Coming Home

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

With a start, Maggie woke up. Someone was gently shaking her shoulders, but she was too confused at first, to know what was going on.

"Maggie, we are about to land. You need to get ready to leave the plane." As soon as she heard those words, the past few hours came rushing back. The yelling, the kicking, and the anger she had felt. All of those feelings and emotions came rushing back to her.

She sleepily rubbed her eyes, as she took in her surroundings. They were still sitting in the plane, but when she looked out of the tiny windows, she saw that they had arrived at a tiny airport and were about ready to land.

As soon as they landed, Luke grabbed her bag, and her hand, and started pulling her towards the exit doors. Grumbling, Maggie stumbled after him. She was too tired to protest much and only muttered the whole walk down the steps. And because Maggie felt so numb, she barely paid any attention to where they were going. Her whole body was numb and she didn't feel like thinking at that moment. So she silently let herself be pulled towards the Limo, which stood there, waiting for them. She sat lost in thought, in the car, as they started driving. The Limo driver drove by so many houses and streets, but Maggie wasn't paying attention to anything or anyone.

After what had seemed forever, but was probably only half an hour, the Limo stopped; they had arrived at their destination.

Luke opened the door and reached in to help her out, while she slowly looked around. Her eyes widened, her breath caught. She couldn't believe this!

The place was more magnificent, more beautiful, than she had ever imagined. And this was going to be hers? Maggie couldn't quite take it all in at the same time. Her mind was going into over-drive and she felt weak-kneed. Luckily Luke decided to pull her up against his chest, at the exact moment, where Maggie's legs decided to give out. He supported her weight easily and leaned into her. His chin resting on top of her soft wavy, dirty blond hair, he hugged her close.

"Welcome home." Luke's husky whisper interrupted her shocked state.

After a while of gawking at the place, Luke left a gentle kiss on her hair. If not for her shock, Maggie would have noticed just what he had done. But her attention at that moment was on the house that stood in front of them. Maggie had never seen a more elegant house ever before.

Like a palace out of a fairy tale, the mansion stood out proudly. The white walls reached high into the sky; gleaming with a clean shine. It seemed as if someone had scrubbed and polished them a minute ago.

Massive green trees surrounded them on all sides, and she felt like she could get lost in the feelings they gave her. This was what she had dreamed of when she had been a small child. This place was exactly what she had imagined when reading princess stories. Was she dreaming?

The smell of the roses filled her lungs, and when she glanced to her right, she noticed a path that lead somewhere, rows and rows filled with flowers and roses, on either side of the path. She wanted to dance for joy, laugh like crazy, and run into that path. But she restrained herself.

Slowly, as if in a trance, Maggie followed Luke towards the front doors, while still tightly clutching his arm. She didn't see the lopsided smile he aimed at her. Nor did she see his tender look.

But before either of them could knock on the front door of the mansion, it ripped open; revealing an older man and behind him a young teenage girl with an eager look on her face.

The farther Maggie looked into the place, the more people she saw. Another elderly woman was trying to see over the teenager's shoulders, and Maggie felt like she was going to be overwhelmed. There were too many people for her to keep track of and she wanted to back away from them. But Luke didn't let her walk away. Instead he tugged her towards the doors, and as soon as she entered them, everyone started talking.

"Welcome home Ms. McAnge." The man who first opened the door, was dressed in a very formal suit, greeted her with a friendly bow. Staring wide eyed at him, Maggie realized that he looked like a typical butler and it seemed to suit him.

Before anyone could say anything else, the young teenager, bursting with energy, squealed in delight. Surprised and confused by this sudden behavior, Maggie didn't know how to react.

But she didn't need to worry about any reactions because the room bustled with excitement and loud murmurs. Everyone seemed to surround the surprised Maggie and they were staring at her. That was when she realized that she was still clutching Luke's hand and he was still supporting her; with an expectant grin on his handsome face.

Staring back at him wide eyed, she waved her hand wildly and gestured towards the people that were gathered around her.

"Luke, who are all of these people?" she asked.

Chuckling he pointed to the butler, "That there is Mr. George Manson, our very own butler."

Next he pointed out the cook and the older woman standing closely beside him.

"This is Mr. Carter Gorton, the chef of our kitchen, and Roxanne Gorton his wife. She is the head housekeeper of the mansion. Roxanne will help you with any questions you have."

When Maggie nodded, Luke continued. "Now this is Anne," he paused and smirked at the young teenager. "...with an 'e'." She made a face back at him.

"Anne is your personal maid. She will help you with dressing yourself, and any other personal needs you might have. She will be with you most of the time and ready at your service."

Anne nodded eagerly with an easy smile, and Maggie instantly liked the young teen.

"Now, let's get you comfortable and settled in your room. And once dinner is ready, I'll come get you." Luke said, lightly tugging Maggie towards the staircase, away from all the expectant servants. "You'll get a tour of the house another time."

Maggie nodded with relief and willingly followed him, while gawking at everything that passed in front of her tired eyes.

After passing a few floors, rooms and doors, Maggie was having a hard time paying attention to anything. Finally Luke stopped in front of a door. He slowly opened it to reveal a beautiful room. Golden colors caught Maggie's eyes. The room was as big as her whole house had been, filled with furniture, dressers and a big mirror. Flowers stood in pots all around the room giving her a welcoming feeling.

A blue night gown was laid out on the bed, ready to be put on. The bed looked very tempting and Maggie had to yawn.

"Make yourself at home and refresh yourself. I'll be back soon to get you for dinner."

Once Luke left her alone in the room, she plopped down onto the small couch, exhausted after everything that had happened that day. Tiredly she looked around the room. This all belonged to her! She couldn't begin to even understand the wonder of it all.

Stretching lazily, Maggie got up and wandered towards the smaller door to her right. She curiously opened it and saw that it had led her towards the waiting bathtub; where warm water had been made ready for her.

Quickly she undressed and hopped inside. She let the warm water lull her as she thought about how things had ended. The chase away from Luke, the flight over here, the drive to the mansion, all of these events passed in her mind. She cursed herself for even trying to run away from Luke. She had known that he would find her somehow. Instead of running she should have just called the police to protect herself. But no, she had to be so stubborn and get herself caught. She was powerless against someone like Luke. He was too strong and too fast for Maggie.

After a relaxing warm bath, Maggie drowsily dried herself and put on the night gown. She then plopped into the inviting bed. Exhausted she pulled the blanket up to her shoulders as her eyes slowly closed again.