Living History

I am a Witch and today I stand trial for that fact. The year of the lord 1421 in a little hamlet that people will one day know as Florida I am to be hanged for Witchcraft. My eyes scan the crowd and to the back, I see the face of my husband hidden under a heavy cloak. We had been married secretly just a month when I was picked up for Witchcraft. His brother next to him is hidden under a similar cloak. I caught my husband's eyes and shook my head warning him not to do anything foolish. I saw his head bow and tears form in his eyes as he nodded in agreement. I was pushed forward to the end of the platform.

"This woman Abigail May has been arrested and tried for Witchcraft. She is to be hanged for her crime against the church and being an unholy woman. What say you, Witch?" The priest decreed.

I raised my head defiantly. "I was never tried and the only reason you arrested me for Witchcraft is because I refused to sell you my land. I promise all who are here today that pain and suffering will fall upon all those who try to hurt me and my kin. I will come back and I shall live through the vessels that will be shown to me by god himself. As for you I curse thee. Nothing shall ever grow on the land if I perish. "

The guard yelled angrily as he motioned for the trap door to be dropped. I felt myself drop through the floor as I woke up in a bed with a blue blanket. The sound of a alarm going off next to me. The door to the room opened. A woman appeared in the doorway. 

"Abigail May you need to wake up or you will be late for school." She said, "You have made me so proud. I wish your dad was here to see your senior year as well."

I opened my eyes and said, "Mom he is still watching over us. Besides you know as well as I did he would freak out if he knew his little girl grew up."

Mom did smile at that one and she headed to the kitchen saying, "Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes."

I smiled, "She seems like a good mom. I bet she never realized her baby would be a reincarnation of a  witch. Now that I am awake I started to wonder if my husband and the executioner have awoken yet."

Climbing out of the bed I stood in front of the mirror and gasped, I looked like my original self. After all these years I have come full circle. Although the clothes are different I was still me and this girl. Well, technically she is my reincarnation. I hope once I find my James we can finally be free of the executioner. I hoped James would look the same as well. If we look the same the executioner would look the same as well. As we are younger we may have a few more years to fight and run. I raised my hand and the lights flickered.

My mom knocked at the door, "Sweetie did the power just flicker for you as well?"

Chuckling I called back, "It's good mom I am sure it's due to the heat outside."

I got ready for school and found it interesting that I never seemed bored with learning. It was a good thing that the woman in this time are given an education. If only things were different when I was alive. So many brilliant and smart woman were thrown to the side and could not reach their full potential as they were born with breasts instead of a penis.

When I got downstairs with my bag I saw a huge spread on the table. "Wow mom you over did it I think."

My mom laughed and said, "My dear girl I never over do it. Besides its an important day for you. You got your memory of your past back and may see your true love. You also get to start high school again."

I spit out my juice i was drinking, "Wait how did you know?"

Mom came and sat beside me, "When you were born a woman came to me and told me what had happened in your past lives. She told me my daughter was a reincarnation and all about yours and James story. I just ask you to remember you are my daughter and witchcraft has run in our family for generations as well."

"Your not mad I am not just your daughter?" I asked. She was the first one who ever knew about my story.

"Who said your not just my daughter?" She asked. "I did not imagine i would find this out after three days of childbirth. Check your DNA your still my daughter. Your just even more unique and special. Besides you have your Mama protecting you now if that executioner comes after you here he is gonna meet a southern witch who is a mama bear. I am really good at shooting everything anyway."

I hugged my mother. All these years I was always alone and could not rely on anyone but James. Now I have a mom who will try to protect me. I chuckled as I thought to myself my mom will be a force against the executioner. I looked up when i heard her chuckle.

"What Mom." I asked.

"Well," She said. "He may be your husband technically. But no hanky panky, while I am in the house. I will whoop him to."

I laughed hard and we both sat to eat. I was after all her daughter and I still very much had to go to school. I had a family besides James and I was happy for the first time in a long time. After i finished eating I decided to use some leftovers and make a lunch to bring with me. Mom looked at me and said, "You know you have plenty of money in your lunch account right? Also here is $200 in 10's for your class fees because god only knows you will have some."

"Mom," I started. "What happens if the executioner is a fellow student?"

Sighing she said, "Sit down a second. Well I guess you me and James will be traveling. Remember sweetie his parents might not know but we do. I have places we can go to be safe I made arrangements after you were born in case this happened. You need to listen to me because this is important."

"Mom your worrying me," I said.

She softened and said, "No need to worry what I am going to tell you is my secret. I am a writer. I write everything from dramas to smutty romance novels. You know that shelf in my room full of books they are all mine. I know I work from home but they books I have been writing since you were born. Dad always encouraged it when he was alive because I was a stay at home mom when your dad was alive. When I started self publishing I was doing it as a hobby and dad would never let me pay the bills with anything i earned he had it put it away for a rainy day. Dad knew as well and he started to buy an arsenal to protect you. But we made the decision early on to make sure we had a go plan for when you woke up."

"What type of go plan?" I asked.

"We own 12 houses in 11 countries. We have multiple accounts as well as investment accounts." She handed me a card in my name and started, "I wanted to give you this this card for a long time. It's an account that gets three percent of my book earnings. The rest goes to multiple accounts for investing and savings. There is over 100 grand on that card the pin is your birthday. Its based out of a Swiss bank and is untraceable. Most of our accounts are held off shore except for my pay I get from my job. But most importantly if you have to bug out without me for any reason you get out and access the website on the back of the card. When you do it will ask you to log in it will automatically log you out every 15 minutes. When you log in it will give you all the address for all our homes as well as every account we own. The log in information is a series of questions only we will know. Each home is ready to go and has a stash of dry goods in each for immediate use."

"Shit mom," I said. "Anything else I should know?"

"Nah thats it sweetie," She said. "Now that you have enough money to throw a festival on you and know everything you have to get to school for your senior year."

I looked at the time and said, "I am going to be okay. For the first time i feel like I will be okay."

She smiled and said, "One more thing."

I gave her a look as she placed a necklace around my neck, "I know it will be a while before your magic is back. But I have mine and anyone comes after you the fucker will be bounced back 100 feet and gives you a chance to run."

I hugged her and grabbed my lunch and backpack off the counter. I walked to my car and got in heading to school. Today was going to be a very interesting day. I drove to the school and started walking towards the doors to go in and decided that I would go through my day and see what happens. I looked at my phone and I saw a message from mom saying, "I took off today if dickhead shows up call me I will be glad to step in. You better message me if you find James."

Smiling I walked into the school and went to the gym to get my schedule. I will say after all my years this senior year seems to be the smoothest I have ever been through. Looking at my schedule I headed to my art class. When I sat down at my station I heard a voice say, "Do you mind if we share?"

Looking up I looked into my companions eyes and said, "James?"

"Hey Abigail," He said. "Thankfully we both woke up at the same time."

Abigail

James

Mom- Witch

Lamb to the slaughter

1801

There was only one chance to save him. They were going to sacrifice him and steal his soul. They stole the wrong girls boyfriend. I took out my swords and kicked open the door to the mansion. I took a step into the mansion and the first thing I did was close my eyes and listen. I opened my eyes just in time to see the first knife fly at me. I dodged the blade easily and raised my swords in a defensive stance.  I saw him run at me in the shadows and i dodged to the left as i swung out my foot to trip him. He went down with a thud and with a quick flip of the wrist I slit his throat. A few more steps in and The next monster came at me. I met him swords to knife and he put up a good fight. That was until he made the foolish mistake of stepping left instead of right and i took of his head.  Slowly i progressed to the stairs and i heard the foot steps start to rushing towards me.

You would think after 16 years of searching for me they would realize I have trained for them coming at me. But nope they still don't get that I improve myself with ever decade they don't back off.  Then when I arrive home I see they took the love of my life.

The next wave came towards me. I start to slash and dodge as I move up the stairs towards their meeting room. I still sense my love so I know he is alive. Hurrying up the stairs I rush to save him. I hear the screams of him being tormented as I rush down the hall. As I slay every demon and monster that ran at me I continued to fight. Remembering what he said to me, "Love of my life I have search over 1000 years to find you and now that I have I will not leave you. You are my skilled huntress and I know you will always find and save me."

Still fighting my way up the stairs I fought and took out more creatures than I thought I could. I get to the double doors and kicked open the doors. Along the walls were robed creatures. As I went to step into the room he yelled, "Abigail don't come in here it's a trap."

I stopped before I could cross the doorway. "Christian, how do I get to you?"

I saw the tears falling from him face as he said, "My love you can't. I am so sorry we will meet again one day. You need to run you only have moments to get to safety. Know I love you and we will find each other again. RUN!!!!"

Turning I started to hear pops and bangs. I saw a set of French doors at the end of the hall. I ran and went through as I heard the first explosion. I jumped over the ledge of the patio as a massive explosion rocked the building. It knocked me into a huge oak and my last words before I fell unconscious were, "Christian come back to me."

Year 2023

I woke up to a banging at the door. I literally just got off of work four hours ago and someone is pounding away. Looking at my cell phone it was 4am. I called out, "One moment."

Looking out the door I saw my neighbor Sarah standing there. She looked scared and was holding her baby. I pulled open the door and she ran in and slammed the door shut behind her. Looking at her I realized she was shaking. I took Mason from her and said, "Sarah what's going on?"

"Abi" SHe said crying. "Mason woke up for his morning feed and when I went to get him from the cradle I saw someone in my apartment they were huddled by the TV. I pretended I did not see them and went to go towards the bathroom and I ran out the door to you."

"Oh shit Sarah listen I want you to keep Mason here and I will be right back let me look," I said grabbing my sword and opening the door. I shut the door behind me and headed to Sarahs apartment. I opened the door and heard movement in her room. "Wrong apartment whoever you are. "

I guy came out with a bag and he said, "Excuse me."

"Leave what you are taking on the floor and run away. Or I will stop you and call the police." I said from the entrance to the living room.

"She owes me," The voice said. 

"No I don't think she does. Who are you?" I asked.

The guy ran at me and I spun kicked him to the ground. I heard a grunt and then a yell as I slammed my foot into his balls. I put my sword to the back of his neck and said, "Stay still or you will run yourself in."

Leaning over I grabbed his hands and cuffed hum. Taking out my phone I called 911. "This is offer Mcleary I have a BNE at the apartment next door to me."

"Hey Abigail, Its Jane we have a patrol en route does he need medical attention?" The dispatcher asked.

Chuckling I said, "Not at the moment?"

He looked at me and said, "You 5-0, What the hell what officer carries a fucking sword."

Jane started laughing on the call. "Ok officer Mcleary the patrol has arrived do you need anything else."

"No Jane you have  a great shift and take care," I said. 

Opening the door 2 officers walked in and Max said "Abigail didn't you just get off working that homicide"

Sighing I said, "Yes and what should have been my day off my poor neighbor wakes up to this asshole robbing her. Her and her baby are safe in my apartment."

"I told you," The thief said. "She owes me."

Max patted him down and said, "No ID."

"Empty the bag and see if there is anything in there," I said.

They pulled out the jewelry box that was in there and said, "Nope."

Thats when we heard, "Sean what the hell are you doing here?"

Sarah was standing in the kitchen holding a sleeping Max. She looked angry, "This is my idiot brother."

Looking at her I said, "He said he was taken your stuff due to you owing him."

Sarah shook her head and said, "He has been saying that since we were kids. My parents were amazing and treated us equally even though we were born 10 minutes apart. Granted my parents were excited once Mason was born. They died about 3 months after Mason was born driving to pick Scott up after he had gotten into a fight and kicked out of a bar. A semi lost control and hit their car. At the reading of the will Mom and Dad left us different things. I got the house, however, I have another year till I graduate college and then we will be moving back to Maine. Sean inherited the winter cabin in North Carolina and sold it. He blew through everything mom and dad left him. He demanded I give him my share as well. When Mason and I disappear and worry you we normally go back home and work on the house to make it our own. I had to get a security system installed as Sean has tried breaking in multiple times. When it came to the money and investments I was left I still keep the investments and most of the money in savings. I just paid for my lease here and i get a discount due to paying in advance. My schooling is all covered by scholarships. So besides daycare for this little guy during classes and paid internship I am very fortunate. The company I intern for also has a base near my home once I graduate."

Sean looked up at her and said, "I have nothing because of you."

She sighed, "Sean you have nothing because of your lifestyle I told you I will not help you. The home and everything that I received will help Mason and my future. You partied and destroyed what you had. I am not allowing this anymore."

The police dragged Sean out of the apartment and I said to Sarah, "I want you to make sure your windows are locked. I have a college that I will call after I get up to help look over your security system. I am not happy that Sean was able to get in so easily. But you are okay and he will be in jail for a bit I will make sure of it."

Sarah looked relieved and said, "Thank you Abigail. You have been a godsend for Mason and I. I don't know how I will be able to ever repay you."

I gave her a small smile and said, "Sarah as long as you raise this little guy right that will be more than enough. Now the police are done here and Mason looks like he is ready to sleep so you get a bit more sleep as thats what I am going to do. If you need anything call me I should be up by 1pm."

I walked out the door and headed back to my apartment. When I got inside I sat down at the table and grabbed the bottle of whiskey. I took a few swigs and headed to my room. I laid down and started to doze off as I heard Christians voice saying, "Come find me Abigail."

Snuggling a bit deeper under the covers and said, "Tag Christian your it."

After a few hours of solid sleep I woke up and headed to take a shower. When I got into the shower the water washed away my grogginess. When I got out I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it Sarah was standing there with two bags.

"I knew you would be waking up this is a thank you for what you did for me last night," She continued. "I brought you enough for like four meals but I got you a bunch of things they clear out off the buffet after a hour of sitting there from work. My job hates to throw stuff away and when I told them what happened today they said to load you up. I have two bags to put in my fridge as well so me and Mason will not have to cook for a while."

My stomach started growling and I said, "Wow thank you I am starving. I smell the fresh bread I love you. Want to come in and eat?"

She smiled and said, "As much as I would like to I have to get to class. I will see you later."

I watched as she bounced to her apartment and I headed inside to go through what I have to eat. I opened the first bag and found a box of bread and croissants. This was followed by fresh fruit and assortment of sliced cheese. Continuing on I found potato soup and a vegetable soup. Next was a few sandwiches in a box. When I opened the bottom box I found a box full of southwest salad with packets of dressing. Getting into the next box I found a pasta and meat sauce. A full chicken finger dinner with mashed potatoes and broccoli, a 3rd box full of meatloaf and mac and cheese and the bottom box held a box contained shrimp scampi pasta, steak bites with vegetables , beef wellington and potato stacks. I left all the boxes on the table and started to take bites from each box as I enjoyed all the food. Sarah hooked me up.

