Here it is. I know, it was later that I planned it to be. I'm really sorry. Thank you for your real sweet e-mails though. I'm leaving for Seattle earlier than I planned. Originally, it was going to be the 16th, but now it may be as early as the 9th. So, when Chapter 19 is coming is completely unknown to me. To be honest, it may not be here until August 25th. That's not definite though! It may come sooner! Who knows, maybe I'll have a writer's rush and crack out 19 by next week. That's what I would like. Wish me luck everyone!
This is my schedule for the rest of the summer (just so you all know)
Today - whenever it is that I leave : packing.
July 31 - August 6 : last minute packing and moving our stuff into storage. (yeop, I'm moving again)
August 7 - August 14 : going to stay with Becca :)
August 15 - August 17 : twiddle my thumbs wherever we are. I might have a laptop, donno yet.
August 18 : move into the new apartment
August 19 : rest
August 20 - August 25 : unpacking and then getting a dog :)
That is my schedule until August 25. Pretty heavy, huh? Anyway, if I don't send out a chapter before the 25th : I hope you all have a wonderful summer! kisses
If you'd like to e-mail me : quillfairy4@hotmail.com
Webpage : http://envy.nu/poisonthorns - What's so freaking great about it? Additional stories, including shorts and novellas, and the stupid things that I say. :0)
Update list (find out when the story is updated on Nifty.org and on the website: brainwashedsecretdreamerfollowers-subscribe@egroups.com
All you have to do is send a blank e-mail to that address and your on the list :)
Chapter 18 "Somewhere In Between"
The house was silent except for Dawn's broken, desperate sobs. I tried to keep myself together as I held her on the kitchen floor.
"They can't," she wailed. "They can't have her!"
I stroked her hair, tears spilling over my cheeks onto her head. "We'll get a lawyer," I sniffled. "We'll get a good lawyer and we'll beat the pants off of them."
She threw her arms around my neck, burying her head in my shoulder. "How did they know? How did they know I was pregnant? Jared was dead when I found out," she wailed again.
James slipped into the kitchen. "I know how."
We both looked up.
"You do?"
He nodded, and stared down at the floor.
Dawn opened her arms to him and he sat in her lap. She wrapped herself around him and stroked his head. "Who told them, James?"
He sniffled and looked at us sadly. "Andrew. I saw him on the phone the other day, when I was helping him with Tiny Tim and, and he said, '..a girl. . .yes. . . .yes. . .Tali' and then, then he said, '..Dawn Reed'," he wrapped his arms around Dawn. "I'm sorry, Dawn."
She cried and held him. "You didn't do anything wrong, James. It's not your fault."
Andrew DuMont.
"He was so sad," James sputtered. "He looked like he was going to cry."
"I'll give him something to cry about," I growled, getting up from the floor.
Dawn grasped my hand. "Where are you going?"
I kissed the top of her head and ruffled James' hair. "I'm going to have a talk with our friend Mr. DuMont." I slid open the glass door and jogged down the beach. He was going to pay for this. I pounded on the front door until it opened.
"Iya? Is everything okay?"
It killed me how genuinely worried he looked. The way his green eyes shimmered with fear for Dawn, James, and me. "How could you? How could you do this to us?"
He stared at the porch.
"Dawn and I have tried so hard to make this positive. We have tried so hard to make a family and we finally do. We finally do and you come waltzing in and take that all away from us! You sick son of a bitch!"
He grabbed my arm. "I didn't know," he whispered harshly through clenched teeth, tears trickling down his face. "I didn't know I would love you so much. I didn't know that you would be who you were. I didn't know. They made you out to be killers. To be people who should be in jail. I never knew."
I threw off his hand and right hooked him in the jaw.
He stumbled back against the door jam, a look of pure astonishment on his face.
"How much did they pay you? Huh? A million? Two million? How much is Tali's life worth to them!?" I screamed, feeling my hands trembling at my sides.
Andrew just looked at me, sympathy trickling from every pore in his body. "I'm sorry, Iya. I'm so sorry."
"Sorry for breaking up our family? Sorry that Dawn and James are crying on the kitchen floor right now? Sorry that we trusted you and believed you? What are you sorry for, Andrew?"
