Secrets Revealed ((Mack))

[bekka]

Claira yawned the biggest yawn that night. Her voice stretched out as she stretchedher thin arms obove her head. She lounged on the couch, cuddled next to her father, who had fallen asleep and was snoring loudly. Claira felt her eyes start to close, axhaustion over taking her small body. Samantha sat in the armchair, her leg bouncing steadily, as if she were either ridding her body of excess energy or she were nervouse, maybe both. Claira was too tired to care, too tired to notice anything about her mother or how loud her father was snoring into her hair. It being two hours past her regular bed time. 11:30 PM, the digital clock flashed red. Claira was rudely awoken by her mother's voice telling her to go up to bed. She sighed, sleepily standing from the couch, also waking her father, who grunted and looked about the living room his eyes unfocused. Claira walked up the stairs to her bedroom, her feet loud in her sleepy walk.

Samantha took a shakey breath in her nervous indecision. Mathew immidiatly awoke, that breath usually meant something bad was goingto happen, or is happening. He took Samantha's hand and gave her a encouraging look and his eyes were curious. Samantha sighed again, taking out three pages of lined paper. Mathew sat up straighter, all evidence of his sleep disapeared from his face. Samantha gulped, looking through the words written so neatly on the 'Muggle' paper. She hated the slang of wizards already. Mathew raised an eyebrow and took the letter, looking through the explainations and questions his wife had written on the papers.

"Mathew... we need to tell him..." Samantha's voice was urgent. Mathew nodded, understanding completely. He looked back down at the first words of the letter.

Dear Mr. Derrek Holden,

I do not know if you remember me or even care, but I must contact you, it's very urgent. Ten years ago, we had met at a Christmas party and I told you after six months of 'dating' that I were pregnant. You replied with... get an abortion and I'm leaving you, it's over. Now, I almost did. Get an abortion, I mean.

But, as you may well know by this letter. I did not get an abortion. I had your child and that child is Claira Stone. The most wonderful little child you would ever meet and very beautiful. She is ten years old. Because of you, she is a witc-

Mathew couldn't read any furthure. He sighed and looked at his wife. Of course he knew about Derrek being the real father and everything, but never was told the whole story. Nor did he really want to know the whole story. Samantha took back the letter and folded it up, putting it in the envelope, which Claira's owl was to take to Derrek Holden.

"Samantha... are you sure you want to be telling him this? I mean, he might... I don't know..." Mathew mumbled his thoughts. Samantha shook her head, determination in her eyes.

"I have to tell him, Matt..." Samantha said, shaking her head, determination in her green eyes, "Even if he won't take the responsibilty... he MUST know!" Mathew shushed her, looking towards Claira's room, where the young girl ducked so her father would not see that she was evesdropping.

Young Claira Stone felt tears press her eyes. Her mother was contacting Derrek Holden... she felt used in some odd way. As if her mother was using her as a way to contact her 'first love'. Claira bit her lip and listened harder as her parents spoke again.

"Not so loud, Sam..." Mathew hissed at his wife, who just sighed and shook her head.

"Mathew... you do understand why it is so important to tell him... don't you?" Mathew shrugged, looking hopeless.

"I understand telling him he has a daughter, but I can not understand why you explained away Claira's life. Her first steps, her first word, her first barbie doll!" Samantha sighed and Mathew continued, "Sam... you do not have to tell him EVERYTHING-" Samantha hissed, glancing at Claira's room, "about Claira!"

"Well... I may have gone a bit far with the explaining... but... but... even if he never writes back, at least he would know his daughter. In one way or another," Samantha's voice broke, but she continued to speak, "I need to send him this letter, Matt... I need to!" Mathew nodded, finally giving in. He motioned for his wife to sit next to him and she obeyed, sitting on his lap and crying into his shoulder.

Claira skooted back away from the railing on the stairs. Her heart was beating fast and hard. When her footsteps started to climb the stairs, Claira scrambled to her hands and knees and crawled into her room as fast as possible without making a noise. She climbed into bed and covered her face within two seconds. Her mother walked into the room, silent... well sort of, and took out Claira's new owl, Misty, from her cage, Christmas meowing softly. Then her mother disapeared, shutting Claira's door behind her.

Samantha took hold of Misty's leg and looked at the letter one last time. The signature Sincerily, Mrs. Samantha Michelle Angelina Stone written neatly on the end of the last page. She took a shakey breath yet again, Mathew kissing the top of her head, and tied the letter to the small owl's leg. Mathew held his wife's hand as the owl soared out the window.

[Mackenzie Holden]

It's amusing how secrets are revealed over a lifetime, though so many had been revealed to Mack and she was only 14. That did not, however, mean that she was going to break down under the pressure over another piece of information. Only this news was the largest and worst by far. If Mack hadn't learnt how to control her emotions, she probably would have broken down completely already. The truth behind the matter was, Mack was frightened to death of the things she found out.

