Chapter 51

 

 

With a loving send-off from her parents and Jameason, Alex was soon headed back to New York with Gaius and her brethren. She remained at the helm with him throughout most of the flight, and Alex used that time to reflect on all that had transpired since they left the city over a week ago. And she considered just how short her time had grown with Jack.

Alex knew now that when they returned to England in less than a month for Conner’s wedding, it would be a true parting of the ways for them. He would remain in New York with Lauren and she would go home with the Nephilim. And though Alex knew she would find ways to connect with Jack, it would still not be the same without him in her day to day life.

It made Alex all the more determined to savor their last few weeks together in each other’s company.

 

Throughout the next week and a half, the Nephilim, Jack, Lauren, and Elizabeth worked towards completing the construction within the men’s shelter. The furniture they had ordered was waiting for them after their return from Africa, and Alex assisted Sabina, Ahadi, and Tomoko as they hung drapery, artwork, and added decorative touches to the multiple gathering rooms, dining area, and sleeping quarters. Cara stayed by their sides as they worked, sniffing each new object she could get her nose near.

Two nights before the facility opened, all of the new mortal employees met for a training session. The ladies had offered to prepare and serve light hors d’oeuvres during the gathering, and they smiled at the men hired to work alongside them. Alex silently observed the meet and greet that took place before the center’s policies and procedures were reviewed by Nathan and Gaius. One of the new hires was a psychiatrist, and he talked at length with John and Archimedes during the informal opening to their meeting.

But once the more structured part of the night began, one and all became focused on the procedures they would be required to adhere to, if they were to be a part of a Nephilim shelter. It was another learning opportunity for Alex, as she watched how the immortals transferred trust and leadership over to people who helped them reach out on a daily basis to those in need. Alex smiled inwardly, knowing that the mortals among them had no idea who their new employers were.

 

The night before the shelter opened, they all celebrated at Sal’s. Alex and Gaius chatted with him for a while before they took their seats. Sal told them that Estella was with their daughter that Friday evening, so she would have to see them on another night. He asked how their trip had gone, and they both assured him it had been a very positive and productive journey.

Alex enjoyed each moment of that night with her loved ones. And though she savored the good, she also found her gaze drifting repeatedly to Jack. It was as if she felt compelled to mentally capture his every movement and word, so she could call him back to her mind in ten or five hundred years.

Sensing her focus on him, Jack looked up from where he sat diagonally across from Alex and stared intently at her. She said nothing, only slightly inclined her head in his direction and pulled her lower lip in with her teeth. Jack’s eyes narrowed just a bit and he nodded at her once before he turned to answer the question Elrick had just put to him. Alex made herself refocus on her lasagna and swallowed past the knot that had formed in her throat.

 

The following morning, Alex, Sabina, Ahadi, and Tomoko wished the immortal men and Jack success as they prepared to open the new shelter to the public. Alex thought it could not have come at a better time, as freezing temperatures had set in on the city at night. Many more would need shelter, food, and counseling, and she was so grateful that the center had become a reality so quickly.

The ladies went back to the women’s shelter and contributed there, all the while praying for their male brethren’s work to go smoothly. Alex took a few moments after lunch and cloaked herself in her aura. She lifted back to the rooftop where she had stood against the three children of the Fallen who came for the rescued ladies. Alex stood scanning the city and thinking of the role she had agreed to for the rest of her days.

It was that role as protector, which would keep her from the normal progression of days which her mortal family would experience. And it was that role that also allowed her to save so many like Nicoleta, Mathew, Stewart, Tobias, and even Kronis. Though her choice cost her the day to day relationships she wanted with her family, Alex knew that their love would see them through the distance and hidden secret of her true existence as a Nephilim. No matter how far she had to travel, they would always be in her heart.

