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| Alex's Celtic Knot | Clan Wallace Crest |
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| Alex's Celtic Knot | Clan Wallace Crest |
Part 1 Chapter 1-4.
Chapter 1
The dawn mist swirled and eddied as the shiny blade of the mighty Claymore sliced through it. Time and again, the tall auburn haired Celt wielded the heavy sword as if it were a feather; she cut and parried imaginary attackers in a flowing ballet, the blade almost a blur. In one final climax, swirling the blade above her head, she knelt and reversing it, plunged the sword backwards into the last remaining imaginary foe.
Alex Wallace stood to her full 6 ft and took a deep breath, waiting for her heart rate to slow. These sword drills, followed by the gentle stretching and meditation of T'ai Chi, were the morning rituals that kept her reflexes sharp and her edge keen.
The promontory upon which Alex stood had, for the most part of her life, been a magnet for her, not always for happy reasons. Alex knew that in some past life, something terrible had happened in a place like this?something so awful, that it had torn her soul apart again, and again, for many lifetimes.
Throughout this life, the rugged promontory had been a place to which she had been drawn in both her waking, and sleeping moments. Uncle J, she smiled at the thought of him?that grizzled Scotsman, James D Wallace, her uncle and her guardian since she was five years old who had raised her after her parents were killed, had often searched for the sleepwalking child to find her on the promontory, sobbing in some terrifying dreamscape where past demons tormented her.
These nightmares had continued to visit her until that night a few months previously when her rediscovered soulmate, Ellie, had driven the demons from her soul by the power of her pure, gentle love; unconditionally given and had filled her with a sense of peace for the first time in her life. In this lifetime, Alex now knew that the demons had been defeated by the renewed bond with the beautiful blond Texan who lay fast asleep in their bed, warm and safe in the small Scottish croft nestling in the lee of the hills, behind where Alex stood.
Alex drew deep breath of the still spring air of the West coast of Scotland.
She turned, and picking up the heavy Claymore, turned towards the stone built croft and gazed up at the rugged mountains that towered behind the village of Applecross.
She mused on how much her life had changed. Six months ago, she had lived her life alone, and had convinced herself she was happy to do so. As an archaeologist, she had work she loved,and her family: Her big cuddly bear of an Uncle J, Jeannie his housekeeper and ?'The Boys',?.her two almost brothers, Donald and Hamish. Then suddenly, her world had been turned upside down when a beautiful 5'4'' American, Ellie O' Brian, had fallen literally, into her life. Alex smiled as she remembered the sparks of electricity that had flowed between them at that first touch and later, the flash of realisation that their souls had shared past lives and that they had found each other again. Their journey of rediscovery had been a whirlwind and Alex revelled in the warmth of it... she had brought her soulmate home to her beloved Scottish Highlands?to her family and friends, who had fallen as quickly in love with the tiny blond, as Alex herself had.
Just three short months ago, they had been legally married in a Civil Partnership Ceremony held at the Hotel owned by Uncle J?
Since then, she had felt a peace she had never known; a sense of being safe from everything she had once feared so much
Alex watched the low spring sun rise, heard the waves crashing from the Sound of Raasay 100 feet below the promontory, and tasted the salt spray as it rose above the lip of the cliff before her. The power that the terrifying dreams had once over her was gone; now, she remained only curious as to their cause, she was no longer held captive in their grip rather she was an observer, as if in play.
"One day," thought Alex, "One day, "I'll figure it out."
It was unusual for Ellie not to join Alex in their morning ritual. Ellie practised her kick boxing skills whilst Alex's sword work was done, then they both came together to complete the T'ai Chi. Sometimes, Ellie showed Alex some kicks and moves, the tall dark Scot was a natural athlete and picked it up quickly. This morning, however, Ellie was recovering from a nasty cold so Alex had slipped from their bed and left her sleeping soundly. It was with pleasant anticipation of a warm snuggle that Alex strode to the stable door of the croft and slipped in She took off her shoes and padded quietly through the living room to the kitchen, where she filled a kettle and placed it on the range to heat.
