutes before a two story guest house comes into view. We get out of the car.

I walk past my dad and approach the house. The closer I get, the bigger it looks. I am half way through the driveway when someone opens the door. My cousin Trent comes out. He grins at me but then leans back through the doorway and shouts," Hey guys, Ellie is here."

He then breaks into a run and the next thing I know, he has scooped me off the ground into a really tight hug like I am some five year old.

I love this guy. No kidding. I really do. He is the big brother I never had. The big brother I have always wanted. He might give off an intimidating aura just because he is really tall and all built up but he is actually really charming.

"Dude you are killing me. I can't breathe," I choke out as I shove against his chest. He chuckles but releases me. I scrutinize him.

"You have gotten bigger and taller," I comment. "What's Aunt Mandie been feeding you?" His mum is a chef. She cooks food like it's made in heaven. He grins but doesn't answer my question.

"You missed my nineteenth birthday," he accuses.

"Come on, you know I had midterms," I remind him. He rolls his eyes. He walks past me when my dad comes up behind us.

"Uncle J!" He exclaims. My dad is Joel Claine but since I was born, everyone seems to call him J.They exchange a handshake hug.

"Son, are you eating height boosters?"  My dad wonders. Trent laughs off.
The rest of their conversation is drowned by the sound of Marissa screaming my name. Marissa is the second of Uncle Mark's kids. She comes after Trent and before the twins and Amber.

"Girl, I missed you," she chirps, embracing me.

"I missed you too," I tell her and I mean it. She's the most amazing sister ever. Don't get me wrong, I love London and Paris they are great but with the age gap, they are not the kind of sisters I can sit with to talk about boys or makeup or anything.

"Trust me, you are going to love this place!" She exclaims excitedly.
Uncle Mark interrupts us before i can respond.

"Look who we have here," he announces. "If it is not my favorite girl in the world." With that said, he hugs me.

"Way to go dad," Marissa complains beside me.

"Come on sweetie, I see you everyday. Allow me to miss Ellie." He defends himself. She scoffs but a smile curves at the corner of her lips before they both walk away to greet my dad. Marissa returns almost immediately. I notice that I haven't seen Lucas and Logan yet.

"Where are the twins?" I turn to ask Marissa, curious. They are not very outgoing, like all they need is each other.

"Sleeping," is all she says. " I don't blame them because my gosh those beds are so big and so soft." Excitement is starting to build up in me.

"Come on, I will show you around." She chirps. I linked my arm with hers. We walk to the house but halt into a stop when a car comes through the driveway and pulls over. Aunt Medrine emerges from the car and I can tell that she is happy to see us. She hugs me first. I can smell her soothing perfume. She is so pretty I start to consider that she just walked out of a magazine.

"I am so happy to have you here," she chirps. I smile in gratitude.

"Isn't this place too big for five teenagers?" My dad questions.

"No it's not for five teenagers. It's for eight teenagers," she corrects.

"Ross has two nephews and a niece who are coming tomorrow," she explains when we all look confused.

"Oh," she turns to Trent," One of Ross' nephews is your age. I think you two will get along."

"Sweet!" Trent smirks.

Marissa and Trent show me around. The guest house has five bedrooms, two on the first floor and three on the second floor but we will only occupy the first second floor.  Each of  bedrooms is big enough to carry five king-size beds.

The first floor also has a large and very tidy kitchen, a dinning room with hardwood rectangle table, a living room with two large white sofas, a recliner in one corner, a coffee table at the center, a tiny organized bookshelf, a 55 inch television and of course a fire place.

Below is neat a basement, that surprised me and a relatively small swimming pool in the backyard.

After i am showed around, we order lunch and eat together before dad, Uncle Mark and Aunt Medrine leave.
Aunt Medrine's house is just a ten minute drive from the guest house.

We gather in front of the house to say our goodbyes. Aunt Medrine leaves first. Suddenly, Uncle Mark looks at Trent with a serious expression on his face.

"I am leaving my SUV here in case you kids need to go somewhere and am leaving you in charge, Trent," he lectures," if anything happens to my car..."

"You will end me," Trent finishes, raising his hands up in the air. "I know dad."

"Exactly!" Uncle Mark emphasizes." Now you kids take care."
He heads to my dad's car and they wave at us before driving off.

This is going to be the best summer holiday ever.