Chapter 8

Nessie's point of view

3½ weeks till September 10th

Out of all the things I have learned, tracking was not one of them. What? At the time I didn't think I needed it.

The dream I had of Jacob still made its presence known and I've been in South America for three days.

The dream felt so real. I could feel him, see him. It felt like we were together. I knew he saw my vulnerability. He knew me well enough to see through my pathetic attempts to push him away. My first weakness was when I said I missed him. Then Jacob thought about everything since the day I left. And no words could explain how bad Jake actually was.

I was saddened that I did that to him even though I already knew. I knew if I stayed this close to him, I would give in. Even though he already knew everything was a lie.

I had to harden my face. When he asked why did I leave I had slipped up and said it was to protect him.

I had to protect him from me. He didn't need me. I would hurt him. He deserved some other beautiful girl that would call him crazy then laugh in his face when he said he was crazy in love. He needed some girl who would be there when he showed those rare moments of innocence. I wasn't that girl. I wanted to be. Jacob needed somebody that loved him and wouldn't hurt him.

And I yelled at him so I wouldn't slip up again.

Then I dreamed of the Volturi killing me. Jacob tried to phase but he couldn't. I was curious why he couldn't but ignored him. I had to protect Jacob no matter what.

Okay! I love Jacob! I love Kaleb! I'm too stupid to decide if I want one or the other. What if I make the wrong decision?

Or what if I don't choose neither of them? I'm a bomb. I can blow at any moment. I bring danger onto the ones I love. If I don't choose Jacob or Kaleb, they'll both be safe.

I wiped that to the back of my head. My main focus was trying to find the Amazon coven. I wish I remembered to pay attention to where they were staying the last time I visit.

I GIVE UP!

I leaned against a tree, closing my eyes. The dream kept creeping back into my mind. The dream was so real. Could Jacob be dreaming the same thing? I hope not. He knows me better than anybody; but why hasn't he tracked me down like he always said he would.

Because saying one thing and doing another is two different things. Especially if his imprint asked him to do something.

I started thinking about where the Amazons were last seen. I knew they lived in the wetlands of the Amazon, but that was like finding a needle in a hay stack. Me being the stupid one to try and find the needle.

"Looking from someone, child?" I heard a thick accented woman ask.

I turned around and smiled. I saw that it was Senna who spoke but Zafrina looked uncomfortable, like she wanted to bold away from me.

"Hello." I said, walking over to them.

Zafrina seemed to come out of her trance but I could see it in her eyes. "Renesmee, what brings you to see us?" Zafrina asked me with a tense smile as we hugged each other.

"Just passing through." I shrugged.

I projected to her that I've been traveling for the past two months. I showed her about England and the other countries I've stopped by on connecting flights, then deciding to hunt her and her coven down for a visit.

"Well, we are glad you have decided to visit us. It has been a long time, hasn't it?" she said and I agreed.

While we walked, I projected to Zafrina. I was amazed she wasn't projecting anything back to me. She rubbed her head as if she had a serious migraine or something.

We jumped to their the house which was engulfed by trees. It was small but beautiful. And I was also grateful for the little thought in my head that told me to swap my expensive, hand made, personalized suit case for a hiking backpack that was able to fit all of my clothes and then some.

"Where is your wolf?" Kachiri asked.

It could have been a typical tree house you would see in one of those romantic stow away movies. It was strictly made of bamboo with glassless windows. The living room had a burgundy, small couch with a love seat across it. A small coffee table sat in the middle with several books all across it. I was pretty sure they added a bedroom and a bathroom since the last time I visited.

I realized that I was so engulfed in my thoughts that I never answered their question.

I hesitated. How can I answer this without being less painful as possible. "Um…Jacob and I aren't together." I answered in a strangled voice.

Senna took my backpack and disappeared with it was the rest of us settled onto the couch and loveseat.

"Why?" Kachiri's thick accented voice asked. Zafrina tried to look as comfortable as possible but I could see the stain.

I bit my bottom lip and looked down. "Because of my stupidity." I mumbled.

Zafrina took a deep breath and took my hand. I projected to them the biggest mistakes that I have ever done in my life.

I chewed on my lip some more as I finished up. I figured out how to push all that to the back of my mind, but when I showed them that, the memories resurfaced.

Zafrina looked at her sisters. By her thoughts, she wanted to speak with me alone. The two other Amazon women nodded then disappeared. I was left alone with my friend.

