The Pearls (22 page)

“When I was sixteen she hired Mateo. He is the one who gave me the Sai. He was my best teacher and he is a local guy. He came out three times a week
until I left at eighteen. I really miss that guy. I think I will call him when I get home just to let him know I am still alive. I haven’t had any contact with him or Mary since the day I left. Mary knew what I had to do and she knows that I will only come home if I have my Justine. She is going to love you baby.”

“
Well when I left I drove straight to the tip of North America. I have been driving through every state and even Canada waiting until I felt your pull. I was saving the west coast for last. I had a formula. I was going to go east to west, up and down each state and so on. As soon as I hit Northern California I felt you. And I have been watching and waiting till I could come to you.” Gabe had his hands on the sides of Justine’s face and pulled her down for a very intense intimate kiss.

They were all so wrapped up in their stories that they didn’t pay attention when Blake slipped one of the headphones half way off and pretend to sleep. He was listening to all their pasts and secrets.

Once all the sharing was done Kaiden started to hear a lot of rumbling stomachs. He didn’t ask
, but the city Gabe had told him to stop in, was coming up soon so he decided to just stop there.

Kaiden stopped at a little diner and pulled around back. They got out and let Blake out too. Blake looked at all of them in confusion and asked “You guys ok you girls look like you have been crying?”

“We are fine Blake but thank you for asking.” Zoe answered

When they entered the restaurant they all made a bee line straight for the bathrooms. The good thing about Wyoming
, Zoe found out was that it was used to travelers and almost everywhere had a nice bathroom. They washed their faced and brushed their hair out. Both of their eyes were rimmed in red from crying but they didn’t care.

“Justine you know I really do love and cherish you. I thought
, but I never knew for sure, and now that I do know you were hurt, I am so sorry. I am also so glad you jumped out that window with me.” Zoe had tears in her eyes again. She was trying her hardest to hold them in and not let them fall.

“Oh Zo
e, I love you and cherish you too. That window was the best decision I ever made.” Justine grabbed Zoe and pulled her into a hug. “Let’s go eat I am starving.”

They left the bathroom and found the boys in a booth towards the back. Blake was in the middle sandwiched between Kaiden and Gabe and they slid over a little more to let the girls in.

“I hope you don’t mind but I ordered you what we had at our first breakfast.” Kaiden whispered to Zoe.

“I don’t mind at all thank you.” And she leaned over to kiss his cheek but he turned his head just in time and caught the kiss on his lips.

“You order for me too, my love?” Justine asked.

“Yes I did and Kaiden helped he has a great memory.” Gabe blushed.

The food came out soon after and they all ate in silence. Gabe was excited to finally be home. Wyoming was a welcome sight for him and he didn’t realize how much he missed it until he got to sit down and look outside. Gabe was also thinking about all that he had learned about the others on their little sharing conversation. Justine had been hurt in a way he wasn’t sure how to deal with. All he could think of was to give her unconditional love and take it slow.

After they ate and were settled back in the car
, Blake once again tied up in the third row, Gabe got into the driver seat and drove towards the store instead of back on the highway.

“I need
stop at the store to get something that I forgot before.” Gabe told them.

“No problem babe. I would like to get Mary some flowers anyway.” Justine replied

The store was not far from the restaurant and Gabe parked in a spot close to the front.

“Be right back.” Justine said

Kaiden and Zoe stayed in the car with Blake. Justine came bouncing to the car with a huge bouquet. It was all wildflowers and roses and lilies. Justine had a smile plastered to her face once she got in and buckled back up. Gabe was right behind her and handed a bag to Kaiden.

“Would you please put those on our guest? I really don’t want him to see where we are going.
Never know if we might need to come back here and this might be a good place to come back to. Since we can’t leave to Ireland until we find them all, my home would make a good staging area. It is not huge like your house, but there are four bedrooms.” Gabe told Kaiden

“Good point.” Kaiden said

Kaiden grabbed the bag and took out what was inside. It was an eye cover people used to sleep with. Kaiden turned and faced Blake. Blake noticed and hovered his hands over the headphones, silently asking if Kaiden wanted him to remove them. Kaiden nodded and Blake took them out.

“I need to put this on you and
you probably need to lie down. We do not want you to see where we are going.” Kaiden told him

Blake just nodded his agreement and slid the eye cover on
, then slid the headphones on. He laid back down and closed his eyes before the car even began to drive away.

Kaiden and Zoe were back in the middle seat and were snuggled close. Their bellies were full and they were feeling pretty sleepy. Kaiden was back in the position of being stretched out over half the seat with his legs in the aisle. Zoe snuggled in close to him and soon they were fast asleep.

Gabe drove north through Wyoming from Rock Springs. He made the drive pretty fast and simple. He knew the route and was eager to get there soon. It was about two in the afternoon when they pulled up to his home.

