Prints on our hearts

Chapter Two

         Alex's hand began to shake. She stood quickly as she clenched and unclenched her fists. She looked out the window to a pasture beyond the yard. The children were gathered around Aaron and Jackson. Aaron was a tall lean stallion who could speak just as clearly as any person could. Beside him, Jackson stood with his arms crossed over his bare chest. He was no older than 16. He was a toned young man from the waist up. Below that was pure horse. The children seemed much more at ease than when they first arrived. There was a slight mumble behind Alex. She spun quickly to see Alma attempting to move. She hurriedly pushed her back down. "My children.", Alma whispered. Her eyes were beginning to open finally. Her vision was blurry. "Alma please be still." Alex pleaded. Alma's vision cleared on the worried face of Alex. "My children. Are they alright?", Alma managed to get out in a strained voice. "Yes darling, please let me help you. As soon as you are fully aware again I shall go and fetch them.", Alex begged. Alma's mind and vision were now fully cleared. She stared at Alex, unsure of what to do. She nodded in surrender. Alex stroked her cheek with her thumb. Tears swelled up in her eyes. Alma smiled up at her. "God how I have longed for you.", Alex whispered as the tears slid down her cheeks. This time Alma reached up to cup Alex's cheek. "Well here I am, so stop those tears.", she said with a kind yet weak smile. Her hand fell to her arm. She let out a hiss as she touched her shoulder. "I believe it is dislocated. Alex you will have to relocate it.", she said laying down flat. Alex took hold of the arm and slowly began to pull. Alma growled through the pain. Finally, it popped back into place. Alex quickly went to grab a sling from the medicine cabinet. She placed it on the bed. "We should get you showered and cleaned first.", Alex said holding out a hand to help Alma up. She slowly and carefully helped her to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, she released her grip on Alma to turn on the water in the standup stone shower. Alex always preferred a separate bath and shower. The bathtub was clearly large enough for two people but she favored her shower. The black stones accented the bright blue glass at the front of the shower. She turned around coming face to face with Alma. Alex finally realized fully that she was naked. Bruises spotted her shoulder. Alma stepped slowly passed her and into the shower. She let out a content sigh as she washed. Alex quickly excused herself and proceeded to dig through her closet for something she knew Alma would wear. She decided on some comfy tight black jeans and a black button-up blouse. She then grabbed a pair of underwear with a bra to match it perfectly then laid it out on the bed and sat at the large mahogany desk that sat opposite from the bathroom. Tapping her fingers against the desk, she sat back. She could hear alma humming softly to herself. She smiled widely remembering the fond memories they once shared together. She opened the desk drawer to her left. A large stack of letters was inside. Letters she never mailed. These were letters confessing everything to her. She never had the nerve send them out, she just simply dropped them into the drawer. Now they formed a large stack which she pulled out to sit on the desk. Some were poems while other deep confessing letters. All to and for the woman now standing in her shower. She stared at the letters a while before deciding to get Alma Something to eat and drink. She ran down to the kitchen and grabbed a couple pieces of chicken and a bottle of water. She took her time returning to the room, careful not to drop anything. She carefully opened the door and pushed it open with her back. She turned around to see Alma sitting at the desk brushing out her hair. She was now dressed and reading a letter now unfolded on the desk. Alex's heart jumped into her throat. Alma looked up to see her standing there. "Oh, you brought food! Thank you! I am absolutely famished.", she said with a large smile. Alex hesitantly put the food and water down in front of her then sat in the chair in front of the desk. She watched Alma eat without saying a word. Once finished she sat back. "I wish to see my children now.", Alma said quite happily. Alex smiled. "Of coarse. You should lay down, though. And put the sling on before you cause more damage.", she said as she went to fetch the children. She walked outside to find them all with the horses. "Children, your headmistress wishes to see you. She is still weak. I do not want too many questions. Do not over burden her. Understand?", she asked sternly. After the loss of her Ymbryne, Alex took up the role of taking care of the rest of the children. She was much more relaxed than most Ymbrynes were, though. The children all nodded in reply and followed her up to see their head mistress. Alex opened the door to see Alma laying back in the bed. Her injured arm was in the sling. The children excitedly piled around the bed. Alma's face lit up. "Oh my children I am so glad you are all safe!", Alma exclaimed brightly. With Alex watching over them, the children carefully asked as many questions as they could get. Mostly Are you okay and can we help with anything? Alex lifted Claire up onto the bed. She curled up into Alma's good arm. After a while of chatting and some stories Alex could see Alma tiring. "Alright children, I know you all want to stay longer but Miss Peregrine needs her rest. You all can go wash up and prepare for bed or a movie.", Alex said. Alma looked at her, feeling uneasy letting Alex care for her children. They all said their goodbyes and raced to their rooms. All except Claire. She clung to Alma tightly. Alex sat beside them and rubbed Claire's back. "She is alright. I promise to take absolute care of her.", Alex said softly to the small blonde. Claire smiled up at her. "Go get cleaned up for the movie.", she said as she helped the girl down from the bed. Enoch was standing outside waiting for her. "They are wonderful children Alma.", Alex said still looking at the door. She suddenly felt something warm on her hand. She looked down to see Alma's hand on top of hers. She smiled widely and met her bright green eyes. "Let's get you down there and comfy while the children get ready.", Alex said standing and holding out her hand to the raven haired beauty who happily took her hand. "You know I am only bruised not fragile.", Alma said with a smirk. "I know but I kinda like pushing you around.", Alex said with a small laugh. Alex gently let Alma to the TV room. "Why is everything here so modern?", Alma asked as she carefully sat on the couch. "The children like the modern stuff. The more they behave the more rewards they get. Which mostly means new movies.", Alex said pointing to the large TV, then sitting beside her.