RIVER VALLEYS PAST

Chapter 11

Plopping down in her office chair, Rita released a heavy sigh of relief. Her body slowly relaxing, trying to enjoy the cold air escaping the air conditioning unit on the other side of the room. Her gaze drifting over to the photo sitting on her desk. A smile slowly grazed her thin nude lips. The photo reminded her of the good old days, days she held dare, days she wish she could relive and replayfor the rest of her life.

But sadly she was out of luck, all of it was gone. The moment her eyes fluttered close, her body twitched as the atmosphere around her shifted. It wasn't dangerous, nor was it good. It was something she's sense before. That was the moment reality hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Oh my god.....Their back" she quavered, pushing herself up from the comfort of her office chair. They were here. They were actually here. The door to her office burst open, she squealed thinking it was them. But to her surprise it was a her father, Samuel. His heaving chest and worried gaze only confirmed her suspicions. They were actually here.

The question was WHY?

Why were they here?

What could possibly be the problem?

"We're home" they're voice's echoed throughout the room, riding the wind as it traveled through the air. In one swift move she was out her chair and out the door. Her father hot on her tail. The moment they descended the stairs, where two women looked to be in their early thirties stood proud, with mist black curls cascading down their backs in heavy waves, making their light blue eyes pop.

"There she is.... my second favorite sister" Bailey grinned, showing off her pearly whites. Her thick British accent was definitely something new.

"Daddykins" Riley exclaimed, clasping her hands. Samuel sighed, a smile grazing his thin lips as he shock his head.

"Thirty-four and your still calling me that" he joked, pulling her into his warm embrace. Riley and Bailey were the youngest of the Prince sisters. Being that they were twins, they were always together, they were the babies of the family no matter the age.

"Do I not get a hug too daddy" Bailey pouts, gazing up at her father. Rita simply shook her head at their childish behavior.

"Where are my beautiful grandkids" Samuel asked, glancing around the room in hopes to catch a glimpse of them, after pulling from the twins bone crushing hug.

"In the garden, spying on the neighbors" Bailey scoffed, turning to face Rita with an unreadable expression. This made Rita uneasy. "So.." she began, the tension in the room slowly raising, Rita gulped, awaiting what she had to say. "Finally got that moustache shaved, I'm impressed" she joked lighting the mood. Rita released a sigh of relief, letting a light chuckle slip pass her lips.

"I told you the bitch would fall on her ass" Becky chuckled, strolling into the room with her cousins hot on her trail, laughing at her words.

"Language!!!!" Bailey warned, glaring down at her. Becky held up her hands in surrender.

"Grandpapi" Milly exclaimed, running into Samuels awaiting arms. Her arms clasped around his neck as he twirled her. "Its been forever" she said as he placed her on her own two feet. Her younger brother Alex scoffed.

"Why don't we catch up like old times, I could make moms favorite" Bailey said a wide grin, leading the way to the kitchen. Rita was quick to follow suit.

"I'd love to join, but I have some things to take care of, we'll catch up later" Samuel said, not waiting for any response as he left the room. Riley glanced over her shoulder at him in suspicion, her gaze narrowing at his retreating figure.

"So how's everything" Bailey asked, scanning through the cupboards. Rita stood by the island watching her sister turn her kitchen upside down. "I know it's been forever since we last spoke, but I'm interested in getting everything back to normal, while we can-" Bailey paused, realizing her slip up. Rita's left brow shut up. "I mean.... its been so long-"

"What do you mean 'while we can'?" Rita questioned, her voice barely above a whisper. She knew all her sisters well enough to know that they all left to keep their family safe. Meaning just like the twins, these kids don't know about the supernatural world. They don't know anything about the world their parents hides from them.

Bailey scoffed, trying to cover up how uncomfortable she felt with a flickering grin.

"Answer me Bailey!" Rita all but yelled at her confused sister as she stood as still as a statue. Bailey glanced over Rita's shoulder to see Riley strolling in with a look only she understood. "Bailey!!" Rita exclaimed, pulling her attention away from Riley. This caught the attention of the kids sitting around the kitchen table laughing.

"Rita that's enough!" Riley exclaimed, grabbing her full attention, Rita turned to see Riley standing behind her, scolding her. "You know that is not how this works" Riley hissed.

"There is no rules to any of this" Rita hissed back, "You can't decide what we can an can't know, that's not how your gift works. I deserve to know what's going on, this is my town, my people, my responsibility" Riley stared back at her with a blank expression, taking in her every word, bit by bit. "I deserve to know what's coming" Bailey glanced between the two in anticipation, waiting for Riley's response. She knew to keep her mouth shut, and even though she wasn't good at keeping secrets, she always tried her best.

"Really, and why do you think somethings coming" Riley sassed, folding her arms just beneath her pulp breast. Rita shock her head, letting out a dry chuckle.

"Because Riley-" she paused, taking a dangerous step closer to her sister. "Everytime you visit, something bad is always around the corner, and believe me, this time I will find out what it is, I'm not losing anyone else because of you"