I picked and searched my phone for any sign of Christian. Its been more than 200 years since I lost him to the hunters. As I ate I did something that I had not done before and I checked the cameras that the old estate put up as they claim it was haunted. Pulling up the camera's I started to watch the front of what was left of the estate's entrance way. While watching the camera's I started in on the salad. As I ate I saw a group of teens walking along the property. One of the teens a younger girl with curly hair  looked spooked. She kept watching the stairs and I saw her grab her friend. She pointed to the doors and she backed away. A boy she was with took her hand and looked concerned. I saw all the heads turn toward the doors and then all the teens take off running back to the road. I pause the camera right before I saw the teens turn and run. I saw a man inside the door with his face covered in a robe. I continued to watch the cameras and decided I may have to go investigate the estate.

My phone rang and it was Maxim my boss at the station. Maxim actually knows who and what I am and his own wife is one. What are we? We are Eternals. No not like the marvel movie. Eternals are humans that are born and we do not age fast or do we age much after the age of 18. We do not know how or why but as Christian and I were separated when we were sixteen. I feel he is still out there. I picked up and said, "Maxim what can I do for you?"

"Hey Abigail," He said. "Sally asked you if you felt any changes in the air."

"Not for our kind," I said. 

"But," He said.

"Maxim you know I believe Christian is still alive," I said. "I have cameras up at the Manor house and I saw something while watching the camera earlier."

Abigail Mcleary

Christian

Sarah- Neighbor Son Mason

Maxim- Boss- Sally Wife

Max- Officer

Sean- Sarahs brother

Twelve Oaks

I had to move thanks to a horrible divorce. My ex decided that he was going to take everything from me in order to teach me a lesson.  I took myself and my pets and moved to these cottages in a park called 'Twelve Oaks'. This place was a quaint park that held both cottages and mobile homes. I was lucky as the parks rates were cheap enough, I could move myself and my pets in and have some money in savings. I did have to give up a lot from my old home, but change can be good.

However, change can also drive you a bit batty.  A few weeks after moving into my cottage strange things started happening.  It would start with hearing footsteps in the living room at night when I would be sleeping. By the time I would pull out my gun and go to the room the noises had stopped.  This happened on and off all week and I thought I was going crazy.  That was until I walked my dog one night.

I was walking my golden Buddy down one of the pathways and I hear rustling in the trees above me. Then Buddy drops to the ground whining like he was hurt or scared. I lean down to check on him and when I look up standing down the path in front of me is a massive seven foot shadow man. This creature was full of mass and looking in my direction. Before I could say anything, it started moving towards me. I was frozen in place and before I knew it it was standing in front of me. I lifted my head and said, "I might not be able to move, but I am not scared of you." It took a step back and then Buddy jumped up and started growling and barking. The shadow creature took to the trees and disappeared.  I turned buddy around and we took off towards my cottage and once I was inside I pulled the curtains closed and locked everything up.  That night was the first night since I was ten years old that I slept with the light on.

The next morning once the sun had started to rise I took Buddy for another walk on the same path we saw the shadow creature last night. As I was turning down the path looking up I heard a voice call out to me from a nearby cottage. I looked up and sitting there on his porch with a cup of coffee was Mr Pierce. Mr Pierce has lived in the park for over 25 years.

"Good Morning Mr Pierce, How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm doing well Ms Maggie. You're up early today, are you doing okay?"

"To be honest with you, Mr Pierce, I am really not. If I told you what I saw last night I am sure you would try to have me committed."

"Try me, dear."

I proceeded to tell him about the shadow creature and how I couldn't move for a while. I told him how when I told it just because I couldn't move I wasn't scared of him is when Buddy and I was released. That's when Mr Pierce got a serious look on his face.

"Ms Maggie it concerns me that you saw him at all. That shadow creature is a very old spirit. There were reports of him in this area from before the civil war. He usually doesn't just show himself to anyone. Promise me you will be careful, especially if you go to take Buddy really late at night."

"Of course I will be careful, Mr Pierce I promise."

After chatting with Mr Pierce for a little while I started walking Buddy around the trailers and cottages in the park! I saw some of the residents leaving for work and said my fair shares of good morning.  By the time I was almost back to my cottage the Sun fully shining and I was feeling a bit better about things. As I was walking up the path to my cottage I heard a "Hey Maggie you have a great day." I looked up to see my neighbor Kase loading up his truck going off to his construction job. When he turned around I let my Gaze linger on him for a brief moment. That man was very handsome and built from construction work and as southern as you can get. I took one last glance at him, smiled and went inside to start my work day.

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I was so busy at work I didn't realize how late it got until Buddy started to whine at the front door. I looked at the clock and it was already 2:30 in the afternoon.  I shut my laptop and stood up, "Sorry big guy let me get a drink and I will take you for a walk."

I took him around our normal walking path and as we got to the bend we saw the shadow person Buddy started to pull on the leash trying to get away. I pulled him back to me and kneeled down to him. He cuddled right into looking up. I looked up to and didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

"Come on, big guy lets get back to the house." I said as we turned around. I walked right into a broad chest.

"Hey Maggie!," Kase said as he steadied me.

"Oh hey Kase, You're home early today." I said, fumbling over the words, "Sorry about that I wasn't watching where I was going."

He chuckled, "Well, it might have been my fault I was whistling for Buddy when I saw you walking this way."  He leaned down to give Buddy's ears a good scratch.

"Oh I see you were trying to distract my dog so I would purposely run into you?" I laughed. " You know you could have just called my name I would have turned around."

"But then you wouldn't have run right into me and that was so much more fun," He said, reaching up to tuck a hair behind my ear.

"Well then, What can I do for you Kase?" I asked as we started along the path towards our cottages.

"Well, I have been thinking, would you like to go out and have a beer with me tonight?" He asked. "I would really like to get to know you some more."

I smiled, "You know what I would love to get a beer with you.  When would you like to meet up and where would you like to go." 

His smile lit up, "How about an hour from now? I was thinking Mack's pub. It's not to loud so we can talk and get to know each other. You okay with walking the 2 blocks. I will meet you at your house in a bit." 

He leaned over and scratch buddies ears and walked back to his cottage. I smiled and headed back to my cottage to get ready. He showed up exactly an hour later and said, "You ready?"

I smiled saying, "I sure am!"

Heading out the door I locked the door and we were off to Macks Pub. As we were walking we just talked about the most random stuff. By the time we got to Macks I knew he was one of five boys and is divorced and he knew I was an only child. We walked into the pub and grabbed a table closest to the pool tables. As we sat there talking he looked towards the door and groaned. He leaned over and whispered, "I am so sorry I hate drama but it looks like some walked in the door. My ex wife just came in with a new guy and she sure likes to start."

I looked over and started laughing grabbing his hand. Leaning over I said, "Thats ok because your drama just walked in with my drama."

He looked over and was like, "Thats your ex?"

I couldnt stop laughing and just nodded my head. After I calmed down a bit he was like well thats interesting. We just changed our seats to see the pool tables better and kept talking. We sat talking about everything when I heard a very snarky voice, "Well case I see you downgraded from me."

I turned in my seat to look up and see Kases ex wife standing behind us with my ex holding her hand, "I would think I would be an upgrade as you are with an inch worm."

"Maggie," My ex Andrew said, "Don't you know to be nicer to your betters."

I laughed so hard I snorted, "If you are both are my betters than there is a serious problem."

Standing up I looked at Andrew, "Remember Andrew your the one who was boring from the start. But that's okay because I feel like I took so much trash out when I came out here. I see you have a new phase so your branching out from co workers?"

Kases ex wife looked up and said, "What is she talking about Andrew?"

Kaze tried to cover a laugh with a cough, "Well Libby I think you are smart enough to realize what Maggie is saying. Now if you will excuse me we were having a great time until you appeared."

Libby grabbed Andrews hand and pulled them away. As they walked away I started to laugh hard which caused Kase to join in and before long the owner came over and sat down asking, "You all okay I saw that but I wanted to make sure your both good?"

Kase said, "Yeah Mack were good you don't have to worry about us. Looks like they left anyway."

Mack chuckled and said, "Kase my boy I still have no clue what you saw in Libby."

Looking up at Mack he said, "Neither do I. I guess we just knew each other for so long that we decided to just go with it. I will definitely not be doing that again."

Looking at Kase I asked, "How ling have you lived here?"

Tilting his head he said, "Since I was three. What about you?"

Thinking I said, "I lived in the area all my life. But when I got divorced I decided to move back to this part to get away from my ex. He always said being out here always felt like he was around hillbilly's. Which was bull crap because his grandparents live down the road and his uncle a few blocks over and he was always out here visiting them."

He nodded and asked, "May I ask why you divorced?"

Sighing I said, "He blames me, I have fertility issues and the one pregnancy I had resulted in a miscarriage. He started cheating and blamed me because a real woman should be able to carry a child."

Kase looked shocked, "Please tell me you don't believe that?"

Shaking my head I said, "No I don't. The baby passing was because of stress and other factors."

Kase took my hand and said, "How about we get out of here. I think something sweet is in order."

I nodded and he went to pay our bill. When he came back he took my hand and we left. We chatted about our likes and dislikes until we came to a small ice cream cafe. He opened the door and said, "I think  is in order."

We walked to the counter and both ordered some rocky road ice cream cones. We went outside and sat on a bench next to the local government building. We sat and chatted for a long while and soon enough the local church bell rang out. We looked at each other and then realized it was almost midnight. We started to walk home. When we got there he took the first step and kissed me. Smiling he placed his hand on my cheek and said, "I would love to do this again soon."

I smiled back and said, "So would I."

********************************************************

He turned and walked away as I let myself into my cottage. For the first time since my divorce I felt like everything was going to be okay. The following morning I realized that I had over slept and realized I probably missed all the good freelancing jobs for the day. I curled up in bed and looked at my phone. There was a message from Kase that said, 'I had a great time last night and will see you later.'

I was almost ready to go back to bed when I heard a knock at the door. Sitting up I grabbed my robe and went to answer the door. When I opened the door no one was there. I stepped out on the porch and the park was quiet. Buddy ran out next to me and I put him in his dog run while I got changed and opened the house up as it was cooler outside. I sat outside on one of my patio chairs and checked the message boards for work. As I freelance with multiple companies I saw there was still some jobs between all the sites and called buddy in so I could set up and get to work. Before I knew it my Grandfather clock was striking 3pm and I realized I worked most of the day and morning away.

I stood up and looked at Buddy as I said, "Wanna go outside boy?"

He stood up and gave an excited tail wag and I took him outside so he could play in his dog run. I sat on the patio watching him play and drank some tea and read a book. As the time pasted and I read, I discovered I was really tired. As I was curled up in my chair with a light blanket I fell asleep and I woke up to Buddy barking. I sat up and realized he had been in his run for a while as the sky was beginning to darken for the night. I stood up and walked over to the run as I said to him, "Sweet boy why did you let me sleep so long."

He ran to the door to be let in and when I walked inside I realized that things were moved on my desk. All my electronics were there but items were moved. I grabbed my bat next to the desk and walked through the house checking to make sure the windows were still in tact. As it was getting cooler out I shut the windows and locked them as I passed them. I put the news on and went into the kitchen to start dinner. Looking through the refrigerator and freezer I decided it was going to be a pizza night and put a frozen pizza and wings in the oven. I fed buddy and sat on the couch while dinner cooked.

It bothered me that things were moved in the house and I slept through it. But why would someone come by and mess with my stuff and not take it. I considered this as I heard a knock at the door. Opening the door I found Kase standing there with flowers. Buddy barked to be let out to say hi. I smiled and opened the door. Buddy took it as his cue to jump on Kase.

"Hey big guy," He said as he rubbed Biddy's belly. "Lets get inside."

Moving aside I took the flowers as case walked in, "Thank you."

"Your most welcome," He said. "Are you okay you seem a bit out of it?"

I chuckled and said, "Its been a very odd day."

Taking my hand he said, "Come on and sit. Tell me what happened."

Laying the flowers on the table I said, "I normally can get up no matter how late I stay up. After you texted me I fell asleep again. A bit later I was woken up to pounding on the front door but when I got to it no one was there. So I logged in to work and worked until three. Afterwards I took Buddy and put him in his dog run. I fell asleep again and woke up to Buddy barking. We came inside and things were moved all over the house, but nothing was taken."

"Did you check the house," He asked.

"I did," I said. "All the screens were in tact. I even made sure the windows were closed and locked as I checked the house."

"Well I was going to offer to take you for some dinner," He said. "Would you like to order a pizza? I can hang out here with you for a while."

I laughed as I got up and said, "No need to order a pizza I have pizza and boneless wings in the oven."

Going int to the kitchen I put the flowers in a vase and checked on the food. Kase joined me and was about to say something when there was a heavy knock at the door. Buddy ran to the door barking and then he dropped to the ground and started snarling. We looked at each other and he grabbed the bat leaning against the couch. He called Buddy quietly saying, "Come here boy."

Buddy backed up a few feet and I knelt next to him holding onto his collar. Kase looked back and asked are you expecting someone as we both saw a shadow at the door. I shook my head and Kase pulled open the door and no one was there. He ran outside with the bat and when he came back he said, "What the hell just happened?"

I shook my head and said, "That was so weird. Things have been weird since I saw the shadow man in the park."

"Shadow man," He asked. "When?"

"The day you saw me walking buddy," I said.

He shut the door and came over giving me a hug. He lifted my chin and he said, "Its okay I will protect you."

The timer on the food went off and I got it out putting it on a tray. We pulled the table next to the couch in front of us and sat down to eat. While we were eating we saw a shadow in front of the door again. It would knock and wait. After about fifteen minutes I said, "Go away we are not going to answer the door you are being annoying."

The knocking stopped and we sat eating and talking. We cleaned up from dinner and Kase said, "I will keep an eye over here tonight. Will you be okay?"

"Yes I will," I said. "After work tomorrow which thankfully is a short day, I will go get a few cameras and figure out what to do about that shadow man."

"Well if you want tomorrow is my early day as well," He said. "I will put the camera up after you get it. How about this. When you get off work come over to my house and we can get the camera. I am thinking of getting some for my house as well. Then I can take you out to dinner."

