A week later, Danielle stood in her now mostly empty closet, only half interested in what items she would pack up next. 'Okay, shoes or hats?'
The decision and arrangements had been hard for everyone involved but she gotten a lot done. After the discussion with Brooklyn had gone so terribly wrong, she'd left for night. Determined not to let him be the reason she cried anymore, she'd met Elisa and Fox for drinks. Around one that morning they'd returned to hear that Brooklyn and Goliath had fought between themselves as well.
It took a few days, and reassurance from herself, but Goliath finally accepted Brooklyn's request and contacted the Avalon clan. Arrangements were made for several of their younger members to visit the castle. Brooklyn, if he had it his way, he would have a mate long before she ever returned. Somehow, no matter how much it bothered her, Danielle told the others she had come to terms with their situation.
At any rate, in two days she'd be back in North Carolina. David and Fox were coming along to help her clean and prep the apartment she still owed six months lease on. Within a few days, she'd be comfortable enough to get back to work and on with her life again.
As she reached for a pair of boots, a soft knock drew her attention to the open doorway Hudson currently occupied. "Hate to intrude lass, if Ah am then this could wait?"
She smiled, the boots forgotten for the moment and wrapped him in a hug. "You know I'll always have time for you."
He returned her affection, taking a moment longer to hold her than necessary. He was going to miss her terribly. Releasing Danielle from the hug, he told her hand, their gaze meeting. "Would ya come and sit with me on your balcony for a wee bit?"
Nodding, she turned and lead him that way. "I'd love too."
They were sat comfortably on her stone bench for several minutes, his hand still held in her own before he spoke again. "Ah wish you weren't goin', Daniella. Ole warriors like me have to enjoy the company we keep while there's still time." They gaze locked. "Ah'm gonna miss ya, lass."
Danielle could fell her own emotions welling as he spoke. Hudson had taken to calling her 'Daniella' a few years ago during a holiday visit. Their connection was so strong, and the thought he'd put into creating his own special name to use warmed her heart. A tear dripped from her right eye. "I'll miss you too, Hudson."
He sighed as she laid her head on his shoulder, and he in turned rested his check against her hair. "The lad's a fool ta think this way is better."
The entire clan knew what had happened between them to at least some degree. It was hard not to after the way Goliath and Brooklyn had fought. Still, everyone but Brooklyn had asked her to stay, to give it time and work through whatever had come between them. She had realized all to quickly that it wasn't an option, not if the clan was going to continue to function; she couldn't stay.
Sighing and leaning closer, she took his hand. "It's my fault as much as his, really. I leaned on Brooklyn too much when I first moved in. We grew close too fast, and then the night Travis came, I never should have allowed him to kiss me. It ruined everything."
Hudson scoffed. "Love be it tween human or gargoyle is a two-way street, lass. Brooklyn should hold just as much fault in your mind."
Nodding, she sat up to meet his gaze with tear filled eyes. "Maybe your right. Doesn't really matter now, what's done is done. My contract is signed, I have confirmed time off at Christmas, and my apartment is ready to move back into when we get there."
Commotion from the courtyard drew their attention and Hudson stood, offering her his arm as they moved to look over her rail. "Would seem the Avalon clan has arrived a few days early."
Looking down, they could easily see that Queen Titania had arrived with five new gargoyles, three female, and two males. Goliath stepped forward, making introductions with Brooklyn at his side. Danielle watched as he greeted each of them, though it wasn't hard to see that his attention lingered on a tan colored female with dark red hair. 'Damn, I wanted to be gone before…'
Hudson sighed, shaking his head as he led her away from the rail. "If Angela's description holds true, Ah believe that ta be Celine the lad's talkin' to."
Danielle nodded but didn't say anything until they'd reached the doorway. "Maybe I should change before greeting them."
Hudson turned and for the first time that evening, concerned himself with what the lass was wearing. Dannielle had chosen a pair of tight jean shorts and a tee shirt that read 'irresistible' in blue letters across the front. Her feet were bare, and her dark hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. To Hudson she looked more at home than he'd seen her in a week and the thought of her leaving in just two days broke his heart. He smiled, stepping forward and kissed her forehead. "No lass, come as ye are. Ye're perfect in these ole eyes."