So... everyone... EVERYONE is here?

***

FOUR WEEKS LATER

Mischa and Vega thought they would meet the whole family in a conference call when they reached the Schneider's castle in Stuttgart, since that was what Aleksis suggested when they were talking on the phone, back in Nice.

So.. imagine their surprise to see Aleksis welcome them at the castle entrance when they parked the car on the courtyard and got out of the car.

"Mom?" Vega batted her eyes in confusion. "Aren't you in New York now? What are you doing here?"

She and Mischa exchanged glances. They had met Lauriel in Grosetto last week but the man didn't say anything about Aleksis going to Germany to see them. If this was a surprise, then her parents got them really good this time.

"I want to congratulate you in person!" said Aleksis with a big smile. She came forward and hugged Vega warmly. The girl was pleasantly surprised to see her mother in Germany, thinking she was still in New York.