Smiling I said, "It sounds like a date."

*****************************************************************

The following morning when my 6am alarm went off I woke up and took buddy outside to his dog run. We saw Kase leave for work and he honked his horn as he left for work calling out, "I will see you later on."

Making sure Buddy's run was locked I went inside to bring my computer up and get it ready for the day. While it was loading I went into the kitchen and made a small pot of coffee. I heard Buddy barking and went outside to see what was going on and he was barking facing the side of the cottage. When I came out I looked and did not see anything. Opening his run I said, "Go to the house for breakfast."

We went inside. Feeding Buddy and making myself a quick breakfast I sat at my desk to start my day. While sitting at the desk the power started to flicker. I texted the park manager Kay knowing she got up early to work and asked, "Is your power flickering?"

She replied back, "No its not. Is yours?"

"Yes," I said. "I have to ask you a question but I feel stupid."

"What is it?" She asked.

"Is the park haunted?" I asked.

My phone rang five second later. I answered and as I worked I told her everything that had happened the last few days. When I told her what happened when Kase and I were eating dinner she was surprised. Then she told me she had heard rumors and said she would look into it as her uncle has lived in the park for over twenty years. She would try to get me an answer. Then she told me she has the electrician coming out today and will have him check the meter and connections to my cottage.

I worked through the morning completing quite a few big freelancing jobs. After requesting payments I took a few minutes and walked Buddy so I would be ready when Kase got off of work. Sitting back down I started to work on smaller jobs that had appeared on a few of the job boards and worked until I got a text from Kase letting me know he was home and showering before we headed out to get the camera and then dinner. Logging into the email company I freelanced for I worked emails for a while until I heard a light knock at the door. I called out one second and finished the last email I worked on. Closing my computer I went to the door opening it to find no one there. 

I went outside to see Kase walking my way and he called out, "Did it happen again?"

"Yes," I said. "I was working on emails while I waited for you. There was a lighter knock at the door so I thought it was you. I shut the computer down and opened the door and no no one was there."

Maggie

Kase

Andrew- ex

Libby- Kaze ex

Mr Pierce

Mack's pub
Twelve Oaks

Kay- Park Manager

Battling for me

I had just moved. After a fairly nasty divorce I decided to move closer to where I worked and I found a trailer in a historic trailer park just a few blocks and less than a half of a mile from where I work. I mean the rent was good, the area was quiet and it was the perfect place for me to start healing. You may ask why was I getting a divorce? Well, that is because my ex went from a sweet and loving man to a monster within a couple of weeks time. The night I found out that I was having a baby he came over due to the divorce and beat me to an inch of my life. My boss Callie had swung by the next morning to see if I was okay because I did not show up for my six am shift. When it slowed down, she put a be right back sign up and drove to my home to check on me since he had shut off my phone. She saved my life. She pulled up and saw my feet from the window and she called 91l. The police broke down the door and medical crew said if I had not been found I would have died. I had four broken ribs, a concussion, fractured arm, broken ankle and I had lost my baby. Losing the baby is what hurt me the most. Because so much time had passed before I was found the doctor said there is a good chance that I could never have a child in the future. My heart was broken.

They found my ex-husband twenty miles away in Tampa on a date while I was fighting for my life in the hospital. He was going to try making the accident look like a home invasion and making sure no one found me before I did die. He had admitted he was angry that I got to work a job where I had fun and made money. My boss Callie just so happened to be a lifelong family friend who owns a coffee shop right next to the towns court house and sheriff office. She allowed her workers sell their art in the windows and display cases of the shop.  The shop got a percentage of the sale and we got to have fun at work and make a few extra dollars. He actually had hidden a large amount of my paintings in the garage with the plan of selling them after I had died as dead artists make more.

I woke up in the hospital alone except for an off duty officer sitting in the room next to me. When he saw me wake up his smile brightened and he said, "Hey, Beth you finally came back to us. Let me go get the nurse and call Callie. She will be so happy that you're awake." He walked out of the room and a nurse came running in.

"Beth you gave us all a scare. You have a lot of people who will be glad your awake." The nurse came in and  She saw my hand flutter to my stomach, "Beth listen to me. You need to stay calm and not think about anything until after you speak with the Doctor okay."

I nodded knowing what awful news I was to be given. Closing my eyes I rested waiting for Callie and the Doctor to come in. After they came in Callie curled up next to me and the doctor explained everything. He said my chances of ever having a baby were slim to none because of the damage I had. Callie held onto me and said, "Have hope Beth you never know what can happen."

I asked her, "Did they find him?"

"You bet your ass they did," She said. "The sheriffs' office took particular pleasure to arresting him for what he did to you. Me and Bob went to your house and had everything repaired and cleaned. My sweet bestie I am so sorry everything happened to you."

I laid my head on her shoulder, "Callie I want him to suffer after what he did to me. He cost me my baby and he needs to feel the hurt he caused."

"Don't worry Beth I assure you he is being treated as he deserves in the jailhouse," A voice said from the doorway.

I looked up to see a friend and sheriff named Marcus in the doorway. He smiled and said, "You are so lucky you woke up I was suspecting she was gonna add some of her energy coffee to your IV soon."

Callie laughed and said, "Do not think I didn't think about it. But Callie we will get you through this. You do not only have me even though I know I am a big deal. But seriously you have the whole towns support."

Leaning on her I just closed my eyes and I knew the tears were rolling down but there was nothing I could do. Callie hung onto me and Marcus came to the other side of my bed and held my hand. I was lucky a lot of the customers became family that week and would be a aunt uncle or cousin when they would stop bye to wish me well and leave me little gifts. 

One day Mrs Susanna a elderly member of the town council came in as she told the nurse, "Put me down as her great aunt and leave us alone."

I sat up a little in bed and she came over and gave me the biggest hug, "Oh my sweet girl I was out west visiting my sister or I would have been here camping next to you until you woke up. Now I am not gonna give you the bull shit line of things happen for a reason and be positive. I know you been fed that crap all week since you opened those brown eyes of yours. I wish I could take away your pain and give you your baby back but I can't but what I can do is is be an ear and tell people to fuck off when they are bothering you."

Laughing I said, "Mrs Sue I cannot thank you enough for your bluntness. I am so happy to see you."

"Well girl I have something for you. From the looks of those baskets I see people have been trying to get you fat," She said as she grabbed a candy bar out of a basket. Then handed me a large gift bag. "While I was visiting my sister and heard the news I started making this for you. I know how you say the colors of fall make you feel better."

I opened up the bag to a beautiful knitted blanket. It was a pattern of orange brown greens and reds. The colors of the fall. I looked up and said, "Oh its beautiful Thank You."

She spoke softly and said, "I know I can't bring back your baby but when your sad you wrap up in this and hold on tight and know you have all of us. I also organized meals for you. Currently that big freezer you have in your laundry room was reorganized and half full of premade meals. Everything has cooking instructions and there is a lot of single serve meals in there as well. By the time we can spring you, you will be able to go home and relax. Callie and I will get your perishable then and anything else you need." 

"Mrs Sue thank you so much," I said. "Now that your here lets have it woman lets have some horrible hospital coffee and you give me all the good gossip including whats been said about me."

Mrs Sue laughed and pulled out a thermos as she said, "My dear girl I would not subject you to horrible coffee while I am here. I stopped by the shop and Callie gave me this as well as some of her croissants, butter and jam. That woman can be a tough gal but she bakes like an angel. Don't you ever tell her I  said that I need to keep the Grumpy granny persona."

You have my word Mrs Sue," I said. 

For an hour Mr.s Sue and I visited and ate the food and snacks she had brought with her. She told me all the gossip around town. At the end of visiting hours she stood up and walked over to me. Taking my hand she said, "Beth you are a strong gal and you will be okay. If you need anything you call me okay."

"I will Mrs Sue don't you worry about that," I said.

She left and I shifted in the bed and closed my eyes to sleep. My life would be different now and I had to accept it but with all the amazing people in my life I will be okay.

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The following day Callie arrived with coffee and said, "Girl I think I can walk from the spot I park in to your hospital room with my eyes closed. Oh damn girl I love that blanket where did you get it?"

Smiling I said, "Mrs Sue came up to visit me and gossip. She made this for me while she was visiting family after she heard about what happened."

"I knew that old biddy had a soft spot," She said.

"Well don't ask her about it or she might tell you to go to hell," I said.

"Nah As much as she is cranky Mrs Sue is one of the good ones," She said. "I know not to poke the bear."

We both laughed and she said, "We miss you at the cafe. I will be honest with you I did raid your garage and took some paintings you were going to sell as they were in the sell bin and put them up at the shop. Actually your sell bin is empty now as people kept buying your stuff to help you along. I deposited the money into your bank already."

Laughing I said, "Damn. What about the paintings that he stole from me?"

Marcus walked in and said, "Well I guess I read your mind ladies. Thats why I am here.  Beth now that you are awake and Andrew admitted everything he did to you we no longer need the paintings. I was going to ask you where you want them to go to. Due to the amount of paintings Andrew has stolen from you I am going to let you know this was not a act of passion or insanity. He had over 200 paintings of yours. the state will hold it till you can pick it up but we advised your in the hospital and the state is going to allow the county pick up the paintings and bring them to a location of your choice." 

"He always told me that I must be mistaken about the amount of paintings I had," I said. "This is more than a few months during our divorce. These paintings have been going missing for the last two years."

Marcus said, "Two years?"

"Yeah where is my phone?" I said. "Look at these text messaged I have pulled up the other day after you all said that he had a bunch of my paintings."

Marcus took my phone and said, "Give me 10 min I need your phone and have to make a call."

He walked out and I looked at Callie and said, "I think I am going to have them bring the paintings to the store if you can store them. We should make money off of his greed."

She said, "That sounds good to me. I actually turned the old supply closet into awaiting to be sold section and we will stack all your paintings to the back and replace as we sell. Speaking of paintings since we know your going to be in here for at least another week or two I bought you this."

She handed me two big bags from hobby lobby one full of larger canvases and one with smaller canvases and a bunch of paints and a table top easel. "Thank you Callie this will be a great way to pass the time."

Marcus walked in and said, "Beth I had to screen shot those messages where he argues with you about paintings missing with him. He states all the paintings you gave him were gifts."

I looked up and said, "I never gave him any paintings because he used to belittle my art."

Marcus nodded and said, "Okay then I will pass that information along. So when we get those paintings for you where are they going?"

I pointed to Callie and said, "See that stunning woman there? Your taking them to her and she knows how to price them for sale."

Marcus looked at Callie and said, "I guess it will be a date then Callie."

Callies cheeks went pink and said, "Its a date."

I sighed and said, "Lord you two you both wanna go on a date with each other. Be lucky I can't smack the sense into both of you."

Marcus looked at me and said, "Beth be serious."

"I am being serious," I said. "Callie and you should go out to dinner."

Callie looked at me and I said, "Marcus. Take Callie to dinner tonight after you bring her the paintings and make sure she get a decent meal in her since she has been worried about me."

Beth- Main

Callie- Bestie

Bob- Co Worker

Marcus- Shriff

Andrew- Ex

Mrs. Sue

The Farm 6*9 *****Final Edit and rewrite stage!

Hello Everyone! Slowly the book will disappear from the blog as its getting ready for publishing. I have had some people ask why but when it comes down to it, I saw some of my work being used by other people. So any completed edited work is now transferred offline till publish..

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Edited

Chapter 27

As we walked up the driveway, we heard the yells of the dead, "Go back, Run, He is too dangerous, Get out of here."

Mason leaned down and said, "Do you hear the voices?"

"Yes, I do," I said. "I think the spirits are trying to warn us."

He nodded, and we continued to walk up the driveway. As we got about halfway up the driveway, the ground started to shake. We steadied ourselves against each other and continued to the house. We finally arrived at the porch when a little girl appeared before us. She gave a big smile and said, "Rebecca and Jackson, you came back."

Kneeling, I said, "Hello, my name is Amelia. I am your great, great so many times, niece."

"Your Jacksons and Rebecca's Grandbaby?" She asked. When she said that, she morphed into a young woman. "My sweet niece, You need to run. My Father is a madman, and he will kill you."

I stood up as Mason said, "We are here to stop him. Can you buy us some time?"

She opened the door and said, "We will do all we can to help. Are you going to be able to stop Father? Or can he be stopped?"

We looked in the room. Inside the front room were all of Jerimiah's family and the Pastor. It dawned on me that this is also my family. I said, "I am the Granddaughter of Jackson and Rebecca, and we are trying to stop Jerimiah. We need to get in and out. We are trying to get your souls free."

My Grandmother came to me and said, "You have Jackson's spirit, my beautiful Granddaughter. We will do what we can."

As she kissed my forehead, she said to the others, "Come on, everybody, we have work to do. Stall or stop Jerimiah as much as you can."

As they disappeared, the words good luck hung in the air. Mason pointed up and said, "That's where we need to go." 

We went to the base of the stairs and headed up to the balcony. When we got to the landing, Jackson and Rebecca were there waiting. They had been waiting for us. Rebecca came up and hugged me, saying, "My sweet Granddaughter. I am so glad to meet you, but you're in danger here. You are the last descendent, and we do not want you to suffer our fate."

"It is going to be okay," I said, "We know what to do. We are trying to stop Jerimiah so you can be free." 

Jackson and Rebecca stood back as Mason and I placed the lantern in our joined hands and started to lower it as we said in unison, "Darkness flees, and light comes in. May the light of the lantern push out the dark. May the gods and goddesses hear our plea. May the magic of new and old hear our plea and drive the evil from this land. May god hear our plea. Jerimiah, your reign has ended. You are no longer welcome here. Release your hostages and be gone."

As we completed our chant and finished placing the lantern on the ground, the lantern began to glow and grow brighter. Jackson shot up. He said, "Jerimiah is coming to the house. Get out of here."

We headed to the stairs with Mason pulling me behind him. I lost his grip, and he reached the bottom of the stairs before me. Mason turned to look at me and take my hand when a look of fear crossed his face. "Amelia, Jerimiah is right behind you. Jackson is holding onto him. Come one, we have to run."

I felt the heat from hell itself coming off of Jerimiah. I grabbed the railing and pulled myself over. As I jumped over the rail, I received a kick in the stomach. I went flying through the front windows of the house. I landed in the bushes outside. That was when I heard Mason yell, "Run Amelia, he is coming for you. Go, the family is surrounding me to keep me safe." 