All of a sudden she growled, which made me jump back. Zafrina noticed my shock and patted my shoulder. "I'm sorry. It seems my gift is not working." she told me.

I pondered on that. Why would that happen?

"Now tell me more about this Kaleb." Zafrina said. I showed her Kaleb's story of his childhood, how he is envious of his brother, how he loves me, how I loved him.

"He sounds pretty interesting. Does me make you happy?"

"Yes, but that's the problem. I either have to choose between Kaleb or Jacob. Or I let both of them go. Jacob deserves a lot more than I could ever give him."

"I haven't known him for long but I know your Jacob loves you. At the Volturi Gala he didn't look at nobody but you. I don't know about this…Kaleb, but I know that Jacob is the one for you."

"It's just that both of them drive me to insanity! Kaleb one minute says that he can give me the normal life I want. And then the next he tells me to just call him! Then Jacob's calling saying why didn't I just let him die when he was bit, then he calls saying that he would respect whatever I decide…" I rambled, bringing my knees up to my chin. "I'm gushing rudely about my soap opera life. Sorry."

"It is no problem. We're all glad that you have decided to visit us. How long are you staying?" Zafrina asked with her thick accent.

"A few days. I'm hoping to visit Huilen, Nahuel, and Roxanne while I'm down. After that…I don't know. I do want to see that waterfall you've been promising me, though." I smiled.

"After you get freshened up, I'll show it to you."

Zafrina showed me the bathroom then my room. It wasn't grand but it wasn't a cot on the floor style either. It was enough to stay for one or two days.

Zafrina left me to relax a little while she went with Senna and Karchiri to plan a hunting trip. That's why I wanted to stay for a short while. They wanted to hunt humans. I hunted animals. Although, I'm not much for a hunting trip anyway.

It feels weird now. I feel weird. It's just like the longer I go without hunting, the less my need is to go. Yeah, there's still the burning sensation in my throat, but it's like I'm loosing the taste for it. Maybe something is wrong with me.

I plopped down on the bed with a thud. I only had a three hour nap and I was exhausted.

I opened my locket. A picture of my beautiful parents and beautiful Jacob were still on there along with the French engraving. More than my own life. That's how much Jacob loves me but I won't swallow my pride and speak to him.

It was so funny how I broke up with him but I still have a picture of him in one thing I prized the most. I tried tearing him out but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I reached up to bring my right hand where my promise bracelet was. I then brought my hand to where my charm bracelet would be. I gripped my hands into fist. I was being stupid. I've already came to the conclusion that I love Jacob. I love I'm so much to know I've caused him so much heartbreak. He should find some girl that didn't do that to him and say screw me. But after all that I have done, he still loves me.

But I'm terrified to make a wrong decision. Jacob says he loves me but how do I know that? How do I know that it is not just the imprint that makes us bond together. I've sort of been with a few different guys but I don't have the relationship I have when I was with Jacob.

With Kaled, how do I know that he would take our relationship serious? He's always played with girls hearts. What would be different than mine? He says I'm different but I can I trust him with that? What if he ever does find his imprint and I end up like Leah? Only I'll have somebody to run back to while she didn't.

I curled myself up in a ball and sobbed. It's so stupid that I'm crying to and about myself!

My phone went off and I scrambled to answer it.

"Hello?" I asked, my voice still choked up with tears.

"Renesmee, what's wrong?" I heard an Australian voice ask with worry. Roxanne.

"Nothing." I answered while wiping away the tears.

"Yes. Something is wrong. Did you and Jacob have a fight?" she asked and that sent on a new flood of tears. Its amazing how I have to explain over and over how Jacob and I are not together. Karma sucks.

"Yes! A big, flipping, gigantic one! Jacob thinks I don't love him-because I told him I didn't love him. Then I left him on our wedding day and he found out I cheated on him by another person. I'm to stupid to tell him how sorry I am! Kaleb is trying to get me to be with him than be with the guy I'm destined to be with; and I'm a freak! Other than that, everything is going super!" I yelled.

Roxanne stayed silent for a long time. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I thought it was kind of ironic that she was forced to try and kill me a few months ago but then I consider her one of my closest friends. "NO." I sobbed.

"Where are you staying? You're family said you weren't with them." she said in a worried voice.

"Zafina and her coven. Why?"

