So what now? (Katydid50 x 5Bulletproof-Marshmellows)

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Wolf didn't look too convinced. She was sure that Rose meant what she said, but there were strings attached. She knew that she wanted them to tell her what happened, though Rose was never one to dig anything out with pliers, she let people talk when they were ready to. Unlike Daniel. To her surprise though, Wolf did get down. She glared at him for a moment to let him know she'd get down... eventually.

A moment later she felt his hands on her waist and her eyes widened. She didn't say anything though and simply moved away as soon as possible.

Rose could tell by the exchange of actions the two had, they weren't exactly a couple. The two annoyed each other to no end and yet she couldn't help but sense that there was a bit more to it than that. A small smirk appeared on her lips but it disappeared before anyone noticed. Besides, there were so many other things to cover. The two made their way up to the back porch, Grace led the way inside, her head hanging a little low as she passed her, after opening the screen door and then a wooden door. Rose followed after then, closing the two.

"I've got crepes, different types of jams, bacon, and some homemade punch. Or tea," she told them. Grace never liked tea so she usually didn't offer it but Wolf might have a taste for it. "What would you two like?" She walked into the kitchen that was still relatively open to the table. There were no walls between them really.

Grace bit her lip a little and slowly sat down at the round wooden table that was basking in the morning sun. She glanced over at Wolf, he could say what he wanted first. She looked down at the table and then noticed a cup that was half empty, inside was some tea. It seemed as if Aunt Rose had been expecting them. Her mother or Daniel had called. No doubt Aunt Rose would be letting them know she was back soon enough.

After Wolf said what he would have, she just asked for a few crepes and two slices of bacon. Aunt Rose had moved the jam to the table by then and brought the two plates over that were filled with food. The older woman sat down with them, next to Grace.

"Is she doing alright?" she figured Wolf would know something about this. He also had a knack with Grace, after all he had managed to get her down from the horse. She already knew Grace wouldn't tell her if she was dying from pain.

"I'm fine," Grace spoke before Wolf could.

Rose turned towards her for a moment. "I wasn't asking you. Now go ahead and eat. I'll let you both eat in peace once I get this one question answered," she told him. She looked over at Wolf. How had he managed to bring her over here? She didn't voice her thoughts and then looked down at her cup before taking a sip of the black tea.  

[Katydid50]

Wolf ignored the glare Grace sent his way, instead lifting her down from the horse. She didn't thank him but he didn't expect her to. She was stubborn and would never ask for help. He was the same. He could appreciate it.

After leading Batlo to the porch and tying him there, Wolf followed Grace inside, sending Rose a suspcious glance as he passed her by. It wasn't that he didn't trust her in particular but, after all the experiences he'd had with other women similar to her, he wasn't going to leave himself open to attack. He glanced back at her as she followed them inside, making sure to keep a sizeable distance between them.

When Rose started speaking, it took him a moment to realize that she was offering them food. He didn't speak right away, considering whether her offer was genuine or not. It seemed like it. Besides, she was offering it to Grace, too, her niece. Perhaps she was simply doing it out of good manners. Still wary, he followed Grace to the table, taking the seat across from her, nearest the door.

Since it seemed that Grace had no intention of taking her aunt up on her offer, or taking it up first, Wolf requested a couple of crepes, some bacon and a black tea. Given the chance, he probably could have eaten all the crepes and every strip of bacon by himself but he was a guest and he knew well enough not to ask for more than his fair share.

After he spoke, Grace asked for her own food. It felt unnatural, watching someone doing something while remaining completely stationary himself. It went against the grain. He was used to always being busy, always having something or some chore to do. But, Rose finally joined them, sitting beside her niece.

The smell of the food wafted up to his nose, causing his mouth to water. However, he would not start eating before everyone else, regardless of how his stomach tightened.