He swallowed harshly, his adam's apple bobbing up and down as more tears fell to his lips. His eyes darted from side to side but he didn't say anything.
"Don't do us anymore favors, Andrew. Stay away from us. Stay away from James. If I ever see you on our property, I'll have you arrested." I spun around and ran down the beach, crying so hard I felt like my chest was going to burst. I pounded up the deck steps and through the still open glass door. "It was him," I cried.
Dawn wailed again and held onto James tighter, his tiny hands clasped around her neck.
I knelt down and wrapped my arms around both of them as they cried.
this cannot be happening
Kat, Teddy, Jonathan, and Adam all sat in the living room. James was in Jonathan's lap, petting Peaches who purred loudly. Dawn was on the phone with her father in Chicago. He was flying down on the first plane he could. Felicity still wasn't speaking to her.
She clicked off the phone. "What are we going to do?"
I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms around her. "We're going to fight. We're going to fight with everything we've got to keep her. They have no right to take her. We're the victims, not them."
She nodded and let her head fall on my shoulder. "Sing to me."
I blinked back tears and kissed her cheek. The last time she had asked me to do that was after the rape. I cleared my throat and sniffled before humming softly and rocking her back and forth.
She sighed and tightened her grip around my neck.
There was a light knock on the woodwork. "Hey, any news?" Kat asked, poking her head in.
I nodded. "Bob is coming."
Dawn lifted her head. "Call your parents. They should be here, too."
I kissed her. "Alright. You should go sit down."
She smiled weakly and let Kat take her into the living room.
I took the phone from its charger and tip-toed down the basement stairs. I shivered at the difference in temperature and dialed my parents number. I sniffled as I listened to it ring over and over again.
"Hello?" my mother's sweet voice came over the line.
"Mama?" I squeaked.
"Iya? Is that you?"
I nodded before realizing she couldn't see me. "Yeah, Mama, it's me," I choked out.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
I curled up in one of the corners and pulled my legs to my chest. "Mama I don't know what to do." I ran my fingers roughly through my hair, leaving them near the back of my head. My forehead resting on my knees as tears stained the fabric. "Please, can you come?"
"What's going on there, Iya?" she demanded.
I sniffled and swallowed. "Jared's parents. They want Tali."
She gasped.
"I need you, Mama," I whispered, my voice quaking.
"We'll be there as soon as we can. I promise. Oh Iya."
I broke down, my face loosing all composure and crumbling into a wrinkled terrain of rivers.
"Oh my darling," she cooed. "We're on our way."
"Okay."
"I love you, Iya."
"I love you, too, Mama." I hung up and cried, my shoulders shaking violently.
The stairs creaked as feet pattered down to the basement. Jonathan sat down and pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me. "Everything is going to be alright," he whispered.
I continued to cry, not believing that any of this was happening. It wasn't fair. Hadn't we suffered enough? Hadn't James suffered enough?
if my mind would just stop racing
Both my parents and Bob were flying in the next morning. Teddy and Kat had gone home. Jonathan and Adam were sleeping in the guest room.
Dawn and I were getting ready for bed. Her movements were rigid and automatic as she pulled on her long nightgown. I slid on my pajama pants and tank top. "Let me brush your hair."
She nodded and sat on the bed.
I picked up the hairbrush and sat behind her, running the bristles through her blonde hair.
She sniffled and played with her left hand. "I wish I had a ring."
"Hm?" I stopped in mid stroke.
"A ring. I wish that I had a ring. A wedding ring. Or an engagement ring."
I swallowed and looked away.
"Why didn't we get married?"
"Because when you asked, we were naked in the shower in New York City. You were vulnerable."
"Just like I am now?"
I nodded slowly.
She turned around and stared at me. "But you still said 'yes'."
"I know."
"I want to marry you, Iya."
Before I could answer, James knocked on the door and stepped into the room. He held Fred the tiger in one hand and Peaches in the other. "Can I sleep in here?"
"Yeah, honey," Dawn said, pulling back the covers.
He smiled at her and climbed into the middle of the bed. Peaches was slightly confused but jumped onto the headboard to lie down, her tail flicking above James' head. Dawn slid in next to him and he snuggled against her.
