Crossing Borders

The Matthews

The car came to a stop in front of a mansion.

"We're here princess." Mr. Matthews says before stepping out of the car and reached in for her, "C'mon."

"What if they don't like me?" Astrid asks.

"Well, that's their problem." Mr. Matthews grins. "They don't know what they're missing."

Astrid grins, taking his hand before stepping out of the car.

"Looks like father haven't arrived." Mrs. Matthews says reaching for Astrid's hand, "Let's go princess." She says and they run up the front steps leaving her husband behind.

"Hey, wait for me!" Mr. Matthews calls out with a laugh and ran after them.

When they were inside, they were welcomed by a man dressed in a suit.

"Good evening Master Ash, Mistress Julia." he greets with a bow, "May I take your coats?"

"Hello Albert." Mr. Matthews greets, as the man helped him out of his coat putting it over his arm and moved to Mrs. Matthews helping her out of her coat as well.

Mr. Matthews eyes were still on Astrid who stood in the middle of the main hall looking around.

"Thank you Albert," Mrs. Matthews says, before kneeling beside Astrid, "What do you think?"

"You have a very big house." Astrid says, in awe.

"You mean we have a very big home." Mr. Matthews corrected, Astrid grins and turned to Albert.

"Hello." she greeted. "I'm Astrid."

"Good evening Miss Astrid, delighted to finally meet you." Albert says and bowed, "I am Albert, the butler."

"Hello, Albert the butler." Astrid giggles.

"Albert will do, young miss."

"And Astrid will do too." she says with a big smile.

"Well, I don't think that is proper, young miss."

Astrid gave him a questioned look, "Why not?"

Albert glanced at Mr. Matthews who knelt in front of Astrid.

"It's a custom here." he explains. "Like back in the orphanage you don't call Mrs. Jefferson by her first name do you?"

"That's because she's older." Astrid pointed out, "Should I call him Mr. Butler?"

The Matthews and their butler laughs.

"Well, she'll surely pass as your child." Albert says, "Anyway, young miss, I have fixed your room and prepared your bath."

"A bath in the middle of the day?" she frowns.

"Yes." Albert nods, "Your guests will be arriving soon, you don't want to smell in your own party, do you?"

Astrid's jaw dropped, "I'm having a party?"

"Of course sweetheart," Mrs. Matthews says, "we'll be introducing you the family."

"Now, come, Miss Astrid, let's get you ready." Albert reached out his hand.

"Go on princess." Mr. Matthews says. "After we clean up, we'll pick you up."

"Ok." Astrid took Albert's hand and he led her up the stairs and into her room.

Ten minutes later, Astrid was splashing in the tub when Albert stood by her bathroom with a towel over his arm.