Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the last Airbender"! Nada thing, bing.
Author's notes: This story has been a ride. Hoping you're all staying tuned for the end. We've got a few more to go. If I take over a week to update, it's only cause I want the next chapters to be magnificent.
Maraghoul: for forming the story's origin with me, my thanks.
QueenTyzula: for the ideas and nudges.
CharlieBarrow: Thanks for the suggestions and getting me out of a corner! Many lines were suggested and written by you. In fact, Ty Lee's lines in the last scene all came from you. My thanks.
Harley Quinn Davidson: And you have that part right…temper tantrum to commence! Thanks for the kind words.
Guest reviewers: Enjoy.
"Stoking the Fire"
Chapter seventy "Confession"
Ty Lee lay tangled in the sheets, Azula wrapped around her side. The alpha was snoring heavily, chi sated. Her shift had tapered off as they had drifted off to sleep, but tugging a corner of the sheet back, Ty Lee could see Azula's cock was fully formed again, pressing into her hip. For a change, Ty Lee was sated and relished the feel of Azula's arm over her waist. She snuggled closer, pushing a few long locks of black hair out of Azula's face.
Her heart hurt, and Ty Lee's face was soft and thoughtful as she took in Azula's sleeping visage. She was utterly peaceful, lips slack and face relaxed as she slept. Ty Lee didn't want to wake her. Azula had few peaceful moments waking as it were, despite Ty Lee trying to settle her world. She knew she was in love with the princess, and didn't know how long a time she had with her.
Staring at Azula's relaxed face reminded her, of course, of Izumi. The stamp of Azula's paternity was all over her small features. Ty Lee's eyes filled with tears and her belly roiled. She leaned her head against the princess's bare shoulder, nuzzling her chin against her.
Ty Lee sat up and gathered her bed robe, pulling her tangled long hair over one shoulder. Azula murmured in her sleep so Ty Lee gently nudged her pillow into her arms. Azula inhaled it, sighing. Smiling, Ty Lee made her way to the washroom. Trace bits of Azula's seed lined her inner thighs and she regrettably wiped herself as she sat down to pee. Peeking outside the new bedchamber, Ty Lee wasn't surprised to see Zirin.
The noblewoman was flat out asleep on the threshold, legs crossed at the ankles, arms folded, and head tilted down toward her chest. Ty Lee made to shut the door quietly but Zirin stirred. She opened one blurry eye and took in Ty Lee.
"Azula?" she asked. Ty Lee gave a soft smile.
"Sleeping."
"When are we going to leave this place?" Zirin groused. She had no qualms now that Azula wasn't leaving without the omega. She had to accept it.
Ty Lee scrubbed the back of her neck with one fist. "Soon, I hope. We have to set Azula's funds up through her uncle, so we can purchase a home to live in." The words were jarring; it still didn't seem real. Ty Lee reflected she would believe it when she saw it. If Zuko didn't do anything to interfere with it…. No, he wouldn't. He said so.
Still, so much was up in the air, Ty Lee didn't feel good about it. Izumi…. She wrapped her arms around her middle and sighed. "Do you want to come in?"
"No. I know when the princess is indisposed." Zirin raised an eyebrow. "I'll be waiting to serve."
"I know," Ty Lee said. She gently shut the door and padded back to bed. Azula was waking with long stretches of her limbs, face curled in the cutest frown as she yawned and reached. Ty Lee shed her robe and curled against Azula's side. Her hand ran over her breasts softly.
"Your friends?" Azula murmured. She leaned up to kiss Ty Lee's shoulder. Ty Lee cupped the back of her neck.
"Sleeping still, I bet. You're sure doing a lot of talking in this bed," she teased. Azula cracked a roguish grin.
"I have my talkative moments, I'm sure," she said in a clipped tone. She gave a low moan when Ty Lee's hand snaked between her legs and gently stroked her shifted flesh. Azula pushed her hips up, thrusting her shaft into Ty Lee's hand. "That is, you want more than that, apparently…."
"Apparently," Ty Lee agreed. She leaned to kiss Azula, and the princess's kiss was heated but languid. This time was slower and Ty Lee's heart was like to crack as she watched the abrupt frown of concentration on Azula's sweating face as she thrust into her. Long, deep, and firm, and Ty Lee was writhing beneath her princess, pleading with mewling yelps and moans to move faster. Azula obliged her with a happy grin, and her heat tilted back with pleasure as she crested her orgasm after slamming harder and harder into her omega's gripping walls.
