Chapter 11 A Visit To Caleb's House
After Four Years
“Are we there yet?” asked granny Miriam excitedly while the car sped from the airport to Caleb’s house in Cleveland, OH.
“We'll reach in five minutes, granny,” said Caleb, as he drove through the traffic.
Skylar watched out of the window, excited to get away from New York after two long years. Her granny was better and her grandpa wanted to relocate to Cleveland. Having freshly graduated, Skylar had no career goals at the moment. She just wanted to relax and enjoy life for a few days before deciding what she would do.
“Nothing has changed since my last visit,” she said, liking the place better than New York.
“Yes! Except I live in a quiet residential area now. It’s more peaceful there than in the previous neighborhood.”
“Oh, don’t you get bored in a quiet residential place?” she gaped at him, feeling a little disappointed.
“No, there’s no time to get bored with the twins around. It’s like a mad race at home and we are forever haggard. You’ll see,” said Caleb with a chuckle.
“I know what you mean. It’s always that way with kids in the house,” said Granny with a laugh. Two years ago, Lillian and Caleb welcomed their twin babies, Vivienne and Blade. Skylar and their grandparents had visited them. It was a brief visit since Skylar had to return for her exams.
“I can’t wait to meet them. Are they excited to know we are coming over?” asked Skylar excitedly. She regularly video-called them but hadn’t found the time in the last two months.
“Yes, very much. I hope you’ve got the toys they’ve asked for. Or they’ll force you to go to the mall first to get them,” chuckled Caleb. They all chuckled as Caleb steered the car into a wide-tree-lined street. He parked in the driveway of a two-storied house.
“This looks far bigger than the apartment you used to stay in,” said Grandpa.
“Yes, we bought it last year.”
Lillian opened the door and the two-year-olds ran out to greet them.
“Hi! Can’t believe you’ll are really here,” said Lillian, coming forward to hug Skylar.
“Yes, it doesn’t seem we’re meeting after two years.”
Caleb helped his granny while Lilian released Skylar and hugged her. The children rushed towards their great-grandparents excitedly.
“Gran gran, will you stay with us, now?” asked Vivienne, eyeing their huge suitcases.
“Yes, my little one. We’ll stay with you now.”
“Yay, Grandpop, do you like fishing?” asked Blade hopefully.
“Sure, I do, boy. I was the one who taught your dad.” Blade looked impressed and even more excited than before.
“Aunt Skye, did you bring the, My Little Pony set for me?” asked Vivienne in a whisper.
“Yes, Vivi, I’ll give them to you later,” she whispered back. Vivienne giggled and held her hand, leading her inside the house.
“The house is in a mess. I just returned from the hospital and the nanny didn’t help with the cleaning up,” said Lillian apologetically.
“It’s no big deal, dear. When the children sleep, we can all clean up the house together,” suggested Granny.
“Did you make dinner or should I order something?” asked Caleb.
“I just made their food, Caleb. I’ll serve them dinner, give them a shower, and tuck them in first. Then I’ll start preparing ours.”
“Do you want me to make something for us?” offered Skylar. Lillian looked relieved, and Skylar felt bad for her. She looked like a zombie while the twins fought over a box of toys, spilling its contents all over the place.
“Why don’t you freshen up first, Skye? We’ll make something together,” offered her brother. He led them to their rooms.
“We’ll use the room opposite the nursery,” said Grandpa.
“This one is ours,” said Caleb, opening the master bedroom beside the nursery.
“There are three guest rooms upstairs. Skye, you can choose the one you like. Just leave the first one. I’ll get the luggage,” said Caleb. Skylar nodded and went upstairs to choose her bedroom. She had no plans to return immediately, so she could just enjoy as long as she liked. She left the first one and chose the last one of the three. Why did Caleb ask her to leave the first one?
She went downstairs to get her luggage while Caleb got his grandparents' suitcases. She picked hers and dumped it in her room, not getting time to unpack yet. Quickly freshening up, she went downstairs to help with dinner. Granny started getting breathing problems and Caleb was busy with her.