Returning to the living room, she rekindled the embers of the fire and watched as the flames began to leap and crackle. The light from the fire revealed the worn leather couches and piles of cushions that furnished the simple room.
Alex moved quietly into the hallway and eased open the door to the bedroom, she winced as it creaked and she heard the stirring from the huge wooden bed.
"You can only come in if you are Tall, Dark and Handsome," a sleepy voice murmured.
Alex grinned at the greeting, usually abbreviated to TDH, slid beneath the goose feather duvet and gathered her beautiful girl into her arms.
Ellie grumbled," You're cold, you brat, you only want me as a hottle bottle." But still she snuggled into Alex and found her favourite place in the nook of her tall lover's shoulder.
"How're you feeling Darlin'?" Alex dropped a kiss onto Ellie's still warm forehead, "Still got a bit of fever."
"M'OK?better for some sleep,?where's my coffee?. Lousy room service in this hotel."
Ellie was not a morning person, and she always made Alex smile when she would say, on the occasions when their scheduling required the service of an alarm clock,
"I will rise, but I refuse to shine." ?.
Alex also knew better than to ask a question, or expect a decision from her partner before the first or even second cup of coffee of the day.
Alex chuckled and went to leave the bed again but she was held by Ellie's arm across her chest.
"Ellie, my sweet lass?you need coffee?I need to get up?.the choice is yours!"
Grumbling, Ellie released her grip and pushed Alex to the edge of the bed.
"Think yourself lucky that I am really, REALLY sick or I'd have another idea to keep you busy, you gorgeous woman!!"
A few moments later, Alex had made coffee for Ellie and her own usual strong tea and the two lovers were sitting on the pile of cushions in front of the fire. Alex had insisted on bundling her girl into a tartan blanket although the room was warm. The hardy Scot was well aware that until a few months previously, the little blond had been used to the warmth of California and her immune system was still fighting to catch up with the climate change.
"Next time one of your little Bro's has a sniffle, tell him to stay the hell away from me?OK?" Ellie took yet another tissue from the box at her side, and blew her nose theatrically.
"Poor Hamish, he's really sorry but he didn't realise I had married a week and feeble Texas Cowgirl!!" Alex teased.
Ellie reached up, punched her girls bicep, none too gently and growled,"Watch it ya big Scot, I'll show you whose weak n feeble..?but not today Huh??!
The auburn head was held against the blond one as Alex whispered, "Sometimes it's nice to be able to look after you, my love?but I'd rather you weren't sick"
Alex was referring to Ellie's fierce independence. Since the age of 15, Ellie had been alone since her father had been sent to jail for 15 years for the attempted murder of his daughter in a savage beating. Ellie's life had been saved only when neighbours, kicking in the door to their house, had pulled the drunken man away from her. The scars of this betrayal ran deep in the feisty Texan and Alex was saddened when she realised that soon they would have to deal with this, and that Ellie's pain would have to be relived, when her father's first parole hearing was due, late in the year. In the 12 years that he had been in jail Ellie had been able, as best she could, to block him from her mind. It had been Dany, one of Ellie's two best friends in the States, who had alerted Alex to this development in a furtive phone call, the previous week.
Their conversation had been brief and disturbing. Parole officers had come looking for Ellie at the office of her company in California, run by Dany and her other best friend Ann. The business, set up by Ellie, organised and ran Business Conventions in the prestigious Hotels in Los Angeles, California. Having known, and loved, Ellie since High School and having lived with her through the terrifying abuse by her Father, they knew that Ellie would need all the strength she had and all the strength that Alex could give her, if the gentle girl was to get through the continuation of that abuse, by facing the fact that her father could soon be out of jail.
Blissfully unaware of all this, Ellie revelled in the warm arms of her girl and took her turn to wonder how her life had changed. She had built big walls around herself to protect herself and this tall dark stranger, whom she had literally bumped into, had walked through the walls as if they were made of paper, and turned her whole life upside down. From that moment, she had KNOWN?just KNOWN that their connection was a timeless and eternal bond. The realisation of this fact made Ellie feel warm and safe; the mysticism of it bothered her not at all because she was in her new home with the love of her lives and all was well with the world?if only her damn nose would stop running.