I sighed and turned off the light and climbed onto his other side. The moon shone through the window, creating a light glow over James and reflecting onto Dawn.
"I meant what I said," she whispered once James was asleep.
"I know."
I stood in the shower, the hot water pounding against my tense shoulders. I sighed and started to wiped some stray droplets from my face but stopped when my left hand came into view. I turned it over and over, wondering what it would look like with a ring on it. I chuckled to myself and took it away. This was nuts. I had more important things to think about than whether or not a ring would look nice on my finger. But I wondered anyway.
i can't be this unsteady
Dawn and I stood in front of Gate B7 waiting for Bob's plane to unload. Her arm was linked tightly with mine.
"How are you holding up?" I asked.
She sighed and nodded.
The doors opened and people began trudging out. Many were yawning and grumbling from the overnight trip. Bob came out, staring around the crowd.
Dawn smiled. "Daddy!" she yelled and waved.
Bob looked up and smiled. He ran through the mass and swept up Dawn, swinging her around. "Oh Dawny," he sighed.
I stood back and watched with a soft smile. If only Felicity could've been there. As much as I didn't like her, it killed Dawn that her mother wasn't budging from her decision.
Bob set her down and hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry this is happening," he whispered.
"We'll get through it," I responded, kissing his cheek.
"So are we going to your house, now?"
"Iya's parents are coming in," she checked her watch. "In about 5 minutes so we're going to wait for them," Dawn smiled, linking her arm with Bob's and my own.
The three of us sauntered to Gate C9. Dawn and Bob waited farther back so she could sit down. I pushed my way to the front of the crowd as people began emerging from the loading tunnel. "Mama! Papa!" I waved.
They rushed over and both embraced me at once.
"Oh darling," Mama whispered, stroking my hair.
"How are you doing, Pumpkin?"
"I'm alright, Papa. Really. Come on," I took each of their hands and pulled them to Dawn and Bob.
They each hugged Dawn and commented on how beautiful she looked which made her blush.
Bob stepped forward. "Bob Reed."
Papa shook his hand. "David Moon."
Mama rolled her eyes and hugged Bob. "I'm Maggie, just call him Dave."
"Grammy! Grampy!" James ran out of the door and into Papa's arms when we got back. He swung him around before handing him to Mama who kissed him tenderly all over his face while he giggled and hugged her. He looked up at Bob. "Hi!"
He smiled. "Hello, James."
I smiled and followed everyone into the house. Jonathan and Adam were waiting by the door.
"Jonathan," Mama smiled, kissing him on each cheek. "You look better each time I see you!"
He blushed. "Hi Mom," and kissed her back. "You remember Adam."
She grinned and winked at Jonathan. "Of course I do! The man who stole your heart."
"Oohh Mom," he blushed again.
Adam laughed. "You'll have to teach me that trick. Hi Maggie," he returned her kisses.
Dawn introduced Jonathan and Adam to Bob who seemed slightly uncomfortable at first but as the morning wore on he got used to them and started to ease up.
"Can I see the letter?" he asked as we sat in the family room.
Dawn nodded and went into the kitchen where the letter was still sitting on the table.
Bob read it over and over before sighing and rubbing his eyes. "Whatever I can do, I'll do it for you girls."
I took Dawn's hand and ran my thumb along the back of it. "Thanks, Bob."
"So, the first thing we need to do is hire a lawyer, right?" she suggested.
"The best damn one there is," Papa demanded. "We aren't going down without a fight!"
"Amen," Bob smiled. "Till the end."
"We sound like we need wine for this," I chuckled.
Dawn smiled and kissed me, a strange twinkle in her eye as she stared at me. Somehow, I knew I wasn't going to like the outcome of it.
what is real and just a dream
Mama, James, and Bob were making lunch when the phone interrupted the quiet and serene vibe we had managed to maintain. Adam and Jonathan were sitting on the deck with Papa. Dawn was sitting on top of counter, with a protective hand on her stomach. The look in her eyes killed me.
I picked up the phone and clicked it on. "Hello?"
"Hi, this is Ian Finch, is-"
"Hey Ian. It's Iya."
He laughed. "Iya! How are you?"
