Chapter 26

Ella's POV:

Being at my house and seeing my mom has a cloud of calmness washing over me. Stress and worry have been eating me alive but right now seeing her has blown it away.

She sits at the dining room table with a cup of coffee in her hand reading the newspaper. Her eyes look wary and dark circles loom under them. My heart clenches seeing her look so lifeless.

I've haven't seen her in five days and she looks horrible. Opening the front door I take a step in and bring my gaze to her. She's up and out of her seat in seconds rushing over to me.

She envelopes me in a warm crushing hug. I lean into her. "Ella *sniffle*, why didn't you tell me." She looks up at me with her blue orbs reflecting mine. "In the restaurant...you've had me worried sick." Her eyes are sad as they scan me over making sure I'm not hurt.

I can't meet her eyes anymore, I feel ashamed. I should have called her myself personally and talked to her, I should have reassured her. But I couldn't bring myself to, I was scared that hearing her voice would make me lose it and tell her everything so I didn't call, Declan did.

"I-I'm sorry," I mumble keeping my eyes on the floor feeling pressure building up behind them.

She hugs me more tightly. "Shh I know, you scared me half to death, y-you can't do that again okay." She chokes out. "I-I thought someone had t-taken you."

I can't say anything, I suddenly can't speak. Guilt washes over me for lying. I can't tell her that I was taken, so instead, I hug her back staying silent.

Declan stands in the doorway watching us. His eyes watch me, full of regret and I can tell he's apologizing with his eyes. He knows how hard it is for me to lie.

She grabs my arm and leads me over to the table sitting down. She finally takes her eyes off of me and they land on Declan. Her blue orbs swirl with thoughtfulness and appreciation.

She walks over to him and takes him in her arms. I sit still stunned, my mother almost never hugs anyone but her family. Declan watches me as he wraps his arms around her.

"My baby came to you, you've taken care of her and I have no words." She pauses thinking over what she's saying. "You've changed her life, you make her happy and I can't even begin to describe how thankful I am for that." She looks him in the eye with acceptance.

He then looks at my mom and speaks. "Ma'am I love your daughter and would do anything for her, she's my world."

My heart races, my stomach dances, my eyes water.

"I know." She responds and whispers something into his ear before taking a step back. He nods his head and then looks at me with that charming smile. What did she whisper to him?

He comes over to me and kisses my forehead. "I see you later Lil' one, I love you."

The way he says I love you makes my body feel like liquid lava, I feel as though I melt every time he says it.

He opens the door sending me one last boyish grin and then leaves. I bring my attention back to my mother and notice she was watching us. A small smile creeps up on her lips. What is with people giving me that look?

"W-what?" I ask awkwardly.

Her smile brightens. "You guys, you have something that no one else has." She says quietly.

I don't know what to say. But her words go straight to my heart. My face becomes a shade darker and I can't help but smile widely like a kid who just got a lollipop.

Changing the subject a question slips through my lips before I can control it. "Is Julian like that with you." My eyes grow bigger realizing what I just said. Why would I say that? I'm so stupid.

She leans back in her chair and looks up at the ceiling in thought. "Julian is a wonderful man he treats me good."

I watch her and then blurt out. "What about dad."

She faces me again and I think I see her eyes water. "Nobody will ever compare to your father Ella, I l-loved him to the moon." She whispers.

Suddenly I feel bad for asking, I feel terrible. I know my mom and dad loved each other, I remember waking up and going downstairs to see my mom and dad sitting cuddled in the living with there morning coffee.

I remember when I used to wake up at night, sometimes my mom and dad were on the roof watching the stars. From my bedroom, I could hear my mom giggle, as my dad teased. Sometimes when Thomas was awake too, we would watch them. I remember wishing I could have that one day, now I do.

*

Olivia and I lay in my bed watching movies. She came over a little over an hour ago, I asked her to come because I didn't want to be alone after my mom left. She had to go in for work because apparently someone was out sick.

I had no idea where or what Declan was doing. After he dropped me off he said something about going to Wes's but that was a while ago. He hasn't texted me, which puts me a little on edge considering I haven't left his side in five days.

Olivia insisted on watching a bunch of romance movies, which I didn't mind but I prefer thriller. Being with Declan makes romance movies seem boring, he was so much more.