The house looked like a log cabin to Justine. There were lots of windows and flowers around the house. The house did not look that big from the outside. She could feel the love of the home
and it melted her heart. She knew right then that Gabe was very much loved and protected. The hills surrounding the house were gorgeous and abundant. She could see some Gazelle not far off grazing in the tall grass. She turned and woke Zoe and Kaiden and they all started to get out of the SUV.

Once they were all out and walking toward the house a short woman with Dark brown hair came out of the house pointing a shot gun at them.

“Stop right there!” She yelled

Gabe moved to her side so quick
ly they didn’t even notice. “Guten Tag Mary.” He said as he scooped her up in a bear hug.

“Oh Gabe
you’re home. How I have missed you so. You found Justine then huh? Let me guess which one she is?” Mary looked between the three of them and her eyes settled on the grey eyes of Justine.

Justine walked forward then “Hello Mary. It is really good to meet you.”
Justine said as she handed Mary the bouquet she had gotten her.

“Oh my Justine you are one beautiful girl. Let me look at you. Oh Gabe she is perfect. And look at those eyes.” Mary glanced behind Justine and
remembered the other two people. “Gabe, who else have you found?”

“Mary this is Kaiden and this is Zoe.” Gabe ushered them forward and she stared them in the eye.

“The Pearls!” she whispered. Fear radiating off her. “You brought them here? Gabe are you being forced to bring them here? Are you here to kill the human who knows too much?”

“Mary no, please they are not like that
, Kaiden is going to be a great King. He is not going to be like mama and papa’s King. This man I consider a friend and hopefully soon my brother.” Gabe looked between Mary and Kaiden.

Kaiden smiled at Gabe’s words and held his hand out toward Mary. “Ma’am I have heard that his
parent’s King was a bad man and I am here to assure you that I am not. Zoe here was Justine’s roommate and they have kept each other safe over the years and I am just here to keep you all safe. You have kept your promise and kept a Dragon safe and I am here to offer you solace too.” Kaiden said

“What does he mean Gabriel?” Mary asked still unsure

“Mary, can we go inside? Oh, we also have a hostage that I need to take to the safe room and tie up.” Gabe said

Mary paled and whispered “What hostage?”

“A half-blood, Aldrich’s son is tied up in the back seat.”

Mary gasped and ushered them inside while Gabe went to the
SUV to get Blake.

Inside the home was all stone and wood. The furnishings were
a perfect mix of light and dark and felt like a home. The house smelled amazing, like strawberries and peaches. In the living room the windows overlooked the backyard and the view was picturesque. There was a pond not far from the home, a green house in the back yard and lots of planter boxes filled with greens. There was a big open area too and a workshop not far from the open area.

Mary offered them coffee and tea and they all sat at the table waiting for Gabe. They were all unsure of what to say to each other so they sat in silence. Mary darted off to the back room with a look of surprise. She came back quickly and handed Justine a book.

Justine opened the book and looked inside. It was a book filled with pictures. Justine looked up to Mary, she was smiling down at her trying to encourage her to continue but Justine was confused. Justine looked back down and then closer at the pictures. The breath caught in her throat as she realized who the pictures were of. The man in the photo had jet black hair like hers, the woman had grey eyes like hers, the nose on the man was like hers and the mouth on the woman was like her own. She looked back to Mary and she was just still smiling down at Justine.

“Those are your parents dear. You are a perfect blend of them.” She smiled and turned to Gabe as he was walking in the room.

“Good, you gave her the photos, I was hoping you would. How have you been Mary? You need anything?” Gabe asked concern for this woman was written all over.

“I have been good
schatzi, I have been busy canning and such, old woman things that would just bore you all to death. Please I want to hear how you all have found each other. That is a much more interesting subject. Are you all hungry? I can cook lunch while you tell me.”

They all nodded and followed her to the kitchen. Mary immediately went the cupboards and started pulling stuff out. She had quite a stock pile a food
. They were all quiet and just watched her work. The kitchen was large and you could tell this is where she spent most of her time. Once she had all she needed and started to slow down they all took turns telling their sides of their pasts.

“Mary we want you to come with us to Ireland.” Kaiden told her

“But your world, I am not supposed to know about.” She stammered

“I know this, but you are an exception. You have kept Gabe safe and taught him his heritage. There was a Dragon who trusted you and we are going to extend that trust. You will be safe at our home. You will have free reign at the home. I want us all to be a family and you are Gabe’s family.” Kaiden told her

“If that is what Gabe wants then I will come. I am not ready to let this boy go. I would like to see him happy and become a grandmother.” She smiled at Justine. Justine was in Gabe’s arms and the look Mary gave them was full of hope.

“Then it is settled. The only question now is when. Do we all go together or do we find the other’s first?” Kaiden said in wonder.

“Right now let’s eat and then we can come up with a plan.” Gabe said. He missed Mary’s cooking and was drooling over his plate.