Rose spoke, then, asking how Grace was doing. Before he could respond, Grace cut in, saying she was fine. He snorted but, it seemed, Rose knew what Grace was like and immediately disregarded the comment. She turned her attention back to him, promising to let them eat in peace once the question was answered.

Wolf glanced over at Grace, considering how to answer. How much did Rose know? Certainly she would know Grace was injured. Daniel or Elenore would have telephoned her and told her what had happened. "She is well enough, all things considered. She would be better if she was not so stubborn and did not push herself so hard, but she will heal... eventually." Providing she didn't tear open the wound or get hurt in some other way, which he didn't trust her not to do.

Question answered, he dug into the food. He didn't put any jam on the crepes, eating them plain. He didn't eat a lot of sugar so, when he did have the opprotunity, he avoided it. The last time he'd had any substantial amount of sugar -an amount that most people would have considered normal- he'd felt sick. He didn't want a repeat of that incident. The sweetest thing he ate on a semi-frequent basis were berries that he found in the forest or strawberries that Daniel had gotten for them. He had no such trouble with the bacon, however, no matter how salty it was.  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Everyone seemed to settle down but Grace couldn't help but feel tense. She didn't want to be sent back to Daniel's. Aunt Rose would probably let her stay for a few days if she managed to spend the night here today. It was hard to say what the woman would do right now.

Aunt Rose filled their plates with food. She usually had everyone help but she knew that Grace wouldn't make a confident move right now. Wolf was a guest, he wasn't expected to help and she wouldn't allow it either. After she was about to sit down herself, she took a sip of black tea and took in the scene. Grace was being awfully quiet. Not that she had ever been particularly loud, but still, not this silent.

Wolf answered the question after some thought, and a few words from Grace. She knew perfectly well that Screech was a healer. If the man had let her go and Wolf said that she was fine, she was sure Grace would be well in no time. That is as long as she didn't get herself into trouble. Wolf ate his food now that she was promised not to pester him until after he was done.

Grace ate the crepes first, barely putting any jam on them. She didn't like a lot of it, just a hint of flavor was good enough for her. The bacon was delicious but she couldn't properly enjoy the meal while the thoughts of what was going to happen swirling in the back of her mind.

She glanced at Aunt Rose a few times who sipped her tea quite contently. She was surprised that she didn't say anything. Then again, she wasn't Deserai. Deserai. Lowering her head briefly she couldn't help but feel bad for leaving them, even if it was just for now. They always stuck together but there was no way she was going back to Daniel's anytime soon.

Once they were done, she asked if they wanted seconds on anything. Grace shook her head before grabbing her plate and taking it to the kitchen sink, rinsing it off. She turned her attention back to Wolf for that moment. "How is your family doing?" she did truly want to know due to the fact that she barely saw them, but she knew them well enough to care about their future. Screech was getting quite old and she always wanted to make sure Leaf was okay. After all, losing a wife and child was not the easiest thing to overcome even in the later years. He seemed more at peace nowadays though. Then again, he probably had enough trouble with Wolf as well. He had that same stubborn streak that Grace did.

Walking back in, she noticed that the tea was empty. She reached out to take it and Aunt Rose moved her hand away from it, thanking her briefly. Going back to the kitchen she guessed that Wolf would be leaving soon enough. She could feel a knot building up in her stomach. Whatever.  

[Katydid50]

Wolf kept his attention focused thoroughly on Rose though he was ever aware of Grace's presence across from him. When Rose returned to the table with the plates of food, he quietly thanked her. He didn't eat right away, considering what Rose asked of him and answering, and waiting for someone else to start eating, before he dug in.

Though his concentration was on his food, he was still ever aware of the two females in the room. Grace he had no problem with. Though they did not get along, he knew her well enough to trust her. Rose, on the other hand, was a different matter. He didn't know her very well. She seemed genuine and up-front. But, she also seemed like the older farm wives in the area, kind and considerate and hospitable... to the right people. He half expected her to turn on him at any moment but, as the minutes wore on and she made no move against him, he slowly started to relax.

