The Siren's Prisoner (Completed)

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Leonard's POV

"Until next time", Reaka said and then she disappeared. I felt bad that Reaka blamed herself for everything that had happened to me. It wasn't her fault in the least. I had no doubt her mother, Melaina, would kill anyone, even her daughter, that stood on her way. Reaka was nothing like Melaina, which was what I told the other prisoners when they asked me why I bothered to be her friend. I couldn't allow Reaka to be alone. Seventy-seven years she had been alone before I had come. Her sister's death had left a huge gaping hole in her heart and life I could only try to fill. Reaka was a naturally kind person and the proof was staring me in the face. 

 I straightened my back and smiled. I walked towards the beautiful house. I was glad my daughter and wife seemed to be well off. I would have loved them an any situation, but I was happy that even without me they seemed to have had good fortune. If they had been wanting, I would have blamed myself. I stepped onto the covered porch and rang the doorbell.

 A few moments later the door swung open and the love of my life stood in the doorway. I stood and stared. "Are you alright, sir?" she asked.

  I felt a pang in my heart that she didn't recognize me, but I understood that I was much older than she expected. "Yes, my love, I am better than I have been in a long time."

  Carol looked at me in shock. "I have to be sure it's you. What is the word?" she asked.

  "Did Reaka give you a password of some sort?" I asked in confusion.

  "What is she?" she asked me hopefully.

  "She's an Aikaode." As soon as I answered, Carol threw herself at me and kissed me full on the lips.

  When we were both out of breath, she whispered in my ear,"I missed you so much!"

  "I missed you more", I said emphatically.

 "There are some people you have to meet. They're in the family room", said Carol. I followed her in a series of twists and turns until we arrived in what must have been the family room. There were four people in the room. A man, a woman, and two small children. I stopped Carol before she went in the room. "Wait, please. I want to watch them for a moment." Carol looked confused for a moment, but nodded quickly.

 I looked into the family room, watching. I felt as if I was spying on this family, but I knew I wanted to become a part of this family, my family, again. I watched as the man looked at the woman. I didn't know that such a large man could have such a tender expression. The man had brown hair and green eyes. His skin was tanned and he was at least six foot tall. I looked at the woman and took a long look. I couldn't believe that I had missed nearly thirty years of my daughter's life. Gemma was a beautiful woman . Her hair was a fiery red like mine and was proud I was so obviously related to her. She was talking to the children that sat on the floor. There was a boy and a girl. The boy had brown hair and looked much like his father except for his eyes. The boys blue eyes twinkled in mischief, but when he looked at the girl they flashed with a fierce protectiveness. The girl had red hair like her mother, but had inherited her father's green eyes. She was small and I hadn't seen the smile leave her face in the minutes I had watched. She struck me as a happy girl. 

 "How old are the children?" I asked Carol. "Loki is seven and Seraphina is four", answered Carol.

  I smiled in wonder, to think I had lost a wife and daughter and when I had found them once more I had gained two grandchildren. "I think I'm ready to go in. Have you told them about me?"

  "I thought they would believe you more. I didn't believe the girl myself until she disappeared. I honestly thought I might have dreamt it until I saw you."

  "Reaka is a very kind person. She was nervous that you wouldn't believe her; she's never disobeyed her mother before," I said.

  "Would her mother really kill her?" asked Carol incredulously.

  I turned to look her in the eye. "I have no doubt that Melaina would do anything to anyone who made her angry."

  "Then we should go and tell the family that you have come back to us."

  "I don't think we should tell the children. They might think it a fairy tale and repeat it," I said.

 Carol shook her head in agreement. "Let's go in then", said Carol and walked in. 

 When we entered the room, I felt bad I had ruined such a precious family moment. "Whose this you've brought to meet us, Mama?" asked Gemma. I closed my eyes in wonder. Her voice was as beautiful as well. I opened my eyes and  Gemma was looking at me strangely, but Carol smiled at me in understanding. She knew I was reveling in the joy of meeting my grown daughter for the first time.

  "Gemma, would you please ask the children to leave the room?" asked Carol. I knew that Gemma was confused, but she obeyed and shooed the children out of the room anyway. 

 Once the children were gone, Gemma looked at Carol and finally asked,"Mom, what is it that you wanted to tell us?"

  Carol turned to me and smiled. "Gemma, this is Leonard, your father." Gemma looked shocked and then angry. She looked as if she was about to get up, but the man put a hand gently on her shoulder.

  "Before you act rashly, let me ask him questions. Your mother seems to think this is your father and I don't think she would think so without reason", he said quietly. I grinned, happy that Gemma had found a voice of reason to her quick temper. I had been like that before my capture. My father used to joke that it was the curse of the flames. 

"Thank you..." I trailed of realizing I didn't know his name.

  "Andrew" he supplied.

  "Thank you, Andrew."

  "Don't thank me yet. My wife does not believe you and I am not a trusting man myself. You'll have to prove yourself to us."

  I heard Carol start to protest, but I stopped her. "Remember, Carol, you only believed Reaka when she showed you. They deserve many, many questions", I turned to face Andrew once more,"Let the interrogation begin."