LOGINShare
Meeting your Family
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Caspian stares at the sky thoughtfully. Slowly, the pale grey starts to show a little light. The sun will soon start to come out from the East.
He lazily walks to his spot under the willow tree. He is holding a single green rose with one hand and his staff on the other.
He idly draws circles on the ground with the end of his staff. He is thinking of what to say...
Coming from the forest, he hears laughing sounds. He abruptly stops doodling and starts to get nervous. He has not figure out what he would say after all.
Caspian looks towards the direction of the trail and soon enough, he sees Anna with Popsie Reed slowly coming into view, walking while laughing at the same time.
"Good morning Anna! Good morning sir!" he exclaims as he stands, feeling a bit awkward.
Anna walks towards Caspian while Popsie Reed stares in surprise.
"Sorry for interrupting your morning.”
“I am Caspian, by the way. I am Anna's friend from the valley." Caspian explains politely to Popsie Reed, offering his hand for a friendly greeting.
"So, you are Caspian, the friend Anna was mentioning to us about. Her Marmee and I thought you were just an imaginary friend for we have never met you. Well, until now..." Popsie Reed gives him a warm smile.
"Popsie, that is so much details... I never thought you didn't believe me.” Anna cuts her Popsie’s teasing.
“He lives in the valley beyond the forest so… I guess he might have been busy at times when you and Marmee are here. But we often meet here under the willow tree." Anna rationalizes to her Popsie Reed to explain further.
Anna starts to get self-conscious too.
"Again, I apologize sir, for the intrusion this morning. I know you and Anna have your early morning jog together." Caspian repeats.
"Call me Popsie. I'm glad Anna has other friends. Well, Jo is her only friend then." Popsie Reed adds.
"Why are you here very early in the morning?" Anna asks turning to Caspian and finally notices the green rose in Caspian's hand.
"I just like to give this to you. It is the first green rose to bloom from our place. It reminds me of you, your eyes." Caspian answers.
He finally gains some courage to hand the rose to Anna at the same time as he gives his timid explanations. He seems unsure what to say next.
"Oh, thank you, Caspian" Anna replies while she blushes uncontrollably.
"Wow! That's a beauty that green rose." Popsie Reed says with admiration.
"Just like our Anna here..." he adds with another teasing tone, as he places his arms over Anna’s shoulders in a loving way.
"Popsie, stop that! We better get inside, Marmee might be waiting already." Anna tries to ignore the teasing.
"Young lad, would you like to join us for breakfast?” Popsie Reed asks.
“Marmee makes such good toasts with cheese omelettes." He says proudly.
Caspian hesitates, and is about to decline the invitation.
Popsie Reed even suggested.
"Maybe we can have breakfast outside. The rising sun is such a nice view to miss.”
“I will go ahead inside and tell your Marmee we have a guest. We can set up the bench and make us a lovely outdoor venue. Wait here young man."
Popsie Reed winks at Anna and hurries to the house to start preparing.
Anna and Caspian stares at Popsie Reed going inside. Anna averts her eyes from so much shyness. Instead, she stares at the green rose in her hands.
"Thanks for this rose again. I'm sorry if Popsie seems imposing.” She states shyly.
“If you have other things to do, it's okay. I can tell them you had to leave already." Anna inquires doubtfully.
"Oh, it's fine. I'm happy that your Popsie is very friendly. He seems to adore you so much.”
“I really like to meet your family." Caspian assures her.
At that instant, Popsie Reed comes out carrying the movable bench.
Anna and Caspian cross the street and start to help Popsie Reed set up.
Marmee Rose comes out from the house carrying a tray of toasts, omelettes and orange juice.
"Good morning ma'am," Caspian greets her.
He offers to carry the tray from Marmee Rose and places it on the table of the bench.
"Good morning dear. We are glad to finally meet you and I hope you enjoy our simple breakfast. Call me Marmee." Marmee Rose says with a smile.
"I will get the plates and glasses." Anna excuses herself.
Popsie Reed, Marmee Rose and Caspian are seated on the bench as Anna comes out again.
Anna serves everyone while they admire the beauty of the early morning sun. The four of them takes their time as they eat while enjoying the warmth of the sun. It surely seems to starts the day really bright.
"So, how is the valley nowadays?" Popsie Reed turns to Caspian, after finishing his orange juice.