Pulling myself out of the bushes, I took off towards the road. I heard Mason leave the house. I yelled, "Mason, run. I got this." 

Changing directions, I headed toward the barn and the graveyard and ran as fast as possible. I needed to give Mason time to get off the property. As I rounded the barn, I saw three spirits running towards me. It was Mike and the other workers whom Jerimiah had killed. As they passed me, Mike yelled, "Go, we will slow him down."

As I ran, I heard Jerimiah yelling, "No, you're the last." 

I ran as fast as I could as I neared the fence line. I saw Mason and Kylie. They were yelling at me to run faster as the other witches held Mason on the safe side of the fence. I heard all the chanting still going on. 

I heard Jerimiah yelling, "No, you are mine."

When I got close to the fence, I treated it like a hurdle, launching myself over the fence line and landing hard on the graveyard ground. Mason lifted me and pulled me further back. Jerimiah couldn't get through the barrier of the fence to get me. All the witches continued to chant, and then we saw the light glow brighter in the house. Kylie and the elders moved us back as they continued chanting. 

I looked at Jerimiah and said, "It's over, Jerimiah. The spirits will be free, and you're going back to hell."

The light inside the house grew even brighter, and we moved to the entrance of the property. As the light grew, it enveloped the house. We started hearing the spirits trapped on the property cry out in joy that they were becoming free of the land. The chanting became louder as the light engulfed the property, and as it peaked, the chanting stopped, and the home was rubble and smoke. From the beginning of the driveway, I watched as Jerimiah cried out in fury and howled like a beast as a fiery inferno appeared around him. Jerimiah fought as the ground erupted in flames as he returned to hell.

Looking at Kylie, I asked, "Is it over?"

She looked at the elder to ask. The ground started to shake. All the trees lining the driveway were cracking in half, and holes appeared around the property. We heard the lake bubble, and all the water drained out. The elder looked at me and said, "It's finally over. Jerimiah is no more."

************************************************** 

Mason wrapped his arms around me and hugged me. Looking at the rubble I said, "Finally."

The elder looked around and called out, "Max get over here. Get over here boy. Give us about two hours to get out and then call Amelia. You know the story."

Max nodded and said, "Amelia be ready to give your best acting performance you ever gave. Remember to act surprised and horrified. Especially when you come back we need to sell this."

Mason chuckled and said, "How come I feel like you have done this before?"

Max laughed and said, "Because I am a trained demonologist and I have had a few things end like this in the past. The key is to sell it to the police and authorities."

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We headed back to the graveyard and my parents were waiting on the bench. When they saw me my mom jumped up and said, "My sweet girl you did it."

My dad shook Mason hand and said, "If you ever want to marry our daughter know you have our blessing."

Mason said, "Thank You sir."

Dad turned us to the jeep and he said, "I want us to spend time with you but you need to follow up to get all the souls accounted for."

They hugged us as Mason opened the door and mom said, "Tell your parents we said thank you and we love and miss them. I can't say if we will ever see you again but we have loved you since the day we found out I was having you. We will always be with you."

I climbed in and Mason joined me. We drove off and headed towards his Aunts home. When we far enough away I pulled over and just cried. Mason held me until I stopped and we continued onto Connie's. While on the way I joked I was starving. He laughed and we pulled into Wendy's and got everyone food. We drove to Connie's shop and I finally looked at the clock. I said, "Mason look at the time."

He looked at me and said, "That can't be right."

He called Kylie and put her on speaker and said, "Kylie the clock on the jeep say's 1am."

She said, "We noticed that after you left. All our cars and phones say the same. It seems time slowed and stopped while we were fighting Jerimiah. The elders say they have heard rumors that when things like this happen its almost as if god himself slows time and in some cases stops time so no one else can be trapped."

"We will meet up soon." She said. "Amelia be ready for Max's call."

We arrived at Connies house. Connie and My parents ran our and gave us hugs and looked over us to make sure we were okay. "We sat down and started to eat explaining what had happened. My mom started to cry as we told them of meeting my parents and passing along the messages."

My phone rang and I answered, "Hello."

"Amelia hey this is Kylies friend Max. The guy who was going to do the tree work tomorrow. Kylie said it was okay that we could camp out here tonight with your permission and when we got here the property is in ruin," He said.

Feigning innocence I said, "Max what do you mean ruin?"

"I think you need to call the police as well. I just did and they are on their way out. But the house is rubble the lake is empty and the trees you wanted me to cut back are split in half. There are also big holes all over the property." He said, "Can you come out here I am sure the police will want to speak with you and your parents."

I called 911 and said, "Hi I own the old murder farm in brooksville. I had hired a friend of mines cousin to do yard maintenance for me and gave him permission to camp on the property the next few nights and he said he called this in already but the property is in ruins. I am heading out there now but we need the police. When I drove past today the house was fine and now he is stating the house is rubble and the property is destroyed."

"Amelia we do have police enroute as well as retired officer Marshal." She said. "Shall I advise them that your parents and you are enroute?"

"Yes please," I said. "We were going to turn the property into a wedding venue. Why would someone do this?"

We headed to the farm with my parents and connie. When I pulled in we saw a ton of police cars and ambulances. Max was speaking to an officer and he said, "Wait theres the owner. Amelia over here."

We headed over to the police and Marshall was standing with the lead officer. Marshall looked up and said, "Amelia its a pleasure to meet you just not under these circumstances. Preliminary investigation thinks there was a gas leaked that sparked and created an explosion in the home. The explosion seems to have created such a blast the trees split and holes formed in the ground. Damnest thing it also caused the water to drain out of the lake."

"Oh no," I said. "Max are you and your crew okay when the explosion happened?"

Max looked at me and said, "No we arrived a bit late. We got held up on a job in Tampa."

"Oh I am glad you got held up," I said. "The thought of you here when the destruction happened. I guess I will have to have you remove the trees instead."

I walked over to a tree and looked in and saw the first of the corpses. I screamed like I was in a movie and a group of officers and Mason ran over to me. "Amelia, whats wrong?"

"There is a child in the tree," I cried clutching Mason. "This is not right the child looks frozen." 

The police moved me away and the officer asked Max is he had a saw. Max nodded and came back with a chainsaw. He was very careful as he cut the tree open more. The officer said, "Amelia I would hate to ask but can you identify the body."

As I walked over I heard a whisper say "thank you my niece. Thats me, your Great Aunt Mary."

The officers laid a tarp and gently laid the body of a child on it. I gasped and said, "It can't be."

I explained to the officers that I was jerimiahs legacy and the child in the tree was that of his child mary that he killed. I explained after the massacre none of the bodies were found. Marshall came up behind me and said, "She is right whenever someone was killed or went missing on this property the bodies were never found. When I was investigating the rehabilitation home massacre we never found a body."

Looking at the child I said, "This was my great Aunt Mary."

The officer next to me helped me up and I looked into the tree and said, "There is someone else in here."

Walking over to the tree across the lane and looked in. I gasped again and said, "There is another one." 

Marshall walked over to the closest hole and said, "We have bodies here as well." 

A officer who was over by the lake called on the radio said, "Boss we have bodies in the lake."

Mason and I looked at each other and I said, "Officer I give you all permission even though you do not need it. If these are all the missing bodies I am thankful the house exploded."

Marshall looked at me and Mason and said, "Should I even ask? No don't answer that I already know. I am proud of you kids, Especially you Amelia you would make a good detective."

The officer came up to us and said, "Amelia its late why don't you and your family head home and come back in the morning?"

Nodding I said, "Sir I am exhausted. I appreciate it and if you have any further questions please feel free to reach out."

My parents loaded into my jeep and Mason and Connie loaded into Connie's car. When we got home we said, "Good night." 

I climbed into bed and had a night of heavy sleep with no dreams. I woke up the following day and saw it was already noon. I took a shower and headed downstairs to find my parents eating lunch with Mason and Marshall. "Good afternoon everyone I was so tired after last night."

Mason got up and hugged me. My mom brought me out a plate of food. As I sat down Marshal started to give me an update, "Well Amelia so far we recovered seventeen bodies and we still have the trees to open as well as some holes. They recovered five bodies out of the lake and did a sonar sweep to make sure there are no more. They pulled who we believe are more of Jerimiahs family. Including his wife and her new husband. The thing is all the bodies are perfectly preserved at their time of death. " 

"Marshall," I asked. "Do you need me today?"

"May I ask why?" He asked.

"I have a few places I need to go. Both to St Pete as well as Crystal River." I said. Turning to my parents I said, "I need to give some people closure."

I finished my food and said, "Come on Mason we have some people to see."

We had a quiet drive out to St Pete and drove straight to the circus property. When I pulled up to the gate the guard said I didn't have an appointment. I begged him to let Mrs Clara know I am here and its very important. He got on the phone and asked my name again. I looked at him and said, "Tell Mrs CLara its Amelia and its about the farm."

He spoke on the phone and said, "She said come to the house immediately."

When we got to the house a young man was waiting. He walked up to us and said, "Hi I am Mike Claras Grandson. She asked me to come and get you."

We followed Mike in and in the room were a bunch of elderly people in the room with Mrs Clara. She came up and gave me a hug and said, "Amelia My dear my guard said you might to crash the gate if we didn't let you in. These are people who were at the farm with me. Why are you here?"

Taking her hand I said, "Mrs Clara I have some news for you. Its over, Jerimiah is no more."

"Did you find any bodies?" An elderly man asked. 

Looking at him I said, "Sir-"

"Marty sweetie just Marty," He said.

"Marty," I said. "So far they have recovered seventeen bodies and all the bodies seem to be frozen in time from the moment of their death. They are still working on finding all the bodies."

Clara sighed and said, "Amelia being a circus we had people come and go. We believe now that there may be more victims on the property that were related to the circus."

Nodding I said, "I think that there are going to be a few cold cases as well as missing persons cases solved with the discovery of all the bodies."

"If you can send me a list of possible names I will contact you if we cannot identify the bodies." I said. "I am just wanting everyone to finally have closure."

"Amelia," Clara said as she stood up and took my hand. "You have done more than anyone against that monster Jerimiah. I am thankful that his reign of terror is finally over."

We sat with Clara and the circus workers chatting for a while longer. As we went out to leave Clara's Grandson Mike met us at the door, "Amelia and Mason, Thank you for bringing us closure. Especially to my Grandmother. It has haunted her all these years that no one believed anyone from the circus group. Please keep me updated here is my card."

I took his card and we said goodbye.

----------------------------------

Driving down highway 19 we headed to see Mantis and Mac. We stopped to grab some fast food as it was almost dinner time. By the time we got to the nursing home we saw that Connie had driven up to join us. When we pulled in Connie and Mack met us at the door, "Thank God your here. Mantis is going down hill. Lilly is in with him but he has been asking for you both."

We rushed down the hall to Mantis room and Lily looked up when we walked in and said, "Thank God. Dad has been asking for you both since about 4am."

Rushing to his side and took his hand as I said, "Hey Mantis. I have good news for you. Its over finally Jerimiah was sent back to hell."

"Have you found my Mary?" He asked.

Mason excused himself for a moment as his phone rang and I said, "Mantis they are still recovering bodies."

"Mantis they found her," Mason said from the door way. "I just spoke with Marshall. Her body was recovered about an hour ago. If you want we can take you to her."

The nurse came into the room at that moment, "His health is not the best. We would suggest he does not leave."

"I am going to my Mary," He said. 

As Lily helped Mantis into his coat and shoes Connie and Mac explained the situation and the nurse said, "He might not make it back here."

Lily spoke up and said, "This is something he has to do."

The nurse nodded and said, "Okay than we need you to sign a form."

Connie said, "I will stay here till you all get back."

Mack looked at her and said, "WHat do you mean wait here we are going to."

After everyone had been signed out we went to the property. Mason had called Marshall and they were holding Marys body at the property. When we got there the sun has just been starting to set and we lead Mantis over to the gurney they had Mary on. He leaned down and kissed her forehead and spoke softly to her. We stood back as we heard a call "we found more."

Mac and Connie walked over to where the officers were removing more bodys from a hole in the ground. When they lifted one of the bodies Connie let out a gasp and cried, "Daddy."

Mason ran over to her and there was Connie and Fred dads body. He looked like the day he died and Connie went to her knees. 

Mantis had looked up and said, "I need to head back home." Lilly told the officer that he could call her when they could claim the body for burial."

Mason looked at me and said, "I will call you later."

He helped Connie to the car and drove Mac back to the nursing home. I decided to stay and watched over the recovery effort. My parents showed up about ten that night when they found another body out of a tree. My dad tried to block my view but I already knew, It was the body of my dad and in his hand was a small pink teddy bear. I told the officer I would would be handling the funeral for this body. The officer nodded and took my name and phone number. My mom said, "Amelia sweetheart lets go home there is nothing more you could do."

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The weeks following the end of Jerimiah the police scanned the grounds and had recovered a total of 67 bodies. All the bodies were in in perfect condition and were all able to be identified. Some of the bodies were from missing person cases. Some were transients who were reported missing by fellow homeless. SOme were people directly related to the property. We held a funeral for my dad. We buried him next to my mom at my Grandparents farm. I assured Marco that things would remain the same. For all the people who were not claimed I dug into my savings along with a few generous members of the community we buried them all properly.

We then received the news right before the start of our senior year of highschool that Mantis passed. At the funeral Lilly told us that we finally gave him closure after all the sadness he had in his life. He was buried right next to Mary at the local cemetery. She asked me what I did with all the research for my senior project. I told her I will have to lie about the ending but I have it all. She gave me her card and said I am a publisher and it would make one hell of a story.

I did however spend some more of the money I had inherited. As i received profits from my grandparents farm as well as my inheritance from them I paid to have the rubble of the old house removed. Then I really did hire max to clean the property and replant new trees up the driveway. I decided I wanted to do something special with the property. I had the barn cleaned up and fixed so that it could be used as a gathering place. I had a smaller home built at the end of the driveway for me when I graduated highschool. Even though highschool was my priority I decided to make the farm into my home and a wedding venue. 

The first event that happened at my home was my graduation party. During the year the lake had slowly filled and we built a new dock and bridge over the water. Next to it we set built a wedding pavilion. My mom and I had a greenhouse built and there were massive flower and gardening beds added all over the property. We also added walking paths all over the property so people could explore. I added a plaque at the start of the walking path that held the names of everyone who had passed on the property or related to the horrible past. We also added Mantis as well. With the exception of Jerimiah. I do not know what caused him to go crazy like he did but I would never honor him.

