The First Age

Rachel wasn’t doing well. It was shortly after they left Nox’s place that the symptoms began. Rachel’s hand began to shake, and she was clearly irritated. She spoke little, but when she did it was the name Lucio. 

It had taken Jared’s help to get her in and in her room and eventually they had got the ear bud in. They played the song on her wallet. Nox had given it to her. It was a song sung by the siren Ashton and it would calm Rachel’s emotions. Emily had been warned about using it too much, but now they needed it. They needed to go over what the plan was for their sister. Mara was openly crying as they sat outside of room and told the staff what had happened and what they had to do. It was going to be hard, but they all loved her and would all do what they could. The biggest was to show her love. Other than that, they’d have to work to get her brain to start regulating her emotions again. In time she would be fine, but it would be a hard road to get there. Check ins were going to be mandatory.

When they were all briefed l, Emily went back in to the room. She had noticed Mara ran to her own room and shut the door. The youngest sister was very upset by what she saw. Jared had followed and knocked on her door. He could handle it. 

Rachel was laying down, her calm strange compared to the withdrawals she had before. ”Rachel, can you hear me?”

When Rachel indicated she could, Emily asked if her plan was okay. They knew Rachel might run away because she needed to find her dead attacker. One of the things Nox mentioned was a nano bot to track her. It would allow them to find her even if her wallet was left behind. Rachel was an adult though and she decided to ask - maybe against her better judgement. Rachel agreed to the choice. 

It hurt for Emily to send the text to Nox saying that they wanted to do that. She only hoped that even if Rachel had it, she wouldn’t need it. Nox would tell her what to do from there

Jared followed Mara and knocked on her door, waiting for permission to enter. He wasn’t surprised she was upset. Rachel was in a bad place. Jared didn’t say anything, he just sat down next to her. Mars would speak when ready.

”She didn’t want to hurt anyone,” she said finally, through the tears. ”She didn’t deserve that. Why do bad things happen to good people.”

Jared sighed. That was the question for sure. ”Because bad things don’t discriminate. It’s not fair - we don’t have to like it, but it happens”

Mara nodded. She knew, but it was hard to think about. Especially when she didnt like the outcome. ”What do we do?”

”We show her we love her everyday and that we are there for her. It’s going to be hard. There will be a lot of tears and a lot of frustration. We just can’t give up. She’ll get through this. We will too,” he smiled and gave her a side hug. ”You know your sister is going to hide it, but Emily will cry too. When you’re not looking. She thinks she has to stay strong for you. It’s okay if you need to or just feel like it.”

”How about you?” Mara asked, looking sincere.

”Nah - I’m far too manly for such things,” he gave her a grin, showing he wasn’t sincere. ”Ill shed some tears as well.”

”You’re such a dork,” she said, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. ”Thanks Jared.”

He gave her a final hug and headed out into the living room, sitting on the couch. What a shitty couple of days. It wasn’t long before Emily came in and plopped down on the couch next to her, looking exhausted.

Emily was emotionally exhausted. She plopped on the couch next to Jared and took his hand in hers. Silence permeated between them. Silence was never awkward between them. Nothing ever felt awkward between them. For a moment though, she just needed to feel him by her side.

When she finally spoke, her words were laced with exhaustion. ”I just asked my sister if I could put a tracking device in her body in case she tries to run away because some bastard screwed with her head.”

Jared didn’t respond. He didn’t need to respond. He just pulled her close, his hand resting on her abdomen. She covered his hand with hers. ”Jared, am I ready for this.”

He planted a kiss on her cheek, eliciting a smile from her lips. ”You are. But I also think that it’s a healthy question to ask. I’d be willing to guess most first time parents at one point or another wonder if they’re ready.”

Emily nodded and her wallet buzzed. It was Andrew letting her know that he contacted Ana Vega about the Second Chance approval and that he’d get all the legal stuff taken care of with her. It also mentioned that he’d got a quote from Durante Securities and wanted her approval.

Approved. Get it taken care of. I usually don’t ask you to do personal life stuff for me, but if you could get a security package for my home too, I’d appreciate it. Today has just been too much and I can’t handle it.

Andrew responded in the affirmative and she reciprocated by ordering him and his husband a steak dinner delivery. He’d text back that it was unnecessary but would thank her for her thoughtfulness. She dropped her wallet on the couch next to her.

”When do we find out for sure?” Jared asked.

”Appointment is next week.”

Silence reigned for a few moments as Jared pulled her closer. ”You didn’t do anything wrong. We were all fooled by this guy. We all did our best, and we will keep doing so. We’ll make it, I promise.” her turned her face so she could look at him. ”You don’t have to be strong all the time. The weight you carry - you don’t carry it alone. Don’t let it make you feel like you’ll be a bad mom. You’re going to be great. We’re going to learn together. and you know how much Mara and Rachel are going to absolutely dote on the baby. We got this. One day at a time.”

