Professional Disaster

Chapter 17

"I can't believe I get to see my family on my birthday!" Arabella jumped up and down in excitement. A little while ago Kimberly mentioned having her side of the family visit the island so that she could see them on her birthday. It was the one thing she had asked for. So after a very awkward phone call back home, they devised a plan that Grace would sort everyone's tickets and Kimberly would transfer the money to pay.

"Pa is waiting at the dock to let them in, they'll be here any minute now." Kimberly was also excited, but she was even more excited to see her Daughter have fun on her birthday.

It was 6 AM. Usually, Arabella would throw all of her bed pillows at you before if you even attempted to wake her up before 10 AM on a weekend, but it was her birthday, and her family were coming around. Family meaning the whole family they've created over the years, as well as her grandparents from both sides and her aunt and uncles. She had to get ready for her big day, as did her family, so an early morning it was.

Ari ran a brush through her long hair before throwing it up into a ponytail, slipping into her slippers and rushing off out of her room. She repeatedly banged on her Brother's bedroom door to wake him. "Jay! Jenkin! Our family are coming!" Then she finally rushed off down the stairs.

Kimberly stood in the hallway with a shocked expression on her face. Arabella never seemed this excited when her family came to visit. Maybe it was the excitement of her sixteenth birthday all blending together.

Jenkin ripped his bedroom door open, standing in the doorway with a sulk on his face he turned to his Mother. "Why."

*****

"How much longer will they be? I'm regretting waking up so early." Bella grumbled.

Jenkin's head shot around to his Sister with a glare. "You don't say."

"Hey, it's not my fault. I was excited." She huffed, a small strand of hair flying up and then back down again with each breath she took.

"Jay! Help me with the cases, please." Robert's voice could be heard from the front entrance. Jenkin hopped up from his seat in the kitchen where his Mother had just finished making breakfast and rushed off to help his Father with his family's suitcases.

Cases upon cases piled into the living room. Arabella rushed of into the sitting room to greet her family, her mother following tiredly behind her. "I'm so happy you're here!" Ari squealed and practically jumped at Grace.

"She's more excited to see us than you are." Grace laughed and squeezed her niece tight.

Arabella continued to go around giving her family tight hugs as they entered the Mitchell home. When she saw her Grandmother she was quick to tuck herself into her arms. Katherine whispered in her ear. "I've got your gifts in my case. Once everyone's settled you can have them."

Arabella squealed. "Thank you, Oma."

Kimberly watched with a smile. Grace and Caiden stacked the cases besides the stairs as Jenkin and Robert passed them inside. A loud bang caused Kim to roll her eyes. She didn't even want to know what the commotion was yet.

"Move." Her husband's voice came from the hall. He came into the living room holding one last case. He tossed it at his brother before taking Kimberly by the shoulders and dragging her towards the kitchen entrance. "Did you know?"

"Did I know what?" Kimberly asked confused.

"That P-"

"Hi, Kim." She froze. She didn't look. She couldn't look.

She had seconds to decipher a plan. Seconds to make it look like all was fine. Kimberly finally spun around. Her heart fell the her ass. Her suspicions confirmed. "What're you doing here?"