"In a few days I need to see you." Roxanne answered. That didn't give much away.

"Why!"

"Because Marcello is around that area. He could come after you!"

I was hurt that my family didn't call and warn me about this. Then I realized that I told them I didn't want them in my life. They were probably were trying to respect my wishes like Jacob was. They were giving the spoiled brat what she wanted. Now I regret all of it.

"I'm staying with Zafrina for a few days. If Marcello tries to kill me then so be it! Maybe it's my time to go any way!" I shouted.

It was silent for a moment. I knew I must have hurt Roxanne's feelings but she did a good job of not showing it in her voice. "I might visit them too. Nahuel said wonderful things about them…" Roxanne said in a voice I knew all to well.

"My family put you up to this to get you to try and talk me into coming home! They knew I wouldn't pick up the phone for them! I can't believe this!" I said with conviction. My family knows me all to well.

"Can't blame them, Ness."

"Sure."

"Have you talked to Jake?" she asked.

"Not technically." I mumbled, knowing her sharp hearing would pick my mumbling up.

"No technically how?"

"I had this dream that I saw Jacob. If felt so real. Like I could reach out and touch him. He asked me why did I leave him. He thought through how he was and everything!" I said. I was probably going crazy. At least I got this one thing right.

"He loves you, Nessie." Roxanne said after processing my crazy ranting.

I looked up at the bamboo ceiling as I let a tear slip. "I know." I croaked. "I hurt him so much that he can't possibly take me back."

"You know he will. You know you can't keep this up or it's going to make things worse."

"I've already made things worse, Roxanne. What's more?" I asked, grabbing a pillow and getting in a fetal position.

"Knowing you, a lot." she answered. "Just call your parents."

It still hurt that they didn't try to call me when I was in danger, but they always knew where I was and if I was safe or not. This was their way of telling me to be careful what to wish for. They were letting me have the human life to see if I like it. I didn't.

"I will." I lied smoothly as tears came down my face again. Why do I have to be such a crybaby?

"Good. But anyway, what are you doing for your birthday?" Roxanne asked.

"I really don't know what I'll do or where I'll be." I answered as another pain went through my chest. This is my first birthday where it will be just me, myself, and I. I really had no clue where I would be. I didn't know what to do here from now on. I need to accept what I don't know or can't change.

I veered the conversation off of me and onto her and Nahuel. He was fine but was sleeping right now so Roxanne would let him know I was okay. They just came home from Australia to secretly check on her family. Now they were visiting Huilen; and Nahuel's other two sisters shared the same feeling of hated Scarlet had towards me. They hated me for killing their sister. Nahuel didn't think they would try to gather an army to kill me, but it was enough aggravation for Nahuel to handle.

As I heard about this, I couldn't help but remember what Nahuel said about me killing his half sister. I remembered that I ran to him and cried in his chest. He wrapped his arms around me but not in a romantic way. As in friendship; and I was still an emotional wreck from Jacob being bit and kissing Kaleb. I realized I've been emotional since prom.

I sobbed an apology to him, not blaming him for hating me. He shook his head and said killing her was the needed thing. If she was still living then all of this would have continued. She would have dragged the whole Voltuir in this when we didn't need them to be.

Grandpa said they could dig a grave for her since she was that much human. I guess we hybrids could put ourselves back together like full vampires can. Or Humpty Dumpy for that matter.

I remembered Nahuel said no, shaking his head as his eyes filled with hatred. He said she needed to burn like she deserved to be. But I could see the tears that trickled down his face. His thoughts were of hurt but of also of relief.

I closed my eyes and listened to Roxanne talking about how her family won't quit searching for her. She thinks she's ready to see them but Nahuel isn't sure she could do it. Her eyes are between amber and gold; and even when she had gold eyes, it will raise suspicion. Plus it would be bad if she lost control.

I curled up around my pillow, hoping I would disappear into it. I mumbled when I needed to but I think Roxanne knew I was slowly drifting off to sleep.

