3.1

All of the Orion family was celebrating. The home of Monwort Orion even more. The eldest son of Monwort and Gwen Orion, Gavel, was getting married. Well, engaged. And everybody took notice.

Gavel was barely a teenager when he first joined the company as an intern. And already people took notice. By the time he joined the President's assistants' office, everyone knew how capable he was. And sure enough, within a couple of years of graduating from college, he had rapidly risen through the ranks. And now, at twenty seven, he was being considered for a promotion as a Vice President. And such a remarkable young man was getting engaged in a week. It was undoubtedly reason enough to celebrate.

And for such an occasion, Haven had to return. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Petra insisted he return for good. Haven hadn't given in to his darling sister for years, he had to now.

That Haven was returning was another reason to celebrate in Monwort Orion's family. This party was planned by four women, and it was happening the evening of Haven's return. A small party with few invitees. Haven, of course. The four women – Gwen, Petra, Pixie and Edyn. Mr Jonas, who was now Artie Jonas to them, even though Pixie insisted on calling him the same, Mr Jonas. Mr Lemon Onass. Enton and Julia Locke. And Monwort, of course.

They were all adults, so there were drinks. And so, Petra and Edyn, who were in charge of fixing the venue reserved a private room at Honey Dew, a restaurant that wasn't very old and had been growing in popularity slowly from the day it first opened doors until today it was among the most popular in the city of Swoy. Gwen and Pixie took on the responsibility of deciding the menu, and they knew just what to pick. Barring a very small few, all the dishes were Haven's favourites, those from when he was little and was at home to those that he became fond of after Jorges. And that was how it was really, Haven before and Haven after Jorges.

Petra prepared the invitations, which was evident from the simple but elegant design. She picked the simplest, most commonly encountered font, picked the easiest words, printed them on regular printer paper, folded them into envelopes which was probably the most luxurious part of the invitations – she stole a few from the invitations to Gavel's engagement, and personally delivered the invitations to all the invitees. And of course, everyone was attending, not only because they wanted to, but also because Petra with her honest looking smile was quite scary to say no to.

And so came the day of Haven's return. Typical of him, Haven missed his morning flight. The reason he gave was as was to be expected – he didn't wake up early enough. He did set an alarm, but he forgot to turn up the volume. And because he usually set the alarm's volume to the lowest, he pretty much slept through it. And by when he woke up, the plane had already taken off. He rushed to the airport, bought a ticket for the next flight to Swoy, which luckily was within an hour of his showing up at the airport. And when he arrived in Swoy, it was late afternoon.

Gwen and Petra had come to the airport to receive him.

"I thought you wouldn't come," Petra said in complaint when he finally walked out. "Maybe missed this flight too. And then felt too lazy to try a third time."

Haven just looked at his sister in silence, a look of incredulousness. He couldn't think of anything to say in reply.

"I'm happy you'll never be cured," he said in all seriousness.

"Of course," Petra said. "We are two of a kind. And we have to remain so."

He hugged her tight, and for a while. "The best part about being back is this," he said.

"And this," he added as he hugged Gwen next.

"Welcome back," Gwen said. "You're staying," she said, letting go and looking into his face.

"Yes," Haven said. "I'm staying. That's what you wanted."

"If we didn't ask?"

"Not sure."

"That just means you couldn't be bothered to return," Petra said.

He only smiled.

They got into the car and on the way home, Petra filled in the itinerary. Because he was so late, and because he ate on the plane, he could rein in his hunger for only so long, they would have coffee and biscuits, an evening snack, and then he would wash up and ready for his welcome party. He wanted to refuse. But when Petra listed the invitees, he agreed more readily.

Monwort had taken the day off, and was waiting at home. He was at the door when the three arrived.

"Hey Haven," he said, "you look good."

"Thank you papa. You look good too. Most definitely not like an old man. Your efforts? Or credit mama?"

"You'll never change," Monwort beamed, as he hugged his son and enjoyed his son's teasing.

"What is it Petra says?"

"We are too perfect to change."

All of them laughed.

"Really," Monwort said when they were inside. "I'm glad you're back."

*

Haven took a quick shower. And when he went back down for coffee, there was a guest.

Edyn studied him and nodded looking pleased. "You really are a better looking young man than the boy you used to be. You needed to grow into your looks after all."

"Thank you. You are just as pretty in person as you are on screen."

It was a curious sight for the rest of them. Gwen and Monwort stared at each other, the question on their minds clear in their eyes. Were Edyn and Haven always this friendly?

"What is wrong with you two?" Petra asked. She didn't think as deeply as her parents. "You're acting so weird. You make me want to puke."

