Beyond Everliss bridge

The Chambers at Everliss

Seemed like it took forever to arrive at the airport. Immediately we went through baggage check in. " Gwen why did you have to bring your entire closet just for a 4 day trip?!I asked with an annoyed look. " Addy I'm trying to make an impression back home"she said rolling her eyes. "Back home or an impression on Troy" I chuckled. She slapped me on the arm, "Addy your such jerk". She said. "Besides who says I even still like Troy?" She said staring at her phone. " I giggled " umm yea your obviously still swooning over Troy it's written all over your face and apparently 4 suitcases filled with clothes is a dead give away". I said as I stood in line while the airport security scanned my body from head to toe with that skinny little metal detector. " beep beep beeep" " do you have any metal on?" Asked the Security officer. I looked down and forgot about "Nana Tori's silver vintage moonstone ring I got for my 18th birthday. I never take it off". Oh sorry " I removed the ring placed on the tub with my other belongings to go through the scanner. As soon as I was cleared I hurried and grabbed it. Nana tori always said " Addyson this ring is not to be taken off ever". She said. " it's been in our family for decades" your mom was suppose to be wearing it but she left it behind and well" she paused and her eyes watered. She took a deep breath and exhaled. " well it is what it is" she said sadly. "But now this belongs to you" being the oldest you will have to carry it on and pass it down to the next generation". She said with a smile on her eyes. " hello earth to Addy"! Said Gwen. Move it girl I want to get some Starbucks before we board" she snapped at me. The flight was calm I spent most of my time writing down ideas for my next chapter. Gwen spent her time " reading bazaar  and vogue". We landed got our bags all 5 of them 4 of Gwen and my little lonely luggage. and as always Tim was waiting with a sign for us. This time Tim didn't greet us with his usual grin he was serious and morose. " I walked up and just hugged him. "Tears streaming down my face". I couldn't even speak. " Tim hugged me tight and whispered in my ear " I'm so sorry little miss Addy" as he always called me no matter how old I was. " I looked at him and asked " How's Charlotte doing"? " I asked. " She is better then expected" he answered back with a downcast look. " hey there little miss Gwen". He smiled " your all grown up now aren't you, always with the latest fashion. He said smiling at her. " Gwen smiled with tears in her eyes". She went in for a hug. " how can I ever thank you for being such a great help to our Nana and poppa. She said smiling while a single tear dropped from her eyes. Tim looked back at us " They were like family to me and Charlotte" he choked on his words and he broke down in tears. he took a deep breath " ok girls let's get back to Everliss Manor there still so much we have to do". He said. We rode in the limo in complete silence. Gwen had her earphones but I could see the reflection in the window she was holding back her tears. I kept fidgeting with the ring turning it and securing it tightly as if the ring had some special power that made all this go away. We pulled up Everliss Manor. I took Gwen's hand " with tears in our eyes we hugged and I whispered " we'll get through this Gwen" she hugged me tightly and stepped out. Everliss Manor has its beautiful southern quaint charm but strangely enough also a bit of a Gothic inspired flare. Everliss Manor was One of Gainesville's most historical properties. Passed down from generations and decades. No one ever sold it to anyone outside of the Everliss name. Everyone who owned it was an Everliss or was born into Everliss blood. Many realtors tried hard to get Poppa Fred and Nana tori to sell. The offers were amazing but they refused. No amount of money can ever make them sell Everliss Manor. I stepped out the limo and Ofcourse I searched for Nana and poppa but Ofcourse they weren't there. My heart sunk deep inside me as I envisioned her warm face in the distance holding on to poppa Fred's arm and he would wave at us with the sweetest smile. Tears kept flowing down my face, hitting my shirt like droplets of rain.  "Miss Addy" Charlotte ran towards me with tears in her eyes. " oh miss Addy how I've missed you, I'm so sorry " she manage to say before choking on her words. " Thank you Charlotte" I hugged her tight! I can see the years had taken a bit of a toll on Charlotte beautiful porcelain face. Lines were starting to appear around her eyes. Charlotte was what you call a beautiful southern belle. Beautiful thick gold brown hair, which now had silver highlights through out it all. Beautiful Green eyes just like troys. Thin lipped and a very small slim silhouette. In her time I can only imagine how many hearts she had left broken when marrying Tim Blake. Tim always said " I don't know how I got so lucky and what did she see in this skinny awkward nerd. He was a nerd in deed, spent countless days in Manor's library with with poppa when he wasn't helping around the house or running errands for him.  Tim was the one who gave me my first journal. He saw my interest in reading and writing and thought it would be something to inspire me and my stories. Charlotte hugged Gwen and whispered " I made your favorite desert" she smiled in between tears. " Gwen burried  her face in charlottes neck and cried silently. " thank you so much Charlotte" she said.
We took are bags and made it up the stairs and into the Manor. The house felt cold and silent. I looked around the entrance and down the hallway. With the corner of my eyes I saw a shadow passed from the study to the family room. I glanced quickly and shook my head and whispered to myself " Addyson your mind is playing tricks." I said. I felt a cold breeze upon the back of my neck and swiftly turned around. The door open and in comes A tall handsome marine. My eyes widen with surprise as Troy walked in. " my son is home" shouted Charlotte as she ran towards him. He embraced his mother she looked so tiny in his arms. He had to bend down significantly just to be able to fully embrace her in a proper hug. Tim walked over and shook his hand and came in for a stern tight hug. He turned my direction and our eyes met. I saw so much of the young mischievous Boy in his eyes, but now he was older, more mature. " Addyson it's been a long time" he said with a smile. I smiled back and went to shake his hand and ended up bumping into him awkwardly as always. " come on now I think a hug is in order don't you?!" He chuckled. " Ofcourse. I said blushing and smiling. I didn't realize how tall he was until I caught myself Tip towing just to be able to reach his upper chest. His embrace felt warm and sent a few chills down my spine. Felt like an eternity as he held me there. Then I hear the click clack of Gwen's designer jimmy choo shoes. " Troy is that you?!" She exclaimed in obvious fake way. We parted from our embrace and he looked over at Gwen. " well if it isn't Gwennie Pennie" as he sweetly nicked name her. Gwens middle name was Penelope. My mom had a weird fascination with oddly paired names. I was Addyson Everly Chambers. I didn't think it suited me so I decided on my first book I would either go with just Addyson Chambers or Everly Chambers. Gwen smiled a huge smile and embraced Troy making sure she pressed her entire body against him. Making sure he was aware that he knew she was all grown now. He quickly pulled away and blushed as she gave him a light soft peck on his cheek. " well everyone I know the reason for this small reunion isn't what we would have hoped for, but welcome everyone" said Tim. " time for some dinner " said Charlotte. Tim stood behind. " Hey champ how about you help me with the ladies luggage" he said to Troy. " oh I got mine, I said as I picked it up". Tim smiled " you never change miss addy always so independent" he grinned. Tim took two of Gwen's luggage's and Troy hauled his duffel bag over his back and grabbed the last two. I looked as I realized how strongly built he had gotten since I last saw him. He was no longer the tall slim boy but now a tall built rugged man. Gwen followed Charlotte in as the rest of us headed upstairs.