Children of Sin

Chapter 34

May 31st, 1995.

"Mail's here," Leopold Arquette called as he walked into his home after a long day at work.

"Can you please leave it on the counter?" Larissa responded from her workroom, "I just need to clean up the acid."

"Why acid?" Leopold asked as he placed the groceries in the correct spots, "I thought we agreed not to work with weapons."

"I'm trying to improve the cauldron cleaning potions we have," Larissa said laughingly, "I'm glad you have so much faith in me."

"Sorry for the judgement," Leopold apologized, "what do you want for dinner?"

"Let's have fish," Larissa steps into the kitchen, "you answer the mail while I cook."

"Yes Ma'am," Leopold saluted his wife. Following her instructions, he began to sort through the mail. He put all the fan notes in one pile; Larissa liked to put them in albums. Any letters that were business oriented were glanced over; anything of interest was placed in a red folder. Personal letters, from family and friends, were placed in a pile, unopened and unread.

"No way," Leopold gasped as he read the name on one of the letters, "love, I think you need to read this." 

Larissa took the envelope out of her husband's hand and opened it. Slowly, the expressions on her face changed. The longer she read, the more distraught she became. 

"Whatever that letter was, it likely wasn't good," Lillian frowned at the mixed emotions on Larissa's face, "I hope that nothing else troubles them. They've finally achieved peace and security."

"Leanne," Larissa uttered, jade green eyes filling with tears, "she wrote to me. After all these years, she's reached out. She wants to catch up and introduce me to her new family. She also said she has things she must tell me for the safety of my family."

"How do you feel about that?" Leopold asked, soft eyes turning to his beloved wife, "she's ignored you for years. It's okay to feel disdain and not want to go. I'm happy to go give her a piece of my mind if it will make you happy."

"I want to go see her," Larissa said resolutely, a firm decision made, "she's still my sister. She was, what, fourteen or thirteen when I was disowned and chased around the country. Even if she wanted to, there was absolutely nothing that she could have done to help me anyhow. I want to hear what she has to say. Would you come with me Leo?"

"Of course," Leopold declared boldly, "as if I'd ever say no to you for something like this."

June 9th, 1995.

Leanne Yaxley nèe Greengrass sat anxiously in the coffeeshop, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her estranged older sister. Her husband and children were besides her. They had made the trip across the border to meet the family that their mother/wife had long pushed away in fear of her life.

"Seems like you started a family of your own," Antiope smiled gently at her young niece, "isn't that lovely, Leanne?

"I guess," a subdued Leanne Greengrass replied. She hadn't expected to have to face the consequences of her beliefs so soon. She had planned her life meticulously to a tee. Once she married someone who had the same beliefs as her, she would run away from her family and all the death they brought. How had things gotten so messed up?

"Bonjour," Larissa Arquette greeted her younger sister softly, "it's been many years, hasn't it Leanne?"

Larissa could hardly believe her eyes when she had spotted Leanne. The girl was no longer the pubescent girl she had been forced to say a, seemingly, forever goodbye to all those years ago. Instead, Leanne was a grown woman, a startlingly beautiful one at that. Leanne's wheat blonde hair was short and curled, her freckles were cleverly hidden with makeup, and her face had greatly matured. The only thing that remained consistent with Larissa's previous depiction of her sister were the eyes. Leanne's cornflower blues hadn't changed over all the years. They were still deceptively charming, yet for the first time, Larissa could see through them.