CHAPTER 41: Good food, good company...

Celeste
The morning after Randol and I told our fathers about our engagement, I wake up with a smile. I have to admit, I was nervous. Daddy is so important to me. I don't think my heart could have taken it if he was against it. I feel the claiming more anytime I'm not within eyeshot of Randol. It's like this pull telling me something is missing. If I had to choose between him and Daddy, I might have gone clinically insane. That feeling, in itself, is very odd and foreign to me. That never would have been a question before. Daddy would have been the easiest choice in the world. This claiming is a powerful thing, though. Without Randol close by it almost feels like I can't take a full breath. Lucky for me, I have the greatest father in the world and he just wants me to be happy. He would never ask me to make such a choice. Thinking that, my smile becomes even bigger and I leap out of bed.
It's time to get dressed for breakfast, but first I pick up my phone. Waiting for me is a message from Mr. Bianchi saying, "Your package will be delivered at 10:00 a.m. Sharp. Be sure someone is available to receive it." I immediately send a message back thanking him for his prompt service. I can feel the heat creeping up my neck as I throw on clothes. This man that is coming here today has taken shifters. Not just shifters, children. That is unacceptable. Children are off - limits in my book. Human and shifter alike. There is a special place in hell for people who would dare harm a child. I truly believe that. It will take all the willpower I have left not to make him experience hell on earth too. For a few hours, anyway. The only reason I would ever let this scumbag walk out of here is because I need to use him.
Finally ready, I dart out of my room to find Daddy and update him. I rush down the stairs and fly into the kitchen where I see Daddy and Uncle Anthony drinking coffee. "Daddy!"
"Whoa, sweetheart. Slow down. You're going to break your neck. What's going on?"
"Sorry, Daddy, but I just heard from Mr. Bianchi. Clark will be at the front gate at 10:00 a.m., so we need to have someone waiting." I can see his face instantly slip into work mode.
"Faster than I thought. Ty! Devan!" The two large shifters walk into the kitchen so fast, it was like they were waiting to be called in.
"Yes, sir, Mr. Torelli." Ty enters first with Devan hot on his heels.
"Gentlemen, Clark will be, literally, rolling through our gates at precisely 10:00 a.m., and I need you to be there to grab him when he does."
"We're on it, Mr. Torelli." Devan's voice comes out in a half growl as he answers. Clark is definitely not a favorite around here after finding out about some of the things he is responsible for within the organization.
"Great, might I suggest we all go ahead and get some breakfast while we still have time then?"
"Best idea I've heard all day, Daddy." I place my hand on my stomach. It feels like I haven't eaten in days. I guess my body is missing the normal midnight snack I sneak when no one's looking. I was exhausted last night though. There was no getting up once I flopped onto that bed. We all get our food and head into the dining area. Shortly Randol breezes through the door. To be honest, I could feel him getting closer before I saw him. It's a strange feeling, but I love it. It's warm and feels like home.
"Good morning, Princess. Sleep well?" He accents his question with a bright smile and a kiss to the forehead.
"I don't know if sleep is exactly the right word. More like I passed out."
"Well, you've been pushing yourself really hard, Celeste. I hate that I had to add to that by needing to be sewn back together."
"Well, yeah, but I guess you were worth the effort. I think, anyway." He throws me one of his mock looks of hurt, before heading off to get breakfast. He quickly returns and sits down next to me. "By the way, Randol, I got the text from Mr. Bianchi this morning. Everything is set. Ty and Devan will fetch our guest at the front gate at ten sharp." I motion to the two very angry - looking shifters across from me with my fork.
"All ready? Good. The faster this is done with, the better I'll feel. I hate the thought of that idiot Donnelly still being out there convincing other idiots that they are doing the right thing by trying to rid the world of the paranormal menace." I can see his jaw clench. "I especially hate that there are children out there in a dungeon somewhere, scared to death that they will never go home."
"We all do, Randol. Celeste's plan is a good one. It will work. Knowing my daughter, she won't let up until something does."
"Damn right, I won't!" Randol smiles at me and places another kiss on my head. "First let's all finish breakfast, then Daddy can inform the others of the pending arrival." Everyone nods and starts to shovel in food silently. There is a definite edge in the air. It's almost palpable.
We finish eating, and everyone heads to the kitchen to clean the dishes. Uncle Anthony stops everyone at the counter, though. "I can do the dishes. You all go deal with what you have to."
"Uncle Anthony, you don't have to do that. We can clean up after ourselves."
"Celeste, are you suggesting I'm not capable of doing a few dishes?"
"I would never. Thank you, Uncle Anthony." Everyone sets their dishes down by the sink and leaves the kitchen. I'm the last one, and I set my plate down before kissing him on the cheek. "You really are a softy, you know that?"
A jolly chuckle rolls from his throat. "Celeste?" I look back at him. "You are making this old man very proud. I know your mom would be proud of you too." He gives me a sad smile.
"Thanks. I hope she would be." I try to reassure him with a big smile, but heat is building behind my eyes, so I exit the kitchen to find Randol.