Memories Forever

Chapter 2 - Family Bonding Time

Memories of Karen's childhood flashed back to her as she lay in bed that night. Growing up in the Lordswick home had always been an adventure to recall. There was a continuous stream of cousins and distant relatives who were blood and non-blood related. House staff were changed almost every year as the family went to their country home for Christmas vacations. In a house with growing young females, one can only wonder the adventures that took place in that household. She shook her head, giggling at some flashbacks

Stories about her birth had been told her severally by her mum and some house staff but her pre-teen years were kind of a blur to her. She could only vividly recall her life from her recent teenage years when events and people she now cared about came into her life.

She was enjoying her wonderful life, as the only child of the Lordswicks she found loving siblings in the numerous cousins, live-in guests and family visitors that grew up with her in their home that provided the necessary bonding found in closely-knit families. Her friends Gina and Phoenix grew up in the same neighborhood and bonded together in more ways than one and served as a reference point for Karen’s venting whenever she felt like it.

Karen’s early childhood was far from lonesome, she recalled how she and the only other girl close to her age, Felicia, would play together in the house and became real close like sisters. She mused on about her parents’ annual vacations in their hometown villa, a quiet rural area north of their present city, Middletown. The Lordswicks referred to their villa there as ‘going to the countryside’ and it was a hub of activities when families and relatives holiday there and their kids gather for events, birthdays, weddings and parties.

Their home in the city of Middletown was much calmer and organized; a three floor mansion with a large backyard garden for events and family sports. There was an outdoor pool with lounge chairs for family relaxation times. Karen’s yearly birthdays were celebrated differently each year making the most of all the beautiful spots in their home. She grew to love her home and all the family members and guests they had living with them. Fondly referred to as Princess, she was loved by all and she grew up to be a very beautiful and yet humble young girl.

Her years in High school were also adventurous and her mid-teen years held lots of pleasant memories for her, in particular was her encounter with her first boy crush…Archer.

Smiling, she drifted off to sleep with sweet dreams of her future, what possible excitement it held…   

‘Wake up sleepy head…. Mum is waiting for us in the living room’. Felicia said, shaking her friend roughly in an attempt to wake her up. It was always a hard time waking Karen up on Saturday mornings.

Karen grumbled irritably ‘Leave me alone’. No school day meant sleep-in day according to Karen.

Felicia sighed and went on shaking her until she suddenly thought of something. She got off the bed and headed to Karen’s in situ bathroom to go fetch a bowl of water. With a mischievous glint in her eye she headed back to a still sleeping Karen.

Karen hummed back to sleep after Felicia got off the bed, snuggling deeper into the duvet thinking her pestering housemate had finally let her alone

Whoosh… was the sound she heard next and Karen screamed sitting up, as she felt the cold liquid pour all over her face. She glared at Felicia ‘Really?’ she accused

‘Good, now up and out of the bed you, we have devotion and everyone is downstairs already’ Felicia said trying to hold back her laughter

Karen groaned out ‘Why Feli…why? and climbed out of bed with a humph still glaring at her. ‘I’ll get you back you know..’ she warned playfully. Felicia flipped her off and hurried her downstairs. They were late already and they could hear voices already singing songs as they got closer to the room

Emma had them do the family morning devotion early on Saturdays, before 7 am and then they all would go to the back lawn for family time exercise and then she would assign house chores. Even though they had maids and all, she still made sure Karen got the necessary home training that would make her a strong, independent woman when she grew up

‘Good morning…’ Karen mumbled as she came in with Felicia and quickly went to take her seat between her parents as Felicia went to sit next to Ben. Gretchen, Claire and the other house staff were all present with a sleepy-looking Archer who was trying to keep up with the worship songs Martin was leading them with.

Ben read out the Scriptures for the devotion and they all prayed together with points raised by Emma. It was a refreshing time of fellowship. Emma then gave words of exhortation encouraging them to live godly lives and lead exemplary lives for others to follow and be like Christ. Then Martin ended the meeting and they all walked out to the back lawn for exercise.

Saturday mornings were always intense till 10 am when they wound down with breakfast and everyone could then go back to have a long sleep-in day or just stay in the den to binge watch TV series or head out to the community center for some sports or hangout with friends.

They were doing their stretches and usual light exercise led by Gerald the driver who was quite the sportsman, when Archer whispered something to Martin and then Martin announced to everyone that today’s workout would be aerobics and some HIIT moves. And that Archer would be the coach today.

While few people murmured in low voices, wondering what HIIT and all that was, Martin asked them to take their positions and then excitedly called on Archer to start the exercise. Archer made everyone jog round the compound and do some jacks and high knees and burpees or whatever he called them. 

After 25 mins of all of that, Emma and Claire puffed out ‘Alright guys, we are done and we are out of here’. The two women laughed and left them to it. Claire came back and called Gerald telling him Emma wanted him to go run an errand for her.

Martin excused himself with a ‘I think I have a phone call to make' and disappeared into the house. Making them all laugh knowingly at him. He couldn’t wait to leave there; no “high intensity interval training” for him thank you. He was good with his evening walks and light stretches. He chuckled as he left the lawn heading in to look for Emma.

Ben and the other male house staff were nowhere to be seen after another 10mins. Leaving just Karen, Felicia, Gretchen and few maids and two security men doing the floor abdominal routines with their mean Coach called Archer

The girls struggled to keep up and almost gassed out. ‘I think that’s okay for today’ Karen whined, stopping midway in a routine, gasping for breath.

Archer shook his head and smiled ‘the seniors have escaped this……let’s see how strong you all are’ He clapped his hands and shouted, 'Let’s go guys…no pain no gain…we will do it all again as one last set’ 

‘What?’  they all shouted, glaring at him. The maids retreated from the lawn, shaking their hands at him playfully and mouthing a ‘no way’. 

Archer laughed at them as he crouched down to do what he called mountain climbers, oblivious to their exasperated sighs and glares

Archer laughed standing up ‘I’m kidding guys…we are done for today. You did so well’. Archer was amused and couldn’t believe how unfit they were. He decided he would encourage them to do more exercises every day and not just on Saturdays. Can just be early morning jogs he thought.

‘So girls, you all need to do more of this stuff daily to get fit. I am sure these guys here think nothing of it’ he said slapping the shoulders of the security guys.

‘Yea, Thanks man’. They replied shaking his hands and turned to leave for their duty posts. ‘Enjoy your day Princess’. They called out to Karen as they left

Archer raised his brow at Karen ‘Princess?’ he asked confused at their flippant use of what he considered a special term of endearment that he alone wished to use on her

‘Yea' Karen answered shyly, pulling her hair back neatly in a ponytail

‘That’s what we call her, she is our Princess’. Felicia stated smugly, putting an arm over Karen’s shoulder as they turned to head back into the house

‘Yea and a beautiful one at that….isn’t she Arch?'. Gretchen asked Archer with a glint in her eye.

Archer rolled his eyes at her suggestive glance and walked ahead of them into the house, going into his room to freshen up after the workout session. I refuse to get into that conversation with that crazy Gretch. She has been a nerve ever since I moved in two weeks ago, always making advances at me and I do not want to show my playboy ways.... yet  he chuckled to himself

Everyone had welcomed Archer well and treated him as family. He was still a new house guest and no one knew how much of a ladies’ man and heartbreaker he had been in his town. They would know soon enough...