Alex had made some porridge and in true Scots fashion, she ate it with salt. Ellie, on the other hand ate hers with a very large dollop of honey.
Alex always teased her about her sweet tooth and Ellie always replied.
"Sweet is as sweet does, my love..?trust me; you would NOT like me in a sugar famine!!"
There was a loud knocking on the door of the Croft which opened, and they heard a loud Scottish voice.
"Stop whatever you are doing, that I shouldn't see, and make yourselves decent." called Donald. He and his brother Hamish were the closest things to brothers that Alex had. She was an only child and 'The Boys', as Hamish and Donald were called by all and sundry, were fiercely protective of the tall dark woman but teased her mercilessly.
"Jealousy is such an ugly demon!" Ellie called out but smiled when she saw the open friendly face that peeped through the door with a hand over his eyes, the fingers spread so that his eyes sparkled through them.
Alex rose, gave him a hug and asked,
"Tea, big lad?"
"Can't stop, Alex. Uncle J asked me to drop off the mail. I'm due on shift in half an hour."
The gentle giant Donald was a motorcycle paramedic servicing the remote areas of their part of the Western Highlands, so it was with professional concern that he approached the be-tartaned bundle.
How're you feeling, wee one??" he crouched next to Ellie and felt her head
"Better, Donald, but don't tell Hamish that, I want him to feel really guilty for the longest time for giving me his damned Scottish bugs. Tell him the next time he comes near me?.I'll send for the Cops!!
Donald threw back his head and bellowed with laughter,
"Good one, wee Ellie?.I'll be sure to threaten him with that!!"
The laughter was caused by the fact that Hamish McGregor WAS the 'Cops'?.in fact he was the Sergeant responsible for the area around Applecross and to have him terrified of the wrath of the petite Texan, had caused him much teasing up at the Hotel!!
While fondly observing the interplay between these very important people, Alex took the bundle of letters and surreptitiously flicked through them to see if there were any from America. There weren't and gave out a silent sigh of relief.
"Not today, thank the Gods."
When Donald had gone, the two women began their day. Alex drew Ellie a deep hot bath, dropped some lavender oil into it and watched as the steam filled the room with its fragrance. She returned to the living room and kneeling next to her lover, picked her up in her arms, Ellie's arms automatically went around Alex's neck and they kissed.
"Mmm, I love it when you're masterful, my beautiful Scot!!" Ellie murmured with her face in the thick auburn hair of her love. "I love your smell, Alex, it's like caramel and heather all rolled into one."
Alex held her girl tightly and kissed her again, more deeply this time and with all of the love she could muster. The bond that tied them together was a strong as time and yet, these quiet moments served to reinforce it and fill it with energy.
Alex carried Ellie into the bathroom and when she had removed her PJ's, slipped her into the warm water.
"Oh Yesssss?.my life is perfect!!" Ellie sighed as she leant back in the huge tub and smiled.
"Enough room for two, my love" she looked sideways at Alex who replied.
"I thought you were really, really sick?"
"Then make me feel better, TDH!!"
Chapter 2.
A very satisfying hour later, the two soulmates were dressed. Alex, as ever, wore jeans and a rugby shirt, with a sweatshirt over it.
Ellie had, after 10 minutes of thinking and looking in her wardrobe, allowed a frustrated Alex to choose her clothing. She wore jeans with a warm tartan shirt, a scarf at her neck and a thick cream Arran sweater with complex Celtic designs integrated into its stitches.
Despite her business background Ellie was, infuriatingly, unable to reach a decision about the simplest things. Alex, on the other hand, usually flipped a coin and lived with the result!
"Warm enough, Ell?" Alex fussed.
"If I was any warmer, I'd have be sweated off 10 lbs since I got out of the bath?.stop fussing?.I'm good?.really!"
