Unexpected return, p.1
Unexpected Return, page 1
CONTENTS
Acknowledgment
Chapter 1: The Surprise
Chapter 2: The Dreams and the Decision
Chapter 3: Lazy Days of Summer?
Chapter 4: England
Chapter 5: Settling In
Chapter 6: She Has Returned
Chapter 7: The Gift
Chapter 8: A New Home
Chapter 9: The Trip is On
Chapter 10: Luke Enrolls
Chapter 11: Justine Visits Headington
Chapter 12: A Surprise Awaits
Chapter 13: James Meets the Family
Chapter 14: The Apartment
Chapter 15: The Presentation of the Gift
Chapter 16: The Bus Tour
Chapter 17: Preparations
Chapter 18: The Portal
Chapter 19: A Reunion of Sorts
Chapter 20: A Dinner Surprise
Chapter 21: The Next Morning
Chapter 22: The Trip to Dorset
Chapter 23: The Messenger Arrives
Chapter 24: Justine Finds Something to Do
Chapter 25: The Ross Family Fits In
Chapter 26: James and the Army Arrive
Chapter 27: Arius Explains
Chapter 28: Back in Dorchester
Chapter 29: Sir Abbot Delivers a Plan
Chapter 30: It’s Not Easy to Ride a Dragon
Chapter 31: Arius and Prince James Return
Chapter 32: John’s Recovery
Chapter 33: The Battle
Chapter 34: The Trip Back to Wiltshire
Chapter 35: A Warm Welcome
Chapter 36: John Hears the News
Chapter 37: John Meets Catherine
Chapter 38: The Decision is Shared
Chapter 39: The Wedding
Chapter 40: New Information Comes to Life
Chapter 41: Devastating News
Chapter 42: James Explains the Portal
Chapter 43: Merlin’s Warnings and Advice
Chapter 44: The Test is Successful
Chapter 45: A Change of Heart
Chapter 46: In Their Hands Now
Chapter 47: Preparations are Made
Chapter 48: John and Catherine Say Goodbye
Chapter 49: The Ross Family Departs
About the Author
Copyright
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank Judi and Ken for editing this book and for their encouragement while I was writing it.
CHAPTER 1
THE SURPRISE
“What? We’re doing what?” Since it was Saturday, Justine was home and had just finished her lunch. She left the kitchen and was sitting quietly on the couch in the living room minding her own business when her dad broke the news.
“Justine, it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often and I think we should take it.”
“You have got to be kidding, Dad!” Justine jumped up from the couch and started pacing the floor. “I’m just now finishing my sophomore year of high school. I only have two years of high school left and you expect me to move now from Indianapolis, Indiana to Oxford, England?”
“Please calm down and listen. I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for our family. You loved the trip to England last August and I thought we could go back and this time really see a lot more of the country. I have been offered a teaching position in the John Radcliffe hospital there. It’s the teaching hospital for Oxford University. That is something I’ve always wanted to do, to help students be good doctors. You would be able to complete your high school education there and Luke can go to college in Oxford. I have already asked the hospital here for a sabbatical leave for two years and they have approved it. I really thought you would be excited about this especially since you’ve been talking about our trip to England ever since we returned. You said you wanted to go back there someday soon.”
“Well, I didn’t know someday was going to be now and I certainly didn’t think that visit would be for two years! All my friends are here, not to mention the activities I’m in. What am I going to do while you all are doing your thing? What does Mom think about this?”
“She’s all for it. She has decided that she can pursue other interests now that she won’t be working.”
“Mom isn’t going to work?”
“No. She resigned her position in the law firm. She’s been thinking about it for a while now. She’s tired of criminal law and would like to pursue other interests. She would also like to spend more time with you and Luke. And maybe start to write the book she’s always talked about writing.”
“Oh wow, Dad, I can’t believe you and Mom made this decision without Luke and me! Wait until Luke hears about this!”
“Hears about what?” Luke asked as he entered the living room munching on an apple.
“Mom and Dad are moving us to Oxford, England! This coming summer!”
“What?” Luke blurted out as he almost choked on the apple. “And you’re just telling us this now?”
“Your mom and I had to make sure all the arrangements were agreed upon before we broke the news to you two. It wouldn’t have done us any good to tell you and then have the whole thing fall through. So, I’m telling you now.”
“But Dad, what are you suggesting I do for the next two years? I’m 18 years old and graduating from high school. I have plans,” Luke informed his dad.
“Well, I want you to know that I talked to Dr. Robinson. Remember, he is the CEO of the hospital in Oxford. He has not only suggested some very good colleges you could attend, but his name means something over there and he can see to it that you are accepted at the one of your choosing.”
“Dad, I don’t want to go to college! I have been telling you that for the past year but you won’t listen. You have this alternate reality in your mind which doesn’t include what I want. And no, I don’t remember Dr. Robinson. That was the part of the trip where you and Justine stayed at the hospital and Mom and I supposedly stayed in a hotel in Oxford.”
