Snippet #8

As he dressed to head to the family estate, he could not help but think about the dream he had had which felt more real than any other dream he had ever had about this woman who has haunted him for as long as he could remember. He was supposed to have been at the house last night, but with the discussion he had with Shannon. He was in no mood to socialize with anyone and felt he would do better to avoid the family dinner the night before the full moon hunt. Michael seemed all right with him not being there which was kind of out of character for his brother being the control freak he was about the family. He was just glad his head was not pounding after the amount of scotch he had drank last night. He took one last look in the mirror and headed out of the hotel.

As he exited the door of the hotel, the valet had just pulled his car up to the door. He got in and was so glad he had gone with the same car his brother had because he was ready for a bit of speed at the moment. He smiled as he put his hands on the steering wheel, put the car in gear and hit the gas. The tires barked as he pulled away, he felt the push of the power forcing him back against his seat as the car pulled out into the flow of traffic. When he was able to open up and add more speed, he did. He felt as though he was flying. He let the feeling take him over enjoying the freedom.

He felt more relaxed than he had ever remembered feeling as he pulled up in front of the family estate. He looked around as he got out of the car, noticed an extra little girl playing with Claire and Michelle. Without even thinking, he walked towards the girls playing. As he got closer, an overwhelming feeling of familiarity took over and as the child turned and looked at him, he stopped cold as his eyes locked with hers.

She smiled sweetly and knowingly. Dani asked, “Hi, are you Claire and Michelle’s, Uncle Daniel?”

Shaking off the shock, he shook his head as he replied, “Yes, and who might you be little one?”

She put her hand out to shake his as she introduced herself, “I am Danielle, but everyone calls me Dani. I don’t go by my full name. I like Dani much better. Do you like people calling you Daniel, or do you go by Danny too? I like your car; can I drive it someday? Why weren't you here last night for dinner?”

He tried hard not to laugh at how quickly the little one pounded him with questions. He smiled at Dani as he answered, “Nope, I go by Daniel. It is more grown up for work and all. But if you want to call me Danny, I will answer but only to you. I like my car too. We will see about you driving it someday. I was taking care of some business last night, and it is why I was not here last night.”

She smiled at her achievement as she replied, “Okay Uncle Danny. Do you want to play with us?”

He shook his head as he declined, “I would love to, but I have some grown up stuff to discuss with Michelle’s mommy first. How about later, okay?”

She nodded her head, smiled wide at him, and turned back to Michelle and Claire. Before he walked away, he addressed his nieces as he asked, “Do I get a hug, you two?”

They laughed, jumped up and ran to him with their arms open wide. He wrapped his arms around them and hugged them tight. He could not take his eyes off Dani. There was something about her he felt he knew but could not put his finger on it. But her eyes were just like the ones from the woman who haunted his dreams. He kissed both girls on the head, let them go, and headed into the house.

As he entered the house, he could hear a lot of chatting coming from the family room. He walked towards the door and entered the room, as he did everyone stopped talking and turned towards him. He stopped short. He felt as though he had just walked into an intervention group. He asked, “What is going on guys?”

No one was sure what to say since no one had mentioned Christine’s name to him since he had given up looking for her and started dating Shannon. Lyric looked at Michael then back at Daniel. Michael stood up and moved towards his brother. As he requested, “Come with me; we need to talk.”

Daniel looked at Michael then at Lyric as he said, “I know you are upset with me about not being here last night, but I really wasn’t in any mood to socialize. I really need to talk to you, Lyric.”

Michael looked back over his shoulder as he admitted, “She will be joining us.”

As he moved past Daniel he patted him on the shoulder. Daniel did not like the way this was starting to feel. He turned and followed Michael with Lyric behind him. Something was going on, and he did not like the way it was feeling. He looked back over his shoulder at Lyric. He could see it on her face. He was not about to get good news.

As they entered Michael’s office, he stopped just short of the chairs and demanded, “What is going on? First, I pull up, and there is a new child on the compound who I have pictures of from surveillance, and now all of you are acting just nuts. So, tell me now, what is going on and why is that child here?” Anger was now starting to take over because he could not understand why his family was acting so nuts.

Michael walked around his desk and sat down. Michael looked at his wife then back at his brother. Lyric walked past Daniel, sat down, looked up at him and motioned to the chair. She advised, “Daniel, you should really sit down for this.”

Daniel looked at her then moved towards the chair. Sat down with a thud. He looked at Michael as he demanded, “Well, what the hell is it?”

Michael leaned forward folded his hands and placed them on the desk in front of him. He addressed him, “Daniel, what I am about to tell you is just as much of a shock for me as it will be for you. But since there is really no other way to break this easily, Christine is back and here in Boston.” He wanted to allow what he just said sink in for his brother. He sat quietly waiting.

Daniel just looked at him then turned to Lyric with a look of questions. He looked back at Michael as he asked, “Who? And I care about this person why?”