After The Fall

Chapter 10 – "Setting You Free"

A small trail of kisses goes from her jaw down her neck as Dale pulls her closer to him. Anna curls her fingers into his hair, her body tingling all over. When Dale's lips met hers she notices the taste of strawberries, the flavor bringing back memories.

Pulling away from him she jumps from the bed, going to sit on the edge. Dale crawls down to her, his arms going around her waist. "I want you Annie … I choose you."

Anna turns to face him, her hands resting on his shoulders. "I love you Dale Barbara and that's why I'm letting you go. I tasted Julia's strawberry lip gloss on you and I know you came from her bed and into mine. Go back to Julia … she's the one you really love."

Dale takes Anna in his arms, holding her extra tight. "I'm with the one I want; please don't turn me away again. I know you didn't want to leave me last time but now you have a choice Annie."

With a tearful moan Anna kisses him hard, her lips taking in the taste of him. "Think about it for a few days Barbie and after you talk to Julia if you still want me then I'm all yours. Please don't think you have to be with me because of the baby, he'll always be your son."

Stroking her face, Dale kisses her softly on the forehead. "That's why I love you Anna Shaw … beautiful inside and out."

Watching Dale leave her bed and possible her life she curls up in the bed and weeps until she falls asleep.

Before dawn Anna gathers her things and tucks Cole in his sling. She eases towards the door, doing her best to not wake Julia or Dale. As she reaches for the door knob she hears Julia's voice. "You gonna leave without saying goodbye?"

Anna turns to her sister, her inner voice screaming at her to stay. "You and Barbie don't need me around. I'll be at the McAlister's if you need me."

Julia takes her hand as they sit on the sofa. She takes Cole out of the sling, nuzzling him to her neck. They just sit there for a bit before Julia gives her that big sister glare. "I understand you not wanting to be here but Anna, you're my little sister and I've missed you so much. I want to get to know my nephew and just know you two are safe."

"You love him Julia and that's all I need to know. That's why I can't stay here. Like I said you can see us anytime you want … at the McAlister's." Anna takes Cole from her as she sprints towards the door.

Julia lets her go; her heart tore between her family and her new love. Dale comes down the stairs in nothing but his boxers, his blue eyes scanning around for the redheads that had consumed his life.

Walking back to the McAlister's, Anna comes upon a Chester's Mill police car. Linda waves for her to come to her while she holds the car door open for her. "Were you heading?"

Anna smiles back at her, walking over to the car. "Back to Joe and Angie's. It's Linda … right?"

"Come on … I'll give you a ride." Anna climbs in the car, Linda taking this time to get to the bottom of things with her and Dale.

Anna answers all of Linda's questions, tiptoeing around certain subjects like Maxine Seagrave.

Linda drops Anna off, the house looking very quiet. "If you need anything just ask."

"Thanks Linda … will do." Anna walks up to the house, Alice's grave now covered with dirt. She takes the baby in the house, Carolyn sitting in the dark.

Without a word Carolyn walks over to her, taking the baby. Anna goes back in the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. While she waits for the water to boil she leans against the counter and cries. She was so sick of crying, it seemed that's all she had done since the day she lost Dale. Now she was losing him again but this time it wasn't because she feared for his life but his heart.

Taking her tea out to the porch she curls up on the swing. "Carolyn, do you care to watch Cole for a minute?"

She walks out to the barn notices the door slightly ajar. Creeping inside her eyes take in a sight she wasn't prepared for. The mini dome rested in the hay, the sphere on the barn floor, dirt and all.

Touching it Anna can feel the energy, the power it holds. "How did you get here?" The black egg inside lights up with pink lines, the vibrant color mesmerizing her.

Going back to the house Anna wanted to go look for answers. She asks Carolyn to watch Cole as she heads out to the forest, making her way back to the last place she saw the mini dome.

From the left she can hear voices and they sound familiar. Ducking behind a tree she watches as Julia and Dale walk by, Julia walking with utter determination.

Anna follows them for a while before she speaks up. "Where you guys going?"

Dale turns around to her, his eyes smiling. "Morning Annie."

Julia looks at her little sister, not sure if she knows about everything. Anna winks at her big sister as she walks past the two of them. "I know Julia. I know about the mini dome, the kid's seizures, the connection they have to the dome. I know it all."

When they get to the empty hole that once housed the mini dome Julia gives Anna a shocked look. Dale gets a call on the walkie from Linda and heads out. Before he does he whisper to Anna for a moment alone later.

Julia and Anna walk back, the two sisters becoming chatty. "You didn't have to leave Anna. I know you and Barbie have history and a baby together and I never want to be a cause of pain for you but Anna … I do care for him."

"I know you do Julia and he cares for you too. I can see it in his eyes. He's clinging to the life we had and he needs to move on with you. Seeing the baby just clouded his thoughts and made seeing me again all the more difficult. I want him to be with you, you make him happy." Anna lets out a held breath as the truth spills from her lips. She did love Dale but she could see that Julia had picked up the pieces of his heart and made him whole again.

As they step out on the road Julia takes Anna's hand. "I'll let all of this go and be with Barbie if you can look me in the eyes and tell you don't still love him."

Anna starts biting on her bottom lip as she shuffles her feet. Her green eyes finally look back at her sister, her pulse racing. "I can't but that doesn't me he loves me. I want the Barbie I had a year ago and that man doesn't exist."

Julia hugs her sister tight, wishing that they both didn't love the same man. "Let's go get my nephew."

"Jules … I just need my sister. Can we just put this Barbie thing aside and just be sisters today." They walk hand in hand up to McAlister house, both of them all smiles.