When they arrived at the towering buildings of downtown and made their way into the grand entrance of Biblio publishers, Vaughan had been anticipating they would meet in one of the executive conference rooms and that Gregory would pull Xavier over to the small café for a treat while business matters were attended to.

Neither of these things happened, though, and Vaughan found himself entering the elevator to the far left of the entrance and watching as Morrowe pinned in a number and swiping an employee card before pushing the button for the top floor.

They would head to Mr. Aryas office, then.

He should not be surprised, he admonished, it is to be expected.

Though having Xavier, even if he was a very well-behaved child all things considered, made him rather nervous.

"I should hope the reception is willing to watch Xavier. Perhaps while we meet Gregory can take him to the cafeteria, for a treat."

Morrowe smiled a bit mischievously and shook his head," Oh no. Mr. Arya would like Xavier there. Was wanting to meet him. To say hello, you know."

This last bit was directed to the dark-haired boy whose eyes had suddenly widened in a bit of terror," He had met your Uncle when your Uncle was a small lad, and I believe also your father. I feel he wishes to meet you just the same."

This seemed to settle any fears the child may have gained and instead drew a spark of curiosity, and with-it questions from the lad.

Vaughan was unable to process the questions directed to the adult trio the boy gave in rapid fire, mind narrowing into a pit of confusion and a strange sense of protectiveness from Vaughan. This last part confused him even further, as for he was not introducing any danger by bringing the child with them.

But he felt the need to try protest again, just the same.

"Still," he pressed," shouldn't he meet Xavier perhaps after our discussing the terms of the contract? It will all be rather boring I would imagine, and I would hate for him to tire."

"I won't uncle!"

The child was grabbing his hand looking up pleading," Please please please!?!? I really want to meet your boss and see his office! I think your workplace is so cool uncle, I never get to come! Please! I promise I will be good!"

Vaughan smiled a little at the warm feeling the boy pulled to him, and found himself without time for a response, negative or otherwise, for their ascent had stopped abruptly and the mirrored doors slid open smoothly to give way to a short hallway with deep sapphire blue walls with a large window on either side to give view of the shrunken city below, shiny black tiles gleamed up from the floor with a slight speckling as the daylight rushed in, chairs, a few rugs, and art were all a gleaming white.

A deep oak desk sat at the end of the hall near the double doors, where a woman with dark short hair that was straightened and meticulously styled with dark skin and eyes sat behind while two silent imposing men stood outside the doors, one whose red hair stood out from the dark surroundings and a balding one with a wrinkle in his brow.

The three all dressed in identical blue livery, though with the white also came lavender accents and Vaughan noticed for the first time the symbol of the Arya family on all their uniforms.

"Good morning Master McClellan," the woman spoke with a hint of accent lilting her words, though he couldn't quite place it," I am pleased to see you. Please, if you would like, take a seat while I announce you. Mr. Arya is currently in a meeting."

He nodded and the group slid over to one of the windows semicircled with white chairs and plush carpet to match, several bookshelves were built into the walls matching the same dark blue, lined with books all bound with identical light brown color that Vaughan wondered if they had been ever read considering the meticulous spines.

They were not left to wait very long, though before there was a faint sound on the other end of the door, and the two men turned just in time for the doors to slide open mechanically.

From it strode a lengthy man, willowy by nature but starkly so by the gaunt of his cheeks.

He wore a black and red business suit and obvious gold rings, earrings and chains around his neck, his cufflinks the same deep color and his cane just as much with gems burnished into the handle, a deep red and very large garnet inlaid at the top where long thin fingers clutched.

They watched as he strow past them with little notice, though his dark shining eyes took an extra moment glancing at Xavier before a sneer appeared on his face with no comment to follow.

Vaughan would have possibly taken offense on behalf of his charge had the man not been followed by a stern elder that he recognized all too well to be the very one who had summoned him.

Ishan Arya, the prestigious founder, and current sole owner of Bilbio while simultaneously holding the family name of Arya, a name to which a large overseas mining company excavated precious gems and valuable materials.

The man stood proud and tall, a hooked nose on his olive face, beard thick and manicured, hair more salt than the original stark black short and professional, his eyes where dark fires glaring to where the man in the black suit had been only moments prior, his fists and jaw clenched tightly giving Vaughan the impression he was holding back.

"I hope there is not much trouble upon you this morning," Vaughan was partially aware of Morrowes own form, tension he hadn't noticed in the man smoothing out to stand and shake the others hand in a friendly well known gesture.

