After the trees were planted everyone moved back into the house. Cody noticed Jonathan watching Remi and Aisling closely. Thinking maybe he had a thing for Aisling she walks over to him for a chat. "So what do you think of such a ridiculous tradition?" Jonathan looks at her with a dull expression.
"I think it"s cute and endearing that they want to cherish such milestones. I don"t think that we have been introduced ?" He looks at her and finds her to be someone who is unappealing. Wondering why she is here among such a warm caring family. He goes to walk away and she stops him.
"I"m Cody by the way . I just arrived today I"m not a member of this craziness." Making it clear to him that she is not family.
He looks down at her and gives her a look of disdain before telling her his thoughts.
"Well I"m not family either but I would never say anything so disrespectful about my hosts. They seem to be an extremely close and welcoming family. I just met them today and I wish my family was more like this. You can tell by just watching them that they are honest , caring, genuine,and most importantly accepting of others. Take Aisling for instance no one would guess that she has had an ounce of unpleasantness happen to her. Remi there doesn"t say a word but because of their closeness they know what she wants. This is a unique family that others could use as an example on how to behave. Now if you will excuse me I am going to mingle and soak up some of this warmth." He turns and walks away not sparring her a second glance. So much for trying to get someone to distract Aisling . She sits pouting at her failure to get Astila attention.
Crystal sees Cody looking sad so she walks over and sits by her.
"Are you the Dr that has come to help my mommy?" Her eyes big with excitement and hope. Cody looks at the child wondering who her mommy is.
"Astila asked a co worker to come but she was not able to so I came. Who is your mommy?" Crystal looks at her she sees a darkness in her she doesn"t like. Thinking she will need to talk to MoRee Moll when she tucks her in.
"My mommy is Remi ,a mean man hurt her so Astila sent for a special Dr to help. I hope you are going to help my mommy." She touches her hand wishing she was still special so she could see what she is up to. Astila comes over and picks up Crystal in his arms. Smiling adorningly at her.
"little imp it"s time for cake you better go get some before Thomas eats it all ." Setting her down he sends her off. Taking the seat next to Cody he needs to let her know what he is expecting from her.
"Did you get a chance to look over the information I sent Winona?" Cody leans close to him making sure that he has the best view of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
"No not yet I got it just before leaving. I left as soon as I heard it was for you." She places her hand in his trying to keep his attention on her.
Astila moves her hand and looks at the crowd as he talks to her.
"Remi is the one your here to help . She hasn"t spoken in five years. She is still recovering from an attack so you will have to take it at her pace. Don"t rush her she is still pretty weak. Her liver was lacerated and we almost lost her. She can"t even walk up stairs yet so if she isn"t up to it at first don"t push her. If you need anything let someone know. " He goes to stand up and she grabs his hand. He looks at her and asks.
"Is there something you need?" She tries to pull him back down but he isn"t budging.
"I was wondering if we could talk some more since we haven"t seen each other for months. I mean you never even let me know when you left for Baltimore let alone got married. " she lets her anger show in her tone . He just looks at her puzzled then inquired.
"Was we close enough for me to inform you of my plans. Except being co-workers we were not friends. I don"t recall us having anything much to do with each other. I know we seem to always be stationed together and have a few mutual friends but I do not recall anything else. " his tone was so cold it could match the freezing temperatures outside. She let her hand drop as if she had been bitten. Salali noticed the interaction an thought to herself. Good job bro put that snake in her place. Crystal found Moll and had her come with her.
"MoRee I don"t like that girl. She has a darkness about her. She says the one who was supposed to come couldn"t . I don"t think Astila is happy about her being here either. I know uncle cookie isn"t he yelled at her earlier. Can you and momo Maureen help me keep an eye on her. " she looks at Crystal taking her in her arms. This baby may have had her gift taken for a time. Her instincts are still intact. She kisses her forehead and tells her softly .
" We are already on it. We noticed that her intentions are not pure so don"t you worry. We will take care of it. Now let"s go turn some music on and dance maybe we can get Randy to play for us." They go back to the living room and Crystal grabs Randy.
"please play for me I want to dance please?" He looks at her pleading eyes and gives in. He goes to the piano and taking that as a signal John and the boys go get their instruments from the front closet. In no time the house is filled with music and laughter. Aisling not to be out done sneaks upstairs and gets her flute. Looking at Crystal she begins to play an Irish lullaby. The haunting sound in no time has the kids curling up and nodding off. Astila didn"t know she could play but was impressed by it. To him it"s something else to adore about his wife. When Yona Sam and Debra got back from tucking the kids in. Debra asked Aisling to sing for them. Salali grins she knows how beautiful her voice is from when she sang the sage song with her. Randy begins to play a song from their school days. Aisling"s begins to sing. The sound fills the house and everyone is perfectly silent . When she is done they all erupt into cheers. Glancing at the time she notices it"s close to midnight. Bidding everyone safe travels home and thanks them for coming. The five ladies send Remi to bed and the men to clean up the living room while the five of them clean the dinning room and kitchen. They look at Cody and let her know she can go rest if she likes . She watches from the top of the stairs at how the men just do as they are told. Even Astila and the commander didn"t argue with Aisling . What kind of woman is she really that can get two of the most fierce men she has ever met to do her bidding. She watches them laugh and joke while cleaning. Wondering how she is going to get Astila to leave here. Sighing she goes up and gets ready for bed . She peeks in and sees the three kids asleep. She notices that there is a faint smell of lavender in the room. Looking around she sees that there is a small oil infuser in the room. Inhaling deeply she realizes exactly how tired she is laying down she falls asleep immediately.
Down stairs Astila noticed the exact moment she went to her room nodding to the others they head to the dinning room. Everyone gathered around the table to have a family meeting. Steve still thinking he sent for Cody gives Astila a grim look.
"Son how could you send for her of all people? You know that she only has her own interest in mind. ?" Astila looks at everyone looking at him as if he done something wrong.
"Hey I sent for Winona not Cody. I swear I did not send for her." Moll backs him up on that by informing them of her chat with Crystal.
"Crystal says she told her That the one who was meant to come couldn"t . Though that child doesn"t have an active gift right now she is pretty good. She says she has a darkness." Salali looks at her brother and Aisling she wants them to know she already spoke to her.
"look earlier she was eaten up with anger and jealousy over you being with Aisling. I gave her a warning that you two were married and I would bury her if tried something. I know that you have been avoiding her for years but here you can"t. I think she thought when you sent for Winona, that it was her chance. Not knowing you were married. I just hope that she will still help Remi and not cause problems. " Aisling looks at everyone and finally lets them know how she feels.
"She is a guest in this home. As such she is to be treated kindly unless she does something she shouldn"t . I felt a cold chill the moment she stepped out of the car. I knew that evil was close but unless she does something we are not to do anything except place an extra layer of protection around this house. I trust my husband and know how much he loves me. I have no fear of her. I would prefer not to deal with her while pregnant but she is here. I won"t avoid her if she decides to not do what is right by Remi she will not be paid and a complaint will be filed with her supervisor. Now I know she is still active duty so I will leave giving her orders to my loving uncle. I know with him here she will do what is right. Now with that said Babe I hope you call Winona and make sure everything is ok and if she is still willing you can get her to come." Astila salutes her and takes her by the hand to head upstairs.