Chapter 68 Chapter 68
"Terrified," Iris admitted with a small smile. "But also... hopeful? I keep thinking about Bryce showing my brothers the game room, and my mom, Carol, meeting Dianne. It's surreal but not entirely in a bad way. Tony parked his car in the circular driveway, taking a moment to admire the architectural beauty of the Lawson mansion. Though he'd visited many impressive homes throughout his life, there was something uniquely elegant about the estate's classic lines and thoughtful landscaping.
"Ready?" he asked, squeezing Iris's hand one more time before they exited the vehicle.
Iris nodded, drawing strength from his steady presence. As they approached the grand entrance, the massive oak doors opened before they could reach them. Richard Lawson stood in the doorway, his tall figure silhouetted against the warm light from the entrance hall.
"Iris," he said, his voice carrying the careful balance of paternal affection and respectful distance he'd been maintaining since their first meeting. "Tony. Welcome."
Inside the mansion, Dianne hurried down the grand staircase, having hastily changed into a simple but elegant outfit after leaving her studio. Despite her efforts to appear calm, her eyes immediately sought Iris with the hungry gaze of a mother who had spent twenty years starving for the sight of her child.
"I hope the movie was enjoyable," she said, approaching with measured steps, fighting her instinct to embrace Iris immediately. She had learned yesterday that her daughter needed space, needed time to adjust to physical affection from parents who were still strangers in many ways.
"It was wonderful," Iris replied, relaxing slightly at Dianne's evident attempt to respect her boundaries. "We saw Rear Window. The set design was remarkable."
"One of my favourites," Richard commented, guiding them toward the main sitting room. "Hitchcock understood how environment shapes narrative, something I imagine resonates with your designer's perspective."
Theodore appeared from a side hallway, tablet in hand as always. "The Maxwell family is ten minutes out," he informed them, his efficiency masking the emotional significance of the impending arrival. "Bryce is practically vibrating with excitement."
As if summoned by his name, the youngest Lawson brother bounded into the entrance hall, his usual energy barely contained. "Iris! Is it true that your brothers are bringing their basketball shoes? Victor said we could play two-on-two with them!"
Iris couldn't help smiling at his enthusiasm. "Buck and Finn are on their school team. They'll probably enjoy the challenge."
In the Maxwell family SUV, Leo navigated the winding approach to the Lawson estate, his firefighter's hands steady on the wheel despite the butterflies in his stomach. Beside him, Carol was reviewing her mental checklist of everything they might need for the overnight stay, a habit formed through years of managing a household with five children.
In the backseat, the boys' reactions varied according to their ages and temperaments. Jakob and Nikolaus pressed their faces against the windows, eyes wide as the estate came into view through the trees. Buck and Finn maintained a studied casualness that didn't quite mask their awe at the sprawling property.
"Whoa," Jakob breathed as they got closer to the window.
The mansion emerged from the line of ancient oaks, its pale stone facade glowing warmly in the late afternoon light.
"It's even bigger than Bryce's photos showed," Jakob breathed, his face pressed against the window.
"Pictures never capture scale properly," Nikolaus observed quietly, his artist's eye already studying the architectural proportions, the way the evening light played across the stonework.
Leo pulled the SUV to a stop at the security checkpoint, where a uniformed guard approached with professional courtesy. "Mr and Mrs Maxwell? We've been expecting you. Please proceed to the main entrance; the family is waiting."
"Yesterday they were drinking coffee in our kitchen," Buck muttered from the backseat, shaking his head. "And now this."
"They're still the same people," Carol reminded him gently, though she felt the weight of his observation. Having Theodore, Victor, and Bryce in their modest home yesterday morning had been surreal enough; entering their world felt like stepping through a looking glass.
As they drove up the curved driveway, the front doors opened. Iris emerged first, still in the clothes she'd worn to her café shift, her face lighting up at the sight of her adoptive family. Behind her, the Lawson family arranged themselves on the stone steps, Richard and Dianne together, the three brothers flanking their parents.
"Mom! Dad!" Iris hurried down to embrace them both. "How was the drive?"
"Long," Leo admitted, "but worth it."
Jakob scrambled out of the SUV, his nervousness from the drive evaporating as Bryce bounded down the steps toward him.
"Jakob! The crystalline experiment is ready, I've been setting it up all day!" Bryce's enthusiasm was infectious, building on the rapport they'd established in the Maxwell kitchen yesterday.
"Can we start before dinner?" Jakob asked eagerly.
"Absolutely. I've got everything prepped in the lab."
Nikolaus followed more carefully, clutching his sketchpad. Victor descended to meet him with the quiet respect he'd shown yesterday.
"My mother is looking forward to showing you her studio," Victor said. "She's been working on new pieces since Iris arrived."
Nikolaus nodded shyly, remembering their conversation about discipline and creativity from yesterday's visit.
Buck and Finn emerged last, exchanging a glance as they took in the full scope of the estate. Theodore approached them with the same composed manner he'd displayed in their home.
"The basketball court has lights for evening play," he informed them. "Victor mentioned you'd be interested in a game after dinner."
"Definitely," Finn confirmed, relaxing slightly at the familiar topic.
Dianne stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Carol. Yesterday, her sons had delivered gifts and gratitude on her behalf. Today, she could finally express it herself.
"Carol. Leo." Her voice trembled slightly despite her efforts at composure. "Welcome to our home. I can't thank you enough for raising her, for loving her, for being here now."
Carol felt her own eyes grow damp. "Thank you for having us. And for your extraordinary generosity."
Richard shook Leo's hand firmly. "I hope Bryce didn't overwhelm your household yesterday. He's been planning this weekend for days."