Lineage

Chapter 2

Colton

I was buckling my seat belt when Theo's phone rang. I knew they were worried so I breathed a sigh of relief thinking it was Vivian and Will. 

        "Hi Grandmother dear", he answers. "No, we've not talked to them, but mom called all three of us as well". 

I turn around and give the twins a soft smile.   "Don't worry, it is probably just a signal issue. You know some of the places they get into", I say before giving Tatum another smile. I  wish I could comfort her. I know they are all a little worried. To be honest, so am I. Will and Vivian are my second set of parents. Will is my dad's best friend, just like me and Theo. My mother died when I was just two years old, and Will and Vivian have always been there for dad and me. We've been on so many adventures together. We are family. Although, it's not a familial feeling I have towards Tatum lately. I want to be with her all the time. I keep imagining running my hands through her soft blond hair while I kiss her soundly. At first, it freaked me out, but the more I think about it the more I like the idea.

 Theo ends his call and I see him glance in his rearview at his sisters. 

        "Grandma and Grandpa got the same kind of calls we did". he tells them. "They have both tried calling back, but it keeps going straight to voicemail. 

My phone rings. 

        "Hello, hey dad, yeah I am with them". I glance over at Theo as I listen to my dad on the other end. 

         "All three of them got the same kind of call and so did William and Liz." I tell my dad. I see Theo's jaw clench. 

        "Ok, yeah we will be there soon. Love you too" I say as I  end the call. "Dad is headed to your grandparents right now". I feel the Land Rover accelerate as Theo's foot pushes the pedal harder. We aren't far from the Historic District. We will be at Bancroft Manor in a couple of minutes. Something is off. This isn't like Will and Viv. I could tell my dad was worried on the phone. I wish I could cradle Tatum in my arms and reassure her that her parents are ok. I turn around and gently smile at her hoping to offer some comfort. Theo drives into the garage and parks. We all get out quickly, Teagan all but runs inside to find her grandparents. Theo is a few steps ahead of us so I slow a little to let Tatum catch up. I put my arm around her shoulders as she walks up beside me. She leans into me and it feels like home. I stop as Theo disappears inside the door and turn her to face me. I bend down and gently brush my lips across hers and she responds eagerly. We end the kiss and I envelop her in my arms for a moment before releasing her when we hear my dad pull up outside. I let dad in and he grabs Tatum in a tight hug and runs his knuckles over her hair. 

        "Hey kiddo, how's one of my best girls?" he croons        

  "Hey Stevo!" she responds. "I'll be fine when we hear from mom and dad!"     

    "Oh, you know your mom and dad. They are probably hanging off the side of a mountain somewhere or somewhere in the depths of the ocean exploring an old pirate ship" he laughs. I didn't miss that the laugh failed to reach his eyes as they usually do.       

   "Yeah, I'm sure", she agrees. 

Dad walks on in and I reach down and caress her cheek before giving her a quick peck on the lips. I reach out for her and we walk in the door together, hand in hand. No one notices but Teagan, she rarely misses anything that has to do with her sister. We walk over and Tatum takes a seat on the barstool next to her sister and picks up on the conversation her grandparents and my dad are having. I rub my hand up and down her back to comfort her.       

   "I'm telling you that something is wrong!" Elizabeth argues.      

    "Now dear, we know that technology while wonderful can be spotty at best", her husband, William tries to soothe. "Let's not get bent out of shape until we need to".      

    "I do think it's odd that we all got the same phone call, but maybe they were just trying to reach whoever they could if they are having connection issues", agrees dad.     

     "If we haven't heard from them by tomorrow do what you do, Steve",  commands William.       

   "You know I will," dad nods. "So how was football practice boys?" We knew the conversation was officially over for now. We also knew Liz wasn't happy about it, but she didn't say anything else. 

        "Oh, you know, same ol same ol," I reply as Theo and I  follow the men into the living room. I glance back at the girls with a quick wink for Tatum.         

 "What was that?", I hear Liz whisper.  

        "Oh, you know, Tatum and Colton have a thing", I hear Teagan giggle as I hover near the door.

      "Hush!" Tatum whispers, "I really like him, and I think he might like me!" I hear her say breathlessly. I can't help but smile to think I have her breathless after just a couple of small kisses. She has no idea what I have in store for her. I think it's time for Theo and me to have that talk. As luck would have it he must agree. 

    "Let's go out on the veranda. It's a nice night for a chat," he says as he walks toward the french doors. 

I lead the way out onto the veranda and make myself at home in one of the oak rockers that grace the sweeping veranda. Theo leans on the railing across from me. I start rocking as I wait for him to say something.