#26 It's Different This Time

It was a welcome relief to arrive at Puddles Way, the familiar surroundings immediately feeling like home. Before he could begin to rush off home though, their grandpa stopped him and he felt his stomach begin to flip nervously. Why were their mother and grandma fighting?

He understood though, the arguing might worry the younger children. Especially Ezra, he was still so young and Jaxen knew how much his baby brother hated to see any of them upset. He set a hand on Ezzie's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before grasping both his own trunk and Ezra's by the handles and hauling them towards their house.

It barely looked like their home. Still recognizable, but different. Tidier, not as neglected. Something about this new appearance made Jax feel uncomfortable, though he couldn't place why.

Stepping over the property line, Jax found it hard to keep from wincing at the sound of yelling coming from within the house. Swallowing hard, he kept his expression neutral as they entered the house and he placed both trunks by the front door, he would take them upstairs after dinner.

Watching his brother and sister run up the stairs the moment they were through the door, he gave a sigh. This was not the happy homecoming he'd envisioned, but then... That's never how it turned out anyway.

He would remain downstairs to help his grandpa set the table and prepare dinner, and stay close by Ezra if he didn't want to go straight to his room. The sound of arguing in the otherwise quiet house was quite alarming and he didn't want him to be scared.

Moving through into the living room, his gaze flicked first to his grandma and then his mother, and back again. His gut twisted uncomfortably at the image, she looked so small on the couch while his grandma yelled at her. Jax was so preoccupied by the image in front of him, that he almost missed what they were arguing about.

"What's going on?" he asked, approaching the arguing women and kissing his Grandma on the cheek before moving past her to sit on the couch beside his mother. Reaching to hug his mother while keeping his eyes on his Grandma, searching her face for answers.

"Are you okay, mama?" brushing a strand of hair from her face, she seemed cross and he didn't like that. Angry was not an emotion he often saw on his mother's face, she usually wasn't present enough to feel angry about anything. He'd seen her cry more often than he'd ever seen her scowl.

They were obviously arguing about something important, the presence of strangers in the house? He had heard about his mother's friends. He'd also been concerned about it, but now didn't seem the type to argue about it- not on their first night home, and definitely not when Ezra was standing in the hallway.

Grandma returned the gesture, kissing Jaxen on the cheek as well. She muttered something in a language he wasn't fluent in, which was soften and welcoming so likely intended for him. 

'Jaxy.' Aubrey's face lit up at the sight of her son, though frowned again at how much he'd grown. 'Why wouldn't I be all right?'

She eagerly accepted his hug, all but clinging to him as if she needed it to sustain her. Grandma sighed, shaking her head as Aubrey stared at Jaxen in confusion.

Grandpa set the table for dinner, remembering a moment too late that Reena wouldn't need her spot. It was a shame, as the dining table was clearly not only brand new but hardmade. A beautiful mahogany -- not too dark, but not too light either. The legs were intricately designed, and if one took a closer look they could see a variety of animals. Some were familiar, such as bears, a fox, and so on. 

It had a chair for each of them. Nothing fancy, but no longer rickety wood with a patchwork of different styles and shapes. There were nine, perfectly-matched dining chairs. The rest of the house was a blend, just like the outside -- familiar, neglectful sections combined with a few spots of new or improved. 

The fireplace, which Jaxen had done his best to tidy up over Christmas, was now impeccable. The mantle was empty, apart from a frame with a black photo. The walls had a few larger frames all around -- showing off some of Aubrey's landscape paintings, and a few of Jaxen's sketches. 

Not everything changed for the better, though, as there'd been some sort of potion spill on the living room floor -- notable by having dyed it greyish-blue. And there were a few scuffs here or there which hadn't been present before, as far as they could remember. 

'I think that's a wonderful idea,' Grandma lowered his voice to Ezra, as if it was a special secret plan. He grinned, nodding as he playfully nudged the boy in the direction of the living room. 'Go on, kiddo. Now's your chance.'

Since it was an open space, Grandma easily overheard the plan and tried to resist rolling he eyes. She set her face to a scowl, awaiting Ezzie to run and hug her so she could dramatically shift it to a smiel and crouch to give him the biggest Grandma hug she could.

Aubrey, oblivious, pulled back from Jaxen and stared at her lap for a moment -- then across them to the coffee table, where her wand sat. So she finally learned to keep it on her or nearby? After a decade of the kids playing a game of trying to find and return it to her? It'd been like that at Christmas as well.

'I trust that you, at the very least, won't be having visitors during the summer?' Grandma asked Aubrey, exasperated.

'Of course not,' she replied, tone sharp. 'Not while the kids are home, at least. I...' 

Aubrey faltered, blinking. She shook her head, shifting away from Jaxen. Grandma and Grandma shared a sad look, but didn't say anything on the matter. He simply finished setting the table, then checked on the large pot into the kitchen -- steaming, and emitting a wondrous scent of stewed chicken and vegetables. His personal recipe.

'Why are there only two of you?' Aubrey grasped Jaxen's wrist.

'The others went to their rooms,' Grandpa said, reassuring. 'To unpack. Tiring day.' 

Aubrey nodded, frowning at her lap. She eyed Jaxen and Ezra, tears welling in her eyes as she reached her other hand for Ezra's wrist too.

'One of Conrad. One of Marcus,' she muttered, peering at their faces in turn. 'Oh, I am so sorry.' Aubrey shook her head, letting go and unable to look at them.