"No this cannot be right, my husband pays all the bills. I have no idea why you think we are behind in our mortgage payments" Carol could feel the tears threatening to fall, Sophia was screaming for attention in the background and this man who appeared at her door almost half an hour ago, was determined they owed the bank.

"I am sorry Mrs Peletier, but we cannot get hold of your husband and we need payment today" She looked at the man, who reminded her of a little weasel sent to do the errands, and gets his hands dirty. Whilst the greedy men at the top sat on their backsides in their expensive shoes, deciding whose life they could make a misery today.

"I will tell you again I have no idea where my husband is, and I need to feed my daughter. Please can you leave" Attempting to close the door in his face, the man stopped her, by placing his foot on the step

"Mr ….." That was strange she could not remember him, giving her his name, something here was not sitting right with her. Nothing made sense.

"Would You like me to call the police?" she looked at him and his foot now jammed in her door way.

"No need Mrs Peletier, I can come in and wait" his eyes flashed, making her step back a little, her gut instinct telling her, no screaming at her to tell him to leave, not to invite him in

"No I do not allow strangers in my house, you are not invited" He took a step back and if she didn't know better she thought he hissed at her.

"You have not heard the last of this" turning from her he stormed down the small pathway, Carol could feel her body relax, her heart beat back to normal. Listening she was surprised that Sophia's cries had calmed to a soft whimper, even her baby knew that man was dangerous. Carol felt she had passed some kind of test, yet not sure what in. Shutting the door she locked it, even though it was early morning around 10-00, she felt drained before the day started. Ed had not come home and by the looks of things he wasn't going to be back for awhile. Her mind screamed at her,liar, Ed did come home last night, he tried to..., shaking her head no that was a dream.

Yeah if it was a dream why did you find shards of glass on your bedroom floor? Shut up she screamed at her inner thoughts. Leaning her head against the closed door, her eyes glancing up at the locked room just out of her vision in the shadows.

"Hey calm down, it's ok" his words coming into her mind,

"LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE" She screamed into the emptiness of the house, tears falling from her cheeks. She was going crazy she had to be, her imagination was running wild, it had to be lack of sleep, as no way did two men burst into her room last night and save her from whatever fate Ed had planned. The window they had come through had been mended,as if nothing had happened, yet those few small shard's of glass behind the curtain, made her wonder if it had been real. Straightening herself she walked towards Sophia's room picking the little one in her arms she fed her, yet Carol was on eggshells. ready for Ed to escape, she was sure he was behind that locked door, if he was, who put him there?. Then her thoughts took a different route, was this the chance to escape, take Sophia and run, she had little money, yet what she did have could easily pay a month's rent on a place the other side of town.

"She has no idea where he is either. Mr Blake. She was not as easy to manipulate as we thought, She would not invite me in" Martinez spoke to his boss.

"This is not good , not good at all, You need to get in that house, find out if Ed has been home, or is still there, I can sense he is, until we get permission to enter, we are unable to do anything" His hand slammed down on the large desk in frustration. One of the main differences between "their kind and The Dixon's, they had to be invited in to a place before they could enter into a humans domain, Dixon's had that right from the moment they were born.

"That place ready for them?" Daryl had paced up and down all morning, worrying about his mate, her child. The fact that Philip had sent Martinez to check on Ed.

"Calm down son , please" His mum lay her hand on his arm, soothing him as best she could, his smile soft as he hugged her. He was glad they were here, having arrived earlier than planned.

"I know mum but he... they..." he couldn't continue not wanting to think along the route his mind was taking.

"Stop it Daryl, they will make sure she gets out, the cottage is done up just right for a mother and young baby. Andrea and I made it all homely with everything she could wish for"

"I know ya did mum and I'm grateful honest but she ain't there yet and until she is, until they both are. I can't settle." Hugging her youngest son to her, she wished the human would hurry and make the decision they all knew she should.

"I'm leaving him, Sophia, sweetheart, so you be very good whilst I pack" How confident she sounded, yet inside she was terrified, Ed had gotten involved with the wrong people, she had never taken to Philip having only met him once, and that was enough. He gave her the creeps, her instincts yelling at her to keep away, they had never been wrong. Ed had frightened her last night, he felt so cold, his eyes dare she say it looked dead. She had that feeling inside her, the inner voice telling her to get out now, but where could she go? She had no means of travel, the buggy that she pushed Sophia in could carry a few things. What about her cot? All her stuff, stupid woman, just take the most needed, once settled she could think then. Packing the pull along and Sophia's teddy, food, and other essentials she shut the door on her old life. Still not quiet understanding where she was going or what she would do for money. Her feet guided her to a small shop window, she was sure this strange old fashion place was not here three days ago. Glancing in the murky window she could see a young lady inside, a few adverts showed various places for rent, one stuck out at her. Taking a deep breath she pushed the door open, glad when the lady got up and helped her in