The words from the letter echoed in her head. How could her father screw her over like this, again? Finding out that she was a love child was one thing, but finding out she had a half love child sister, that was something totally different. Mack sighed out of exasperation. Her newly dyed blond hair fell over her icey blue eyes. For years Mack had wondered why she didn't look anything like her parents and sister, and just this past year- she had found out why. It was messed up, but Mack couldn't help it- and she accepted it.

However, that wasn't an open invitation for all of Derreck Holden's ex-girlfriends to waltz their way into her life. Again, another thing she couldn't help, but something she could not accept. If only Mack hadn't opened the friggin' letter; she wouldn't have the slightest idea about Claira Stone. But, what had she done? She opened the letter! She hadn't recognised the penmanship, not the name- so she was curious, curiousity killed the Mack, she thought as she sat down at her desk. The parchment glittered in the moonlight, the pen lay across gracefully.

"Pick up the pen, and write..." Mack told herself as she pulled her desk chair out and took a seat. Her fingers picked up the pen and curled around the barrel. She sighed unevenly and started to write in a nice and neat cursive.
"Dear Mrs. Samantha Stone,

As you can most likely tell- I am not Derreck Holden. I am his 14 year old daughter; Mackenzie. I am replying to your letter and not my father for one very obvious reason. I received the letter before he did. I figured hearing from a civilised daughter was probably better than hearing from an abusive father. Let me tell you now, Derreck Lee Holden is no angel. Maybe this would- be easier in person. Would you consider meeting me?

Please Respond,
Mackenzie Sara Holden"[/size][/i]

The letter was finished, and Mack looked at it with a glare. She didn't want to meet this Samantha person- but she figured she should. Especially if she wanted to get Derreck involved in Claira's life, she should at least know what he's really like...Mack had no idea what he was like 11 years ago- she was too young to remember- and she was sure she didn't want to know. Mack always remembered an abusive drunk and that's what she will always see him as. It was always different with her and Dix. Dix was treated like a princess- Mack like a slave.

"Louie..." She whistled. The barn owl flew to Mack and sat on the window-sill; held out his foot obediently and waited for Mack to attach the letter. Mack did so, and told him where to take it...the owl seemed to nod and Mack smiled at that, she took the owl onto her arm and held him out the window; "Go..."

[bekka]

Samantha and Mathew sat on the couch, looking at the black screen of the Television and holding hands, but their eyes and faces were blank. It was almost 2-o-clock in the morning and they had been awake since 10 PM. Samantha's heart beat uncontrollably in her chest as Mathew was getting sleepy, his eyes slowly sliding shut. Suddenly Mathew was jolted awake as Samantha shrieked. He looked about the room, eyes wide and his mind fuzzy. His wife had stood from the couch and walked to the kitchen counter, an owl perched apon it, it's leg thrust outward. Tied to it's leg was a small letter, rolled up and tied with a red ribbon. Samantha's breath caught as she unrolled the letter, the owl taking off through the open window.

She gulped as she read, her eyes widening and her mouth opening in shock. Mathew slowly slid from the couch and very slyly walked up behind Samantha, reading over her shoulder, his curiosity overwhelming. When they finished the letter, Samantha let it slip through her suddenly numb fingers and hit the carpetted floor. It was Mathew's turn to gulp.

"He's abusive," Mathew whispered.

"He has a daughter," Samantha whispered. They turned to look at one another and instantly both said two different things.

"I'm going,"
"You're not going," Samantha glared, Mathew sighed, already knowing she would go no matter what he said. He threw his hands up in exasperation as Samantha quickly grabbed a page of paper and wrote the following letter:

Dear Ms. Mackenzie,

I am writing back because I am agreeing to meet with you. To understand your father more and maybe know who he really is. But please, let me pick the meeting place. I do not know anything about the... wizarding world. Possibly... Kings Cross Station? I know you know where that is. Tomorrow at noon?

Sincerily,

Samantha Stone

She stood, whistled for Claira's owl, not even caring if the young girl woke up, maybe she shoukd know... she has a half sister! Misty came wizzing out of Claira's open bedroom door and landed perfectly on the back of the couch. She tied the letter to the bird's leg and let it fly through the window. Then Mathew forced her to walk up to bed and try to sleep, though her mind will be filled with imagined images of the maybe daughter of Derrek Holden.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack had gone to bed that night. Completely unaware, and not even sure if this Samantha woman was going to write back. The sun was gleaming down on Mack in the early morning, the girl threw her silk pillow at the window- hoping the pillow would stay in mid air and block the sun...no such luck, "Bloodysunalwaysgettin'myeyes..." Mack grumbled almost inaudibly. She sat up in her bed and cursed at the window before swingng her legs over the edge of the bed and walking to her desk. On it sat a envelope. Mack sighed as she unfolded it.

