Here's Where I Belong

Chapter Ten

Caroline jumped from the table, shoving Ava's diaper bag in Elijah's arms. "Get her out of here," she said, nodding towards Elena before quickly pulling her cellphone out.

Elijah turned back to Elena, placing a hand on her arm. "Come on, let's go." he said softly, before gently extracting Ava from her arms. Elena looked at him wide eyed when he did it, and he instantly realized his mistake.

"I'm just going to put her in her car seat." He said softly, doing just that.

He tossed the bag over his shoulder, and lifted Ava's seat with the same arm. He then offered his other hand to Elena. "Come on," he said, watching as she slowly took his hand and stood. She mechanically grabbed her purse from the back of the chair before following him past all of the drama. Her hand tightened on his as they passed Mason.

Once they reached his SUV, he opened the passenger seat for her, before quickly attaching Ava's car seat in the backseat. He then made his way around to the driver's side. Once he was inside the car himself, he turned to her, only to find her looking out the window. Her hands were clenched tightly around the strap of her purse, and she refused to even glance in his direction. Without a word, he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

When they pulled up to her house, Elijah didn't even question whether or not she wanted him to stay. He simply turned the car off and climbed out. As he walked around the car, she did the same. "I'm going to get Ava if you want to go unlock the door." he said softly.

She nodded, before heading up the walk. Elijah watched her go, before sighing. He pulled Ava's seat from the car, and started towards the door. Elena let him inside, before shutting the door and making her way to the kitchen.

He watched as she poured water into the kettle and placed it on the stove. She then pulled two mugs from the cabinet. Her movements were robotic, and he felt his heart ache for her. He didn't know the story, but he could only imagine. He placed Ava's seat on the island before walking up behind her. He slowly clasped her shoulder, gently turning her to look at him.

When she finally met his gaze, his heart nearly broke. Her lip was starting to bleed from her clenching it so hard between her teeth, and the tears were threatening to spill.

"Elena," he whispered, his hand slowly cupping her cheek.

She crumpled, her body sagging against him as he pulled her into his chest. One of his arms wrapped around her back, holding her close as his other hand cupped the back of her head. She sobbed against him, her own arms wrapping around him. He felt hands clenched the fabric of his cotton shirt as she sunk into him. He gently rubbed her back, resting his head on top of hers. Neither of them spoke as Elena continued to cry into his shirt. He continued to rub her back, simply letting her cry as he held her.

He didn't know how long they stood there, but soon enough the tea kettle started to sing. Elena slowly pulled away, and turned to the stove. She flicked the burner off, before grabbing her tea tin. She pulled out a bag of herbal tea before sliding the tin to him. He quickly plucked the first tea he came across, which happened to be Earl Grey.

He watched as Elena poured the hot water over the tea bags, before letting them soak. She placed spoons over the bags to keep them submerged in the water, and pulled a little glass jar out of the cabinet which contained the sugar she used for her tea. He'd seen her do this multiple times when he'd picked Ava up.

"I'm sorry for...that." she said, nodding towards his shirt. She leaned against the counter as she waited for the tea to steep.

"Don't apologize." Elijah said, moving to unbuckle Ava from her car seat. He picked the little girl up, watching as she instantly waved her arms towards Elena.