The last thing I remembered was the dial tone of my phone as it slowly dropped to the floor.

~~~~~ Forever Ours ~~~~~

"Renesmee…Renesmee…" I felt hands shake me awake. At first I was delirious and thought I was back home with my friends and family in rainy Forks. But sadly it was the total opposite. Hot, sticky humidity. I wasn't even under a sheet and I was sweating. And I never sweat!

At least it was a good dream though.

"Hmm…" I mumbled as I turned over to my stomach and rubbed my eyes. I was still pretty tired.

"We want to show you that waterfall." I heard Senna say.

I groaned. Didn't I just go to slee?

"Didn't I just fall asleep?"

"No. You've been asleep since noon of yesterday." Senna's thick accent said. Yesterday? I must have been pretty tired.

"Can you show me some other time?" I asked, hoping she would hear the pleading in my tired voice. It was probably rude but I didn't care.

I closed my eyes and let out a pint up breath I didn't realize I was holding. I guess with all the stress I've been bottling up was making me tired. I knew I needed to make a hunting trip but I could also live off of human food so I would be okay.

I went to sleep thinking about my mother's eggs and my grandmother's chocolate chip waffles.

~~~~~ Forever Ours ~~~~~

Roxanne's point of view:

I paced back and forth in front of our bed, biting my lip. For a vampire I was so restless.

Something is off with Nessie. Either she's extremely homesick or she is seriously wanting to die.

"Roxanne, calm down. You're making a trail. Literally." Nahuel said, rising up from the bed. I knew I was keeping him awake with my pacing but I couldn't help it. You'd think that it would be extremely with a full vampire that couldn't sleep and a half vampire that could. I liked to watch him sleep. It brought me back it the shady, human memories of me sleeping.

"Sorry." I mumbled as I sat down on the bed. He brought me closer to him despite how tired her was. Nahuel was trying to talk to his other half sisters about Renesmee and her family, but turned out they hated her. They believed that Nessie had no right to kill Scarlet. It was so bad I had to use my gift to calm all three of them. Hence, that's why Nahuel was so excited.

"What's wrong?" Nahuel asked, taking my hand and pressing a soft kiss to it. I smiled.

I decided to tell him the truth. "I talked to Nessie."

That seemed to catch his attention. His face was full of concern as mine was as we both thought of our close friend.

"Is she anywhere near him? Does she know that Marcello is somewhere out there? Is she okay?" he asked, placing a hand on my cheek.

"She's visiting the Amazon coven. She knows that Marcello's in the area but she's not worried. And as long as she stays away from Argentina, hopefully she'll be okay." I answered but I wasn't sure myself. Her parents were so worried about her that they hoped I would be able to reach her. I don't think I did so good at helping her.

"How is she? How is Jacob?" Nahuel asked. We both knew that something was off with Nessie when Edward told us about her outburst.

"She's trying to put on the tough act but I don't think she's doing so great. She's confused. Something's going on, Nahuel."

He wrapped his arms around me as we settled under the covers. He put his hand on the small of my back as I started playing with his long hair.

"I am worried about her too. It's not like her to be confused when it comes to Jacob."

"Yeah but you were pursuing her because your sister told you too. She loves Kaleb too."

"She knows who she loves more." Nahuel whispered in my ear.

"How do you know?" I joked, poking him in his chest.

"Because I know. You do too. The Cullens know. Kaleb knows. Jacob defiantly knows he has Nessie's heart. She knows too. She just scared to open her heart up and listen to it."

I had to agree with Nahuel. It was obvious that Nessie loves Jacob. She wouldn't have been sobbing about how she hurt Jacob. "You're right. She does. But I still don't get why she's to stubborn to admit it."

"She's just Nessie. She'll come around." Nahuel said, kissing my temple then kiss my engagement ring.

Yes, he proposed to me. It was so sweet and we wanted to tell Nessie and Jacob as soon as possible so they could be our maid of honor and best man. But when we saw their relationship start to strain, we decided to wait for another time.

"Did I tell you about Nessie's dream?" I asked Nahuel and then went into full detail about that. He listened with concern written all over his face.

After explaining to him what Nessie told me, Nahuel propped back down on the bed as if he hadn't. And that's the part that sucks. My gift comes in handy when I'm fighting an enemy or when a heated argument gets worse, I can simply stop it. But when I do it to the ones I love, I feel guilty. There so exhausted from the shock.

I didn't bother to say anything to my Nahuel because I would hear the same thing he always tell me when I tried to say I was sorry.

"It looked like Jake and Nessie are far more connected than just their imprint." Nahuel mumbled, stroking my arm. I smoothed back his black, long hair and smiled.

"I'm glad you changed me." I whispered as I laid my ear right above his quick hear that reminded me of humming bird wings. My sensitive hearing could have easily heard it but I liked doing this. It relaxes me.