Across from him, Grace was tense. He could see it in her shoulders. Why she should be uneasy, he couldn't even begin to guess, unless she and her aunt didn't have a good relationship which he highly doubted. She wouldn't have come here if that was the case, unless she felt she had no place else to go. That didn't seem to be, though. They had greeted each other warmly enough.

When the food was finally gone, Rose asked if they wanted seconds but he declined. He'd already had his fair share. He wouldn't take advantage of the woman, even though his stomach was still far from pleased. Crepes and bacon were not the same as venison stew or pancakes. He'd simply eat some more when he got home.

Getting to his feet, Wolf followed Grace's example and carried his plate to the kitchen sink. He rinsed if off and set it beside the counter before returning to the dining room. He wasn't overly familiar with white customs and was terribly unsure of what his role of 'guest', he assumed, entailed. He didn't like being unsure of his role in any given situation.

Returning to his seat, he focused back on Rose when she asked about his family. He hesitated, unsure how much to tell the woman. "My father is well. My grandfather..." How to answer? His grandfather was dying, slowly, almost imperceptively, but he was. He wouldn't see spring. They'd all known it was only a matter of time but now it was finally happening and Wolf felt as though the ground was slowly being eroded away beneath his feet. "My grandfather is in high spirits." Which, he told himself, was true. Screech didn't act as though anything out of the ordinary was happening. Though he now slept half the day away and he could barely walk without help, he still insisted on doing things for himself, even becoming annoyed when Leaf or Wolf tried to help him. It was a small comfort.

When Grace grasped her aunt's cup, he found himself watching as she retreated back into the kitchen. Her hair shone from the light that poured through the windows. Her steps were confident, her stride purposeful. She really was beautiful... for a white girl. Catching himself, he lowered his attention to his own cup and took a drink of the now-cold tea but he drank it anyway.

((I just noticed that you're using green for Grace instead of purple.))  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

((I'm not sure why I did that >< Guess Elenore wants back in the picture lol ))

Wolf took his plate back as well. She was surprised that he was being this way with her Aunt. After all he barely talked to Daniel. He was polite enough with her mother. Yet he was cautious with Rose. And plate. Like, she hadn't been expecting him to bring it over even if he did have manners under that tough exterior of his. Then again sometimes she doubted that he was soft inside.

She then came back to grab Aunt Rose's mug but when she walked away, she felt like she was being watched. A small chill ran down her spine, she wasn't sure if it was good or not.

Aunt Rose listened to the boy's answer carefully. She knew that Screech hadn't been in the best physical health as of late. Lowering her head for a moment, she then looked back at him, her white hair reflecting the morning's sun light, almost looking like fresh snow. "That's good to hear. If they ever need anything, let me know," she told him. When Grace came by she couldn't help but notice that the boy was watching her with interest. A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. The two would certainly make an interesting pair.

She let him finish his drink before getting up. Grace hadn't come back yet, it was for the best. "I should let you be getting back to your family then. No need in making them worry." She pushed the wooden chair in before going to the door.

Once they were there though, she opened it and walked out onto the porch with him. Looking in the direction of the dark forest with the glistening tree tops, she then spoke. "I don't know how you two ran into each other but thank you for bringing her back safely." She looked over at him and gave him a small smile. "Just be careful. She's a tough one," her voice was low. She barely hinted at the fact that she knew of his interest in Grace. Honestly, she wasn't sure how Elenore would react, or rather overreact.

"Tell your family I said hi," she added before taking a step back.

Grace was biting her bottom lip in the kitchen. She had heard them get up. Wolf was leaving. She couldn't just go out there and say bye, that would be awkward. Frowning she leaned against the counter, trying to keep herself from peeking out the window. A blush crept up to her cheeks when she remembered him saying her full name.. his eyes catching the low light in the forest before he disappeared. Ugh. Whyyy?  