Pushing Ty Lee over the edge had Azula following and the two clung to each other, shivering and shaking. Azula collapsed against Ty Lee's shoulder, arms quaking. Ty Lee's arms wrapped round her back and she twitched a smile into the mattress. This all felt too entirely good and it was all hers now. No more brother interfering….she'd won.
In an opposite mindset, Ty Lee held her princess with shaking hands, longing to hold onto the moment, to hold onto her. Tears filled the corners of her eyes as she felt Azula shift within her, and her lips moving across her collar and shoulder.
"I wasn't too rough?" Azula asked gruffly. Her heart twanged in a moment of panic. Ty Lee shook her head, forcing a smile. She pulled Azula down to her lips. They kissed softly, and it was so sweet Ty Lee wanted to weep.
"No, just fine….." Ty Lee murmured. Azula lips quirked upward. She couldn't understand why the omega was so sad sometimes, but she'd be happy again. She'd chosen her. Azula would make certain she saw smiles more.
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Zuko sighed. He and Suki flashed a look as they jostled beside each other on the carriage seat. The carriages pulled into the gates of the royal palace, the noise and bustle of the capital market behind them.
"Ho! Stop there!" The driver called in his box above. The chicken horses came to a stop and Suki opened the door. She hopped out and stood waiting for the Fire Lord to descend. Together, both walked across the courtyard, nobles and servants dropping to their knees at the sight of Zuko. The other Kyoshi Warriors filed out and those that had been left on duty at the palace, bowed at the waist.
Suki nodded to them, showing her approval in helping run things smoothly while they were gone. The questioning stares of her comrades made Suki give a slight shake of the head. No, Ty Lee hadn't come back with them. They'd all have to accept that.
Zuko sighed and walked into a side entrance, heading for the royal apartments. He regrettably ran into Noren on the way. He was holding Kiyi's hand and his sister squealed, letting go and rushing to hug him. Zuko's smile was tired as he picked up his half-sister.
"Zuko, you're back! Mai and the baby missed you so much!" she squealed. Zuko lifted her to his shoulder and smiled.
"How about you?"
"I missed you too, big brother!"
Zuko's heart tore at those words. He swallowed and bounced his sister on his shoulder. "I missed you too, Kiyi."
Noren fluttered in his peripheral and Zuko darted his eyes to the downcast man. "Is…. Is Ursa…" He didn't know what to ask. He'd had the worst time of it, waiting for letters by messenger hawk and only one had come and it was perfunctory at best. He looked so upset, Zuko suddenly felt sorry for the man. He didn't know. But it was his mother's responsibility to fill him in.
"Mother's fine. She and Uncle are coming back very soon."
Noren nodded, his old light gleaming in his grey eyes. He took Kiyi back from Zuko, smiling. "And….your sister?" he asked tactfully. Suki cringed at Zuko's shoulder. He waved a hand to her, a rueful forced smile on his lips.
"Better. For her sake, that's a good thing." That's all he would say of it now, and especially in front of his little half-sister. Zuko took his leave and the two friends hurried to the royal chambers.
Inside the front sitting room, Zuko's eyes widened and he grinned suddenly. Mai was on her side, one hand on Izumi's back, urging her as she rolled to her knees and rocked back and forth, trying to crawl. Zuko's heart thudded as his wife's eyes lit up at the sight of him.
She rolled up on one elbow, robes cascading over her form. Izumi fell to her tummy, grinning a grin that was all gums. "Zuko! Suki, you're back!"
Zuko knelt down, and picked Mai up into his lap. He kissed her softly, then urgently. His jagged chi calmed beneath Mai's curiously prodding energy. The look in her eyes held a question. He shook his head curtly.
"Azula is still free. And Ty Lee is with her…."
Mai hugged her husband, wishing his hurt would just stop. Ty Lee had clearly made her stand and she was so happy for her. Zuko had to let her go. If her husband didn't start shaping up, she was going to light a fire under his ass. With fire crystals.
