Demons (An AU Nathan Gardner Story)

Chapter 23 - Arriving for Christmas Eve

Snow was falling steadily when Nathan pulled up in front of his parents' home. Sydney looked unsure and somewhat scared, wondering if she made the wrong decision. She felt Susan's hand on her shoulder and she placed her own on top of it, squeezing lightly.

"Grand-pa wouldn't break his word, Syd, I promise. I'll take you directly to the best couch - it's in the family room, away from the noise of the kitchen, and it's right in front of the fireplace."

Sydney looked to Nathan, still holding Susan's hand. "What if I scare the kids?" As of that morning, she found she was able to speak in more complete sentences, as long as she didn't go much above a whisper.

"Their father has been letting them watch horror movies since they could toddle," Nathan replied, not joking. "Everything's going to be...fine." The ignition wasn't even off yet and he saw his mother standing at the front door. "It's not too late to turn back. I swear, I can deal with being shunned."

"No, let's go." Sydney let go of Susan's hand and reached for the door handle.

"Don't even think about it. If you fell..." Sydney let go of the handle. "Thank you." Nathan got out of the car and went to Sydney's side. He opened the door. "Fuck this, Syd, I'm carrying you."

"Nathan..."

He looked at the walkway. It was cleared, but a little too narrow for he and Sydney to walk side by side with one of her crutches. "Deal with it, hm? There are worse entrances we could make." And they did just that. Nathan's mother watched, wide-eyed, as her son carried the woman she had yet to meet. When he placed Sydney down, just inside of the front door, he kissed his mother's cheek. "Mom, this is Sydney. Syd, this is my mom, Maureen."

Maureen's eyes instantly teared. There was no make-up that could cover Sydney's bruises, no magic cure for her healing eye, though it had improved. "Oh, you poor, poor thing," she cooed.

"Mom," Nathan huffed, rolling his eyes.

"You thought I wouldn't react at all, Nathan? Like some sort of heartless beast?" She turned back to Sydney. "Sweetheart, has he been taking good care of you?"

"Very much so," Sydney answered, wishing she could sound normal, but grateful that she wasn't stopping in between words anymore. She looked to Nathan. "Your son saved my life and has been nothing short of a saint for the last few days."

Maureen smiled, turning to look at Nathan. "One of my sons, a saint? It would be you, Nathan." She placed a very light hand on Sydney's back. "I made up one of the guest rooms especially for you and Nathan. I understand that you shouldn't really even be up and about just yet, so I made sure you have the one with the ensuite."

Sydney smiled despite the dull ache in her face. "Thank you. It's lovely that you want to have your family under one roof tonight." She paused for a moment, swallowing. Maureen noticed that she winced. "I apologize for..."

"Don't you dare," Maureen interrupted, and Sydney saw where Nathan got his soft, kind eyes. "Please don't even think it, all right?" Sydney nodded and Maureen gave her the most gentle hug. She could see that Sydney's energy was already running low. "Why don't we go get you comfortable, hm?"

"Gram, I promised her the fireplace couch," Susan said, helping herself to the cookie tray in the entrance.

"Nathan, are you going to help her get there?"

"Of course."

"Can you come back to the kitchen when you get her settled. I need a little help with the turkey."

Nathan knew that wasn't why she wanted him to come back, but he agreed and helped Sydney to the family room. He got her onto the couch and propped her foot up on a pillow. He could tell that her ankle was bothering her. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "She had the best intentions."