Chapter 4 Unexpected Welcoming

 Chapter 4: Unexpected Welcoming.

Her face flamed red, and she turned back to face the road, desperately willing her expression to return to normal. But the blush wouldn't go away. Her innocent baby brother had somehow turned the tables on her so completely that she didn't even know how to respond.

"Uh, thank you… I guess?" she murmured awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.

Noir just grinned, completely oblivious to the impact of his words. "You're welcome, Sis!." he replied cheerfully, leaning back in his seat, a look of pure satisfaction on his face. For once, he had managed to silence his teasing sister. He had to say, It actually felt good.

_Maybe I should learn more stuff from those old DVDs dad stashed away in the attic, Hehehe, if I did, I don't think sis would ever think of bordering me ever again._ A cheeky grin emerged on Noirs lips.

The rest of the drive continued in a somewhat awkward silence, with Molly still recovering from her brother's unintended compliment. As they turned onto a broader road, the scenery eventually shifted. 

The Tall trees gave way to small houses lined up in neat rows, each one painted in soft pastels or warm earth tones.

Noirs eyes turned warm when he saw Children walking on sidewalks, probably to school, their laughter filling the air, While a few Parents, couples and adults walked hand in hand, pushing strollers or chatting animatedly.

Noir's smile faded slightly as he took it all in. It was a stark reminder that he wasn't in the secluded woods with his adoptive parents anymore. No, he was finally in the suburbs and although this wasn't his first time, seeing it again after so long was still a bit overwhelming for him, He eventually realized that he was now close to the bustling city where normal people lived. 

Actual people, not animals or plants or insect's but actual people he could talk to.

With Molly steady behind the wheel, They soon reached a two-story house with a freshly mowed lawn, bordered by a white picket fence. Molly pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. "Wait here, Noir," she said softly, giving him a small smile. "I'm going to get the kids." She said happily as if she couldn't wait for them to see him.

Noir nodded, watching her as she slipped out of the car and strode toward the front door. He couldn't help the pang of guilt that surfaced as he watched her figure disappear into the house. 

Molly was single now, having divorced her husband years ago due to a certain incident. Now she was stuck raising three kids alone, which he knew must have been incredibly hard, and here he was, unable to remember her children's faces. 

_Shes right, maybe I really have been a bad uncle?._ he thought to himself, his expression dropping a little. He sighed, leaning back against the seat as he waited. Seconds soon stretched towards a minute before...

"Mama!" A high-pitched squeal broke through the air, followed by the sound of tiny, racing footsteps. Noir craned his neck, peering through the car's glass window just in time to see a small, brown haired boy with blue eyes launch himself into Molly's arms.

"Miles!" Molly laughed, spinning the child around before setting him down. The boy's eyes shone brightly as he clung to her leg, looking up at her with pure adoration. 

"Did you miss me, sweetheart?" she asked.

"Yeah!, Where were you, Mom?, You were gone forever!" Miles pouted, his chubby cheeks puffing out.

"I wasn't gone that long," Molly teased, ruffling his hair. "But guess what, I have a surprise for you all."

A curious face with brunette hair and brown doe like eyes peeked out from behind the doorway. The little girl was Madison, Molly's twelve year old daughter who suddenly stepped out, her expression a mix of curiosity and excitement. "What kind of surprise Mom?"

"Yeah, what kind?" Miles chimed in, bouncing on his toes. Just as Molly was about to speak, Someone else came walking out of the house, fully dressed like the first two, only she wore a nice short skirt about three inches above her knee, a fitting black t-shirt and a pair of nice white sneakers, just like Miles and Madison, she looked ready for school as well.

Chloe, who had black hair that fell below her shoulders, an adolescent body with signs of passing puberty, soft skin and a pair of beautiful sapphire eyes, was the eldest of the three, at fourteen years of age, appeared at the door.

Both her arms crossed before her chest and a deep scowl marring her pretty face. "Is this one of your tricks again, Mom?, If you're late just to mess with us—"

"Now, now, Chloe, no need to be so grumpy," Molly replied calmly. "The surprise is outside."

Chloe rolled her eyes, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Whatever."

But as Molly gently scooped up a giggling Miles in her arms and led the way outside, Madison skipped along beside her. Chloe trailed reluctantly behind, her every step exuding annoyance.

The moment they stepped outside, Chloe froze.

There, sitting in the car with an innocent smile on his face, was Noir.

"Hey, Chloe," Noir greeted brightly, waving at her from his seat.

Chloe's expression transformed from shock to something akin to pure rage. "What the—?!" she sputtered, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Why is he here?!"

Molly sighed, shifting Miles onto her hip while waving for Chloe to calm down. "Now, Chloe—"

"Mom!" Chloe cut her off, her face a mask of irritation and, surprisingly, hurt. "Why would you bring him?, After everything he did?, Why now‽." She hissed.

"Because sweetheart, whether you like it or not he's still family, you shouldn't judge him just because of one single accident." Molly replied softly, her voice firm, "he's family."

"Family?" Chloe spat, glaring at Noir as if he were a cockroach that had crawled into her cereal. "He's just a Freak—"

"Chloe that's going to far!." Molly interrupted sharply, since her calm approach didn't seem like it was working she tried being a bit more assertive. 