So it left Skylar to make dinner for all! She wasn’t complaining since at home most of the days she made dinner for her grandparents. She was used to it. Quickly she checked the refrigerator and pantry and opted for spaghetti and meatballs. It was her specialty and even her grandparents appreciated it every time.
“Sorry, Skye. I’ll arrange for some help from tomorrow,” said Lillian apologetically as she ran after the twins to grab them for a bath.
“No need, Lillian. I’m used to this at home. It’s difficult to get help and we can manage fine. Don’t worry,” she comforted her.
Later, she served dinner, and everyone sat at the table. A haggard Lillian slumped to the chair after tucking in the twins.
“They’re quite a handful,” said Grandpa.
“Yes, especially at bedtime. They wanted to play with Skylar now.”
“Oh, I didn’t know! We could have played for a few minutes,” said Skylar, having no experience with kids.
“Few minutes? If they get new toys, they won’t sleep all night!” said Caleb with an eye roll.
“Look who’s complaining! You were the same, Caleb,” said Granny with a chuckle. “Don’t worry. Once they go to play school, they’ll get so exhausted, they’ll sleep on time.”
“I have morning duty tomorrow. The nanny will be here for the twins. Will you be around Caleb?” asked Lillian.
“No, I have two back-to-back surgeries to attend to.”
“Then I’ll drop the children at the daycare center,” she said with a sigh.
“No need, Lillian. I’m sure we can manage until you return,” offered Skylar.
“Yes, there’s no need to send the children away. What are we there for?” offered Granny. Lillian released a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Skye, granny. Actually, they used to stay in the daycare, but every time, Vivi returned home with an infection. I had to stop and summon a nanny here instead. I have cameras to monitor her from the hospital,” said Lillian.
“That was an excellent decision indeed!” appreciated Grandpa.
“It’s so much hard work to raise kids while managing a full-time career!” said Skylar with exasperation. She considered herself lucky that she was as free as a bird. While her friends, Eva liked Alexander and Hayley liked Ashton, she, Alyssa and Sienna didn’t have anyone yet in their lives.
Christian left her in peace after their bitter fight and for the last four years, she hadn’t heard from him. Strangely, no one mentioned anything about her marriage. Sebastian returned home after a fight with Erica and continued to handle the business. He had no interest in marrying Skylar, and that chapter was closed and forgotten. Skylar was glad that it ended this way. Although Grandpa Ben and her grandpa met occasionally, she didn’t know what they discussed.
“Only as long as they’re young. Once they grow up and start school, life settles down considerably,” said Granny.
“Despite the exhaustion, I’m happy with my life. It isn’t as bad as you think,” chuckled Lillian, helping herself to the food. “Mmmm, this is delicious! I can eat it every day!”
“Yes, Skye’s very good in the culinary department. Her food is to die for. She cooks up special dishes for us every day,” said Granny.
“I can never tire of her food! She’s better than Miriam!” said Grandpa.
“Yes, I agree with that. I’m so proud of her!” said Granny Miriam while Skylar blushed crimson at all the attention she was receiving.
“Please, I’m not that good. You should have tasted Hayley’s food!” Caleb chuckled, feeling happy to see his sister after two years. She looked so grown up and had matured a lot in the last two years. His hectic schedule didn't allow him to visit them and he felt guilt eating him up every minute.
“Why don’t you settle down here with us, Skye? Why do you need to return to New York? I don’t want you living there all by yourself,” said Caleb while Skylar smiled.
“Yes, I think you can look for a job here,” said her grandpa. “I don’t want you living in such an enormous house all by yourself.”
“I can look after myself, please. Anyway, I haven’t decided what I want to do. If I get a nice job here, I might stay back. Let me enjoy my life here until then,” said Skylar. Caleb looked at Lilian helplessly. Should they tell her about the guest who had arrived unannounced last night? Caleb had only updated his grandparents, who hadn’t informed her yet, in case she cancelled her plans. Granny shook her head, and they kept mum, but how long?
Soon Skylar would find out for herself. They didn’t know how she would react!