Note: Sorry this chapter took me so long to post. I have been extremely busy with school. However, to those of you who haven't abandoned me (wouldn't blame you if you did), this is the moment of truth. Bradin and Audri meet. Hmm, I wonder what will happen…?

Chapter 9

Audri awoke early the next morning around six o'clock. The couch was like a piece of a heaven cloud to her, and the pajama's Ava had lent her were the most comfortable she had ever worn.

The sun was not yet up, but Audri could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. She got up, stretched, then leafed through her backpack for an assortment of items. Preoccupied by her search to uncover what she needed, she didn't hear the sliding door open from the outside, nor did she hear someone step inside.

"Hello," said a voice.

It startled Audri, making her gasp and jump back in fright. Standing in front of her was a tall young man of seventeen, with blonde hair and expressive green eyes. He stood before her shirtless, with a towel wrapped around his waist, holding a cereal bowl in his palm.

"Whoa! Hey, it's all right. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you," he said, taking a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

"Oh, it's okay, I just woke up," there was a long pause as she studied him, then a wave of recognition hit her, "Are you…Bradin?"

He smiled.

"Yes, and you must be Johnny's niece, Audri. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. So, where were you this early in the morning?"

"Oh, I got up early to see the dolphins, but all I got to see was the sunrise, he said deflated and rather disappointed."

"No dolphins, huh?"

"Nope."

She giggled and he smiled, making her stomach melt into butterflies.

"Actually, the sun's still not fully up yet, if you wanna go see it."

Audri's face lit up.

"I'd love to! I've never seen the sun rise over the ocean. To be honest, I've never really watched the sun rise."

Bradin laughed, "Well come on then," he said, waving her forward.

She followed him outside to the beach, and saw the most incredible sight she had ever seen. She never thought anything could be so beautiful. The waves crashed gently on the shore, leaving their mark on the sand. Sea gulls flew by squawking at everything below them. The sun was half up, casting light in all directions. The smell of the ocean, although normal for Bradin, was the sweetest smell in the world to her. Finally, she felt like she was home.

"This is beautiful," Audri said, barely a whisper.

Bradin didn't reply, instead he just smiled at her.

"You don't know how long I've waited to see this, to smell the ocean, to touch the sand, to hear the waves crash and the seagulls sing. Just to be free," she arched her neck, letting the sun, now fully up, wash over her face. The coldness that she had once felt inside, the caged in feeling from being with her parents, was at last subsiding; a feeling of being free.

Bradin stood there, watching Audri take in the sights around her. He wondered what she meant from what she had just told him. After all, Ava hadn't really told him why she was here in the first place; he wanted to know.

"Why don't you tell me then? I have time."

Audri looked at him, and slowly shook her head. "I don't know if I should."

"Why not? I'm not going to freak out on you or anything. I promise, Scout's Honor."

'You might once I tell you about the other person living inside of me right now."

"Please?"

She stood there, thinking that if she were to tell him, he'd never speak to her again. However, if she told him and he didn't run then she'd know if everything she had been through was worth it or not. And if he didn't run, maybe he'd help her too.

"Okay, I'll tell you. But, I have to show you something first. After I show you, if you wanna like…run, I'll understand. This isn't easy for me."

"Show me and I promise," he said, taking a few steps closer to her, "I won't run."

She smiled at him, "Don't make promises you can't keep."

"I never do."

She inhaled deeply, studying his face for some sign, any sign at all that told her otherwise. She found none, no excuse not to show him.

"Give me your hand," she said softly.

He paused, then seeing her nod, obeyed. Slowly, she pressed his hand to her stomach and waited. Within seconds, Bradin felt a small thump. The baby had kicked ever so slightly, but her felt it.

"Oh my God."