Chapter 10: Family

Three days after the warm front moved in the roads were finally clear enough for the trip back home. Early that morning Katy and Sally were preparing breakfast and talking about their husbands and kids. They had been commenting on their husbands' foibles when Sally sighed shaking her head. "Katy, this last week has been a real blast but I must admit that I'm awfully anxious to get back to that overeating, forever yapping, hit in the head too many times, football playing, bull headed stud of mine." She grinned then glanced down blushing when she heard Peter's amused chuckle. "I didn't see you standing over there."

"I just came in." Peter responded with a grin. "I wouldn't have missed that riff on your husband for anything."

"What riff is that?" Sparrow asked as she approached the kitchen doorway.

"Sally's description of her husband." Peter responded then he proceeded to repeat Sally's comment verbatim.

Sparrow looked at Sally in surprise as Sally, blushing, retorted. "Hey he may not be perfect but he's mine and I wouldn't trade him for the world." She grinned at Sparrow. "Even David, as sexy as he is, couldn't tempt me away from my man." She shrugged. "Though I will admit that I envy you just a bit for having someone like David."

At that point Chastity had come in through the back door. "I can definitely second that envy comment." She approached Sparrow. "During those rescue operations that we worked together I got to know him better and I could really go for him but he spent most of the time talking about you. Take my word for it sweetie, that boy is hopelessly hooked and just waiting for you to reel him in." She grinned. "I should get so lucky. Maybe someday I can find someone of my own like David."

"Did I just hear my name mentioned?" David inquired as he approached the doorway.

Sparrow looked back at David. "Sally was just saying how lucky she thought I was." She smiled and blushed as David put his arm around her. Then she added. "I guess I am pretty lucky that you found me."

David tightened his hold. "That's funny, I was thinking that I was the lucky one here." He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss then smiled at her. "No doubt about it. I am definitely the lucky one."

They were interrupted by the sound of the rest of the guests coming down the stairs and soon they were all seated at the table enjoying breakfast. During breakfast David and his family began discussing their plans to start back to New York that evening at sunset.

Sally remarked that she was thinking of heading back to New York around lunch time. "Katy, you could ride to New York with me." She suggested "That way you could fly back with your kids on the late flight this evening."

"I'm very anxious to see my kids again." Katy glanced over at Matt then responded. "I may just take you up on that offer to ride to New York with you."

~ o ~

After they had finished cleaning up from breakfast Sally approached Peter. "Peter, if you and your family don't mind, I would like to join you on the trip back to New York." She glanced over at David and Sparrow. "Besides, you and David could be more easily and comfortably concealed from outside observers in my camper." She shrugged. "There's plenty of room for everyone and that way you and your family could leave today right after lunch rather than waiting until after dark tonight."

Peter glanced at David then smiled at Sally. "That would be fine with us. It would get us back a half day earlier, and add a significant safety factor." He glanced at Cherry who smiled her understanding. "Also I must admit to a bit of curiosity about that camper of yours."

"Sounds like a plan." Matt commented.

Chastity jumped in. "Well in that case I'll head on in to the office." She addressed Matt. "You'll probably want to see them off so I guess I'll expect you at the office after lunch." With that, she headed out.

Once everyone was packed for the trip they gathered in the common room and talked a bit about the future. Then it was time for lunch. Immediately after lunch they piled into the four vehicles and set out for New York. Peter, Cherry, David, Sparrow and Katy ended up riding in Sally's camper. Phillip, Clarissa and Doctor Peterson drove the other three vans. They left right after one-thirty. Matt joined the caravan as far as the town where he dropped out and headed for his office.

~ o ~

The Camper turned out to be surprisingly spacious on the inside so there was plenty of room for everyone. David and Sparrow occupied a wide seat that could accommodate both of them. David's arm was draped across the back of the seat and lightly resting against her shoulders. Sparrow was enjoying being so close to him.

The conversations in the camper had turned to the subject of the leonine men's empathic ability and the bond. Sparrow was fascinated as she listened to Peter and Cherry talking about how the bond affected their marriage. She was most intrigued by their assertion that the bond made it impossible for them to lie to each other. Several times she found herself looking speculatively at David and wondered just what she would sense if she could feel his emotions when he looked at her, especially those time when her scars were not hidden. David had already insisted that he had formed a bond with her and, according to Peter and Cherry, over time she could expect it to become a two way bond.

Sparrow had a thought and asked Peter. Have you ever used the bond in any of your other stories?"

Peter replied. "No. I've had empathic characters before in some of my adolescent and young teen stories but this new one that I'm writing is the first time I've used the concept of the bond."