She leaned back for a kiss. That was what she needed to hear. Because the past couple of days, it had been among the myriad of things she had thought about. One day at a time she could handle.

Emily was taking things in hand.  She had her doubts about things, but was talking about them with him and was working through them. It had been an incredibly trying day for the family, but Jared knew Emily and how much she personally struggled with feeling that she was responsible for everything that happened to her sisters.  It was a mark that she cared a lot, but it meant she sometimes struggled with letting them figure things out on their own. As long as she kept telling herself that this situation wasn't her fault, Emily would be fine.  Her focus would be on getting Rachel better.

"I think Rachel made a connection there too.  Elyse - I don't think you met her.  She's what they call a wolfkin.  Has wolf senses and can talk to them.  This morning, a kind of dance party happened.  Rachel was dancing with her," Emily stared into space, her eyes holding unspoken thoughts.

"And?" Jared prompted her.

"At the end, they were close to kissing.  I could see that, but Elyse told her no.  Both of them wanted it - well - maybe.  It's hard to tell."

"Are you worried about this?" Jared asked.  She was, but Emily needed to be prompted to say it.

"Yes, but not because of what she is.  I talked to Nox about her.  He said she's a good person, but has been struggling with a break up.  I also know she lost her parents recently, and is the last person left in her family."

"Sounds like her and Rachel have some similar experiences," Jared nodded.

"That doesn't mean they're perfect for each other," She shifted to face him.

Jared sighed. "It doesn't, but it explains why they've latched on to each other.  Your worry is that neither one of them is ready for something more than friendship and that's what is going to happen." Emily nodded somberly. "It seems like they both are getting that though and are acting accordingly, and it seems like Elyse isn't going to take advantage of her vulnerability. I don't think we have anything to worry about there, and it seems like Rachel has made a friend.  You know she's struggled with that since coming here.  It might not be a bad thing to let things happen."

Emily was quiet as she contemplated. "I just don't want her to get hurt again - especially so soon," she finally said. "I know I can't make her decisions for her, but she's not only thinking clearly.  You think I'm overthinking this?"

Jared shook his head. "I think you're concerned and you have reason to be.  Someone did just take advantage of her being vulnerable.  Now she's even more vulnerable. I just don't think based on what you've told me that Elyse is looking to do that.  I think encouraging their friendship will be good for Rachel.  Will it develop into more? We don't know, but we can't shut her out from the world.  That won't help her heal."

Emily nodded and got out her wallet. She had contact information for Elyse. [courier new]Hi Elyse.  it's Emily.  We have Rachel back safe and sound.  I wanted to thank you for being there for her while we were at your place last night.  I wanted to bring something up. I saw you two almost kiss and I appreciated that you held back. She's very vulnerable right now, and I'm not sure she's ready for that. I'm sorry, this probably comes across as crazy, and I hope you realize this isn't a slight on you or anything. I know I can't tell you what to do or anything, but...sorry is this making any sense?"[/font]

Elyse responded fairly quickly. I do understand.  No offense here.  You want her to be able to heal and adding a romantic relationship is going to confuse her.  I have no intentions of pushing that, regardless of what I'm feeling. Her emotions are jumbled quite a bit.  I can smell that, and her emotions are not her own.  I don't want to add to that confusion.  I think she is a friend and I want to be there for her though. I hope your intention isn't forbidding that."

Not at all, and you both are adults, I really can't forbid anything. I just wanted you to know my concern.  I really want you to be there for her too.  She connected with you rather quickly. Maybe you could come over some time this week for dinner.  We'll have to play it by ear.  Her moods shift quite a bit and it's hard to tell when she'll be okay.

I'd like that Just let me know when.

Emily smiled at that.  She turned back to Jared. "That song Nox gave us is helping her calm quite a bit. Maybe that's something we can ask for when it comes to her treatment. Used to help build some pathways."

"I think it's worth a shot," Jared said. "You going to ask for it?"

Emily nodded. "I'll ask.  We will see what happens.

She got out her wallet again and texted Nox.

Nox - thanks again for your help and thanks for Ashton's recording.  I think that it might be good to have some other songs for her to listen to at times.  We're going to have to rewire her brain, I have a feeling this could be a way to assist with that.  If your friend is willing to make some recordings for us, I would be appreciative.  I would also pay him for his time.  Of course you're the expert here, maybe I'm just full of it. Let me know what you think and if Ashton would be willing to help. Thanks!