The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven

by Jessica Miller

  “Can you believe it?” Danni said as surprised as I was.

  “No, I can’t,” I said, unable to unscrew the smile from my face.

  I was about to walk out into the street when my dad stopped me. “Let’s not got ahead of ourselves here,” he said, pulling me back. I looked at him funny before I noticed him motioning for guardians to stand on either side of the street. Of course, I should have known this was too good to be true. I sighed, trying my best not to let this ruin my good mood. Once flanked by guardians, my dad allowed us to continue on our way through the abandoned streets. I strolled aimlessly through the snow, not paying attention to where I was going and nearly ran into Gabe.

  “Miss Ella, you should be more careful,” he said, steadying me so I wouldn’t fall.

  “Gabe? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be home having Christmas with your family?”

  “Duty calls and as I can see I believe I arrived in the nick of time,” he winked.

  I straightened myself out. “I can’t believe my dad would have you work on Christmas, of all the rotten things to do.”

  Gabe shook his head. “I had the morning off as did the rest of the guardians who are here now. Besides, most of my family is long gone by now and those that are left live out of the country,” he said like it was no big deal. I think even if his family was here Gabe would still put his Job first which made me kind of sad. “Do not be sad for me,” he said, lifting my chin. “This was my choice to be here.”

  “But that’s the part that makes it sad,” I admitted. “I mean. Why would you rather work than be with your family?”

  “You have not met my family. Those who have would know that they are sometimes considered more work than what I do here,” he said, giving me a half smile. I had to give him one in return for that. As far as wacky families go I could understand.

  “Well then, in that case, I’m glad you’re here,” I said, linking my arm through his so I wouldn’t slip. We walked through the streets enjoying the decorative lights throughout the neighborhood.

  I finally felt like I was at peace. That was until something cold, round, and wet whizzed by my head. I turned around in time to catch a snowball to the chest and Dean hiding behind a bush laughing. “Dean!” I yelled before I got pelted in the side by another. I turned to the left to see Xander wielding another weapon in his other hand ready to fire. “Grow up you guys!” I shouted. I turned back around to keep walking when one hit me in the back of the head. Mouth open, ready to bring hell, I turned around and stopped when I spotted the guilty party. “Dad, really, you would hit your own daughter?”

  “That should teach you not to turn your back on your enemy,” he said, smiling slyly.

  “That’s it.” I bent down and retrieved my own weapons. Gabe moved out of the way and stood in front of my mom, Jasa, and Jade. He was just big enough to block all three of them from any oncoming snowballs. I took my first fire at Dean and then Xander. I saved the biggest snowball for my dad. I pulled my arm back and fired away. I hit him dead center in the middle of his forehead. I froze, anticipating the beating of my life.

  I heard Dean snicker and looked over to see my mom trying to hide her smile. My dad wiped the cold, wet snow from his face. I waited for it, cringing. “You better run,” he said, bending down and preparing to pelt me with snowballs. I shrieked and ran behind the nearest tree, dodging flying snowballs left and right. Danni joined me behind the tree with Hadley and Jake to help. The snowballs were flying faster than we could make them. I couldn’t understand how the boys were able to collect them so quickly.

  I pulled Jake aside, pointed out where Dean was hiding, and told him to stuff snow down his back. Not a minute later I heard a yelp and knew Jake had succeeded. “Jake, you traitor! I thought we were friends?” Dean grumbled, making me laugh.

  I was cold, wet, and feeling numb. From the look on Danni’s face I could tell she had enough as well. We bravely stepped out from behind the tree with our hands up showing we were unarmed. “Truce,” I called out.

  “Truce,” Xander and my dad agreed.

  I dusted off the remaining snow and joined my mom with Gabe where I knew it was safe, just in case.

