Area 51: The Final Straw (4)

Chapter 7 - Lunch

When we got downstairs, dad saved a seat next to him and next to Maristela. Mari and Izar motioned him to sit between them. He did so, which made me smile. I noticed that mom looked sad next to dad. The rotating dish came back out, and it had a Chinese type buffet! I licked my lips as I passed out the plates to those near as I began to serve myself with plenty of food. Mom got up with a soft 'excuse me' as she left. Now I'm really confused.

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We ate in silence, which is the first time I've had that. Everyone else felt too awkward to talk, but Artemis was talking to a silent Areg and Alba. It was the only sound.

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"Bulan, what is up? It's a problem if only Artemis is talking," Aurora said, the only one brave enough to speak. Dad sighed softly.

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"We have a guest over, and this is a discussion between those who live here," dad said. Dawn frowned slightly.

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"I can call my dad to pick me up. I don't want to intrude if it's important," Dawn said.

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"Only if you're okay with that, baby," dad said. I knew it was bad. I almost wanted to prolong the good in the day so that bad doesn't get to me. Alas.

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"It's fine with me. We can hang out another time," I said. Dawn nodded as she went to text her dad. The rest of lunch was silent. Not even Artemis talked. It scared me.

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When we finished eating, Dawn went back home and we all went to the living room. This is the first ever time I've seen my dad nervous. I felt myself pant as everyone gave their attention to him.

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"So, we all know Starla is adopted and we are sheltering Altan here with us," dad started. Everyone agreed.

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"Well, Carina Stjerne and Cyra Akgün are suing us. For the custody of Starla and Altan," he explained. The room went silent. Everyone's hands were on their mouths, except for Maristela and Izar. They already knew. Artemis was too young and didn't understand the impact this had. I heard Altan pant beside me. Aurora breathed softly.

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"Fortunately, we happen to have the best lawyer with us," she said as she punched Elrond's cheeks. Right, he's a lawyer! Everyone looked to him. He was startled at the attention.

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"R-Right. I'll get on the case right away," he said. Now I know why mom was so sad. Dad tells me that she was the happiest to adopt me. It must've hurt her so badly. Everyone felt a little better to have a lawyer with the determination to save us.

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"You're okay, Altan baby," Maristela said, hugging him tightly. She was always lovey towards Altan, and recently became really motherly. Izar teaches him a lot of things and is fatherly as well.

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Maristela entered the house with her shades down and a faux fur scarf. She lifted her shades as she stared at us. I smiled brightly. Our first real guest!

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"Hello! My name is Starla Moon and I'm so excited to meet you! This is my boyfriend Altan!" I said, dragging him in. Maristela gasped softly while putting her scarf in a butler's arms.

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"Why, hello, sweet baby! How handsome you are!" she said as she pinched his cheeks and kissed his head. He is very kissable! She then did the same to me, making me laugh. Altan blushed, since he was a little startled at the motion. Ever since then, she treated him like hers. Izar treated him like his. Altan was so shaky in her arms. I felt myself shake too, prompting me to hug dad.

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"I'm here, baby," he whispered. I nodded in his chest.

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"Our court day is in five days. Elrond, your rent is excused for what you're doing for us," dad said. Elrond nodded as we all dispersed. Altan and I went back to our room, and he was still shaky. We hugged each other.

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"I'm scared," he murmured in my ear. I rubbed his tears away with my thumb.

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"Me too," I replied. We kissed each other. I didn't want to lose this, all that I worked so hard for. We held the kiss. It felt like the only good thing we had currently. A gentle kiss from our lover. When our lips let go, he sobbed in my chest. I have never seen him cry so hard. I never had trauma from my mom, except having my uncles and aunts hurt. In his case, the determination of him having to go back to being abused verbally, mentally, and physically lies in the hands of Elrond. It must be a lot to take in for him. I hugged him and kissed him, whispering assurance as he wept.

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"Altan, we have been through so much together. I love you so much," I whispered.

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When he finished, I gave him a tissue and did not judge him one bit. His honesty and ability to show me himself made me swoon all the harder. He wiped his eyes as I turned on the LEDs and laid in bed. We held each other close. Closer than ever that night. Five days until the trial. Five days until stars know what will happen. I kissed Altan.

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"It'll be over soon," I said. We kissed again. Hopefully.

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