Secretly Ellie loved it when her tall girl went into fuss mode. It made her feel more loved and cherished than she could remember since her mother had died, Ellie was convinced, at her father's hand. That thought had not occurred to her for quite some time and a silent shiver ran through her as memories resurfaced. She glanced quickly at Alex whose beautiful blue eyes were regarding her quizzically.
"Where were you, my lovely?" she reached for the tiny hand and held it gently.
"Just remembering when I last felt as loved as I do now, Hon" Ellie tried to dismiss the concern she felt from Alex through their joined hands.
"Don't kid a kidder, Texas, ?.spill."
Ellie realised that Alex was not going to let it drop and she let her shoulders slump.
"My Father."
"Aaah." Alex's single word response let the little blond know, that her partner understood the import of what she had said.
Ellie's voice trembled as she spoke,
"It's 12 years now?.the minimum the judge said he had to serve."
Alex led her girl to one of the leather couches and sitting down, drew her love onto her lap and cradled her.
Alex held Ellie's face in her hand; she could see the pain in the green pools and spoke gently,
"Darlin', Dany phoned last week.
Ellie started and looked up into Alex's pale face, her tone sharp and irritated.
"You didn't tell me....I don't like it when you keep secrets from me, Alex?. that's not how we work."
The tall Scot let out a slow breath, she was relieved that Ellie had not withdrawn from her embrace. So often, Ellie's temper flared and the walls would go up. Alex usually found she could bring them down quite quickly, but she still hated it when her girl withdrew from her.
"Sorry Darlin?I was waiting for the right time."
"Alex?.there's never gonna be a right time for me to deal with this. What did Dany want?"
"Parole officers need to talk to you."
"Why? What's it got to do with me?"
"Apparently, they need to know how you feel about him being released."
"I hope the fucking bastard rots in hell for all eternity." She hissed.
Alex tried not to show any reaction to the use of an obscenity and the venom in her sweet girl's voice. It was so unusual for Ellie to use either an obscenity or that tone of voice. For both of these to arise now, Alex knew the cause was an agonising, searing pain from deep within Ellie's soul. It was never so clear to Alex that the damage inflicted by her father had only been suppressed and not dealt with, and she was concerned.
"This isn't going to go away, Babe." Alex whispered.
"I know, but I sure as hell wish it would."
The two women were silent for a few moments and Alex gently stroked her partner's back in a vain attempt to relieve the knotted muscles there.
Ellie suddenly flopped against Alex's chest and began to sob, silent heaving sobs that tore at her.
The big Scot felt so helpless and in her own struggle to help her love, cursed Kevin O'Brian to hell and back.
After a few moments, Ellie's breathing eased and Alex wiped away her tears with her fingers and then, reaching down found a tissue and held Ellie while she blew her nose and threw the tissue on the fire.
"Shit, shit, shit ?and another suitcase full of shit. "The Texan whispered.
Alex held her breath for a moment and then asked hesitantly,
"Want me to phone Dany?"
"Hon, you can't do this for me,? much as you want to?this time was always gonna come. I'm 27, not 15?. and I have to face this."
"Yes, you do, my love?.but not alone?not this time."
The tear laden green eyes met the equally teary blue ones and for a few seconds their bond was tangible. Ellie was the first to drop her gaze and snuggled back into the safety of her partner's arms.
"I know, Hon... And I thank all the gods and goddesses for that, every minute of every day."
The subject was shelved for the next few hours; Alex felt her wee girl's emotions needed some respite from the vicious onslaught of her memories.
The morning passed by quickly: As an archaeologist, Alex was working on a paper about an Iron Age Hut site to the north of Applecross, where she had been doing some preliminary investigations.
Ellie, whilst the titular head of her company in the States was a writer at heart and she had lost herself in the final re-writes of her novel, before it went to a publisher. She had not told Alex, but she had sent the first few chapters to various publishers. For several weeks she had checked her emails, with trepidation, and had been forced, over and again, to hide the disappointment of rejection....but then one day a message popped into her Inbox and she was beside herself with joy to find it was preliminary acceptance?..Her book was going to be published!. She had refused to allow Alex to read it and kept her news a secret, for fear that the deal would fail?she hated keeping secrets from her girl?.but just this once?Huh?? Then when, and if, it all worked out?it would be a real surprise for Alex, Ellie so desperately wanted the tall, dark Scot to be proud of her?.it really mattered to her?and it had been the longest time since anyone had mattered that much to the blond Texan.
