Snow and the Wishing Well (Fallen Tales series)

Chapter 46

Chapter 46
Sarah
I sat in the library reading my favourite Ornithology book. I had turned on the lamp that sat on the table near me as the sunlight started to die outside the window. It was silent as a mouse in this room. It felt like I was cut off to everyone.
But the silence broke when I heard the door open. Father stormed through, slamming the door shut. He groaned frustrated, combing his hands through his hair. I crouched down lower behind the couch and buried my head in my book, only slightly lifting my head out of my cover every through minutes to check. One time I was too late to hide and he spotted.
"Oh Sarah, I didn't...I didn't see you there," he said calming down a little.
"Clearly."
He ran his hand through his hair one more time, sighing.
"Did you and Victoria have a fight?" I asked trying to remember what number I was up to. They had been fighting nonstop for months.
His sigh was my answer as he began to walk towards me. I shifted over a little allowing him to sit next to me.
"What was it about this time?" I asked putting my book down.
"Just...promise me that you will be careful."
His answer made me frown. What did he mean?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
He sighed, "When you find someone to share your life with, make sure that they will never hurt you."
Again, I was confused. I connected the dots. He had to know about the hunter and Victoria.
"Whatever she told you –?"
"I know about Alick and Victoria and I know that you know to."
I froze. I swallowed trying to think of my next sentence. Do I say that I'm sorry?
"How long have you known?" I asked.
"Months. I don't blame Victoria and I don't blame you either," I sighed, relived, "I cannot love Victoria as much as she wishes me to. My heart does and will always belong to your mother."
I heart softened at that, only wishing that I would one day find the same love he had. But that still raised a question. What were they fighting about?
"So, what was the fight about?" I asked.
He sighed, "She keeps pushing and pushing for me to change my will."
I frowned.
"Your will, money, she wants money!"
He placed his hand on my knee as I began to get fired up.
"Shh," he said calming me.
"Father, under no circumstances that you give her money," I told him, "do you hear me. Do not change your will."
"But if I don't, I fear it will only make things worse."
"Then lie to her," I suggested. My heart started to race at the thought of him giving in to her, "just don't give her our money."
He smiled softly at me. He eyes sparkled as he looked into my mine. Seeing probably my mother.
He cupped his hand over my cheek, slightly rubbing his thumb under my eye.
"My dearest Sarah, you have your mother in you."
"I miss her," I admitted to him.
He nodded wrapping his arms around me, "I know, I do to."


Justin
She had slept the entire way. From the plane, to the car. She slugged her way through Carlisle airport, only just making it through till we got to the black car. Like I had guessed, we got to Carlisle at six. The sky had already turned black making the stars shine bright in the clear night.
I called Travis just before we got on the plane to pick us up. He had agreed to keep it a secret. That's why I was so relieved when I saw the black car outside the airport.
Sarah stayed asleep even when we drove through the large stone gates of Locksley Manner. When Travis stopped, we both opened our doors and got out. Sarah kept mumbling something when I began to drag her out of the car.
After taking the bags out of the boot, he asked, "Are you sure about this, Sir?"
I nodded, picking her up in my arms.
"Yes, thank you Travis. You've been a great help. Harper should still be up."
I wasn't completely sure about that. It was now nine o'clock and both my parents would be in bed.
He nodded, getting back into the car. I waited till he drove till I walked up the wooden steps and rang the doorbell.
"Don't give her money," Sarah mumbled, slightly moving her head.
"Shh, almost there Sarah," I told her, "almost there."
At that moment, the door opened. Harper's eyes widen as he frowned when he stopped Sarah in my arms.
"Sir –."
"Has everyone gone to bed?" I asked in a hurry.
"Sir –?"
"Has everyone gone to bed?" I asked.
"Of course."
"Okay," so far, so good, "wake my parents up and tell them to go to the sitting room. I'll explain everything."
"As you wish Sir?" he stepped aside allowing me through. He was still confused. I turned around remembering something.
"Don't tell anyone that I'm back," I told him quickly.
Again, he was confused.
"Just promise me that you won't tell anyone."
He nodded, "I promise Sir."
I smiled, then thanked him.
I pulled Sarah closer to me, as Harper and I walked down the corridor. We passed two doors before we got to the void. Everything was dark but I could see everything clearly. When we got to the top of the stairs, we parted ways. He turned to the right and went down the gallery as I turned left, keeping close to the railing. Three doors down, I got to my room.
It looked the same as I left it but couldn't tell in the dark. The curtains were closed meaning I didn't even have the light from the moon or stars to guide my way, I had to rely on instinct. I found my bed and carefully placed Sarah down on it.
"How long have you known?" she mumbled as I did.
I pulled off her shoes and her trench coat, then tucked her under the covers. She still kept mumbling something in her sleep. I fought every nerve in my body to wake her, but I didn't. I needed to talk to my parents without her there. It would be easier.
I kissed the top of her forehead then left her. I realized that even though I had her safe in my bed, I still feared losing her.

"I don't understand," My father said after I told them after Sarah.
"So you met this girl in London?" he asked.
"Yes."
"And now she asleep in your bed?" Ma asked.
"Yes."
I didn't understand why they were so confused. I had just explained everything. Well not everything. I left out the part about Sarah sleeping with men, the part where she's running from her stepmother and even the part where she was actually a Lady. Okay, so maybe they had a right to be confused.
I sighed, "I know you're confused, but you need to trust me."
"Trust you?" Ma said, shocked.
"Justin, we haven't heard from you in days, then you show up, out of the blue, in the middle of the night, with some girl," Pa finished.
"But Pa, she isn't just some girl," I confessed.
Surprise and shock spread across both their faces.
"What?" Ma asked.
"She's more than just some girl. She's the," I paused. How could I finish that sentence, "she the one."
I was ready for it. I was ready to hear the how could she possibly be the one, you've only known her for three months speech.
But what I got was, "can we meet her?" Ma asked.
Now I was shocked.
"Tomorrow, maybe," I nodded, "but it was a long flight and she's asleep."
Pa stood and soon so did Ma.
"Well we have something to celebrate," Pa said raising his arms. But it only sent alarm bells through my mind.
"Please don't scare her, okay. I actually like this girl."
"Would we do that?" Ma said.
I stood thinking about all the times they have embarrassed me. Too many to remember.
"We'll be on our best behaviour," Pa reassured me.
I chuckled nervously, feeling a breath of air fill my chest. I felt this overwhelming sense of happiness. It felt good to be home.