"Don't you dare do that in the coffee," Edyn admonished.

"My house," Petra said.

"My coffee," Edyn said.

"My coffee," Petra corrected.

"Not after it is served," Edyn said. "And it is served."

Right, Petra thought. Edyn did have a point there. But she wasn't one to give so easy.

"Right," Petra said. And then, she grabbed the still untouched cup of coffee sitting in front of Edyn, and poured the coffee back into the pot. "Not served anymore."

"Wow," Edyn said. "You really are crazy. I want fresh coffee."

"Not getting any," Petra said.

Edyn snorted. Turned toward Gwen. "Mrs Orion, can I get some fresh coffee, please."

"Call me Gwen," Gwen said. "Don't be weird."

Edyn scoffed at Gwen who was clearly supporting her daughter. She looked at Monwort and spoke. "Monwort, can I get a cup of fresh coffee please?"

Monwort was surprised. "Monwort?" he said, a little dumbly.

"Gwen," Edyn said, pointing at Gwen with her chin. "So, Monwort. Only fair."

Monwort burst out laughing. "Alright. Monwort it is." He called the maid and asked for a fresh pot of coffee.

Haven sat in the empty chair, between Petra and Edyn, and smiled at all of them. Home wasn't very different, he realized. Ridiculous conversations, absurd situations, seemingly unhinged people. Very much like Jorges, like the academy. Yeah, wouldn't be too bad being back home.

"So, when are we leaving?" Haven asked.

He was dressed and ready for the party. Edyn looked ready too, in the blue evening dress that was just right on her. The rest, not so much.

"After coffee," Petra said. "Don't worry. We won't be late. You have no idea how long we've been preparing."

"Also, Pixie will be joining us soon. She had something to do," Edyn added.

"Erich?" Petra said.

"Erich," Edyn said, nodding.

"A date?" Haven asked.

"No," Edyn said. "She just dumped her task upon him. Typical her."

"Making good use of resources," Haven praised. "Her degree in business management wasn't for naught."

They laughed. Gwen and Monwort smiled happily.

"What about you Haven," Gwen asked. "You never mentioned anyone. Girlfriend?"

"No," Haven said easily. "No one yet. Not eagerly looking for one."

"Hmm," Gwen said.

"He's back now," Petra said. "We can look for him."

Edyn sat up straight, wore a dignified expression, and addressed Gwen and Monwort. "Mr and Mrs Orion, would you be against your son in a relationship with someone older?"

"What do you mean?" Monwort asked.

"You like Haven?" Gwen asked.

"Yes," Edyn admitted without a hint of embarrassment. "I'm older by five years. But then, that's not a number that rings very true in this case, with Haven. I'm sure you know that."

Gwen and Monwort nodded.

"And, well, Haven clearly has no opinion. He said so himself just now."

Gwen and Monwort nodded again.

"And Petra isn't against it."

"Really?" Gwen and Monwort said together, staring at Petra.

Petra shrugged. "Better her than someone worse."

"Petra, please be more honest," Edyn said, glaring at the younger girl.

"I'll be whatever I want to be," Petra said, throwing a tongue at Edyn. "I'm the sister in law. Deal with it."

"Of course." Edyn beamed.

"Wait, what!" Gwen and Monwort exclaimed.

"I'm married?" Haven asked confusedly.

"See what I mean?" Edyn said, with a sigh, to the parents.

"You are a good girl," Gwen admitted.

"I have no opinion," Monwort said, throwing up his arms.

"Go ahead." Gwen gave the permission.

Edyn and Petra beamed. Haven was still expressionless, but a little lost staring between the girls.

Coffee was served. And they were halfway through, when Pixie finally showed up. And the first thing she did, was ask Petra and Edyn.

"So?"

"Permission granted," Edyn said, her face shining bright as the setting sun.

Petra put up a thumb.

Pixie shrieked excitedly. And then, she pulled Haven up to his feet and hugged him, long and hard.

"I'm really, really happy and excited and so much more that you're back," she said. "And that Edyn and you are engaged. This is so amazing."

"Wait, what?" Haven said, confused even more.

The girls laughed. The parents hid behind their coffee cups. And Haven shrugged in defeat, looking nonchalant as he bit into the biscuits. "Are these from Wendy's?"

"Yes," Petra said. "The newest creations. They go really well with coffee, don't they?"

Haven nodded and chomped on another after dipping it in the coffee.

His reaction wasn't exactly satisfying, but Petra didn't say anything. Tomorrow, the questions would get their stage. Tonight, was the party.