As we neared the dining room, delicious smells were filling the air.  We went through the dining room and into the kitchen.  “What are you making Uncle Theo?” Emma asked.  “Antony is making lasagna and I am making homemade macaroni and cheese,” Theo answered.  “Can I help?” she asked.  “It is almost done.  You and Jade can set the table,” he answered, “do you need your hat and apron for that?”  “No, silly, that is not cooking,” she answered.  “For how many?” I asked.  “Go ahead and set it for ten,” he answered, “you never know how many will show up.“  I got out ten plates.  Emma got ten forks and spoons.  We went back to the kitchen for drinks.  We got eight cans of coke, one can of diet, for me, and a cup of juice for Emma.  We sat down, in our customary positions except Ripley, who sat at the head of the table, to wait for dinner.

A few minutes later, Antony and Theo brought the food out.  My mouth watered.  Soon, others began arriving.  Ten place settings was exactly right.  There were three new faces that I didn't recognize.  Ripley looked at them, “I will let you introduce yourselves.  This is Jade and the little one is Emma.”  They all three looked alike.  They also looked like Emma.  Black curly hair, big eyes, and a bright smile.  “I am Jason,” the first spoke up,” I am pleased to meet the both of you.”  He was older than the other two, made apparent by the lines around his eyes and a few stray gray hairs.  The two younger ones introduced themselves as Craig and Steven.  I couldn't find a difference between the two.  They must be twins.

They are here to take Emma, aren’t they?  They want to.  I looked at Ripley.  Does Aris know?  Yes.  Nothing will happen until he is back.  They will have to prove that she is theirs.  How would they prove it?  You will see.  He took a hold of my hand under the table.  It will be okay.  Just squeeze my hand when you need to.

It was mostly them talking to Emma during dinner.  The rest of us remained mostly quiet.  Once dinner was over, I got up and started picking up plates.  I got to the older man.  He grabbed a hold of my wrist to stop me from picking up his plate, “you do not serve me or mine.”  “I don't mind,” I said reaching for his plate again.  “No,” he stated, not budging, “Set those plates down right now.  I will carry them.”  I set them down right next to him, a little frightened.  I went back to my seat next to Ripley.  “She should not be serving anyone,” he growled at Ripley, “is Yaris aware of this?”  “Yes,” Ripley answered, “she helps occasionally.  When she wants to.”  I squeezed Ripley's hand.  “I only help when Emma wants to help,” I offered.

He looked at Emma.  He softened at the sight of her, “Emma helps?”  “I am a big help,” Emma responded, “tonight we set the table.”  “Of course you did,” he sat back, crossed his arms and smiled.  The other two, Craig and Steven, nodded their agreement on something, I have no idea what.  “I cannot wait for you to meet my Lizzy,” Jason told Emma, “She spends all of her time in the kitchen.  She loves to cook.”  Emma's eyes got big, “She does?  Is she here?”  “No little one,” he answered, “but you will meet her soon enough.”  I squeezed Ripley's hand.

Theo and Antony did the cleanup.  When they were about done, I took Emma to our room to change her into a snowsuit.  I also changed, then we went to the back door to join the others for a smoke.  “Stay here on the deck, Emma, it's to dark to go out in the yard,” I warned.  “Oh, but, I want to show them the igloo,” she said disappointed.  “I want to show them too,” Antony stepped up, “Is it okay Jade?”  “I guess so,” I looked at him relieved at the offer.  I don't want her alone with them, but I don't want to be around them either.

Ripley lit me a cigarette, then one for himself.  “Who are these people?  What is going on?” I asked as we watched them make their way to the igloo.  “He believes that he is Emma's father,” Theo answered, “their baby girl was stolen about three years ago.  Emma is the right age.  Jade, she looks just like them.”  I felt a crushing weight come down on me.  “I think I need some wine,” I whispered.  “I do not know if that is a good idea,” Ripley responded.  “I need something.  I can’t hold your hand all night.  They will find that funny,” I told him.  “I do not care much about what they find funny,” he responded.  We watched as she walked in the igloo and they all crawled in behind her.

“Yaris is going to be back early.  They cut their trip short for this.  They are on their way now,” Ripley told us.  “Did he get done with what he needed to do?” I asked.  “Yes, Lia did not.  She and Max can go back another day, though,” he answered.  “When will they be back?” I asked.  “We have to entertain for about two hours.”  “What are we going to do?” Theo asked.  “Is everyone done eating dinner?” I asked.  “Almost,” Ripley answered.  “Let's do another story time with the kids,” I suggested.  “That is an excellent idea, Jade,” Theo complemented me, “I will make the arrangements.”

We waited while they played for a few minutes longer then watched as they made their way back to us. Antony was carrying Emma.  “Somebody got tired,” he told me as they got close.  “Not too tired for a story time, I hope,” I said.  She looked at me, “I want a story time.”  “Let's go in and get you changed.”  “Okay.”  Antony handed her off to Ripley and we made our way to our room.  I picked out some pajamas while Ripley got her out of the snow suit.  I changed into some warm pajamas, a robe and bunny slippers.  I helped her into her pajamas and bunny slippers.  “Are they ready?” I asked Ripley.  “Not quite.”  “Emma do you want to help me pick out a story in the library?”  She nodded her head yes.

