Chapter 237 - Shadows In The Forest
Fin led the way to the forest. Andromeda moved with him close by and in the exact location, Andel and Moira are waiting. Andy greeted them warmly and they continue their walk to their hideout. It's at least twelve-hours hike to Fin's hideout and since he's also known as an animal whisperer, monkeys and even a big bear lead them and followed them.
Fin is talking like them. He learned it by practicing and studying for years. Observing their expressions, their actions and how they talk to each other.
"Fin, how are you going to say, 'I love you' in snake language?
" Andel asked. Moira scoffed and punched her brother's arm.
"Ow! What? I am just curious.
" He muttered.
"Try saying 'I love you' in snake sound,
" Andy said and kicked Andel's butt.
"You are so rude!
" He hissed at her.
"That's right. Hissed like a snake.
" Andy teased him. Andel groaned and ignored them. Fin kept on laughing behind them as he watches how the girls tease Andel.
"So, tell me. How did Ellen pack up your things?
"
"She packed up well. Even chocolate bars for us.
" He answered and then reached his flask and sipped on it.
"And how about you, Moira?
" She glanced at the single Louis Vuitton that she's holding. Moira snorted and glared at her.
"He put equipment here, including ointment and drinks. Even a bottle of expensive whiskey. I have no choice but to take it. He insisted.
"
Andromeda laughed and minimized the volume of her laugh that only echoes a little. Moira is a little embarrassed, but she liked it anyway. Alanis just spoiled her too much. They stayed a little and cooked a little for their dinner. After a little nap, they walked again, and they reached Fin's abandoned treehouse.
"I need to get that perfect stone.
" Andel and Fin said at the same time. They stopped walking and looked at each other. They chuckled and did that secret handshake that Moira and Andy didn't know that it's even existing.
"Well, we need to get it.
" Moira nodded.
"For the sake of big brothers.
" She muttered.
"Ellen felt a little insecure because she thought that I won't marry her,
" Andel said softly.
"I haven't given her a stone to seal my promise.
"
"You should,
" Andy told him.
"You took her virginity. You are like his first serious boyfriend and she gave you everything. She became a housewife and everything you needed for your daily life. She loved you so much that she's willing to produce for you just to stay with her.
" She sighed in a little depressing way.
"That's how Pattinson will treat someone they love.
"
"You are right.
" Andel agreed to her. All those efforts that Ellen did are because she loved him so much and, in many ways, she needed to please him and care for him so he wouldn't look at another woman.
"I love her in my way. Though we are living together like a married couple, my efforts aren't enough. But I must seal my promise first, for me to be able to protect her and to be with her.
"
"Didn't Zach know about this?
" Fin asked.
"Zach is out of here. He'll kill me if he knows.
"
"Then, I'll help you bury his body.
" Fin blurted and he stopped then glanced at Andromeda. He shudders seeing her fierce eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to.
" He stuttered.
"I mean, just bury his body, like in the sand on the beach, just his body and his head is not included. Not to kill him.
"
Andel tried to control himself not to laugh out loud. It's dark and they shouldn't be noisy. Finally, they reached the treehouse and Fin started a fire and Andel helped him with taking the basket to bring it to the nearest river, so they have a fish to eat tomorrow.
Moira and Andy went to the river together to clean up and they came back to see that Fin already settled their bed. Comfortable and warm one.
"Thanks, Fin.
" Moira waved at him and she put her warmest clothes and slipped in on her foldable sleeping bag. Andromeda did the same and she slept with her gun. She put it in safety first and lay down to sleep.
Fin and Andel stayed near the fire. Fin is muttering to the big bear and the big bear-hugged him and they cuddled until Fin fell asleep. Andel smiled at the adorable friendship with a human and a feral bear. If Ellen would see this, she would adore it. So, he took his phone and put it in silence and disable the flash. He took a photo of the bear and Fin and since there's no service, he saved it for the day he needed to go back.
He lay on his sleeping bag and looked up at the beautiful sky. Millions of millions of stars. Ellen would love this view if she was here with him. They would make love at that moment and then cuddle each other and plan for their future.
***
Ellen just finished experimenting and the first thing she thought to taste it is Andel. She smiled. There are lots of dishes she already tried to do, and she will fill him with foods made with love when she comes back. She reached the necklace that she designed and the stone that he brought from his adventure.
"Keep safe for me.
" She muttered and thought about the love of her life.
"Ellen,
" The door opens as her mother entered. She smiled at her and her mother's heart melted seeing her.
"Ah, I haven't seen my baby for so long. How's your day?
" She asked and strode close to her.
"I just experiment with a few dishes. Check it out, mom.
"
Her mother reached for the fork and the knife and sliced the beef. She nodded on the perfectly tender beef and she dipped it on the sauce. She chewed it carefully, making sure that she got the full taste of the tender meat mixed with spices. She hummed and nodded at her.
"It's your way to please your man, huh.
" She teased. Ellen flushed and bit her lower lip. Ellen always pleased him with the foods she cooked. He's also gaining weight because of her, however, he maintained that muscles and sexy abdominal that she loved caressing and kissing.
"I need to research more for my future husband. So, he wouldn't search for anyone else.
" She said as she pushed another dish to her mother.
"Man, that would cheat on you is stupid enough to do that. Besides, you are perfect on your own, sweetie. Whoever you are dating that you don't even want us to know, I am sure that he can't leave you.
"
"Hmm.
" She nodded and just agreed to her mother.
***
Natalie checked on the files that James has been working for the past few weeks. The assets are under her Aunt's name and then the copy of the testament. She looked at her boss at his desk, frowning on the documents and wrote down quickly.
"James.
" She stood and strode to him.
"Hmm?
" He stopped and looked at her. He glanced at the envelope that she's holding, and he cleared his throat.
"Your company is going down now. Kuznetsov withdrew and it will be easy for me to counterattack.
"
"You don't have to.
" She said that almost a whisper.
"I need to. I have to.
" His voice is strong and firm.
"I will lead it up again, and when your cousin is at age, he will manage the company. This is also for our future children, Natalie.
"
She was silent for a while and then she nodded.
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I will do it for you.
"
She put the envelope on his desk and then she strode to him and hugged him tightly. It calmed her down and he relaxed. He pushed her a little and turned his swivel chair, wrapping his arms around her waist and shoved his face to her chest. She caressed his hair and then his back. It relaxes him and all his stress faded.
"How about let's go out and grab some coffee or tea, then donuts? We need to walk outside as well.
"
"Good suggestion love.
" He glanced at his sleeping quarter.
"How about let's just stay in bed for a while.
"
"No.
" She fixed his desk swiftly.
"Let's go outside for ten minutes and then we will go back to finish more work.
"
"Yes, Ma'am.
" He stretches and then leaves his coat. They walked out of the office and strode on the corridor as employees glanced at them. Well, she's quite a celebrity since everyone is talking about them and their secret wedding.
Nosy people. But anyway, she cares no less. She needed to work hard and to help him with the company. It's the only way to help her husband from all the stress and work he is doing for her. Soon, they will have children on their own and she needed to stay strong for them.
She stealthily reached her stomach. Soon, they have little ones running around.