“My …” I was speechless. “My great grandfather?”
He twisted his lips and frowned slightly. Apparently, he realized my shock all too well.
“Maybe we‟d better go inside. You are looking a little flush.” He turned to his grandson. “Boy! Get the girl here a glass of that tea. I think she‟s going to need it.”
Turning back to me, he motioned with his hand for me to follow him.
Heather and I walked up the steps into the home. It was cozy and warm. The feeling of warmth and love hit us as soon as we walked inside the small cabin. It was exactly like I would picture it. The walls were covered with Native American Indian paintings, beautiful pottery was scattered all around, and a colorful throw covered the chair.
Willie motioned for Heather and me to take a seat on the sofa. He sat down in what I figured was his favorite chair, a rather old recliner positioned in front of television. It looked as though it was one he was not willing to part with. John came in with two glasses of tea. He handed one to me, then gave Heather the other glass.
“Well, I‟m guessing by the shocked look on your face you didn‟t know anything about us,” he began.
All I could do was nod. My emotions were having a field day.
He eyed me carefully again. “Uh-huh. I guess I‟m not surprised. I saw very little of my granddaughter after she married. Her mother, your grandmother, married one of them too. Not to my liking at all. Not at all.”
“I never knew my mother.” I began. “She died giving birth to me.”
“Yes. I heard about that. It was…” He stopped short.
“It was the white man‟s poison that killed her.” A rough husky voice announced as a tall towering figure moved into the room.
The rugged hard looking man who stood in the doorway looked very much like a warrior. It was hard to believe how muscular he was. He leaned against the doorframe to what I considered was the entrance to the kitchen. His muscled dark arms flexed as his crossed them over his chest. His coal black hair hung long and loose behind his shoulders. The black eyes peered deep into mine, sending chills down my spine.
“Taylan!” Willie snapped as he turned to him.
“I make no apologies. It is the truth and you know it!” he roared.
“Taylan, Boy!” Willie snapped again.
Taylan remained quiet. The black eyes flamed with anger, offering no apologies or sympathies for his conduct. There was something dark about him, but I couldn‟t put my finger on it.
“Well, now…” Willie began again. “Taylan here is your cousin. He‟s let‟s see, your Aunt Tess‟s younger son.”
I eyed Taylan carefully. There was still something about him that I just couldn‟t figure out. Even his smell was different. It was a stronger scent, mostly woodsy and earthly toned. He smelled like someone who had been hunting in the woods for a very long time.
“Taylan.” I nodded to him. Taylan remained expressionless and motionless, not really acknowledging me as I had hoped.
“I could better explain everything and introduce you to the rest of your family Sunday if you like. Tess would be the one who would want to fill you in on your mother.
She would have me by my neck if I didn‟t bring you. I‟m sure you have a lot of questions.” Willie sat back in his chair ignoring Taylan.
“Yes, I do. I would love to come back Sunday and meet Tess. What time shall we be here?”
“Oh, I‟m thinking around five or so. Meet me here and we‟ll drive out to the reservation. Tess and the other women will probably put together a welcome home for you. It will be their way of welcoming you back into the family. You still have our blood running through your veins.” His eyes twinkled.
I blushed. Smiling politely, I wondered if he knew exactly the kind of blood that ran through my veins. Did he know my father was a Lycan? Was this why he was so upset that my mother married my father? I wanted to ask all these questions here and now, but I realized it was later than I had expected. My questions would have to wait until Sunday. Still again, I wondered if he even knew of the Lycans.
Heather and I rose to our feet. Willie walked with us to the front door. I turned to him as I reached the porch.
“I promise I will come back Sunday. Five it is?” I smiled.
Willie nodded and gave me a wave. His eyes looked sad, but at the same time, I could understand his sadness. I gave him a gentle smile. Turning, Heather and I got in the car and we headed home.
