Chapter 4 Welcome Home

Welcome Home

THE Ashford mansion buzzed with activity.

Maids moved in and out of the dining room carrying trays of food. Servants carefully arranged flowers along the center of the long dining table. Others stood on small ladders hanging ribbons and balloons around the room.

A large banner stretched across one side of the wall.

WELCOME TO THE ASHFORD FAMILY, RAVEN

The entire thing had Evelyn Ashford written all over it.

Nathaniel stepped into the dining room and stopped, his eyebrows rose.

"Evelyn..."

His wife turned around immediately.

"What?"

Nathaniel looked around the room, then at the decorations and back at her.

"You did all this?"

Evelyn smiled proudly.

"Maybe."

Nathaniel chuckled.

"I thought we were having dinner."

"We are."

"This doesn't look like dinner."

"It is dinner," she maintained. 

Nathaniel pointed at the balloons.

"Well there are balloons, ribbons and a giant banner."

Evelyn shrugged.

"So?"

Nathaniel laughed.

"I didn't know you were planning all this."

Evelyn linked her arm through his.

"She has never had a family welcome before."

The smile on Nathaniel's face softened.

"You are right."

Evelyn beamed.

"I know."

Just then footsteps echoed from upstairs. Kai descended the staircase.

Every servant nearby immediately noticed him. Not because he demanded attention but because attention followed him naturally.

Black fitted shirt, dark jeans, expensive watch, expensive jewelry, hair perfectly styled.

He looked less like someone attending a family dinner and more like someone heading to a magazine photoshoot.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes.

"You are dressed up."

Kai glanced down at himself.

"No, I'm not."

Evelyn laughed.

"Sweetheart, where to?"

Kai rolled his eyes.

"I'm going somewhere after dinner."

Nathaniel exchanged a look with Evelyn.

Evelyn smirked.

"Sure."

Kai frowned, he knew that look. His parents were thinking something ridiculous. Again.

"I'm not dressed for Raven," he gushed.

Nathaniel burst out laughing.

"We didn't say you were."

"You were thinking it."

Evelyn smiled innocently as she patted her husband's palm.

"You can't be sure of that."

Kai groaned and pulled out a chair.

"You people are impossible."

Then the room grew quiet.

Another pair of footsteps sounded from upstairs, everyone turned.

Raven appeared at the top of the staircase and immediately all eyes landed on her.

She had clearly ignored every traditional definition of dressing up. There was no glamorous gown, no elegant heels, no elaborate makeup.

Instead, she wore a black mesh vest layered over a fitted black bralette, a short dark skirt, knee-high combat boots, nails painted black. 

Her hair was finally neat for once, pulled back into a cleaner style that still maintained her tomboy edge. She had no makeup on and no jewelry. No single effort to impress anyone.

Yet somehow, she still looked stunning. Confident and different, entirely herself.

Raven stopped halfway down the stairs. Her eyes widened, she hadn't noticed the decorations before.

The balloons, the ribbons, the banner, the effort, all of it was for her.

A strange feeling settled in her chest. Nobody had ever done something like this before, not once, not in any foster home. Not ever.

Her gaze slowly moved away from the banner, then landed on Kai. He was already looking at her, his expression unreadable.

Immediately Raven frowned.

Great. The human headache.

No, she wasn't letting him ruin tonight. She looked away immediately and walked toward Nathaniel and Evelyn.

Evelyn immediately opened her arms.

"There she is."

Raven awkwardly accepted the hug.

"Welcome home again, sweetheart."

The words hit harder than expected. She swallowed.

"Thank you."

Nathaniel smiled warmly.

"Welcome home, Raven."

"Thank you."

Then silence.

Kai said nothing, absolutely nothing.

Raven glanced toward him, then smiled sweetly, far too sweetly.

"Well..."

Kai narrowed his eyes immediately, expecting the worst.

"I suppose people with actual sense have already welcomed me, I can now fully settle in."

Nathaniel closed his eyes, Evelyn sighed.

Kai laughed.

"Oh, we are starting already?"

Raven folded her arms.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"Obviously."

"Because people usually talk to those capable of understanding."

Kai placed a hand over his heart.

"Ouch."

Raven smiled.

"Did that hurt?"

"No," Kai leaned back, "but your fashion sense sure did."

Raven gasped dramatically.

"And here I thought you had none."

