Ysabel Lee Vs. Fhem Law (2)

Ysabel was a new born infant when her mother Bella left her in one of the public toilets near the university. That time, Greg secretly kept watch of his sister Bella who was suffering from severe depression due to the news that the father of her baby was killed in an ambush which happened in the far south of P Country. Barton Lee was then the company commander of the army. Upon hearing the news, Bella's world crumbled and she was forced to early labor. She gave birth to her baby prematurely at seven months and a half.

Greg Law took the infant and his sister Bella home and took care of them. He placed the infant girl under his wife's care nursing her like her real daughter while his sister was confined in another house.

Micheal was only four months old by that time Greg brought home Ysabel. Michael was not yet registered due to the successive typhoons which hit the place causing the roads to be blocked from all vehicles. The town district office was about two hours ride from the highway.

All of Mrs. Law's children had been delivered at home with either just Greg assisting his wife or all by herself. Looking back today, that was actually possible! Some people can deliver their babies easily while others gamble with their very dear life.

Michael and Ysabel were then registered as twins. They are now 27 years old. Michael took intetest in wood carving while Ysabel took up nursing with the persistent and tough guidance of their parents.

Ysabel has a silent and gentle demeanor. She always wears a smile even though she's not in favor of something said or done but nobody could tell what she is actually thinking.

Fem Law on the other hand has always been a carefree child. She's an adventurous and always wants to speak her mind. She laughs hard and always finds humor in everything when she is the the mood for fun. Her sensible attitude and ability to study someone else's words and actions are however hidden behind her humor and rough demeanor. Nobody could tell that when she is alone, her mind is wandering into some deep analytical planning.

One thing distinct about her is the way she expresses herself when she's angry, how easily she picks-up words and body languages and how her reasoning works so extra-ordinarily. Perhaps everyone in the family would unanimously agree that Fem is the female version of their father Greg.Her siblings are not much close to her because they thought she is tough and aloof especially when she looks at them like she's reading their minds.

....

Back to the present, after all the stuff was stored in the vacant house at the yard and after having a short talk with the Law couple, Mark and Dan bid goodbye and went to Fem who was now in the kitchen.

"Fem hun, we shall head first. Remember to miss me. I'll call you when I arrive home." Mark hugged Fem lovingly. He whispered. "Whatever happens, I want you to promise me you'll never change your mind about marrying me. I do hope we formed something there last night." Mark smiled triumphantly as she rubbed Fem's back.

"What are you saying? Who's going to marry you?! Get lost now!" Fem pouted as she pounded on Mark's chest.

"Enough sweetheart! Take care of yourself here. Call me if you're in the city. Okay? No, I'll call you when I get back home. Hmmm?" Mark seared her pouted lips with a loving kiss before they parted. Fem saw the two men hopped on the helicopter which roared in the air then eventually disappeared.

At six o'clock in the evening, just as Fem ended a call from Mark informing her that they arrived safely, another army helicopter hovered over the spot which was occupied by Mark's helicopter few hours ago.

Greg and his wife were puzzled. Why is it common these days for helicopters to visit and land on their soil? Nobody is declaring war right?

It was almost dark at six o'clock during this time of the year. Greg and his kids went out to the yard to check who could have mistakenly landed in the pastureland again.

Out from the huge helicopter, three muscular men jumped down the helicopter then proceeded to help somebody get down, setting him on a wheelchair. There followed a young tall man carrying a baby, followed by a medium tall lady. They all strode towards the house and halfway thru, Greg could figure out that the lady looked like one of his daughter.

Before he could say it, the Law siblings already could tell that it was their sibling who hasn't appeared for almost four years. Why is she suddenly coming home with this bunch of city people? They all kept silent as the group approached the yard as if waiting for who's going to make the first sound. Greg didn't dare to speak first.

"Elder sis!" the youngest sibling finally exclaimed.

"Is that you Ysabel?" Grace contorted her forehead.

