Chapter 8

 

 

Alex sat at a desk within Elysium’s library, penning a letter to Donald Eppson, her former boss at the United Nations. It had been the only promise he had elicited from her when she turned in her notice, that she keep in touch, and Alex was determined not to let him down. Especially, now that she knew he would think her deceased in less than three years.

She looked up when she felt Gaius’ aura drawing near, and she smiled as he crossed the room to stand beside her. He smoothed a hand over her hair as she loved for him to do, and glanced down at what she was writing. His facial expression softened as his eyes left the paper and met her gaze.

“Are you almost finished?” he asked.

“I am. What are you up to?”

“Well, Elrick and Iain have selected a movie they want us all to watch in the theatre tonight. You’re the only one missing, so I came to hopefully coax you into joining us.”

“You don’t have to coax me,” Alex chuckled and shook her head. “Go ahead and I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

“Alright, but don’t be too long. I can’t hold Iain at bay indefinitely.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Alex murmured and arched an eyebrow at him, knowing that was not true at all.

Gaius laughed under his breath and bent to kiss Alex’s hair before he left her alone to finish her letter.

Alex did not tarry, and in less than ten minutes she was seated between Gaius and Sabina in the plush fabric chairs within the room. Gaius placed a bag of popcorn between them and she chuckled that he had indeed thought of everything when he laid out the schematics for the theatre. The smell of the freshly made popcorn filled the air and gave her the feeling that she was truly in a commercial cinema.

When the movie started, she heard many of the men comment on the surround sound system they had installed. Alex was equally bowled over by how much they accomplished in such a short amount of time, but it had been the same in Darfur. With everyone working towards a common goal, the work had gone smoothly and efficiently.

Alex leaned into Gaius’ side and she snuggled down for the duration. But as the movie progressed, she realized it was filled with aliens and continuous explosions. Alex felt sweat break out across her forehead and her breathing sped up as the movie’s violence increased. At one frightening scene, her mind flashed back to a similar film Wallace had played at the Manor House after Bertrand had attacked her. And with that memory, came those of the moments when she had been held down by the demon’s son.

Her aura flared in alarm, and she quietly excused herself. Alex walked outside and stood in the hallway, but even that space felt too confining. She headed for a rear door and left the castle behind. Alex walked until she came to the same gazebo where she had initially searched for the memory of how Arianna met her end.

She sat on one of its benches and leaned forward, cupping her face in her hands. She began to rock back and forth, trying to calm her aura and racing heart. But her power was still surging densely out of her body, as though it sensed her alarm and sought to shield her.

Alex was shocked that after such a period of happiness and tranquility, her mind brought her so viscerally back to that moment in time. Though she fought them, silent tears began to work their way free as she felt Gaius’ aura approaching. She tried hard to stop the flow just as his hand settled on her back and he pulled her into his chest.

“Alex, come here, sweetheart,” he whispered.

She sat up straighter and turned into his arms, wanting him to hold her as she let the grief work its way out. He kissed her hair and rocked her gently.

“Shhh, it’s alright. You are safe and loved. Always, Alex,” he crooned.

But the distance was still too much. Alex moved over to sit astride him so she could completely hug her body to his, and she laid her head on his shoulder as his arms encircled her. She stayed there in the safety of his embrace for many minutes, until her aura and mind calmed and she was no longer looking back into the frightening scenes that she prayed would leave her be.

Finally, she felt more at peace and she pulled back slightly to look into his eyes.

“Do you feel any better?” he asked, and tenderly cupped her face in his warm palms.

She slowly nodded. “A little. Thank you for loving me when I need it most,” she whispered.

“Oh, sweetheart, I will love you every moment of every day, from now until our end. And especially in such moments as this. Whatever you need, just tell me.”

Alex leaned in to gently kiss him, and he allowed her to lead him as to what she needed in the moment. He continued to hold her face in his palms as they lightly matched their lips together. She paused and looked into Gaius’ eyes.

“In this moment, Gaius, what I really need is to make love with my husband. Will you please come with me to our bedroom? I need to feel your loving touch,” she breathed. She saw his eyes lose all of the green, which sometimes presented itself, and shine a deep shade of blue.

“Are you sure, Alex?” he whispered.

“I need to feel you and not him,” Alex murmured.

