We had made it home and the relief washed over me. "Melanie! Jared!" Jaime ran into Mel's arms and it felt like home. "Hey Mel! I missed you hope you brought some chocolate. I've been missing that a lot lately and Oh!" Jaime's voice trailed off as he notice Rowan standing between Ian and I. Jaime's face turned a bright red and he instantly squared his shoulders "And It's so quite around here now Lacey is with Burns." I have a funny feeling that's not what he was going to say.
"Jaime can you go get Kyle and Sunny for us?" Ian asked. Jaime nodded wordlessly bolted to get Kyle. Ian burst out laughing, Jared and Melanie joined in. I looked at Ian confused. Had I missed the joke? I looked at Rowan and her face was bright red. I looked at Ian in frustration this time. "I think Jaime likes Rowan" he whispered in my ear. My eyes fluttered up to his, I am so dense. Ian laughed again kissed me on the forehead.
"Come on guys, let's get something to eat." Jared was so good at knowing when I was uncomfortable. As we made our way down through the kitchen, Sunny and Kyle rounded the corner. "Rowan!" Sunny darted toward Rowan and then we heard the smack.
Ouch! I know how that feels. Ian and Jared quickly restrained Rowan and I tended to Sunny crying on the floor. I lifted Sunny's chin to get a better look at her face. Blood trickled from her nose and her eyes had already started to blacken underneath. I sighed, this is a sign we all know too well. Her nose is probably broken. "I'll take her to Doc"
As I helped Sunny up I could hear Kyle raising his voice "You didn't have to hit her!"
"Kyle I didn't mean too, I didn't want it hugging me! You don't understand. That thing is not our Jodes!" Rowan was crying again. I let Ian and Kyle handle Rowan. I was tired. All these human emotions were taking a toll on me today. Thank goodness I ran into Jaime "Jaime can you take Sunny to Doc, I need lay down"
"Sure thing Wanda, you ok? Sure you dont need to see Doc too?"
"I'm fine Jaime, just tired, I didn't sleep well last night"
"Ok Wanda, just get some rest."
I headed through the tunnels toward our room. I kept my eyes down. For some reason I just didn't feel like talking to anyone and for the first time in a long time I just wanted to be alone. I finally made it to our room and pulled the curtain back and I let my body fall to the mattress. I felt my eyelids get very heavy and I felt the sleep come gratefully.
I felt gentle fingers brushing my hair out of my eyes. "Wanda" the voice whispered. "Wanda, you need to wake up and eat honey". I knew this voice too well. "Ian, how long have I been asleep?"
"For awhile sweetheart, I'm sorry. I should of known how tired you would be." I hated seeing him punish himself. I scowled at this. "Ian don't be sorry, I was just tired. All the emotions take a toll on my mind in it just makes me tired" It was Ian's turn to scowl "Emotions? Is everything ok?" Why was he constantly worried if everything was ok? "Everything is perfect Ian! I wish you would stop asking. You act as if someone is going to pull the rug out from under us at any moment! I was just tired, you have to think about all the emotions that I have felt in the past twenty four hours. Fear, love, jealousy…it becomes a sensory overload!" Uh, oh, his scowl deepened. "Jealousy?!" he asked.
Suddenly my hands became very interesting." I thought you and Rowan…" I couldn't finish my sentence. Ian gently put his hand under my chin and pulled my face up to his. I met his eyes and I was relieved to see the look of relief in his eyes turn to tenderness. "Wanda, you silly girl, I love only you" and he kissed me ever so gently on the tip of my nose. "Let's get you something to eat"
Only a few were in the kitchen when Ian and I arrived. Food was good tonight because of the raid. We had gotten a slew of lunchmeat and bread. Ham, turkey and roast beef sandwiches were being served for dinner. I sat at our usual table as Ian went and got our sandwiches. Kyle and Sunny entered and Sunny's face looked bad, despite looking awful Sunny smiled and waved. "Oh, it's not so bad. Doc gave me some No Pain". That explains why she's so giddy.
Ian and Kyle sat with our food and my stomach growled at the sight of the sandwiches. "And this is where we eat, are you hungry?" I couldn't help but smile. Jaime was giving Rowan the tour, I approved. Jaime needed someone his own age to talk to and I couldn't think of a better person to help Rowan adjust. I noticed Sunny had curled herself into Kyle's arm and he was trying to coax her out. It was Jaime of course who made her smile and start eating again. "Well Sunny, I guess you and Kyle are meant to be together. You both like having your nose broken". Rowan looked down in shame. "Oh don't worry about it Rowan, I'm fine" Sunny said cheerfully.
People were really starting to flow in and the mood became light and conversational. I was glad to be home. Jared and Melanie even found their way. Jared had inserted himself between Jaime and Rowan forcing them to scoot and make room for him. I just laughed as Mel sat across from me. I knew enough to know what Jared was doing. "So have we found a place for Rowan to stay yet?" Mel asked.
"Yep" Jaime responded "I thought she could have Ian and Wanda's old room". That worked out well. I suppose Ian and I moved to our new space just in time. Rowan cleared her throat to get our attention. "Um, Sunny, I'm sorry I punched you in the face."
Sunny being Sunny happily responded "It's ok! I don't know why I rushed at you, It was like I couldn't control myself and I needed to hug you"
Out of the corner of my eye, Kyle stiffened. Mel and I locked eyes. We knew this all too well and memories of my first few days crashed through my head. I knew Melanie was experiencing the same thing as I was. Melanie was the first to respond. "Um, Sunny, you couldn't control yourself? Was it Jodi?" Sunny knitted her eyebrows together, tears started to spring to her eyes "I, I don't know. I'm not sure. I've been looking , honest Mel!"
"It's ok, Sunny" I chimed in "Can you feel Jodi now?"
Sunny knitted her eyebrows together again "Wanda it's just me, I'm trying to find her!"
Kyle instinctively patted her shoulders trying to console Sunny. "Shhh…it's ok, you'll find her. Don't cry Sunny. It's ok."
Life went on. Rowan adjusted well and was at Jaime's side whenever she could. Jaime became very busy these days. Uncle Jeb, Jared, and Melanie were always sending him on useless tasks to keep him busy. Rowan was always sent in the opposite direction, to the kitchen to help with the bread or to help Trudy and Sharon with the laundry. I wondered why they were doing this. Jaime and Rowan always tried to find time together. I didn't understand the need to keep them separated.