Helen continued to drive until they got to a mansion sitting atop a small hill with a large black iron gate surrounding the property. There was a small panel at the entrance of the gate with a screen and a large red button. Helen pulled up to it and pressed the button.
The screen turned to static for a moment before forming into a picture of a man. "Helen?" The man asked, putting his face directly up to the screen to get a better look. "Is that really you?"
"Yes, Reginald." Helen said. "It's me so let me in."
"Not until you say my name right." Reginald said.
Helen sighed. "Regi." She said reluctantly.
"There you go!" Regi replied with a big smile on his face. "Buzzing you in now, you can park in front of the house."
Then the screen went black and the iron gates in front of the car slowly creaked open.
"Didn't he even want to know why we are here?" Dax asked.
"I think he was just overjoyed to see me." Helen said.
"So how do you know this guy?" Dax said.
"Old class S classmate of mine." Helen said as she started to drive to the house. "Guy tried everything to woo me, but sadly for him my heart already was conquered by your father."
"And he is going to help me somehow?" Dax asked. "Won't he kind of hate me?"
"No." Helen said. "He finally found love… in my sister…"
"I have an aunt?!" Dax asked, surprised by this sudden revelation. "Why have I never met this aunt?!"
"She… doesn't like your father." Helen said. "We haven't spoken since the wedding."
"I am sorry you are having to go through this for me." Dax said. "If I were just normal, none of this would be happening."
"I don't mind." Helen said with a smile as she parked. "I wouldn't want you any other way Dax. You shouldn't want to be any other way either. Wishing for the ordinary when you are extraordinary is the path to depression. Trust me on that one."
Helen looked into the rearview mirror; she still saw nothing back there but knew the dragon was sitting happily on the seat. "Dragon, you stay in the car for this." She said. "We will be back shortly."
"But Drakie wants to come!" Drakie complained.
"It's okay Drakie, just do as mom says for now." Dax replied. "We will be back before you know it."
"Alright. Drakie will wait, but you will owe Drakie pancakes." Drakie said.
"Did he agree?" Helen asked her son.
"He said you will owe him pancakes." Dax replied.
Helen laughed. "Alright, fair trade." She said.
Dax and Helen opened their doors and got out of the car. They cracked the windows so that Drakie would be more comfortable while he waited. The temperature was mild, and the sky was clear, so they were not too concerned about him over heating.
Regi opened the front door and went outside to meet them. "Bout time you finally visited!" He said. "I have already lost count of the years!"
"Hey Regi." Helen said, before getting pulled into a hug by him.
"So, what's up?" Regi asked, while letting go of the hug. "And is that your son?! He is a young man now!"
"Yeah, sorry." Helen said. "Do you think we could talk inside?"
"Sure." Regi said. "But I feel obligated to inform you that your sister is home. I didn't tell her you were here, just in case you were here to visit me. If you go inside, you are going to have to interact with her."
Helen sighed. "It's fine." She said, "I need both of your help anyway."
"I figured it was some kind of trouble." Regi said. "Frank got kidnapped?"
"No!" Helen replied. "Why would that be your first thought?!"
"Because he is a helpless little baby person?" Regi said laughing. "It isn't like he could defend himself and you got him that high-ranking government job, I figured it was only a matter of time before he was captured, and someone tried to bend him to their will."
"You got dad his job?" Dax asked.
"Oh, of course she did." Regi replied, while laughing. "Do you now know who your mother is?"
"Regi!" Helen interrupted.
"Well, it's not my place to tell you." Regi continued. "But Helen, you need to tell the boy someday you know. Come let's talk inside."
Regi started walking into his mansion, Helen and Dax followed him. As he crossed into the mansion he shouted out. "Honey, we have guests!"
A woman came to investigate. She was five foot four with long blonde hair and green eyes. She appeared to be a year or two younger than Helen. Her eyes widened at the unexpected sight of her sister. "Helen?!" She shouted.
"Hey Sis…" Helen started but was interrupted by her sister rushing to give her a hug. The faintest evidence of tears upon the corner of her eyes. "Oh!" Helen said in surprise, before embracing her sister back. "It is good to see you too."
"I thought I had lost you forever." The sister said. "I am sorry, I was so mean before. I am just happy you finally have seen the light and have left that horribly weak and common man. Don't worry, Regi and I will take care of you while you get back on your feet."
"Lana!" Helen shouted. "I did not leave my husband!"
"You didn't?!" Lana replied. "Then why are you here?!"
"I need your help." Helen replied. "My son has a unique problem that I fear only the two of you can solve. I would not have come if there was any other choice."
"You the nephew?" Lana asked, while making eye contact with Dax. "You're not a failure like your worthless father, are you?"
"Lana!" Helen protested. "Please stop degrading my husband!"
"What?" Lana asked. "It was just an innocent question. So, what do you need our help with?"
"Are you both still working on an alternative to Nantex's nanites?" Helen asked. "Ones that are more resistant?"