[Katydid50]

Since he had watched Grace walking back into the kitchen, Wolf kept his eyes focused firmly on the mug in front of him. The tea had gone cold but he didn't mind. He just needed something to keep his mind off his own feelings. He knew himself well enough to know that something was happening between himself and Grace. Whether it was one-sided or not, he wasn't sure and didn't care to know. The first female he starts to feel an inkling of something for and she is a white, hard-headed, impatient city girl. God hated him.

At Rose's offer, he nodded slowly, only glancing up before returning his focus to the tea. It was a kind offer but it wasn't one that would be taken up. Their people took pride in not having to rely on anyone else. It would have been hard enough to ask for help from Daniel or Micheal, both of whom they were very close to, let alone a woman that they didn't know particularly well.

He finished the tea in silence. Rose didn't speak either, which was fine by him. He wanted nothing so much as to get out of there before he either made a fool of himself or Rose snapped and pulled a gun on him. He didn't think the latter was likely to actually occur but some part of his mind told him to tread carefully.

However, Rose must have realized how much he wanted to leave because, once he finished his tea, she spoke about letting him return to his family. He hoped his relief wasn't visible as he stood and followed her to the front door.

Wolf stepped out into the cool morning air. It was no longer as cold as it had been but it was still crisp. Batlo stood calmly where Wolf had left him, munching half-heartedly on the brown grass around him.

When Rose spoke, Wolf glanced over, watching her intently. She thanked him and he nodded once. "Couldn't very well leave her out there," he muttered. She may have been city tough but, when it came to the forest, she was as defenseless as a fawn. Rose spoke again and her words made him frown in confusion. He knew Grace was tough but why would he need to be careful? She wasn't about to pick a fight with him, not with her arm in the condition it was. Sending her a wary look, he stepped off the porch, walking over to Batlo and untying the horse's rein.

Wolf climbed onto the horse's back in the same manner he had at the cabin before turning to face Rose. "I will." He started to turn Batlo around then paused. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "If you care anything for your niece at all, keep her out of the forest. Melk Elish is back and, tough as she may be, she would not stand a chance against him." Whether or not Rose knew about Melk Elish, he wasn't concerned, so long as she kept Grace out of the forest.

As he turned and rode away, Wolf considered his own motive. It was not that he didn't want Grace in the forest. In all honesty, he didn't care. But, Melk Elish was a killer. Three years ago, he had been responsible for the deaths of two campers. The only reason the cougar had not been destroyed was because he could not be found. Now, he was back and the very idea of Grace coming across him filled Wolf's heart with dread.  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Of course he would say something like that. Seeing the confusion in him, she didn't bother to explain. If he wanted to be near Grace he would have to be careful with his steps. She easily pushed people away but if they got close enough to where the girl cared about them, they stayed there for quite some time. The divorce had been hard on her. Grace had been daddy's little girl before everything exploded.

Watching him climb onto the horse, she then went back to the door. The boy could take care of himself when it came to the forest. Noticing him pause though, she stayed outside. Keeping Grace from anything was near impossible. Then again, if it depended on her life, Rose would keep her out of trouble. It'd be difficult, but she was sure she could do it. Then again, who knew how long Grace would be staying here? She nodded in regards to the warning and then went back inside.

Closing her eyes after Wolf had left, she leaned against the counter. Well. What now? Today had been eventful enough. She wanted to be back in the city. Things had been simpler there. Hearing the door open, she guessed that Aunt Rose was back. What they had talked about on the porch was none of her concern, or at least she told herself that. Biting her lip, she waited for her to come into the kitchen but instead she heard her call out.

"Come into the parlor," Rose told her, sitting herself down in one of the comfy chairs. She heard reluctant footsteps after a moment. She waited for Grace to sit down because speaking. "You're going to have to go back sometime," Grace started to say something but Rose cut her off, "I'll let you stay until things have cooled off. I don't want the roof flying off of that house." Grace couldn't help but smile at that before she curled up into a ball.