"I know you don't like him, but you're going to have to deal with it. From now on, Your uncle Noir is going to be going to school with you, I wanted him to watch you three, and that's final."

Noir blinked, completely taken aback by the venom in Chloe's voice. He had always known that she didn't particularly like him, but this level of hostility….., after avoiding them for so long, he didn't think it would still be this high.

He got out of the car seat and went round the car before walking towards the family of four.

"Hey, Chloe, it's been a while," Noir tried tentatively, offering her a small smile. "You've really grown a lot." he tried to see if he could calm her down but alas, his efforts where fruitless.

Chloe's glare which she instantly fixed on him felt as if it could have melted steel. "Shut up, freak. There's no way I'm going anywhere with you!, I rather stay at home!." she hissed before turning on her heel and storming back inside, leaving a tense silence in her wake.

Madison and Miles exchanged worried glances, looking between Noir and their mother.

Molly sighed heavily, giving Noir an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about her." she murmured.

Noir shook his head. "It's okay. I should've expected much," he said softly, though the smile on his face didn't quite reach his eyes.

Molly bit her lip, guilt swirling in her chest. But before she could say anything more, Miles suddenly wriggled out of her arms and sprinted toward Noir, his little arms outstretched.

"Uncle Noir!" he cried, tackling Noir's legs with a surprisingly strong hug. "Don't be sad!, I like you!."

Madison stepped forward, her shyness giving way to a tentative smile. "Me too, Uncle Noir....Please don't mind big sister, She just gets a bit intense sometimes."

Noir blinked down at them, then his lips quirked into a genuine, warm smile.

 "Thanks, you two."

Molly felt her heart warm up when she watched the three of them, At least now, Noir wasn't too hurt she thought to herself.

" Why don't you three first get into the Car ok, I'll go get Chloe before we'll start leaving." Molly said before heading into the house.

" Sure, no problem." Noir nodded before lifting Miles into his arms with ease." Wanna seat shotgun with Uncle Noir?." He said cheekily. 

" Yes!." Miles said enthusiastically. Noir chuckled, but when he noticed Madison's shy gaze from the corner of his eyes he chuckled even more. " Ok Madison, you wanna join the both of us to?." 

" Huh?...well yes..but Uncle Noirs already seating with Miles, I don't think theirs any space left." Madison glanced at the car and said, while glancing down and twiddling with her fingers.

Both Molly and Noir felt their hearts skip a beat seeing such a cute scene.

' Is this the legendary perks of being an uncle!' Noir felt completely smitten. 

" Hmm..true you've got a point." Noir nodded, snapping out of his thoughts before turning towards Miles." What do you say miles, why don't we and Madison sit in the mid seats this time so that your big sister Chloe can sit shotgun?....who knows, it might just make her happy?." 

" ...Hmm ok uncle Noir, if it'll make Chloe happy, then I'm in." Miles pondered cutely for a moment before nodding in agreement. 

" You coming Madison?." Noir smiled and asked while carrying Miles towards the car.

" Uh sure, wait for me." Madison quickly followed behind.

_________________________________________

A Few Moments Later....

The early morning sun bathed the small family car in a soft, golden glow as it trundled down the suburban road. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, like the uneasy calm before a storm.

 Molly who was always an optimist, tried to brighten the mood as she drove through the streets, glancing at the three children sitting silently around her.

"Now, I know it's a new school and all," she began in a cheery tone, "but I don't want any of you causing trouble, okay?. There should be no fighting, no breaking school rules, no arguing with teachers—"

"There's really nothing to worry about Sis.." Noir interrupted from the backseat, his voice filled with overly eager cheerfulness. " Like I promised, I'll make sure to stay out of trouble, I wouldn't want to make my dear older older sister worry unnecessarily now would I." He flashed a wide, almost blindingly enthusiastic grin.

Molly's eyes softened as she glanced at him in the rearview mirror. He looked so sincere, despite the lack of focus in his eyes which betrayed his nervousness.

 This was his first day of high school, and though he was doing his best to appear calm, As his older sister and a mother, it wasn't hard for Molly to see through his facade, but in the end she didn't want to say anything to break his fragile confidence, at least she wanted him to try first and see if he could really handle coming in contact with the outside world again.

"Thank you Noir," she said warmly before turning to look at Madison and Miles, who sat on either side of their uncle. "You two follow your uncle's lead, okay?."

"Yes, Mama!., I can't wait to start, I'm finally in the third grade!." chirped Miles, his little face lighting up with excitement. He was practically bouncing in his seat, eyes wide with anticipation.

"Me too mom, I'm now a 7th grader." Madison added with a smile, though it was clear she was already thinking ahead to what her second year at middle school would be like.

_Grades huh?..., I heard mom and Dad mention it a few times but I'm still a bit confused though, I can't even seem to remember my own grade.., maybe I should ask big sis just to be sure?_ Noir thought to himself, it seemed he really wasn't as ready for highschool as he had thought.

"See, Chloe? They're listening," Molly said pointedly, casting a sideways glance at the fourteen year old sitting in the front passenger seat. Chloe, arms crossed tightly over her chest, stared resolutely out the window, ignoring the conversation.