The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven

by Jessica Miller

  “Tomorrow will be the start of our lives together. I promise you I will do right by you,” Xander said. Danni closed her eyes tight. She no longer felt at ease. She knew what she would have to do was hard and it was killing her. She decided to leave it be for the moment. She would tell him in the morning that it was just one night. That was all he asked for and she never promised him anything else. She would just enjoy it while she could. Bask in the glory of this last night they allowed to give themselves. Danni sighed and relaxed into Xander, falling asleep in his arms.

  Danni made sure she woke before Xander did in the morning. She quickly and quietly slipped out of his arms hoping she wouldn’t wake him. She got dressed and picked up her shoes so she could tip toe her way out without waking him. Before she left, she turned to take one last look at him. He was resting so peacefully. He looked so happy, relaxed. Her heart broke at the sight of him and she knew if she didn’t walk out she wouldn’t be able to. Oh how she wanted so badly to slip back into bed with him and lay in his arms, but she had convinced herself she was doing the right thing. Jasa was the better choice. No matter how much Danni loved him she knew he would be better off with Jasa. She hastily wiped away the tears that escaped and opened the door to the bright morning sun, slipping herself through the small crack, and then closing the door behind her. Closing the door on that chapter of her life.

  Chapter Seventeen

  *

  Ella

  As always, I woke up starving in the morning. So I went to the kitchen first thing. Grandma Bea was already there cooking breakfast. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “Good morning Gran.”

  She smiled and relaxed in my arms. “Good morning bumble bee. Will you do me a favor and set the table?” I grabbed the plates from the cabinet to set the table. I caught Danni sneaking in from the outside, tiptoeing in like she was doing the walk of shame.

  “Good morning,” I said, making her jump.

  “Ella, you scared me,” she said, grabbing her chest.

  “Why so jumpy?” I asked with a slight smile on my face.

  “I’m not,” she said defensively. “I just didn’t expect anyone to be up this early.”

  “Uh-huh,” I said in a teasing tone. “Gran’s making breakfast if you’re hungry?”

  “I think I should go.”

  Xander came barreling through the door like a bat out hell. “Danni,” he said, his voice a little panicked. I looked to Danni who looked a little frightened. She caught Xander’s eye before she turned back to me. “Ella,” he coughed. “I didn’t um, see you there.”

  “Must be a glare or something,” I said, trying to hide my smile. “I was just trying to get Danni to stay for breakfast. Gran’s cooking.”

  “Yes, stay,” Xander said with a slight urgency in his voice.

  “I would be insulted if you didn’t,” Gran said.

  With a regretful sigh, Danni took a seat at the table. Next to arrive was Cameron. “Hey Cam, did you sleep okay?”

  “What, why would you ask that?” she said a little jumpy.

  “Was being polite? I know it can be hard to sleep in an unfamiliar place.”

  “Oh right, yeah, slept fine,” she said quickly. I looked at her funny. I was about to ask her why she looked so tense when Dean walked into the room.

  “Woo, it’s like a brothel in here,” Gran said as she shuffled her feet across the floor.

  “What was that gran?”

  “Oh…nothing dear,” she smiled, going back to making breakfast. I looked at everyone sitting at the table. They were all wearing tense and uncomfortable expressions making me wonder what the hell was going on.

  I turned to Dean surprised to see him up this early. “You’re up early. I trust you slept well?”

  “What would make you say that?” he asked nervously.

  I rolled my eyes. “I heard you last night.” Dean looked at Cameron and she shifted her eyes. Poor thing probably had to endure all the horrible noises that was coming from his room. “Not going to invite your friend to breakfast?” I teased.

  “You know I never mix business with pleasure,” he smiled.

  “Please, it’s the least you could do after having to spend the night with you,” I joked.

  “After I’m done with them they’re too tired to get out of bed,” he retorted with a quick glance to Cameron and I saw her smile when she sipped her coffee. At least someone enjoyed his humor.

