Adira woke up within half an hour, as Raven had started crying. She took her in her arms and just comforted her. Following that, the little one went back to sleep.
Neil repeated his question, "What about daycare for Raven?"
Adira replied that she had earlier in the day been doing some research. The daycare near the campuses was expensive, but she had enough to pay for a few months.
Neil said, "If that doesn't work out, I will come to get you two. I will take you and Raven to my apartment, and we'll make it work. I will also get a job to help."
She replied, "The best thing you can do right now for me is to finish school. Take advantage of not having a student loan or a job during the semester while you can. I hope you understand, Neil. You have done enough, and I feel that coming here is what I should have done all along."
He replied, "If you say so."
Neil told her, "We are almost there in another five minutes."
Adira was a bit nervous then. She told herself, 'I can do this. I have to do this.'
The car slowed down, and she gazed outside. They passed by a lighthouse. The light from it illuminated the beach as it rotated. She then peered hard at the window. She saw a woman standing near the surf. From that distance, she could not judge if that woman was young or old. But her hair was open, whipping in the wind. Adira felt sadness reflecting on the woman's face.
Neil told her, "Adira, just the last left turn, and we will be there. You have the last chance to think. All I have to do is to take a U-turn, and we can go back."
She replied, "No U-turn, little brother. I am only moving forward."
The 'Wellington Castle' sat on a huge hill. As Neil navigated through the open gate and stone columns flanked either side of the well-lit driveway, Adira saw it was a huge house.
Neil said, "It is a massive house, Adira!"
She nodded back. The house reminded her of Lucifer's vacation home in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Ralph's house was of stone, glass, and iron, with very little wood. She wondered how they kept it. They then passed through an enormous garage having eight car parks, with luxury cars and SUVs parked there.
Neil asked her, "Did you know the fortunes of your friend?"
"Nope. It is as much a surprise to me as it is to you." She was very nervous but said, "It is okay, though. Ralph had said he would text his sister, Violet. He must have let her know that we were coming."
"That's good," said Neil.
"I hope it is good. Because at this point, if the inside is anything like the outside, there is no way in hell I will ever be able to afford the rent to live here," Adira stated.
As soon as Neil parked his SUV, the front door opened, and two women walked out. One appeared to be probably Ralph's mom. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a sweet smile. The other seemed to be a young woman. Adira presumed she was Ralph's sister, Violet.
"She is hot," Neil whispered.
"Adira?" the younger woman asked.
With quivering lips and a smile, Adira said, "It's me. Your brother..., he uh sent me here to you."
She hugged Adira and said, "Ralph told us you were on your way, but he did not give us a number. And it was getting later and later. We were worried."
Adira then stepped back out of the embrace. Though she loved how welcoming they were, she was also confused. They didn't know her, and that hug was beyond the usual welcome.
The young woman introduced herself, "I am Violet, but you already know that, and this is my Mom, Elizabeth Wellington." She said, "I am so happy and excited to meet you, Adira. Ralph has told us to make you and Raven feel welcome." She gave Neil a questioning look as he got out of the driver's seat.
Neil came over and introduced himself to both of them. He said, "I don't mean to be rude, but the baby's finally asleep, and I am sure my sister would like to keep it that way."
Violet's eyes rounded. She asked, "Raven is a baby?"
Adira blushed and said, "Yes."
Violet then nudged her mother, "Raven is a baby."
Adira said, "She is three months old."
Violet repeated to her mother, "Raven is three months old."
Confused, Adira asked her, "Is everything okay? I am tired. I need some rest."
That set Violet into motion. She managed to get around and go to the backseat of the car.
Adira requested, "Please don't wake her up."
Violet stepped out. She had tears in her eyes. She said, "Adira, the little one is so beautiful." She then called out to her mother and said, "Mom, come look. You have to see her." She said, "Adira is tired, and the baby is sleeping."
Violet gave her a pleading look. She asked Adira, "Can you get her carrier out and come in the house? You will be far more comfortable there. I promise." She then turned towards Neil and said, "You are welcome to come inside, too. We have plenty of rooms."
Neil looked toward Adira, and she nodded. They had to go inside. They couldn't stay out all night. Also, Violet was happy to see them.
Adira felt it was odd but nice after the cold reception she had received from her Uncle and Aunt.
Neil said, "I will get your bag and the stroller. Unless you want me to carry her?"
Adira replied, "No. I got it." She leaned inside and quickly removed the carrier from the base. Shutting the door with her hip, she faced Ralph's sister and mother and said, "I am ready when you all are."
Ralph's mother looked at Raven and asked, "She is not wearing socks?"
Adira did not want to be upset at the woman for questioning her as a mother. She replied, "Yeah, she hates them. I know it's winter and all, but she didn't even like the blanket touching her."
Suddenly a smile curved the woman's lip. She said, "Ralph was the same. He hated socks."
"Oh!" Adira replied. She thought, 'Thank God she is not judging Raven.'
Ralph's mother said, "Let's go inside. Presently it is mild, but we are expecting a storm."
Adira told her, "There was a woman on the beach, near the lighthouse."
The two women paused. Violet then said, "I will go and get her."
Adira asked, "Do you know her?"
Violet nodded. "She is my sister-in-law, Liza. She is probably not paying attention to the weather. I will be right back."
Before Adira could ask for more, Violet rushed towards the parking bay and drove in her Range Rover.
Ralph's mother said, "Liza always loved to watch the storm roll in."
It was dark inside. There was a great hall with a broad, winding staircase. It was warm, and a cheery fire was burning in the hearth. Unlike her Aunt's sitting room, this one was full of love and comfort.
"Mind if I hold her? I promise to rock her back to sleep," Ralph's mother said.
Adira unbuckled the carrier and handed Raven over to her. She was wide awake.
Ralph's mother took her in her arms and started speaking to Raven, "You are a handful, aren't you, sweet little thing." She then said, "You are a stunner."
Raven cooed at her and shoved her fists into her mouth. Seeing her, the woman's heart melted. She said, "Oh my goodness, Ralph also used to eat his fists, too." She smiled at Adira and said, "Like father, like daughter."
Neil, hearing that, dropped her bag with a loud plop. He then glanced at his sister, and the expression on his face confirmed that she had heard right. He told her, "She thinks Raven is your friend Ralph's daughter."
Ralph's mother continued, "You and Raven couldn't have come at a better time. Ralph must have known how much I needed you'll. I am not sure why he did not tell us about you two, but sometimes families grow apart. Also, after Mike's disappearance, you both are as if God sent." She then continued, "Babies smell so good, don't they? But grandchildren smell even better, I think. What do you say, Adira?"
Adira just nodded. She felt bad. She wanted to tell the woman the truth. She could not let her believe a lie.
Ralph's mother said, "Please stay here as long as you can bear us. For now, you can stay in Ralph's room. I am sure he will not mind his wife sleeping in it. Later we can help you to move into his beach house."
'His wife? It was turning the same as Atlanta airport, all over again,' Adira thought. She then gave her brother a helpless look. But he just shrugged.
Ralph's mother said, "I understand if this is overwhelming you or if you need to go to your family. But I would like for you to consider staying with us. Get to know us."
Adira thought, 'Consider staying with them. As if I have a choice.' She replied to Ralph's mother, "I would love to get to know you." Adira made a small prayer to God, to not punish her for the lie.