Barnabas became very confused at this point and it was quite noticable. The lateness of the hour, the constant work on the Family history and now this! He began to feel light headed and took a sort of stumble back into the stair banister. Anastasia quickly helped him and took the liberty of letting her self in and asking her Uncle to come have a seat so he could gain back his senses & learn how in the world he could have a neice! She was very beautiful; long flowing brown hair, bright green eyes, slender figure. There was some resemblence. Come to think of it, it wouldn't really be too surprising if he did have a sister or brother he didn't know about! But in all the confusion, Barnabas had forgotten about one thing....if he did have a neice, she would have died almost 300 years ago....
Anastasia poured her uncle a smal glass of brandy & began to walk around and admire the inside of the Old House. It was like she never even left! There were small differences but.... Anastasia turned to her Uncle and took a deep breath. "Let's not beat around the bush Barnabas, I know why you think you have no existing imediate family." said Anastasia. "Oh really?" Barnabas replied, taking a snap back to reality. "And what reason is that?" Anastasia had waited for this moment. What would his reaction be? "The reason for that is....that you were born 318 years ago!!" Barnabas felt the ever-familiar look of shock and fear wave across his face. He got up from his chair and turned from her. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean!" " Uncle Barnabas lets not kid ourselves! We both know how you've managed to stay about the same age since the day you died in 1795...... your a vampire!" Barnabas spun around with a small laugh. "Your insane!" "Barnabas I know its true! You can't deny it....I bet I know where you keep your coffin. Is it down in the basement?" Barnabas cut off her path to the basement door abruptly. " I'd thank you very much to leave." Anastasia was a little shocked but she figured his attitude would be like this. And it was a little forward of her to start to search the house. It was a recognized fault. "You still don't trust me yet do you ?" "Trust you!?" Barnabas retorted. "First, you come to my house in the wee hours of the morning calling me 'Uncle Barnabas" & insanely accuse me of being a 318yr old vampire, then you expect me to to be understanding & cooperative!? I know nothing about you!" his voice becoming louder and his face turning redder.Anastasia had forgotten about cluing her uncle in on his unknown family history and the recent events that concerned him. " Oh Uncle Barnabas, I'm sorry! I had almost forgotten! With all this excitement -- Please let me tell you what I've come here for - before you throw me out!?" Barnabas thought for a moment. "Very well." he said as he motioned her into the drawing room. Anastasia walked over to the bookshelf and pulled out The Collins Family History and took a seat by Barnabas. " I suppose I should start at the begining!" she said as she flipped through the pages. She stopped when she found the picture of Joshua Collins and Naomi Collins; Barnabas' father and mother. "You were born in the year 1770 Barnabas, to my grandparents, and Sarah in the year 1786. But what you never knew was that you had another sister - Piper Collins - who was born in 1755." Anastasia pulled out an old 'photograph' form the inside pocket of her cloak. Barnabas studied it carefully. She looked very much like Naomi. " She was very beautiful; you two look very much alike." "Yes we did.." said Anastasia as she starred into her mothers face with her gleaming green eyes. " She was the proud first child of the Collins household so thats why what she did was such a shock."
* FLASHBACK *
The year was 1774 and it was Piper's parents wish for her to marry her cousin Tad Collins. He was a very nice man, but Piper had already fallen in love. He was a local fisherman by the name of Johnathon Harpor. Ever since they met that one day in the village about a year and 1/2 ago, they were together all the time. But Joshua and Naomi had no idea this was going on. They thought Piper was in love with Tad-which she pretended to be when ever the time would ocme. But it wasn't until the day of the wedding when she couldn't stand it any longer. She had to tell the truth....
"Mother, Father? There's something importat I must tell you." "Yes Piper, what is it?" said Joshua. "....I can't marry Tad! I don't love him! I'm in love with Jonathon Harpor-" "That low commoner fish boy!? Piper, how could you!?" roared Joshua. "Jonathon isn't low commoner! He's the sweetest, most dearest-" "That's enough Piper!" Joshua broke in. "You will marry Tad today and that will be the end of it!" Piper was close to tears. What could she do? What could she say? "....I'm pregnant!" There was a long pause... "Oh Piper! How could this have happened!?" Joshua made a rude scoff. "One guess Naomi! Piper I had thought better of you! Obiviously I was mistaken! You and this, this Harpor have made a life for yourselfs without your mother and mines consent! So.... I will arrange for you both to be abord the ship that sails for England tommorow afternoon. You can stay in out accommodations we own there." "Joshua, please!" pleaded Naomi. "I will not allow shame to come to this family Naomi!!"