I sighed and sat down on the couch. "I'm alright," I lied. "How are you?"
"Wonderful. I have this amazing new talent on the phone that I'd love to represent."
I could hear his smile on the other end. "Honestly?"
He laughed. "Everyone else loved your work. They've got some suggestions but we'd love to start working with you as soon as possible. I've already got someone lined up to be your Editor."
"Wow. Oh wow. How soon? Who?" I couldn't help laughing a little.
"Carrie Ross. She's one of our best and has some wonderful suggestions. I think you'll really like what she has to say. As soon as tomorrow. If you could come in we could get everything signed."
Dawn had wandered into the room and was now sitting next to me, holding my hand, her head on my shoulder.
"I don't know how quickly I'll be able to start work. We're going through a rough period here. We may be lawyer shopping tomorrow."
"Lawyers! Well, Miss Moon, as a writer represented by this company, you're also represented by our lawyers."
I sighed with relief and leaned against the back of the couch. "We'll need all the ones you have."
"Do you mind if I ask what's going on?" he asked.
"It'll be easier to explain in person."
"Alright. So how about noon tomorrow?"
"That's fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
"You sure will. Bye Iya."
"Bye Ian." I hung up and leaned against Dawn. "They want me."
She wrinkled her forehead. "Who?"
"The Publishing Company."
She squealed and threw her arms around me. "That's the best news I've heard all day, literally! Everybody! Iya has a publishing deal!" She squealed again.
James ran in and climbed onto my lap. "Yay Mama."
I hugged him tightly. "Thanks honey."
Mama kissed me. "I knew you would do it."
Papa smiled and took my hand. "I'm so proud of you, pumpkin."
"Thank you, Papa."
Bob hugged me tightly. "Two of my three daughters are going to be famous," he smiled at us.
Dawn laughed.
"You consider me your daughter?" I squeaked out, staring up at him.
He sat next to me and took my hand. "Yes. Very much. You make Dawn so happy. As far as I'm concerned, your part of the family. That goes for James, too."
I hugged him. "Thank you, Bob."
He smiled and chucked my chin. "Anything for you."
"I think we should celebrate," Dawn said, getting up.
I pulled her back down. "We'll celebrate later. Right now, I'm starving."
Mama laughed. "Lunch is almost done. Come help me, James." She lifted him up and carried him to the kitchen.
Jonathan and Adam came in from the beach, being stupidly cute as always.
"We've gotta leave for-"
Adam jumped in. "An appointment."
Jonathan nodded profusely. "Yeah, an appointment."
"Hold up," I jumped up and followed them out of the house. I engulfed Jonathan in a hug. "Thank you for everything."
He kissed my cheek. "No problem. You know where to find me if you need me."
"I know," I grinned. "You can go have sex now."
He blushed and coughed a few times. "We weren't that obvious!"
I rolled my eyes. "Ooh no. Not at all."
Adam grinned and kissed me. "Thank you for your blessing."
I waved to them as they drove away and went back into the house.
Dawn intercepted me and pulled me up the stairs to the bedroom.
My mouth dropped open. "You want to do this while our parents are down stairs?"
She laughed. "You have such a dirty mind. I love you."
"I love you, too."
She pulled me to her and brought my forehead to hers, her arms around my neck. "Marry me."
I opened my mouth but shut it again. My gaze darted back and forth between her left and right eye. I didn't know what to say. I was drawing a blank. I swallowed roughly. "No."
i can't be losing sleep over this
The rest of the day, Dawn avoided me. But I didn't blame her. I don't know why I didn't say 'yes'. I should've. I knew that. I loved her. I just couldn't marry her yet. I don't know why. I just couldn't. I couldn't accept yet. Not yet.
James had offered his room but Bob had refused it, opting to stay in a hotel. Mama and Papa were staying in the guest room.
I sat down at the kitchen table, my head falling to the cold wood. The moon was shining through the window, the sound of the ocean coming with it. I got up and slid open the glass door and stepped out onto the deck. I made sure all the lights were off upstairs and shut it softly. I shed my shoes and stepped onto the cold sand. Shivering a bit, I walked closer to the water and sat down just before the breaking point in the waves.