“Very true. I had forgotten that you didn’t meet him. Parts of that vacation have been such a blur but I do remember being at the hospital, performing surgery, and having to speak to the attendees of the medical conference in London from a conference room in the hospital. That’s where I met Dr. Robinson. Well, anyway, I’m listening now. What do you want to do now that you’re finishing high school?”
“I want to go to culinary school. I want to be a chef!”
“A chef?” his father yelled! “You want to be a chef? You don’t want to go to college? I thought you wanted to be a doctor. At least that’s what you’ve been telling us since you were ten!”
“I know, Dad, but I’ve changed my mind! I don’t want to spend the rest of my life going to school. I’m not like you. You’ve dedicated your life to being a heart surgeon and you’re good at it. You’ve saved countless lives including the surgery in England. And I admire you for that. But that’s not me!”
“I’ve been trying to work upstairs and can’t get anything done for all the yelling! What’s going on down here, Drew?” Mrs. Ross inquired as she came down the stairs, rounded the corner to the living room, and looked right at her husband.
“Mom, how could you do this to us?” Justine and Luke blurted out at the same time.
“Do what exactly?”
“Dad just told us that we’re moving to England this summer. Is that true?” Justine posed to her mom.
Mrs. Ross turned her head toward her husband with a very surprised look on her face. “You told them?” She tried to compose herself enough so she could answer Justine’s question. “Yes, it’s true. Last summer, Dr. Robinson offered your dad the chance to return to England to work in his hospital. The offer was made at the conclusion of the conference where your dad spoke last August. We tossed the idea around for several months before making any decision. Dad called Dr. Robinson many times to finalize the offer and make the arrangements for the move.”
“What? You’ve been discussing this since last summer?” Justine demanded.
“Justine, do not raise your voice to me, young lady. We did not take this decision lightly and explored all the possibilities. It was not an easy decision and we have thought long and hard about this. But in the end, we both decided that this is a great opportunity for your father and we didn’t want to turn it down. So, it’s settled. All the arrangements have been made and we leave at the beginning of August.”
“But what about our own plans? You certainly didn’t consider us in this equation!” Luke yelled as he left the room and bolted out the front door.
“I can’t believe this is happening!” Justine said as she started to cry. Then she turned, left the room, and ran up the stairs to her room.
“Well, that certainly went well,” Dr. Ross stated sarcastically.
“Drew, I thought we were going to tell them together. Why didn’t you wait for me? I was just upstairs. You could have yelled for me to come down. Maybe I could have explained it to them in a way that might have been less of a shock.”
“I’m sorry, Stephanie. It just sort of came out of my mouth.”
“Well, this is going to be a fun summer! Both of our children are mad at us now and I’m not sure how long that will last!” Then she turned and left the room in a huff.
Dr. Ross found himself standing all alone. Then he sighed and said to himself, “Yep, this is going to be a fun summer all right.”
No one in the family talked to each other during the following week. They all went their own way during the day either going to work or school and when home, spent it in different parts of the house. When they did cross paths with someone, they would walk right past and not even acknowledge the presence of that individual. As a matter of fact, each one tried to find something to do outside the house for as long as possible so he/she didn’t have to go home. Justine would go to the library or to a friend’s house, Luke would go play basketball with his friends, Mrs. Ross would work on a case in the office since she hadn’t officially completed her time there, and Dr. Ross would stay at the hospital. Maybe even sleep there.
At the end of a week of not speaking to his family, Dr. Ross couldn’t stand it anymore and called a family meeting in the dining room. He figured if it was in the dining room the family would have to sit at the table and face each other. This had to end.
Justine came into the dining room, grabbed a chair and started to pull it into a corner when her dad also grabbed it and put it back where it was.
“We are all sitting at this table, young lady. Do not move that chair.”
Next, Luke and Mrs. Ross arrived both looking at Dr. Ross for instructions.
“Please sit down at the table.”
Mrs. Ross and Luke both went to opposite ends of the table. That left Justine in the middle. Dr. Ross proceeded to pace behind them as he spoke.
“I realize the events of last week may have left the people in this family a little upset.”
“A little?” Justine blurted out.
“No one gets to talk but me until I am finished. Does everyone understand that?”
Each one nodded.
“Ok then. I will finish what I have to say. As I stated before, I realize the discussion held last week regarding the move was done without your mom present, and I apologize for that. We both made the decision and we both should have been there to tell you. Next, telling Justine as I did and not including Luke was wrong and I also apologize for that mistake. I have been doing a lot of thinking this past week about the move and how it will uproot you both from your own lives, Justine from finishing high school here and Luke the chance to move on in the career of his choice. Your mom and I have already made arrangements regarding our lives for the next two years. I think it only fair that we let you two do the same.”