The property became one of life and love. A few years later it was my turn to add to the family history of the land. First Mason had proposed to me on the dock on the lake. Then a year later we married at the end of the driveway at the porch to my home. The same spot that Jackson and Rebecca had married before us. We never looked backed and remained on the property running a wedding center and tending the farm.

Did all the souls finally go to the other side? Well that is a story for another time.

Jumping The Cliff

I stood at the edge looking down. It would be easy to just close my eyes and jump. I know it would be a short drop and I probably would survive it. I mean I am a strong swimmer and cliff diving is something I have been doing for years. As the warm breeze came up and caressed my face I took a moment to close my eyes and just be. However much to soon I opened my eyes and
reality knocked on my door. God, it has been a very long year. So much so I thought about just taking the plunge as the wing swayed me. I absently moved closer to the edge and looked down again. This year has been a living hell every truth I had thought was wrong. Every relationship I had ever had been questioned. Family loyalty meant nothing anymore because I didn't even know who my real family was. My ex-husband had stolen not just my children but my pets as well. I honestly feel like I have nothing left to live for. This place I stand now used to bring me such peace and serenity only now brings me pain. I took a step back and removed my shoes and sweater. Then I dropped my hat and purse on the ground next to them.  One drop down wouldn't hurt I have dove off this cliff more times than I could think. I start to walk to the edge and hear the roar of the wind and water in my ears I close my eyes and go to jump.

Just as I go to jump a strong arm wraps around my waist and we are both thrown to the ground. I wasn't feeling peace or serenity now I was feeling anger. I slowly opened my eyes to look into a pair of amazing blue ones. Blue eyes like the color of the water I would be swimming in if I wasn't stopped. I pushed away a little and stared at the person who had ruined my chance at happiness for a few fleeting moments before I realized there on the ground in his suit still was my brothers best friend Thomas. Before I could say anything he looked at me and said, "Anna what in the name of god are you doing trying to kill yourself not even an hour after your brother's wedding?"

Still, on the ground in his iron grip, I thought to myself was that what I was really trying to do? Wasn't I just trying to get one last dive in before I had to get to reality? Noone would have known I could have snuck back to the cottage I had and changed into the formal wear for the night's reception and only I would have known that I had a few minutes of happiness after everything that had happened. I mean would I have really not have fought the tow of the currents and let myself end everything. I snapped back to reality when those blue eyes softened and stuttered out, "I wasn't going to kill myself I just wanted to dive one last time before I leave here.  One last moment to be happy before I had to get back to the shitstorm that is my life."

Thomas looked at me then as he lifted us both to our feet said, "It can't be that bad can it?"

I laughed a little looking at him and replied, "You really have no idea, do you?"

He bent down to pick up my things and handed them to me as he took my arm and started to lead me from the path away from the dive site. "No your right I don't know the whole story. I have only seen you and spent a few days with you since your brother found you earlier this year. With the exception of picking you up from the airport early and helping you with that favor this week.  That was my mistake I should have taken more time to get to know you but I have been going through some crap this year myself.  However, I think we are going to go get some food from the brunch your brother and May provided and we are going to find a nice spot to picnic and talk and you are going to tell me all about it."

I looked at him and quietly asked, "Do we really need to I mean shouldn't you be with your date?"

Thomas started chuckling after I said that and replied, " As my girlfriend and I broke up a few months ago May had suggested that I come solo since she knew the Matron of Honor would be solo as well. So what do you say let's compare who has had the worst year while we eat and knowing that it will set Max's family gossip wheel going and make May think she set us up for a while shall we."

I gave him a look, put my shoes back on and took the arm he offered because the look on his face pretty much said I didn't have a choice. Maybe talking to him about this and playing the who had the worst year game wouldn't be so bad especially since maybe he did save my life after all.

****************************************************

As we walked back into the garden area Max and May made their way over to us. Max looked worried as hell unlike May looked as calm and serene as ever. "Thomas where have you two been we have been worried sick!"

May looked up and said, "No Max you have been worried sick and as I told you they are both here safe and sound."

"Max I can explain--" I started before Thomas cut me off.

"Thomas after we finished the pictures  Anna was feeling her anxiety start to get to her so we decided to get away from the crowds of people here so we took a walk to let her calm down," He started and then quietly saying to Max, "Besides you know that Anna and I are your moms least favorite people to have around so us taking a walk was probably for the best."

With that last comment, Max took a breath and calmed down a bit. I love my brother and it's a shame it took nearly thirty years for us to find each other because even with our five year age difference we are so much alike. "Well, then you two May and I have to do the rounds as it is and then we are going to have some quiet time before tonight's reception. I expect you both to meet us at the hall by 7 because the guests will be arriving at 6:45."

In a stroke of luck Thomas and I asked at the same moment, " Do you need an alarm set in case?"

Max's face went red underneath his beard and May started to giggle. As they walked away I muttered under my breath to Thomas, " You know they will be pregnant by the end of the year right?"

Thomas taking my arm led me to the food tables chuckling and replied just as quietly, "End of the year I expect us to be Aunts and Uncles by the end of the summer."

Thomas and I loaded our plates and found a table tucked at the back of the reception area.  I grabbed a pitcher of water from a passing waiter and we settled down into our seats to start the game of who had the worst year. We both ate a little and then Thomas motioned for me to start.  I put my fork down and took a sip of my water and sighed.

"Well, my craptastic year actually started a little bit further out than last May. Last February my now Ex-husband started staying out later and later and when I would say anything about it he would always give me the excuse that he was trying for a promotion since I wanted to try for a baby and my writing wasn't getting sales. That part was bull because I was making a bunch of money from my writing and I had nicely padded big savings account to prove it. I could understand where he was coming from since his sister and her husband struggled a bit after they had their first child. But as my Grandma had always said there is never a right time to have a baby. So I let it go because the company he works for is highly competitive and I understood it could be stressful with how much he really wanted this promotion. So I did what any good wife would do and I let it go and left him be. I mean excluding the fact that he was working a bunch of hours nothing in our marriage was any different we went out together, we were still having sex and trying for a baby. I mean, to be honest, I thought life was going great for us and was excited about the possibility of adding a baby to our family.

Well two days before Valentine's day I started feeling really sick and I had been so distracted by my new book it hadn't occurred that I could be pregnant. I called my doctor and made an appointment to be seen on Valentine's day.  When I got to the office I was so excited I was like a little kid I could barely stay still.  When the nurse came in to tell me the news that I was indeed pregnant I did a little happy dance in the middle of the room and was so excited. The doctor came in and did my first visit as well as did an ultrasound and gave me the only picture of my baby I would ever have. He also told me that I was about ten weeks along which meant I would be able to tell people soon. I was so happy at that point I couldn't wait to tell Daniel.

I decided that since we didn't make any plans for Valentines Day I would put together a surprise for when he came home from work. I first went out and purchased a baby frame that would fit the ultrasound picture. Then I went to our favorite bakery and bought Daniels favorite carrot cake. Then I went all out and made my famous lasagna. I even bought my first maternity dress that would take a blind man to miss that there was a baby on the way."

I stopped for a moment and took a sip of my water and a bite of my food. I hadn't realized it until I picked up my fork that my hand was shaking. Thomas took my hand in his and said, "Its okay Anna I am not judging you.  If you need to stop I would understand it's a hard thing to talk about."

I smiled and laughed."Believe it or not, that part was the easy part."

"I waited and waited that night. I had gotten so worried I called the office to see what was taking him so long. Finally, the office manager Beth answered the phone and explained Daniel had taken the day off and asked if everything was okay. I quickly said yes he had to run out and I wasn't sure if he went to the office for something.  I knew right there that he had been lying to me I went upstairs and changed into pajamas and went back downstairs. I decided to stop waiting and put the lasagna and salad away. I unwrapped the picture frame and cut myself a huge piece of cake and started to eat while looking at the baby's picture. It was almost midnight when he tried sneaking into the house. I was there waiting the whole time clutching the babies picture to my chest. I promised my little bean no matter what I would always protect him or her.

He walked in and looked at me then saw the flowers and the table that was still set for dinner and tried making some bull crap excuse. I looked at him and told him to stuff it I knew he had taken the day off from work and I told him he better start explaining. He looked at me and said he met someone and they had been seeing a lot of each other. I had asked him if she knew he had a wife.  He said no he didn't. I about fainted from shock right there. I looked him straight in the face and said well you can tell him that because you couldn't keep it in your pants not only did you lose your wife but your child as well. I told him to get out. He followed me to my office where I was putting the babies picture on my desk. He picked it up and looked at it in shock. He looked at me than the picture and then to me again. I told him to pack his belongings and leave and never come back. He said the baby needs its father to which I replied the baby didn't need a lying cheating bastard of a father and if he didn't leave I would. He left my office and I heard him head upstairs. He made a phone call and can you get this he called his lover and begged him to let him stay with him. He told him everything while I was within hearing distance and his boyfriend said he understood and had him stay with him.  Okay, I can understand you been dating but to be honest, Daniel was always poor when it came to a romp between the sheets and never finished what he started.  I heard him leave the house and the car peeled out. I called an emergency locksmith and had him change all the locks in my house then I changed all the codes to the garage doors as well so he couldn't get in. The next morning I contacted a friend who is a divorce attorney and started the proceedings."

With that, I looked at him and said with the straightest of faces, "Your turn."

Thomas stared at me for a moment before stumbling with the words, "I know you have more than that."

"Yes I do however I am wanting to take a rest and eat some so you get to do the talking. I have a bunch more of the story to continue on with but you can start yours as well."

He smirked before saying, "You are bossy just like your brother you do know that right? Never mind of course you know that. Just give me a second."

Thomas got up and headed back to the food table and brought us a few plates of food to pick over on a tray with another pitcher of water. He looked up at the sky which had gotten dark with rain clouds. He took the first pitcher as well as our food plates on the tray and motioned me to follow him.  He led us to my cabin porch which was thankfully covered because the moment we stepped up onto it the rain started to fall. We sat down and he took a sip of water and started his turn.

"Right before Valentines Day, your brother had told me he was going to propose to May and he had me thinking maybe I should find that special someone to spend time with as he will be spending a lot more time with May. Don't get me wrong I adore May she is like the baby sister I never had.  Max is like a brother to me as well since my brother is married with a handful of kids I really started to think on things. I went with Max to get Mays engagement ring and I was the first person they called when she said yes.  Later on that week Max had said they found his sister. I swear your brother could not be any happier then he was at that moment. He had the girl of his dreams and the sister his father told him about right before he passed. To celebrate we went to the local tavern to have a few beers and there standing behind the bar was Shelly.  We had been to this bar so many times that I wanted to kick myself for never noticing her before.  I was staring at her so hard that Max and May were goading me to ask her out. So after a few beers, I finally got up and asked her why I never noticed her here before. She had said she had just moved to town and had only started working there a few days before.  I asked her right then and there for a date and she said yes. We started seeing each other and around Valentines Day we started out hot and heavy and before we knew it she was practically living in my apartment.  I was head over heels for her and she got along great with Max and May the only thing she didn't like was when they mentioned their wedding plans or you. Till this day I have no clue why she was so bothered by you as even her brother had yet to meet you. As for the wedding plans, I think she was honestly jealous especially after Max asked me to be his best man.

She seemed to calm down a bit when Max and May went to Tampa to meet you. I remember May sending me the video she took of you and Max meeting for the first time. She filmed it so we could see you walk up to him and although you offered him your hand he pulled you into the biggest bear hug ever. I about died laughing when he jumped back when he realized you had a baby bump. You couldn't have been that far along because the bump was just about noticeable but you are a tiny thing anyway. I swear Max's reaction had me watching the video over and over.  Shelly got mad when I showed her as she did not like the fact that I was seeing a picture of a woman that her boyfriends best friend was showing off to him.  I should have realized then how controlling she really was then but with Max's excitement and the newness of our relationship I left it alone."

"So what happened next?" I asked. "I mean besides the jealousy you seemed happy with her."

"I was," He sighed. "I mean we did move a bit faster then I was used to in a way. We slept together the first night we dated which isn't like me I am usually more of a gentleman about things. She was practically living with me by the time we were seeing each other two months which is also very unlike me.  I am not sure if it was me wanting to have something like Max had or if it was the way things were. Your turn."

I rolled my eyes as I took a sip of water and started where I left off. "Well Like I had said after everything that had happened Valentines day night I was so done. If he couldn't keep it in his pants and be with me only then I would raise the baby on my own. That's what I intended to do as well because, to be honest with you knowing he cheated on me left sick as can be and the thought of him touching me again made me feel sick. So the next morning I met with my friend Alex and had him start the divorce proceedings. Alex and I have known each other since high school and he was at my wedding to Daniel. He was honestly shocked about what had happened and then asked the most important question what about the baby. I told him that I would be raising the baby on my own and I didn't want a thing from him.  Daniel tried to talk me into at least spousal support or child support but I had made it clear I wanted nothing from him, I had owned my house outright before Daniel and I was married and the house was in just my name so I would be keeping it when it was over. Alex promised me he would have the initial paperwork to the courthouse and since he had a few contacts there he would try to fast track it through. That is one of the few benefits of living in a small town. It was funny when I left Alex's office I felt a bit lighter. Part of me was relieved that I was finally doing this but part of me was also sad that it was happening. So instead of going home to work I went shopping and picked a few things up as well as paint swatches for the nursery. I figured if I was going to be doing this on my own I might as well get an early start.

When I got home that afternoon there was a car in front of my house and a man I had never met sitting on my front steps. At first, I had thought it was Daniels boyfriend and god I was ready for a fight. But when I got out of the car and turned to get my bags the guy had walked over to me and his first words were 'Omg you look like your brother.' I took a step back shocked because my mother had told me that my dad was not really my dad shortly after he died. She wouldn't give me any more information when I asked about him but she had said that when her and my dad had first married they had problems so her and her friend had rented a cabin for a few weeks in St Augustine and she had met a man from up north and they had a magical time. Actually, a few magical times and I was the result. The guy was so sweet he thought he had scared me to death and began talking quick."

Thomas started full out laughing at that point to which I lifted an eyebrow. When he saw the look I was giving him he tried his best to calm down and speak which took several minutes because this was very funny to him.

"Anna," He started as he calmed down."I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you. That guy was Sean a friend of ours and he had come back and told Max that next time he needs a lawyer friend to do something please make sure that he is not scaring some poor pregnant woman. He read Max the riot act for about ten minutes before he was willing to give Max any information. Sean's poor husband Micheal told us after Sean came back from seeing you he wanted to quit doing these out of town trips because he never guessed what your reaction."