I stared up at the stars, needing to see their bright smiles since there weren't any down here. I sniffled as a tear slid down my cheek and landed on the sand.
"Hi."
I looked up and back at the ocean. "What did I tell you about coming on our property?"
Andrew sighed and sat down next to me. "I'm sorry."
"I know but that's not going to cut it."
"If I could, I'd change it."
"I know."
"Please look at me," he pleaded.
I looked at him.
"Thank you. I want to help. I have good lawyers."
"Ian is providing me with the companies lawyers," I said coldly.
"He's signing you?"
I nodded.
"Good. I was afraid you would reject the opportunity."
"I didn't get it because of you. I got it because they have faith in me. It was just a coincidence that you knew him."
He sighed. "Alright. I didn't think this would be easy but please, please forgive me."
I turned to him. "How can I? You tell me that you think of us as family. That Dawn and I are like the daughters you never had. What kind of father betrays his daughters by taking away their own?"
"They don't have Tali yet," he said.
"And they aren't going to. We're going to fight this until the end. They won't win. Tali chose us!"
"They have good lawyers. They're very rich people, Iya. They can afford the best lawyers there are."
"Fate is more powerful than lawyers," I spat.
He nodded. "But sometimes fate needs help, too. Just like we do. Just like you do."
"And we're getting help."
"I know you are."
"Why are you here, Andrew?"
He sighed and started playing with a handful of sand. "I wanted to be your friend."
"Tough shit."
"I know that it's going to take a long time for you to trust me again but please, let me try and earn it back."
"Why should I?"
"I made a mistake, Iya. It was a big one but a mistake, nonetheless. What if James made a mistake?"
"Don't you dare bring him into this," I growled.
"Sorry. I suppose I'm already on thin ice as it is. Just listen to me."
"That's what I've been doing."
He sighed. "A month ago, I got a call from Oliver's lawyers. Oliver knew that Jared had raped Dawn. Apparently, he had gone bragging around about it. Now, Oliver isn't very proud but when Jared died, he was sure that Dawn had killed him."
"But she didn't! He was hit by a car!"
"I know. He knows that too. But there were pictures taken of Dawn and in the newspaper. Just promotional stuff, I think. There was a line saying 'the soon to be mother'. They're sure its Jared's. They want Tali because of Jared's death."
"I know that part. But why would they do that? Dawn was raped. Dawn is the victim, not them. She has to deal with it every day. She has to go on living, knowing that Tali was created by force and not by love. But she loves Tali more than anything."
"I know that, you know that, everyone knows that except them. I have faith that you can win this but they're going to make it look like they are the ones who should have compensation, not you."
I sighed. "Than we'll fight until we're dead. I'm not losing Tali to anyone."
"Good. Keep that attitude. You have to be the strong one. Dawn is going to need you more than anyone through all this."
"I know. I just hope I can."
He hugged me quickly. "You can."
I managed a smile.
"I know that it won't ever be the same between you and me. I understand that. I just don't want you to completely let me go."
"I'll talk it over with Dawn. She's the one you really need to convince. Tali is inside her, not me. She has the bond with Tali that I'll never be able to have. At least not as strong."
He nodded. "I know. I guess the garden just isn't enough."
I shrugged.
He sighed. "Well, it's late. I should get to bed. So should you. You have a big day tomorrow."
I nodded and got up, brushing the sand off my clothes. "G'nite Andrew."
"Good night, Iya."
I walked away from him and into the house without looking back. I slid the glass closed behind me and walked up the stairs to our bedroom. I tip toed inside and climbed in next to Dawn. "I'm sorry," I whispered to her, not quite sure if she was asleep. "I love you more than words. I'll do anything for you. I'm not ready yet, though." I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her back to my chest.
She heaved a sigh and turned around to face me. Tears glistened on her face.
I reached up and wiped them away with my thumb. "I'm so sorry."
She wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her head in my shoulder. "I love you so much. I'm sorry I asked. I won't again. I'll wait until we're both ready. I don't think I was ready anyway."
"I love you."
"I love you more."
would you catch me if i fall out of what i fell in. don't be surprised if i collapsed down at your feet again. i don't want to run away from this. i know that i just don't need this.
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Yay! We have successfully completed another chapter! I hope you all liked it!
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