HOMECOMING

by Ev and Donna

Ev and Rayden were in an artistic mood that day. They had the idea that coloring books might be fun, so they had coloring books of all the Disney movies ever made and all the colors of crayons ever made spread all over the kitchen table as they laughed and played. Suddenly Rayden looked up as if listening to something in the distance. "We're about to have company." He smiled.

He helped Ev get up and took her to a window that overlooked the road leading to Mood House. Off in the distance she could see three riders approaching. As she watched one of the horses took off in a run and started bucking. The rider managed to get the horse back under control as they neared the outskirts of the formal gardens surrounding the front of the house. She giggled. "That must be Dani! I hope he doesn't get hurt!" She reached out with her mind and smiled at the affection between the man and the horse. "I think they're playing."

Rayden grinned at the scene before them. "Looks like he may need riding lessons, but he seems to be enjoying himself. Let's go down to greet them." He picked Ev up in his arms and then disappeared in a shower of sparks, to reappear in the front hall of their home, ready to open the door. They didn't want to get Katherine and Dani too nervous right away. They weren't so used to Rayden's magic yet. As they opened the door they could see the three riders coming up towards the house.

Connor on his magnificent black Arabian stallion were leading the way. On his left side was an fancy chestnut mare being ridden sidesaddle by a beautiful young woman with golden hair that shown in late afternoon sunlight. As they watched the other horse bolted again and shot past the other two and ran through the garden towards a large fountain. The mare slid to a stop, dropped her shoulder and deposited Dani with a loud splash right in the middle of it.

Ev couldn't help laughing out loud. So did Rayden. Ev finally got herself under control enough to call out to him. "Are you ok?" When he looked up at her all soaked, with water streaming off him, she couldn't help but laugh harder and it set off a contraction. She laughed through the whole thing this time.

Rayden beamed at them, almost literally. His white hair in the sunlight was really bright. "How was your trip? Like this all the way?" Connor groaned an affirmative reply as he jumped off his stallion in front of Rayden and Ev. He reached out to hold Katherine's mare so she could dismount. As she lifted her leg over the leaping horn of the sidesaddle, Rayden stepped up to the side of the horse and smiled as he reached up to put his hands around her small waist and lifted her effortlessly off. A look of surprise crossed her face momentarily as a slight electric shock ran through her body as he touched her.

Rayden grinned as he placed her down on her feet. His eyes were sparkling with mischief. "It's been a long time since I've seen anyone ride that way." He took her hand and kissed it, still grinning. "Do you like the gardens? I think this is one of the most beautiful places on the island. On the other side of the house, especially in the towers, the view is really spectacular. And of course, on this side, there's a good view of whoever is in the fountain." He chuckled, as Dani finally dripped over to capture his horse. He winked at Katherine and then turned his attention to Dani. He suddenly shimmered all over, startling him, but when it was over, in a second or so, he was perfectly dry and clean.

"Welcome to Mood House, Dani!" Rayden called. Dani stood wide eyed for a moment, then broke out in laughter. Before he could answer Rayden though, he yelled, "Jinx! Not the roses!" and he raced over to his mare who nibbling on a beautiful red rose in full bloom. Rayden laughed. "Don't worry. She won't eat many. They have thorns, you know. She'll learn. She's a beautiful horse. Let me show you where the stables are. We have everything ready." Ev took his hand and they walked around to another building on the side of the house away from the steep slope down to the beach. There was a lovely, well equipped stable and a pasture. Several horses were already there.

After the horses were taken care of, Rayden and Ev invited then inside. Dani was looking around in undisguised amazement. Katherine was interested too, but her reactions were much better controlled. Ev was smiling with pride that they liked her home so much. "We tried to think of everything to make it as pleasant as possible. All four of the towers have their own kitchens, with anything you like, all kinds of electronic stuff for movies and music and computers, some really nice Jacuzzis. All sorts of things. They're all connected with the breezeways, so if its raining we don't have to get wet and there's a really great sort of giant rec room under the courtyard. All the towers have halls that lead down to it. There are places for doing any sort of hobby, painting, ceramics, dancing, there's a gym, it's a great place. I hope you like it here." She realized she was babbling, but once she got started, it was hard to stop.

Connor grinned at her, his eyes shining with amusement."So which tower is ours? And just wait until I tell Carol that you forgot her when you told Kat who lived her with you." Ev blushed and giggled. "Oh god! I'll never hear the end of it will I? We were a little distracted then." She looked over at Rayden. "We kinda have a hard time keeping our hands off each other, you know."