I made popcorn for Olivia because she said, "You can't watch a movie without popcorn." I internally cringed because I hate popcorn and she knows that. So when I brought her up popcorn, I brought up chocolate for me. I love chocolate, well dark chocolate it's my favorite.

She frowned when she saw I didn't bring her any but then shoved popcorn in her face. After five minutes she totally forgot because she was so engrossed in the movie.

As we watched the movie 'Me Before You', I thought about what Declan was doing. I miss him even though I saw him this morning. I'm probably being ridiculous but every time I try to pay attention my mind drifts back to him.

Should I text him? No, I should just wait for him to text me, he's probably busy.

"Ella you're not even watching," Olivia complains sending me a board look.

Turning to her I send her a sheepish smile, "Sorry."

She turns her head to the sides like she's thinking. "I thought you liked romance."

"I did, but now they seem boring," I say honestly. I used to love watching them but now they don't catch my interest.

She shrugs her shoulders. "What on your mind." She pauses, "And don't even think about lying, I know you, Ella." She points her finger at me.

Folding my arms I decided to tell her. "Declan hasn't texted me, and I haven't seen him since this morning."

She nods her head in understanding and then stands up. Instead of giving me advice or telling me to chill, she says, "Get up, we're going for a run to take your mind off it."

She wants to run? I don't know, what if Hayes or Julian is watching me. What if they want to take me again. "I don't know.." I trail off.

"We'll take the trails behind your house and plus I'll be with you."

Giving in I shake my head and go to my dresser. I take a pair of shorts and a tank top. I throw her an outfit too since she doesn't have any activewear on. Walking into the bathroom, I quickly change.

Coming out I head downstairs to find Olivia putting on a pair of my old sneakers. I pick up a pair and shove them in my feet.

We walk out the back door and walk to the trail. On the trail I let everything go and just run. Pumping my arms I go faster than I usually do. Each step my feet pound into the ground creating rhythm. I keep my gaze on the trail and I can see as we whip by the blurry trees. Olivia runs next to me but I keep my focus straight ahead.

I think about Hayes taking me. I think about my dad and soccer. I think my stupid anxiety. I think about what Julian is doing to my mom. Finally, I think about how powerless I feel in all of this.

When we hit two miles out I slow my jog and Olivia adjusts to the new pace as well. As I slow for a couple of minutes I begin to walk to lower my heart rate.

Reaching the small stream in the woods, I hear the water run over the rocks. I lay on the ground feeling dead. Next to me, Olivia drops down into a cross apple sauce position.

She watches the stream ahead and then speaks. "I guess you had a lot of steam to burn off." She lets out a small laugh and shakes her head.

I let out my own laugh. "Yeah, I guess so."

Wiping some sweat off my forehead I stand back up. I want to get back to see if Declan has texted me. Olivia notices and stands up and begins walking back the way we came from.

Surprising myself I say, "Race you back."

She looks at me with a grin, "You're on."

Right as she says it I break out into a run, not to fast so I don't die. But fast enough to stay ahead of her without losing too much energy. My heart explodes in my chest and I can hear it reverberate in my ears.

Not caring about anything I keep my mind on getting back to my house. Every time Olivia tries to come up in my side I cut her off and pick up speed.

When my house comes into view I start sprinting knowing I already won. Walking onto the back deck of my house I collapse onto the wood. My legs feel numb from running so hard. Sweat beads off my skin.

About fifteen seconds later Olivia reaches me and I have a smile on my face. She bends overthrowing her hands on her knees. Her breathes come out fast and tired.

Catching her breath she points at me, "Never *huff* are we *huff* racing again."

I can't help it as I burst out laughing, I laugh so hard tears come out of my eyes. She glares at me.

As I'm laughing strong arms wrap around me. "What are you laughing about." A familiar husky voice sounds in my ear.

I stop laughing, "Declan?"

"In the flesh." I turn around and squeeze my arms around him.

He holds me and chuckles. "Your all sweaty." He whispers.

I pull away red-faced. I've always sweat a lot and my shirt is clearly soaked. Olivia watches us in amusement before speaking up.

"Ella's freakin fast, don't race her unless you want to die in the process." I turn to her and she laughs.

Declan chuckles behind her and says, "That's my girl." to me.

Then speaking up he looks at Olivia. "Trust me I know."