Chapter 4: The Michaelson's

"Will you be okay by yourself?" Jayden asked as he was about to leave. "I could stay if you want. My mom would understand."

Dusk had settled and he didn't want to leave her.

Serena drew him close and hugged him.

"I'll be fine, Jayden. I just need to tidy up some things. Tell Anderson and the others that I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the beach with them."

"They'll understand." Jayden assured her. He leaned down and kissed her, then slowly released her.

"I'll text you later."

She smiled and nodded. After he left, she shut the door and leaned on it. It was going to be difficult arranging her parents' room.

She still didn't understand why they would keep a secret like that from her. Tears filled her eyes again when she realized they were gone forever.

Just then, the door bell dinged. Thinking it was Jayden who couldn't bear to stay away from her, she opened the door with a smile.

Her smile vanished instantly when she came face to face with the three figures standing before her. She knew instantly that these were her real parents.

The resemblance was uncanny. The two men had the same shade of hair like her, and identical silver eyes. Only the woman looked different. She had thick black hair and amber eyes.

There was a striking resemblance between her and the younger man standing with the couple.

She snapped out of her thoughts and asked. "Can I help you?"

The older man smiled kindly. "I think you know who we are already. But for the sake of courtesy, I'll introduce myself."

He paused briefly when Serena kept staring at him.

"Can we come in?"

Serena knew there was no need prolonging the inevitable. She wanted answers and she knew they were the only one who could give her.

So she stepped aside so they could enter.

As they walked in, her gaze met the younger man's eyes and he gave her a little smile. She averted her eyes and shut the door.

"What a wonderful house." The woman said, speaking for the first time.

"Thank you." Serena muttered. "Have a seat. Can I offer you anything?"

"Never mind my dear." The older man brushed her offer aside. "Like I said, I'm sure you know who we are. Your foster parents must have told you everything. Where are they?"

Serena felt tears prick her eyes. She sniffed and wiped them off quickly.

"My parents are dead. They died in a car crash yesterday night." She murmured.

The older man didn't look surprised in the slightest. "They told you we would come for you, right? Your real parents."

"Rick and Maria are the only parents I know!" Serena said suddenly in a burst of anger. "They've been the ones in my life since I can remember. You can't just come here claiming ownership over me and expect me to fall into your waiting arms. Where have you been all these years? Why show up now?"

The older man smiled. He was glad to know that his daughter had a temper like him. It showed she would be a great leader.

Serena noticed the smile on his face and concluded that the man was sick. Why else would he smile in the middle of a heated matter?

"I know you have every right to be mad." He began.

"You got that right."

"But if you can just hear me out, you'd understand everything. I know you have questions. I will give you the answers you seek."

Serena looked him in the eye, eyes that were so identical to hers.

"Fine." She said finally.

"Good. Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Logan Michaelson, your father." He turned to the woman beside him and continued. "This is my wife Isabel. She's your mother."

The woman smiled sweetly at Serena.

"And that's my son, Xavier." Logan finished.

"I have a brother?" She repeated. Her gaze fell on the younger man who looked exactly like her. It was like she was staring at her reflection.

He smiled at her and spoke in a deep voice. "Not just your brother. Your twin."

Serena's eyes widened in shock. She had a twin? Then why did they give her away, she wondered.

"I know you have a lot of questions Serena." Logan continued.

Serena's eyes flew up in astonishment. He knew her name?

"Don't look so surprised dear." Isabel chuckled. "We gave you that name the day you were born. You're not Serena Williams. You're a Michaelson. My daughter."

Serena's head was reeling. "If you gave me that name the day I was born, why did you give me away?"

"Your mother and I will explain everything to you." Logan answered. "But you need to come with us. To your real home."

"I know it's a lot to take in." Xavier added. "I was shocked myself when mom and dad told me everything. But I understood why they did it, and you will too."

Serena didn't want anything to do with them. They abandoned her ever since, they could as well leave without her.

"I'm sorry sir, but...."

"Logan." Logan gently interrupted her. "I know you're not okay with calling me dad yet. Just call me Logan."

Serena couldn't bring herself to call him by his name. And she would never call him dad.

"Well, I'm sorry." She continued. "But I can't just follow you off to wherever you came from. I have a life here, I have friends. And I'm not ready to change that."

Logan sighed deeply and stood up. He knew already that it would end like this. Serena wouldn't just agree to come with them after all these years.

In a way, he was impressed with her will to remain in the human world. But he knew she would change her mind. It was only a matter of time.

"I'm not going to force you." He said. "I know how hard it is, and you're going through a lot. But if you ever need answers to your questions, or if you change your mind, you'll be able to reach me with this."

He placed a black card on the table and straightened.

"You can call me whenever you're ready, and we will be waiting for you." He added.

Isabel got up and walked slowly towards Serena.

"Would it be okay if I hugged you?" She asked uncertainly.

Serena shrugged and nodded.

Isabel smiled and drew her into her arms in a tight embrace.

"My daughter." She whispered.

She drew back and held Serena's face in both hands. "You've grown so big, so beautiful. Please think about it and come back to your family. We all miss you."

It was all so confusing for Serena. But she nodded and smiled.

"We hope to hear from you, Serena." Logan smiled at her, then took Isabel's hand and stepped out of the house.

Xavier finally got up and walked up to her.

"I hope you change your mind. Mom and dad did what they had to do. And I've always wanted to meet my twin sister." He murmured.

"Why can't you just tell me everything?" Serena asked curiously.

"It's not in my place to tell you. Just think about it." Xavier playfully pulled her hair and turned to go.

Serena watched him walk to the door, then she called after him.

"I'm glad I have a twin. I always wanted a sibling and I'm glad I do."

Xavier turned and flashed a smile at her. "That makes two of us." He said.

She followed him to the door and her eyes widened in surprise. The Michaelsons' were rich.

Logan and Isabel were standing in front of a luxurious limo.

Xavier noticed the expression on her face and laughed softly. "See you soon sis." He waved at her and got into the limo.

Isabel and Logan waved, then they entered the limo and zoomed off.

Serena shut the door and leaned on it. She couldn't keep the news to herself anymore. She had to tell her friends.