Telky (Charles Xavier Love Story)

Chapter 20

It was a week after she and Dan exchanged numbers that she decided to let Hank know she was leaving for the weekend to Washington. They were both in the kitchen over dinner when she announced this.

"I going to Washington tomorrow. Thought I'd tell you, at least." Seraphina announced to the silence. Hank looked up from his oatmeal--or some sort of porridge--that he was eating for dinner. She had made an extravagant bowl of cereal herself. 

"Why?"

"Looking at an apartment." She didn't have to look up to know he was looking at her with a sad but confused face.

"I didn't think you knew anyone in America," Hank said. She laughed.

"I didn't either. Met a guy at a coffee shop, friendly, lives in the same house with his wife. I'd be on the lower level, as another man lives on the ground floor."

"I don't know, sounds shifty. . " Hank began. She smiled looking up at him. 

"That's the twist. I think the other guy is my brother."

"Brother? You never said anything about having a sibling!" Hank exclaimed quietly. They were careful about loud noises, as they disturbed Charles.

"Of course not! I've only just found out, haven't I? I always thought he died in a camp, alone, someplace near our father. Perhaps he thought the same about me." Hank closed his mouth and stopped protesting.

"If-if you decide to stay there, and not come back, just call? Ok?" Hank's voice tripped over the beginning of his sentence. She smiled at him sadly.

"Of course I'll call. I would phone every month, week, or day if you insisted Hank. I'm not planning on dropping off the face of the Earth."

He gave a quick smile before his face fell again. She understood why. He'd be alone with only Charles.

"I'll manage him, don't worry. It's not like he goes anywhere." She nodded and they each finished their meal talking about the most mundane things.

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Seraphina stretched her limbs as they creaked in protest. She wasn't impressively tall, but she was tall enough that an airplane's cramped seating was no luxury. She debated whether to use a bit of Charles' money to pay for trip, but Hank insisted that he wouldn't notice the fee. Thinking of him, she quickly called the house and left a message.

Without much rush she headed to the baggage claim where she discreetly used her power to lessen the weight of the two suitcases she packed. Standing on the curb of the pick up lane she stared at the ad glued the the opposite building and went through the minds of the drivers arriving. She found the one she was looking for and smiled as Dan and his wife pulled up in their car. She had talked to both over the phone and had a lovely conversation with his wife Anne. She could tell they would be friends.

"Hello! It's very good to finally meet you in person." Seraphina shook hands with Anne and Dan. She chuckled in her mind, their names rhymed.

"You as well! I say, when I heard you'd be looking at the place I thought you sounded familiar." Anne smiled through the mirror at her once the car was in traffic. Seraphina forced a smile that looked nice enough.

"Yes, I do share a last name with Roderick." She said nicely. Anne's memory clicked into place and she laughed lightly.

"Of course! How could I not realize that? Any chance you're related?" Seraphina could tell Dan was listening as well. "Perhaps a long-lost husband?" Anne wiggled her eyebrows in a joking manner. Seraphina chuckled along. She decided to tell them of her suspicions before the couple came up with their own theories. People were like that, even if they were nice, she had learned.

"I have a strong suspicion he is my brother. I had a brother named Roderick, once, though it has been a very long time. I thought him dead."

Both husband and wife were silent, and the friendly air was replaced with shock.

"What happened?" Dan spoke for the second time that car ride. Seraphina considered her words. Then, she decided on not saying any words. She started to roll her sleeve up her left arm and held it up so both could see the reflection of the numbers in a small black line. After she saw both their eyes stare at it she rolled her sleeve down again.

"Oh my," was all Anne could say. 

"It means more than you know I could tell you of this. Please don't feel sorry, or any of that. It's in the past," Seraphina added to her silent statement. She felt they felt too awkward now that they had asked. The couple nodded and for the rest of the car ride they conversed mostly about the neighborhood and surrounding workplaces; she'd need a job soon.

Before long they reached the house. It was lovely place, with three floors though the lower level was half above ground. She could see the currently vacant apartment had those windows that allowed a person to climb out of and run away from a fire or something. It was a lovely house with a light green exterior with white windows and gutters and a two white front doors. Hers would be on the side of the house.

Dan took her bags from the trunk and chuckled a little. "I'm not sure how you made carrying these so easy, Sera." She smiled and took them from him. Her powers did come in handy for that. Walking with the couple first to their level, she set the bags down in their guest bedroom as the spare apartment was empty of everything but a washer and kitchen appliances. There was a laundry line out back. The mansion had one of the newly popular spin-dryers, but this house didn't and that was fine.

She then followed them down to the main level that had a bigger living area that they explained they mostly sat in. The one upstairs was rather small. Within the hour the trio heard the distinct sounds of a car pulling in and a door slamming shut. Seraphina was suddenly anxious, and Anne noticed.

"He'll be pleased to see you, even if he isn't your brother," Anne reassured her. Seraphina smiled gratefully. Anne was more perceptive than she had originally given her credit for.

The door opened and Roderick walked in.

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Are any of you excited for the next chapter? Or is it boring? Am I dragging this out? Feedback?