" Where have you been all these years? Why bother to come home when you already forgotten us!" Niel let out a slight cough with an annoying sound.

"Ysabel, who are these people? Why are you suddenly appearing like this?" Mrs. Law was displeased at the sight of the strangers although she was curious to hear what had become of her adopted daughter.

Greg was watching everyone. His eyes passed from his adopted daughter to the young man carrying a baby girl to the men pushing a middle aged man on a wheel chair.

"Are you sure you landed on the right spot of the mountain? I wasn't informed about having visitors tonight." Greg finally spoke from shock after having recalled the young man behind his daughter. He was the brother of her daughter's boyfriend.

But what does this mean? Why is he carrying a baby that looks exactly like him? Also, he can recall the face of his friend before who almost became his brother-in-law. If it not were his mole on his left cheek, he could have mistakenly taken him as someone else. However, seeing this man now, he was certain that he is the Barton Lee that he knew before.

"Good evening Greg. How are you doing? Pardon me for coming unanounced, but I indeed want to surprise you this New Year!" Barton gave a salute to Greg like the former was a subordinate of the latter.

"Looking at these people around you, I see that we indeed really have a lot to talk. Let's settle first." Greg ignored all the rest and stood walked beside Barton's wheelchair.

Mrs. Law looked at Ysabel as if to ask something but didn't continue. She looked at the child in the young man's arms and tried to deduce from the situation.

At Mrs. Law instruction, the younger children cleared up the three bedrooms in the first floor and set it ready for the visitors. This will be convenient for the disabled man and the baby who might love to play around.

Greg and Mrs. Law sat down to entertain the visitors while Trell and Fem hurriedly worked together to prepare some more food. Ysabel came to peep in the kitchen with a nervous smile but the two sisters ignored her like she was a traitor.

Niel on the otherhand was furious that after searching for his flashlight, he wore his farm boots, grabbed his bolo, wore his thick camouflage jacket and disappeared without being noticed.

"What's cooking? Is there something I can do?" Ysabel spoke from behind as Trell and Fem were busy preparing some vegetables. She felt she was being treated as an outsider by her family. She was nervous of what this sudden "coming home" might do to the family whom she found her identity.

"No! The first floor is ready for all of you. Why not go and check which room suits who if you've nothing to do?!" Fem was annoyed at Ysabel's nosing. She does not know but her instinct was telling her that this si called sister has something that can blow her up. Fem sneered as she looked at Trell and gave her signature twitched smile.

Trell smiled back as she whispered, "She came home to tell us that she is married and she already has a child!"

With that, Fem elbowed her elder sister and they laughed together as they cooked.

"What are you laughing at? Is dinner ready? Don't be like that especially if visitors are listening. It's not good." Mrs. Law came behind the two ladies and softly admonished them.

"Nothing mom! What do you think of our cooking skills? Try this and tell us if we can pass to be wives to some rich handsome men." Fem scooped a spoonful of broiled native chicken soup.

"Don't be silly. Especially you Fem. Try to listen first before commenting later." Even Mrs. Law knew that the situation was not as simple as just a visitation.

"Hmmmm... sure mom. I don't also intend to listen to whatever talks you may have. I'm busy!" Fem rose up from the fireplace to wash her hands.

"Dinner should be ready in fifteen minutes. Where is that Ysabel? Does she need to make baby food? I don't know what kind of food her daughter eats." Fem asked her mother.

"How did you know the baby is her daughter? Did she tell you?" Mrs. Law was surprised at the conclusion of her daughter.

"Com'on mom! Are you asking me a question?" Fem sighed exasperatedly as she dished out some plateful of brown organic rice.

After everything was set on the table, Mrs.Law called everyone for dinner. Greg sat on the far right edge while Mrs. Law sat at the far left edge. The group of Ysabel all sat at the left side of Greg while all seven of the Law children that were present except Ysabel squeezed themselves at Greg's right side of the table. Greg prayed for the food before everyone dug in into the food.