The Crane Legacy: Chapter 4,13- Learning to Trust

Welcome back dear readers! I know, it’s been a ridiculously long time, but… I’m sorry. The neighborhood had to be rebuilt, and I had a lot of fun with the Thornns (which I will continue) but the Cranes come first. So, what happened since we last left off?

In chapter 4.11, Charity and Othello passed away, leaving behind 10 devastated children. In chapter 4.12, the children all dealt with the deaths in different ways: Donato began sleeping with even more women, Douglas retreated even more into his shell, Doris finally realized she had to grow up, and Dorothy hardened even more. At the end of the chapter, Douglas graduated and moved home, where Cressida was staying with Dorian’s ex girlfriend, Prof. Cybele.

We now pick up with Douglas at the Main House.



Douglas had been at home for a while, but he was always shocked when one of his siblings showed up. He didn’t have a good relationship with any of them, so he didn’t exactly jump for show when they knocked. But he did his duty as a sibling well, and comforted everyone who came to the house.



Cressida had been dealing with the deaths in a much more productive way. She had been a gardening fanatic for years now, and had decided to join the Gardening Club to show off her skills.

“Your garden is very impressive Ms. Crane, I must say I am very pleased with the numerous decorative elements you seem to have in the yard.”

“I aim to please your Optical Sensors! I am wondering if I am now a member of the club, or so I have to perform any other actions to ensure that I have successfully joined your ranks?”

“No, there’s nothing else. Welcome to the club! I would like to give you this gift to show our appreciation for having such a wonderful gardener in our midst!”



The gift turned out to be a Wishing Well, which Cressida had no use for. But she was happy about it anyway.



After the garden club had left, Cressida went right back to her gardening. It was one her new favorite activities, not only was it fun, but it was extremely profitable as well.



Douglas, on the other hand, preferred painting. He would spend all hours of the night and day with a paintbrush in his hand, trying to make sense of all the things he felt- he even missed his mother’s first haunting.



Also in the house was Cybele Brentwood, the scorned ex girlfriend of Dorian. She had been unceremoniously dumped after an incident with a werewolf, but she had been moved into the house as an apology by Dorian. She had enjoyed her stay, but once she maximized her skills, she knew it would be time to go.



However, Charity had different plans- she sensed the mutual attraction between the two, and did not want Douglas’ shyness to lose him his soul mate.

“DOUGLAS!”

“Mom! What the hell?! You’re dead! What are you doing?!”

“The girl is going to leave! You must speak to her! Please, Douglas! For me!”

Douglas just stared ahead at the space where his mother had just been. Could it be true? Was he really meant to end up with his brother’s ex?



Cybele stared at the portrait of Charity Crane. She had been so beautiful, so strong. She had raised 10 children, she truly was an inspiration. Cybele felt another presence and turned quickly- it was Douglas. Seeing that she had seen him, he turned around and began walking away.



“Douglas!”

Douglas turned and smiled timidly at Cybele.

“Cybele! Hi. Are you… doing okay? Did you finish with your studies?”



“Yes. It was incredibly exhilarating to realize that I’ve finally found out everything about everything, but, like they say, all good things must come to and end.”

“Yes. Well, I just wanted to talk to you for a bit. I hope you sleep well.”

Inside, Douglas was slapping himself. How could he be so awkward? Well, it wasn’t like he had any experience with women, it was to be expected. But still! Praying for release, Douglas smiled again.

“I’ve seen your paintings.”



Douglas looked at her.

“I mean, they’re amazing- simply wonderful! Your… emotion is very evident in the paintings, in the colors you select… You’re amazing.”

“Well, they are… alright, I guess. I’ve never really shown them to anyone.”

“You should think about it. They’re true works of art.”

“Bah! You’re flattering me!”

“I’m just telling the truth. Plus, does flattery count for anything with such an amazing man like yourself?”



“You’re not so bad yourself, Cybele.”

Cybele blushed slightly, before letting a girlish laugh.

“Why thank you, Douglas Crane. And here I thought I was tainted meat because of your brother.”



Douglas and Cybele laughed again, and then stared at one another for a brief moment, letting the playful conversation slip away while they stared at one another.



In an instant, they were locked in a passionate kiss, letting the chemistry they both felt guide them as they kissed.

Eventually, they pulled away, Cybele looked expectantly at Douglas, but it was too late- he had already fled back upstairs to his paintbrush.

