Finding Janella - Book 2 - Completed and editing.

Chapter 13

Not edited.

Ella

To the outside world it would appear that they were three people waiting for friends to catch up for lunch. For those three people it was a wait that held so much promise and hope that it was excruiating. Ella's eyes were everywhere as she watched out to see if he was coming. She just hoped, and in some ways prayed, that he was able to help her. But who was he? Why did she feel connected to him? What if he didn't come?

Shaking the thoughts from her mind she felt Brians caring hand rest on her shoulder.

"He'll be here."

Looking at the man she'd come to love like a father she wiped the line tear that fell from her face and smiled softly to show she wanted to believe him. She was aware of Stacy moving and holding her hand to squeeze it. Looking down into the face if her friend and sister she knew that no matter what happened... she wasn't alone. She had somewhere that she belonged.

Ethan

They were running late... he was sure of it. What if she wasn't there? What if she'd given up on him?

"Come on Sarah and Hannah! Get a move on. We're late!" He was pacing around the unit looking at the door they'd gone behind.

"Ethan, stop. We still have twenty-five minutes and it only takes five to get there."

Ethan looked at Sarah in disbelief "What about traffic? Finding a carpark? How long it takes to walk from the car park to the food court... We have to go!"

Hannah started to giggle capturing the attention of the two adults that stood before her. She looked up at her father as his eyes melted to see his Princess Hannah before him. He crossed to her and swung her up in his arms. "You look beautiful my princess!"

"Thank you Daddy" Hannah giggled before she looked her stern three year old self "Daddy, Mummy said you worry too much."

Ethan and Sarah both looked at Hannah dumbfounded. Ethan couldn't speak. Those were the words he'd heard time and time again when his Holly was with them. She believed he overthought everything... like now... and she'd tease him about it.

Sarah broke the silence "Do you speak to your Mummy, Hannah?"

"My Mummy visits lots. Can we go now? I want to meet the pretty lady."

Slowly Ethan came out of the trance he was in and looked at Sarah who looked back at him "I didn't say anything."

"Neither did I."

"Mummy told me" she wriggled so her father would put her down and grabbed his hand and started pulling on him. "Let's goooo! I want to show the pretty lady the pictures."

Neither adult knew what to say. Was it possible that Holly was still with them? How did Hannah know about Nellie? What did all this mean?

The drive was done in silence. So much was running through their minds as they easily found a carpark.

To say he was anxious would be an understatement. They were walking in and he had no idea what he'd do if she wasn't waiting for him.

Rounding the last corner to the food court he saw her. She saw him. Their eyes met as one would expect in the world of werewolf mates but this look was different. While he wished he could claim his girl he knew it was way too soon and he wasn't willing to risk chasing her off. As they got closer to each other the pair realised the other wasn't alone. Ethan saw the two who were with her, the man who stood as a protective parent and the young girl who even though she was in a wheelchair clearly held the expression of 'hurt her and die.'

Ethan, Sarah and Hannah stopped within a few feet of the three in front of them. Holding his hand out he went to Brian "Ethan Junes. This is my daughter Hannah and this is Sarah who's travelling with me to help with Hannah while her ma... partner is working away."

"You're married?" Brian asked with a raised eyebrow as the pair stopped shaking hands.

Ethan smiled sadly "Still in parts of my heart but she is no longer with us."

Brians eyes softened slightly as he nodded. No words were needed.

"I'm Brian Holden. This is my daughter Stacy and Ella... you say you know Ella?"

"Yes sir I do. As does Sarah."

Ella

She couldn't help but stare at the woman in front of her. What was it that made her seem so familiar?

"I know you."

Everyone stopped and looked at Ella.

"I'm not sure who you are exactly but I know you."

Sarah nodded with tears in her eyes "Do you remember anything at all about me?

Ella shook her head "No, I'm sorry."

Sarah sadly nodded her head "It's ok, at least you can feel a connection and that's a good thing right?"

"Mrs Carter. Third grade. I put a frog in her desk and you took the blame." Ella slapped her hands to her face.

Sarah squealed "YES!" Racing up to Nellie she hugged her tight. "I missed you so much! We never stopped looking. Do you remember anything else?"

"No."

"OK" Brian spoke "let's grab a table and some lunch and have a chat."

They all followed. Hannah was silent for the first time in a long time. She watched the grown ups around her and shook her head. Stacy noticed and asked what was wrong.

Hannah replied "Grown ups take foreveeeer."

Stacy laughed and asked "Want a ride?"

Hannah giggled and climbed up on Stacy's lap "I'm Hannah."

"I'm Stacy."

"Hello Aunty Stacy. We better go now. We need to catch up to Daddy and Grandpa."

Ethan

Ethan watched on in amazement as his beautiful Nellie grasped a moment from her past. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous that Sarah was the one hugging her and not him. That would come in time. He and Sander both felt at ease just knowing they'd found her.

He heard Hannah giggle and watched as she climbed up on Stacy's lap. He was worried she'd hurt the girl and almost told Hannah to get down until he noticed Stacy had helped her into a position that suited them both.

Brian got his attention again as he placed an arm around Ella and manouvered them all in the direction of the public seating. Sarah walked beside Stacy and Hannah, it was her job after all to be with the little girl.

None of them had any idea what the future foretold but somehow it seemed there was one little girl who was more grown up than the rest of them combined.