“It would be my honor to show you what lies in my heart for you, Alexandria. Hold on to me,” he told her quietly.

Gaius lifted her still held against his chest and walked them back into the house, then upstairs to their room. He gently placed Alex on the bed, and she reached out for him as he came to lie beside her.

For Alex, it was one of the most tender and gentle encounters they had shared since their wedding. They maintained eye contact throughout their love making, and she had never felt herself melt away and become one with him more. She whispered her love as she slowly ran her fingers into his hair, and he lowered his lips to hers as he told her of his unending devotion. Alex moved her hands to his neck when he lifted his head and continued to gaze into her eyes. And they began to smile at one another, knowing the demons were nowhere to be found in the midst of such selfless and pure love.

When he could feel her nearing her surrender he whispered his love again and encouraged her to set herself free in his arms. Alex felt fresh tears gather from his heartfelt words, and she came apart while he held and protected her. He gave himself over to her, and Alex pulled him down for another gentle kiss as she cradled him to her body.

Gaius rolled them slowly to their sides, still facing one another and still a part of the other. He pulled the comforter over them and nuzzled her neck as he held Alex as closely to him as he could. Alex sighed contentedly against his heart as she whispered her love again. Her fingers and aura slowly traced little patterns across his chest and she felt Gaius shiver slightly. She looked up into his eyes and saw the hint of smile grace his lips.

Alex found herself smiling in return, as she gazed into his eyes and deliberately ran her fingers back across his chest. Gaius shivered again. His eyes were now alight with merriment as he watched her play with him and purposefully illicit such a reaction.

She heard his soft chuckle before he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Alex sighed as she moved her hand over to his arm and lightly caressed his skin there as he continued to take her breath away.

Eventually, they relaxed from the tender contact and fell asleep in one another’s arms. They rested for almost four hours before Alex awakened and told Gaius that she needed him again. He immediately drew her to his body and sought to quell her fears. He gently rolled her beneath him and tried to replace the old hurt with something of beauty and goodness she could hold to.

 

As morning dawned, he found her against his side sleeping peacefully, and he sent up prayers of thankfulness for the tranquility he felt rolling through her aura. Gaius waited another thirty minutes, and then began to slowly call her mind to rouse Alex gently in the hopes of not startling her.

When Alex tipped her head back and smiled, then opened her eyes to him, Gaius knew she was in a better place than the night before. She looked completely at ease as he kissed the tip of her nose.

“Better now?” Gaius asked softly and then began to trail his fingers through her hair.

“So much better,” she nodded slowly. Alex slid a hand over his chest and let it come to rest just over his heart. She lightly patted him there and watched her aura dance over his skin, even from that slight contact. “Thank you, Gaius, for last night. For understanding what I needed to get through that.”

“Alex, I am your husband. You do not have to thank me for loving you and seeing to your care. And you certainly don’t need to thank me for making love to you,” he said with a beautiful smile that stole her breath away.

“No, I suppose I don’t,” Alex chuckled softly.

“No, my love,” he said more sincerely and lost all pretense of jesting. “You only need to speak your desire, and whatever you need to get through such moments, I’ll see it done without hesitation.”

“However did I find you?” Alex whispered in wonder, as her hand crept up his neck to cup his face.

“You didn’t have to, Alex. I was already waiting for you to come home to me. You did not have to look far,” he murmured and then matched his lips to hers.

“Love me?” she asked, though Alex could feel a similar need trailing through his aura, and she already knew his answer.

“Always,” he vowed with a soft groan.

Alex sighed as he pulled her closer, content to wait just a little longer to leave the bed and let the outside world creep in to their private haven. She was all too happy to focus on the good and leave the nightmares firmly in the past where they belonged.

 

Everyone was departing Elysium that day, and the estate was quietly bustling with activity when Alex and Gaius entered the kitchen. Archimedes was the first to hug her and ask if she was better than when she left the movie behind. Alex assured him she was as she patted his back. Iain and Rohan asked her the same, followed by Jack and Sabina.

She hugged each one and reassured them that she was in a much better frame of mind after a restful night. Her eyes drifted over to Gaius and they smiled at one another, knowing that it was their love that had gotten her through the worst of the storm.

