It All Began When...

Prologue

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible."
- Stuart Chase

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Year 2063

"Grandma! Grandpa!". Oh, what a familiar sound those voices were. Pure music to my ears. I glance out the window and find a nine-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy racing to the front door. From beside me, I hear Liam chuckle saying, "Ahh! At last they've arrived" and begins to stand from his armchair.

"Liam, get the door, will you? I'll heat up the dinner."

"Of course, dear", he replied to me with a smile that demonstrated his eagerness to finally see our grandchildren in over a year.

When I heard the door open I faintly heard Junior's voice saying,

"Grandpa! Guess what I brought?"

"Hmm this it too hard. You got me kid, what is it?"

"It's the baseball bat you got me for Christmas!"

"What?! You mean Santa Claus?"

"I may have fooled you, grandpa, but you are not fooling me! Fine, if you say so... I'll act fooled for dad", he tried whispering the last part but since I heard him from the kitchen, that boy better pray his father didn't.

"Grandpa!! I've missed you so much!! Where's grandma?" said a higher pitched voice.

"She's in the kitchen heating dinner. Go in and help her, pumpkin, I bet she'll like that".

"Me too!" she half yelled as she ran to the kitchen.

I turned around with my arms out for a hug as I said, "Oh! My beautiful Ellie! How about you go take these plates to the dinner table while I go speak to your fath-",my air was cut off by Junior running towards me and hugging me tightly.

"My, my, well look at here. You're so big now!"

Looking at me with huge brown eyes he smiled and flexed. "Wow, and you're strong now. Strong enough to help your sister carry the things to the dinner table, right?".

"Aww man, okay grandma. Just for you."

"Atta boy", I said with a satisfied smile. I walked into the living room and from the window I saw Henry bringing the kids' bags for the summer. I walked outside and stood beside Liam as Henry made his way towards us. Liam asked him "Where is Anne?".

Henry gave us hugs and answered, "She had to stay home to finish some paper work, but she told me to send her greetings, kisses, and hugs".

"How unfortunate, would you at least like to stay and eat dinner, your mother made your favorite - lasagna!"

"I wish I could but I have an appointment with a client as soon as I get back home. Though some to-go does sound nice, mom." He turned to me with a persuasive smile.

"Why not? I'll pack double for you and Anne."

"Thanks mom. You're the best mother I've ever had!"

"Of course I am, I am your only mother."

"Very true. Well, I better get heading back. Clients only have so much patients. I've already told Henry and Ellis to behave, be respectful, clean up after themselves- "

"Yes, yes, you always do! We can handle them. Shoo! Go on now!"

"Alright, alright. Love you guys to pieces!"

"Take care! We love you!" Liam and I yelled at the second time when Henry sped away in today's newest technology.

Inside the children had already finished eating without us. So we sent them to take showers. After cleaning up, Liam went to get his rest while I went to the children's room already knowing what to expect. I was to go in there and without a doubt tell them the story I had promised them many years ago. "Grandma! Do you know what time it is?! We've been waiting for you!", Ellie whined.

"I know. On the bright side I'm here now so you don't have to wait anymore. "

"Are you finally going to tell us the story you've been promising for years? The true story?"

"Yes, but first you have you must get comfortable and I need to ask you kids some questions. So hurry and get tucked into your beds". As they hurried, I got comfortable as well, pushing a cushioned armchair. Reluctantly, I accepted their help to move it between their beds to share the story equally. I sat down and instantly felt relief from my aching body. At 61, everything feels as though it hurts. I watched as the children scurried around preparing themselves for a long story. I waited until their eyes met mine to show that they were ready. I started with the questions. "Do you believe in things beyond mankind's reach?". They stared at me for a few seconds then Ellie asked, "Like what?".

"Well, Angels?"
Together they said, "Yes".
"Demons?"
Junior slightly brought his blankets closer to his face and Ellie alone said, "I wish I didn't but why would we need angels if there were no demons to protect us from? So, yes,
I think so. .. ".
"Debatable reason, but I agree. What about Bigfoot? Do you believe in him?"
Junior cleared his throat and answered with Ellie this time, "Yeah".
"Aliens?"
"Mhmm."
"Unicorns?"
"Grandma!", they giggled, " Those don't exist".
"Or do they? ", I challenged.
That seemed to question their belief thoughts.
"Monsters?"
"Well, ...sometimes", Ellie seemed unsure so she turned to her brother. He whispered gently, "Sometimes I think I hear him under my bed when I can't sleep... ". Pleased with his honesty I tried something lighter.
"Mermaids"?
Ellie squealed, "Yes grandma! I know they're real!".
I smiled at her, "I do too".
"Lastly, do you believe in...ghosts?", I asked choking out the last word and glancing out the window to the neighbor's house.
They blankly stared at me. I heard one of them gulp and turn towards the window.
"W-why?"
"You will soon understand why, I promised you, didn't I?"
"Y-you promised us a story, a true story didn't you?"
"I did."
"What does that have to do with believing in g-ghosts?", Junior asked me, frightened.
I looked deeply into his eyes.
"Everything. "

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A/N So I was just really inspired to write a story like this. I'll just let the words flow and this story become something. Hopefully something incredible. It has just begun...

Keep smiling and reading my beautiful friends.
Until the next.
~ A