A/N- Thank you for your reviews you guys : ) I really hope you know how much I appreciate you! Ok, so after this chapter I have one other brief one. Then, comes the finale. It features Sonny and Chad, of course. The bad news is, I'm gonna make you wait till Wednesday, probably, to see it. I'll give you this chapter tonight, then the other one tomorrow. And on Wednesday the FINALE. Warning- it's going to be major, in my thinking. It's the perfect ending! I've been planning it for a week now, so plenty of hard work has went into it! Anyways, please enjoy this chapter!!!!

SPOV

Beautiful sunlight streamed through the wispy yellow curtains. I opened my eyes. I felt warm and snug. Better than I've felt in awhile.

However, the bed I was lying in seemed harder than the light, heavenly matress I was used to. It felt like rock compared to that. Then suddenly, I remembered where I was.

I sat bolt upright in bed. The small, yet supple, attic room was delightfull warm in the early morning chill. It felt nice. And relaxing. But despite that feeling, my heart was racing.

I would hopefully be going home today. I wondered if anyone was searching for me. I mean, does anyone care that I'm gone? I was supposed to be back to work tomorrow.

As I was dressing to go downstairs, I reflected on the dream that I'd had. It had put me at peace once and for all. My dream had been centered on mom.

I remember her face. It had been beautifuuly lit. Her smile made me so happy. And sad. She had told me not to worry. That everything would be ok.

That I should live my life. I shouldn't be caught up in the tangled web of my past. Or the tragedy of my mom's death. It was like one of those weird vision things.

It was like a movie, except in real life. Needless to say, it was freaky. In a way. But it brought the precious gift of peace. I was able to smile.

I had missed smiling. But now, I could smile and not feel my heart break. I was ready to put everything into life. And, I admitted sheepishly to myself, put everything into my relationship with Chad.

If that's what he wanted. I wasn't even sure. I remembered the picture he had of me. I blushed a little. Then grinned. Ahh, it felt so wonderful.

I finished getting ready and headed downstairs. As I descended, the warm smell of baking bread wafted sweetly toward me. As I entered the small kitchen, Mrs. McGregor gave me a smile.

"Good morning! Sleep well?" She was just arranging the freshly baked muffins on a plate. "Yes," I answered truthfully, "Yes, I had a wonderful night."

She smiled comfortably. "That's nice. Go ahead and take a plate. Thomas will be in to eat with us in just a moment."

Ten minutes later, we were all seated around the table. The vast breakfast consisted of crispy bacon, fluffy farm eggs, delicious muffins, and hand-squeezed orange juice.

"That was really delicious!" I sighed, finally putting my fork down. "Let me help you clean-" before I could finish that thought she jumped in.

"Oh no, no, no. I do not allow my guests to clean up. No m'am. You just go call your folks and make yourself comfy." I realized I wasn't going to win.

So I relented and went into the quaint living room. I grabbed the phone and smiled. Soon, I would be going home. To my life. To my Chad.

I liked that thought. I dialed the number to the house. It rang several times, then it picked up the answering machine. Hmm, strange. I tried it twice more.

Nothing. I put the phone down and tried Chad's phone from my cell. It went straight to voicemail. Dead, obviously. I sighed. I tried not to worry, but I was a little fidgety all morning.

I kept trying the house and chad's phone. Finally, by time lunch was over, I was a total wreck. 'What if something happened. What if they are out looking for me and something happened to them? This is all my fault!"

I was panicking. Officially. "Calm down now, you'll get them." Ms. McGregor's words didn't do much to help soothe me. I decided to try the house once more.

It seemed to ring forever. Just as I was getting to go into full-fledge panic mode, I heard the phone give a soft click. "Hello?"

Relief flooded through me. I felt the joy flood me again. I realized voice on the other end of the phone sounded anxious and eager. "Hi, it's Sonny."

"EEEEEEEPPPPPP," squealed the voice on the other end of the phone. I held the phone away from my ear. It was Alisha, the young kitchen help.

"Where are you?" She asked. I could hear the murmur of a few voices surrounding her. I smiled, then relayed the info on the where-abouts of me.

"Ok, we'll be sending someone immeadiately." She said sounding excited. "Wait!" I said urgently into the phone. "Yes?" She asked. I hesitated for one heartbeat.

"Is Chad there?" I needed to talk to him. Desperately. To apologize. To see if he would even forgive me for running away.

I was disappointed when she said, "I'm sorry, he's still out looking for you. We can't contact him. His phone must've died."

I quickly shook the disappointment away. I said thanks and goodbye. I looked up at Mrs. McGregor and smiled. "They're on their way."

She returned the smile. "That's wonderful." I nodded. I looked down for a moment. "Thank you," I said simply. "Thank you for giving me a place to stay even though I am a stranger."

I saw tears in her eyes as she reached forward and hugged me. No doubt that I would never forget this kind, kind family.

A/N- Alright, here you are. I will be posting tomorrow. Then the GRANDE FINALE!!!! will be posted Wednesday. I can't wait! Hopefully you can't either. Please review! I'd really appreciate it! You have no idea how much I would!

----- Thanks!!!!-----