Chapter 31 - The Cabin Pt. 2

*Serena*

I was in complete awe, not able to say a word that would do this place justice. I just stared, trying to take in everything at once. The private plane was a luxury that I had not expected, but this place. Just WOW.
We got out, stretching our legs, even though the drive wasn’t more than forty-five minutes from the small airfield where we landed. Garrett started to unload our bags, and I didn’t have to do a thing but walk up the wide stairs to the front door. I wondered if Daddy would insist I sleep in his room. I wondered if I would too. I was tired of being a brat, but they had brought it out of me.

We went in and left everything at the foot of the stairs for now. Garrett began to show me around, explaining all the little nuances of the mansion they called a cabin. The great room was to our left, and it was a great room. Low couches and armchairs were scattered about. A huge fireplace was in the middle of the wall, a massive television screen above it. The wooden, exposed beams on the inside added a cozy ambiance to the space. Even the ceilings were wood beams. Light streamed in from the windows that made up the back wall.

Beyond, the great room towards the back of the house was a long dining table that would seat twelve. It sat in front of a wall of windows, showing off the perfect view. Next to that and still open to the great room was the kitchen. A low wall separated it from the great room, a countertop with four stools sat around a huge kitchen with all of the most modern appliances, all gas in case of a black out, Garrett explained.
Out of view for the moment was a door to the pantry. Inside was a door for the basement and the safe room, if it was ever necessary. I shuddered. I would not like to be stuck in a small room indefinitely. I hope that was never necessary.

Under the stairs was the beginning of a hallway that led to an office and a home gym, the laundry room and more storage for linens for the beds and towels for the bathrooms.

I wanted to see everything, but I was drawn to the back of the house. I wandered towards the kitchen and the back door, also glass so no view was obstructed. It was late afternoon now and the sun would be going down soon. I glanced into the kitchen with curiosity but opened the door to the outside.

There was another covered porch the whole width of the house and a gazebo that held an outdoor kitchen. A small bar, a fridge and a grilling set up with a smoker were within. The pool sparkled with the late afternoon sun. A hot tub sat beyond that and promised a warm sanctuary for relaxing in.

Tables, chairs and loungers were laid out around the space, and I settled in one, absorbing the atmosphere and the peach and quiet. The guys followed me and it was heady, the power I had over them.

“It’s so beautiful here. So luxurious, but peaceful and unspoiled. The cabin is more than I imagined it would be,” I giggled self-consciously. “A cabin in the woods. More like a mansion in the woods. You undersold this place, Daddy.”

I could tell that he was pleased that I called him Daddy.

“One day, I’d like to retire here. It has everything we need. Wait until you see the provisions we have stored in the basement. That reminds me, Garrett. We need to program her palm print so she can get in the gate and the basement.” he directed.

I nodded because, yes, this place was perfect for retirement. I was a little surprised that they were so concerned about programming me in, but if there was an emergency, it only made sense.

“We can do it now, or first thing tomorrow,” Garrett said lazily. No one was in a hurry to do anything but soak up the atmosphere. I could tell that this was one of their favorite places in the world. I could tell that even though things weren’t yet settled between us, they were all relaxed and comfortable here.

No one moved, so I guess that would happen tomorrow. I wanted to explore the house, but this little slice of heaven called me to sit a while longer and listen to – well, nothing, I guess. I could hear crickets start to hum, but there was no traffic, not hum of the city. We were isolated out here and it would be a little frightening if I wasn’t with three huge men that would do anything to protect me.

The sky started to turn pink and orange on the horizon. I sat up because it was spectacular, the way it lit up the mountains. In a few minutes it would be gone but now, it was the most glorious sunset I had ever seen.
I never wanted to leave here. Not ever.

Once the sun had settled over the horizon, we all went back inside. The darkness was so complete, it was eerie. I was uncomfortable with the open windows and Paul did something with the knobs on the wall and shades were drawn down to blanket us in a warm cocoon inside the cabin.

The kitchen was stocked with provisions, and we started dinner. Once that was going, Devon took charge, and Garrett took me into the pantry. A door, probably half the width of a regular door was tucked in on one side, not noticeable if you were standing at the entry to the pantry. A palm reader was built into a shelving unit on the side. Garrett used his palm to open a settings menu and then he had me put my hand there, a few beeps, my palm on the scanner once more and voila, I was programmed in.

The door opened on its own, no knob to speak of and we went down a steep set of stairs. I held on to the railing, glad of my sensible shoes. Automatic lights had turned on as we entered, and about halfway down, the room came into view. It looked like someone’s living room. Couches and chairs on one side of the room and an open kitchen on the other. A table and chairs. One wall was lined with a television, and other electronic equipment. But there were some devices that I didn’t recognize. I asked Garrett about the equipment.

“This is a ham radio. If we ever are cut off, cell towers or internet not working, we can use radio waves to communicate. We’re pretty high on the mountain, with help far away. This would be used in extreme emergencies. We have a generator for backup power too.” He explained.

It seemed extreme, but with emergency services so far away, I guess it made sense. Having always lived in a city, it was something I had never thought of before. If there was a big storm that knocked out power, it made sense to be prepared. The thing was, there was way more equipment on that table than a ham radio. I wondered what it all was used for, Garrett clearly wasn’t up for telling me right now. Maybe I could ask again later.

There were several doors down here, but Garrett only opened one. A huge storage room was filled with non-perishable food and other supplies. This place was a fortress in the making. All we needed was an apocalypse and we would be able to survive here for a decades, if needed.

It was curious that they were so prepared for whatever the world threw at us, but I didn’t ask all the questions I was thinking. Like, what was behind the other door and hope many people could live here indefinitely? How long would the generator last? I’ve those prepper shows. I was totally down for being prepared for any eventuality.