Not edited.
*I 'think' there will be one more chapter after this, at most there will be two. After that will be the epilogue and an announcement of the next book.*
Ethan
"Do you think she'll call?" He looked at Sarah hopefully.
"I don't know Ethan. It's already been a week. Nellie would never have done that but she hasn't lived as Nellie for four years. We really don't know what she's like now."
"She's still there Sarah. I can feel it. My Nellie will remember!"
"How long are you willing to wait?"
Ethan laughed "Are you asking me or my wolf?"
Sarah scoffed "Your wolf wouldn't have walked away in the first place!"
"Fought him all the way. I had to do it. She won't heal if she doesn't cry."
Sarah looked sheepishly at him "I've been talking with Stacy."
"What? When?"
'Every day."
"What did she say? How's Nellie? Does she hate me?" He was anxious. Tormented by guilt though knowing she needed his harsh words to break through the ice she'd built around her heart.
"Settle down Ethan and..."
"Sarah" he growled "tell me about Nellie!"
"She's cried. She hasn't stopped crying."
Ethan's eyes softenend "I wish..."
"You should."
"What?"
Sarah looked him straight "Go and see Nellie. Today."
He humphed in frustration. "She'd call if she wanted to see me."
"Maybe not, maybe she's being as stubborn as you." She looked at him pointedly.
"That's not helping me Sarah."
"Ethan, tell me honestly. I know you watch her go to work each day. I know you make sure she gets home safe. We're supposed to be here for another two weeks. Are you willing to leave without Nellie?"
"No. Neither am I willing to take her away until she's ready to go."
"There's your answer."
"What is? Dammit Sarah. Stop talking in riddles!" Frustrated he ran his hands through his hair.
"You can't be without her. You and your wolf need Nellie. Swallow your pride and whatever ideas you have and go and see her for real."
"You really think I should?" He wasn't too sure.
"YES!" Hannah stood at the door of her room. "I want to see my brother."
Ethan sighed and held his arms open he held her close as she ran and jumped up to him. "I don't know what's going to happen sweetheart."
"Please Daddy." Chocolate brown eyes pleaded with him and he found himself caving in.
"UGH fine! I'll go and see her..."
"Today?" Hannah beamed at him.
Ethan sighed, he knew when he was being ganged up on "Yes I'll go today."
Hannah screamed an ear piercing three year old scream of excitement that had them grimace as the sound resonated through their heads. "Please say I want to come."
Ethan kissed her on the top of her head "I will Hannah. I'll ask about seeing Alex. Now, you be a good girl for Sarah while I'm gone ok?"
"Yes Daddy." If only they could believe that innocent look. He chuckled and put her down as he looked at Sarah.
"Do you know..."
"She's staying with Brian and Irene."
"Thanks." He stood for a moment not knowing if what he was doing was the right thing to do.
"Get out Ethan." Sarah laughed at him. "Go and get our girl back."
He went with a laugh following him.
*****
Nervously he waited at the door. Waiting to see if he was welcome. He wouldn't be surprised if the door was slammed in his face. He wouldn't be too forgiving if he was dealing with someone who made Hannah cry.
"Ethan, come in." Irene opened the door and stepped to the side. "Ella's on the back verandah. Follow me."
Shutting the door she proceeded to lead him through the house. As they came to the kitchen she spun to look at him and he had to jump back so he wouldn't run into her.
"You made my daughter cry." Her eyes accusing.
"Yes ma'am. I know, Stacy told Sarah."
"Do you regret it?"
"No. She needed to cry." He wasn't sure where this was leading but he wasn't ready for when Irene threw her arms around him.
"Thank you Ethan."
"Ma'am?"
Stepping back from him she laughed. "You were right. She needed to cry and we couldn't help her with that. So... thank you."
Ethan grinned "um...you're welcome ma'am?"
Shaking her head she scolded "I'm not that old. Call me Irene or call me Mum."
"Mum?" he was surprised.
"You're going to be part of this family Ethan so yes you can call me Mum. Know this though... "her voice dropped "If you hurt my daughter I'll kill you."
Obviously he was horrified to the point where it showed on his face and she laughed at him as she walked away and pointed to a door.
"She's through there."
"Thank you... Mum" his cheeky grin surfaced again.
Rubbing his sweaty palms on his jeans he pushed the door open and stepped outside. Looking around he found her sitting in the corner with her feet on the chair in front of her. Alex was beside her playing on his mat tapping at the mobile that swung over him. Ethan couldn't help but grin at the memories of a time with Hannah and the squeals that echoed in his mind were similar to the ones he heard now. He wanted so badly to pick him up, hold him close and protect him from the world. He wanted to teach him how to do everything a father could teach his child. It was that moment that Ethan realised without a doubt that he wanted to be a father to Alex.
"You came."
Her voice softly spoken broke him from his thoughts.
"You didn't call me."
He could see the wince she made.
"I didn't think you really wanted anything to do with me." Her shoulders slumped.
"Why?"
"I disappointed you. I could see it in your eyes."
Exhaling he started to walk towards her. There were other chairs nearby but he picked up her feet and sat down putting them on his lap. She was surprised but didn't move them as she kept her gaze away from him.
"I needed you to understand. I wanted..."
"Holly was an amazing woman. The night of the full moon she told me you'd find me. I thought you'd find me together." She looked up at him " I thought... I thought she was the luckiest woman in the world because she had you."
Ethan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had she remembered everything or was it just bits and pieces?
"I still think you're the devil incarnate."
His hands gripped her feet as he sat in shock staring at the beautiful woman in front of him.
"Nellie?" he hoarsely whispered "is it true. Please, tell me you remember everything...that you remember... me?"
"I owe you my life Ethan. You saved me back then and you saved me now."
"Do you really remember? Do you remember everything? Please baby tell me... do you remember me?" His pleading eyes met hers as the tears fell and she nodded, unable to speak.
The only noise from the verandah was the mumbled protests of baby who couldn't grab hold of the toy that was taunting him.
"I called my mum. She and West are coming to see me."
Ethan couldn't handle it anymore. He wanted to run to the top of the highest hill and yell for joy. To scream from the rooftops and stop everyone in the street and tell them how happy he was. His crystal blue eyed girl had remembered him!
He placed Nellies feet to the ground and with a gentle tug on her hand he drew her into his arms. Holding her close he felt alive, he felt like he could breathe again. His heart, his soul and his wolf felt... complete.
Nellie buried her head in the crook of his neck silently sobbing. She felt like she'd come home. She felt her life starting all over again. She just hoped Ethan was a part of it. They needed to do a lot of talking but for these brief moments they were content with simply holding each other.