Prints on our hearts

Chapter Five

      After a while of pushing through the waves, the mainland came into view. Alma smiled down at the now excited children. Alex pulled up alongside the dock as Amelia began to tie the boat up. Alex jumped down and held out her arms for Alma. She blushed and jumped down into Alex's arms. "I could have climbed down the ladder just as easily.", Alma said with a smile. Alex smirked and let go of her waist. "I know. I just like having an excuse to hold you.", she said with a wink. Amelia made a fake gagging noise causing the other two girls to giggle. Alex rolled her eyes and grabbed her wallet from the cabin and clipped the chain to her pants. "Alright girls stay close. If you see something you like then grab it.", Alex said as she climbed out of the boat. Alma passed Claire to Alex and climbed out herself. Amelia and Fiona were already waiting. Claire grabbed Alma's hand happily and skipped beside her. Alex smiled and followed them up the dock. Luckily, most of the shops were right by the water so they did not have to walk far. "Alma, you know your children better than I. Get them whatever you think they want.", Alex said holding the door to a clothing store. The children looked around excitedly and Alma walked along the clothes carefully. Alex watched Alma looked at things and walk away. She walked up behind Alma looking at blouses. "Alma get you some if that's what you want.", Alex said looking over her shoulder at the blouse she was holding. Alma's hand dropped and she went walking on. Alex huffed and took the shirt to the counter. "Excuse me ma'am. I would like to start a tab. All four of them are with me so put it all on one bill.", Alex said as she handed the woman the dark blouse Alma had been looking at. Alma watched her as she walked back over. "Alex you don't have to do this.", Alma said. Alex smiled and touched her cheek. "Alma I want to. So don't argue and pick out some clothes.", Alex said with a smile. Alma cound't help but smile at her and grab some clothes. Alex went and leaned against the check out counter as Alma got her a few outfits and began looking for the rest of the children. Amelia helped Claire and Fiona pick out some items too. After a while, the counter was piled high and the four of them had finished. The woman scanned and bagged all the clothes and Alex handed her card to the woman before she could say the total. "Alex how much was all of this?", Alma asked worried. "Don't worry about it. I can handle it.", Alex said with a smile. Alma sighed and grabbed one of the large bags filled with clothes. Alex grabbed another and Amelia grabbed the third. They walked next door to a toy store. "Amelia take them in there and look around. Maybe pick out some board games or something for everyone. We will be right back.", Alex said. The girls nodded and ran into the store. Alex pulled Alma to the jewelry store across the street. "Alex the children don't need any jewelry." Alma said confused. "I know. This isn't for them.", Alex said smiling and dragging her into the store. "Look around for a minute.", Alex said and walked over to a man behind the counter. Alma sighed and wandered around. Alex pulled a paper out of her wallet and handed it to the man. He smiled and ran into the back room. Alma watched her carefully as the man ran back out with a long black box in his hand. "Here you are miss. Just as you ordered.", the cheery man said as he opened the box to her. She ran her fingers over it. "This is excellent thank you. You did a marvelous job." Alex said taking the necklace out of the box. She walked over to Alma and stood behind her. "Close you eyes Alma.", She said smiling hard. Alma closed her eyes and Alex hooked the necklace around her neck. "Open.", she said turning Alma to her. Alma opened her eyes and looked down at the necklace. She gasped and marveled at the white gold wolf's head sitting perfectly on her cleavage. She ran her fingers on it and flipped it over to see the detailed paw print on the back of it. "It's mine. Almost exact. Ordered it a while ago. I was going to send it to you but you showed up first.", Alex said smiling. Alma looked into her eyes and hugged her hard. "I am very honored to wear it.", She said proudly looking back down at it. "Shall we go fetch the children and head home now?", She asked holding out her arm to Alma. She smiled and gently took her arm. The pair happily strolled into the toy store to see the girls waiting at the counter with a few board games. "All ready girls?", Alma asked. They nodded happily and began explaining the games as Alex paid. Alex glanced over to see Alma bending over. An animalist growl rose in her throat. She gripped the counter hard trying to focus on the woman putting the games into a bag. When the woman handed her the bag she finally calmed down enough and thanked the woman. She then walked stiffly back to the docks. Alam noticed but did not say anything. Once at the docks, a tall blond haired man walked up to Alex. "Well hello Alex. Nice of you to come say hello.", he said jokingly. Alex smiled and hugged him. "Dakota this is Alma Peregrine, Fiona, and Claire.", Alex said pointing to each one. Dakota smiled and held out his hand to Alma. "Well this is a pleasure. I have heard so much about you.", he said with a smile. Alma smiled and shook his hand. "All good things I hope.", She said smiling at Alex who looked away. Dakota noticed the tension and turned to the girls. "Hey girls how would you like to meet my friends?", he asked pointing to the end of the dock. Alma hesitated so he explained. "I have a water peculiarity. The dolphins at the end of this dock love good treats.", he said pointing to a bucket. Alma nodded and the children walked happily behind him. "Children be careful!", Alma called after them. Alex hopped in the boat and began loading the bags. Alma passed her the bags and climbed in behind her. "Alex what is the matter? Did I do something?", She asked trying to get her to look at her. Alex shook her head. "Alma please stay away.", Alex said gently pushing her. Alma furrowed her brows and grabbed her hand. "Alex look at me!",she said worrying. Alex looked into her eyes. Her eyes beginning to turn from hazel to a golden color. Alma hesitated for a minute and sat her down on the seats at the back. "Alex I am not scared of you. I never have been. I was there for your first changing. Am I causing you to lose control? Please talk to me so I can help you.", Alma begged. Alex pulled away. "You don't understand Alma.", She said scooting away. "Alex I will give you anything you need. Including all of me.", She said placing a hand on her thigh. Alex jumped up. "Alma I killed someone!", Alex blurted out. She collapsed to her knees shaking and beginning to weep. Alma stared at her shocked. "Why do you think I was sent away so quickly? I lost my control and I hunted. I am an animal Alma!", she cried. Alma gathered her into her arms. "You made a mistake. You obviously regret it. That makes you peculiar. Not an animal. Regardless of what you did all those years ago, I still love you Alex.", Alma whispered as she rubbed her back. Alex looked up at her. "You do?", she asked between sniffles. "I always have.", Alma replied. She brushed the last few tears from her cheek and leaned in to kiss her. Just before their lips met, a scream broke through the air followed quickly by a loud splash.