As the subject of conversation moved onto the new book Peter was working on, Sparrow found herself contemplating the current state of things between her and David. Then she found herself thinking about some of the other assumptions that had been expressed or hinted at. One of them was the assumption that now that they were 'bonded' marriage was inevitable. She glanced speculatively at David and he smiled back at her. She could just barely see the tips of his fangs peeking out. She remembered the first time she had really seen him. He could be really frightening looking under the right circumstances yet at other times he looked magnificently regal. As a boyfriend, she could see very little to complain about. Then she reminded herself that she really had nothing to compare him to. In fact in the painfully short time that she could remember, he was the only potential boyfriend she had any experience with. She really had nothing to compare this fledgling relationship to. She had noticed while at the brownstone that the other members of David's family seemed to have very good happy relationships. And she had to admit that becoming a part of the Chandler-Wells family was a very big plus.

David looked over at Sparrow. "You seem to be awfully deep in thought." He remarked quietly.

Sparrow glanced back and shrugged. "Just thinking about things." She responded evasively. David knew she was holding back and just nodded his understanding while giving her a bit of an extra squeeze. Then they both returned their attention to the current discussion.

They were talking about a few of the finer plot points in Peter's new book when the camper suddenly lurched to the left then continued to shimmy strongly, accompanied by a loud flapping noise. Everyone hung on as the van veered to the right and rapidly reduced speed. Soon they came to a stop beside the road.

Sally turned toward the back where her passengers were getting themselves organized and announced. "Well folks, it seems we had a blowout." She shrugged and addressed David and Peter. "Well it's broad daylight outside so I guess you big strong boys will just have to let us girls take care of this." She pointed to Cherry. "Cherry, the spare is under the floorboard next to the back door." She signaled Sparrow to follow as she opened her door. "Sparrow, I'm going to teach you how to change a flat tire."

Cherry retrieved the spare from the back of the camper and brought it around to the right front where Sally was removing the nuts from the tire while Sparrow was jacking up that corner of the van. It took Cherry and Sally together to pull the nearly shredded tire off but Sally was able to get the spare on by herself while Cherry took the damaged tire to the back. In less than ten minutes they had changed the tire and were pulling back out on the road. Once they were back on the road Peter commented that the girls were so handy that they would be worth hanging on to, which got several rude noises directed his way by those same girls. The resulting laughter lightened the left over tension that had lingered from the unexpected and scary blowout.

~ o ~

That evening just after dark, the four vehicle caravan arrived at the family brownstone. Elizabeth and Charles had been surprised to learn that they were driving home during the daylight and they were very surprised when the caravan that pulled up behind their home included a camper they had not seen before. They were even more surprised when two unknown women stepped out of the camper followed by Peter, Cherry, David and Sparrow.

They all entered the brownstone to enthusiastic welcomes and a good deal of curiosity about Sally and Katy. Sally and Katy were invited to stay the night but Sally said that she was anxious to get home to her husband and Katy wanted to get to her children. After Sally and Katy left, the family stayed up late into the night talking about everything that had happened over the last two weeks.

Elizabeth was commenting. "So I guess that means that the sheriff and his wife can be counted on as friends then."

Peter replied. "Yes, I think there is no doubt that they can be trusted with our secret. Once Matt learned about Clarissa and Phillip's connections he told us that we could count on his help if we ever needed it. He also said that if any of us have a reason to venture out his way, let him or Katy know ant they will make sure we have a safe place to stay."

Charles replied. "It's always good to know that we have friends we can count on. What about the deputy's brother?"

David responded with a chuckle. "Chaz, uh Deputy Chastity, said that she would sit on him and make sure he knew how important it was that he not tell anyone about us."

Charles turned to Sparrow and smiled at her. "I wanted to tell you how glad we are to have you back and let you know that your room is still there for you. You are part of us now and this place is your home if you wish to live here with us. If you want a place of your own we know a lot of helpers that can help you find a decent place that you can afford as well as helping you find a good job now that you are up to it." He glanced over at David and chuckled. "I know that David would like it if you lived here where he can see you more often."

Cherry jumped in. "Peter and I would also love having you around." She broke into a wide grin. "And as added inducement I can offer you free taxi service."

Sparrow glanced around at all of these unique friends then looked at David as his hand stole into hers and blushed at the intensity of his gaze. David spoke up. "I really would like it if you stayed here because I have fallen for you and want to see a lot more of you."

Sparrow looked down embarrassed and held tightly to his hand then looked up at everyone. "It feels strangely wonderful to have a place to call home with so many people who care about me and want me around. I may not know about my past but I'm pretty sure that this is a novel situation for me." She looked directly at David. "And you know how I feel about you."

Cherry laughed. "Sparrow, honey, we all know how you feel about my son."

Sparrow blushed deeply, unable to think of any response.

Charles grinned as he glanced over at David then addressed Sparrow. "And we can also feel your desire to stay here."