The novel had been floating around in Ellie's head for about 7 or 8 years, but her need to earn a living had pushed it to the background. Her income from the US business had relieved the pressure and as Alex had pointed out, after their marriage.
"What's mine is yours now, my beautiful, independent Cowgirl?and I've got a certificate to prove it!!"
This referred to the fact that Alex was an independently wealthy woman. Her parents had been successful business people and left their daughter well provided for. Ellie had always paid her way, and still did from the income produced by her Company in California, but since their marriage, the lines between their finances had blurred somewhat over the months and gradually, Ellie became more comfortable with this arrangement.
Alex worked in a small study where she was surfing the net for info on an artefact she had found at the site.
Ellie worked in the living room on a laptop. Knowing each was close left both women free to engross themselves in their tasks.
It was after noon when Ellie glanced at the clock and, closing the laptop lid, decided it was time for food. Ellie's trim muscular body belied the amount of food she stuffed into it. Her regular T'ai Chi and kick boxing exercises kept her toned and used up the calories she took in. The two lovers also walked the Scottish mountains above Applecross, each enjoying the open air and sense of freedom. For Alex it was a reconnection with her roots and for Ellie, a wonderful voyage of discovery in this new land she was quickly considering home.
Ellie worked in the compact but well stocked kitchen of the croft. It drove her mad that Alex always put everything away?because to Ellie's mind there was no point, when she would need the utensil again later?. so once again, she took the homemade bread from the bread bin and, getting a knife from the drawer, began to make two huge layered sandwiches of cheese, ham and salad topped with a dollop of mayo and took them to the living room. She moved quietly to the open door of Alex's study and peeped around it. She loved this room, it was so Alex... The huge Scottish Claymore leant by the door next to Alex's guitar and Bouran and Ellie mused that her girl was a strange mix of strength and gentleness... The dark head turned from the flickering screen.
"Hi gorgeous?.what's afoot?"
"Lunch, my industriously academic Dr Wallace?Lunch!!"
As they munched on their sandwiches, Alex took a sideways glance at her beautiful blond and tried to decide whether or not to raise the subject of her Father again.
"How's your heart, my love?" she ventured.
"Sore" Ellie whispered and Alex winced at the pain still evident, "but I've decided to phone Dany tonight. I need to know just what is going on."
She felt herself grabbed and soundly kissed by Alex and she returned the kiss with equal fervour?for the rest of the afternoon no literary work was undertaken by either woman!!.
Chapter 3.
After lunch?.and dessert!!... the two lovers had thought to go for a walk, but the weather had changed. The sleeting rain and wind whipping around the croft was more usually the weather at this time of year, so they settled back to their projects and the afternoon trickled away to the gentle sounds of a classical music station and the tap, tap of their keyboards.
Alex returned to the living room at about 5pm and smiled to find Ellie dozing quietly with the laptop still open. After stoking the fire and adding another log, she gently disentangled the computer, pulled a blanket over her sleepy girl and padded to the kitchen. She frowned to find the bread, knife, butter and all the makings of their lunchtime sandwich left out. She loved Ellie beyond words but living with her?..again?.was a learning curve and a half and Alex swallowed her irritation, with a rye smile.
She gathered the makings for a pasta sauce and set to peeling onions and stringing celery. Soon the kitchen was filled with tempting smells which wafted into the living room, Alex was not at all surprised when and a sleepy bard came to the door?
"What's a cooking big girl?"
"I might have known that even the arms of Morpheus couldn't hold you, when there's food about!!"
Alex ducked and deftly caught the mushroom thrown by Ellie, as it flew past her ear.
"Oh, alright,...Ms 'I'm to quick for my britches 2006'?nice catch !!!!"