  “More like their stomach’s too weak to eat,” I laughed at what I thought was a clever comeback.

  “Ella, this is not a discussion for the table,” Gran growled at me. I put my hands up in defense, wondering what the hell I did.

  I helped Gran finish breakfast. Right when we were about to serve, Jasa had made her way down to the kitchen. “I missed you last night. Where were you?” she said, kissing Xander’s cheek.

  My eyes widened and my mouth dropped. A smile spread across my face. “I couldn’t sleep so I took a walk. Sorry,” he said, glaring at me. I looked at Danni who had her head down. I couldn’t help myself and started to laugh uncontrollably.

  “Ella, what has gotten into you?” Gran asked.

  “Nothing,” I said, not able to keep the smile from my face. What I wanted to say was you should be asking what got into Danni or should I say who. I giggled again.

  Xander got up from the table. “Ella, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Can’t it wait?”

  “No. It can’t.”

  I rolled my eyes and followed him into the living room. He turned around to face me, not happy with the big grin on my face. “What do you know?” he asked.

  “Please, it’s so obvious that you and Danni –” His hand was over my mouth in a flash and before I knew it we were flying up the stairs and into my room. “Jesus Xander was that really necessary?” I asked, trying to catch my balance so I wouldn’t stumble from the abrupt stop.

  He started pacing the room. “Look Ella, Danni and I, what happened…it was…”

  “Are you guys getting back together?” I asked hopeful.

  “Back together?” he asked, brows pinched.

  He didn’t know I knew. “I know you guys dated in high school.”

  He sighed. “No,” he said in a hushed voice. My heart sank a little for the both of them. “Ella, you can’t say anything to anyone. You understand me? Not even to mom, no one. You need to forget everything. You got that! And don’t go snooping around and trying to get in Danni’s head.”

  “Okay, geez, don’t get your panties in a bunch.” He let out a deep sigh and sank on the bed. “What happened?”

  “I can’t talk about it, besides, it doesn’t really matter now.” He looked over at me and I could swear I could hear his heart breaking. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him it would be okay and he should fight for her. Danni was worth it. But the look on his face told me he was defeated and he had lost the fight. I knew Xander was the harder one. He wouldn’t allow anyone to comfort him which just made me even sadder. He got up quickly and went for the door. “I can trust you Ella, please don’t let me down.”

  “You have my word Xander that I won’t say anything. I promise.” He knew once I made a promise I kept my word. He nodded his head and left to return back downstairs. I fell back on my bed and let out a breath. “This sucks.”

  “Ella! Your food is getting cold!” Gran called from the bottom of the steps.

  Damn it! That always happened. I got up and quickly made my way back down to the kitchen to finish my breakfast. The rest of breakfast made for an awkward silence since no one decided to talk. Xander was the first one to break the silence. “So Ella, do you plan to go back to school?” Of course he would choose a topic to keep the attention off of him and put it on me.

  “Um yeah, I guess we’ll probably leave tomorrow since there’s nothing really left here to do.”

  “Oh Ella, I totally forgot to take you out and celebrate,” Cameron said, smacking herself i
n the forehead.

  “It’s okay don’t worry about it,” I told her, glad she did forget.

  “Celebrate what…” Xander started before he realized. “Oh my god Ella. I am so sorry. With everything going on, I’ve been…it slipped my mind,” he stuttered, disappointed he forgot his own sister’s birthday.

  “It’s okay Xander,” I smiled, letting him know it was no big deal.

  “No it’s not okay Ella. I’m such a horrible brother.”

  “Well at least you finally admit it.”

  “Shut up Dean,” Xander and I said at the same time.

  “Xander, you’re not a horrible brother and really, it’s okay. I don’t feel like celebrating this year anyways.”

  “Well you are out of luck because we love you and we will be celebrating tonight,” my mom said, joining us in the kitchen.

