Maybe Someday

Roll 3 Scene 13 - A Family Dinner, Take 1

December 20th, 2019

They arrived fifteen minutes late.

It was Lia's fault.

"If Beth makes a fuss, I'm telling her it's you," Ian said, getting out of the car. The evening light highlighted the grays in his dark brown curls as he pushed them away from his forehead, a habit Nith had inherited. His five-o'clock shadow made him look even older. "Make sure the cupcakes don't get mushed up. We need them to keep Beth at bay."

"Yes, yes." Lia followed behind him, shutting the car door. Her hands swayed the cupcake box as much as she walked to the door. Acting like an eight-year-old who got scolded.

Nith parked the car in the driveway next to Kate's old black truck. It looked washed and waxed as it glistened in the moonlight. There was a lavender garden in the back and the scent had the night air deluged. The garden lanterns were up, illuminating a soft golden hue. Making the house look royal. 

The Aurums didn't live in a normal house. No, they had a mansion that was five times larger than the Sage household, dating back to Kate's great-great-great-grandfather.

The Aurum's mansion ... It always made Nith feel small. As if it was this huge wall he had to cross if he ever wanted to get close to her.

Nith sighed, pushing back his russet hair. The wall had gotten smaller but he still felt the same. He took the cakes - he made two. One big enough to serve 10. The smaller one was only for Kate - walking to the door.

The butler opened the door for them.

"Good evening, Mr. Sage and Miss. Lily. Sir, is waiting in the sitting room." The old butler motioned them inside. One of the maids standing next to him took the box of cupcakes from Lia's hand. Nith placed the cakes on top. Another took their coats.

Clide - Kate's father - was in the living room, sitting in the chair with a newspaper in hand. Nith had never seen the man without a paper in hand. His once blond hair had now turned a shade similar to salt and pepper. It was combed back. His eyes were a piercing shade of bright blue.

Kate had gotten her blue eyes - though hers were in a softer shade than Clide - and her chin cleft from him.

"Ian." He stretched out his hand when he saw the Sages walking inside.

"Clide."

"Little Lia and Nithan, long time." Clide inclined his head. Nith did the same. "Nick?" He was a big fan of Nick.

"Nick has a game on January 2nd, so the team is practicing for that." Clide nodded. "Where is Kate?" Lia asked.

"Martha," Clide called one of the maids, "where is Katie?"

"Miss is in the dining room. She insisted on setting the table."

"I will go and say hi." Lia slipped out of the room, giving Nith a light pat on the back.

Clide put his newspaper on the table. "Bar?" he asked, "Ian? Nithan?"

"No, I'm ok."

"Sure. Might as well get some now," Ian replied, following Clide into the bar, leaving Nith stranded in the hallways. The butler and the maids left with them.

Nith shook his head, walking further inside. "Like deja vu," he mumbled to himself.

The last time he was in here was when he was 18. A day before Kate left for college. He was at Aurum mansion to help her pack, promising her that he would meet her at the orientation next week.

When he went back home that night, he tore his acceptance letter to shreds before deciding to accept another one. One furthest away from Kate's.

It was impulsive and stupid, Nith knew that. But he did it anyway.