And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Damian.

The moment I walked into the room and saw Ivy awake, I was blown away. I didn't think it would ever be possible, and I had slowly started to lose hope, but the moment I heard her voice through my mind, I knew it couldn't be real. How many times had I actually contemplated hearing her?

More than I can count, that's for sure.

For a moment I thought I was losing my mind, but when Talon and Hale took off running up the stairs, I knew it must have been real and the possibility had made my heart soar.

I thanked the gods for bringing her back to me, but I just prayed it would be forever this time. I couldn't survive losing her again.

A few days had passed since then, and with every moment she was awake, I slowly found myself going better and better. I didn't feel hollow and empty anymore. I didn't feel like I was the reason she was gone. Instead, we spent every moment together as if nothing had ever happened.

As if the war and everything else had only been a dream.

Sitting in the living room with Ivy and the twins, I watched her sit on the floor as the twins handed her various toys. I had waited so long to see this, and now that I could, I wanted to hold the memory forever. The twins had their mother's back, and from the looks in their eyes, they were happy.

She was the love of my life, and I hated it took me so long to realize. But now she was back, and I was going to make sure I showed her just how much she meant to me. Just how much she meant to this family. There was no way in hell I was ever walking away from her again. I would never keep a secret from her again. Those days were long over.

I'd learned my lesson just as my brothers had learned theirs.

"How are you feeling today?" Hale said to Ivy as he stepped into the living room.

"I'm feeling better than I was before. My strength is almost back completely, but I will admit it will take some time before I run laps around you guys."

Her comment caused both Hale and I to laugh. The twins glanced up at the two of us with curiosity before slowly going back to their toys. "They're happy that you're home."

She glanced at me for a moment before looking back at the twins; her smile brightening knowing what I said was true. "I'm happy that I'm home as well. I have already missed out so much."

"We have plenty of time to make new memories," Hale replied, causing her smile to fall slightly as she nodded her head.

"I know, but still, I missed out on so much already. Some of those memories are ones that I should have been part of that I will never get back."

I knew full well what she was referring to. She'd missed the first time the twins had crawled, eating solid foods, those very first steps that they took. She wanted those memories but would never have because of what had happened. Regardless, though, she didn't hold a grudge because of it. She accepted what was and moved forward with what would be. Ivy was by far one of the strongest women I have ever met in my entire life, and I was lucky to call her mine.

"I was thinking maybe today we can take the children outside, take them to the play in the park. They've been going there and playing with the other children for the past few months."

As Ivy stared at the children for a few more minutes, her eyes connected with mine again, and she slowly nodded her head. The pack knew she was awake again. They knew the moment she awoke, how strong the bond with her had grown. The problem was we had kept everybody at bay for the time being, wanting to make sure she was ready to see everyone before they tried to force themselves upon her, eager to win her favor once again.

"I would really! Hike that. It's been a while since I've seen everyone. Of course, I was pregnant at the time but if the children have been going there, then I want that to continue. It's about them, not me," she replied cheerfully.

"That's settled then. I'll go ahead and tell James to pack their bags and we can head out here in just a bit." Standing to my feet, I moved from the room to give Ivy time alone and drug Hale with me, who looked confused why I made him follow.

"What?" he asked as soon as we were out of the room.

"Because she deserves time alone with them. Instead of one of us always hovering."

Nodding his head, he sighed as he followed me to find James. I was

excited about the prospect o

able to show her off to the pack again, being able to get her outdoors out into the fresh air with the-

children, and for her to see the

progress we've made over the past

year within the pack.

One of the things I, myself, took head on was an idea she had given when she first came here. The night we had dinner with her father and Allison.

She wanted us to create a library for the children, a place where they can study, where pack kids could be tutored and get them excited about learning, but to also get them excited about who they are.