"I'm sorry…" Zuko whispered into her throat. Suki cleared her throat and sat down to help adjust the princess's crawling stance. He lifted his head and grinned down at Izumi. His pup grinned back up at him, wriggling and clearly happy to see him. Suki helped guide her to the couple and Zuko gladly picked his daughter up, balancing her between him and Mai.
"How was she?" Zuko asked Mai. Izumi wriggled tiny feet against his belly and crowed with laughter. Her tuft of black hair stuck almost straight up.
"Good. She missed you," Mai said. The look in her eyes said she'd missed him too.
Suddenly, despite Ty Lee leaving it all behind, everything looked up. Especially with her daughter as his heir. Zuko smiled nervously to his wife. She gave a reserved smile in return.
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"You're really leaving, Azula? Will…"
'Will you be okay?' was on the tip of Ursa's tongue. But her daughter was watching her with sullen unyielding eyes the color of her ex-husband's. She waited patiently.
"I am. This is no home for us and I want to be alone with Ty," Azula said simply. Iroh gave a wry smile and nodded.
He untied a pouch from his sash and offered the contents to his niece. "A healthy amount, and we'll have your portion of the royal income set for you. And should you need more mind healers, we can send those too…."
Azula waved an imperious hand. "We'll see. Right now, I need to be alone."
She couldn't say she would be ecstatic to see the back end of this manor. Takumi walked into the sitting room, made to bow, but a glare from her made him stumble backward out the way he'd come. He tripped full over the ends of his robes, feet flying up. Azula snarled in his direction, to make him leave quicker.
Ying and Tsung were packing with Ty Lee. They had come with only a bag apiece, as they had left for Mountainside Manor on the sly. Azula smiled. She bounced the pouch tied to her tunic sash, feeling the weight of the gold coins inside.
"We can purchase more clothing, ladies. Worry not."
Azula was pleased to see the gleam in Ty Lee's eyes at those words. "We're really going today?"
"By the end of this hour, if you move it." Azula's words were harsh, but there was a smirk on her face. Zirin sidled in, and leaned against the wall. Azula regarded her comrade neutrally.
"Are you ready, Zirin? I imagine you didn't bring much on the road," she teased. Zirin flashed her princess a look.
"As ready as I can be. I'm ready when you are," she said carefully. The Kyoshi Warriors had put their robes and make-up back on and were ready for travel. Ty Lee was wearing her best red embroidered tunic and trousers to match Azula's outfit. Once sufficiently alone, Azula wrapped her arms around Ty Lee's waist. She nosed along the sweet flesh of her omega's throat, inhaling.
"Are you certain….you're okay….leaving your mother now?" Ty Lee wondered. She slung her arms around her alpha's neck. Azula nodded against her.
"Yes…. It'll have to be fine," was her clever response. Ty Lee's breath hitched when Azula kissed her deeply. One fist tangled gently at the base of Ty Lee's braid, holding her head firmly.
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The journey to Ember Island lasted only a few short days. Ying and Tsung bantered with Zirin to get her to open up. They knew her as a Kemurikage, but both were in company of their friends now. They'd have to learn to get along. Ty Lee was so upset, wondering when and how to tell Azula, she literally was seasick half the time. Azula helped hold her omega when she vomited, idly wondering about their last shared heat. She carried Ty Lee to and fro from the bucket and back to bed, fetching her soup when she finally got hungry, and washing her with a washcloth as she lay wrapped in the sheets.
Ty Lee was awestruck and more than in love with her alpha's attentions. Her heart hurt so much, but she tried to soothe Azula's chi with her own. She would be fine. She had to tell her and then she wouldn't feel this sick.
When Azula left Ty Lee, barely, to sidle to the ship's galley and procure better hot soup for her, Zirin peeled from the corridor wall to follow. Azula shouldn't have been surprised. As natural as it felt to have Ty Lee in her care again, so was Zirin walking behind her left shoulder.
"Does your omega usually get seasick?" Zirin murmured. Azula shrugged.
"She didn't before. Maybe all of what's happened is taking its toll." Azula's tone was clipped, but she really was worried. Years ago, she would have scoffed at such weakness, but she'd had her own bout of physical crashing.
The ship's cook bowed his head, noticing her and ladled out a bowl of soup from a fresh pot he had simmering on the stovetop. He added a large hunk of bread and a handful of crushed mint to a cup of tea. Azula took the tray and headed back for her cabin.
