France was beautiful. As Jackie drove us through the countryside I took all I could in. Old cobbled houses, stood surrounded by tree's, that gave way to grassy hills, that rolled for miles before giving way to fields of flowers.
To a city girl like me, it was captivating. We drove by houses near the beach and when we turned south, the beach gave way to vineyards and farm land.
The whole scene gave me a sense of peace I didn't even know I was lacking. I was smiling without even realizing it and slowly the fear I had of meeting my aunt was evaporating into a simmering boil instead of threatening to choke me.
I turned to whisper that to Decklen but stopped. He too was staring out the window but with a different look on his face. Where mine had been of curiosity and wonder, his was filled with hunger and longing.
Deciding to confront him later, I continued gazing at the passing scenes. I relaxed into my seat and after checking that my GPS was still showing that we were headed for Provence, I closed my eyes knowing that Decklen would wake me if anything was wrong.
I took a breath. The windows were open, and the breeze sprang a few strands of hair loose from its bun as I smiled to myself. I could smell salt in the air which was odd because we had left the ocean behind. And there was a sweeter smell as well though what I wasn't sure, but it was calming in the most familiar way.
Hours later, one that went very quickly Jackie was turning onto an unevenly paved road. We drove along bumpily before she turned onto a dirt road. Slowly she drove, and I felt Decklen shift in his seat as I looked around.
We crept slowly and trees that formed a canopy above us cast shadows along the road. Glancing up I saw that the branches above us were thick and may I thought, might hold my weight. I looked ahead and saw that we had come up to an iron gate. On each end was a post that had an animal I didn't recognize topping it. It was tall and majestic looking as well as terrifying.
The body of a lion and the head of an eagle.
Jackie punched a code into a number pad that I hadn't noticed before. I wasn't sure anyone could unless you knew it was there as it blended into the iron and ivy so well it was almost too easy to miss. The gate opened, and Jackie withdrew into the car. Jeweled eyes stared at me judgmentally as we drove past.
I turned around in my seat and watched as the gate closed sealing me from the real world. Turning back round I saw the trees started to thin and the road started to curve.
We came around the bend and a house appeared in front of us.
At that point, I noticed a number of things at once.
The first.
Decklen swore. Not badly but he never does at least not in front of me.
The second.
The flowers. From the car to the house were nothing but beautiful petals. Butterfly's flew everywhere, and I could hear the bee's buzzing from inside the car.
It's a good thing I’m not allergic I thought glancing at Decklen.
The third.
Decklen again. To say he looked shocked was an understatement. Thunderstruck, bewildered, dumbfounded. Those were all good.
The fourth.
The house, or at least we, were at an incline. This house was settled on a small hill and from the open windows of the car, I could make out the sounds of the ocean.
But the fifth thing, and what really held my attention, was the house. Two stories tall it was magnificent. The same animal that was on the gate was carved onto the sides of the house. Flowered ivy crept along the sides of the house and i could make out wild roses brimming along. I could see a balcony on the second floor facing the gate, and the doors were open curtains billowing softly in the wind.
Jackie drove us up along the road and parked. We got out of the car and I was hit by the smells of flowers. Glad for my neighbor’s herb garden I recognized the smell and sight of lavender, it was growing everywhere.
Jackie went around the car and when she brought out my suitcase she smiled at my shocked face.
"It takes getting used to, but you will I promise." She said.
We started forward and I noticed at once that Decklen had vanished. Wishing he wasn't I was suddenly nervous. We started forward towards the carved doors, when they were suddenly thrown open abruptly and a young vibrant woman came running out.
Before I knew what was happening, she swept me into a hug.
"Finally, Rheya. How I've waited for this day to come." She cried.
She released me and began pulling me into the house.
Where the hell is Decklen I thought looking around as I was dragged into the stone building.
The house was just as beautiful on the inside. As I was swept in, I looked around and saw pieces of furniture from another time laid out artistically. I pulled away from the woman and looked around.
"I'm sorry but who are you?" I asked her.
"Why, I'm your Aunt Cherise." she said astonished.
"I thought my 'aunt' was sick." I said slowly.
But she waved it away.
"I needed to say something drastic for the insurance company to find you. Not that it worked. Ended up having to take matters into my own hands either way, didn't I?" She said.
I didn't speak.
"Was the drive alright?" She asked.
"It was fine." Jackie said. "Do you need anything? I've got little ones to see too."
"No, your fine. Thank you so much dear." Cherise said to her.
They hugged warmly before Jackie turned to me. "I'll be seeing you, Miss. Rheya. It was a pleasure. I'll visit soon." She beamed.
I nodded as she turned and left.
I looked on silently and desperately for Decklen, but he was still nowhere to be found. Instead I turned to her.
"So, the will was a lie then?" I asked picking up a small lion statue.
"Well no. The will is true, but I am nowhere near dying, so your inheritance is but a while off."
"Isn't that fraud?" Decklen asked.
I smiled relieved at the sound of his voice.
My aunt however did something neither Decklen or I were prepared for.
She screamed.