Family: Out of Business

Spied

Claire's pov

After my father left, I finished my breakfast and thought about what I was going to do today. I have no intention of doing homework all day. I mean, it's Saturday, come on. I don't understand why my dad holds such high hopes for me to be so studious. I've certainly never given him any indication nor evidence to back up that hypothesis up until this point in time. Oh well, what Father doesn't know, won't hurt him.

After clearing my dirty dishes from the table, since Alfred doesn't need more work, I went up to my room. I'm gonna hang out in here for a little bit in case Father comes to check on me. I figure fifteen minutes should be a fair amount of time. I took my math homework out and set it on my desk, adding a pencil and calculator for ambiance. Now if my dad barges in unannounced, I'll have already set the scene.

After waiting the predetermined fifteen minutes, I quietly crept out of my room, into the hallway. I listened for any signs of life upstairs but all was quiet so I casually walked past my uncle's open door to see if he was there. Nope, empty. Same held true for my aunt's room and Dad's room isn't even on this floor so I decided to stealthily make my way downstairs. I know something big is going on by the way everyone was acting at breakfast and by God, I want to be a part of it.

Halfway down the stairs, I still heard nothing but the servants going on about their daily business. I casually strolled through the living room, nada. Walked past the dining room, empty. Maybe they all left. That would suck, least interesting snooping mission ever. Trying to make as little noise as possible, I moseyed on over to my last resort, Grandfather's dreaded study. Normally I do my best to avoid this room at all costs but today I need to suck it up and steady my nerves for the sake of making mission espionage a success.

By Jove, I think I've got it. The study door was partially closed and I could make out muffled voices. I got down on my knees and hugged the wall, crawling as close as possible to the doorway without alerting any of the occupants to my presence.

I think Holmes said it best, "Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent." I know my family is up to something and I know it's gotta be juicy if they want to keep me out of the loop. I have a feeling the intel is way better than any of the scenarios I conjured up in my head last night before drifting off to sleep.

They're all up to something and I want in. "It is better to learn wisdom late than never at all," Holmes would say. I don't want to be left out of the loop completely, afterall. It's bad enough I'm the last to know all the time, but to not ever find out would be downright reprehensible. "Education never ends, Watson." Positioning myself in the best possible way to hear everything, I pressed my back against the wall and leaned my head over the bottom hinge of the door, so my ear lined up with the sliver of open space between the door and its frame.

Listening closely, this is what I heard:

"We need to do what's best for this family. Quit being so fucking selfish, Princess."

That was my uncle. He must be talking to Aunt Lexie, cuz he'd have to be insane to call my dad princess. I covered my mouth to stifle the giggle that came to my lips envisioning that scenario.

"How is wanting to protect my baby and fiance being selfish, EJ? Please explain your assbackward way of thinking, Brother, because I'm not getting it."

That was Aunt Lexie. What does she mean protect her baby and fiance? Protect them from what? Who would want to hurt them? I mean, the baby isn't even born yet.

"Your fiance is a Nardello, and in case you've forgotten, he's the last one. Well he was, until you let that Neanderthal knock you up with his bastard child. God! How could you be so stupid?"