"She got what she wanted. She'll come out okay." Zirin was dismissive. Azula had to hope she was right. The two bypassed Ying and Tsung playing tiles with a group of sailors. They were certainly keeping themselves entertained and both women hailed her as she passed.
"Still under the weather," Zirin called, indicating Ty Lee. Ying and Tsung nodded grimly.
"If you need anything, let us know," Ying called. Azula quirked one lip upward in thanks.
Inside the cabin, she found Ty Lee sweating in her under shift. She had kicked off the sheets down to the foot of the bed and her bare arms and legs were damp in sweat. Azula set the tray on the bedside table. She wrung out a cloth in the bucket of cold wash water. Ty Lee's eyes opened as she felt the swipe of cold fabric against her inner arms. Azula tutted her and ran the cloth down to the inside of her elbow. She gave her wrist a gentle kiss as she moved to the other arm.
"Just a fever, Ty Lee. Don't worry," Azula murmured. Ty Lee tried to smile. The apprehensively worried look in the alpha's eyes could gut her if she dwelled that she might never see that look again. Ty Lee reached up to touch her cheek.
"I'll be okay…promise…..I won't be sick much longer," Ty Lee croaked. Azula gave a still smile.
"Eat up…the soup and bread are fresh." Azula helped Ty Lee sit up, and cradled her on her shoulder as she tugged the tray closer. Ty Lee's hand trembled so Azula helped lift her spoon to her mouth. She tore up the chunks of bread and set them in the bowl and Ty Lee slowly ate with growing relish. Azula was happy to see her appetite coming back.
Ty Lee sipped the tea, happy about the fresh mint. Azula took a bite of bread and sampled the soup herself. Ty Lee set her chin to Azula's shoulder.
"Thank you, Azula…."
"Take your time. I won't bother you. You need your rest." When she made to get up and lay on the floor, Ty Lee grasped her alpha's wrist.
"Please stay…. the bed's big enough," Ty Lee pleaded. Azula nodded. She sat on the edge of the bed, unfastening her tunic. She unwound her breast band and pulled her trousers down. Naked, she slid into the sheets and carefully laid one arm over Ty Lee's warm side. The omega's chi spiked erratically, but calmed somewhat at her touch. Azula pressed a tender kiss to her omega's temple and listened to her breathing slow. Finally, she allowed herself to drift off as well. She gently held Ty Lee, afraid she wasn't helping the situation.
But feeling Ty Lee burrow into her side told Azula she was doing something right.
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"How about this one?"
"This one, here."
Lo and Li pointed as one unit to another lovely house right on the sand of the beach. Ty Lee gave a gentle smile as Azula coaxed her to follow. Her grip was surprisingly gentle on her waist and when they came across a small stream of ocean water fording across a strip of the sand, Azula lifted her so her shoes wouldn't get wet.
"It looks agreeable. Ty Lee?" Azula asked. Ty Lee shielded her eyes with her hand. The twins were strangely helpful and both had bowed low to Azula, apologizing for not coming to her aide sooner. Azula calmly took their oaths once more and bid them rise and help them house hunt. The home in question was small and lovely, with its own private lands with tall trees shielding the front and back doors from prying eyes from the nearby strip of beach. Ying murmured to Tsung excitedly and Zirin shifted uncomfortably.
"It looks…good… "she said weakly. Suddenly, Ty Lee was certain no matter which home she picked, she may not get to enjoy it with Azula. Even if she didn't want to be with her anymore, Ty Lee had to tell her the truth.
Tsung frowned. "Are you still sick, Ty?" She couldn't fathom her friend's illness. Ying, herself, was more than a little concerned. She knew the truth of Izumi's paternity. All the signs were there for a nervous woman to own up to a hard truth. Looking at the genuinely concerned look on Azula's face, Ying hoped she would be understanding.
She remembered the night of the coup though. That was wishing a lot.
Azula finally settled on one house near a private strip of beach. A high cliff shielded part of the house from prying eyes. The beach was a two minute walk from the back door. Inside had a large sitting room, dining room with low square table, a good-sized kitchen, and the bedrooms were airy. Azula told Lo and Li to order a large bed and Ty Lee blushed.
