Bound by Love

39. Stan's Future

"Come on Little Bird, we'll let the Council and everyone handle all this..." Ian waves at the doctor and the prisoners, "and we can go to your parents and Stan. We need to talk everything out and decide what's to be done."

Wren nods gratefully and with hands held by Gray and Van she walks away without a backward glance. Ian brings up the rear, hands on her shoulders, showing that he's near.

Soon they are far away from where everything went down and come upon Atticus, Gwendolyn and Stan. They are in a flower filled meadow, sitting on a thick blanket with remnants of a picnic scattered about. Stan is talking animatedly, with hands and arms moving about as he tells them about his favorite game.

"And then Wren comes and when she finds me, I run and she chases me. If she catches me she gets to tickle me and she always kisses my cheeks. If I make it to the safe spot then I get to tickle her."

"And what's this game called?" Gwendolyn asks sweetly.

"I call it Hidey Tag, cause it's like hide and seek at first, but then it's like tag." He nods sagely then leans forward and speaks in a hushed voice. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure."

"I usually run slower so she'll win."

"Oh, that's nice of you. To let her win like that. It most likely made her feel good to be able to catch a fast young man like yourself."

He looks down with a blush and twists his face up with some shame. "I don't do it for her." He says with disappointment in himself.

"Well..." Gwendolyn pauses, unsure of what he means. "That's okay. You don't need to feel bad about it."

"I... The reason why is..." Stan tears up and sniffs loudly, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "I do it cause, like I said, when she wins she gives me kisses. She's the only one who gives me hugs and kisses."

Gwendolyn joins him in his tears and holds him close. "You poor sweet boy." She murmers, kissing and hugging him. Atticus pats his back, fighting to keep his anger toward Stan's family at bay while at the same time feeling such pride in his daughter.

To know that his sweet little baby grew to be such a wonderful and caring woman was enough to warm his heart. That warmth helped to melt away the remaining sorrow he feels from losing her almost 18 years ago. Perhaps this was why? Maybe, it was for this boy that his daughter was taken from him.

Wren rushes near, having heard and seen what has happened she kneels by her parents and Stan and draws them all in a hug. After a moment Stan calls out in a muffled voice. "I'm geting smushed here people!"

They release him and Wren lets out a watery laugh. As soon as he hears her chuckle he throws himself in her arms. "Oh, Wrenny Wren! I'm so glad you're okay!"

"I love you Stan the Man."

"I love you too!" Stan declares as he pats her cheeks, and smushes her face so that her lips are puckered like a fish. He giggles at the funny look and she crosses her eyes to make him laugh harder.

She then tickles his tummy making him lose hold of her face. As he rolls about on the ground she kisses his cheeks, just as when she wins their game of Hidey Tag. After a moment she stops ticking him so he can regain his breath. With gentle hands she helps him sit up and faces him towards her.

Wren grabs hold of Stan's hand and looks at him with love. "Stan, I need to talk to you about something and it's very serious."

He nods and looks at her with large solemn eyes. "Is it about the big meanies, and daddy?"