"Oh, I don't," Kai smirked, "that is why I can recognize yours."

Nathaniel pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Evelyn."

"Yes?"

"Do they realize we are standing here?"

"No."

"I don't think so either."

Meanwhile, the kids continued. 

"At least I don't dress like a walking perfume advertisement."

Kai scoffed.

"At least I don't look like I robbed a motorcycle gang."

She rolled her eyes. 

"Oh please. You look like every rich boy in every movie ever made."

Kai pointed at her.

"And you look like the reason parents set curfews."

"Good."

Nathaniel finally stood.

"ENOUGH."

Both teenagers immediately stopped. The dining room fell silent.

Nathaniel looked between them.

"Do either of you remember that we are here?"

Raven looked away.

Kai coughed. 

"I'm sorry, Dad," he pointed at Raven, "this child started it."

Raven immediately turned.

"Child?"

Nathaniel lifted a warning finger.

"Raven."

She inhaled, then smiled tightly.

"I'm sorry, Nathaniel," she pointed toward Kai, "that pile of flesh annoyed me."

Evelyn nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Kai looked offended.

"A pile of flesh? What does that even mean?"

"I don't know."

"Then why say it, huh?"

"Well it felt right to say."

Nathaniel dropped into his chair.

"Sit down."

Both reluctantly obeyed and dinner finally began. For a while the conversation remained peaceful.

Nathaniel asked about her old schools, Evelyn asked about her favorite foods.

"What subjects do you like?"

"History."

"Really?"

Raven nodded.

"And mechanics," she added without thinking. 

Kai immediately scoffed.

"Of course."

Raven ignored him.

Nathaniel smiled.

"Mechanics?"

"Cars," she threw more light, "I like working on engines."

Nathaniel's eyes brightened.

"Interesting. I thought you said you suck at it?" He reminded her.

She almost choked on her food, realizing she had just been busted. 

"I was kidding then, sir," she chuckled. 

Nathaniel smiled knowingly. 

"I see."

Kai looked up. For the first time all evening, he was interested, but only slightly. Then he immediately looked away.

Evelyn continued.

"What about hobbies?"

"I draw sometimes."

Kai snorted.

"Stick figures?"

Raven continued speaking as if he didn't exist.

"And I like repairing things."

"Anything else?"

Raven hesitated.

"A few things."

Nathaniel noticed she deliberately avoided details, but he didn't push.

Dinner continued, laughter slowly replaced tension. Even Raven found herself relaxing, almost feeling safe, but just a little.

Eventually dinner ended. Kai wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood.

"Mom. Dad."

Nathaniel nodded.

He grabbed his car keys.

"I'm heading out."

Raven watched him. Where was he going? It was already late.

Evelyn smiled knowingly.

"Going to that ‘somewhere’?"

"Yes. A party," he clarified. 

"Good." Then she added casually, "Take your sister with you."

Silence fell.

Kai froze, Raven too. Then both spoke at once.

"No!"

Evelyn blinked.

Kai laughed.

"Impossible, Mom."

Raven folded her arms.

"Absolutely impossible."

Nathaniel looked amused, Evelyn looked disappointed.

Kai shook his head.

"Goodnight," then walked toward the door.

Raven watched him leave. Something about the exchange bothered her. Not because she wanted to go, but because of the way he had dismissed Evelyn.

The woman had spent all day making this welcome dinner happen and he couldn't even pretend.

Before she could think better of it, she stood and walked after him, fast as she could. 

Kai reached the front door, then heard footsteps from behind and he turned.

Raven stopped in front of him.

"What?" He demanded. 

She stared at him.

"I don't like you."

Kai smirked.

"The feeling is mutual."

"I don't care," she folded her arms, "but disrespecting your parents in front of me is disgusting."

The smirk disappeared.

"They spent all day doing this," she pointed toward the dining room, "your mother practically decorated half the mansion."

Kai remained silent.

Raven stepped back.

"Look here, I don't like your face."

Kai rolled his eyes.

"I don't like yours either," he retorted.

"But your parents are good people."

For a brief second, something flickered in his expression, vanishing as fast as it came.

Raven turned.

"And that is all I have to say."

She started walking away, then paused. Without looking back she continued, 

"Oh."

Kai frowned.

"What now?"

"You are welcome."

Then she walked off, leaving Kai standing alone by the door. For the second time that day… speechless.