Adkins Mansion
" Where is Natasha?" The moment Jack entered the Mansion, he asked for his daughter-in-law.
" Madam is in the garden, Sir."
" Okay!"
The servants were shocked by the happiness in Jack's voice. They looked at each other and then went back to their work.
Jack couldn't hold himself with news of his Son returning, he quickly wanted to share this with Natasha.
When he reached the garden, he saw Natasha sitting on the bench while looking at the roses that filled the whole garden. Those plants were planted by Derek when he was banished. He planted them the night before he left. Finally, this family will be a complete one.
' I should let Derek surprise her, she deserves that happiness. Oh, God please protect my family and protect their happiness. '
" Sir!" The butler's voice came from behind.
" Hmm," Jack hummed.
" Do you want to have your tea with Natasha Maam?"
" No, Just bring it to the hall, and Joey, please tell the kitchen staff to make a special dinner today; make everyone's favorite dishes, including Derek's."
Joey the Butler frowned but didn't say anything, " Yes, Sir"
When Jack was peacefully drinking his tea, the main door to the Mansion was slammed open.
Derek came In and looked around; his presence had shocked everyone.
Finding his father, he ran to him, " Please tell me you didn't spoil my surprise."
Jack calmly kept his teacup down and looked at his unkept Son, " By surprise, if you mean, did I tell your wife that your banishment has been lifted? Then No. I did No such thing."
Derek blinked his eyes and smiled, " Thank you, Father, where is she?"
" In the garden."
Derek ran towards the garden, Jack shook his head at his Son behavior but was happy. Seeing him walk through those doors was his dream, and it came true. Wiping his tears he went back to drink his tea.
*BAMM *
Bella and Victor came in, slamming the doors like their father, and asked, " Where are they?"
" In the garden," Jack saw his grandchildren, who were nearly in their 30s, running like their father and peeping from the backdoor, trying to spy on their parents. Hopeless he went back to drink his tea.
*BAMM *
Joey came in the same way as Derek and asked, " Where are they?"
" IN THE GARDEN!!" This time, Jack lost his composure and yelled at Joey, who was frightened by the shout but still smiled apologetically at Jack and slipped away.
Joey also joins the children to peep at the reunion. Seeing this Jack realized that his household needs some discipline.
Sighing heaving, he got up and went to reprimand them, and when he got there, the view also made him speechless. Both Derek and Natasha were crying in each other's arms, and that made him and the peeping toms teary.
After crying for some time, the couple felt the presence of others and looked around and found the Peeping Tom's. Natasha laughed at the view. The whole house, including the servants, were watching them from the windows.
* Click*
* Click*
Someone started taking pics, and slowly, all took out their phones to Click pictures; many posted them online as well. Like a Rapid fire, the news spread around that Derek Adkins was no longer a fugitive and that he had reunited with his family. The picture of the couple spread around in chats and groups, and many reposted them.
Jack called the couple inside, and slowly, the servants went back to their work. Realizing that he hadn't prepared properly for his master's return, Joey was flustered and kept giving orders to clean Derek's study, the couple's room, etc.
He then turned to Jack and said, " You could have at least told me, Master Jack."
Jack was speechless at Joey's betrayal expression; he himself got the news today.
" I had no idea, Joey, so forgive me. And if you want to blame someone, blame your master Derek. " Jack snapped at Joey and sat on the couch folding his hands.
Bella and Victor broke into laughter when they saw their grandpa's sulking face.
Derek looked at Joey and said, " Will you believe me if I said it was a surprise to me as well?"
" No!!" Giving Derek a side glance, Joey went to the kitchen. He was glad that at least he got to prepare the feast for the night.
" He is mad at me isn't he?" Derek asked his wife, who nodded her head.
" You could guess that Joey is mad but couldn't you see that your father is mad as well, you ungrateful Son." Jack slammed his cane on the tea table.
" Forgive me, my dearest father, I didn't expect that they would agree to my conditions. I didn't want to give you false hope."
Jack nodded his head, " I am glad you are home Son"
" Me too Dad, me too"
Natasha looked at her husband, though she met him during his banishment. It was only for some time, and she was always needed here to hold the fort so that her children would be safe, and as he was away, she took all of his responsibility. She was just happy with the fact that they all were again under one roof.
" What were the conditions?" Natasha asked still not knowing how the miracle happened.
"A few days before the last murder happened, Elder Salvatore came to me. He showed all the murders happening around the society. He even brought the bodies with him as well. Seeing the brutality in the murders and after examining their bodies. Father, I don't think it is from a known source of power. I didn't recognize the power. So, Elder Salvatore asked me to use my power."
Natasha gasped, " He asked you to use the soul search method? "
Jack slammed his fist on the table, " He has some guts to ask you such a request. Wasn't he the one who banished you for the usage of the same power? What did he say at that time? Ha!! He said that you were a dangerous person as you could easily manipulate the human souls into doing evil things."
Bella looked at her father and asked, " What is that power, father, and how did you get it? As far as I know, you didn't have that power before. Right?"
Derek smiled and explained, " Years ago I was hiking in the mountains 1000 miles outside our society when I stumbled upon this cave. It was hidden away, and I spent almost 3 months there to Crack open that door. When I entered, it was filled with magic scrolls. I spent another year there memorizing all the knowledge, and finally, when I came back, the people here started to fear me. Soul searching is one of the powers that I got from that cave. Soul search allows me to get access to anyone's memories, but it does have its side effects, which I know how to cure and avoid. Over the year I saw you through your mother's eyes. Whenever she met me, I used the power to know about you both. I used to do this while she slept for her safety."
" But doesn't the soul leave the body after the death?" Victor questioned.
" A peaceful dead soul does leave the body without leaving a trace behind, but an unnatural death will leave its torment, pain, and fear behind in the body. You just have to know how to search it. And if it's really a painful death, the soul might even leave a piece behind."
Victor nodded his head, " So, what did you find when you searched those corpses' souls?"
Derek heaved a sign, " Let's wait for tomorrow; I will tell you along with others in the meet; I really don't want to remember those things now."
Victor nodded his head, " Sure," then he looked at his mother, who was still smiling. It has been such a long time since he last saw his mother smile.