Chapter 13

Ellie

As Gabriel wrapped his arms around me, I rested my head on his chest. I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. It was strange. I’d been sleeping all day. Back in the day, I used to work non-stop. Sleep was never a necessity.

I was also feeling a strange urge to cry. We were taught that crying was a sign of weakness. And weakness was not allowed.

I found myself thinking about my parents. I hadn’t allowed myself to think about them in a long time. Why now?

Gabriel planted a soft kiss on my head.

“I think it’s time to take you home,” he murmured.

My eyes snapped open, panic setting in.

He was going to send me back. Why was I surprised? Despite everything, I didn’t really belong here, did I?

Tears welled up in my eyes. Annoyed at my own weakness, I blinked them away.

“Y...You’re sending me back?” I stammered.

My voice was trembling.

Gabriel started rubbing my back in a soothing manner.

“No, pickle, I’m taking you to my home...our home.”

I furrowed my brow, confused.

“You don’t live here?” I asked.

He chuckled, “No, pickle.”

I let out a sigh of relief; he wasn’t sending me back.

“You’re so stupid!” Samuel huffed.

I turned to see Samuel glaring at me again.

The tears I had managed to hold back started to fall.

“Samuel! That’s rude, apologize right now!” Jasmine scolded.

Even when she had reprimanded Gabriel earlier, she didn’t look as angry as she did now.

Samuel continued to glare at me.

“No, I won’t, ’cos she is stupid. Stupid, weak, and pathetic,” he huffed.

Jason growled. I clung to Gabriel’s shirt. The growling scared me. It didn’t sound human.

“Samuel, go to your room. Now!” Jasmine ordered.

Samuel crossed his arms and stomped off to his room. I watched him go.

“He’s just jealous,” Gabriel commented, “he’ll get over it.”

I looked up at Gabriel.

“What’s jealous?” I asked.

Jasmine sighed, “He has no reason to be jealous, he has a home and a loving family...”

Her voice trailed off as she looked at me. I knew she was about to say that I didn’t. Is that what jealous meant? Why would he want to be me?

“And so does Ellie now,” Gabriel added, “Father signed off on the adoption today.”

I frowned. What did that mean?

“Ellie is now officially my pup,” Gabriel declared.

Then he looked at me.

“I’m your daddy now, little one.”

I stared at him, confused. Even if I was stupid, I knew you only had one mom and dad. Both of mine were dead.

My thoughts were interrupted by Elijah clapping his hands.

“We’re proper cousins now...does that mean I can visit, and Ellie can visit me? It’s gonna be so cool,” Elijah exclaimed.

I looked at Elijah, who was grinning from ear to ear. He reminded me of Jackson. I missed my brother. Elijah would never replace him, but he could be the next best thing.

“Can ’lijah come visit?” I asked, looking up at Gabriel.

Gabriel smiled. “I should think so, but right now I think you need to go to bed.”

I frowned. “What about the strawberries?”

Jasmine burst out laughing.

“I’ll put some in a pot for you to take home, how about that?”

I nodded.

“Can I hug Ellie goodbye?” Elijah asked. “I promise I won’t smush her up this time.”

Now Gabriel laughed. “Ok.”

Elijah came over and wrapped his arms around me, and I put my arms around him. He didn’t crush me this time.

“I’ll miss you ’lijah,” I whispered.

“I’ll miss you too, Ellie-pup,” he whispered back.

When we broke the hug, we were both smiling. Elijah was my first friend. Jason, Jasmine, and Gabriel didn’t really count as they weren’t kids.

Gabriel stood up, carrying me in his arms. I rested my head on his chest.

“I think I better carry you, pickle. You might be asleep by the time we get home,” he chuckled.

I didn’t resist. Besides, I had eaten so much I thought my stomach might explode if I tried to walk.

I was glad that Gabriel carried me. When we left the building, I felt the chill of the air on my skin. Gabriel was warm though.

“Do I have to call you daddy now?” I mumbled, half asleep.

I felt him press a kiss to the top of my head.

“Only if you want to, pickle,” he whispered.

I hummed contentedly.

“Daddy,” I mumbled. It felt strange to say that after so long.

Saying that word made me remember a lot of things.

All the happy times with Mommy and Daddy and Jackson.

All the sad times that made my heart hurt.

Tears began to pool in my eyes. A cry leaked out of my mouth.

“They took me away from my mummy and daddy,” I sobbed.

Gabriel gently rocked me.

“Sshh, I know,” he whispered.

I gripped hold of his shirt, as panic set in, and I lifted my head to look at him.

“Y...You won’t let them take me, w...will you?” I stuttered.

“No Ellie, no one’s going to take you away, I promise,” he replied.

Gabriel laid me back down on the bed and pulled the cover over me. It was dark, and there was only a little light on the table next to the bed.

“Close your eyes, Ellie. I’ll sit with you until you fall asleep,” he soothed.

I glanced around the room. It was about the same size as Elijah’s, even the bed was similar. Not too high for me to climb out of if I needed to.

“What if I have a nightmare?” I asked.

Gabriel gave me a comforting smile. “My room is just across the hall. I’ll be close by.”

My eyes darted to the lamp on the table.

“Can you leave the light on? I...I’m not a fan of the dark.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” he murmured, “I’ll leave the light on.”

I shut my eyes for a moment, then opened them again, just to make sure he was still there and the light was still on.

“See, I won’t leave until I know you’re asleep,” he reassured me.

I nodded and closed my eyes again.

Sleep came quickly, but even the light couldn’t keep my nightmares away.

~*FLASHBACK*~

I was standing in the bedroom. Daddy was lying on the bed, his forehead glistening with sweat.

Mummy was sitting on the bed, tears streaming down her face.

Jackson was gripping my hand tightly. I wanted to rush over to daddy and give him a hug. A hug would make everything better, but Jackson wouldn’t let me.

“Ellie,” daddy started, his voice barely a whisper, “You need to be brave, listen to what people tell you, and do as you’re told. Jackson will come see you when he can.”

I shook my head, “No, daddy. I want to stay with you and mummy. Please,” I pleaded.

Daddy nodded, and a strange man lifted me up by the waist. Jackson reluctantly let go of my hand.

“Daddy!” I shrieked, as the man carried me out of the house. Another man grabbed Jackson by the back of the neck and led him in a different direction.

“I want my daddy!” I screamed.

Then I felt his hand smack my bottom.

“Shut up, brat,” he hissed. “You’ll learn to behave.”

“Jackson!” I cried out.

I watched as Jackson turned to look at me. He tried to pull towards me, but the man slapped him across the back of the head.

I wouldn’t see Jackson again for three years.

~*END OF FLASHBACK*~