Garnathe (Part Two of the Damore High Series)

Chapter 1

"Aunt Kath!" Screamed three year old Fiammetta Gage as she covered Katherine and Griffin's front porch faster than a lightning bolt... or at least as fast as an injured... fat dog.

Katherine came out with a wide smile. "Hey Fia, come here silly!" She scooped her up and spun her around before putting her down and squatting in front of her. "How you doin? Are you super excited to spend the night with your aunt and uncle?"

She nodded her head emphatically, wrapping her chubby arms around Katherine's neck as her rich black hair wisped wildly around her face. "Mommy said I can stay up!"

Katherine put on an exaggerated surprised face, "What?! How late?"

"Long time!" She replied, doing her best to work with her three year old vocabulary. She twisted to look over her shoulder while still trying to hang onto Katherine's neck. "Mommy wants you to wave I'm safe."

Katherine went to wave when Alice walked up, "Fiammetta Gage, are you telling your aunt you can stay up later than I said?"

"I said hi." Fia replied awkwardly, staring at her mother with wide, dark blue eyes.

Alice just shook her head with a laugh. "Okay, since you're with your aunt you can stay up one hour later, that's it. Eight o'clock okay? Deal?"

Fia threw her arms up with a squeal. "That long time!"

Alice laughed, "Yes it is, but that means you can't be grumpy tomorrow okay?"

"I promise." The little girl replied earnestly, burrowing deeper into Katherine's arms with a giggle. Then, she gasped and shot up suddenly, almost sending herself tumbling out of Katherine's grasp. "Where is uncle Rif?"

Katherine laughed, "He's hiding inside, go see if you can find him." She turned and set the little girl inside the doorway.

She ran up to the doorway and called inside, "I find you Uncle Rif!" Then she scurried in, her feet making little echoes in the large house. It was the most modern in Garnathe, per Griffin's insistence, but it still had a classic charm to it, despite it's size and technology.

Katherine laughed and turned to Alice, "So where are you going?"

Alice shrugged, "He won't tell me."

Katherine smiled, "Tell Kajetan I say hi."

Alice nodded, "No problem and thank you so much for watching her."

Katherine just shook her head dismissively, "It's our pleasure. Now go have some fun."

Alice hugged her tightly before calling into the house, "Bye Fia, I'll see you tomorrow okay? Be good!"

A shrieking giggle echoed from inside the house, followed by a loud, deep roar. Little feet pounded down the massive staircase and out came Fia, who smacked straight into her mother, hugging her legs breathlessly. "Love you!"

Griffin came strolling out, his handsome face serene despite the oh, so scary sound that had just resounded from the house. He placed a casual arm around his wife's waist, looking down at Fia innocently. She glanced back at him and let out another scream, clutching Alice's legs tighter.

Katherine stepped closer to Griffin with a laugh.

Alice just scooped Fia up, "Love you too baby! But I gotta go now okay? I'll see you tomorrow!" She placed Fia down before walking back to her car that her husband was still in.

"Okay!" Fia called after her. Then she skipped past her aunt and uncle back into their house.

Griffin took the chance to say quietly to his wife, "You know why he is taking her out tonight, right?"