"We are starting to see the growth of some of the rare blooms that the valley once had before the fire. That green rose is a proof that the valley has a chance to recover after all." Caspian narrates.
"Yes, yes, Marmee and I used to take our time there admiring the rare flowers that seem to bloom only on that valley." Popsie Reed says in nostalgia.
"Remember that rare blue rose you bought from one of the markets there? I loved that one. It stays blooming longer than the average rose here. I wish I could see one again." Marmee Rose recalls wishful thinking.
“Yes my darling Rose. It looks so lovely but not as pretty as you.” Popsie Reed replies lovingly to Marmee Rose.
Anna and Caspian stare at Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose at the time. They look so much in love despite the years. Then, as if by pull of magnetism, Anna and Caspian automatically meet each other’s eyes. They avert their eyes just as quickly as they met.
"We are slowly growing some of those roses too. I will try to bring one to you, too, Marmee" Caspian promises in response, hoping Anna’s parents did not notice what transpired between him and their daughter.
Anna stares at Caspian, her Popsie and her Marmee. She thoughtfully listens to their conversation on the beauty of the valley in the past and on what the valley looks like now.
She smiles and feels very content that her parents finally meet her special friend Caspian. By the looks of it, Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose like her friend. She gazes at them again as if fascinated in the scene.
Now, she only needs to wait for Jo to return. She is pretty sure her best friend will also warm up to like Caspian, too. She frowns upon remembering her best friend again.
Without a warning, Anna felt the glowing warmth of her locket. She touches the part of her shirt where the emerald locket is underneath. She is so much used to it by now. However, she hopes that it will not give away her emotions so much.
Anna glances at her parents and Caspian once more. Marmee is looking at her with a worried expression on her face. It is as if her Marmee heard her thoughts.
Her Marmee gives her a forced smile then looks away. Both boys do not notice the exchange. They are still busy talking about the valley.
After a while, Marmee Rose stands and starts gathering the breakfast leftovers. Anna helps too. Popsie Reed and Caspian folds the benches.
When tidying up is done, Caspian expresses his thanks and takes his leave as he wave goodbye to Anna and her parents.
When Caspian has gone towards the trail, Marmee Rose holds Anna's hand and gives it a little squeeze. She takes a deep breath.
"Anna, i think it is time that we have a talk. Your Popsie and I have something to tell you." Marmee Rose informs her softly.
Anna appears troubled by Marmee's announcement. What could this be about?
Popsie Reed puts his arms on both his ladies' shoulders. Popsie Reed seems relaxed.
"My darlings, let's go inside to talk," Popsie utters calmly leading both Marmee Rose and Anna through their blue door.
Related chapters
The Forgotten Secret Half The Truth
Popsie Reed leads both his ladies towards the sofa. He never expects this morning will be very momentous for them.The breakfast turns out to be very interesting. They finally meet the special friend of Anna. She has been mentioning him for days now. It is so obvious how much Anna has been less miserable when she met Caspian. She gets animated when she mentions her special friend to her Popsie and Marmee.
The Forgotten Secret Being in your World
It's almost late afternoon and Anna keeps glancing at the willow tree from her bedroom window. She is waiting for Caspian. She plans to tell him about her past even if she herself does not fully know everything. She just needs to share to him this important thing about herself.It feels strange that Caspian hasn't visited her for a week since the morning when he joined her family for breakfast. That was the day when she found out from her parents their secret about her.
The Forgotten Secret Telling Secrets
Caspian stares intently at Anna for a long while. He seems to be deliberating on something.Anna glares back with a questioning look, waiting for Caspian's response. It feels like eons of time passed with both of them gazing at each other.
The Forgotten Secret The Magic of Trust
"How did you know you can't go inside?" Anna asks Caspian with disbelief. She is about to open the blue door but turns to face Caspian instead."I just know. Please trust me, I tried!"
The Forgotten Secret A Day Off
Anna stares at the trail deep in thought. She woke up very early this morning, much earlier than Popsie Reed. No one wakes earlier than him. But this morning is different.
The Forgotten Secret Extra Ordinary Day
Sally's is a bit crowded this morning. It seems like most of the people in town decided to have brunch today than exactly coming for breakfast time.Sally's is a little Diner that is originally a minimart. Mr and Mrs Goodman runs the minimart way back but when both passed away, their children decided to turn it into a Diner.