"I wish you were able to have some human qualities."

"Like…"

"Blushing. Sometimes its hard being the only one to blush!"

"Is that it?" I smiled. I had a list of my own too.

"Other than wishing I was more like the Cullen family back then. I would have made your changing different." Nahuel said, kissing the top of my head.

The memory was shady to my sharp eyes but I still remembered it.

I was walking down a dark street. It was late and I was coming from a party. Nahuel was hunting when I stumbled over my own feet and fell. He was near when my knee started to bleed. I was so afraid when I saw him crouch in front of me. But I also realized he was the most beautiful man I ever saw.

Before I knew it, I was engulfed in fire for three days. As I withered in pain I saw Nahuel crying, begging me for forgiveness. I wanted to reach out or speak to him. To ask him how did all of this happen? But every time I opened my mouth an agonizing scream come out instead of words.

"Nahuel?" I asked.

"Yes?" he mumbled, already asleep.

"Do you really regret changing me?"

"To spend a eternity without the woman I love, absolutely not. If it wasn't for you and Renesmee, I would still consider myself a danger. A monster."

I looked down. When Nahuel and I were with Scarlett, I did regret him changing me. I hated how he was forced to drool over somebody he didn't love. We both hated that we were ripping apart a couple that was stronger when they were together than whe nthey were apart. If one goes, the other one will follow shortly.

A classic Romeo & Juliet.

"There is one thing." I admitted. He knew my feelings. Just not this one.

"I'm all ears, my beautiful fiancé." Nahuel said, moving his face so he was inches from mine.

Should I tell him? What would he say? "Um…I wished I was able to have children. You're children. We're getting married and I just…" I trailed. I didn't know what to say or what to do to make this simple.

"I know but it'll be okay."

Sometimes when I think about Renesmee and Jacob, I get so aggravated at them. They are more than human than I am. I knew Nessie's chances to have children were a million to one but she still had that one chance.

"I get so aggravated at them!"

"I know. Hopefully will call Jacob at least." Nahuel said with a laugh.

"Am I missing something?" I asked curious.

"When Nessie was injured after the Volturi Gala, Jake and I made a bet." he answered.

"A bet?" I asked. I wasn't jealous. I knew I had Nahuel's heart fully.

"To see who would win Nessie's heart. She hated it. That's when I knew she only loved me as a friend."

"How?"

"When I saw them together, Jacob looked like a blind man seeing a sunrise for the first time. Nessie looked at him as if he was something precious she would loose."

Jacob and Nessie had a deeper connection than the other imprinted couples from what I saw. It was like when one of them moved, the other did too. If one of them was having a bad day, without a doubt the other one would too. They could know what each other was saying without Nessie's gifts. They felt what the other felt. They knew where each other was. It might be just freaky and weird. Or it was that when a vampire chooses their mate, their bound together. The same thing with Jacob and his imprinting. It could be a mixture of the two.

It was still aggravating.

"And who won?" I laughed.

"Jacob would say that it was me, but I think he had her heart before they even got home. I'm glad he does though I because definitely wouldn't have you. I wouldn't know where I would be, Roxanne, if you weren't by my side." Nahuel said as his lips gently glazed over mine.

We sat there in silence. Nahuel was nodding off as I pondered on helping two of our closest friends.

"I know what to do!" I jumped up, jolting Nahuel awake.

"Wha-what?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

"To get Jacob and Renesmee back together! What if we could get Jacob down here and keep her away from Marcello?!" I exclaimed as I had won the lottery or something.

"That would be a challenge."

"Why?"

"Because their both stubborn. Renesmee's not stupid. She'll eventually figure out what you're trying to do. Jacob, I imagine, would be a little easier. He'll do anything to get her back. You know she's prideful." Nahuel mumbled as if he was in his own world.

I looked at my engagement ring. "When do you think we should get married?" I asked.

"In the spring." Nahuel answered with a smile.

"And why?"

"Aunt Huilen suggested it. She said it was my mother's birthday."

Nahuel says get's gotten over blaming himself for his mother's death. I knew he wished he had his mother and knew her. He loved his aunt but he also wished his mother was here to see her son get married.

"I like it. Maybe we can get married where Huilen and your mother's village was. We can invite the Cullens, hopefully your sisters, we can invite my family-"

"No." Nahuel cut me off.