"Hmm so she agreed to meet...nice." Mack picked up a pen and scrawled an 'OK' on the parchment. Rolled it up. And whistled for Louie. She tied the letter to his leg and sent him out the window. 11:30 the clock said, Mack sighed. Half hour to get ready. She pulled a brush through her blond hair before she pulled a pair of jeans and a t-shirt on. Her make-up was done up darkly, and she pulled a light cloak on over her shoulders. She grabbed her bag, and left.

Walking down Kings Cross Station, Mack took a seat. Waiting for this girl. What did she look like? And did she really want to know what Derreck Holden is really like? If she did, Mack couldn't help but think this woman was crazy, insane, and stupid all in one. No one in the right mind would want to know Derreck Holden.

[bekka]

Samantha was nervous, oh God she was nervous as she slipped out of bed and got dressed. She tried not to wake her husband as she took hold of her purse and left the house, putting her favorite hat on and pulling her hair out the back so it made an instant pony-tail. She climbed into the car and drove toward the city-center of London. She bit her lip and her pro-done French-tipped nails. She was nervous... too nervous. To meet another, however distant, member of her family. Though they are not blood related, nor marraige... in a way they are connected.

Samantha parked the car in front of the train station, she didn't want to leave the car, but to abandon a child at a train station was un heard of, so she stepped out of the car. She locked the doors with a push of a button on the small remote attached to her key chain. She stepped slowly, her legs stiff. It was hard to move. She walked on ward, anyway, the bustle of people on the platforms always sent a headache to her temples, but today she ignored it, more on her mind than a small headache.

She was expecting an older version of Claira, but knew that wasn't possible. She then spotted a girl, a black cloak wrapped about her shoulders. Samantha knew this was the favourite thing wizards wear. She stepped up to the girl, her heart making music in her chest.

"Are... are you Mackenzie Holden?" Samantha asked tentatively.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack hardly admitted to making mistakes. Hardly ever. But right about then, she was admitting full front that meeting Samantha Stone was a huge mistake. When the woman approached her, the first thought in Mack's mind was, Derreck you screwed up big time... This woman had mother written all over her face. She looked like she was the perfect mom for a girl. Mack blinked and shook her head as if to rid herself of these thoughts. She wanted to scream no, no she wasn't Mack. But she knew she couldn't.

"Yeah. I'm Mack. I take it you're Samantha? Please, have a seat. So you want to know about my dear ole'
dad. Do you want me to skip the lies and go straight to the horrific facts? He's abusive. He's a drunk. He's a very powerful wizard. But he's only abusive to me. Not to Dixie, my older sister- she's 17, but to me. I think it's because I am a half-blood. I'm Kristie Hanner's daughter. Pam and Derreck killed her then kidnapped me." She headed straight into the details, not wanting this meeting to last more than an hour.

"Look, my advice to you is to stay away from him. Stay as far away as possible. The worst thing you could do was bring your daughter into his life. She'll end up like me. Used and abused. I bet you're a nice person and all, and you want your daughter to know her biological father- but the best thing to do is go back to your quaint little home and keep her away from Derreck. He'll mess her up, Samantha, he'll mess her up really bad."

[bekka]

Samantha felt rather surprised as she took a seat and the girl went into a long list of horrible facts about Derrek Holden. She couldn't believe her ears or eyes. Her ears were listening, her eyes were watching, but her heart wasn't thumping. She wasn't breathing. How could she believe this young girl. Derrek Holden was a handsom and very charming man. Or so Samantha remembered... could it be true? And what about this second daughter? Dix did she say? Samantha felt dizzy. She couldn't speak. Mack had stopped talking and Samantha wanted to say something, but Mack continued.

Once Mack had finished, Samantha had worked up the nerve to say something, her voice was shakey, that was for sure, "Well... I don't want Derrek in Claira's life, that'll confuse her even more. No I would like him to know that he made a mistake and should at least take some responsibility for it! He got me pregnant and then left me in some abortion clinic!" Samantha gasped. She should not have told that to Mack, though if the girl had read her letter than she knew all about it.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack shook her head wearily, "He won't take the responsibility. He never takes responsibility. Even my birth he blamed on my mother. So if you want respect from him- you won't get it. Don't even try asking for it." Mack pulled out the letter and handed it to her with a small reasurring smile, "Claira will be starting Hogwarts this upcoming year, yes? From the sound of it, she won't be a Slytherin- which is good." Mack ran her fingers through her hair and looked at Samantha with concerned eyes.

"Just, forget about him. It's the best you can do."

[bekka]

Samantha stared at Mack, her eyes wide. She looked down at her hands and wanted to cry. She knew this is what she deserved. Getting pregnant and trying to cover it up. Your past always catches up with you. She sighed when Mack asked if Claira was going to Hogwarts. Samantha nodded, wondering what Claira would do when she found out about this.

"But Claira is his daughter too! He should at least know about it," she said, her voice worried. She paused and then her face lit up as an idea came to her.

"Will you help Claira? It's her first year and she needs someone to guide her,"