I laughed a little to before I started again, "Well in Sean's defense I was rather shocked to see someone come and actually say by the way your brother sent me to find you. I honestly had not even made a move on what my mom had told me even two weeks before.  Sean handled things pretty well and he even was kind enough to help me bring in my bags of baby things. Once we got inside and dumped the bags in the hall he followed me back to the kitchen as I put on a pot of tea he apologized so much for shocking me to which I had to calm him down and explain that my mother had just told me the truth two weeks before but life got very complicated in the last two weeks and I was just hanging on at this point.  After that, he shifted from a lawyer who didn't know what to do to a kind man who listened and even offered to handle the divorce if the need arises. I explained to him that I had a lawyer but I appreciated the offer and then he started to tell me about Max. He explained that Max and his fiance May wanted to meet me as soon as they could although after hearing about everything that was going on in my life he was going to tell Max to give me some time. Sean was a sweet man and told me a lot about Max and May. He even mentioned you a few times as Max's best friend. The comment he made about if there is trouble more than likely you both are in it together, however you have been friends for so long that you both are more like brothers which was a good thing because up until he knew about me he was an only child.  Funny now because I was an only child as well and I had always wanted a brother."

I stopped for a minute and took a sip of my water and a bite of my food. I looked over at Thomas who had a look on his face that I couldn't quite place so I asked, "Whats wrong?"

He ran his hands over his face and through his hair and looked back up at me and smiled, "Nothing Anna, Its funny listening to you say that made me realize how much alike you and Max really are. He always said that he had me for a brother however he always wished he had a sister. I was always worried about how Max and my relationship would change once he found you but it stayed exactly the same and him having you in his life makes me feel like his family is complete...Well until they start popping out a few nieces and nephews for us to spoil."

This time it was my turn to make a face and I tried to clear it fast but Thomas saw it.

"What is it, Anna? That was not a happy face."

"No, it wasn't you'll understand in just a bit though. Should I continue?"

Thomas nodded and I continued,"Sean gave me Max's contact information and I have Sean mine as well as my most recent tour schedule so he would know where I was going to be especially since you all live in Tampa and am living in New Jersey.  After Sean left I swear I held the paper with both Max's and May's info in my hand contemplating what this would mean to my life for such a long time.  I was so happy about having a brother and a soon to be sister in law but what would Max's side of the family really think of me. I mean here I am a pregnant recently divorced woman who wrote fictional books for a living. I was a mess! It took me a few days to gather the courage to call Max. I was literally sitting at my desk eating a pizza and chastising myself for not calling him. He picked up after the second ring and said 'It's about time I was thinking you wanted nothing to do with me!' I realized he was waiting for me to initiate the conversation to start our sibling relationship. I remember him telling people it's my sister on the phone so many times. That first night we must have talked for 3 hours straight. I ended up charging my phone during the call to keep it going I was so excited to finally have a brother. The next night I video chatted with him and May from their house he however never told me it was his birthday and I was keeping him from his own party. I remember seeing Sean in the background and you were there as well. I remember May kept trying to drag you over to the computer to introduce me to you and you kept getting dragged away by someone off-screen. That night I was able to meet quite a bit of dads family for the first time and I was so stupid to feel like no one would like me because they were all as excited as Max was and kept begging me to come to Tampa. Max finally had to stand up and tell everyone that his sister the writer would be in Tampa in two weeks on her book tour and we had already discussed me visiting a bit longer after I was done working. Which was met with cheers from some and a boo from his mom and a few of her side of the family? That woman hates me like no tomorrow all because the man she was married to had a child why they were seperated.

Those next two weeks were very busy for me as I had to prepare for the book tour and we had our first hearing for the divorce. Alex had picked me up that morning for court and seeing Daniel that morning made my heart race because there he was sitting on his side of the room with his boyfriend right behind him. I put my handbag in front of my stomach as we walked past and I sat down. My baby bump was visible now and I felt like I needed to protect the baby from everything that was happening.  I was so scared that by the time the judge called the room to order I was shaking. The judge was a very sympathetic older woman who listened to Alex and then when Daniels attorney started talking I was floored. Daniel had accused me of infidelity and said the baby wasn't his and that he supported me financially and that he wanted the house to be sold and he should get half the profits. I was so thankful Alex was so thorough because he had me bring the information on the house and the proof from the tax collectors and homeowners insurance showing the money came from my personal accounts as well receipts showing I equally paid all the household bills and all of our credit cards were indeed separate.  After three hours of back and forth, the judge asked me if there was anything I wanted to say. I stood up and said 'Your honor after eight years of marriage finding out the same day as I found out I am pregnant that my husband is cheating on me all I want is for the divorce to go through. I want no spousal support I want NO child support, although the child is his. I just want him out of my life. The home is in my name and I have always paid all its taxes and insurance. My jeep is in my name and paid for by me. All our utilities are in my name he was very stringent on his money and what was mine was his and what was his was his. I just want this over with that is all. All I ask is that the next court hearing not take place till after I return from Florida in a months time as I have the next leg in my book tour then I am going to get to know my brother and extended family I never knew about.'  Oh, the fact that Daniel had no clue about Max sent him into a fit and Alex smiled at the judge and politely explained what was going on and she was more than willing to allow the proceeding to wait for another week. The judge decreed that all we needed to do was to both see a counselor before the next hearing to make sure we are okay with what was going on and Alex got the name of three counselors in Tampa who would see me. By the time court was over Alex and I met up with his wife Tina and their daughter and had lunch at out favorite wharf diner and then they dropped me off at my house.

That night I video chatted just May as you and Max had gone out for a boys night out. I had told her that I was going to stay at a hotel while I was in Tampa and she went off about how now sister of hers was sleeping in a hotel room especially since she went and decorated the guest room for me to stay there and even bought all the snacks an expectant mommy needed. I quickly conceded and told her I would love to stay with them in the guest room and said all I would need to do is rent a car to get around to which she agreed to. May is a force of nature and I will never ever fight her on anything because I do not want to be on the receiving end of her storm. Two days later I was flying into Tampa meeting Max for the first time. I was so nervous when I stepped off the plane and although I was in business class I actually stood in the hall before while I gathered myself to meet him and May.  When I crossed over on the tram and came out into the public area he was the first person I saw. When we walked up to each other I was so nervous I stuck out my hand and he used that to pull me into a huge bear hug. It took him a moment to realize that there was a small bump between us and he jumped back and said, 'Omg I didn't hurt the baby did I?'  I laughed so hard while shaking my head no. After that May ran up and gathered us in one of her special hugs and started gushing about how happy she was that I was there and went on about how they were taking me to lunch and then to go get my rental car."

Thomas started chuckling and added, "I always wondered what he had said when he jumped back from you that day.  I remember them taking you to lunch they had invited Shelly and me to come meet you in person but she had made plans for us mysteriously that she had forgotten about until that morning. Max's whole personality brightened when he finally met you face to face."

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"So," I asked, "What happened next with you?"

"After Max found you things were calm and not too much happened and I actually had thought things were getting better for Shelly and I. Well as you said during his birthday party May was constantly trying to get me over to the computer to introduce me to you. She felt that besides her the two most important people in Max's life should meet even if it was face to face on the computer.  However everytime May would grab my arm Shelly would get my attention and start to say I was ignoring her or that I had to see something. So May just said that Shelly and I would meet you when you came into Tampa. That when she had planned the whole lunch and Shelly pretended to be all up for it until that morning you came in. She ended up coming up with an excuse that she had made our reservations a month ago and that she had forgotten until that day. I started to get suspicious but I really wanted it to work out with Shelly so I played naive that morning and made my excuses to Max and May.

Well, later that night Max had called and said that you were feeling exhausted and asked if I wanted to meet him at the Tavern as a guys night because May had decided to stay in with you and have some girl time. Shelly was working that night and when I came in and met Max she didn't seem to happy that we were there. I told her its guys night with a few beers and the game was on. That's when Max had made a big deal about how he got tickets to your book panel you were doing along with three other writers and said we had to join him and May. He told Shelly some of the most popular paranormal writers out there at the moment we're going to be there and that he would be so upset if she couldn't make it. Well as it was a public event she was all up for it and since some famous people were going to be there she was hoping to brush a few elbows.

So the morning of your first book panel we met up with Max and May as you were already at the event site. Shelly was happy to be in such a lavish hotel I thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head. Max handed me a beer the moment I stepped up and led us to these awesome seats in the front.  That's when I got my first glimpse of you in person. I know this is going to sound crazy but you looked adorable you were wearing this pale yellow sweater and a blue dress you looked like a mommy to be model you see in the ads in magazines. May whistled and got your attention and you looked over at us and wave while smiling this amazing bright smile. The lights started to dim and you took your place on stage with the other writers. Shelly looked at you poked me saying take a picture it will last longer. May leaned over and said to Shelly 'Isn't she awesome I so want to steal that dress from her it's not even maternity just has a loose center so she has room to move'. Shelly's smile started to get more forced but she didn't ask to leave or pretend to be sick. Max was so proud of you during the panel as news of the baby and pending divorce was out and people were very much wanting details. But I was impressed you were handling it like a champ and replied ever so nicely that a statement would be up on your blog later on that week and would like to answer questions about the book or charitable causes you were working on.  When the panel started doing giveaways the fun you were having had all of us laughing. you guys were tossing out prizes and giving out free books then the host of the event said that there was a bonus surprise from you and you could have heard a pin drop. That's when you stood up and the host brought out a box of books and you held one up. you had announced that in your hands was the sequel to your book 76 ghosts and you had 20 to give away signed during a special meet and greet later that afternoon and the special meet and greet were completely by chance for 40 people plus. The first 20 people to arrive with their ticket would get a signed copy of the new book and you told people to check under their seats. You would have thought you guys were giving away cash because people were going crazy and since there were no seats left that tickets were like winning the lottery. During that, Max leaned over and said we are already invited to the meet and greet we just don't get to participate in the book lottery. Then May giggled some and said besides we have copies at home already for Max and I and one for you as well Thomas. By the time the chaos had ended, you had forty very happy couples out of the four hundred people that were there. After you were done and the other authors did their meet and greet contests a security guard came up and said to follow him to the back so Max and May could join you. We all followed with a small group of people and were taken into a room with a bunch of high school students who had won a national contest with the publishing company you handle your book. I will admit I admired you that day and said so to Max and May how you made it a point to talk with the high school students and hear what they were saying. Then you took a box out and signed 30 books right there for these kids you met and handed them backpacks which I found out had laptops, cameras, and goodies to help them continue on in their projects. You guys were an amazing group."

I smiled and then stood up and stretched and watched the rain as I started speaking, "Those kids are super talented and I was glad to have participated with the Authors of the tour. I remember meeting you after talking to the kids as well. When I first met you-you seemed to be everything that my brother had said. Yours and Max's closeness was quite evident from just watching you with him.  That's why I never said anything about Shelly to him or you because I didn't want to borrow trouble."

"What about Shelly?" He asked concerned. "Oh god after seeing her true colors what did she do to you."

"That night at the private event do you remember how Max said we should all go together and you jumped at the chance but Shelly wanted to use your car?" I started as Thomas nodded his head. "Well Max and May just wanted us to go together and after some time of signing the books and eating and mingling, I excused myself to the bathroom. Well, Shelly followed me in there to have a word with me. She was pissed that you were being so nice to me and to realize that no one would want some knocked up bitch to be with. I looked at her and told her I had no clue about she was talking about and that it was important to my brother that I got to know you because we were always going to be connected in each other's lives because neither of us was going to leave my brother. That's when she replied we will see about that."

Thomas stood up and started pacing, "Anna I am so sorry especially since you were pregnant at the time I would have never guessed she would have done that. But that would explain why she took so long to come back that night.  I think that night started a downhill spiral though with her. You see even though we had met up with Max, May and you, while you visited in Florida Shelly, started getting very moody and started acting very rude. Do you remember the dinner that Max and May took us to at the high-end restaurant to ask us to be the best man and Matron of honor? Well, Shelly wasn't originally supposed to be there. When Max had told her that he was going to ask me to be the best man she insisted that she come with them to share in my excitement. Max had told her that he really only wanted you and me there so they could both ask us and to tell us they scheduled the wedding for after you had the baby so the baby could be there as well.  Shelly would have none of it though and she begged May to let her come. I remember when we got to the restaurant and Max, May and You showed up Shelly was so upset because you and May looked fabulous in your outfits. Shelly had insisted on wearing this short clubbing dress that I had asked her to change from but she insisted that the dress was fit for that restaurant. But you and May both were dressed up in these amazing dresses I almost laughed because I could have sworn you guys went and bought almost matching dresses... Wait... Did you guys go out and buy almost matching dresses?"

I nodded laughing, "Yes we had girls only shopping day and she insisted we get dresses that almost matched.  She said we could wear them again when we did wedding stuff together. I will be honest as much as we discussed the wedding I never had thought she would ask me to be her Matron of Honor. But after these last few months I couldn't live without her she was there for me when I couldn't go to my brother about things. When I cried she would be there for me listening to my blabbering and when I saw her on and off before the wedding so I could help with wedding details or even the weekend we took up to where the wedding was being held for a girls weekend was like I was with my sister instead of my sister in law.

But your right that night that they took us to the Bourbon Palace was amazing. They put so much thought and consideration into asking us to be the matron of honor and best man even though they should have known that we would say yes anyway. They went all out. I will admit I felt bad for Shelly when we were there because the night was about you and me and Max and May had planned the whole dinner around that and you could tell that they added her seat at the last minute at the end of the table. I mean even the menu was all preset because it was our favorite foods and drinks and she didn't have a choice about what was going on. I thought it became even worse for her when they said the wedding was also going to be an out of town weekend event during the four day Labor Day weekend with things that both you and I were to be in attendance for with them alone and then there were things that were family only no dates allowed. When Max said that you could see the scowl crease her forehead. Then when she heard it was at the Georgia Falls Resort you could see her go green with envy. May said that this is the place that Max proposed to her at and it's also the site of their first vacation they took together a year earlier than that. "

Thomas looked at me and nodded, "Trust me I heard all about it later that night when we got home. She was so upset that May had asked you to be her Matron of Honor when she and May had gotten to be friends since they met. Or how I would have to spend time with you where she couldn't be there to supervise us. That was the night of our first of many fights and arguments. I explained to her that she had nothing to worry about between me and you and that for god's sake you were going to be carrying an infant around and please forgive me that your little one would be just a few weeks old and you wouldn't even have been able to do anything like that even if we pursued each other. She started calling me cheap and yelled at me saying that I never took her anywhere. I explained to her my job required me on the job a lot and that I couldn't just take off and go places. Plus I had been trying at the time to finish paying off my car which I did literally 2 weeks later which was very good that and what she didn't know was I was padding my savings account so I could afford to take a week off and take her on a cruise and that would mean we would need passports plus I know cruising is not cheap because I have been on some before I met her.

