Red Like Roses

Bonus Chapter Valentine's Day

( The picture above is to help you visualize what Winter looks like. Also I know this isn't coming out on Valentine's day but I originally wrote it on that day and felt that it was a pretty important chapter for Heather so enjoy!)

Heather's alarm blared.

"Ughhh." Heather groans and hits her alarm. She gets up and realizes that it's Valentine's Day! She quickly puts on her clothes. A cute black dress with a combat skirt and red hearts along the skirt. She pulls on a red belt and some black leggings. She brushes out her hair and brushes her teeth before pulling on her cape. The grabs the gifts she had prepared and heads off to the training rooms. On the way she hears thundering feet rushing towards her, and in the next moment she is knocked to the ground with Solace, winter, Willow, and the triplets on top of her! She lets out a little scream as they fall and laughs.

"What was that for? I haven't done anything yet!" The others laugh and Meghan says:

"It's so that you can't refuse our gifts. You always beat us in the Present games by giving us our presents and then disappearing. But this time we caught you!"

"Hmm I see.....very nice plan," Heather says nodding her head," just one liiiiiittle problem," she continues. "You haven't caught me." Then her cape surrounds her and she has disappeared  making the others fall to the ground again. When they look up again they see Solace, Winter, and Willow's presents in their hands.

"HOW DOES SHE DO THAT?!" Solace asks in disbelief.

"I gave up trying to understand three Valentine Days ago," Willow says with a shrug.

"LET THE TENTH ANNUAL PRESENT GAMES BEGIN!" Meghan cries out. The triplets quickly run off to plot while the rest of Heather's team dits down to think. After a few minutes Solace snaps her fingers and says:
"I got it! But we need Meghan," she then rushes off toward the direction the triplets went in.
*. *. *. *. *
Meghan sits in the hallway crying, her shoulders shaking with grief. Heather looks down at her from her hiding place above Meghan. She jumps down and asks,"Why are you upset Meghan?"

"Cause...... cause...."Meghan stutters hiding her face. Meghan heard laughter around the corner and smirks. She pays Meghan's shoulder and says:

"Nice try guys. Oh and Meghan really nice acting," then there's a blur of red and she disappears and a box golf chocolates is left in Heathers place. Solace, Winter, and Willow walk over.

"Darn it," says Winter. "We were too loud."

"We'll get her later," Willow says.

"Right now I have something important to attend to," adds Meghan and she pops a chocolate into her mouth. "These chocolates aren't gonna eat themselves." They Heather's teammates laugh as Meghan walks off with her candy.
* * * * *
As Heather walks around the Spire she sees many couples enjoying the romantic day together, when suddenly she remembers the face of a young boy from her childhood. Heather shakes her head to clear her thoughts. As she keeps walking the boys face seems to haunt her. She climbs into one of her old hiding places that she once used to escape her childhood fears and bullies. She climbs into the ventilation shafts and brings her knees to her chest.

Ya know he kinda looks like the Alpha if he was younger, she thinks to herself. And I had a crush on the kid but there's no way they're one in the same person,.....right? I mean he's a great fighter and he looks alright......but he's the enemy! And I don't have time for a live life anyway! Heather shakes her head to clear her thoughts and rounds a corner to see Aidan and Ethan. Guilt twists in her stomach as she remembers the secret she's kept from them and Meghan. She sighs, it's about time I told them, she thinks. She gives the timeout signal of three consecutive claps and the boys turn around.

"Aidan, get Meghan and Solace, I need to tell you guys something. Meet us in my room." Aidan nods and runs off while Ethan and her go to her room.
             *.       *.       *.     *.        *
As Aidan, Meghan, and Solace sits down Heather takes a deep breath.

"Alright, Aidan, Meghan, Ethan. We've been keeping a secret from you," she says her eyes pleading with them to forgive her. Solace's eyes widen knowing what's coming. The other three gasp and look at each other. "You see....... Meghan is adopted."

"WHAT?!" The three cry out in disbelief. Aidan falls into silence and Ethan yells in denial.

"YOU'RE LYING!" Ethan screams. Solace goes over to him to console him. Heather slowly walks towards the other two slowly. Meghan is in shock while Aidan is unreadable. She embraces them both and they stay like that for a while.
                  *.       *.       *.       *.        *
Later that day after Heather had given her presents to the boys she walks into the garden surrounding the Spire. She stops in a secluded corner surrounded by red and white roses. A stone stands in the middle with the name Summer Rose engraved. "Hey Mom," Heather says in a hushed voice. " I won the present games again. I wish you were here with me. We used to be unstoppable." Her voice breaks. She begins to him quietly and as she begins to sing her voice grows in volume.

  "Red like Roses
   Fills my dreams
   And brings to the place you rest
  White is cold and always yearning
   Burdened by a royal test
  Black the beast defends from shadows
  Yellow beauty burns
         Gold"
One the song ends Heather allows herself to shed some silent tears.

"Heather," Crow calls. Heather gasps, she hadn't heard him coming. She quickly pulls herself together and turns to him.

"What is it Crow?" She asks.

" There's something I need to tell you something............... it's about Summer," he says.