"Now, I trust that your injury has been taken care of. Rest until it's well. No need for you to lose a limb here," she then sighed and ran a hand through her silvery white hair. "Elenore told me her side of the story.." she told Grace, watching the girl lowering her eyes.

"Tell I'll tell you mine," she said softly. And with that she began to explain what had happened. Not letting her great aunt know how or where she had gotten the injury, but the simple details of today.

After everything Aunt Rose made sure Elenore and Daniel knew that Grace was doing just fine. Or at least healing quite well. There was no need for them to come over either until things had settled down and they were actually able to talk. Grace lay down and slept for a while. By the time she opened her eyes it was past noon.  

[Katydid50]

Daniel ran a hand over his face, exasperation mixing with the kind of fatigue only babysitting could bring. Earlier that morning, they had received a call from Rose saying that Grace was with her and doing fine. That was a relief. At least she hadn't gotten lost or completely run off. However, half an hour after that phone call, Wolf had shown up on his horse. He'd relayed that he had found Grace in the forest and taken her to her aunt's. Why she would willingly go with someone she'd only met once, Daniel had no idea but that didn't concern him nearly as much as Wolf's second piece of information: Melk Elish had returned.

For a moment, he focused his hearing backwards, zoning in on the gentle chatter of Micheal -always more the parent than Daniel could ever be- as he played with Deserai. Daniel was grateful for his help. Micheal had always loved children though he'd never had any of his own. Though nothing of the sort had ever been spoken aloud, Micheal was more of a father to Daniel had his own father had been, right down to hassling him about grandchildren. Well, he got what he'd wanted, in a way.

Daniel turned his attention back out the kitchen window as his thoughts returning to Melk Elish. It had been a few years ago. A couple from the city had come out to the country for a weekend away. They'd planned to go camping, which was nothing out of the ordinary. However, they'd told the sheriff about their plans and had been allowed to leave their vehicle at the police station to collect on Monday. Monday came and went. Then Tuesday. Finally, on Wednesday, the sheriff had gotten a search party together, including Daniel, Leaf and Screech. Wolf had, of course, not been allowed to help but had done so anyway. Which was just as well, considering he was the one who'd found the bodies.

To say Daniel was concerned was an udnerstatement. Pushing away from the window, he walked to the doorway of the living room, watching his father figure play with his, hopefully, soon-to-be step-daughter. Nicholas was at school which suited Daniel just fine, especially with this new piece of information. Nicholas would no doubt be in those woods as soon as their backs were turned. It wasn't safe for anyone but especially not for a ten-year-old boy who grew up in the city. There were a lot of creeps in the city and a lot of human predators but Daniel had seen the bodies of those two campers and the memory of it made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. No, they'd have to do something before they let any of the kids in those woods.  

[Katydid50]

((Bump))  

[Katydid50]

((Bump))  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Elenore sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. Today had been long. Grace had run off. She'd gone to work. At least now she knew that Grace was at Aunt Rose's place. It was best that way, for now. Daniel and Grace didn't get along and she knew that was going to be a problem but she didn't think it would get this far. Of course she had expected her eldest daughter to have a problem with any new father figure that stepped into her life. Sebastian had been close to her.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she sat in the slowly-starting-to-turn-cold car. It was parked in the driveway of her and her family's new home. She hadn't been here too long. Nicolas would no doubt be inside by now. Deserai would be as well. Asking all of her questions. No doubt she'd driven Daniel up the wall with everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours.

Then there was a wedding. Or at least a marriage certificate that had to be discussed. Her pregnancy. They hadn't really talked about any of that. Now wasn't the time but when would it be? Lowering her head she pulled the keys out of the ignition and put them in her black purse.