I remember the week you went to leave Max was so sad he met me at my office I worked at with food and had told me he was worried about what would happen to you when you went home. He had said since him and May worked the whole time you were here that they are going up to visit you shortly after you went back home. Max's job is pretty great but he worked hard during high school and college and when the game programming company hired him straight out of college he lucked out because as long as he has his computer and internet he can take the time off. May is the same thing being an editor she can work anywhere as well so they can take a vacation and work where they want. The same goes for you I mean Max told me you were working on your next book at the house while he and May were at work. I wish I had had that type of job flexibility at the time? Well, its funny because now I have that type of flexibility don't I.

Sorry I didn't realize you wouldn't know. The day you left I was called into my bosses office and he handed me an envelope and told me they were letting me go.  I had been with the company for five years and they were letting me go. They gave me a nice severance and told me that I could pack my office up and leave.  When I asked why I was being let go they said that since it was Florida they didn't have to give me a reason except the fact that they were terminating my position. I got home after I dropped the check in the bank and stopped at the florist to get Shelly flowers because she was going to have to help with bills until I got a new job that day and there was a strange car in my driveway I figured it was a friend of Shelly's car so I just let myself in the house. I walked in and heard noises from the bedroom and when I walked in there was Shelly in bed with the VP of accounting from the company I was just fired from. She looked at me and then screamed GET OUT. I was so pissed I looked at her and said she has 20 minutes to get dressed and I would be back. I got in my car and drove to the park up the road and called Max. He and May found me fifteen minutes later and followed me back to the house.  When I got there she was packing her clothes in her suitcase and told me she would be back for her stuff later that day. I told her that the only stuff that was hers was her clothes and her computer and to take it now everything else was here before she moved in. I also told her to give me my key back. When she went into her purse my credit cards I kept in my safe as well as cash I kept in there fell out. May grabbed the bag and ran into the bathroom. I went to the safe and it was empty. All my jewelry cash and cards were gone. I looked at her and she shrugged and said I am calling the cops if she doesn't give me my purse. May came out two minutes later with the trash can full of my cards, jewelry, and cash and handed me the can and then handed her her purse and said if I find out you charged anything to those cards I have friends who work in the police force as Thomas never added you on them. If his checking or savings accounts lose money I will call the police is that clear GET OUT NOW.

She left and I took the cards and started going through them and realized that there were a few missing. I grabbed the file I had with all my accounts and sat down. Max and May sat with me and called the numbers on the back of the cards and after a while, we discovered she had stolen from my accounts and cards. Then if it couldn't have gotten any worse she had stolen cash and jewelry as well. I called the police and they started a case against her and went to find her because the jewelry log was just signed off on by a friend who does insurance not even two days earlier. When all was done after Max, May and I called all the accounts I had for insurance and investments credit cards lines of credit etc she had stolen close to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.  When asked how did she hide it from me she laughed and said that the bar job was just a cover and she had her own house in St Pete. We discovered she had done this before but this is the first time she had been caught. The police searched her home with the pictures of the missing jewelry so I got that back as well as the cash I was missing to which she admitted was mine. May and Max have been great on helping me I had sixty-three accounts between all the types of accounts and she hit each and every one. The only thing she didn't touch was my checking and savings account because those accounts send me a text message every time there is a transaction.  I have only been able to clear about three or four accounts. She has a choice she can pay restitution on what she had stolen or go to jail right now she is looking at 15 years in prison

So, after all, this happened and losing my job when my lease was up Max and May had me come stay with them to get back on my feet and May also gave me a job lead and I am now working for an accounting company that lets me telecommute after I finished my training and I am loving it. Wow, I also just talked your ear off."

I smiled and started where he left off, "You know they didn't want to leave you here alone when they were coming up to my house to see me. May and Max were so worried about you and how you were handling things after everything that Shelly had done to you. But I am glad they were there with you instead of with me because I was afraid what Max would have done when I went to court for our final divorce proceeding.

The day I got back home Alex and his wife came over and Alex had a pile of papers he needed to go over with me. Daniel was not happy that he didn't get what he wanted at the final divorce proceedings and Alex had to go into overdrive with motions because he kept coming at me with everything he had. I kept it all from Max and May while I was down there but he started some pretty crazy stuff. He changed the whole the baby isn't his to him and his partner wanted to have the baby since I traveled on and off for a living. When the judge said no and we could share custody he then went back to he wanted my home and he even pulled all his receipts from the vacations we took including the honeymoon saying since the last eight years of his life were a sham and he wanted retribution on all the trips we took together.  The judge said no and he has had Alex running in circles fighting every motion there was. Thank god I pay that poor man by the year because he has earned every penny then some. Normally I am the quiet client who only comes for the legal stuff when my books get published.  The next day was the court hearing for the divorce and Alex made it clear that he would be there first thing in the morning to come to get me.  When he got to my house the next morning his wife Tina was with him for my moral support he said. He was afraid to leave me alone with me being almost five months along and Daniel on the warpath.

The judge was a kind as ever and when she read over the new set of papers that Daniels lawyer handed her she had a sense of humor. Daniel had decided that I owed him spousal support and alimony because he had to take so much time from his job to deal with all the ramifications of the proceeding trial and divorce. The judge looked at me and commented that I had a wonderful pregnancy glow about me and she hoped that I got to know my extended family and everything else turned out to be a wonderful vacation. I nodded yes and told her the book tour went well in Florida and that later that month we would be doing the second to last leg in New York finishing the tour in New Jersey so I could be close to home with the babies due date coming closer. She got to business and ended our marriage stating that I would not be paying anything to Daniel and that once the baby was born Daniel could have visitation with him or her with me weekly because the baby needed to be with his or her mama since I was going to nurse than when the baby turned a year Daniel could have every other weekend and we would set up with the court a holiday schedule. Daniel was so pissed and said well don't expect me to pay for that brat at all because I never wanted it. The judge then said after the baby was born he could sign away all parental rights. The look on his face toward me was nothing but pure hatred.

********************************************************

The judge slammed her gavel and it was finally over. Alex and Tina took me out the side entrance of the courthouse where Alex has his car waiting and we headed to the restaurant we all liked to celebrate. We had been on the road maybe ten minutes when Alex said oh no. Tina had been sitting in the back with me talking so we wouldn't bother Alex's driving. Tina looked up and asked what was wrong and he said for both of us to make sure we were seatbelted in tight. He told Tina he loved her and told us both to hang on. What he didn't tell us until after was that after we had gotten on the highway his SUV started to lose breaks and his engine was acting weird. He used his hands-free in the car as he was starting to hit grassy area trying to slow the car down to call 911 and let a dispatcher know what was going on. He started pulling to the drivers' side and started running the SUV against the cement barrier. Tina and I were bracing ourselves but we knew how bad it was and I just hoped that we would make it out alive. I put my hand on my belly and hoped that we would make it out of this alive. Police cars found us riding the wall and then the worst thing happened and the engine revved and Alex started cursing. We hit a ditch and he tried keeping the car upright but we lurched to the left and the car slid fifty yards and came to a stop in three feet of mud and water.  It was a miracle that Tina and Alex walked away with bruises and cuts, As for me I was knocked unconscious.\

When I woke up May was sitting there next to me and my belly was gone. I had a fractured wrist and they had to do an emergency c-section to get my baby out because I had started to hemorrhage. May handed me the frame she had put around the prints as well as a tiny picture the nurse had taken of the baby wrapped up in a blanket with a premie hat on. Max had been at the funeral home arranging everything so I wouldn't have too. The baby had died in the crash and the nurse who had been in the delivery room had taken her footprints and handprints for me since they were not sure how long I would be unconscious. The Nurse had talked to Max and May when they got there and they put Lilly Grace on the birth certificate.  That was the girl's name I had chosen when we had gone shopping one day. During the delivery, they discovered I had more damage than they originally thought. The doctor says that it would take a miracle for me to ever become pregnant again but he wasn't going to be the one to take away my chances.

Later that afternoon when Max came back he explained I had been unconscious for a week and they had to move Lilly to the funeral home. He knew it was my wishes to be cremated if anything had ever happened to me so he arranged everything since the doctor said it would be a while before I was getting out of the hospital."

Thomas looked up to look at me as he took my hand and led me to a chair before he started, "I remember the day of the accident pretty well. Max and May had tried talking me most of the morning into coming with them to come to see you since they were going to be there later that week anyway. I kept saying that I didn't want to intrude on you especially with what a big week it was and how May had had plans to help you finish the nursery.  She was also making plans to meet your friends so she could arrange a surprise baby shower.  We were all working from home that day and when Max's phone wrang he brightened up because he was waiting for you to call him and let him know how the court hearing had gone. We heard his end of the conversation which started to worry us and then he said do whatever you need to to keep her alive we will be on the next flight out.  He grabbed May and said pack now and then to me he threw his wallet and said find us the next set of seats out of Tampa to Anna. May followed him upstairs trying to get him to talk as and I got online finding last-minute seats to Newark from Tampa. I packed up both of their laptops and by the time they were downstairs I handed Max his wallet and asked what was going on because he still hadn't said anything. He slowed down just enough to say that you were in a bad accident and were heading into emergency surgery. I grabbed my car keys and their tickets and got them to Tampa with just enough time for them to get through security and make their flight.

Later that night he called me from the hospital telling me that your friend Alex had given him the keys the house a little bit after you came out of surgery and gave Max and May your belongings and a frame for the picture of Lilly. The nurse had taken a picture and foot and hand prints before they sent Lilly down to the morgue.  He said I needed to call his dads side of the family and let them know what was going on. They were still unsure if you were going to make it and if you did make it what was going to happen when you woke up.  When the car flipped to its side you hit the side of the car pretty hard. You were pretty messed up and had suffered a fractured wrist and a few cracked ribs. With the first exam, they thought that you and Lilly were okay and they set you up in ICU just so you could be monitored.  After about an hour your blood pressure and heart rate plummeted and they rushed you into emergency surgery. Alex was going to call Max anyway but they wanted to talk to the doctor to give him a real report.  You hemorrhaged and the doctor did everything he could to save both you and Lilly.  The doctor said later on that Lilly survived for ten minutes but without an autopsy to tell he thinks she had internal damage as well. The doctor had to do a lot to fix the damage you had in you and you were just coming out of surgery when Max and May got there.

Max asked how the accident happened and Alex said the police were investigating it.  It wasn't until three days later that after the car was towed back to the police compound that they discovered that the break line was messed with as well as the engine. The courthouse video feed shows a man messing with the car shortly after you went into the courthouse. At first, they didn't notice it but a new detective caught a brief view of the person and was able to zoom in and see what had happened. They were still investigating who was behind it.  He told me that he was taking May to the house so she could get some sleep and he could wash up and he was going to come back to the hospital to be with you. Max had taken your car back after checking to make sure nothing was wrong with it and May had called me and she was a wreck. She was worried about Max and Max was frantic about you. The Doctors had to put you in an induced coma so your body could heal a bit but they were going to stop the drugs in 48 hours and let you wake naturally.  I called everyone on Max's dad side of the family and I swear you never have to worry about not having a family because they love you so much. May had asked if I could come up to be there for them but the courts down here were moving forward in their case against Shelly and there would be a preliminary trial later on in the week. However, I told her if they needed me I would be on the next flight out. SHe told me to have a bag ready and if I could make sure I had Max's black suit and her black funeral dress ready in case. I realized right then how serious things were and told her I was on my way and she said no just be ready in case. She asked me to call all our jobs and let them know that they would try to work remotely this week and their jobs were more than accepting of what was going on. My job was great and said if I needed to go to them let the company know and they would lessen my workload as well.

Later on that week Max called to tell me your ex-husband Daniel was arrested for arranging the damage on Alex's car. When he was arrested he was trying to get on an international flight out of Orlando with his boyfriend. Apparently, he thought that if something was to happen to you and the baby then he would get everything from your estate. He hired a man to mess with Alex's car and if that had not worked he was going to hire a hitman. His boyfriend didn't know anything about it and was in shocked that Daniel would even do such a thing. What convinced the police of his innocence was that he had said he told Daniel they could help you raise the baby and that when he found out that Lilly had died he had a breakdown and actually jumped the desk to go after Daniel. Even though it wasn't biologically his he was willing and able to be a male role model in the babies life."

I breathed in a deep breath and continued from there, "Max went to his arraignment shortly after I woke up with May. The prosecutor in charge of the case was a friend of Alex's from law school and he was doing everything in his power to make sure that Daniel got what he deserved. They were going after three charges of attempted murder and one charge of murder for Lilly since she did survive for a few minutes outside of me. They called Daniels very ex-boyfriend Scott up to the stand and questioned him about his knowledge and why he thought they were going out of the country and Scott had said that Daniel had told him that they were celebrating his divorce with a trip to London. When they were going through security and were asked to step aside is the first time he saw Daniel start to get anxious. Daniel actually thought he had gotten away with everything. Then when the police came and took them to a private security area and that they videotaped the whole questioning session. As they questioned Daniel and Scott it started to dawn on Scott what was going on. He told the judge that after the court hearing he had told Daniel that they should wave the white flag so he wouldn't lose getting to know the baby. When he found out what happened to me and that Lilly had died in the process he jumped for Daniel. It took four police officers to pull him off of Daniel as he screamed and yelled how could you, we could have had a family.

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After the dust settled Scott sent me a letter in the mail and had said that if he would have known in the beginning that Daniel was married he would never have dated him. He also begged my forgiveness because if he had any inclination of what was happening after the court hearing he would have went right to the police. He had said if there was anything he could ever do for me that I shouldn't hesitate to ask. He was and is honestly sorry for what his relationship with Daniel did to my life. Want to hear the weird thing after I healed in the hospital and was able to go out by myself I ran into Scott while going to order food and he asked to buy me lunch."

"Seriously you had lunch with him?" Thomas interrupted.

