30
A couple of days later, I heard the sounds of motorcycles pulling up the driveway.
"I think they're here," I said, looking out the window.
"Should we get dressed?" he asked.
We hadn't been wearing much in the way of clothes. One less thing to get in the way when you're really horned up. Then, too, not sure how many things he would still fit into.
"Why? Wouldn't stay on for long, anyway." I laughed as I stepped outside.
What a sight we must have been. Four massive bears riding down the highway on our bikes.
It took us over an hour to reach their place. It was in a deeply wooded area. We followed a narrow road through the trees until they opened up into a cleared area. A pickup truck with a camper shell and a white Jeep were parked outside a good sized house. Out in front was a large bronze statue of a grizzly bear. It was caught mid-roar, fangs bared, its left paw swiping out. It was beautiful.
As we parked our bikes, Paulie came jumping off the porch. He was much as I remembered. Unlike his brother, he hadn't taken after Rick. He was dark haired and dark eyed. A sprinkling of silver flecked his full beard. Unlike most of us, he had been very young when he had been changed. Perhaps that was why he had stayed attached to Rick. Anyway, it appeared papa-hood had finally found him.
As he embraced Jim, a stab of panic beat at my chest like the frantic wings of a snared dove. A slow burn replaced it to be suddenly shut off. I looked up toward the house and saw a figure standing in the shadowed doorway. He stepped into the sunlight.
He was a powerfully built man. Even though he wasn't quite the height of the others, yet, he was an imposing figure. He had much more silver than Paul did and he seemed to be trying to keep his beard trimmed. It was longer below his lip, matching the length of the mustache stretching down on either side of his chin. Otherwise, it was significantly shorter. He absently brushed curly, silver streaked hair out of his dark eyes. He reminded me of many a young man back when I lived in Greece, many hundreds of years ago. His expression darkened as he met my gaze and he quickly dropped his eyes.
I watched as he stepped down the stairs as Mike and Cliff went to greet him. For such a large man, he moved gracefully, tension clear to my eyes.
I turned to look for Paul.
"Not wasting any time, are you?" Mike said, slapping Paul's bare ass.
"Now there's a sight for sore eyes," Jim said.
"If it's making your eyes sore, you're aiming it too high," Paul said. He pulled his brother closed for a hot embrace.
"And what about me," I said with a hesitant grin.
He broke from his brother's embrace and turned shyly toward me. I could feel his uncertainty.
"Just saving the best for last," he said. I held him tight, then tipped his chin up for a kiss.
"Looking as hot as ever, Paulie," I said.
"I missed you," he whispered and I felt the truth of his words. I also felt the worry he was straining to hold back.
As he released me and gestured for the young man to join us, I knew his concern was warranted.
I followed him and watched as four bikes pull up in front of the house. I recognized Mike and Cliff. Jim must be the other red bear. Unlike his 'son' he had a full beard with a silver streak down his chin. The fourth must be Grandpapa. He was a big bear, with a bushy white beard and long, silvery hair tied back in a ponytail. He was at least seven feet tall and solidly built. He popped down the kick stand and grinned at the bear statue. Paul walked out, greeting his family.
I stood in the doorway, fighting down panic. I stood staring at the big, gray bear. I recognized him. Then a spurt of anger cut through the panic. Was somebody messing with me?
Paul turned and gestured for me to join him. I hesitantly stepped down the stairs to greet them.
"Hey, cuz," Mike said, pulling me into an embrace. "Looking good. I'd really like to play with you. May I?"
We all laughed.
"Sure, Mike," I said.
"Anybody who can teach this boy some manners is okay in my book," Jim said. I stepped into his outstretched arms. "Damn, Paulie, you've got yourself a majorly hot cub. You sure you don't want to come home with me instead?" he winked at me.
"No offense, sir, but I'm quite happy with my Papa."
He growled deep in his chest.
"Sir. I like that," he said licking his lips.
"That's enough, Jimmy," Paul laughed. He broke from a hot embrace with the polar bear and waved me over.
"This must be my new grand-cub," he said, smiling at me. "Though, technically, great grand-cub.
I don't know why, whether I detected some slight accent in his voice or what, but I found myself answering in Greek.
"Welcome Grandfather," I said, bowing stiffly.
"You speak Greek" he replied in the same language with a broad grin.
I nodded shyly and he tousled my hair. His touch was electric and brought back the panic.
"What'd you say?" Cliff asked.