Over the next hour and a half, the estate was efficiently closed down. Alex helped Gaius secure the horses in the stables and inspect all of the fireplaces. May could still be slightly chilly there on the northern island, and they wanted none left smoldering. They had packed their luggage the day before, so once everyone was ready, Gaius closed the front door and walked with Alexandria and Rohan to the S-92 their group was using.

Alex was so encouraged to see Rohan move to the co-pilot’s seat alongside Elrick, and she sent him a silent message of support before they lifted off. She rolled back her mental armor and heard his words of gratitude, and she smiled as she snuggled into Gaius’ side on a sofa.

She felt herself growing somewhat sleepy, and Gaius sensed her fatigue as well. He gently brushed her hair back and asked her to nap while she could. Alex offered no protest and drifted off minutes later.

They were mentally awakened by Sabina as they approached the Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight. Gaius hugged her tenderly, then began to sit up so they could shake off their drowsiness. They rose and refreshed themselves in the helicopter’s bathroom, and then returned to their sofa as the wheels gently touched the ground.

“Ready to see your brother?” Gaius asked, as he placed a soft kiss on her temple.

“Yes,” Alex grinned. “I want to savor this visit, Gaius. Every moment of it,” she said a bit more seriously, as she turned to look into his eyes.

Without words, Gaius knew Alex was thinking of the deadline, because he was too. And though the current year had been tentatively mapped out, he wanted her to have as much time with the Groabans as possible before Alex could no longer walk alongside them in public. It was one of the reasons he had delayed their trip to India when Conner had asked them to spend time with him at his home. Gaius was determined, now more than ever, that Alex never harbor a single regret.

Gaius stood and gently pulled Alex to her feet. They each took a bag in hand, while Iain and Heath carried a few other cases. The bulk of their luggage was moving on to London with their friends in advance of the mission trip to India, but they kept those needed for their short visit with Alex’s brother.

Conner was already waiting for them, not far from where they had touched down. Heath had secured permission for him to park near their designated helipad, and Alex ran ahead to hug him tightly. They smiled broadly at one another before he drew her back against his chest. Gaius strode towards them, and the smile he saw on Conner’s face said it all. He knew his wife was wearing a wide grin as well, though he could not see her face, tucked as she was in Conner’s arms.

“Gaius,” Conner said, finally releasing Alex to embrace his brother-in-law. “So good to see you.”

“And you as well,” Gaius smiled.

“How much luggage do you need for three days, Alex?” Conner asked, as he watched the others load the cases in the back of his Rover.

“Just a few,” she smirked at him.

“She never could take a couple of cases with her. She had to bring half her closet.” Conner laughed as he spoke to Gaius.

“I’m right here listening to you, you know?” Alex fussed and swatted his arm.

“Oww, that hurt!” he said, chuckling and feigning injury.

“Oh, you’re fine. Hush,” she muttered as everyone around them laughed over their easy banter.

Alex watched as Conner stepped away to shake hands with the rest of her party. He and Jack lightly hugged and patted one another’s backs as they talked for a few minutes. She looked on as he chatted with Rohan and Heath next, and the importance of the simple exchange very nearly took her breath away.

It was what she had hoped for since the day she had brought the Nephilim home to the Manor the first time: that everyone might work together and be of one accord. Now, in that one innocent moment in time, Alex was seeing her desire made real and it brought tears to her eyes.

Gaius clasped her shoulder and he gave her a light squeeze. Alex looked up at him and smiled despite the moisture pooling in her eyes. She turned back as their friends boarded the helicopter, and then it lifted and banked smoothly away.

Conner noticed Alex’s eyes, and he angled his head at her in question. “Hey, what’s the matter?” he asked and reached out to cup her face.

“Not one thing, Conner,” Alex smiled up at him. “I’m just really happy to be here with you.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here too, sweetie. But don’t cry, okay?”

“Got it,” Alex nodded. “No more tears.”

“Get in the car before I start bawling with you,” he huffed, though he was grinning from ear to ear.

Gaius chuckled and opened a rear door so Alex could climb in.

 

Their drive to the home Conner rented was a short one, and Alex was happy to return to the dwelling with her brother. She had been to the sprawling, three-story house many times before, and she was excited that Conner could now share it with her husband. It was slightly northeast of the dig site where he and his team worked, and the home was removed from the congestion of several more crowded streets near his jobsite.