She'd stopped by her Aunt's before she had come home. Grace didn't come out of the room. She wasn't talking. Rose had told her to give it time. How long? Biting her lip, she honestly wanted to curl up and not do anything for the rest of tonight. Her children needed to be fed though. Things needed to be discussed. Letting out a heavy sigh, she got out of the car, locked it and then closed the door. Adjusting her purse on her shoulder, she walked up onto the porch, the wood creaked beneath her weight.

Opening the door quietly, she stepped inside and then closed it. Her hand let go of the cold door knob and she slipped her feet out of her short heels. A moment later everything went black and the faint sound of Deresai's voice rang through her ears.

"Mommy!" Deserai watched in horror as her mother fell to the ground. Running up to her, she tugged at her arm, trying to figure out what was wrong. "Mom!" Tears were threatening to run down her cheeks. Why wasn't she responding?  

[Katydid50]

Daniel couldn't measure how grateful he was for Micheal's presence. For the entire day, Micheal had kept Deserai entertained while Daniel observed, amazed and even slightly jealous. Why couldn't he be this good with kids? Because you're not the fatherly type, he told himself dryly. Micheal had been put on this earth for the sole purpose of being a father yet he'd never had the chance. Daniel, on the other hand, was meant to be anything but a father and here he was with three almost-step-kids and one of his own on the way, a fact he still struggled to wrap his mind around.

Dragging his mind back to the present, Daniel watched as Micheal listened -and not just listened, but actually cared- to Nicholas explaining the science project they were going to be working on. Something about how plants grow. Daniel heard every word but most of it didn't stick. Memories of his own school day briefly flashed through his mind but he quickly shut them out. He could only hope that none of the kids would ever ask him to help with their homework.

Retreating back into the kitchen, Daniel glanced out the window. Elenore was climbing out of the car... ten minutes after arriving home. He grimaced, wondering what had caused her to hesitate coming in, worried that it had something to do with him. Was she secretly blaming him for Grace running off? Did she already regret moving in with him? His stomach felt like he'd swallowed a rock. He knew he was struggling but he'd thought he was getting better. Maybe not with Grace but the two of them were hotheaded and he'd known from the outset that they would clash. Surely Elenore had, too. And Deserai was pretty overwhelming but he thought he was managing alright, even if he did need help. And as for Nicholas, the boy had never been a problem, save for his nightly wanderings which had stopped as soon as they'd moved. He wasn't good, but he was getting better. At least, he'd thougt he had.

Finally, Elenore left the car and walked up the porch into the house. Daniel stepped away from the window, wandering over to the doorway to watch as Elenore, apparently as yet unaware of his presence, slipped out of her shoes. Daniel couldn't help but smile weakly. She truly was a sight to behold. Easily one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, even with her hair barely holding its form after a long day, tired from work and looking like she wanted nothing more than a meal, a shower and a bed.

However, the smile vanished from his face as Elenore's legs gave out. His heart skipped a beat in fear as he rushed to Elenore's side. Deserai was already there, tugging on Elenore's arm and calling for her mom. Daniel's mind raced. What happened? One moment she was fine then she collapsed unconscious! Within seconds, Micheal and Nicholas joined them. Nicholas' fear showed as brightly on his face as his freckles. Micheal, on the other hand, was calm and wore a determined look. At least one of them was calm.

"Micheal! What's wrong with her! She was fine one moment then-!"

"Do I look like a doctor?" Micheal drawled sarcastically as he checked Elenore's pulse and breathing. "Go get your keys. An ambulance would take too long."

Once again grateful for the older man, Daniel jumped to his feet and raced to grab his keys from the kitchen counter. When he returned, Micheal was reassuring the children, telling them that Daniel was going to bring her to the doctor's to find out why she'd collapsed. At Daniel's reappearing Micheal stood and held the door open for him as he scooped Elenore up in his arms, surprisingly light, as brought her out to the truck where Micheal opened the passenger's side door. Once she was settled and buckled in, Daniel raced around to the driver's side, jumped in, started and truck and drove off.


