Before the Ever Green (BTEG #1) ✔️

Chapter 34

I hear footsteps from inside the house, and I don't know what to expect. I can hear several locks being unlocked, and then I see the door handle giggle a little before a woman appears in the opening, "Can I help you?" she asks in a sweet voice, that tells me she genuinely wants to help.

Then, I realize I don't know my grandfathers first name, "Does Mr. Ember live here?"

"Yes," she looks confused, "But he hasn't come out in years. How do you know him?"

I take a deep breathe, "I'm his grand-daughter." She has a look on her face in which I can't put a name to, "We're actually all his grandchildren."

"I see," She has hesitantly, "Come in."

"Thank you," I say, as we all walk in to the house. It is really nice on the inside. To the left of us is a a living room with a fire place. To the right is a wall and in front is a hallway leading to a kitchen on the left, and another living room on the right, with a stair case, leading up to the bedroom, I guess. The living room to the left of us connects to the kitchen by a swinging door.

The lady that greeted us, gestures for us to sit in the living room with the fireplace, while she goes to get Mr. Ember, I guess. I really wish I knew his first name.

I can't believe I am going to meet my grandfather.

I am going to meet my grandfather. I really can't believe what I see, when a man with grey hair walks in with a cane to help hold him up. He has green eyes, and is kind of short. He has wrinkles along his forehead, but not really anywhere else. He looks like an average man.

He sits in a maroon chair, by the fire place, and looks at the 3 of us sitting on the couch. The woman comes in, and brings us a tray of cookies, "Thank you," I say, and Brit grabs one.

The man is still looking at us.

"Hi." I finally pull my self to say, and it's awkward, because I really know nothing about this man, and he is just sitting and looking.

"Hi." He says back, "So. You think you're my grandchildren?"

"Yes, sir." It comes out kind of shaky, which is not a good first impression. He gives a small smile, "We think this, because of some journals and photo books. You and your wife had 2 children, Amelia and Derek?"

"Yes. We did." He starts, "But they both left,"

"According to Amelia's journal, you sold her to the new leaders, sir. So, I guess she left, but because of you."

"Is that what you read?"

"Yes, sir." Brit pipes in, "It is. And I trust my mothers word."

He grins, "Oh, so she's your mother."

"Our mother," Jaeger announces, "Brit and I and our little sister, Hena."

His emotion completely changes when Jaeger says Hena, and I must have confused look on my face, because he explains, "Hena was my wifes name." My Grandmothers name was Hena?

"Oh." Brit says, "I'm sorry to bring it up,"

"It okay. Now, why are you here?"

"To talk to you," I say

"Yes, I know that. But to talk to me about what?" He's acting like he's a busy person, but the lady told us he hasn't left the house in years.

"Your wife, Hena, had powers, correct?"

He takes a deep breathe, and lifts his head a little, "Yes, why?"

"All of us have powers, too. We were wondering if you knew anything about it. We really don't want to be a bother, but we want to know something about ourselves, and our gifts."

He clears his throat, "You know, I spent my whole life wondering if either of my kids had children. I spend all that time wondering if I had grandchildren. But, no one ever visited me. And now, you are, but you only come, because you need something,"

"I'm sorry, but my father died before I was born, and Amelia left her life behind, because you sold her. My father couldn't tell me about you, and Amelia had good reason to not have contact with you."

"Did you ever wonder," He starts. "Did you ever wonder what your grandparents would be like?"

"Yes...I did. And, I wondered what my father was like. I wondered a lot of things, being as how I grew up. I don't even know my own power, being as both my parents had powers. That's why I am doing this. I need to know my history, and you are part of that. I—we need your help. Please."

"I never asked Hena about her powers. I never cared. I loved her for her, not her powers, so I thought it best not to ask. When we had Derek and Amelia, we both thought they were normal, but...they turned out to have her powers. I guess I was a little upset by it, but tried to let it go. When the new rulers offered to have Amelia marry Davis, I thought there would be no harm. Now, I wish I could tell you about your powers, but I really know nothing. But, I might be able to help. Rosalita!" He called, and the woman that greeted us comes into view, "Can you go to the red room, and grab me the book off the table...and the necklaces, please."

She nods, and goes to the red room, coming back with 4 necklaces and a brown leather book. It looks old and worn, it has small tears. "This was my wife's, she called it her magic book. I'm not sure why, I never looked in it, but you may keep it, if you wish."

"Thank you, but I have one more question," I say, and he nods, "What do we call you? Being as you are our grandfather."

He looks like he's thinking it over in his head, "How about Granddad?"

"What ever you say, Granddad," Brit says, I laugh a little.

Rosalita hands us the book and the necklaces, "What are the necklaces for?" I ask, and he clears his throat, "My wife had them made, and I never knew why, there are 4 of you, so why not?"

I get up and give him a hug, "Thank you. We'll come back and visit. Promise."

"Okay, what are your names, again? I'm sorry."

"No problem...Jaeger, Brit, I'm Addilyn, and Hena is 2 with blonde hair. She's with my mom."

"Okay, good to meet you all, finally."

Brit takes the book, and we all head out. He seemed really nice. I am kind of sad I didn't get to know him sooner. He would have been cool to know when I was in elementary school, and early high school.

We get back to the house, and find Mom and Hena still asleep, so we go up to my room, so we don't wake them. I pull 3 seats up to my desk, and we open the book.

It's another family book.

Hena, my grandmother, had a sister. "I guess we are looking for Allison Gold." I say

"I guess we are," Jaeger says

"Fun." I responded.

"Another adventure," Brit says

She was right, it would be an adventure. A huge adventure. Won't it be fun?