Prototype
Family Or Something Like It

She was grateful Nathan decided to accompany her on this particular trip. Reggie parked at a graveyard and began to search one side while Nathan covered the other side. She walked past tombstone after tombstone until she stopped at two stones side by side.

“Found them,” she called simply, allowing Nathan time to catch up with her. She didn’t know if this would be easier with or without Nathan’s companionship but she was grateful to have him.

She held two bouquets of roses and slowly bent down to put them on the graves.

“What do I do?” Reggie asked Nathan. She was indicating the graves.

“It’ll seem weird, but just talk to them like you would me,” Nathan said.

“But that’s…”

“I know, but somehow it’ll make you feel better, trust me. Just try it,” Nathan insisted.

“So, you two are my parents…” Reggie said once she stood back up. “I wondered what happened to you both; I wondered if I was ever missed or cared about. I thought ‘why would parents knowingly give their child to this?’ I know why now…”

Reggie stared at the graves in silence, and she listened as someone else joined Nathan and her.

“Reggie?” Paul said, coming up behind her.

She didn’t turn around to face him; she continued to stare at the graves of Samantha and Thomas Parkhurst.

“I figured you’d come here,” Paul started.

“You were wise to let me learn about this on my own,” Reggie said simply.

“You were Sample: Omega by definition. Only you were capable of changing your reality,” Paul assured her.

“What about their other children?” she asked, gesturing to the graves.

“Their daughter, Michelle, is married now, with three children of her own, and the son is single – he’s been too busy trying to solve his parents’ murders to settle down.”

“Understandable,” Reggie agreed.

She started to like the thought of having siblings. Her facial muscles hurt a little during the new experience of smiling, but she enjoyed the way it made her feel anyway.

“So, I have a brother and a sister out there somewhere.”

Paul laughed slightly and nodded, “Yes, you do. They want to meet you.”

“At least one did,” Reggie said.

“I recognized you from meeting your mother… but also because you look familiar – facial structure similarities. You accepted a job with NexGen so you could one day interact with me.”

Reggie took a deep breath and made eye contact with Paul, “You’re my brother.”

“I am,” Paul agreed.

“What happened to our father?”

“He… uh… didn’t believe Mom about the baby - you - being stolen. They separated. Granat took her, and Dad was told she died.

“He was eaten alive by grief. He did eventually give up his will to live…”

Paul couldn’t tell anymore about their father. Reggie tried to be sympathetic, despite not understanding the social implications. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“I figured you modeled Shelby after our sister. I was exposed to my family without ever being aware of it,” Reggie changed the subject

“Yes,” Paul said, sighing deeply.

He failed to realize she would have made that connection without meeting Michelle.

“My birth name was Ritchie – Richard. When I found Dad’s research on NexGen, I changed my legal name so I could get a job working at Granat’s building.

“As soon as I saw my opportunity to see you, I took it.”

“I’m glad you did, Paul, if you hadn’t, nothing would have changed,” Reggie told him.

“Whenever you’re ready… I can take you to meet your sister and her family.”

Reggie faced him again and nodded, “I’d like that.”

Paul smiled, and put his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the car with Nathan trailing along behind.

Finally, after all these years, his family was back together. The one truly responsible for the loss of his parents being brought to justice gave him peace.

Nathan sat next to Reggie in the car, gently putting his hand on hers. He dreamt of meeting a woman as dedicated to her work as he was; he finally found someone he could truly connect with.

The FBI offered them positions in their counter terrorism unit; Nathan’s dream job. and they were both hired by the FBI to continue their partnership.

Once they arrived at Michelle’s house, the group went to the door.

It was a new and exciting prospect for Reggie; she was part of a family, and one that wanted her. Samantha Parkhurst knew all along she was still out there and never gave up hope.

Thomas never moved on without his beloved wife. Their children were raised by Melanie’s parents and they knew they were loved every single day.

Reggie was part of that.

And she now had someone she could relate to in Nathan. She was a completely new human being capable of making any choices that came her way. She was free.

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