The South Wing Hall roared with people.
The setting of the chairs from its last meeting appeared likely the same but this time a board stood erect on the podium.
A small bell jingled and everyone took their seats while Ruby walked up the podium.
"Gooday everyone" she began "Well informed on the situation at hand, we have been confined to the limits of the Lutman estate", "This is neither the end of our individuality, nor the end of our lineage but rather a call to urgency, meaning, the faster we work together and solve the problem, the quicker we return to our daily lives"
The hall laid silent at her pause, "To begin, we must first establish a routine" Ruby walked up to the board.
1, "Every opinion, suggestion towards a major decision must be discussed before being placed into action, yes?"
"Yes" everyone replied.
2, she scribbled down on the board before turning to the family, "A quick vote will be hosted to decide who writes the summary to be screened and reported back to my father who deals directly with the government, yes?"
"Yes" everyone replied.
3, "Any & every, suspicious movement will be reported to my father, Reece Lutman, yes?"
"Yes" everyone replied. Ruby smiled "In the day after tomorrow, every signature will be sorted and finalized, by then, the vote will take precedence", "Any further questions or contributions?"
The hall sat silent for a long second before a man stood, drawing every gaze in the room. Ryan Lutman-Harris.
"What was to become of the person who attempts to stop the ledger from being found for some reason or the other?"
A sudden stiffness engulfed the room. A sensible but frightening question. Who would think to do such a thing? Alas, the enemy of the Lutman name.
"Death" Ruby answered calmly and in a short, cold second, the hall burst into a thunderous applause.
While they all clapped in unison, elegance and in agreement to her words, Ryan beheld the silhouette of the woman on the podium from between the crowd. The mother of his children, who stood with grace and poise.
His lover who he suddenly could not recognize.
Steadily, the hall began to decrease in occupancy with members of the family returning to what might while away time.
Ryan sat back on his chair, his sons to his sides while he daydreamed.
"Maa" Saul called out.
"How patient you have been" Ruby cupped the whole of his left cheek as she squatted and threw him a loving gaze.
"My love, you?" She said, turning to Henry.
He nodded, she smiled before rising on her feet and holding unto the lower jaw of Ryan's face.
"Dear?" she called out
Slowly leaning into the frails of her dress at the middle of her abdomen, he looked up at her lowered gaze.
"Why don't you tell me more on that question you asked?"
"No need, you gave your answer"
"Are you bothered by the strictness of the answer"
"I was" he paused before rising to his feet with a long inhale "I understand your duties and love for family, I will not question it"
Taking the hands of Henry and Saul, "Come on, let's go get some fresh air" Ryan walked away.
Along the hallways of the West wing, the exact stretch of the house which Reece and his children occupied, Jeremy walked.
Slowly, he approached Harry's room and entered to see William leaning against the window pane watching a young man in a lab coat at Harry's bedside with a few nurses at ease for order.
The silhouette of the young man's back brought a distant memory, similar to the time he stood in the greenhouse but as the young man turned to William, his side profile eased Jeremy.
In that moment, Jeremy sensed a difference in William as the young doctor's gaze was turned to him. Like a nature of vulnerability, an air of unspoken shame that screamed between them.
"Decrease in blood sugar levels" the doctor spoke "I'll report it to Sir Reece" he paused before walking closer to William
"I want you to know"
"Thank you" William stuttered, his voice low before looking up and turning sharply towards Jeremy as he noticed his presence.
The doctor turned as well "Oh hello Jeremy" a small smile appeared over his lips, cutting through the tension.
"Hello"
William stood up "Do you remember Logan?"
Jeremy walked forward quietly as did Logan before stretching out his hands.
"A pleasure to meet you again Sir. Jeremy Lutman, I'm Logan Harris second son to Doctor Kane Harris"
They shook hands.
"Your father?"
Logan exhaled and let go "Unwell", "Now, I stand in his place nevertheless yet to fit the shoes"
Jeremy nodded "My brother?"
"No harm will come to him" glancing over to William "I will take my leave"
William nodded and the brothers watched him walk out the door with the nurses.
Noon came and lunch was dispersed room to room as father was preoccupied so much so that no one could sit at the table nevertheless lunch was a leisure activity barely taken to account.
Berry and Belle played with Henry and Saul as Meredith and Paul sat with Ruby. Ryan and Logan chatted warmly as he saw his younger brother out towards the fountain and up at the window of his room, William gazed.
Ludwig shared stories with his favorite caretaker, Danielle, along the corridors of the Lutman manor.
"This big old house is coming to life" Ludwig smiled
Danielle nodded, "You've missed them all, you have every right to be happy"
Although a small smile sat on his face, Reece lowered his head "They're not all here"
His eyes grew wet as beads of tears rolled down his saggy rough cheeks. Dannielle sat patiently and patted him on the small of his upper back.
"You'll do fine"
Night came suddenly as the cold of the house drew to warmth. Outside the manor arose a breezy storm while the halls stood in the humming of the winds gnashing against the tall glass windows, curtains ajar.
As the family doctor, now Logan Harris assured, Harry began responding positively and at the break of dawn, he awoke.
"Harry dear" mother, Marilyn called sweetly as she held unto his pale, long fingers.
His head turned sideways, ever so slightly as strings hung beneath his nostrils.
"Mother" he smiled, his lips chapped in faded pink, his eyes sunken with fatigue and dehydration.
"My boy, how are you?"
He nodded before looking up to see every familiar Lutman face, including Jeremy. Suddenly, he burst into a painful, stifled laugh.
"Is that my baby brother or am I high?"
Jeremy nodded.
"You just woke up Harry, give it a rest"
"Ah, hello big sis" he turned to William and gave him a small salute.
William smiled, leaving a light chuckle.
With a short glance at the time, "Alright, alright, time for breakfast everyone" Ruby spoke.
Marilyn smiled at Harry "I'll come some time soon alright" kissing unto his fingers, she stood to her feet.
He nodded before looking up at Jeremy who stood in the midst of the moving silhouettes around him. Harry smiled, this wasn't the same Jeremy.
As the family took to the dining room, an unfamiliar scene was caught placing each feet to a halt.
Reece sat on the familiar end of the table watching a certain presence as they sat in the comfort of discomfort while his eyes stung sharply, teeth gnashed and his grip strong over his replaced highball.
The hall fell silent, cold and frustrating like a replay of an undesired memory no one had the guts to speak of.
It soon became clear that the scene beheld a build familiar to the Lutman household, one who by recollection and instinct established a sharp presence in the head of most.
"Landon?" Marilyn called faintly while he turned to her with a mysterious smile in response.