Trees and lush fields surrounded the property and it was a true haven for him. It was owned by a friend of their father, and when he heard Conner was looking for a temporary dwelling, he was more than happy to rent it to him for a nominal fee. Conner had remarked many times that it was a blessing to have such a place to live, because it gave him the privacy he craved, as well as the space he needed to invite his colleagues over for dinners and academic discussions.

Gaius watched the grey stone structure with white trim come into view with a pleasant smile playing on his lips. He grinned down at Alex, noting that she was watching his reaction as Conner came to a stop in front of the dwelling. He winked at her, then opened the door and held his hand out to steady her as she left the vehicle.

“Welcome to my home, Gaius. Officially,” Conner added with a chuckle.

“Thank you,” Gaius smiled. “This is a beautiful residence, Conner. Very private, too.”

“And that’s one of the reasons I love it here. It’s quiet and peaceful. Kind of like Elysium is for you guys, I guess.”

“Indeed,” Gaius agreed, and inclined his head.

“Come on, there’s more to see inside,” Conner said with a grin, echoing Alex’s words when the Groabans had arrived at Elysium.

Gaius moved to the back of the SUV with him to take their cases in hand. All three carried the luggage in as Conner showed them to their room - the largest on the second floor. His bedroom was one floor above, and he showed them that level before he took them back downstairs to begin a tour for Gaius.

As the two men explored the house together, Alex drifted off into the kitchen in the hopes of finding a snack. She was always slightly hungry now, and she smiled when she opened her brother’s pantry to find it brimming over with food. He had prepared well for her brief visit, she told herself.

When the two men finally made it to the kitchen, they found that Alex had warmed several different kinds of dip and placed them in dishes with chips on the side. Both chuckled at her, but she only smiled in return and continued to eat. Gaius moved forward and kissed her forehead, then began to snack with her. Conner stepped closer and sampled what she had prepared, then offered Gaius a beer.

Alex chuckled then, as she watched the two take a seat with their drinks at the long scarred table. It served as Conner’s dining and meeting place within the home’s large kitchen. She moved the platters over to the table and poured herself a large glass of orange juice before she sat beside Gaius. They chatted with one another for over an hour and Alex rose once during that time to bring some fruit over to the table.

“So,” Conner said, after it was apparent Alex had finally stopped eating, “I wonder if you two would be willing to pay a visit to the dig site, while no one else is listening in? It’s Sunday, and my excavation team is enjoying their weekend still. What do you say?”

Alex angled her head at her brother as her eyebrows rose. “Um, Conner, remember what you said earlier? You were concerned about knowing too much about the area’s true history.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” he smiled helplessly, and waved his hand at her. “And I promise I’m going to be reserved in my questions. I understand that I shouldn’t know it all, because it would take the fun and mystery out of the work I do each day.”

“Alright,” Alex caved. “I’m ready whenever you are.” She laughed over the exuberance she saw playing across her brother’s countenance.

“Gaius, are you up for this?” Conner asked.

“Of course,” Gaius grinned, and then rose from his seat.

Conner gave them a few moments to visit their room and refresh themselves, and then they drove ten minutes away to the area he and his team were working in. It was slightly removed from the museum and exhibit area, built over the previously discovered villa and intricately tiled mosaics.

The new dig area had already uncovered what they thought to be a water feature, called a nymphaeum, behind the established ancient Roman structure. But, they were still looking for evidence of a formal Roman garden. Alex made her way over to the site between Gaius and Conner and immediately felt the pull of the past trying to tell her its story. She looked up into Gaius’ eyes and saw him nod slightly to her as his hand came to rest on her lower back.

“Go with the current, sweetheart, and see where the past leads you. I’ve got you here,” he said softly.

Alex exhaled slowly and closed her eyes to the present before her. She connected swiftly with the area’s history, and she sought the specific time period in all of the memories swirling within her internal oceans. She imagined herself strolling through her internal Library, waiting for the correct scroll to call out to her. And when one looked as though it was faintly vibrating on a shelf, Alex held her hand up and it effortlessly sailed over to her open palm.

Her fingers gently unrolled the parchment and she was drawn into the memory, so that it appeared she stood outside the villa as it once looked in the first century AD. It was simple and smaller than what it became over the next one hundred years. Alex saw time speeding by as additions were constructed, and soon the stone villa boasted twelve impressive rooms on just its ground floor alone. She watched additional outbuildings go up and then a raging fire destroy the property in the third century AD.