Ying and Tsung congratulated the pair. They would be rooming at the old advisor's until they found their own home. Zirin scowled. She was thrown in with them and it looked like too much for her personally to be set apart from the princess.
Ty Lee would be alone with Azula. And she dreaded the moment everyone would leave them.
Azula hired cleaners to scrub the new house out and the bed was delivered. The Kyoshi Warriors kept up small talk as Ty Lee sat on the front steps, trying not to be a nervous wreck. As the sun arched overhead and descended to shades of pink against the ocean, Ty Lee was resolved to get it over with.
"Good night, Ty Lee!" Ty Lee almost jumped out of her skin when Ying leaned down to hug her. Tsung smiled at her. Zirin scowled.
"I'll be here tomorrow, princess," she told Azula. Azula crossed her arms, cockily grinning. As the three women left for Lo and Li's, the last of the cleaners filed out of their new home.
"Azula!" Ty Lee was surprised when her alpha leaned down and bodily picked her up into her arms. Azula had an odd smile on her face but it wasn't crazed. She looked genuinely….happy? Was she happy? Ty Lee's shaking arms circled her neck.
"I figured…. Best to carry you inside the first time, as they say," Azula said in a clipped tone. But her golden eyes danced. Ty Lee felt her tongue grow heavy in her mouth. Bile rose in her throat and her stomach roiled. She sifted her greedy fingers through the hairs at the back of Azula's neck longingly. She swallowed hard and leaned up to kiss the alpha.
Azula hungrily kissed her back, but she pulled back when she felt there was no hunger on Ty Lee's part. Just twisting sadness. She set her omega on her feet and trailed her hands up and down her elbows.
"What's wrong? You're shaking," Azula wondered. She looked genuinely confused. Ty Lee tried to hold it together. She thought of her daughter, how she looked so much like the confused alpha standing before her. She squeezed her hands.
"Azula, I can't go in with you. Not until I tell you this. And then…you can decide what you want," Ty Lee said honestly. Tears spilled down her cheeks and Azula roughly wiped them away with her thumb.
"Go on, Ty Lee. Whatever you think you have to share," Azula murmured. A nervous look was on her face and Ty Lee knew she should have told her sooner.
Ty Lee clutched her hands. "What I have to tell you….I'm not proud about it. Well, in that I've kept it from you. You deserved to know a long time ago…." Ty Lee knew she was rambling, but she felt she had to explain her position before dropping it all.
Azula nodded, looking confused. Ty Lee just decided to out with it. "Princess Izumi…..is your daughter."
Azula blinked, hard and again. The words seemed alien until her numb mind wrapped around them. Her beleaguered mind processed the cruel words, again and again. The corners of her mouth dipped down into a sad scowl and a dangerous light filled her eyes.
"She…. WHAT? How? When?" Azula knew she sounded like a parrot-bat, but she couldn't stop the single word questions. Ty Lee was crying now, holding onto her strong hands for dear life.
"That heat at the palace, when I sought you out….I got pregnant. I wanted to tell you. I truly did. But I was afraid…" At Azula's frown, she scrambled to explain. "Afraid of your…. mental state. You were berating someone while you were inside me. And…I made you get off of me and fled."
Azula stared at her. That had been true, the chasing part that was. She couldn't fathom after being tied that Ty Lee would want to get away from her. As if a cloud eased from the sun, Azula saw a crack in herself that other people must have seen. The voice of her father or the memory of her mother bothering and riding her. The irrational fits of rage. The strange looks on others faces when she indulged into what her father said and lashed out.
"She couldn't tell you. BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT STRONG." Ozai's voice wheedled into her ear so suddenly, Azula almost jumped out of her skin. But the truth of what he said was sinking in.
She had a child. And her omega hadn't wanted to tell her because she didn't know what she'd do. The strength went out of her legs and Azula stumbled. Ty Lee went to her knees with her, holding onto her hands. Azula found purchase on the edge of the low stone fence leading to the front door. She sat on the hard stone, long legs extended.
"Please understand, I had to think of the baby. You were completely obsessed with getting the throne. You didn't care about anyone, not me, not your comrades…." Ty Lee laid her cheek against the back of Azula's hand.
