Riley's plan is unknown. He seems almost crazy but Ronin is sure he is not. He is cunning and has a plan. Will the ninja and their children be able to figure out his plan? And will they be able to stick together through this?
Noah looked at Ella in shock. She was sobbing. He didn't know what to say. How could she keep this from him?
"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you," Ella sobbed. "I was so ashamed! I didn't want you to not want to be with me if I told you!"
"Ella," Noah said softly. She looked up at him. Her face was streaked with tears. "Why would you think that that would change anything?"
Ella's eyes widened, "I thought you would just see me as some irresponsible girl."
"Ella," Noah said wrapping his arms around her. "I love you."
Ella's breath caught in her throat. He had never told her that he loved her before. She wrapped his arms around him and squeezed him with all of her might.
"Noah, I love you," Ella sobbed into his chest.
"That's why you've been distracted lately," Noah whispered softly.
"She has been really sick," Ella said.
"Can I meet her?"
"Absolutely."
******************************
"Dad," Noah said poking his head into his parents room.
"Yes?" Cole asked looking up from what he was doing.
"I talked to Ella," Noah said.
"You mean you yelled at each other?" Cole said rubbing his ears.
"It calmed down after a few minutes," Noah said lifting his hands defensively.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Cole asked.
Noah nodded and came and sat down next to his dad.
"She wasn't cheating on me," Noah said. Cole breathed a sigh of relief. "But, I found out some things that are a little hard to swallow."
"Like what?" Cole asked.
"Well, we've been dating for about three and a half years. We met when she was nineteen."
"I know," Cole deadpanned.
"Dad."
"Sorry, continue," Cole said.
"Well, when she was a senior in highschool," Noah began. "She got involved with a not-so-great-guy. She ended up pregnant."
Cole started and began to choke on his spit, "what?!"
"That's what I said," Noah nodded. "She had her daughter about six months before she met me. Her mother was livid about the fact that she had had a child at such a young age. In order to please her mother, she put her daughter up for adoption or she pretended to. She had a close family friend that offered to take the child in. This way, Ella could see her daughter all she wanted and work towards being able to afford a home for the two of them. Her daughter has been really sick for the last month and a half. That's why she was so distracted."
"Wow," Cole said wide eyed. "That is a lot to swallow."
"I'm gonna meet her," Noah told him.
"Son, are you sure?" Cole asked. "I know you've been involved with her for a long time, but if you want to take your relationship farther and she has a kid..."
"Dad, I love her," Noah said. "And if our relationship goes farther then I will happily embrace being a step father."
Cole studied his son carefully. This was a big commitment. Was he ready? Time would only tell.
**********************************
"This way," Ella said leading Noah by the hand. They were in the New Ninjago hospital.
They stopped in front of room 221. Noah took a deep breath and entered the room. On the bed, there was a small child of about four. She had blond hair like her mother and blue eyes. Ella's eyes were grey so he assumed that she received her father's eyes.
"Mommy!" The child's eyes lit up.
"Hi, baby," Ella said coming to her daughter's bedside.
"Mommy, who is this man?" She asked cheerfully.
"This is a very special friend of Mommy's," Ella said. She motioned for Noah to come forward. "This is Noah."
"Hi, Noah!" The little girl said. "I'm Alysann!"
"Well, hello," Noah smiled at her. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is-" Alysann looked confused all of a sudden. "How does that go, Mommy?"
"The pleasure is all mine," Ella laughed.
"Oh. The pleasure is all mine," Alysann said smiling.
"Good afternoon, ma'am," the nurse greeted Ella as she walked in.
"How is she doing?" Ella asked. The worry was evident in her eyes. Noah squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"She seems to be doing much better," the nurse informed. "We still are unsure of what is causing her spiking fevers. She is fine on medication as you can see, but when she hasn't had it for a while she worsens significantly."
"Isn't there anything you can do to find out what is causing it?" Noah asked.
"I assure you," the nurse said placing a hand on Noah's shoulder. "We are doing all we can."
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************************************
The woman twisted a charm that hung around her neck. Her mouth twisted upward into a sick smile. The man with glasses wondered what she was thinking.
She stood up and walked out of the room. Her footsteps guided her to a back room where the man with glasses was not allowed. She closed the door behind her and her smile faded.
Her gaze wandered to a computer screen on a desk. She walked over to it and entered a passcode. The computer opened to a picture of a fourteen year old boy. She reached her hand out and touched the screen. She ran her fingers down his face as a tear escaped down her cheek.
For those of you wondering, the child's full name is Alysann (pronounced like Alison) May Stillskin. Was that quite the plot twist? Let me know what you think! Comment and vote! -LL_18