I waved my hand in the air to hush him as I continued, "Yes I did have lunch with Scott and we sat and ate our food for a good two hours as we talked. Scott is a very nice man and he honestly did not know about me until I kicked Daniel out. When I threw him out that first night he went to Scott's place and they had talked and Daniel had lied about how I was a freeloader and I never did anything but hide in my office and push out book after book of drivel.

Scott had fallen for him and the next day he did a search on me and realized I was not the person that Daniel had said but he was in love with him so he stayed with him.  When the first court appearance happened and Scott saw that I was indeed pregnant and showed he had made up his mind to convince Daniel that they could be a family with me and we could all raise Lilly as a parenting unit. At first, Daniel had been angry about the idea but then had said he would talk to his lawyer about it. When it was never mentioned in court Scott realized that Daniel had played him. Once the accident happened and they were taken into custody Scott realized what had happened. When he snapped all he saw was red and wanted to punish Daniel. There is actually a youtube video of Scott packing a suitcase of Daniels basics and then the rest of his belongings going into a bonfire while partying with friends. He sent me the video and time stamped where he made sure I would see Daniels most prized Armani Suit and Accessories going up in flames."

Thomas had looked out across the woods my cabin sat in for a moment and sighed, "Anna I wish I would have come out there for you-you needed someone that could be anything you needed instead of your brother and May babying you. Don't get me wrong I know your brother is a strong person and May is going to be a great mom someday but you needed to have someone there to not baby you but to hold your hand and listen without smothering."

"Thomas," I started, "Don't you think that you are taking the whole I am your brothers best friend a bit too seriously?"

"You would think so wouldn't you Anna. What if I told you that my ex-was a tad bit right and that I am a bit fascinated with you?  I mean I followed you into the woods as soon as we were able to leave the ceremony and here we are listening to each other's life stories. Its been 9 months since Daniel went to prison and you lost Lilly and I have stood back and waited but to be honest with you I would really like to date my best friends sister!" Thomas continued, "The thing is I know your brother and May are okay with all of this because I discussed this with them but I need to know if your okay with knowing that I am falling for you regardless of the craziness that we have been through I am happy you came into my life and I don't ever want you to leave it."

I was so shocked that I just plopped down on the settee that was next to me and Thomas came over and knelt down in front of me. I didn't realize until his fingers brushed away the first of my tears that I was crying. That's when he pulled me into a hug and chuckled into my hair, "I must be really bad at discussing my feelings because I never intended to make you cry."

I looked up into his eye and I could tell he was being honest about everything he had said so I threw caution to the wind and leaned in and kissed him,  The kiss was hesitant at first for both of us then it gained momentum as I wrapped my armed around his neck and he pulled me closer to him. The kiss was like a healing wave that both of us needed and would have lasted a lot longer if it wasn't for Mays voice piping up behind Thomas, "Well it's about fucking time."

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I tried not laughing as Thomas said through a strained voice, "What can we do for you May?"

"Well dear you both were supposed me meet us twenty minutes ago to start getting ready for the formal reception and since neither of you showed up at the suite on time I figured I would come to find you since Max is a tad bit worn out. Be thankful it was me instead of him. He would have scared the bejesus right out of you now come along you to its time to go get ready for the fun time at the reception." May stood there taping her shoe as I tossed my day bag into my cabin and locked the door behind me. The server who was there bringing us water earlier was not collecting our plates and Thomas stood there a little unsure of what to do. I was up next to him and slid my hand into his and gave it a squeeze. He smiled and squeezed my hand back as May dragged us back to her and Max's suite to get ready in the formal attire they had picked out for us for the reception.

My sister-in-law is amazing but she is also extremely blunt!  As we got back to her and Max's suite she walked in and said so Max could hear her, "Its okay I found them they were on the porch at Annas cabin snogging."

I love May she is perfect for Max, "Wow Max you sure you want this one forever. She sure has a mouth on her."

Max swung May around and said, " I love this woman's smart mouth."

Thomas chuckled, "It's funny when they first met, she wanted to wring his neck.  Now after a few years, he grew on her."

May smiled and cuddled into max and said, "Well you know Max was very persistent for a very long time. I could not say no.'

I laughed, "So are you saying that my brother wore you down."

Max laughed, "Well you know good things are worth chasing after."

There was a knock at the door. May went to answer the door and when she came back she had Max's mom and half-sister in tow.  She looked at Thomas and I and said, "I thought that this was going to be a family gathering?"

May looked at Max's mom and said, "Donna now I told you that this shit wont fly. If you want to be a bitch you can leave and not come back. Anna is Max's sister and Thomas is his best friend."

"Max sweetheart you might want to get your wife to obey." His mom said.

Max came over and put his arms around Mays waist and said, "She isnt a dog and did not use the word Obey in her wedding vows. If you dont like who is here mom leave and if you say one aweful thing to anyone I will have you removed."

She turned on me and said, "All of this has always been your fault if Max's father would have just obeyed me then you would have never existed and you would never had ruined everyones life."

She raised her hand to hit me when Max stepped forward and said, "Thats enough mother. None of this is Annas fault and you and dad were seperated well before Anna was conceived. You are not a innocent angel in any of this. SO before you start casting stones you might want to look in the mirror. I let you stay for the fun reception do not make me regret it."

She looked at him and then to me and said, "You know what have the life you deserve I am done with this crap Max. You have a whore of a sister and a wife who will leave you. I wash my hand of you and this mess."

She turned and grabbed Maxs half sisters arm and said, "Lets go find your father and get out of this dump. Who would have thought someone would have a trash wedding like this anyway."

I stepped in her way and said, "Listen you are going to give up on everything due to the fact Max's and my dad couldn't stand you. I have a letter from my dad with the real reason he was with my mom. Do not cause trouble for Max or he will find out everything. Are we clear about this?"

She stopped cold in her tracks and said, "No..."

"I think you should apologize to everyone for being a bitch and go back to your cabin till later and think about your actions." I said stepping out of the way.

She turned to max and may and said, "I am sorry Max, May I will go back to my cabin now."

Max came up next to me and said, "You read the letter from Dad to huh."

Looking up I said, "I needed to know. My mom and your dad needed each other when they met. He never thought I would be a result. But also do not read t he letter unless you want to know the truth about everything your mom did because she is lucky I don't drag her down to the cliffs and push her off. I understood his reasoning even if I didn't agree with him not being in my life."

May asked, "Anna how bad is it?"

"What she did not only to our dad, my mom and other people is down right horrible and bordering on illegal in some cases."

Max gave me a hug and said, "Mom can get over it you are my sister and I am your brother."

May stood up and said, "Well now that that is finished why don't we get down to the matter at hand. I expect you both back in your party clothes in 20 min and no hanky panky. I want a few minutes alone with my husband."

Thomas and I headed towards our cabins and went to get changed. Thomas met me in front of the cabin and whistled, "Wow Anna you look amazing."

I straightened his tie and said, "Well you don't look so bad yourself."

We walked back to meet Max and May and when we did we saw police at their cabin. Moving a little faster we saw May and she said, "Let them through they are with us."

Thomas asked, "What happened?"

"Max's mom called the police on us and said we threatened her, "She said.

I looked at her and looked at Max who was talking with an officer, "Max do you want me to discuss this with them?" 

Max said, "She crossed the line Anna. I wish you had your letter."

"Well big brother I do have it. Officer may we have a word before this escalates any further?" I asked.

The officer looked at me and said, "Shit your the writer Anna Worthington?"

Smiling I said, "Shhh secret identity this weekend of the grooms sister."

The officer his partner and I walked over to a set of chairs and I explained everything that had happened. I then took out the letter my dad wrote me and the officer read it. He kept muttering holy shit you got to be kidding me and then laid out the letter and took pictures of the letter from start to finish. By then Max joined me and the officer said, "Son I am so sorry that you went through this on your wedding day. You do realize that your mom is in a bit of trouble."

"I understand sir." He said as the officer grabbed his deputies and left to go see Maxs mom. Max stopped me and pointed to the chair. He held out his hand and said, "Its time."

I handed him the letter and he read it from start to finish. After he finished reading he said, "She is no longer in my life after today. All the things in that letter make so much more sense to me than you probably. It clears up a lot of what happened in my dads life as well." 

We heard screams and yells as we saw Max's mom being led out of her cabin in handcuff. May's parents came running over from their cabin in various states of getting ready and May's mom Helen said, "Well shit I missed the fireworks."

Everyone started laughing as May gave a cliff notes version reading the letter. Helen looked at Thomas and I and pulled us into a hug saying, "That Bitch. Well I am your Mama now as well you two. Your part of our family. Now lets finish getting ready we are partying tonight to celebrate my son daughter and everyone here."

No one wanted to argue with Helen For a short petite woman she is fierce and scary. We finished getting ready and headed to the main cabin where it had been transformed into a 1940's night club. We spent the night eating off the buffet and sipping drinks Max and May chose and having a great time. The owner of the resort joined us and allowed the guests to stay and minge after the party and switching to a cash bar. The last of the guests left the party in the early hours of the morning.

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The following morning I woke up to knocking at my door and it was Helen. I opened the door and invited her in and she sat down and asked, "Are you okay?"

Sitting down next to her I said, "To be honest I feel horrible about how she acting on Max and Mays wedding day. I wish I could have prevented all that for them."

Chuckling she said, "Sweetie when Max found you he was over the moon. No one blames you for anything his mom is a botch plain and simple. I did want to ask what letter did May talk about?"

I got up and got it out of my bag. Handing it to her I said, "Please do not say anything to Max but I think he will need a lot of support in the upcoming months."

She nodded and read the letter. She gave the same reaction that the police officer did the night before as she said, "You have got to be kidding me. She hid all of this all these years and thought her behavior was appropriate? Don't worry sweet girl me and papa are here for both of you and you will always have a family with us."

She pulled me into a hug and said, "You know what I am starving how about me and you beat everyone to breakfast. Its a mix between american and korean dishes."

Laughing I said, "Food!"

We headed to the buffet in our pajamas and by the time everyone else started trickling in we were on our third trip to the buffet. May took one look at Helen and I eating and said, "Well I guess you both are the only early risers in the whole group."

I looked up and said, "Buffet food is the best and when your mom asked me to join her who was I to say no."

Helen looked up and said, "My sweet daughter I left you to your husband and decided that I would kidnap my new daughter and have her join me instead. She is way to skinny and needs to eat. But with as much as she has ate so far I am shocked she is so skinny."

She took my hand and patted it as we ate. May looked at me with a wide grin and said, "Anna so you are aware my mom will never let you go. Anytime your in town or have an event for a book tour she will be there for you. She will be right upfront and clapping the loudest. Welcome to our family."

I gave a wide grin and kept eating as Helen said, "I know I will never replace your mom but I will still be there where it counts. Besides who better to have as a mom then me I have a lot of free time."

Thomas walked in looking like he had five minutes of sleep that night. He walked over placed his jacket next to me. Dropped a kiss on my head and headed to the buffet. I laughed and poured him a coffee as he came back.

He took the coffee and said, "Thank you."

"Your welcome," I said as I continued to eat.

Mama looked at me and asked, "Anna now that your divorce is complete and that monster is going to jail. Why don't you move down to Florida and be near family?"

I smiled and said, "Well that's something to think about."

May looked at me and then to her mom. She said, "She is hiding something."

Thomas's head turned to the food and said, "Look at that new rice and ran."

Mama looked at me and said, "Spill it."

"I was going to surprise you all later this week," I said. "Thomas has been helping me and I came in 2 days early and bought a house in the Withlacoochee forest. Its a beautiful three bedroom cabin , with a wrap around porch and on six acres. Plus there is a fishing dock as its at the end of the river and on a lake."

Mama took my hand and said, "We need to see it."

Squeezing her hand I said, "After we leave here today I was going to go to the property. Everyone can join me. Max and May will you have time getting ready to leave for your honeymoon cruise?"

May sat down and said, "Oh yeah we do not leave till tomorrow night."

Thomas helped me load my bags in his car and we headed to my new home. When we pulled up to the property I laughed and said, "I cannot believe I own this place. Can you feel the peace and calmness here?"

Thomas took my hand and said, "It is a remarkable place. Personally I cannot wait for you to be moved in here. It will make it a lot easier to come see you. Do not worry as you pack and ship everything from the other place I will be here to make sure its taken inside just make sure you label which room you want it in."

We got out and May, Max and Helen got out of their cars. Helen looked around and said, "Anna this is beautiful."

May came up and hugged me saying, "Oh yeah. I see a lot of family parties here."

When we went into the cabin Helen was stunned with how beautiful it was inside. She looked at it and asked, "Anna what are you going to do for furniture?"

"I have that covered," I said. "I have a friend that will be driving to Florida a few times due to work in the next few weeks. Him and his co worker offered to drop off a van full each time they come down. What is left will be packed into my SUV or a moving company."

"Who is going to meet your friends," She asked.

Thomas looked up and said, "I offered to meet Ben and his friend each time they come down. That way we can get everything into the rooms they need to be in."

Helen nodded and said, "So Anna how about a tour?"

"Well we are in the gourmet kitchen attached to the dining nook," I said. "This is the sunken living room with this stone fire place. To the left is the master suite, his and her closets, and a master bath with shower, tub and double sinks. Going to other way holds two bedrooms with a jack and jill bathroom. The room to the front facing the lake is my office and it also has sliding glass doors to the deck. Come on out the doors this is an amazing deck. It faces the river and the lake. If you follow it around to the side of the house I have a a private section on the balcony with a hot tub that is sunk into the porch. It also has privacy trellis with ivy grown on it. The previous owner also added built in lounge chairs and a table between the two."

Helen was in awe and said, "I will come spend the night when you are settled and cook for you if you will let me use my paddle board on the lake and river."

I laughed and said, "I will make sure you all get the gate code before you leave. You can visit here when ever you want. So lets go down this path."

Everyone followed me and I continued, "Half way down this path is a pavilion with a grill and built in patio tables. When I move in I will be thinning out the grass and bushes to see what is hidden out there. But at the end of the walkway is this dock. I also have a gated boat dock to keep the property private."

Max said, "Well little sister I know if your okay with it I would love to leave my fishing boat here if thats okay this water has prime fishing and I know May would love to have my boat out of the driveway."

"You sure can," I said. "I should be moved in fully in the next three months. Once I get home my days will be writing, purging and packing." 

Helen said, "You have been planning this for a while?"

"Yes," I said. "I have nothing back in New Jersey left for me. I am ready to settle down and make a home."

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