Theo, Antony and the newcomers were waiting for us in the library.  “What kind of story do you want?” I asked Emma.  There were some children's books stacked on a side table.  “Pick one of these,” I led her to the table.  She picked Robin Hood.  “That's a good story,” I agreed with her.  “They are ready now,” Ripley told me, “we invited parents too.  Is that okay?”  “That's fine,” I answered.  Ripley picked Emma up.  “Jason, will you join us too?” I offered.  “I am honored.  Are Craig and Steven invited as well?” he asked.  “Yes,” I answered.  We made our way down stairs to a room that was large enough to accommodate children and adults.  Cots were set up for the kids and chairs for the adults.

I waited until all of the kids were situated on their cots and the adults were seated.  Emma was on a cot near the back, close to Ripley.  I started the story.  Thankfully, it is one of the longer stories.  It would take more time.  Emma looked asleep about fifteen minutes into the story.  By the end, half of the children were asleep and the other half were close.  I closed the book and set it on a nearby table so that the kids would have it to read.  The adults all quietly left the room.

“Those kids are all going to want bows and arrows for Christmas now,” I heard a man say out in the hallway.  “It has been taken care of,” Ripley told him.  “Thank you,” the man replied.  I wondered what Ripley meant by it has been taken care of.  We made most of them earlier this month.  How did you know that I would read that story?  I told Emma to pick it.  He smiled at me.

We decided to leave Emma where she was sleeping.  Two older girls were staying to watch over the younger kids and Ripley posted two guards outside of the door.  We decided that it was time for a smoke.  I went with Ripley so that he could put on his winter apparel.  I changed while I waited.  “Just so you know, I have two more guards stationed inside the room with Emma,” he told me.  “Do you think that they will try to take her?” I asked.  “I do not know.  I would like to be safe though,” he answered.  “Thank you.”  “You do not have to thank me.  We have all grown quite fond of Emma.”  He put his boots on and we made our way to the back door.  They were waiting for us.  Ripley lit me a cigarette, then one for himself, then passed the pack around for those who need a cigarette.  Jason and the twins took cigarettes.  “Yaris should return soon, no?” Jason asked.  “Anytime, now,” Theo answered.  We waited and smoked in silence.  He is here.  He is making them wait on purpose.  Why?  I do not question why Yaris does what he does.  He usually has a good reason.  Do you want another smoke?  Yes.  He lit another one for me and himself.  Jason declined the offer.  Theo and Antony accepted.

Just as we finished our cigarettes, several vehicles drove up to the house.  I took off walking towards the vehicles.  Aris got out of the Lexus and stood tall scanning the area.  His eyes met mine and he headed toward me.  We met about halfway.  “I have missed you,” he rumbled.  “I missed you too,” a tear escaped my eye.  He caught it with his thumb, “Do not worry.  I will take care of it.”  We turned and headed to Ripley.  Everyone that had emerged from the vehicles followed us.

“Before we decide anything, we need to eat,” Aris spoke up, “ we hurried back and did not stop to eat.  Also these vehicles need unloaded.  We will handle that after we eat.  Then I will hear you out Jason.”  Jason nodded his acceptance.  We walked right past everyone up onto the porch.  “Theo, Antony, would you mind heating up leftovers?” Aris asked.  They went inside.  Aris lit me a cigarette and one for himself.  “Where is Emma?” he asked me.  “We did story time with the kids.  She is asleep with them,” I answered, not taking my eyes off of him.  “Is something on my face?” he asked quietly.  “No, I’m just so glad that you are back.”  He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it.  We finished our cigarettes and went inside to the dining room.

The table had already been set for twelve.  A diet Coke waited for me in my spot at the table.  Aris pulled my chair out for me and I sat.  He took his seat at the head of the table.  After a few minutes Antony brought out dinner rolls and a fruit and vegetable tray.  I ate a dinner roll that literally melted in my mouth.  Then after a few more minutes, Theo brought out the lasagna and Antony brought out the macaroni and cheese.  Antony went back in the kitchen and brought out more dinner rolls.

I opted to not eat.  I couldn't eat much earlier and I was still all nerves.  Aris dished me up some food.  “Try to eat,” he ordered.  I picked up my spoon and tried the macaroni and cheese.  It was so creamy, the best I have ever had.  At least Jason and the others were elsewhere.  Ethan and James had taken them to the library to wait while we ate.  I finished the macaroni and cheese and started on the lasagna.  It was excellent to.  I had to stop because of the inner turmoil in my stomach.  Aris put his hand on my stomach.  He calmed it, but said I can stop eating it, “Try another piece of bread.”  I ate another dinner roll.

When everyone was done eating, Aris organized the unloading of the vehicles.  He gave Ethan a key to our cabin and told him where to put the gifts.  Two vehicles left and drove towards our cabin.  Of the remaining vehicles, some of the gifts go to our room in the main cabin.  The rest were split up between Max, Lia and Kale.  There were a lot of groceries.  I had never seen so much food.  It looked like they had bought out a whole grocery store.  I just stayed by his side, his arm around me, the whole time.  We watched for a little while, then when everything seemed to be going smooth, we went out for a cigarette.  Ripley, James, Lia and Max joined us.