  We strolled down the street gazing at all the amazing light displays. Jake and Hadley ran ahead still playing in the snow with Danni not far behind them. Jasa and Xander lagged behind while the rest of us held up the middle. I eventually made my way up to Danni who Dean was closing in on. I’m sure so he could make a move on her. I pushed pass him receiving a dirty look and linked my arm with Danni’s. “Oh, hey Ella,” she said, snuggling closer to me for warmth.

  “Can you believe this? I mean who would have thought it would snow in California?” I said, still amazed.

  “I know. I’m just glad Hadley gets to experience all of this,” she said as she watched her daughter play.

  “Are you happy?” I asked.

  “What?” she said, caught off guard by my question.

  “Are you happy? I mean with the way your life turned out.”

  She let out a breath before she said, “Yes. Yes I am.”

  “Care to tell me why you avoided my questions in the kitchen earlier?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said.

  “Oh come on Danni. You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I said, giving her a playful nudge.

  “Just drop it Ella.”

  “Danni seriously what’s the –”

  “I said drop it Ella,” she snapped. I stopped. Danni unlinked her arm and walked ahead. “Come on Hadley. It’s time to go back.” I opened my mouth to stop her but decided to let it go. I caught Xander’s face turn to concern as he watched them walk back to the house.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked Danni.

  “Yes, I just want to get Hadley back inside. She’s not really dressed for this weather,” Danni replied.

  “Would you like us to walk back with you?” Xander asked, troubled.

  Danni looked down at his hand that was twined together with Jasa’s. “No, I’ll be fine,” she said, taking off in a hurry. My dad signaled for one of the guardians to follow them back. I looked forward to catch Jake with a sad look on his face. No doubt from his new girlfriend heading back inside. Considering I couldn’t feel my toes anymore, I thought it wise to head back inside as well. I told Jake I would take him back to play with Hadley. I let my parents know I was heading back to the house with Jake to warm up. Gabe and two other guardians followed with us which I thought was a little ridiculous since we were only about a half a mile from our house.

  Once inside, I took off my boots and hung my coat in the closet. I found Hadley on the couch next to Danni, who was clutching a half empty glass with a half empty bottle on the table. “Danni I’m sorry,” I said.

  “Ella it’s fine,” she slurred a little bit. “It’s no big deal. I overreacted.” She picked up the bottle and refilled her half empty glass.

  “Danni, maybe you should –” She glared at me and I stopped myself from finishing my sentence. Instead I just sat down next to her while Jake and Hadley played video games.

  Everyone else returned about a half hour later. My dad lit up the fireplace as everyone else settled in to warm up. “Ella dear, will you be a doll and go downstairs to retrieve another bottle of wine?” my mom asked. Between Jade and the way Danni was downing the bottle I’d probably say it be safer if I just brought up a case.

  I returned with two bottles. I felt if I brought up any more I might be encouraging bad behavior. I handed both bottles to my mom while she collected more glasses from the hutch. She allowed me one small glass and I accepted kindly knowing tonight might be a rough night.

  For the rest of the evening, my mom couldn’t stop talking about wedding stuff and from the look on Danni’s face I knew she was feeling uncomfortable, but why I still didn’t know. Danni managed to hide her feelings by drinking most of the wine. To help save her from what would be a killer hangover tomorrow, I corked th
e bottles, and put them away. If Danni didn’t finish them I knew Jade would and neither of them needed that. After I put the bottles away and out of reach, I went to check on Jake and Hadley who had retreated to the family room to play.

  I found them both asleep on the couch. They looked so sweet and innocent I didn’t want to disturb them. I pulled one of the blankets from the chest and laid it across them gently. A few seconds later, Danni entered the room to check on Hadley. “I think you might have a wedding of your own to plan soon,” I whispered with a giggle.

  Danni stood behind the couch staring down at her daughter. She kissed her forehead before turning to me and said, “Ella, she’s only five.”

  “They look so peaceful. I’d hate to wake them,” Jade said, startling us.

  “If you want Jake can spend the night and I can bring him home tomorrow?” I suggested, hating to break these two up.