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The next morning, Cybele had woken up early to have some breakfast, and some time to herself. Cressida was outside, as usual, and Cybele jumped in surprise when Douglas sat down next to her.

“So- what happened last night- I’m sorry. It was an accident, it will NOT happen again.”

“Doug, relax. I know you wanted it, I felt it- your passion- it’s okay.”

“It’s not okay! I… I’ve never…”



Whatever Douglas was about to say was silenced as he and Cybele once again found themselves in an embrace. The two rolled around on the couch for a short time, but the embrace was cut short as Douglas quickly got off of the couch.

Cybele followed him.



“Look, I think I now what your problem is- you don’t trust anyone enough to let them in! I bet you aren’t even close with your siblings- the only person you were ever close to was Mommy, right?”

Douglas glared at her.



“You don’t know anything about me.”



“Alright then, prove it. We’ll use a simple trust exercise, that’ll definitely prove if you are able to trust other people.”

“You’re on.”



Without warning, Cybele flung herself into Douglas’s arms: he was caught off guard, but he caught her.



After she was down, Cybele complimented him.

“That was amazing! I can’t believe you caught me!”

“Wasn’t that the point of the exercise?”

“Yes. But I’ve never done it with anyone, so I can’t attest to it’s success.”

“Alright.”



Suddenly, Douglas was in the air, and surprisingly, was caught by Cybele as well.

“You… You did it, you caught me!”

“Yes. Did you doubt me?”



Douglas smiled, and pulled Cybele into a tender kiss.



Before they knew it, they were yet another embrace, letting their passion guide them to places they had never explored.

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That night, Cybele was immersed in her Murder Novel when she saw Douglas come into the room.



Cybele quickly got up, and put the book back.

“Hey, Cybele, can we talk?”

“Sure.”



“I thought about what you said, about my art.”

“Oh?”

“I’m going to open a gallery!”



“What?! Douglas, that’s amazing! I can’t believe it! I’m so proud of you!”

“Really? Thanks Cybele, it… it means a lot to have someone believe in you.”



“Of course! You’ll be huge, Douglas- your art is amazing, people will come from the city just to get it.”



They hugged passionately. Cybele smiled at Douglas once more. “I cannot believe you followed my advice! I guess you really are learning to trust other people, huh?”



“I guess so.”



Before they both knew it, Cybele was in his arms again.

“I love you, Cybele.”

“I love you too, Douglas. I can’t explain how, or why, but I know it’s true.”



Douglas put Cybele down, and got on his knee.

“Douglas! What… What are you doing?!”



“Cybele, even though I’ve only known you for a couple of days, Ive fallen deeply and passionately in love with you. I love you, and I need you by my side at the Gallery.”

“Oh, Douglas…”



“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”



The next couple of minutes were a whirlwind of plans, hopes and dreams. Douglas had already bought property in Bluewater, and wanted to move immediately, while Cybele thought he should at least tell Cressida first.

“Cressida, I just wanted to thank you. You’re amazing, for letting Cy stay, and… Thanks, Cress.”

“I am moved by your gratitude, Master Douglas! I thank you as well, and I wish you the best in your romantic and business prospects.”



Douglas pulled Cressida into a hug.

“See you later Cress.”





Before Cressida could say goodbye, Douglas and Cybele were in the taxi, moving to their new life.

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I know, when I said I was working on a Crane update you expected actual Cranes, not just Douglas, but I’ve had this played since like March, and I’m determined to catch up! This was all fluff, and I’m sorry, but I wanted to get a sense for Douglas’ character: he’s the only single child ever born into the Main House, everyone else is twins. He doesn’t really interact with anyone, and it was high time he found love. Sure, it was with his brother’s ex girlfriend, but you can’t help who you love!

I also realize that the "unexpected" kissing was incredibly corny and cliche, but I am terribly bad at the romantic stuff- so I kind of rushed it. I apologize if this chapter makes you die of corny non believable freshness. xD

In hindsight, I should’ve tried harder to find him someone, but I like the way things work out for Douglas plot wise. And you’ll notice I very rarely call him “Doug”, he’s so stiff it will always be Douglas to me and everyone else.

Thanks for reading!

Oh, and here’s the wedding! It was very private but cute nonetheless:







Thanks for reading! The Thornn update will come soon after this, I promise!