After a half hour of reflection and contemplation, Alex gracefully lowered herself down to the sidewalk and entered the women’s shelter, moving from behind the veil. She returned to work alongside the other immortal ladies, focusing on the good they were accomplishing. When they were ready to depart the center, Alex texted Gaius to let him know they were headed home and would have dinner ready for the men when they arrived. His response came quickly, as he answered that he missed her and would see her shortly.

All four immortal ladies worked together to prepare the meal, chatting while they worked. Alex felt a bit more reserved, still thinking about the upcoming changes, and Sabina reached out to gently rub Alex’s back as she sensed her mood. Alex looked up from where she was chopping vegetables and offered a half-hearted smile.

“I’m alright, Sabina, really I am. I’ve just been considering the changes that will take place in a few weeks, and…” Alex trailed off, shrugging over her loss of words.

“And you are thinking about leaving Jackson?” Sabina smiled knowingly and watched Alex’s facial expression.

Alex looked over to see Ahadi and Tomoko smiling at her from the other side of the island, too.

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about how we’ll have to leave Jack when we go home,” Alex confessed. And knowing she could tell the other ladies anything, Alex truly opened her heart to them. “I love him so much, and it will be difficult not to be with him every day as I have this last year.”

“But like your brothers, he will always stay in touch with you, and always remain in your heart,” Ahadi said, nodding encouragingly at Alex.

“I know,” Alex sighed. “That bit of good is what I’ve been concentrating on, so that when we say good-bye in a couple of weeks, it won’t seem like forever.”

“You will see him again at New Year’s, and then when we come back here to the city to work. Honestly, I expect them to marry sooner, rather than later. So we should arrange to work in New York after the holidays, so I can be here to help Lauren plan,” chuckled Sabina, her eyes twinkling as she tried to turn the tide for Alexandria.

“Well, since it’s your idea, I believe the whole group will go along with the plan and support it completely,” Alex teasingly stated.

All four women began to laugh wholeheartedly, just as they felt the immortal men’s auras entering the home. Gaius and Elrick were the first to come into the kitchen, and they both angled their heads slightly, wondering what the ladies were giggling about. Their questioning looks only made them laugh harder, and soon they were wiping happy tears from their eyes as more of the men entered the space.

But when Jack walked into the room, Sabina smirked at Alex in such a way as to set her off again. He stopped and looked behind himself to see if they were laughing at him or another.

“Don’t ask us. We’ve no idea what’s wrong with them.” Heath grinned at Jack, shaking his head.

Alex held up her hand and tried to stop her laughter, but Sabina guffawed and doubled over trying to rein in her giggles. Ahadi and Tomoko could not stop their chuckles either, and Gaius just leaned against the wall watching the four of them. Rohan was the next to walk into the room and he furrowed his brow, glancing over at Jack and then Gaius. Gaius only shrugged and continued to smile at the ladies.

“What set you off?” Rohan asked, looking back at Alex.

“Ah, nothing,” said Alex, trying to breathe.

“Tell me another story,” he snorted. “I’d bet money it started with you.”

She strode forward and hugged Rohan tightly, catching him completely off guard. His eyebrows rose high on his forehead as Alex held her head against his heart.

“I love you, Rohan. You know, don’t you?” she asked.

“Yeah, I know,” he grunted, patting her back and looking over at Gaius, who was grinning widely by then.

Alex finally released him and wiped the rest of her happy tears away, then she moved over to hug Gaius.

“Did you all have a good day?” she finally remembered to ask.

“We had a very meaningful day. We’ll tell you all about it over dinner,” he promised, cupping her face and smoothing the last of the moisture from her cheeks with his thumbs.

They stared at one another for a moment before Gaius leaned down to lightly kiss her lips. He offered to help with the food’s preparation, then washed his hands and moved to Alex’s side at the island. She chuckled on and off for the next few minutes as the last of her amusement worked its way free, and she heard the other three ladies doing the same.