At this point, Justine and Luke have a puzzled look on their faces and Mrs. Ross one of concern because she didn’t know what her husband was going to say next.
“This is what I would like to propose. Again, no one can say anything until I’m done, please.” He looked at his wife and mouthed the word ‘please’ to her. “Justine, you have expressed to me that you would like to finish high school here and you may do that if you wish.”
“What?”
“Please, Stephanie, I need to finish. I have contacted Jennifer’s parents and they stated they would be happy to have you live with them for the next two years. I know she is your best friend and I trust her parents completely. Luke, you would be moving to a campus, I’m assuming, and would be living away from home anyway, so this wouldn’t be any different except that your mother and I would be living in England. You both could come to England for your vacations and during the summer. I don’t want any answers right now, I just want you both to think about it and let your Mom and me know your decision. We are a family and I want us to be that again. Families look out for one another and I had forgotten that. I got lost in my excitement about this move and neglected to include the family on the decision. I’m very sorry. It won’t happen again. Still, no talking, please. Just leave the dining room and think about what I said.”
The three got up from the table, looked at each other and left the room. For the second time, Dr. Ross was left in a room by himself. But this time, he felt good about what he had proposed and knew he had now given Justine and Luke the opportunity to make their own decision regarding their future. Not knowing what that decision would be left him apprehensive as he stood there alone.
CHAPTER 2
THE DREAMS AND THE DECISION
Justine was still torn about the move. She wanted to finish high school and graduate with her friends. She was making straight A’s here but wasn’t sure what would happen to her grade point average if she went to a school in England. She loved singing in the choir and being on the volleyball team. She was good at both. Would she be able to continue doing those activities at a new school? So many questions still needed to be answered before she felt comfortable leaving her home. She had lived on the north side of Indianapolis her whole life and now during a critical part of her high school education her parents had decided to uproot the whole family! What if she told them she wasn’t going to go and she stayed with Jennifer’s family? Jennifer is her best friend but would they still be best friends if they were together 24/7? And if she did stay, when would she be able to see her family? They have always done everything together!
Then there were the dreams she had been having since they returned from England. The same boy always appeared in them but never in the same place. Sometimes she would see him in a castle and they would walk through a beautiful garden together holding hands. Other times, he would visit her in a city where she enjoyed showing him the sites. But no matter the location of the dream, the only thing she knew for certain was that his name was James and she would only have the dreams when she had forgotten to remove her necklace before going to bed, which happened more often than not. So, this James had to be connected to England somehow, but how? That was the only reason she wasn’t totally against returning to England. Maybe she could finally get the answers she needed to explain her dreams. But there were other incidents surrounding that trip that she couldn’t explain. She knew she had accompanied her dad to the hospital for the surgery but why weren’t Luke and their mom part of that memory? Where were the two of them during that week? They remember being at a hotel in Oxford but which one? There were still so many unanswered questions about that trip. She fell asleep still mulling over all the possibilities.
When she awoke in the morning, she remembered having another dream about James. She had never shared her dreams with anyone in the family. But something compelled her to seek out her father right then and share the dreams with him. She felt that if she did, that might help her with her decision to go or stay. She found her dad sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper. Good, she caught him before he left for the hospital.
“Hey, Dad, how’s your morning going?”
“Fine, why do you ask?”
“Can I talk to you about something? But I don’t want Mom and Luke to know, at least not yet. Let’s keep this between us for the time being.”
“Sure. What’s this all about?”
“Well, I need to talk to you about some dreams I’ve been having ever since we returned from England. But I only have them when I forget to take the necklace off before going to bed.”
“Why haven’t you mentioned this to me before?”
“I wasn’t sure how you would react and I wanted to keep James to myself.”
“James?”
So, Justine preceded to tell her dad all about the dreams and about James. She explained how sometimes she saw him in the past and other times he visited her in the present. She told him she felt he was someone she knew but couldn’t place where she might have met him. She stated she felt a strong connection to him in these dreams and she often didn’t want to wake up because she would have to leave him. She reminded her dad that the necklace had been a gift from someone in England and must have been associated with the person in black she often saw in London and then again at the airport when they were leaving England. She knew James must somehow be connected to England. She also told her dad that James was the only reason she was ready to move with the family because she was hoping she might find him over there.
“Wow, Justine, I had no idea. I know there were some unanswered questions surrounding our trip, some missing moments and lapses in memory. I still don’t understand how all of us were affected by it and none of us could remember certain parts of the vacation. We each had bits and pieces we could pull from to try to make sense of the three weeks we were there. So, believe me, I am as curious as you are to discover what happened in England. And now that you have shared these dreams of yours, I’m even more curious. Especially since you only have the dreams while you’re wearing the necklace. Very curious indeed. I don’t know who James is but we can certainly investigate together to get the answers we’re both seeking.”
