The Changelings: Lineage

Chapter 2

Stowing away my light luggage for the trip in the trunk, I climbed into my dad's BMW and we headed off to Jennifer's house. Ariana sat in the front with dad but was turned around talking to me filling me in with the latest fashion trends of Europe and where I 'absolutely' needed to stop and take pictures for her.

Halfway to Jennifer's I got a text message from Stephanie.

Where are you? We're leaving in 30 minuets - Stephy

I took in my surroundings and knew we were right around the corner so I didn't bother to text her back.

Dad pulled the car into a long driveway and after a few seconds we saw the Stetson's mansion sitting atop a small but noticeable hill. I always enjoyed coming to their estate mainly because of the heavy forest that encircled the grounds and the rivers and streams they had on their land. It was a photographer's heaven.

"Kai!" Stephanie ran up to the car and helped me take my luggage out. When she saw all of it she looked at me in shock.

"I didn't expect anyone else to pack light!" She leaned in and whispered in my ear hoping not to be heard. "You're going to cry seeing how many suitcases Jen and Tiff packed." She came away from my ear with a ghastly look and eyed pointedly towards the group of people in front of the entrance.

We started walking with dad carrying my two suitcase and Ariana in tow making our way towards the group of what looked to be the other two girls and all the parents and siblings.

"Kaithlena! I'm so glad you could accompany the girls for this trip!" Jennifer's dad came up and grabbed my shoulders giving me a relieved look. I knew he was genuinely relieved that I was going and I knew he was going to expect me to keep a close eye on the girls for him. All the parents knew I was the responsible one who didn't drink and didn't trust guys at all. They knew I was always the designated 'mother hen'.

Mr. Stetson looked to my dad and smiled as they shook hands and gave each other a half hug the way men did.

"Hey Will, how's the M3 treating you?"

Dad looked back at his car and smiled with pride. "She's amazing, even better than the Audi." He looked back at Mr. Stetson. "How are you liking your Saleen? I heard you took it for a spin the other day with the Mrs."

"Oh she's a beaut!" Mr. Stetson gushed looking to his wife more so then his car.

We all talked joining in with the group when finally Mr. Stetson announced we were leaving in ten and to have the cars packed. That's when I saw the mountain of suitcases sitting in the foyer of their house. My jaw dropped and I was afraid it hit the floor. Stephanie watched my reaction and laughed out loud.

"I have been trying to get them to repack all morning."

"Not repacking Steph. Everything in those suitcases are total needs." Stephanie winced as Jennifer walked by us with Tiffany in tow. "We have three weeks and I don't want to forget anything!"

Stephanie turned to me with a dumb face and sighed. "You'd think their whole closets are in there. Not to mention their whole makeup collection and the maids."

I laughed until it hurt and saw Jennifer shoot daggers out of her eyes at us.

"I can't wait until you two come to us needing something." She grinned at the thought and grabbed her purse from the pile. Some men came in and started at the mountain and I knew they were thinking the same thing Steph and I were thinking by the looks on their faces.

We all walked out to the parents who were gabbing to each other and I found dad and Ariana talking to Tiffany's mom. Miss Stamm had a crush on dad and he knew it. In fact, she had talked him into going on a date and they seemed to really enjoy it. He still felt the loss of mom though, even though it was years ago, and she seemed to respect that. At the peak of her modeling career she was knocked up with Tiffany and fell off the face of the earth and ended up in this part of the world.