"Why can't I have my family here?! I haven't seen them since I was changed! You've got to let me see them!" I shouted. I was angry that he wasn't going to let me have a life with my family.

"Because you're different now!"

"How? My eyes are gold! I can handle being around humans! I have control! They are my family!"

"And they probably think you're dead!" Nahuel shouted. "You have control but would you want to put them at risk if you loose it?! And you're eyes, Roxanne! You use to have mud brown. Now their different! You're family can and will see the difference in how you walk, how you talk, how you hold yourself! It's the law, Roxanne, and you know it!"

What Nahuel said felt like a slap in the face. He didn't trust me. He was afraid of some stupid law! He didn't have faith that I could do it!

"I'll get contacts! Bella did the same thing with her father! She was a newborn and she was about to handle it like a mature vampire!"

"You'll still be different. I don't want you to go through pain and regret if you did do something wrong. I don't you to be the one hurting!" Nahuel said with pleading eyes.

I felt a big thickness in my throat, knowing this was a vampire's way of crying. And that's what I was. A vampire. Frozen at the state I am in and will always be. I can never blush, be clumsy, gorge on human food, cry, bear children. I was just a moving, granite statue.

"You don't trust me, do you? You think that I'm going to fail, don't you?"

"No. I'm just trying to protect you."

"But the last time I check I was m ore vampire than you. Which means I'm a lot stronger than you. And adding my gift along with my strength makes it a lot more different!" I shouted.

The argument continued but I was sick of it. I focused all my energy on Nahuel. I started to feel his strength flow out of him. His eyes became very unfocused and he started swaying, but I held my ground as my pride got in the way.

"Rox-Roxanne, ple-please stop." Nahuel begged as he leaned against the bed. I could see that he was unsteady on his feet but I kept pulling the energy out of him.

His head rocked back and forth and he plopped on the bed with a thud. "I'm s-sorry…" Nahuel trailed. He was about to say more when his eyes fluttered closed.

I looked at Nahuel who be out for a while and then stared at the window. I knew this argument was never going to get easier. Maybe we just need a break like everybody else.

I was tempted to jump out of that window. Even if it was just for a run to clear my head but I decided to stay. Running was never going to make this argument easier. It would just make things worse. I feel like Nahuel doesn't trust me, he feels that I don't trust his judgment. If I ran now it would only make matters worse.

I sat on the bed and put and put Nahuel's head in my lap, playing with his hair. I loved watching him sleep. There was just something about him being half human and me full vampire that made it special.

I knew deep down somebody had to get to Renesmee before Marcello did. Jacob was afraid, the Cullens were terrified, and so were we. They wanted to respect her wishes but waiting could be disastrous. Nessie might love Kaleb but she wants Jacob. She was just to prideful to say it.

Tomorrow Nahuel and I would make amends. We will say good-bye to his aunt and hopefully help Renesmee. I will make her sit down and apologize to her parents then call Jacob. I don't want Nessie to make any more mistakes. She's made too many as it is.

My mind flowed back to the inner thought I put away. What was really wrong with her? Could it be stress? Is she just holding everything in and it's bursting at the seams to be let out? Or is there something else and she just doesn't know it yet?

Jacob and Nessie were made for each other. I believe fate wanted them together as much as it brought Nahuel and I together. But Nessie was able to do more than I would, and as her friend, I was jealous of that.

I didn't know what my plan B was if Nessie was going to shut us out too. But I knew she would eventually break down. She would do something stupid. Or Marcello would eventually find her. She's an excellent fighter, but he's even better. What he lacks is speed, he gains it in strength. Renesmee would have to put everything into the back of her mind just to focus on her next move.

I bit my lip in worry. I was worried about Nessie and Jacob. I was worried about the Cullens I was worried about the Volturi would do to destroy the life I was trying to make. I was worried about my family. Did they think I was dead? I was worried about my fiancé-who hasn't said much about this crazy mess we've seemed to get ourselves into.

I also wondered how his aunt was taking everything. What was she thinking? Was she also wondering how her nephew, who she took in as her own son, got in this mess? I assumed she was worried about his life?

I laid my head back against the bedrest. I had several hours to do nothing. But the funny thing was, I was happy with it. I had the man I loved sleeping in my lap. Even though I couldn't lie next to him and dream like he does, I was happy.

But the one question that came across my mind. Was Nahuel happy too?