  “No mom really, I don’t –”

  “Don’t worry honey. It will just be us. I promise. An intimate dinner with family and close friends,” she said, smiling at Cameron and Danni.

  “Could we invite the McNaughton’s?” I asked. If Josie couldn’t be there having her family there would be just as good.

  “Of course sweetie, whatever you want.”

  After the slightly tense breakfast, my mom took us girls to the spa. She had them give me the royal treatment. I forgot how nice it was to have my nails done. We spent all morning at the spa, then headed home and spent all afternoon by the pool while my mom and Gran prepared things for the small party in my honor.

  The wonderful dinner they cooked was a combination welcome home and birthday celebration. It was the perfect end to a long and grueling weekend. Josie’s parents gave me a gift certificate to my favorite clothing boutique and Jake made me a card. Xander got me a pair of very expensive sapphire earrings with matching bracelet – which I was sure Jasa picked out.

  Danni had gotten me an awesome pair of black knee high boots – now I can stop stealing Josie’s – and Hadley had made me a picture that I told her it was so beautiful I would frame it and that was exactly what I planned to do when I got back to school. Cameron gave me a silver anklet with tiny stars hanging from it. She told me she bought back in Ireland for me, but decided to wait to give it to me. “Wise choice,” I thought.

  After dinner – I made my mom promise me they wouldn’t sing – I finished a huge slice of cake and then rubbed my overstuffed belly. I think this was the first time I was ever full. “Happy Birthday sweetie,” my mom said, kissing my cheek. “And before I forget I’m going to go get the rest of your gifts.”

  “Here,” Dean said, handing me a small wrapped box. I opened it up and inside was a bottle of my favorite perfume. “I remember you saying you were out.”

  “Thanks Dean,” I smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He mouthed the words ‘better’ to Xander and I just rolled my eyes. Xander’s only response was to glare. When my mom returned she had her hands full of bags. “I think you went a little overboard,” I said, looking at all the presents stuffed in the bags.

  “Just open them.” She shoved the bags at me and I took them without resisting.

  Most of the presents were clothes, warmer stuff for the fall when I was in Rhode Island and a few summer dresses. My mom always preferred I wore dresses and at one time so did I. But now I was more of a shirt and pants type girl. “Thanks mom,” I smiled, letting her know I appreciated it.

  “There’s one more,” she said, handing me a large box.

  I took the lid off and inside was a beautiful gown. I pulled it out of the box. The gown was strapless with a corset like top that was blue underneath the black lace and the bottom puffed out like a princess dress. “Wow mom, it’s beautiful, but where would I wear it?”

  “Well when I was at the school Ms. Kraft was telling me about the Fall Ball and well I guess it was wishful thinking,” she said, stroking the dress.

  “Thank you mom, but after what happened at the last dance I don’t think they’ll be anymore,” I said, staring at the dress.

  “Better prepared, just in case.”

  “Even if they do still have it, I’m sure I won’t have anyone to go with.” I put the dress back in the box. “Maybe I’ll save it for another special occasion.”

  “How about you take it with anyways? You never know what the stars will hold,” Gran said, squeezing my shoulders. I sighed, knowing if I left the dress behind my mom would mail it to me.

  I thanked the McNaughton’s for coming and the gift and then I got ready for bed. We were leaving for school in the morning and I wanted to get a good night’s rest. Grandma Bea came upstairs to wish me a goodnight. “Hey Gran,” I said, as I sat on the edge of my bed and brushed my hair.

  “Here honey, this is for you.” She handed me a small purple pouch. I pulled the strings open and dumped out the contents. “It’s an ankle bracelet,” she said as I held it out. “I picked it up at one of the Indian reservations I was at.”

  It was off white with blue and purple ribbon braided into the cord. “I love it Gran, thanks.”

  “What’s the matter bumble bee?”

  Without even saying a word, Gran always knew when there was something wrong. “I just don’t think I’m ready to go back and face everything.”