Ellie moved behind Alex and put her arms around her waist..
"You only want to pinch my celery, don't you my sweet innocent girl???.NOT!!" Alex grunted and returned the squeeze.
"Make yourself useful, darling and get the plates out, willya??"
"I'd rather stay right here thanks." Ellie's voice was muffled as she snuggled against her tall lovers back.
No plates?no food...your choice!"
"Oh OK" Ellie grumbled and set a tray with plates, forks and the big black pepper grinder.
Meanwhile Alex strained the spaghetti and dished up the steaming food, she sprinkled a handful of freshly grated Parmeggiano cheese on top of each plate, and the meal was ready.
They ate, as usual, sitting on the pile of cushions by the fire. Alex had opened a bottle of Semillon Chardonnay which they both liked and they toasted each other before savouring the chill crisp wine. Ellie drank the wine?but played with her food this was unusual, as little stopped the Texan from eating.., and Alex's brow furrowed...
The wind outside caused eddies in the open fire and occasionally flurries of ash would waft into the air, from the hearth. The big clock on the mantle struck 6.30 and Alex knew she could put off the moment no longer. She reached over, took Ellie's plate from her and placed it on the tray..
"Shall I get the phone, Babe?" she asked quietly
She felt Ellie drew in a deep breath and only just heard her whispered response.
"Guess so"
Alex cleared the plates into the kitchen and returning; she refilled Ellie's glass and brought the phone from its base by the door.
Sitting down, Alex drew her girl onto her lap and cradled her in the hope that she could somehow cushion her little love, from the pain to come.
Ellie punched in the string of numbers that would take her through to the apartment Dany and Ann shared in California.
The two women listened as it rang once, twice and then they both heard Dany answer.
"Hi this is Dany"
"Ellie's voice almost failed her and Alex took the phone from her trembling hand.
"Dany, it's me Alex."
She heard the woman at the other end of the line catch her breath and spoke again.
"Ellie is here to talk to you; Dany?.I'll pass you over."
"Ell, is that you honey?"
"Yep?.fraid so Dan?Well, what's been happening your end lately??"
It was hard for Alex to hear the two dear friends fencing with each othe,she understood that Dany was desperate not to hurt her friend but just didn't know of any way to avoid it. There was a strained silence on the phone..and Ellie's voice cracked as she spoke.
"Just tell me Dany?.right now OK ?.before I hang up."
"Your father's parole hearing is set for the 28th in Dallas, and the parole officers want to know if you want to be there."
"Did they say what the chances of him getting parole were?"
"Well, Hon?. since the Judge handed down a minimum of 12 years and he has served that, they seemed to think he stands a good chance?"
"Shit,shit,shit,shit?" Alex felt Ellie crumple and took the phone once again?
"Dany, we'll talk about this and get back to you...If the parole officer contacts you again?.let me know right away?.day or night OK?"
"Sure Alex....of course?.Ann is listening on the other line here?. and we want Ellie to know that we are here for her?.always."
"I know that" Ellie sniffed
"Alex?.keep her real close to you, wont you?" Dany was crying softly on the phone.
"Count on it, my friends?.Speak later, Bye."
Alex ended the call, threw the phone onto the couch and turned her attention to the sobbing girl in her arms.
"Don't ask me to make a decision. Alex?I can't...I just can't...it's too hard."
"Darling?he beat you once?..he will NEVER get the chance to do that again?.I swear to you....he can't hurt you ?..unless you let him."
This last whispered comment made Ellie look up into the blue eyes, so filled with love, and she blinked away the tears in her own.
"What do you mean?"
"I am your family now and Uncle J, and Jeannie ?and you know the boys would kill anyone who even looked at you the wrong way?. if they got there before me, that is!"
The green eyes were thoughtful; Ellie paused and, extricating herself from Alex's embrace stood gazing at the fire for a few moments. Alex noticed that her precious girl seemed to grow several inches as she straightened her shoulders and blew out a big breath. Then she turned back to Alex who was relieved beyond belief to see a bright spark in the green eyes, and spoke.