We discussed the adventure and the questions we had found answers to. Heather noticed the same thing about Taylan that I did. She confirmed my thoughts; there was something about him. He smelled different. We just chalked it up to being outside for a while, bringing with him the smell of the woods. However, we didn‟t notice anything in particular different with John or Willie.
Heather and I contemplated on how to tell Daniel. I told her I would manage to tell him tonight before we go to bed. My only hopes are they he really didn‟t know about my mother‟s family. If he did, I was going to have a major confrontation with him. No lies.
No secrets. No deceptions. I was done with my family hiding things from me. Daniel had promised me no secrets, and I was intent on holding him to his promise.
Daniel and Jason arrive home only moments after Heather and me, which gave us just enough time to make it inside the house. Heather went to her room and showered. I did the same. I still needed to discuss Daniel‟s earlier actions with him. Having a different smell on my skin would cause too many distractions and questions on Daniel‟s part. He was sensitive when it came to smells, and I knew he would be asking me questions before I was ready. Tonight, when we were finally alone we would have time to talk openly, and discuss his abrupt behavior this morning. My face was not bruised, but my feelings still carried the sting of his anger.
After Heather and I were dressed and ready, we made the trip for dinner to the Maxwell home. I managed my thoughts nicely. Keeping Daniel preoccupied with other thoughts as Heather had suggested. He of course, ended the evening too soon. I almost wanted to laugh out loud, but contained it to only a chuckle.
After the quick trip back to our home, Jason and Heather, tired and exhausted from a very long day, headed to bed. I guessed they would be asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.
Once I changed out of my clothes and returned to the bedroom, it was no surprise to find Daniel waiting in the middle of the bed. I ran my fingers through my hair as I walked toward the bed. Daniel still had some explaining to do.
“Julie, I am sorry about what happened this morning.” His voice was soft.
“Daniel.. ” My voice was firm.
“I know and believe me, I cannot understand what was going through my mind.”
“So you took it out on me?” I winced and then released a huff of air from my mouth.
“NO!” His expression was one of surprise. “It was just an overreaction to you hitting me. Julie, I truly would not do anything to harm you. It was not my intention. I promise I will never do that again. You have to believe me. It is just all this rage I feel inside. ”
“Then why don‟t you talk to me about it.” I moved closer to the bed.
Daniel looked away and then slowly his eyes shifted to me again. “I cannot.”
For whatever reason, Daniel was holding something back. His thoughts were cautiously covering something up. I couldn‟t tell what it was he had planned, but whatever it was he was determined to keep it from me.
I couldn‟t blame him at his point. I had my own secrets. But there was one I was ready to confront him with.
Climbing into the bed, I pulled the covers over me. Daniel moved closer to me and gently pressed his head against the side of my face nudging me to allow him access to my neck.
“You know, I was hoping we could talk.” I began.
“Mm-hum.” He mumbled now nipping at my neck.
“Daniel, “I ignored his advances. “Did you say my mother was human?”
He stopped, pulled back slowly and looked deep into my eyes.
“Yes, why?”
“Do you know anything else about her? I mean where she was from. You know, things like that?”
“No. I only know what I was told by Martin and my father. Martin just told us that she was not like us.” He was now wondering where I was going. “We only guessed that meant she was human. Why?”
“Heather and I found a picture of my mother this evening.” I didn‟t see any reason to tell him Richard was the one who gave me the picture. “She was standing with two people from the Qualla Reservation in North Carolina. Did you know my mother was a Native American Indian?”
He propped himself on his right arm and stared at me in disbelief.
“An Indian? No, Julie. I was totally unaware about your mother. How did you find out?”
“We made a little road trip.” I rambled out.
Daniel‟s expression changed immediately. The shocked look on his face was quickly replaced by a frown. I watched his eyes slowly change from that soft brown to a deeper darker brown. He was upset. His disapproval of my road trip was apparent.
“Julie.” His tone controlled. “I do not want you to go off somewhere like that ever again. You are taking too many risks.”
