Garrick returns home

Garrick paused in front of the big Mansion and the memories came flooding back like it was yesterday; well, technically it was all yesterday for him. He remembered the first day he bought this old mansion and how Claire had been scared to go into it for the first time because she felt it would be haunted.

How little do humans know of the supernatural and yet it scares them. Garrick had convinced her that it was free of ghosts but even if there was one, they would willingly share the space with the ghost.

He could still remember the way she had laughed over it and his face curved into a smile. Garrick wondered what she looked like now; it was so strange that twenty years had passed already. If Connor has properly explained to her the way vampirism works, then maybe she won't be surprised to see that her boyfriend still looks the way he did twenty years ago.

"Come on man, we can't stand out here all day," Connor said as he climbed the outside stairs that led up the threshold to the castle floor. The castle was built on high ground.

Garrick sighed and then followed him up' they climbed up the same ground level as the castle and Garrick couldn't help but notice that nothing much had changed in twenty years, except that the castle was older now.

They walked to the main door and Garrick remembered that he had planned to employ guards who would stand at the tall door and open it for people to pass. He chuckled softly as he watched Connor push the doors open, his best friend seemed like the man of the house now.

Of course, while he was away for twenty years, Connor must have taken charge of this place. Garrick had actually given it to him as a gift before departure but he refused it; good thing it eventually came in handy.

Connor pushed the heavy front door open and they walked in. Garrick froze as he stepped into the house, it wasn't just the memories haunting him this time, it was the present.

Standing there in the middle of the hallway was the last love of his life, the woman who stole his heart, and even twenty years wasn't enough to make him forget what she looked like.

Claire stood there stunned as well, it seemed like she was seeing a ghost. Who wouldn't feel that way? This man had vanished from the face of earth twenty years ago, and today he returned looking exactly the same way he looked the last time he was seen.

Claire hadn't changed much in twenty years; she still had those enchanting blue eyes that always compelled Garrick to submit to her, that long brown hair that complimented her ivory skin color. Her eye lashes hadn't gotten any shorter and those round eyes still reminded Garrick of the nights he made love to her.

"What have you done?" Claire asked in a cold soft voice, a look of disbelief and shock on her face. Obviously, she hadn't seen this coming.

"I am sorry but it was necessary to bring him back, we needed him," Connor apologized and stepped forward to her, while Garrick stood frozen at the same spot.

"No we didn't have any need for him, we were doing just fine," Claire argued.

"Please let's not do this, Claire. I am sorry that I brought him back without informing you but Clarisse needs her father, no one can help her more than him. We have tried doing it without him for twenty years now but we can no longer do that," Connor insisted.

"This wasn't your decision to make!!" Claire yelled.

"I know that, but Garrick is my friend and so are you. I wouldn't hesitate to do what is best for your child, even if it means I get my ass beaten by Garrick and eat a few curses from you," he appealed.

Garrick was saddened by the scene. The women he loved so much didn't even want to look him in the face, but now he was more than curious to be back in their lives. That feeling he feared so much was back, the very reason that made him take the decision to go away for two centuries- he wouldn't be able to be around them and not want to be a part of her life, he was scared that he would never get over her and that was why he left; seems like he was right after all.

Garrick took a few steps forward and came to stand closer to Claire. "Hel… Hello," he greeted awkwardly, he didn't even know if that was the right thing to say. I mean, you don't see someone in twenty years and you just are like hello?

He always lost his tongue around this human who hadn't even spent one percent of his lifetime here on earth. She was his kryptonite, always made his mouth wobble and his knees go weak.

"Haven't aged a bit, your daughter might not believe you are her father. I guess that helps ease her pain, you shouldn't have come back, this is a mistake," Claire said coldly.

Garrick was surprised with the way she spoke to him; did she really have no emotions left for him? She was just so cold and less concerned. What was he expecting? It had been twenty years for her; she must have already suffered from her own pains and feelings.

"Can I see her?" Garrick didn't realize when the words left his mouth. Why was he suddenly so eager to see his supposed daughter after coming in contact with Claire?

She hesitated for a few seconds and then she nodded, "Come with me, but don't expect much." She said and turned around.

Garrick followed her immediately but Connor stood behind, he knew the couple needed some private time. They had a lot to sort up and he didn't want to interfere in any of that; perhaps his role to play in this story was over.

To be continued!!