The Lance Sisterhood—Blood, Water, and Everything in Between
Amber and Virginia reached the drive to Jessica's new home at the same time. Amber was coming from the east and Virginia from the west. They sat in their vehicles—a giant SUV for Amber and a sporty coupe for Virginia—locked in a staring contest. As they looked at each other, a mental conversation transpired:
"Why has Jessica called us here?"
"Don't ask me. I know just as much as you."
"If she called us here to gloat or lord over us, I swear I am gonna kick her in her stitches."
"Calm down. You won't do that."
"You think I am scared?"
"No, you just don't want to listen to mommy lecturing you on respecting your elder sister."
Virginia physically cringed at the thought, and Amber gave her a look begging her to go first. The youngest Lance daughter sighed dramatically and turned onto the lane. She checked her rearview mirror to make sure that Amber followed.
When she looked back to the road, a sensor camouflaged in the shrubbery caught her eye. Albert Cummings really was big on security. She shifted her coupe into third and took the next curve a bit too fast. The private drive curved through miles of wooded area and around two small lakes. Virginia was suddenly impressed. She knew the area well enough, but she was beginning to think Albert had acquired two of the estates here and merged them into one. He truly had a considerable amount of capital—or pull—to manage that.
They drove through a large citrus orchard and finally caught sight of the expansive ranch-style estate. Virginia lifted an eyebrow. Jessica had truly gotten back on her feet when she decided to be with Albert Cummings.
The house was all windows, tinted blue, with grey stonework—as if Albert Cummings had flown in European masons just for the project. The circular drive was enormous, and at the center of it sat a pink marble fountain with grey and black veining running through it. To say it was ostentatious was an understatement, but it was fascinatingly beautiful as well.
Amber was already out of her SUV and staring at the fountain. Virginia walked over to her, removing her driving gloves, her lips pursed in judgment. "A disgusting display of wealth."
Amber laughed. "Compared to whom? My one, two, three, soon-to-be four properties, or to the island you just purchased?" Amber raised an eyebrow at her sister.
Virginia smiled sheepishly. "You knew about that? I am planning for my retirement."
Amber was about to reply when she saw Albert walking toward them. Virginia braced herself for a brother-in-law who tried too hard.
"I am so glad to see you both. I am going to leave so the three of you can spend time together undisturbed."
"There is no need for that, Albert. You are family." Amber looked to the house. "The house is absolutely stunning."
Albert blushed, and Amber almost apologized. "I am sorry, it is absolutely ostentatious. But I got a bit carried away when Jessica said she would consent to a relationship and then said she would live with me." He shrugged. "I tend to go over the top in all things." He smiled broadly at Amber. "Speaking of which, we need to discuss the wedding."
Amber's smile fell. "I was thinking we should change the venue." She deflated a bit. "I am actually contemplating closing Blue Serene for a bit. The doctors are saying Calvin's hand has nerve damage, and he has an infection from the knife used." She sighed.
"No! Don't do that!"
"No! What do you mean?"
Albert and Virginia spoke as one. They looked to each other for a second, and then Albert looked back to Amber. "Don't worry, Amber. It will be fine. I love your idea about having the wedding on a boat on the lake. Jessica is still talking about your renewal ceremony. Trust me. I will make sure all of you are safe."
There was something in his voice that made the hairs on both Amber's and Virginia's necks stand up. Amber smiled. "Thank you, Albert."
A houseman led the two sisters through the large house to a back porch facing a large infinity pool. Jessica was sitting on a large outdoor sofa under an equally large umbrella. She turned and smiled. Both Amber and Virginia were stunned at the sight of that beautifully radiant, genuine smile. They glanced at each other and walked over to their eldest sister.
Jessica's smile widened. "Sit down, you two. We need to figure out how to make sure Amber is safe."
As the Lance sisters bonded over family turmoil, Sebastian Montague III napped in a small back room in his lab. The resort had moved him to an even more secluded villa, which was actually an upgrade, but he could no longer see the bakery or the wildflower garden. He had developed a habit of sitting among the trees, using his non-reflective binoculars to watch Amber walk in the flower garden.
She was always so beautiful and poised. He knew the wildflowers were her idea. They were so beautiful against her tranquil silhouette, especially now that their baby was growing. He smiled in his sleep as he thought about how radiant she was.
"We need to hurry. Mommy needs to meet you before the baby comes."
He was speaking in his sleep, but his hand still went to the old bronzed toe he kept in his pocket. His fingers ran over it as his dreams got darker. His brow furrowed. "I promise, mommy. I will do better next time." His voice had an odd whine to it, as if he were regressing in his sleep. "No, mommy. You don't need to help me."
His grip tightened on the bronzed toe, his frown deepened, and his body slowly curled into a ball. In his dream, his mother was enraged. She threw things about the house in a crazed fit. Then she made him strip, and she beat him until his back was covered in welts. She blamed him for his father dying. She blamed him for her jewelry business going under. She blamed him for every mistake, or bad thing in her life.
And all he could do was beg for forgiveness.
Then she stopped. His body relaxed as the flames licked at the ceiling of his childhood home. He had called 911, but he had refused to leave her. He didn't want her to be alone. Wouldn't she be angry? Wouldn't she then blame him for it all?
He sighed as he resettled in his sleep. "When you meet mommy, she will finally be happy."