Chapter Twenty: To Begin Again
The quiet sounds of early morning filled the air. The sun wasn't ready to rise yet, but the birds were already moving in the trees, and the fog was creeping away.
Lyra listened to it all, the quiet peacefulness. She had been up for an hour already, listening as the world slowly woke.
The wood settled around the house, and she could hear snoring coming from downstairs. The sound made her smile softly, because those snores meant two young men were once again sprawled across the couches in the living room.
She could hear softer breathing coming from the guest rooms where Abby and Isaac slept, and the sound of a squirrel racing across the roof.
Then her attention turned back to the man sleeping beside her.
Derek was lying on his back, with an arm stretched out. He had been holding her throughout the night, soothing away any lingering nightmares. The scruff on his jaw was more beard than stubble, and she frowned at the sight of worry lines etched into his brow.
Her fingertips traced them gently, before brushing across his cheek. Everything about him was so familiar, so safe. She knew every scar, every freckle and mole like she knew her own. She knew the color of his eyes and she could hear the sound of his laugh even as he dreamed silently.
Lyra sighed. Then she leaned down, pressed her cheek against his chest, right above his heart. She listened to it beat, and felt it pounding against her hand. The sound soothed her.
More time had passed since the night in the woods. Lyra was no longer hiding away in her room, or her house. She knew it would take more time for her to feel right again, but she knew she had to make to choice to start over. She didn't want to, or could she, forget, and so she didn't, and instead carried on with the help of her family, her pack.
Lyra felt Derek stir, then his hand touched her hair. His fingers ran through the long, honey blonde strands. Then he leaned over to kiss her forehead gently. "Go back to sleep," he murmured. "It's early."
"I like this time of day. It's like everything's new."
Derek's lips curved. He ran his fingers up and down her spine.
Lyra sighed again, pressing herself against him more. Her eyes dropped at his movements. "Maybe one more hour..."
Ooo0ooO
Derek stared out the window a few hours later, with a cup of coffee in his hands. Steam rose from the mug as the beverage cooled.
Lyra walked in, and stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. Then she walked over, crawling into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, tucking herself under his chin, nuzzling his jawline.
Derek pressed his cheek against her hair, squeezing her back in response. He didn't mind when she drank some of his coffee, so they ended up sharing the cup before pouring themselves another.
"Tell me what you're thinking," Lyra requested, tracing patterns on the back of his hand.
"I'm thinking... I love you."
Lyra smiled. "I know. Tell me more."
"I'm thinking we need milk since the boys keep eating all of our cereal."
Lyra laughed softly.
"I'm thinking we should call Sam and see how they're doing. Maybe we can call Chris too." Derek kissed the top of her head. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking... I'm ready to begin again."
Ooo0ooO
The sheriff was working away at his desk when there was a knock at the door. He looked up and sat back, smiling widenly. "Lyra!"
Lyra smiled back, walking in. "How are you?"
"Oh, you know, the paperwork isn't going to do itself," he joked, running a hand through his greying hair. "How are you?"
"Getting better, but I'm not all the way there," Lyra replied honestly.
"Well, I know the boys are keeping their eye on you, and I'm sure Derek is there too."
"I need to start a tab for the boys. Apparently we are officially out of Frosted Flakes as of ten o'clock this morning."
The sheriff chuckled. "Send me and Melissa the bill."
"Will do."
The sheriff gave her a look. "Are you here to start working again?"
Lyra nodded. "You know, I figured, getting back up on that horse and all."
"You sure? If you need more time..."
"I appreciate that," Lyra said. "But I need to get things back to the way they were, or as close as."
"Well, I know I can't stop you," the sheriff said on a defeated sigh.
Lyra gave him a familiar smirk. "Nope. How about I help you with that paperwork?"
Ooo0ooO
As the sun set once more, it found Lyra standing alone in a familiar cemetery. She held some simple flowers in her hand as she gazed down at the grave in front of her.
With a sigh, she knelt down, brushing the leaves from the stone that bore the etchings of her old friend's name. She fixed the flowers, pulled out some weeds, then sat back.
"I've been trying to think what you would say to me, but truth is... I'm not sure," she said out loud. "I think you would just tell me to keep holding onto the people who love me. But I suppose all I can do is guess now.
I want to be okay. I think I will be eventually. It's not easy, you know? I lost so many people I love, you, Mom, Dad... but this..." Her hand ghosted over her stomach. "This was different. I know I said I wasn't ready... but I think I would have been when the time came to step up and be a mom. Maybe I'll have that moment again, one day."
Lyra reached down, pressing her hand against the grass, as though she was reaching out towards him. "I miss you, Matty. I wish you were here."
Then she stood and began the slow walk home. Waiting for her outside the gates was Derek, wearing his faded leather jacket, which he then draped across her shoulders when she joined him.
Lyra smiled up at him. "Thanks. How long were you waiting?"
"Not long," he told her. "Come on, let's go home. I hear the boys went grocery shopping."
"Oh really?"
"Mhm. They also mentioned something about billing Melissa and the sheriff?"
Lyra laughed, wrapping an arm around Derek's waist. "Well, we have to have Frosted Flakes with two growing boys in the house, right?"
Derek rolled his eyes. "Yeah, two twenty years old boys."
"You know you like them."
"Yeah, yeah."
Ooo0ooO
It was dark when the door to the old mill creaked open slowly. Hushed whispers echoed, followed by footsteps.
"Quiet!" someone barked.
He waited quietly, sensing they were close.
"Should we tell him?"
"I still can't believe-!"
"Look, there he is!"
The sharp voice spoke again. "I said quiet!"
Then the blindfold was ripped off, and Peter blinked slowly. The gag followed, along with the chains keeping his arms and legs nailed to the cement floor.
Peter stood slowly, rubbing his raw wrists. He eyed the tall Omega in front of him, along with the other wolves that had joined him in this little rescue party.
"Well it's about damn time."
Ooo0ooO
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf.
Author's Note: Please review.