"Well hello there and how can I help you two today?" Her smile made her face glow, her beautiful hair cascading down her back, it looked like copper, yet as Carol looked into her eyes, she was sure her soul was older than she looked,she knew those eyes, they were so blue, just like... No she couldn't think about him at the moment, yet the reaction she saw in the woman's face, made her wonder if she could read her mind?.There was something about her, that drew her in, a kindness and warmth came from her, making her feel safe, like the man in her dreams. Even Sophia sat up to look at her, her little hands reaching up, which is one thing her daughter had never done

"What a beautiful baby, could I?" The woman asked as Sophia reached up higher, astonished by her daughter's reaction to the stranger, all she could do was nod. A giggle coming from her daughter when the lady tickled her, nuzzling her face against Sophia's

"She truly is beautiful just like her mummy. So Car..." damn she had almost let her secret out, thank god Carol had not noticed her mistake, she was busy looking at the various places she had for rent

"Thank you, she is my little miracle, I am looking for a place to rent Miss..." holding Sophia in one arm she put the other hand out for Carol to shake

"Mrs Dixon, but please call me Anastasia, you escaped from your husband?" Carol's eyes shot to hers, how did she know'

"Please I don't mean to pry, it's you remind me so much of myself years back" She smiled softly at the young woman who claimed her youngest son's heart. Yes she was the one, she had looked into her soul seen the love she hid, read her mind when she thought of Daryl, yes this one was his and she would do everything in her power to keep her safe and away from harm. She could feel both her son's and husband trying to get into her mind, she knew all would be pissed at her for doing this, but she had to push her along, get her settled in the cottage they had designed just for her and Sophia. Anastasia knew they had but a few hours left before Ed would wake, then all hell would break loose when he found his wife and daughter had left.

"How did you know? It's as if you can read my mind" Carol knew when she spoke the words how stupid she sounded

"No honey, just that lost look you have, please sit down and let's see if we can get you and this little one settled in one of our places. It will be dark soon and I am sure you want to get her fed" Carol nodded, tears threatening to fall from her eyes, the kindness she was showing was something Carol had not felt for awhile

"I can't afford much, I don't have a job... I..." Tears were falling, Anastasia placed her hand over Carol's sending some comforting thoughts.

"No need to get upset sweetie, we can sort something out" placing a box of tissues in her hand, Anastasia went to get a few photo's of various places popping the cottage in the middle of the pile.

Sophia had nestled in her arms when she sat back down. Carol glancing at the woman again, then at her daughter almost asleep in the woman's arms.

"She never settles in any one else's arms, even struggles to escape my husband. He hates that she doesn't bond with him takes it out..." shutting up quickly she put her head down. Anastasia could feel Daryl's anger, his need to come and protect his mate, to hold her tight in his embrace. Telling him to calm down, she turned to Carol

"It's ok don't be frightened of telling me, It will go no further" she wanted her to trust her, after all she was going to be part of their family soon

"I can't not yet, it's still all... Never mind can I see what you have to offer?" taking the photo's she looked through them, as Anastasia watched her, hating to see how scared she was, her hands shaking ,showing her the fear,that the woman tried to hide.

"Oh this one is so beautiful just like I had always dreamed off, the porch, the flowers, oh gosh it even has a small swing set. How wonderful to have this" her fingers stroked over the photo, wishing with all her heart that it was in her price range, yet knowing deep down it was not to be.

"I am sure we can work something out" Carol shook her head, no way could she ever afford it, she had no job, nothing but the small meagre amount in her purse that she had saved over the months. The cottage would be, what it had always been a dream.

"Tell you what, my son is looking for a receptionist as his firm" it was the only thing she could make up at short notice, to ensure their plan worked.

"I have never done that sort of work, Ed would never allow me to..." Anastasia held her hand up stopping Carol's protest

"I am sure his wife would be grateful for the help she is due in the next few weeks to give birth. She can train you up, then you will be able to rent the cottage and earn" There she had sorted it all, she could already hear her men shouting what firm? What fucking job?. Sending her thoughts back about their swearing and listening in on conversations both son's backed down. Her husband still threatening repercussions over the lies she was weaving. Anastasia told him to shut up, before she cut him off completely, knowing he was beat he shut his thought's off, leaving his wife to sort it all out.

"So what do you say" her smile wide as she waited with baited breath

"Yes, oh yes please, it sounds too good to be true but I have no choice I need the job and the cottage"

Nodding her head, she picked the phone up calling home making it look as if she was sorting a few things out.

"Can you bring the car, we need to move her in quickly, and bring Merle please, no not yet it's too soon" Carol had Sophia back in her arms as the woman dealt with things, her ears picked up the last few words, they sounded so much like the man in her dreams. Had he not said similar about it being too soon?. Signing the paperwork, she looked up at her again, her eyes were so like his. Yet she would be way too young to have a son his age, the smile Anastasia gave her made her wonder if her dreams were actually reality?. Could the man she had such explicit dreams about be related to this woman?.