Chapter Thirty-Two

Welcome to chapter thirty-two. In this chapter Petra and Ziggy's first born Esmeralda, having recently left high school, is enjoying her first romance.

 

 

Sam and Esmeralda had been together now for about 2 months. Officially. But after having spent every day for the past 4 years of school together, Sam considered that long enough to contemplate a life together.

One night after Esmeralda's family had gone to bed Sam took her for a walk through the peaceful backyard.

As Sam pulled out the big blue box from his back pocket, Esmeralda's heart happily skipped a beat.

She didn't even hesitate before she told the love of her life that she would marry him.

Both Sam and Esmeralda counted their lucky stars that they had never had to work hard to find love.

Sam asked his Esmeralda if she would have the ceremony, right then. Both of them preferred the quiet life and agreed that getting married in the backyard, just the two of them, would be the best option for them.

That night was just for them. Their love and nothing else.

They came back inside to see Esmeralda's parents up, having heard their talking outside.

Sam and his new wife told her parents that they were moving into his house next door as of the next morning. Ziggy and Petra were a little shocked that their little daughter was all grown up and married, without their knowledge. But they gave their blessing nonetheless and congratulated the young couple.

Petra helped her daughter move in with Sam, then returned to write a new chapter for her latest book, My Ghostly Daughter. Petra was reminded that her daughter was so much like her.

Lexi and Mia soon returned home, about a week after Esmeralda moved in with Sam. Happy to be finished with high school, the twins had different ideas with what they wanted for their lives.

Mia had aspirations to join the bright world of politics.

Lexi was anxious to stay at home. She had no plans to leave until she had sorted out some things. No one knew, but Lexi had a secret that could tear the family apart.

Mia was home for only a day before she was hugging her Uncle Ziggy goodbye as she headed off for in intern position at Bridgeport City Hall.

It was sad to watch Mia go, but her family knew that she was destined for great things.

Lexi was going to miss her sister. They were pretty close, but even Mia didn't know that Lexi was hiding something.

Lexi settled in to life back at the family home. Petra was enjoying the company.

While Petra was off writing every afternoon, Lexi would usually be on the phone. These secret phone calls were the highlight of her day and she hoped that one day soon she would be able to come clean to her family.

One day about three weeks after Lexi and Mia graduated and came home, an unexpected visitor was standing nervously outside the front door. Petra's cousin Niki had finally decided to meet one of her grown daughters, for pretty much the first time.

Petra knew her cousin was coming to visit, and so had Lexi answer the door. Lexi didn't know who this elderly woman was, all she knew was that she was mighty familiar.

It was only when Niki introduced herself did Lexi stop for a moment. This woman was her estranged mother. Lexi felt like she had been smacked in the face. She stormed off inside, and Niki followed.

An argument ensued. Lexi was genuinely a calm, friendly person. But when she realised that this woman was her mother that had left her and her twin sister the day they were born, she was beyond angry.

Niki tried to explain. And it hurt her to see her daughter so mad.

Eventually Lexi calmed down enough to listen to her mother. And while she may never forgive Niki for what she had done, she could understand her somewhat warped reasoning.

A wary truce was called that day. Lexi realised that life was short, and she may as well get to know her long lost mother while she had time.

Ziggy talked with Lexi after Niki left that day. Lexi was so grateful for her calm, stable uncle that afternoon, he helped her make sense of her mother's visit.

That night another family member was heading home again. Petra and Ziggy's only son was on the way home after graduating.

He was definitely his mother's son.

After a quick hug for his mum, a firm handshake and clap on the back for his dad, Felix headed in to say hi to Lexi. But she was fast asleep, and so with a small smile on his ghostly features he retired to his own room.

Felix had so many things running around his head that he found it hard to sleep. Those last few weeks at school had taken so long. He felt like he'd never get home again, and now that he was here, he wasn't sure how to move forward.

Lexi knew that Felix was home. She could feel it like an electric pulse all over her skin as she waited to see him emerge from his bedroom the next morning.

Felix smiled warmly at Lexi when he rose that morning, and she smiled back. They watched a little tv together before Felix had breakfast with his mother. Despite the casual nature of their greeting, it was the highlight of both of their days.

 Petra was glad to see her son home again. He was quiet, like her, and she hoped that she could find out what it was that he kept so close to his chest.

Petra was inside engrossed in her latest best-seller so Felix decided to have a chat with Lexi. She was outside by the pond.

Felix walked up to Lexi and picked up her hand in his. Until she felt his cool ghostly hand in hers, Lexi hadn't realised just how much she had missed it. Her heart felt like it was going to explode. Oh how she wished she could share this secret.

For the last two years Felix and Lexi had carried on this secret relationship in the quiet stairwells and corridors of their school after hours. Now that they were both adults it was time to figure out their next step. They both knew that while they were technically related, the link was distant. But they weren't sure how their family would react.

Thankyou for reading chapter thirty two. Below is a quick peek at chapter thirty-three.

After having spent the last few weeks apart, the young secret couple can't keep their hands off eachother. But will their recklessness lead to discovery?

It's time for Ziggy and Petra to enter the golden years. What will the last years of their lives hold for these two?

And what news will Lexi give Felix that could tear apart this happy family?