"He was making Grandpapa feel welcome," the old bear said. "I guess he was able to pick my accent up, slight as it is." His eyes danced as he smiled warmly at me.
"I didn't know you knew Greek," Paul said.
I shrugged.
"You never asked. Had a number of international clients at work. For me, was often easier to learn a language than find a translator."
"So how many languages do you speak?" Mike asked.
"A fair few," I replied with a small smirk. "I'm fluent in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and several others. And know enough to get along of about a dozen more or so."
Paul looked at me in surprise.
"Jimmy tells me you're also something of an artist," Grandpapa said.
I shot Paul a look. He looked back, holding his hands up.
"I sent him a picture of that painting of Rick you did," Paul said.
"I was hoping I could get you to show it me," he smiled reassuringly at me. "The painting, that is."
He knew how unsettled he made me and it amused him. Which only pissed me off.
"Sure," I said tightly.
The flicker of panic returned when I mentioned the painting he had done but again was quickly suppressed.
He nodded tightly and turned and led the way into the house.
"I want to talk to him alone," I said softly to Jim and Paul as the boys followed him inside.
Paul nodded in agreement and Jim wrapped his arm around his brother.
We walked through the house and I couldn't suppress a grin when I saw the statue of me sitting on the mantle in the livingroom. Brought back memories, but for another time.
I walked into Brian's studio to find them around the painting he had done of Rick. Jim had his arm around Brian's shoulders.
"Oh, wow!" Jim said softly, standing in front of the painting. "The little picture on my phone doesn't do this justice." He put his arm around my shoulders, hugging me to him. The look on his face was similar to the one Paul got when he looked at it.
"Paul? I was thinking you might show the boys the rest of the place. I'd like to talk with your handsome cub," Grandpapa said jovially.
"Sure," Paul said, leading them out the door.
"And take your time," he said suggestively.
"In that case, we'll be in the basement," he laughed as the door shut behind them, leaving me alone with the great bear.
"What's wrong, child?" he said softly. His eyes were tender, with something hidden within them.
"Who are you?" I asked, trying to keep myself from trembling. I couldn't tell if it was from fear, or anger.
"I am Grandpapa," he said with a knowing smile. "Who else should I be?"
I clenched my jaw and turned to one of the boxes I hadn't opened yet. I ripped the packing tape off, revealing stacks of old sketch pads. I dug through them, pulling out one of the oldest ones. I flipped it open to the page I wanted and handed it to him.
"I'll ask you again. Who are you?"
"Nice likeness," he said, his eyes flickering to me, then back to the drawing of himself in his hand. "Didn't think you'd remember me. You were but a babe the last time I saw you." He began flipping through the pages, finding more and more drawings of him.
"So you know me," I said, relaxing somewhat. Though don't know why he would have seen me.
I suddenly realized why he was so tense. He had recognized me, but I still looked like he remembered. It was one thing to know how slowly we age, it's another to actually see the results.
I remembered well the day I last saw him.
I had been friends with his grandfather, Bill for many years. And just friends. He, like his grandson before me, had some...unusual abilities. I had thought he might have been something more, but....
"Nick," Bill's voice came over the phone. "Doris is having her baby."
I reached the hospital shortly before he was born. I felt when he drew his first breath. I felt his fear and discomfort and more. He writhed, shrieking incoherently, his tiny fists beating the air.
"What's wrong with him?" his big sister cried, her hands clasped over her ears.
I reached out a finger and touched his furrowed brow. What I felt nearly knocked me back. He was responding to the roil of emotions of the hospital pounding at his helpless mind. He couldn't stay like this.
I carefully created a mental wall, shutting out everyone else's feelings. I didn't know how long it would last, but hopefully, if and when it crumbled, he would be able to handle it.
His cries ceased and he opened his eyes. Now, most babies are born with blue eyes. His were a dark, dark brown and they held my gaze. This one would bear watching.
"Do you remember everything that happens to you?" he asked, eyes aglow.
"Yes," I replied, raising my chin. "Pretty much. I...I knew as soon as I saw you I recognized you somehow."
"You've always been unnaturally strong," he stated, not asked. "You've recovered from injuries that would have killed a normal man, even before you met Paul. And you've thought you were going insane because you know things you shouldn't be able to."
"How do you know this much about me?" I said stiffly.
"You are not the first in your family to be so...blessed. Or cursed, depending on your point of view."
"What do you mean?" I asked, backing into my drafting table.
"In were terms, you could call me Great Grandpapa. In human terms, I would be called your ancestor."