It is too small a word to express all the feelings that it really portrays, when you come back after a long time away and you feel your hart swell with love and the joy, it seems to give filling you even more I am just enjoying the feelings. We all are, when we first pulled up the road to see the land and house Sir Tim stopped the truck and we all could feel it no one said a word for some time then Joe just said wow is it always like this (this made us all look at each other) and asked what do you mean Joe, I don't know it Just made me feel like there is know place else in the world I belong like it felt when mom and dad were still alive and when I came home. I turned and looked at the place and I swear I could here a voice in my head say you did good young one. Looking at the house I could see that sir John was busy where an open porch stood was now half enclosed and wrapped around. It almost said do you like my new dress I laughed and cried at the same time when I look at Sir Tim his jaw was clinched like he was holding his emotion in check. Jill on the other hand was like me just letting the tears fall. She looked at me and mouthed where home honey. The front door opened and Rita and Sir john came out to great us. It was Rita that shocked me by curtsying and saying welcome home my lady my lord this was a greeting I had seen her use with Jane and Sir James. Sir Tim always the gallant reached down and helped her to stand and kissed her and then I kissed her myself and it was then that I think it all came home too me I my sir and my lady are now head of the house of Jane. Sir John reached out and shook Tim's hand and addressed him as Sir Tim he then took my and Jill's hands and said my ladies welcome home he looked down and said you must be master Joe how do you do young man I am looking forward to getting to know you.
When we got inside I was surprised even more that everyone was there before us and were waiting in in the main room. Sir John sat my Tim in the big chair stood in front of him and asked him Sir Tim are you willing and able to take the position of house Dom for the house of Jane. I stood to his right and Jill to his left and I had a De ja vie of things as he turned to me and asked is he the one you want my ladies? We all three answered yes then on que every one clapped and came up and bowed or curtsied to us. Poor Joe just sat there eyes wide ( I would have to talk to him later) I was further surprised when Deb's. Sue, V, and Stacy came and curtsied with perfect grace and then came and stood behind us but it was Joe-Beth who surprised us buy asking to be allowed to return to Montana to care for those in need. She at last has found her calling going back to caring for those who want and need her.
I had been wearing Janes torque since December when I was formally raised to the head of house. But Sir john came forward again holding a big wooden and old case gave it to Rita to hold, and said Sir Tim pleas remove your torque Jill please remove yours as well. When he opened the box he took from it sir James torque and put it on our Tim he then handed the toque that was made for Dena that is a Duplicate of the one I wear like mine it had a lock without a key he explained that once on it can not be removed until death or a successor is named. It brought tears to me that they did not hesitate in having it locked on them. And finally he brought out two portraits he uncovered the first this will take the place of the one over the main fireplace buy sir James last request it showed him Jane and Dena when they were much younger he is sitting in the same chair that Tim is sitting in he is in his tux and his torque is on the outside Jane and Dena are both siting nude backs straight hands on there thighs flat he seems shoulders bowed and face showing strain showing on his face but eyes looking as though he can see right through you and a gold chain clearly visible running from his torque to each of theirs as well as one running from Jane and Dena forming a triangle as if it is saying one speaks for all.
The second portrait spoke to all of us it was made from a copy of a photo sir had us pose for the Christmas before we lost Jane and Ann they are sitting in his lap heads leaning into his shoulders they holding hands in front of his chest I on his right sitting by Janes feet Jill sitting on his left by Ann's feet Deb and Sue behind the chair on each side of him V on his left and Stacy on his right we are just wearing his toques and smiles but it is face that says it all he had this look that conveyed it all it said touch them and you will be dead before your head hits the ground. this one is going in the office over the mantle there to replace the pictures that where there. Now do you see Home is too small a word