Back within the house, Nicholas watched tensely from the kitchen window as Daniel drove off. Fear clutched him tightly, making it impossible to even think. Micheal quickly returned to the house, scooping up Deserai and walking into the kitchen to stand behind Nicholas.

"Is she going to be okay?" Nicholas asked, keeping his eyes trained out the window.

"Probably," he heard Micheal say. "Pregnancy's a very strange thing. Pregnant women can 'ave more conditions than anyone else I've ever 'eard of. Probably just one of them made 'er lightheaded. I'm sure she'll be fine."


At the hospital, Daniel paced outside the emergency ward while a doctor checked Elenore over. This couldn't be happening. She'd showed no signs of being sick. What was wrong with her? His heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't lose her. He needed her. The kids needed her. Finally, he dropped down into one of the chairs, pressing clenched fists against his eyes. This couldn't be happening.  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Deserai was crying by the time Daniel was near her. She didn't understand what was going on. Why was she on the ground? Why wasn't she getting up? Why was Grace gone? What was going on today? Why was everything going wrong? Daniel's voice was loud, he was just as scared as she was. Micheal, the man that she had already claimed as a grandfather, came closer to her mom. Biting her puffed up lip, she wiped away a few of her tears as she held her mother's hand. "Moomm.." she said softly, hoping that she would come to.

Once Daniel left, she looked over at Micheal. He wasn't freaking out. "What's wrong with her?" she asked him, hoping that he would say yes. A second later and mother was up in Daniel's arms. "Where is he going?" she asked, the tears had stopped streaming as her questions began to consume her mind. She wanted to be with her mother.

Daniel left though and she was up in Micheal's arms. Wrapping her tiny arms around his neck, she buried her face in his shoulder. She wanted everything to be okay again. She wanted Grace to come back. Looking out the window once they came to it, she sniffled. "I hope so.." she said softly after Micheal answered Nicholas.

Elenore took in a deep breath and opened her eyes. "Where am I?" she asked, sitting straight up the next moment. She winced as something tugged at her arm and then hands were placed on her shoulders, telling her calm down. An IV was stuck in her arm and she immediately began to panic before she finally realized that she was in a hospital. Laying down after a few seconds, she lifted her other hand, still feeling dizzy as she wiped away the cold sweat that was on her forehead. "Are my children alright?" she asked the closest person to her. The last thing she remembered was Deserai's voice. Where were they? How had she ended up here? Where was Daniel?

"You were brought in about twenty minutes ago," the nurse told her. "From what we've been told you fainted after coming home from work."

"And my children?" she pressed.

"I'm sure they're fine Ms.," she told her right before the doctor came in. Elenore swallowed. She hoped everything was alright with her baby. Another nurse left the ward to go tell Daniel that she was awake. Questions came in her direction about her health, if she had been eating properly, if she had been under stress as of late. Depression, how long she had been pregnant for, if anyone in her family had had diabetics, and so on. It was procedure and yet Elenore was already starting to feel overwhelmed again.  

[Katydid50]

Most people probably would have been more worried than they let on, hiding their own fear for the sake of the children. While Micheal would have done that, he truly wasn't worried. He hadn't spent much time around pregnant women but he was sure they'd know if something major was wrong. There would have been some signs, no matter how subtle. He was confident she had just been feeling lightheaded and fainted. However, he didn't know for sure and he still had to let Rose and Grace know.

Leaving the kitchen, Micheal ducked into the living room, shifting Deserai's weight so he could hold her with one arm while he used to other to pick up the phone and dial Rose's number. He hated having to tell them something was wrong with Elenore when they didn't know for sure what it was or how serious it was, but if he waited he was likely to get distracted and forget altogether.