  “Thank you Ella. That would be wonderful,” Jade said, squeezing my shoulder. We let them sleep where they were and made our way back to the living room where we said goodnight to Jade and Gabriel. Afterwards, I made my way to the kitchen to help my mom clean up. When we were done, we went back into the living to watch a movie. My dad was already relaxing in his favorite chair and talking to Xander.

  After I sat down and got comfy, I noticed someone was missing. “Hey Xander where’s Jasa?”

  “She had an early flight tomorrow so she’s staying at the hotel.” When I looked at him confused, his response was “Work.” And he didn’t seem happy about it. I shrugged and sat back to relax.

  I felt a soft hand on my shoulder and turned back to see Danni leaning over the couch. “Hey, I think I’m going to head home,” she said.

  “Uh, Danni, no offense, but I don’t think you should drive. Why don’t you just stay here? There’s plenty of room.” I could tell she wanted to argue but knew in the end it would be wiser for her to just stay here. “I even have some pajamas you can borrow,” I told her. She and Xander exchanged a quick look before I got up and took her to my bedroom so she could change.

  Once upstairs, I dug through my draws to find something that would fit her petite figure. “Here,” I said, handing her an old pair of pajamas that were a little snug on me. “These should fit. They might be a little big but it’s probably better than what my mom can offer.”

  “Thanks. I’m sure they’re fine,” Danni said, taking them and placing them on her lap.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, noticing her distant look.

  “Huh, oh, yeah…fine,” she said, getting up. “I’ll go change in the bathroom.” She closed the bathroom door behind her while I lied back on my bed and waited.

  When she emerged from the bathroom I noticed how the clothes hung loosely on her tiny frame. “Sorry they’re so big. If you want I can –”

  “Ella, they are fine, and they’re not that big, really,” she said, thinking I was getting down on myself for my size. I never had a problem not being what society’s idea of skinny was. I always liked my curves and made the most of them, but after receiving my powers, I swear my boobs and butt grew a size which made me feel a little self-conscious. “Is something bothering you?” she asked.

  “No, I mean well yes.” I stood up. “Look at these things,” I said, pulling my dress back to show the size of my new breasts. “And this.” I turned around to point out my butt. “Seriously, I didn’t even think it was possible for these things to get any bigger.”

  “Ella, there is nothing wrong with the way you look. You are perfectly fine with who you are.”

  “I know,” I sighed.

  “Did somebody say something because if so I will totally kick their ass,” she said, puffing her chest.

  I laughed. “No.” She narrowed her eyes at me for laughing at her. “And when have you known me to care what people think?”

  “True,” she admitted. “So what’s really bothering you then?”

  “I don’t know. I mean, I love my body, but I’d also love it if my boobs and butt were a little smaller,” I said, looking at them in the mirror.

  “I’m not gonna lie, you do have a mean ba-dunk-a-dunk,” she giggled.

  “It’s not funny!” I cried, trying to push it down.

  She managed to stop laughing long enough to be serious. “Ella, your body is still growing. It’s only natural that certain…things would get bigger.”

  “Yeah, but how much?” I said, turning in the mirror. “I swear if my boobs get any bigger I’ll fall over.”

  “Oh stop it, they’re not that big,” she said.

  “Jealous?” I teased.

  “Shut up,” she snapped, crossing her arms over her barely there chest. “Maybe.” I laughed, joining her on the bed.

  “You two decent?” Dean called after he knocked on the door.

  “Yes,” I replied.

  He opened the door and stepped into the room. “I got you a present,” he said handing a medium sized bag to Danni. “You can open it later.” He winked and walked out of the room.

  “I’m afraid to look,” Danni confessed. She opened up the bag slowly and instantly started to crack up when she saw what was inside.

  “What is it?” I asked almost afraid to know. She pulled the contents out of the bag to reveal sexy, black lingerie. “Oh, my, God,” I said, jaw dropped. “I can’t believe he did that. That is so inappropriate.”

  “I think it’s sweet,” she said, putting it back in the bag.