The princess weakly tried to protest." I….cared about you…. "
Ozai's sudden laughter forced her words to dust in her mouth. Azula stared at the omega, hurt and pain etched into her features. Ty Lee's heart cracked. She had put that hurt there. Her and no one else.
Ty Lee's eyes were wide with worry and tears. "Then you escaped. I had no idea where you were. Zuko was going to hunt you down. We couldn't live on the run like that! Me pregnant… would you want me to have our pup laying in the ditch like a stray cat-owl?"
"I….I…" Azula tried to talk but Ozai's mocking laughter silenced her. She stared in shock and sadness at Ty Lee. Her omega had been far more full of guile than she ever could have been. She had kept her child from her and…..given it to her brother?! Anger rushed in, jerking Azula's heart as her emotions spread, askewed.
Ty Lee swallowed hard. "Look what you did, Azula, attacking the palace, getting half your comrades killed…. You could have died! And you buried me in snow….. you weren't ready for a child, not while you were raging like that… I couldn't let you put our baby through that. I had to keep her safe…."
Azula winced openly. Ty Lee hadn't said it, but the invisible words "safe from you" struck her in the heart.
The sand was growing cold beneath Ty Lee's knees, but she looked up into Azula's face, letting the words pour out. "Our pup deserved a safe home…. and Zuko needed an heir. So, it worked out. I knew he'd protect Izumi like she was his own. I helped our pup. I helped Mai. And yes, Zuko…"
The rictus of pain darting across Azula's features was frightening. Ty Lee hurried on. "And once I was able to leave, the first thing I did was pack up and look for you."
Azula stared in disbelief at the crying omega on her knees in front of her. She stared down at their joined hands and deliberately unlaced her fingers from Ty Lee's. The acrobat started, worry slamming her heart. She reached for Azula again, but she sprang to her feet, strong shoulders hunched.
"No…don't!" Azula slapped at her wrist when Ty Lee made to touch her hand again. "Leave me…..leave me!"
Ty Lee stared at her distraught alpha, her face seething with tears. She knew to expect this reaction but to see it unfold in front of her….it was still damaging in its pain. "Azula? Where are you going?" she whimpered. Azula continued across the gravel toward the sand of the beach. She was holding her head between her hands, wincing with each step.
The further she got, the worse Azula's headache became. But she couldn't stay in front of Ty Lee. She may do something she'd regret, and she didn't want to risk her safety. Azula sniffled again and again as her vision blurred and she was shocked her wavey vision meant she was crying. Ugly huge tears spilled down her cheeks and onto her chin. Blood rushed in her ears and Azula paused to catch her breath beside a large palm tree. She set a smoldering palm to the thin bark, and left a fiery handprint as she pushed off.
Izumi was hers. Not Zuko's. Her greatest fear had been nothing but a lie. She should be thrilled. But she felt full and empty at the same time. The pain rushed in, replacing the full haughty feeling of ownership.
All that rage, all that anger…all that pain and the whole thing was a scam.
She had a child. The thought was inconceivable because she'd been led to believe in the opposite notion.
Azula stumbled on loose gravel leading to the private beach and fell to her knees. She went with it and rolled to her back, staring at the darkening night sky as the sun sank beneath the ocean. Tears leaked down her cheeks and the sides of her head. They dripped off the corners of her jaw to the sand beneath her. Her omega had lied to her….she had helped her heal, had been with her every step of the way. Heck, she had stolen her right out from Zuzu's nose.
But she had lied to her. Gravely lied. In that pit of bleak darkness, Azula wasn't certain if Ty Lee WAS her omega anymore. Had she been ever? Azula stared up at the darkening sky as the stars came out and the sun vanished. So too, did her opportunity for hope dwindle.
Ty Lee fell onto her heels, still kneeling on the sand. She fisted handfuls of the fine grains between her fingers, as the tears flowed freely. She had done it, she had ruined any chance with Azula…But the truth was out. It had yet to set her free.
Minutes stretched to hours and eventually Ty Lee got up. Her legs were cramped from kneeling on the cold sand. She wanted to find Azula. But she had told her to leave her alone. Ty Lee slid open the front door.
And that was how she crossed the threshold of her new home. Alone and crying.
End for now
End notes: (fans self) And the chips are down. Like it? Leave a review and smash that button. I await your words! Stay strong my lovelies.
Most sincerely, pen
12/14/2017