Finally, she released the images and imagined the scroll returning to its shelf. She exhaled deeply again and looked up to see both Gaius and Conner watching her closely. Gaius smiled warmly at her and patted her back, then leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

“Well done, my love,” he whispered, and she nodded in return before she looked back to her brother.

“Are you okay, Alex?” Conner asked, reaching out to cup her elbow.

“Yes,” she smiled. “I’m fine.”

“You really are settled in your own skin now, aren’t you?” Conner asked in wonder. “I’ve never seen you look into the past without some kind of pain or ill effect afterwards.”

“It doesn’t hurt me like it did when I was a child, Conner. And every time I use my powers, it just gets easier. Like flexing a muscle that continues to hone and strengthen itself over time.”

“I’m so glad,” he breathed, and leaned down to hug her for a moment.

“Why don’t you tell us what you know to be true about the area, and we’ll discuss your thoughts,” Alex prompted him. “If, that’s what you want?”

“Gaius, do you need a moment to look back across time, too?” Conner asked.

“No, I have already viewed it. I’ve been at this a bit longer than Alex,” Gaius said, and chuckled. “So, I am ready to discuss whatever you think is appropriate.”

“Alright,” Conner grinned, and rubbed his hands together. Alex could only shake her head as he acted like a child on Christmas morning.

They walked around the area for the next hour and Alex was so proud of her brother’s meticulous attention to detail. His efforts to seek clarity and the truth of the area’s history had him on the right path with each of his theories and conclusions. When it came to the villa’s twelve lower rooms, he confessed that he was still struggling with what some of the rooms were used for.

Alex smiled and bit her lower lip, and Conner immediately picked up on her hesitation. He ran a hand through his hair and laughed softly. Alex began to laugh with him and she stepped forward to hug Conner and pat his back. She drew back and smiled up into his face.

“I promise you that someday, I will describe every room and every piece of furniture that once stood within the villa.” Alex vowed.

“Yes, well let’s agree to put that discussion off for many more years,” Conner grinned down at her. He tucked a lock of Alex’s hair behind her ear and then lightly patted her cheek.

“I like that plan,” Alex agreed softly.

 

They left the site then and returned to Conner’s home to find Helen already there and waiting for them. She stepped out onto the porch and greeted Conner, then turned to meet Alex and Gaius. Alex could see the love and warmth in her brother’s blue eyes as he gazed down at the lovely brunette at his side. Like Emily, Helen was very close to Alexandria’s height, but her eyes were a deeper shade of blue than Alex’s or Conner’s.

“It is such a pleasure to finally meet you,” Alex said, as she moved forward and hugged Helen warmly.

Helen laughed softly. “No, the pleasure is all mine, Alex, if I may call you that. I’ve heard so much about you. Conner always has this loving smile on his face when he talks about his baby sister. And I can tell from that and his stories about you, just how important you are to one another.”

“Yes, I think I get the same goofy grin on my face when I talk about him,” Alex chuckled and looked back to see Conner blushing a bit.

She remembered her manners then and introduced Gaius, and he also stepped forward to lightly hug Helen. Conner ushered them all inside and they reclined in his large den as they continued to learn about the newest addition to their family.

As conversation flowed, they discovered Helen was seven years older than Alex and just one year younger than Conner. Helen was also working on her doctoral thesis, along with Conner, and both hoped to finish by Christmas.

Like many academics, Helen was extremely observant and keen to learn more about Alex and Gaius as well. Alex smiled as she dodged Helen’s investigation and met Conner’s eyes several times with a slight smile. They silently acknowledged to one another it would not be long before they told her the story of the Nephilim, too. Gaius kept his left arm draped around Alex’s shoulders on the sofa where they sat, and he occasionally caressed her arm with his hand in silent praise of her effort.

Eventually, they moved into the kitchen and prepared dinner together. Conversation was still easily flowing as Alex helped Gaius clean and steam the vegetables they would eat, while Conner and Helen took care of the meat’s preparation. They were all laughing at tales from Conner and Alex’s childhood, as she recounted some of the more daring stunts her two brothers had attempted throughout their youth.