  “Whoa, okay, how drunk are you and are you feeling well?” I put the back of my hand to her forehead.

  “I’m fine.” She slapped my hand away, and then sighed, putting her head in her hands.

  “Okay seriously Danni, what gives? You haven’t been yourself ever since Xander announced his engagement to Jasa and don’t say to mind my own business.”

  She fell back on the bed. “Ella, you have no idea what you’re asking me.”

  “Danni, whatever it is, you can tell me.”

  She let out a long, deep breath before she sat back up. “Okay, everything I’m about to tell you, you have to promise me, promise me Ella that it doesn’t leave this room.”

  The look on her face told me this was something serious and something she didn’t like to talk about. “Of course Danni, you can trust me,” I said, squeezing her hand for encouragement.

  She gave me a weak smile before she started to rub her hands up and down her legs nervously. She ran a shaky hand through her hair. “I could really use a drink right now,” she said, jumping up and pacing the room.

  “Okay one, I think you had enough, and two, it can’t be that bad.”

  Danni stopped and turned to look at me. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little frightened. “Xander and I use to date in high school. I thought he was the one, but I was wrong and here we are today,” she said in a rush.

  “Okay, Whoa! First, when did you and Xander date and how did I not know this? And second, could you be anymore vague? I mean really Danni. I want to know everything and I want the truth.” She started pacing again. “And can you stop pacing you’re making me sick.”

  “Sorry,” she said, finally coming to a stop. “Okay,” she pulled at her hair. “Well the reason you didn’t know was because nobody did. Xander and I kept our relationship a secret because your parents didn’t exactly approve of me.”

  I started laughing hysterically. “Yeah, right.” I found it hard to believe that my parents wouldn’t approve of Danni.

  Her expression said it was no joke. “When I was younger, I wasn’t exactly…” she paused looking for the right word. “I guess the way to put it is I kinda followed my own rules.” She smiled as if the memory was not that long ago. “I was a very different person back then. Someone your parents would not want Xander to date.”

  “Whose idea was it to keep it a secret?” I asked curious.

  “Mine,” she said with slight regret. She let out a breath before she continued. “Xander and I were in love, or so I thought. After I got preg
nant, things got…complicated.”

  “Wait,” I said, putting the pieces together. “Is Hadley Xander’s?” She nodded slowly. “Oh my God! Oh my God! This is huge! Does Xander know?” I stood up, unable to contain my excitement.

  “No and you can’t tell him. Promise me Ella, promise me you won’t tell him,” she pleaded.

  “I promise I won’t, but…I think he should know,” I said, sinking back down on the bed.

  “I know,” she said, joining me. “It’s just complicated.”

  “Well, how about you make it uncomplicated?”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Does anyone else know?”

  “Your parents do.”

  “Whoa, what? They know and they haven’t said anything?” I tried to wrap my mind around why they would keep this a secret.

  “Obviously this wasn’t something we planned and we were so young. Not to mention it was right around the time Xander found out he was supposed to take over for your father on the royal court.”

  “You know?” I asked shocked. She nodded. “God, am I always the last one to find everything out.” Danni laughed at my little ramble. “And this doesn’t freak you out knowing that we’re…vampires,” I whispered.

  She pulled back and looked at me wide eyed. “Why, you’re not going to bite me are you?”

  “Eew no,” I said, making her laugh.

  “No Ella, it doesn’t freak me out. I guess you can say I always believed there were other things out there.” She shrugged like it was no big deal.

  I shook my head. “Okay, let’s get back to the topic at hand. Why did Xander taking over for my father have anything to do with it?”

  “Like I said, we were very young and having a baby would have ruined Xander’s opportunity to take over.” I opened my mouth to comment but she continued. “When I first found out I was pregnant, Xander was going through a lot so I confided in your mom first. She and your dad convinced me not to tell Xander. They said it would ruin his future. I convinced myself they were right. So I told Xander I cheated on him and was pregnant with the other person’s baby.”