The Alcove - Chapter 6 -

# #twitterfiction The Alcove - Chapter 6 -
# Stephen woke with a start the sunlight now streaming in through the window directly illuminating his retinas inducing a throbbing headache.
# "Was last night a dream?" checking his right side pants pocket. There it was. A wave of relief crashed over him. "I've still got the watch!"
# Glancing at the disheveled room and feeling the pounding in his head he knew last nights' trip cost him more than some much needed sleep.
# It was almost 10:30AM and he was expected to make an appearance in the main house before noon for sure, he set out starting his day.
# The entire family had gathered at the passing of his father, and the condolences were shared along with some tears, Stephen felt set free.
# He was not particularly close to his father, he guessed that no son had, especially with a busy father trying to make his way in this world.
# The past years especially they had drifted apart. Stephen moved to New York and had visited only once, right near the end.
# The awkward but necessary issue of dad's estate was to be resolved before immediate family headed home, he had been gone for three days.
# Stephen was the eldest yet his lack of a wife and family tended to alienate him from his two sisters Patricia, next oldest and baby Emily.
# They had both married early and now each had a large family, filling the main house. Stephen had felt excluded but now it didn't matter.
# Stephen had seen a glimpse into his future and it contained a long life, a loving wife and a peaceful passing. He headed to the main house.
# The chaos of the kids that swirled in the large estate house was the way he remembered his childhood, full of laughter and teasing.
# Patricia and Emily loved to cook since they could hold a spoon. All three got along great, the girls trying new recipes and Stephen tasting.
# This morning smell of waffles and fresh fruit wafted through the house, he helped as best he could with the berry-filled chaos and cleaning.
# At two they would meet with the lawyer to see about the state of affairs. Stephen knew Patricia loved the house and was looking to move in.
# Emily already had a great house as it was custom built (and eternally being renovated) by her husband a successful general contractor.
# Stephen's mom, devastated by her husband's death and vowed she would always live in the house, it would be too overwhelming for her.
# As it was Emily and Patricia would help her out with the laundry each week and do a bit of cleaning, She was getting older and more frail.
# The unofficial plan was for Patricia and her family to move in and help mom out around the house, Emily would also pop by and lend a hand.
# Stephen wanted to see the house stay in the family and was amiable with Patricia supporting Mom. He wanted one more look in the library.
# It was rumored that Grandpa had penned a journal of his escapades for the year he was gone. Stephen knew there was a lifetime in that book.
# The meeting came and went with a flurry of legalese and jargon. The deed to the house was set to their mother's name next up was Patricia's.
# There were still considerable holdings that Dad had never spoken of, that now Stephen was beginning to understand the origins of. Gramps.
# Every thing was left in his mom's name so she would have access to any funds she required, save the trusts set up for each of the kids.
# The sisters were honestly grateful that each of their children would be set for life. They had ever been poor, now they never would be.
# There was a large nest egg for Stephen as well but money can't replace people. Stephen had been on the verge of retirement for ten years.
# Returning to the house the sisters shared the news of the arrangements with their husbands. Then Patricia took Stephen aside for a word.
# "Stephen, I know you said you were ok with me moving into the house, there is always room for one more." she smiled genuinely.
# "I think I would just get in the way." he paused "I think I am going to follow in Gramp's footsteps and take a year"
# Patricia perked up "You are finally going to go? You have always talked about traveling around the globe! How exciting!"
# "I am finally going to do it!" he announced, "I am going around the world!" his eyes now sparkled in anticipation. "I am leaving in a week!"
# "And when you get back you know you are always welcome here! This is your house too!" She said and she meant it.
# Rejoining the group he shared the news of the new adventure with the others, the childrens' eyes grew wide at the thought of the adventure.