Eli's pov

"I'm proud of you Eli, I want you to know that." Sean stood before me as I packed my things into my suitcase, and I searched his eyes for some sign of life, but they were empty.

I looked down at the floor, looking for the strength to speak. "Well I'm not proud of myself, I shouldn't be leaving you." I whispered.

Sean crossed his arms, taking a moment to think before he spoke. "I wasn't man enough to do what you're doing right now, I wasn't man enough to walk away from this lifestyle that ultimately killed the love of my life. Eli if I had packed my things, and taken Emma away, she'd be here. She didn't have to die, but she did...and that will forever be on me. You still have a chance to keep Clare safe, don't spend your time worrying about me, because weather you're here or not I'm alone now and I always will be."

I stood from my bed so that I was standing face to face with him, and when our eyes met I couldn't find it in my heart to argue with him. I wanted to assure him that it would get better, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it because I knew if I ever lost Clare like that, I'd never get better. I wrapped my arms around him, and he returned my embrace. "I will always be your brother Sean."

"And I will always be yours." Sean cried.

15 years later.

Clare's pov

"Mom! Mom! Can I go outside now, please?!"

I smiled at my daughter, as I smoothed her jet black hair. "Yes Emma, just let me fix your crown." She rolled her eyes as I fixed her crown, reminding me of her father. "Emma quit it, just because you're double digits now doesn't mean you get to start acting like a brat." I scolded. "What's the rush anyways?"

Emma smiled. "Dad said uncle Sean is supposed to be coming, and I wanna be outside when he gets here."

I finished straightening out her crown, and walked towards the door with her hand in mine. "Well, I'm glad you're excited baby. You only turn 10 once, and you know uncle Sean wouldn't miss that for the world." As soon as I opened the back door Emma let go of my hand, and began running in her pink princess dress. Somehow she knew Sean was already there, it never failed to amaze me how connected they were. When Emma was born, Sean was the first to hold her, besides Eli and I. The moment he held her, the light that had been missing in his eyes since he lost his Emma returned. We made Sean her God father, and ever since they were attached at the hip. He never missed one of her games, plays, or any holidays. He loved her more than anything.

Sean picked her up into his arms, squeezing her tight. "My princess! Happy birthday kid, how does it feel to be the big ten o?"

Emma smiled. "Really cool uncle Sean, do you think I'm big enough to go spend the nights white you now? We could play games all night, and even have tea parties."

Sean looked to me, and then back to Emma with a frown on his face. "Baby I don't think that's a good idea right now, but you know anytime you miss me I'll drive here to see you, no questions asked." Emma's smile faded and she wiggled out of Sean's arms. He bent down on one knee and pulled out a long jewelry box. "Hey, no being sad on your birthday. This is for you, maybe it will make you feel better." He smirked.

Emma's eyes slightly widened as she took the box from Sean. As her eyes examined her present she slowly began to smile again. "It's mine?"

"Anything you want is yours Emma." Sean took the bracelet and put it on her wrist. "This used to be your aunt Emma's, so I want you to take very good care of this for me."

Emma smiled as she kissed Sean on the cheek. "I will."

"Emma leave your uncle alone and go play with your friends." Eli laughed, as he walked towards us.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Ok daddy."

She ran off to play as Sean stood up, and Eli then embraced him. "My brother, how are things?"

Sean smiled, "They've been really calm, especially since Bianca and Zig moved out."

I laughed, "I still can't believe they got married."

Eli grabbed my hand, still facing Sean. "So Emma was excited to see you? She hasn't seen you since the wedding."

Sean frowned, "Yes, but she asked to stay over again. I hate that I have to keep telling her no, and without any explanation."

Eli looked down at the ground, and then back at Sean. "I'm sorry Sean, but we can't exactly tell her that you're involved in criminal activities. She wouldn't understand, and then she'd have questions for me and Clare. We don't want her to know we were ever involved in any of that."

Sean's faced hardened. "I can't get out of the lifestyle until someone pays for taking my Emma from me, but staying in it makes me a bad Uncle."

I looked at Sean, and my heart sunk. "Brother you aren't, we understand your reasons, it's just that it's been 15 years with no trace of anyone who was involved with Aston."

Sean shook his head in frustration. "That doesn't mean anything, they didn't all just disappear! They are somewhere, and I will find them Clare. I swear!" Sean's face was red, and his breathing heavy.

Eli let go of my hand, and put it on Sean's shoulder. "Remember this is Emma's birthday party, calm down brother." Eli's words were calm, but his tone was serious.

Sean squinted his eyes in pain, "I know." He whimpered. "I'm sorry, it's just been so long. What if I never find them?"

Eli smiled. "Then so what? Emma wouldn't want you to spend your life looking fro those low life's." Eli hesitated before speaking again. "Come on, help me set up pin the tail on the princess?"

Sean weakly smiled, "I really don't want to, but you know i would do anything for my princess."

Eli nodded. "I know brother."

The three of us began to walk over to the kids playing, and after 20 minutes of pin the tail on the princess we were exhausted. We watched the kids playing, and the other adults talk as the sun set. "You know maybe it's time I get out." Sean whispered.

"Really?" Eli croaked, trying to hide his excitement.

Sean chuckled. "Yeah. It's what my Emma would want, and besides I think it's time I moved. Living so far from you guys and Emma is hard." I looked at Sean and Eli, unable to contain my excitement. Just as I was about to hug them both, Sean's phone rang. "Hold on guys, one second." Sean answered the phone, and his mouth slowly began to form into a hard line. "Who the fuck is this! Fucking tell me now!"

Eli's eyes widened in anger. "Sean not here, you're not going to cause a scene at my daughters birthday party!"

Sean ignored Eli and began looking around frantically amongst the kids and parents. "Emma! Where have you taken my Emma!" He screamed into the phone.

Eli's face turned pale and he began running around screaming for Emma as well.

I simply fell to my knees, because I knew in my soul that the past was finally catching up to us.

So guys I've been gone for months, because my life has gotten CRAZY. Y'all have no idea how hard things have been, but don't worry I won't leave my stories unfinished. I promise. I love you guys so much. I'm sorry this took so long, and also that this chapter isn't very detailed...or good for that matter. :/ I just didn't want to leave you guys hanging. The next one will be better, love Rie.