"I will not let that man mess me up again?..Sooooo let's do this, shall we?"
The two lovers had talked for over an hour about how they should approach the next few days. They decided that they should fly out to California to spend some time with Dany and Ann where Ellie wanted to sort out some business issues. Then they would head for Dallas for the parole hearing.
Alex called Dany and told her about their decision.
"Could be for the best, Alex?.maybe she needs some sort of catharsis....she's held this in for so long."
"Yeh?.that's my hope too."
Alex spoke the words and really wanted to believe them with all of her heart?.she just had a real sense of dread about the coming times.
For her partners sake, she stuffed these feeling down deep inside and presented her girl with a big hug and a long slow kiss.
"I am so proud of you, my wee girl?.so very proud."
"I'll only make this if you put me in your pocket Alex?.no space between us?OK?"
Her answer was a silent one but she was in no doubt of its meaning.
Chapter 4
Alex had, with Ellie's permission, filled in the rest of the family about the reason for their trip to America?.she had expected, and not been disappointed in, the response.
Uncle J stood up, his face crimson with fury,
"I'm coming too?.no-one lays hands on my family and lives to tell the tale."
Both Hamish and Donald's faces reflected J's fury, but they tried to calm him.
"We know, Uncle J, we know?.but it'll do the wee girl no good to have you giving off all these violent vibes....think ....Big man.. .THINK?...what has she been through already at the hands of a violent man???. She needs you to be her gentle giant ?.not another part of the problem."
J stopped dead in his tracks and slumped in his chair..
"You're right Boys?.you're right" he scrubbed his face with his hands and looked at Alex,
"What do you need from us Lassie?"
In the meantime, Jeannie, who had remained silent during this interchange, without a word, got up and left the bar.
Alex outlined their plans, assured her family that they would be away for only 10 days and promised that they would phone every day with updates. Relieved that the storm had passed, Alex hugged the three men in her life and went to the door of the Hotel.
The weather had calmed a little but Alex still pulled her jacket close to her and, jamming her hat on her head, set off on the shortcut to their Croft. The path was steep in places and had been worn over the years; the Boys always used this route when they visited her and it made the journey home just a few minutes. Alex was grateful for the warmth of the croft as she opened the door?..then she stopped dead in her tracks, as from the living room, she could hear the gentle words of a familiar melody. Her eyes filled with tears as she recognised the singer and the song?.it was the same lullaby sung to her, so many times, when her dreams had overcome her, as a child
Alex opened the door to the living room and stood transfixed at the scene before her. Ellie's blond head was being held close to Jeannie's chest, as the big Scotswoman gently sang the soft words of comfort: her arms held the sobbing girl and rocked her gently. Alex's heart was full to bursting with gratitude for these wonderful people who were all showing, in their own way, their great love for the fragile damaged soul that was Ellie O'Brian- Wallace.
Alex moved to sit at Jeannie's feet, she took one of Ellie's hands in hers and rubbed it gently?.she felt the pressure of Ellie's fingers returning her message... Jeannie smiled and continued to rock the little blond woman in her arms. After 15 minutes or so, Ellie had fallen into a sleep of exhaustion in Jeannie's arms. Alex disentangled her hand and reaching under Ellie, lifted her into her arms and cradled her gently. The two Scotswoman exchanged glances and Alex carried her precious bundle to the bedroom. She gently removed Ellie's clothes; put on her PJ's and slid her under the warm quilt.
Gazing down at Ellie's pale face, Alex whispered
"Only sweet dreams, my love," she dropped a sweet kiss on her love's cheek.
She returned to the living room and found herself enveloped in Jeannie's arms and squeezed so tightly, she could hardly breathe. She savoured the familiar scent of the lovely woman who had always been so much part of all of their lives.
"Thank you Jeannie", Alex managed to whisper. "Thanks for showing her how much you care."
Jeannie released her and Alex saw the fire in the other woman's eyes.
"How could anyone do that to a gentle soul like her??.Answer me that Alex??.What possessed him?"