Rayden grinned and took her into his arms. "Of course. You're the most beautiful woman in the world. You won't be teased just yet, though. Carol and her guys are camping at the beach." He paused a moment and smirked. "They are still eating breakfast down there. I don't think they'll be back until this evening, if then. You know how they are."

Katherine's attention was not on them as they talked. She was looking out the window at the gardens at something that had caught her eye. "Is that someone up in one of the trees out there?"she asked.

Ev looked out and grinned. "Oh, yes. That's Johnny. John Clayton, Earl of Greystoke. He spends a lot of time in the trees some days. Depends on his mood. That highest tree there is his favorite. He has a nest up there he sleeps in sometimes." Ev sent out a call to Johnny to let him know their company had arrived. Katherine raised an eyebrow slightly at the idea of an Earl sleeping in a tree but said nothing. The tour of the house continued and after a while, they left it and went out into the meditation gardens. There, waiting for them, was yet another Connor look-a-like. He had long hair, and a strange presence about him that grabbed Katherine's attention immediately. When Connor noticed the way she was looking at him, he whispered, "Down, girl" in her ear. She did not dignify that with a verbal response, just elbowed him sharply in the stomach.

Rayden and Ev noticed the look Katherine was giving Johnny. They exchanged a grin. "Katherine, this is John Clayton, Earl of Greystoke. He's a kind of outdoors type, as you can see." Rayden smirked at Johnny. He was wearing shorts this time, at least, instead of the loin cloth, in deference to Katherine's arrival.

Staring intently at her, Lord Greystoke bowed at the waist and took her small hand in his, kissing it gallantly before releasing her hand with obvious reluctance. "I bid you welcome, Lady Katherine," he said with just a touch of a low growl to his voice. "So formal today, Johnny." Ev teased. "Even dressed for the occasion!" She giggled as Johnny turned and grinned at her.

"Why not?" He would have said more, but his stomach suddenly growled. Very loudly. He chuckled and shrugged. Rayden took that as a signal. "It is getting towards dinnertime. Would you like to eat out here in the garden? This part, with the unicorn is Ev's favorite." He smirked at her after that remark.

"It sounds lovely," Katherine replied graciously. "But I would like to change out of these travel clothes and freshen up a bit before I eat." Sure, no problem." Ev smiled and pointed back towards the tower that was to be theirs.. "Think you can find yourway ok?" Then she caught herself. "Duh! Connor knows his way around." She grinned. "I think the babies are sapping my brains now and not just my energy." She patted her belly. "We'll be here when you're ready. Ok?"

Connor led Katherine and Dani up to the tower that contained their rooms. Dropping Dani off in his, he took Katherine into his. Their bags were already on the bed waiting for them. Katherine started stripping off her riding clothes the moment the door was closed as the grinning Connor watched. It took so doing, but he refrained from taking advantage of the situation knowing that the others were waiting on them. After a quick clean up, they returned to the gardens. There was now a beautiful table with a linen and lace tablecloth, set with places for them all. Rayden was standing, holding a white rose, while Ev was giggling, teasing Johnny, who was now cleaned up and dressed nicely for dinner.

Rayden's face lit up as they returned. "Whatever you'd like, just think about it for me." He grinned at Katherine, little mischief sparkles in his eyes. Suddenly, the tabletop shimmered and all manner of food appeared in the plates and bowls, complete with glasses of wine or other beverages at places. The aroma had everyone's stomach growling. When he had asked her to think what she would like, she had closed her eyes and sent a very clear picture of a dinner of ham slices with cherry sauce, mounds of creamy whipped potatoes, green beans with little bits of bacon in them and several other side dishes. She opened her eyes and glanced at what he had copied from her mind.

Ev grinned at Katherine's reaction. "Isn't it great!" Ev had chosen rare roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, cooked carrots and peas and homemade bread. Each of them had a different favorite meal. "He's so handy to have around." She took Rayden's hand as he settled into the chair next to hers. It was a wonderful meal, and the conversation was lively. The newcomers seemed to relax as the evening when on, and by the time the meal was over and a dessert of angel food cake and fruit topping had been served, it seemed as if they had been friends with each other for a long time. Ev and Katherine sided with each other, teasing the men without mercy.

By the time the dinner and dessert were over, Ev was beginning to tire. She really wanted to stay up and visit, but it was getting harder and harder for her to concentrate on the conversation. Rayden smiled at her valiant attempt to stay up. Finally, he took her into his arms. "I'm afraid Ev is going to need to get some rest now. She tires easily these days." Katherine admitted to being a little tired from her day long ride and Dani was all but asleep in his chair.

As they took their leave of Ev and Rayden, Katherine turned and said one last thing. "I"m really glad to be here. This island is starting to feel more and more like home!"