Micheal waited patiently, listening to the ringing, half hoping Rose wouldn't answer at all. However, when she did, he didn't spare her. "Rose, it's Micheal. Elenore fainted and Daniel's on the way to the hospital with 'er." While, unlike Daniel, he was capable of sugar-coating things -or at least making them easier to take in- he felt now wasn't the time. Besides, it wasn't that uncommon for pregnant women to faint. It was probably nothing.


Daniel focused on breathing calmly, in and out, in and out. The longer he waited, the more he felt his hands tremble. He'd feared for a woman so much in his life, never reacted so strongly. If Elenore ever found out, she should be flattered.

Daniel only lifted his head when he heard footsteps approaching. The previous pressure on his eyes left his sight blurry but it quickly cleared. He jumped to his feet at the sight of the nurse, half hoping and half fearing that she was there to tell him something and what it was.

The nurse approached him, her eyes narrowed at the sight of his abnormally pale face. "Miss Darling is fine," she told him. "She's just regained consciousness. The doctor is with her now."

"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Daniel asked breathlessly. It was too early to celebrate. Something serious could still be wrong with her though he was certainly relieved to hear that she was awake.

"Not yet. It probably won't be long, though. Are you feeling alright, sir?"

Daniel frowned. "I'm fine. Can I see her now?" Without waiting for the nurse's answer, since it looked like she was going to say 'no', he walked past her and into the ward. After scanning a few beds, Daniel found her still with the doctor who was asking her question in quick succession. Elenore's face was still pale, though probably had more color than his own. Shooting a glare at the doctor -he truly must have looked a sight because the doctor wavered in his questioning- before kneeling down by Elenore's head.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" he asked, trying for a smile but it didn't stick. Fear still formed a solid lump in his stomach and made any sort of positive emotion difficult.  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Rose was making some tea after having managed go get Grace out of the room. They both had cleaned the kitchen while Rose talked about the days that they had all lived in this home. Together. She truly did hope Elenore would find her happiness with Daniel and that the children would finally feel settled. At peace. It would take Grace quite some time but she was confident that the two would connect given some time.

Hearing the phone ring, she frowned. "Better not be those canned telemarketers again,".she said under her breath as she threw a towel onto her shoulder and pulled the phone off the wall. Before she had much of a chance to say anything, the man, Michael, spoke. The news that he delievered made a cold winter chill run down her spine. It wasn't long before she set the phone down. "Your mother's in the hospital", she told Grace. The girl froze and Rose could see all the muscles become tense in her slender frame. A few seconds later Grace was jumping into the passenger side of the old ford and ushering her in as well.

She knew the poor girl was torn between going to her siblings, practically being a second parent for them for years, and going to the hospital. In the end they decided to go to the hospital, Rose told her that Daniel was there. Grace's eyes darkened but she didn't comment.

Elenore took in a deep breath as she tried to calm down. She answered a few of the Doctor's questions but then she saw a familiar face. "Daniel," her voice was soft. Taking hold of his hand with her cold one, she looked up at him. He was pale, almost looked like he had run into the grim reaper. Seeing the look he gave the doctor, she smiled and gently ran a thumb over his hand before she continued to answer the questions. At one point the doctor asked if she was sexual active. Of course she knew it was protocol but she couldn't help but blush. Clearing her throat, she then asked if there was any significant reason for holding her here, after all she had only fainted, right?

"Well we can't be certain. We want to make sure no harm has come to the child and that you're in a stable enough position to go home. We're going to run a few tests and see where to go from there," he then proceeded to say what they were going to do. A nurse walked in and got hold of Elenore's attention, letting her know that she was going to need blood for one of the tests.

The doctor turned to Daniel and motioned for him to step out so he could have a word with him. Elenore needed to get more rest. The stress.. if continued in the amounts that he was estimating, could be detrimental to the child.

"Where is Elenore Darling?!" Grace demanded, fed up with the nurse that wasn't giving her the time of day. Her voice could be heard throughout the ward. Rose gave the nurse an apologetic look before placing a hand on Grace, hoping she would tone it down a bit.