  “Oh sweetie, from what you told me, I don’t think there’s anything you can’t handle.”

  I smiled and hugged her tight. “I’m so glad I got to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I know dear, but you know you can call or write anytime. I might not get back to you right away, but you know I will always be here for you whenever I can.”

  “I know,” I said, pulling back. “So does this anklet have any cool powers?” I asked, hopeful.

  “No sweetie,” she smiled. “Just decoration, but you don’t need any more powers. I see your father has given you my bracelet. He was supposed to give it to you on your eighteenth birthday, but better late than never.”

  “Oh, that’s right. I can’t believe I almost forgot. Dad thinks there’s something wrong with it.”

  She looked at me doubtful and examined the bracelet anyways to humor me. “Seems okay to me,” she shrugged. “Why would he say there’s something wrong with it?”

  “Well, see, I added my own charm to it and when I did, it blasted me in to the closet.”

  “Oh dear, what did you put on it?”

  I pointed to Josie’s heart charm. “It was Josie’s. I gave it to her when we were younger.”

  “I remember this,” she smiled, twirling the charm in her fingers. “You two had me travel to several different stores to find all the charms you wanted.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” I smiled sheepishly.

  She squeezed my shoulder and then kissed my temple. “It’s okay. It was worth it to spend all that time with my favorite granddaughter.” She looked back at the charm and scrunched her brow. “Did anyone else have this?”

  “Do you mean the charm?” She nodded. “Not that I know of. Dean said he found it in Josie’s jewelry box.”

  “Where was it before you put it on the bracelet?”

  “I attached it to Tristan’s watch. What does that have to do with anything?” I looked at her puzzled. “I think you should double check and make sure it’s still working right,” I said, holding out my wrist.

  “Ella honey, there’s nothing wrong with it,” she smiled, patting my hand.

  “But then why did it do that when I put the heart charm on it?”

  “Because of the power of the heart charm,” she said simply.

  “But there isn’t any power in it,” I said, shaking the charm.

  “None that you can see,” she laughed. “Ella, you alone possess the power. The power from within you is what blessed this charm. The love you share for your friends is what made it act that way.”

  “Wait, because I love my friends it blasted me across the room?”

  “Because of the intent,” she said kindly. “The love that you share is so strong,
it overpowered everything. It was too much. So I guess it kind of had a little kick back.”

  “A little, it threw me across the room.”

  “You do have a big heart and a lot of power and someday you’ll learn how to control both.”

  I rolled my eyes and laid my head in her lap exasperated. “I’m getting tired of people telling me how powerful I am and how big my heart is,” I sighed.

  “Would you rather we lie?” she teased.

  “Maybe that’s why my heart keeps getting broken. It’s too big.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with having a big heart. You just have to learn how much of it you should give away and to who,” she said, while stroking my hair. “Ella, do you remember anything else strange happening with the bracelet?”

  I thought for a minute, but nothing came to mind. “No, why?”

  “Just checking,” she said, letting out a small breath. I laid there with her, my head in her lap, until I feel asleep.

  When I woke up in the morning there was a letter next to my pillow. I froze for a second afraid to read it.

  My precious bumble bee,

  You gave me great joy being able to spend the past two days with you. I forgot how beautiful you are inside and out. I have never been so proud of you and I know whatever you do you will amaze us all. Never let anyone tell you you can’t do something. I believe in you Ella, always. And don’t forget to believe in yourself. You can do anything.

  Love, Grandma Bea

  I placed the letter against my chest and inhaled her scent that was left on the page. The sweet smell of honey and vanilla tickled my nose. I checked my alarm clock and I had two hours before I had to leave. I decided to get up and shower to wake myself up. Oh how I missed my shower.

  I stood under the stream, letting the water absorb into my skin. It felt so good to be in my shower again. As I washed my hair the bracelet got caught. I carefully tried to untangle the mess only to end up cutting my wrist on one of the charms.