Vaughan thought of the jewels the man who had left had worn and thought of the Arya mines, which where old and had been a source of ire between Vaughans own family and Ishan's. Ishan and his mother, though, had became close friends in college and as a result, from what Vaughan knew, the family attempted to use as many environmentally conscious mining techniques as possible.

Or something to that degree, he pondered before pushing any question to the matter away. It was none of his business what Ishan and his family did. His mother had liked the man, been close friends from what he had gathered over the years though he only dimly recalled the presence of the other at the occasional dinner party. His mother had apparently attended many of the Arya gatherings, though Vaughan had been content in staying behind on those occasions.

It was a small grace that Vaughan tried to remember when in the man's large stone and glass building with little green to speak of, and his family insignia wore upon his inner staff almost like a gang sign.

"Mr.McClellan, Morrowe. Please, all follow me," he promptly said, curtly turning and ignoring the obvious glare of the bejeweled man that was slowly hidden by the elevators doors. Vaughan took Xaviers hand guiding the curious boy to the main office noting the youngers attention was focused on the elevator doors.

He didn't blame the boy. Something about the mans face, his eyes, had been unsettling.

They filed into the office noting that all the décor reflected that of the hall- the deep blue of the walls, black speckled tiles of the floor, white furniture with dark wooden accents. There was a large window that spanned the wall to their left while the wall to their right held large double doors- a personal study perhaps? An overnight room?- this was likely since Ishan spent much time here he knew.

Behind the desk Mr. Arya settled himself, floor to ceiling bookshelves spanning either side of him in a grand display of power showing an array of books that Vuaghan knew were original prints and many very old. Some forms of art were on display here as well, made up with various metals and jewels, reflecting no doubt his family's mines.

They arranged themselves opposite at the desk, Vaughan in the middle with Morrowe to his left, and Gregory than Xavier to his right.

He made a discreet check of the boy and was thankful that even though he was star struck by the grandeur of the office, there was a respectable silence as he sat wordlessly with his hands folded primly in his lap.

"I would like to introduce to you formally," began Morrowe and Vaughan was thankful for the elder to take the lead, as for he was at a loss of not only fully what was going on but how to begin, much less address such a formidable man," Your employee Vaughan McClellan, as you very well know, and accompanying him today is his nephew Xavier and head butler Gregory whom I believe you already know."

Gregory and the elder behind the table smiled and shook each other's hands rather brutally, grabbing at one another's elbows and there was much patting and shaking and words exchanged before the CEO turned his attentions to Xavier, who looked very much the part of a deer in headlights.

"I once had met your brother, Xavier is the spitting image of he and his wife," he slid his steeled gaze over to the person in question, noting that aside from the shared curled heads the two couldn't look any different from one another, Xaviers features darker, grey eyes and raven hair with high cheekbones and pale skin while Vaughan held a more comely look about him and lighter features, the color to his skin being that from constant time spent in the garden and freckles sprinkled across his nose and arms as a result.

Caught off guard by the question, Vaughan stumbled for an answer feeling the squeeze of loss in his chest," I wasn't aware you ever met Dawson. He was my only sibling, Xavier is his only child and well with everything it seemed only right I took him in so well, yes," flustered he snapped his mouth shut as the man raised a brow.

Vaughan inwardly cursed, he hated speeches, public speaking, or interviews. He would only do so if it were scripted, and in advance, for then he could plan responses to answers.

He didn't know how it would be viewed if he studiously refused to be called dad, father, or anything of the like. So Uncle it had been, for that was who he was. He pushed down the tightness in his throat that always arose when his brother was spoken about.

A quick glance to Xavier showed the child had shown no signs of being moved in any fashion at the conversation.

Vaughan always worried the mention of his late parents would upset the child, but for how young he had been upon their deaths there was little memory to yearn for. Vaughan, though, did not fail to notice at times the pictures of cheerful families of 3 or more drawn, Xavier in the middle, at times with a sibling or two.

He wondered not for the first time if he was doing right by the child.

"Well," Mr. Arya recovered far quicker than he in the situation and plowed on pulling Vaughan from his thoughts," Morrowe had informed me of a young one coming along with this venture. That is, if you agree to the terms of the agreement."

Vaughan cleared his throat and gestured," That being? I take it I would not strictly be writing and adhering to dates as I have been-"

"Failing to do so? Yes quite."

Vaughan colored at the blunt calling out but Mr. Arya took no notice," My daughter. She is somewhat a fan of your work. Has been for many years, since you first published," Vaughan couldn't keep his eyebrows from shooting up," in fact, I think you should give her particular thanks for the leniency this company has shown in your current work ethic. This being the case I have a proposition."

