STORM - (Intersex)

CHAPTER 22

TYLER

It's Friday—the day we were supposed to send the money. Patrick called on Thursday and told us not to bother, saying it had been "sorted." He didn't elaborate, and we didn't ask any more questions. Instead, we decided to shift focus. After weeks of me asking, Clara finally agreed to let us meet her grandparents.

We're in the car now, heading to their home, right after work. I stare out the window, watching the landscape change. Trees surround us, thickening as we drive deeper into a remote area. There are barely any houses, but the ones we pass are massive. Clara's been quiet the whole ride, focused entirely on driving, her grip on the wheel tight.

We take a right turn, arriving at large black gates with a gold "C" engraved in the middle. The house itself is hidden from view, but when Clara types in a code and the gates swing open, we drive inside. Trees line the driveway all the way to the house, their leaves rustling in the breeze. When we finally pull up, I gape at the sight in front of me—a black mansion, grand and imposing, with wide steps leading to the enormous front door, another gold "C" gleaming on its surface.

Clara gets out and walks up the steps, knocking on the door. A few moments later, it opens, revealing a woman who looks like an older version of Clara. Her eyes widen in surprise, but that look is quickly replaced by pure affection as she pulls Clara into a tight hug.

Clara laughs softly, clearly relieved by the warm reception. Eli, perched on my hip, stares at the scene with wide, curious eyes, and I can't help but feel the same. The woman is striking—no grey hair, only slight wrinkles, and her features so similar to Clara's. She has the same deep black hair and piercing blue eyes, and her posture exudes an air of mystery, much like Morticia's. She's dressed in all black—a blouse, trousers, and heels—further enhancing her elegant, almost ethereal presence.

Once she's done hugging Clara, the woman turns her attention to me and Eli, her smile soft but intrigued.

"Clara, who are these beautiful people?" she asks, her voice warm yet commanding.

Clara chuckles lightly, stepping aside to introduce us. She kisses me on the cheek and gestures toward me and Eli. "This is my girlfriend, Tyler, and our son, Elijah."

The woman's smile widens as she takes us in, her gaze lingering on Eli. I can tell she's already in love with him, and it's a strange yet comforting feeling to know that we're about to step into another layer of Clara's world.

The woman, who I assume is Clara's grandmother, widens her eyes in delight before pulling us both into a warm embrace. Then, without hesitation, she scoops up Eli, holding him tightly. Eli lets out a loud, happy laugh, his little face lighting up as he flashes his two small teeth.

The woman looks at me with a gentle smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Theodora, but you can call me Thea," she says warmly, leaning in to kiss my cheek. There's a graceful yet approachable aura about her that immediately puts me at ease. We follow her inside and walk toward the living room, which is large, filled with antique furniture, old paintings, and a striking contrast—a huge flatscreen TV mounted on the wall. The room feels like a perfect blend of history and modernity.

On one of the brown leather sofas, a man sits, and as soon as we walk in, he stands up. I can tell right away that this must be Clara's grandfather—the same grey eyes, the same gentle authority in his presence. I glance at Clara, and to my surprise, she's on the verge of tears. She doesn't hesitate, running into his arms and holding him tightly. He chuckles softly, wrapping her in a loving embrace. It's clear how much this moment means to her.

He's tall, as tall as me, with dark brown hair streaked with grey, and a neatly trimmed beard. His relaxed attire—a black hoodie and sweats—suggests he was probably outside before we arrived. His eyes soon find me, and then they land on Eli. Eli, without missing a beat, wiggles out of my arms and runs straight to his grandfather, as if they've known each other forever.