As they ate that night, Alex continuously met her brother’s eyes, and he seemed to seek hers out as well. She could see that both of her siblings had chosen their partners with great care. Wallace and Conner had loving and supportive companions poised to be their wives, and she was so very thankful to see them ready to enjoy such a deep and meaningful connection with another soul.

They spent the rest of their evening chatting and laughing with one another, until finally Conner called a halt to the night so everyone could rest before they went to work the next day. Alex and Gaius left to go up to their room so Helen and Conner could say good-bye in private. Alex glanced over her shoulder as they mounted the stairs and smiled as Conner drew Helen into his arms. She knew that he was happy, and that was all a sister could ask for.

 

Over the next two days, Alex and Gaius went to the excavation site with Conner and Helen, and assisted his team as volunteers. Alex found that she was greatly tempted to move slightly away from the area he and his colleagues were concentrating on, to help them uncover another structure which lay undiscovered. Gaius sensed her desire, and she caught him constantly grinning or shaking his head over her dilemma. Alex found all she could do was laugh softly in return.

They spent the second night with Conner, Helen, and a large gathering of his colleagues at her brother’s home. Alex kept a hand on Gaius’ leg under the kitchen table throughout dinner and well into the evening. The ongoing academic discussion called to her mind’s desire to see into each memory associated with the various topics raised. His left arm remained draped over the back of her seat, so Alex could lean back and make contact with him for additional support.

When they were called upon to enter the conversation, Gaius always found a way to expertly answer their questions, staying with the present view of the topics. He never gave too much away or appeared ill at ease. Alex listened to him intently, as she learned how to keep their knowledge of the past a well-guarded secret. Conner stepped into the talks occasionally to redirect the flow away from Gaius and Alex, so they would not have to guard their every word.

As the evening wound to a close, Alex thanked all of Conner’s friends for an invigorating evening, and many came forward to shake her hand or lightly hug her before they took their leave. Eventually, Alex and Gaius bade Helen and Conner goodnight, and went upstairs to the privacy of their bedroom.

Alex saw a smile playing on Gaius’ face as soon as he shut the door, and chuckled as she shook her head. But he slowly nodded his and moved forward to pull her into his arms. Alex could feel her cheeks turning crimson, but he reminded her quietly that Conner’s house was no different than the Manor House as he leisurely began to help her discard her clothing.

 

The third and final day of their visit went by far too quickly for Alex’s liking. They remained at the site as long as they could, but eventually they had to drive back to Conner’s house to shower and change for their flight to London. Before he drove them back to the airport, Conner suggested they take a walk in his gardens and Alex quickly agreed. They took a slow meandering route and began to talk about the future again.

“Alex,” Conner said softly, “I am really counting on us making an effort to always remain in each other’s life.”

Alex looked up and noticed that Conner’s eyes were slightly moist. She immediately moved closer and wrapped an arm around her brother’s waist. He draped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side as they strolled.

“We will, Conner. I promise you, we’ll always find a way.” Alex found it difficult to speak around the lump in her throat as well.

“You’d better,” he said teasingly, as he narrowed his eyes at her.

Alex caught Gaius tenderly smiling at the two, and he put voice to his desire to see them all remain close as the years passed by. She tried to turn their discussion to a happier one then, not wanting the final conversation of their visit to be so heavily steeped in emotion.

“Conner, would you consider bringing Helen to Santorini for our summer holiday? I’d love to have her there, and it would give us more time to get to know her.”

He laughed and squeezed her to his side as he said, “Alex, I had planned to raise the topic before you and Gaius left. I want to include Helen in all our family gatherings from now on. And the trip would probably be a good time to reveal the knowledge of the Nephilim to her. Because…” he paused, watching Alex’s eyes closely as he uttered his next words, “I’ve already purchased an engagement ring and I plan to propose within the next few weeks.”

Alex stopped walking and squealed as she enveloped her brother in a tight hug. “Oh, Conner, I’m so happy for you!” she gushed.

“I’m very happy too, Alex,” he smiled.

Both were chuckling as they held each other, and Gaius looked on in pride, slowing nodding his head. When Alex released her brother, Gaius stepped forward to hug and congratulate him as well, and both men smiled warmly at one another.

They talked then of home, family, and their upcoming trip to India. But as time wound down, Alex and Conner held tightly to one another. Finally, he looked at his watch and told her it was time to drive her back to the airport. Gaius promised that they would return to visit before too long, and it made the parting a little easier.