Vaughan could only nod, words lost to him in the state he found himself.

"My daughter has been widowed for nearly two years now," he sat back, face pained at the mention of the family tragedies," and currently is dealing with her own ailments. As such, we find ourselves keeping her boys Elliot and Keaton, at home for their studies. I, as Morrowe has so kindly informed me, I believe I am not mistaken that you have been a tutor in the past."

Numbly Vaughan couldn't stop his head from bobbing up and down, a sinking suspicion of what this contract would entail.

"As such, I found it to be reasonable that you could lecture the boys in English literature and  help with writing skills. Elliot could use particular assistance with this."

"I'm not sure," he began to stumble out, shock slowly sinking in enough that he could finally move forward but Xaviers young voice rose above his own.

"Other kids?!?" the excitement of the younger one was palpable, "boys?!? Like me?!?!? Oh when can we meet them?!?"

Mr. Arya was smiling a tender look in his eye at Xavier who, in his excitement, had bounded from his chair to cling to the large desk.

"Now wait here," He was jarred from his shock to pull a lecturing voice to the boy," I have seen no terms of this contract, and all contracts are things you must read carefully before agreeing to Xavier."

"Very wise words your uncle speaks," There was a glint in the elder's eye, and Vaughan was distantly aware of Morrowe's own grin as Gregory coaxed the boy to sit down.

The CEO reached out and pressed a button on an intercom to his right," Mrs. Gamal, would you kindly have Aaron produce the contract please. Mr. McClellan would like to review the terms and conditions."

They waited a few moments, in which Gregory, Morrowe and even Xavier dissolved to chatter with the elder man.

Vaughan began to feel very much left out, especially in a matter that revolved around him and his career, but he could not help but feel intrigue at the unique situation.

Who would have ever thought that a simple violation of his current book contract would result in such a strange turn of events. Suddenly he was not quite so annoyed with being awake at such ungodly hours.

It wasn't very long at all, though Vaughan felt as if the minutes passed by longer than they should have, though his torment was broken when the short haired woman who had spoken to them earlier emerged from the front, and in her hands a thick stack of papers.

"The Contract, as requested Mr. Arya," she said as she quickly made her way from door to table, depositing the papers in front of the CEO before bowing and leaving as soon as she came after receiving a curt word of thanks.

"Now this is the contract," Mr. Arya had thumbed through a few pages, before turning and pushing it over to Vaughan," made in full by my personal lawyers, not Bilbio's, and this would be employment seen in conjunction with Bilblio but personally intoned by myself. As it states, your terms with Bilblio will be terminated if you break the terms of this contract."

As he was speaking Vaughan began reading in full, and soon was muttering under his breath the terms and conditions and every detail he could ascertain from the paper. If anyone could be hailed as a thorough reader of contracts, it was Vaughan McClellan. He was shocked he had never done any technical writing, considering.

After some time, he found the group had stood and left him as he paused his reading to sputter," 'live in educator?!?"

"It sounded better than 'nanny' though I feel my daughter would have preferred those terms," the elder said mildly as the group stood next to the window.

"Being there to educate them on language writing and literature at various times throughout their day to day lives by integrating their education into their general activities seems, oh I donno, sort of like a nanny," Vaughan lowered the contract from his reddening face to turn disbelieving eyes to the group.

In what world, he internally screamed, do you take struggling authors and thrust them into living in your home to care and educate for your grandchildren?!?

He wondered how the lawyer had taken this suggestion, and if there had been any disagreement, or just automatic loyalty due to Ishans power- which seemed to be even more than he previously assumed.

The CEO was not deterred while George and Marrowe looked on in mild amusement with Xavier watching Vaughan hopefully," Yes well, my Lawyer also agreed this terminology was better suited than 'nanny'. Though, however you wish to see it, these are the terms of the agreement. You wouldn't have to do much outside their English focus, my daughter already has others to assist in other factors and their a few years older than your fine young man here."

Vaughan was so tempted to refuse outright.

To sever all ties with Bilbio and go unknowingly forward.

But reminding him of his nephews' presence he turned his attention down to the hopeful unwavering gaze, the pleading obvious in those large eyes.

Sucking in a breath, Vaughan knew he was about to make a decision most unlike himself.

He was about to make a brash choice that would pull him off his everyday course of life he had been accustomed to for the last several years now.

He hoped he didn't regret it.