“Heather was with me.” I announced defensively.
He glared at me. “I do not care who was with you. If it was not me, then you need to stay where you are the safest. Julie, there is a war going on. The clans are in the middle of a war. Werewolves are hunting Lycans. What were you thinking? Do you know what kind of risk you put yourself into? What kind of risk you put our child into?” He snapped out, still controlling his tone although still somewhat harsh.
I studied his face for a moment. Yes, I could see his point of view, but at the same time he wasn‟t seeing mine. I wanted to know about my family.
“Daniel, don‟t you think I have the right to know? I have the right to know about my mother. About who she was. About my family that I never knew existed. Why do you think I took a trip like this?” I argued.
He shook his head. “I understand this. I do. BUT what was the reason you did not tell me first. I would have gone with you.” His voice sounded sad. “Julie, when are you ever going to learn to trust me?”
His words cut deep again. My heart dropped inside of my chest. Staring into his eyes, I saw the hurt and the pain.
“I do trust you.” I spoke softly.
“Then what was the reason? Julie, if this was so important to you, a part of your life, then did you ever consider I would want to share it with you? When are you going to understand what I am to you? You are mine. Everything about you concerns me.”
I waited a moment. No answer or reply was coming to me. I was hurt. I felt Daniel‟s pain. There was no denying that I was having a difficult time allowing him to be that much a part of my life.
“You need to learn to trust me.
Please.
” He begged.
“Daniel, I can‟t explain what I was thinking. I just wanted to know about my mother. I met my great grandfather. He was the one in the picture with my mother. He invited me over Sunday, for a family gathering. You will go…right?”
Daniel contemplated his answer for a moment as he hazel eyes stared into my eyes.
He knew how much it meant to me to meet my family.
“Of course, I will. I want to meet this family of yours. Besides, from what I am gathering, you are already fond of this grandfather.” He twitched a grin.
My eyes widened in excitement. “Yes, I am. I can‟t wait for you to meet him. He is so awesome. He is a true Cherokee. Daniel, there is so much to learn.” I rambled on excitedly.
“Yes, I can tell.” He leaned closer and kissed me on the forehead. “We will go together. I want to know everything there is about you. My mystery woman.” He smiled.
My heart was overjoyed. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulling him closer, planted a huge kiss on his lips. He pulled back from me a little shocked. A smile twitched on his lips. Daniel‟s thoughts were pretty encouraging as well.
“Now, let‟s take a look at those thoughts you‟re having. Shall we?” I purred softly.
He reached over and turned the nightlight off. The rest of the night there were no more conversations. Only wonderful moments of love and passion were what we shared. Even in the darkest hours, there always seem to be hope.
The dreaded evening approached. I was still uneasy about facing the whole clan again, but I had managed to make it through the engagement party. Now, I had one more challenge to face, yet again. Aunt Doris. She would have another field day with this. I smiled to myself. Well, let the woman have her moment. She
was
part of my family. And news like this was sure to take her to whole new level.
Charlotte had booked the Grand Hotel again, on a Thursday, no less. I was surprised how they had put together a function so fast, and for so many people. Then again, the Maxwell family was their best customer.
The room was decorated lavishly as always. Beautiful flowers in the bright colors of fall adorned the large room. Tables were covered in white linen and set with gold trimmed china, the finest they offered.
The room was filled with people. Some I didn‟t even know. All were dressed in formal attire, black tux for the men and evening gowns for the women. I turned to look at Daniel. He fit right in dressed in his black tux. He looked absolutely handsome, as always. His black hair, slightly tossed gave him a sex appeal I adored. The dress I chose was elegant and appropriate for the evening: light blue, long sleeved, and floor length with a slit up the left leg. The tiny silver trim shimmered in the light as I moved across the room. My girls were covered this time, so at least I didn‟t have to worry about exposing them while climbing into the limo. Daniel, of course, would never let me forget. He chuckled lightly at our inside joke.