"Who can ever know, Jeannie....it beats me?.she is kind, loving and giving?.
That bastard could have had all the love she has to give and he destroyed it."
"No, my girl" Jeannie put her hand on to Alex's arm and shook it gently......"He didn't destroy it, he just scared it down deep inside her ?.until you found it again and let her find it too." Jeannie's soft highland voice made the words a poem and Alex nodded.
The two women hugged and Alex walked with Jeannie to the door. As she opened it, she saw Uncle J standing there?
"Come to walk you back Jeannie. I knew you'd be here."
He looked at Alex and asked.
"How're my two wee bairns this night?"
"Getting there, Uncle J?long way to go but we'll get there."
"That you will, darlin'..I know together you two can do anything."
Alex watched as the two figures made their way, arm in arm, across the windswept promontory and disappeared from view.
Returning to the living room, Alex settled the fire and switched of the lamps. She felt battered by the day and had felt the same exhaustion through her link with the sleeping blond in the next room.
"Gonna get a whole lot worse before it gets better?" she mused as she quietly went into the bedroom and undressed. She slipped under the covers and immediately felt Ellie move to her, still asleep, and take her place on the nook of Alex's shoulder.
"I'm right here, my love, I'm right here."
She stroked her lovers back with gentle movements and after a few whimpers, she felt Ellie move more deeply into sleep. Only then did Alex let her own eyes to close and allowed sleep to take her too.
For the next two days, the two lovers seemed to work on autopilot. They made reservations with airlines, arranged for currency, made Hotel bookings for Dallas and, if the truth be told, each tried not to think of the reason for their trip. Ellie's face was pinched and pale, and although they took every opportunity to cuddle each other, Alex saw a distance in the green eyes that worried her.
Since finding out about what had happened to Ellie, the Boys had taken to coming over every evening just to check out their girls. They too were dismayed at the change that had come over the newest member of their family. The wonderful light that shone from Ellie's face was dimmed and although she responded to their hugs, she seemed to be somewhere else.
The night before their flight to America seemed to come all too quickly, their bags were packed and all was ready. Hamish would drive them to the airport and then bring back Alex's truck.
Alex and Ellie sat together, next to the roaring log fire of the croft. Each nursed a large malt whisky and wandered; lost in thought?Their reveries were disturbed when there was a knock on the door of the Croft.
"It's only me lassies?Can I come in?"
Aye?.away in Uncle J." Alex called.
The big Scotsman shook off the snow from his coat and, leaving it on a peg by the door, entered the living room.
Ellie looked at him and smiled a small smile?
"Will you have dram, Uncle J?" Alex asked? and rose to go to the drinks table..
Ay, I will lass?it's minus 5 out there and the wind from Raasay is fierce."
J eased his bulk down onto the couch next to Ellie?he gave her a sideways look and seeing the concern on his face....she scooted over to him and lay her head on his shoulder?he wrapped her up in his arms and the two of them just sat there, without a word whilst Alex freshened their drinks and brought J his crystal glass.
"Slainge... "J whispered and chinked his glass with Alex before sipping the amber liquid.
The room was heavy with unspoken feelings but finally...J spoke.
"Whatever happens over there, we will all be here waiting for you, you know that don't you Ellie?"
The green eyes caught the blue eyes of this gentle man and Ellie whispered "I do Uncle J?and it means the entire world to me."
All that needed to be said, had been said and the big man stood to draw his two girls into a hug....then without another word, he turned and left. They stood until they heard the door close behind him and Alex held her arms open, .Ellie moved into her embrace?
"I can't even begin to imagine how hard this must be for you, darling," Alex murmured over the blond head "but please, don't lock us out. .you have so many people here who love you just for being you?absorb all that love, keep it inside and nothing can hurt you."
Alex raised her girl's chin gently and was glad to see a small light in the green pools. She lowered her head and kisses Ellie gently.
Neither got much sleep that night but Alex was happy to have her lover close to her, and she wondered what the next few days would bring.
Continued in Part 2 Chapters 5-7