The Forgotten Secret The Valley
Caspian cannot recall how he got to the valley that quick. He is just so relieved that Popsie Reed did not insist on driving him there all the way from town. If he did, Caspian might have taken longer to reach their place. At the same time, it will be harder to arrive there with someone not knowing the state of things upon their arrival. Popsie Reed is a very perceptive person so he has to have a sound explanation. His mind is already imagining worse-case scenarios when he heard the explosion. He needs to be exactly sure first w
The Forgotten Secret Helping One Another
Shortly after Aramir left with the rest of the rangers for their realm to consult with their Queen and King, the rangers have inspected every area of the valley thoroughly.Caspian and his companions are just staying around for the possibility of the townspeople’s arrival any time soon.Tru
Latest chapter
The Forgotten Secret AUTHOR'S NOTE
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you who took their time to give my story a chance. It is my very first written work and it means so much to me that I was given the opportunity to share my imagined world of fairies in a version that combines contemporary and fantasy. Thank you for joining Arianna and the rest of my characters in their journey to the world of fantasy and reality. I hope my characters would stay in your memories forever as a source of inspiration as well as an escape from the bustles of daily living.I am also grateful to my editor Inker.
The Forgotten Secret EPILOGUE: Back at the Willow Tree
Arianna smiles to herself when she sees the wooden swing still attached to the Willow tree. It has been almost 10 years since she had it done with the help of Bran and Caspian as a surprise for her best friend Jo who is returning home from Alaska.Now, the wood color is already faded but still sturdy as ever. The roses remain in bloom with the magical enchantment they have casted so it’s a combination of blue and green.Caspian is by her side carryi
The Forgotten Secret The Best of Both Worlds
The snow falls beautifully on the trail. Princess Aria marvels about it as soon as they magically appear at the trail that she has often tread when she is still living in the human world. She previously planned to return here without using any magic so she can see and feel once more what she misses in this world.
The Forgotten Secret Coronation
The wedding of Aldar and Melandra is one that would be remembered in the history of the Four Reams. Both rangers serve as an inspiration to all the fairies because their love gives everyone a positive feel of a happy life despite being destined to be the protector of the realm. This is yet another sign that a long lasting peace is achievable when the fairies are at ease to live their days without fear.
The Forgotten Secret Brothers, Fathers and a Wedding
Princess Aria sits beside her best friend Jo who is presently amazed by the busy scene. This fairy wedding is really fascinating for them. Seeing a lot of fairies dressed formally in real life is like a dream come true. This is one of the fairy tale scenes from the books that these two girls read over and over again when they were young. They adored the lovely dresses of Cinderella, Aurora and all the other princesses in fairy tales.“Look at that Anna…I mean Princess Aria. I like that blue one your aunt is wearing. It is classy and not too feminine.”
The Forgotten Secret A New Beginning
The reality of Alirion’s end takes a while to sink in amongst the fairies of the four realms. After so many years of fear and uncertainty, the fairies tend to expect that Alirion would come back from his final death with stronger dark magic than ever.However, in the passing of days, the fairies of the realms begin to breathe easier. Finally, peace is achieved.The first act of the Kings and Queens of the four fairy realms is to pardon the creatures
The Forgotten Secret Choices We Make
Caspian's temple hurts terribly when he regains consciousness. He finds it difficult to open his left eye, as if something is blocking his vision. However, his right eye seems fine and when he finally opens it, the first image he sees is Princess Aria's worry-stricken face.“Princess?”Caspian is bewildered but relieved at the same time to finally be with his Princess once more. He senses the soft lap of the Princess beneath his pulsing head.
The Forgotten Secret Battle with Orcs
The orcs are ready with their maces. They show no fear though they are aware of being outnumbered. Is it bravery or just plain arrogance?Cleo and Caspian strike with their swords at the orc in the middle. The other two orcs are busy attacking their other fairy companions.The fight is more of a test of strength and not of magic. The fairies battle with the orcs using their weapons.The orcs are very noisy as they fight with gr
The Forgotten Secret Facing Destiny
Jo is finally conscious and appears to have no permanent damages from the physical assault by the orcs who kidnapped the princess combined with the magical burning done by the Dark fairy’s message spell. Nurse Zella healed her relatively quickly.“Thank you for healing my friend immediately.”Bran says in a serious tone.
