The ride home takes about thirty minutes on the Link. For the rest of the ride, both Arthur and Julian try to keep the conversations casual, a feat that proves difficult because they don't know which topic might force Thea to remember, or make her sad that she doesn't.
Theo is aware of this, so he steers the conversation toward the things he saw on the video Arthur showed him.
"So, our company sells stoves that require even less effort to turn on?"
"Yes, that's one of our earlier product series," Arthur explains.
"That's our great-grandfather's era!" Julian complains.
"No, Jules. You're wrong! That's during Grandpa Laurent's time," Arthur counters.
"Why does it matter during whose time? I don't remember either of them," Theo interjects. He enjoys this light conversation with his new 'younger' brothers.
Julian turns to Theo. "You don't remember Great-Grandpa Henri and Grandpa Laurent?!"
"Julian!" Arthur glares at him.
Julian glances at Arthur. "Sorry!" he whispers. But he is genuinely shocked, because both men were the beginning of Montrose Corporation.
Theo doesn't take it to heart. He only shakes his head. "No. I really don't remember. I just remember… no, I don't think so. I can see a portrait, but I don't know who he is."
Arthur jumps in, comforting him. "Don't worry. Don't try to remember. You don't need to. You'll see their portraits at home."
Right then, Theo decides to address the elephant in the room.
"Brothers, I know you don't want to force me to remember anything. I was there when Dr. Montgomery talked to you. I really appreciate it, but don't feel like you need to tiptoe around me. I'm not made of glass. I don't break easily."
"I mean," Theo continues, "I was in a coma for three weeks and I'm okay now. Only with less memory. Doesn't that already prove that I'm stronger than I look?"
So, please. Don't follow me everywhere I go! You must leave me alone at some point.
Arthur and Julian don't reply. They look at each other.
Finally, Arthur says, "I'm sorry, Thea. I'm sorry you feel that way. You weren't supposed to know."
Julian adds, "And yes, sweetheart. You are strong. Stronger than we ever gave you credit for. But you're also our little sister—the only sister we have. So, I'm sorry if we're too protective."
Arthur nails the coffin shut: "And you'll have to live with that. There's no way we're letting anything bad happen to you."
Theo smirks. "Again."
"What was that?" Arthur asks.
"There's no way you're letting anything bad happen to me… again. It already happened once, didn't it?"
Julian's jaw drops. "Are you… serious?"
Arthur's blue eyes widen in the rearview mirror. "She's… kidding."
"Jules! She's joking! Right?" The last word, Arthur looks at Theo in disbelief.
"Yes, I am! But am I wrong?" Theo smirks.
Julian is flabbergasted.
Arthur's expression changes. "You're not wrong, Thea. But it was really out of our control. Are you… blaming us?"
"What?! No!"
Theo looks at both brothers and they are looking dejected.
"For the love of…!" Theo stops himself. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He opens them and speaks in a calmer voice and manner.
"No, I don't blame any of you. I'm sorry if you feel that way. What I'm trying to say, is that bad things happen."
"And… and over protecting me is not going to stop it from happening again."
"I…"
Arthurs cuts him, "It's not going to happen again. I'll make sure of it. And I'm sorry if we're over protective. I'll try to make it in a way you won't really notice, but don't push me… us away."
"I…" But Theo doesn't know what else to say. It's too soon for them. In their mind, they were too close at losing Thea. They don't know that Thea… Theo sighs again. He leans back to his chair. I'm going to stop here. Pushing further would do me no good.
"I'm sorry, Arthur. I don't mean to push you or anyone away." Theo gives in. For now.
Silence falls.
After about five minutes…
"So, this is it? We're gonna sit in awkward silence for the rest of the journey?" Julian asks, pouting.
Theo chuckles. "I guess not. What do you want to talk about, Brother?"
Julian turns to Theo again, "You're not a bit curious about the things you saw in the videos?"
Theo grins. "Of course, I am!"
Julian is excited. "Then ask me! Who's better to answer your questions than the Head of R&D of Montrose Corporation?!"
Theo shoots him some questions he's been curious about.
Arthur chimes in with his opinions now and then.
And that's how they ride the way home to the Montrose Estate.
------------------------------
The Link is pulling into a gated driveway with a huge M logo, and when Theo thinks the Link is about to hit the gate, the gate opens smoothly and closes automatically when the Link passes.
They are in a narrower street with thick trees on the right and left. Theo feels like they're driving into a forest. They continue for another five minutes before Theo sees the house.
Calling it a house is terribly insulting.
"That's where I'll live?" Theo asks in shock. It's like my King's castle!
Julian laughs. "No, Thea. That's not where we live." He points to another building, on the left side of the castle. "That's where we live."
It's significantly smaller, but it still looks like a castle. Like a mini castle, Theo thinks inwardly.
"Then, what is that?" Theo points at the castle.
"That's our personal working space. Father's personal lab, Mother's personal studio, Julian's personal lab and testing ground, and also my home office and training ground," Arthur answers while he slows down the Link.
Theo hasn't yet processed everything when the door to the house opens.
Leila walks out in a hurry and eagerly waits for the Link to stop completely. Maurice is not far behind her. They both have happy and a little anxious expressions on their faces.
The Link stops in front of the house. Julian jumps out and immediately reaches for Theo's door, beating a man in a black-and-white uniform. "Let me!" he yells.
Arthur steps out of the Link and calls the uniformed man to get Theo's luggage from the trunk.
Theo steps out of the Link and right into Leila's arms.
"Oh, Thea! Welcome home!" She looks like she has so much to say but doesn't know which one to say first.
Maurice takes both Leila and Theo into his arms and hugs them tightly.
"Both of my ladies are home. Everything is alright in the world."
Julian interjects, "Well, I guess you don't need us, do you, Father?"
Everyone laughs.
"Come in!" Maurice invites them in, then he turns to Theo, "Welcome home, Princess."
He takes Theo's hand in his right and Leila's in his left, and all five of them enter the house, followed by the uniformed man.