EMERSYN

3. The Atkinson Mansion (Re-written)

'' Don't be afraid of change, it is leading you to a new beginning ''

------------------HappyReading------------------

Damien's POV

By the time we were home, it was already evening. I could see my parent's car in the driveway. Miles was still in deep slumber, now who will wake up this sleepy ass, just then my devil mind decided to work, out of nowhere, I honked the car. If I say Miles was startled that would be an understatement, he was horrified, when reality drowned upon him, he gave me his infamous deathly glare which can make any person shudder but me, I am used to his stupid ass. I heard Emery giggle, this is the first time she has let out a true emotion since morning. Maybe Miles moving in was not that bad after all.

I exited the car, Miles did the same too, he then moved to the back seat and helped Emery come out of the car.

My family along with the house staff was already standing at the threshold, waiting for us. The photographer from earlier was busy setting up the reflectors.

"All set, can we have the newlywed at the center, please," Said the photographer. Emery, who was standing beside Miles, nodded and ambled towards where the rest of us were standing. I carefully observed her as she lightly gripped her gown and gingerly took each step. Her sweet smell invaded my nose as she stood next to me.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the group shots were done. My family went inside, leaving me, Emery and Miles alone with the photographer.

"Mr. James, could you please step aside a little," requested the photographer to Miles.

"Mr. Atkinsons move a little closer to your bride and look her in the eye," He said.

"You better be quick, man," I said, turning to face Emery. For the umpteenth time today, I felt my heart skip a beat. It was quite a windy day today. Emery's veil was dancing with the wind. It felt as if her hazel orbs were staring into my soul the moment our eyes met. The time seemed to have come to a standstill. This was the very moment I knew that letting her go would be painful.

Someone cleared their throat in the background and that caused me to avert my gaze. I looked around to see Miles looking at me with narrowed eyes. I looked everywhere but him. He had just caught me ogling at his little sister.

"Mr. Atkinson, could you please place a kiss on your wife's temple," the photographer yelled. I leaned down and connected my lips to her temple.

"Perfect," that stupid photographer yelled again.

After a couple of more shots, we moved towards the house, at the doorstep, Tom, our butler along with his wife Martha, who was also our cook and a mother figure to me, was standing holding a bouquet of Daffodils, with a few more house help.

''Welcome home young master, wish you a happy married life,'' said Tom in his monotone to which I nodded and said "Thank you."

Then Martha moved towards me and pulled me into her usual bear hug ''My son is all grown up and married to a very pretty girl, it was as if just yesterday that you were running around the house in only a diaper. May God bless, always be happy.''

Way to embarrass me Martha and as if on cue I turned around to see Miles giving me a teasing smile and Emery watching us with a small smile.

Tom then moved toward Miles and said ''Welcome to the Atkinson Mansion Mr. James,'' to which Miles responded,

''What's with the formality old man, it's not my first time coming here and I am going to live here only from now onwards,'' and pulled Tom in a manly hug, and Tom gave him a small smile.

Tom then turned around to face Emery and said ''Welcome to the Atkinson Mansion, Mrs. Atkinson,''

I was looking at her closely all the while, she gave him her usual polite smile and said ''Thank you and please call me Emery like everyone does.''

Martha then walked towards Emery and pulled her into a very tight hug not before handing her the bouquet, ''Oh god! you are looking so beautiful, honey. May God grant you a lifetime of happiness and love,'' said a very joyous Martha.

She then turned to Miles and said ''Welcome to your new home son,'' to which he nodded and side hugged her.

After all the greetings werpe done I finally said ''If we are done with the greetings, can we just move already, I am starving.''

''Oh yes, yes, Sir and Madam are waiting for you all in the living hall. Meanwhile, I will just check the dinner arrangements,'' said Martha.

The siblings were the first to enter, followed by me, Martha, and Tom.

I saw my parents, Jacob and Erin laughing over something, Mom was the first one to notice us ''Come, honey, sit,'' said mom to Emery and patted the place next to her to which Emery obliged.

I could see how everyone was happy with Emery being the second daughter-in-law of the house. Mom turned to Martha and gestured to her to bring something, after a couple of minutes she came back, with an old box, I instantly recognized it. It was one of the Heirlooms which was passed on to my mother.

Mom took the box from her and turned to Emery "This is one of the heirlooms my mother-in-law passed it on to me, now it's time that I pass this to you. I know things are hard for you to accept, but that is how life is, and you know sometimes moving with life helps moreover, we all are here for you, if you ever feel something is bothering you, feel free to approach us, you are one of us now, actually you and your brother has always been," said mom and placed it over her hand.

Emery was hesitant to accept it at first, but after Miles whispered something to her, she nodded and accepted it, mumbling a small 'Thank you.'

~

All the while I was observing her closely, it was her usual self, answering in minimal words. It has always been like this, she is very cheerful around her family, especially around Miles but goes on all silent mode with other people.

Then mom turned to Miles who was sitting on the hand rest of the sofa, beside Emery, and said "Miles you are just like my son, you are not just my son's best friend anymore, you are family now, you always were, consider me as your mother."

Dad who was quietly watching everything said, "Yes children you both are one of us now."

After a while Martha informed us that the dinner was ready, so we all decided to have dinner first and then call it a day.

Dinner was a quiet affair, as my mother is very particular about table manners, the only sound which could be heard was the cutlery sound.

After bidding good night to each other, we headed to our respective wings. Mom and Dad reside in the North wing, Jacob and Erin in the West wing, the South wing was for the guests, and finally comes the East wing where I...um well along with Emery and Miles will reside.

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