The Infinity Trilogy

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

You could say that Chloe was excited as we drove up the driveway and the house appeared.  But when she actually saw it, she started squealing and bouncing up and down on the seat next to me.

"It's so big!" she said, staring up at it as the SUV stopped in front of the garage. 

I smiled at her as I unbuckled her seatbelt.  "Yes, it is," I said.  "Now, do you want to go meet everyone?  They should be here.  Dinner should be ready, too."

"Good, 'cause I'm hungry!" she said.

Adrian was laughing as I opened the door and got out.  Chloe moved to the edge of the seat and lifted her arms toward me. 

I smiled at her and picked her up.  "I know you can walk so why do you want me to carry you all the time?" I asked.

She smiled at her.  "'Cause when you hold me, it's like my mommy's holding me again.  And I love my mommy," she said.  "You're kinda like her, too.  She was always taking care of me and protecting me.  And you're pretty like she was."

I just looked at her.  I had to blink a couple of times to keep my tears from falling down my face.

"Well, I can't promise to be exactly like your mommy, but I can be like your big sister," I said.  "How about that?"

She nodded fiercely, her blond ringlets bouncing around her face.  "Okay!" she said. 

I smiled again and kissed her cheek.  Turning around, I saw Adrian talking to the guy in the driver's seat as he adjusted the strap of Chloe's duffel bag on his shoulder.  With a smiling, he backed away from the SUV and it started to back out and turn around in the driveway.  With a wave at us, they headed down the driveway.

"So," I said, bouncing Chloe once on my hip.  "Do you want to meet everyone?"

"Yeah!" she said, smiling. 

I looked over at Adrian, nodding toward the car parked in front of one of the garage doors.  "It looks like you'll get to meet Zack and Sarah also.  You haven't met them yet."

He nodded, walking up to me.  "Then let's go," he said, smiling down at me and Chloe.  He tickled Chloe's side and she giggled, pushing his hand away.  "And I agree with Chloe.  I'm hungry."

Smiling, I led them toward the front door.  It was open, so we just went inside.  The smell of steak cooking filled the house and it made my mouth water.  I realized then that I hadn't eaten anything all day. 

"You can put her bag on the stairs," I said, nodding toward them.  "We'll get it later."

Once he put it down, we headed down the hallway toward the kitchen door.  We could hear the talking and laughter before we even got there.  Chloe and Adrian both were looking around and into every room we passed.

"Nice place," Adrian said.

I smirked.  "Thanks."

I pushed the kitchen door and there was immediate silence.  I looked around at everyone, including the two new people in the kitchen, before I spoke. 

"We're home," I said, smiling at them. 

"Lola!" Variel and Arin both yelled as they rushed up to hug me.  Only then did they realize that Chloe was in my arms. 

"Oh, my God!" they both said, looking at her. 

"Hi!" Chloe said happily.  "I'm Chloe!"  She looked at Variel's bright pink hair and her eyes widened.  "I like your hair!"