Alex walked upstairs in the Whitney home’s large dining room and began to set the table. She added two extra place settings and smiled, knowing a few extra guests were coming. As the food was brought up and everyone took their seats, Gaius noticed that Alex had too many plates set out. But she only smiled as she turned to welcome Ganymede and Haniel to their meal.

She and Gaius rose from their seats and embraced their fathers, and she saw the tender look Haniel gave his son as he patted his cheek lightly. The two angels sat on either side of their children, as they had previously, and Ganymede offered to say grace for them. After the blessing, food and conversation about the men’s shelter began to flow.

Each man had a particular moment or experience from the day they wanted to share, and the immortal ladies took in all the good that was accomplished for those so in need of love and assistance. Ganymede closed his right hand over Alex’s left, and she felt his approval and delight rolling through his aura as it touched her. She looked up and smiled into his eyes, watching as a slow smile spread across his radiant face.

Alex thought to herself that she would definitely make an effort to be closer to her angelic father. For she was more determined now, than ever, to see him included in her life.

 

After dinner was at an end that night, Gaius led Alex and Cara up to the library in their home. He settled her beside him on a sofa after building a fire, and they each read for a little while in one another’s company. After a time, Rohan came into the room and Alex glanced up to watch him take a seat on the sofa opposite the one they sat on.

“Do you guys mind if I join you?” he asked, leaning back and stretching his longs legs out.

“Not at all, Rohan. We’re just reading,” Alex said and smiled at him.

Gaius said nothing, only nodded his head and looked back down at the book he held. Cara jumped down from the cushion she was lying on next to Alex’s leg and meandered over to Rohan. She looked up at him and began to whine for his attention. He chuckled and lifted the young dog, the two staring at each other for a moment, before Rohan placed her on his lap. Cara wasted no time stretching out to make herself comfortable.

“I think you have made a friend for life, Rohan,” Alex chuckled, watching the two.

“I don’t mind,” he said, and sank lower on the cushion as he closed his eyes.

Alex said no more, and returned to reading her book while she leaned a little further into Gaius’ side. The three remained in the library for another hour, and Alex noted that Rohan drifted off with Cara soon after his arrival. She looked up into Gaius’ eyes and he winked at her, as they both turned their gaze to one whom they loved so very much.

Alex quietly studied her dear friend in his unguarded state. He was normally so stoic and cautious, that she rarely saw such a glimpse of him. But as she had observed once while at Aeoferth, she noticed how very young Rohan’s countenance actually looked. Gone was the slight tension that he often held around his eyes and lips, and instead Alex noted his expression looked almost serene while he slept.

She asked Ganymede to be with Rohan as he sorted out whatever was going on in his heart. She prayed that he would be happy, with whatever path he chose for his future. Or, Alex thought, with whomever Rohan might choose to share that path.

When it was time to go to bed, Alex quietly rose and walked over to Rohan and Cara. She gently cupped his cheek with her palm and softly called his name, in the hopes of waking him gently. Rohan inhaled and opened his eyes to see Alex smiling tenderly at him.

“Rohan, we’re going to turn in for the night. Why don’t you go on up to your bedroom, where you will be more comfortable,” Alex suggested, slowly nodding her head at him.

“Okay,” he said in a sleepy voice and yawned.

Alex lifted Cara from his lap and stepped back so Rohan could stand. She patted his hand and told Gaius she would meet him in their room in a few minutes after she let Cara take a turn around the courtyard. Gaius kissed her cheek as she passed by, and then he extended a hand and pulled Rohan to his feet. He smiled at his friend and lightly slapped his shoulder before they both walked out of the library.

Rohan turned and climbed the stairs to his room, while Gaius stood on the landing and watched him go. He settled his hands on his waist and wondered to himself if Rohan was ready to finally put some of the old hurt away. Let the ghosts of the past grow silent, and let the promise of a brighter future lead him into better days. Gaius sent up a prayer for his brother, that Rohan might know the same kind of peace he himself was blessed with at long last.