~ x x x x x ~

It had been nearly a week since the big snow storm and Elizabeth was scanning through the latest reports when she came across a new report on her search for info on Sparrow's family. There was a Tony Farrow living in Bowling Green Kentucky and working at a furniture store. After collecting all the information she could find on him, Elizabeth concluded that this could be the brother that she had been looking for.

Elizabeth called Tony Farrow and, after identifying herself, told him that an unidentified woman that may have been Michelle Farrow was treated at one of the local hospitals over a month ago and she was trying to get more information. Tony admitted that Michelle was his little sister and verified most of the information that Elizabeth already had about what happened seven years ago. Then she got him talking about what had happened to him after he left home.

Tony had tried to stick it out in the hope that he could affect a reconciliation between his father and his little sister. Then the fire happened and a few days later the incident in the hospital occurred. His father's reactions had been the last straw and he was no longer able to stand living in the same house with that monster so he went to stay with a buddy from school. After Michelle disappeared from that foster home he had packed up and left town. He had spent over a year trying to track down his sister but, except for reports that she had worked a short time in a tattoo place in Memphis Tennessee, he had found no trace of her. Eventually he had given up and settled in Kentucky. He was now married and had a two month old daughter.

Elizabeth thanked him and told him that she was fairly certain that the woman at the hospital was Michelle and promised to let him know if she had any more information for him.

~ o ~

That evening when she got home, Elizabeth called for a family meeting after dinner. As they all sat around the dining room table Elizabeth began. "Sparrow, honey, I did some research and I have located your older brother. He really cared a lot about you and tried to find you after you disappeared. He knows that you are alive but not where you are or what has happened to you. If you want to get in touch with him I can give you his address and phone number." She paused a moment. "If you do decide to contact him, I would suggest you start by writing to him."

David jumped in. "Sparrow, whatever you decide, we're all here for you."

Sparrow glanced around the table then looked at Elizabeth. "I think I will have to think about this for a while."

Clarissa added her thoughts. "You take all the time you need. If you decide that you want to communicate with him but wish to avoid direct contact, you can exchange messages through me at the DA office."

"Thanks." Sparrow responded. "I'll keep that in mind."

~ x x x x x ~

Sparrow had spent a large part of the night thinking about what she wanted before she made her decision. She spent most of the morning composing a letter. She wrote that she had left her past behind. She explained that she was happy in her new life and didn't want to be reminded of her past. She said that she would like for him to write back to her and tell her how he was doing as long as he acceded to her wishes about not bringing up the past. She took the letter to Clarissa and asked her to send it to her brother through the DA office for her and to keep her location confidential for the time being.

Clarissa placed the letter in an official envelope from the DA office along with a set of standard instructions on how to communicate through her office with someone in witness protection and sent it off to her brother.

A week later a letter arrived at the DA office from Tony Farrow and Clarissa took it home to Sparrow that evening.

Sparrow looked down uncertainly at the envelope in her hand. "He's supposed to be my brother but I don't even know him." She looked up at David. "Will you read it for me, please?" She held the envelope out to him.

He took the envelope from her. "This could be very personal. Are you sure you want me to read it?" She nodded. He opened the envelope and quickly scanned it before he started to read. "Dear little sister, I know you said you go by the name Sparrow now but I still think of you as Michelle. I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that you are alive and well. I have really missed you . . . aahh . . ." David looked up at her. "You might want me to skip this next part. It is a reference to the past." She nodded. He nodded back and continued. "Aahh, lets see . . . I'm married now. Her name is Sandra and we have our second kid on the way. I hope you don't mind but if it's a girl we are planning to name her Michelle. I hope that someday soon you and my wife, Sandra, can meet each other." The rest of the letter was more about his wife and family.

After David finished Sparrow kissed him. "Thanks for doing this for me. I just didn't feel like facing that alone. Sometimes it feels so strange and frustrating having no memory of my past but I just don't want to remember all the bad things that happened to me."

David cocked his head. "Do you want to meet your brother?"

Sparrow shrugged, shaking her head. "I just don't know. Maybe eventually. Right now he is just a stranger to me."

~ x x x x x ~

Sparrow and her brother exchanged a few letters through Clarissa at the DA office. Try as she might she simply could not think of him as more than a friendly stranger. She sent a small gift and a card to him and his wife when little Michelle was born. Her brother sent her a picture of himself and his wife with their two children. Sparrow spent half the night staring at the picture trying to dredge up some memory or even a sense of recognition, but there simply was nothing there.

She finally put the picture over on her nightstand with a sigh of sad frustration mumbling to herself. "All I want is a family I can remember." When she said the word 'family', it had conjured up a picture of Peter and Cherry with all of their family and a warmly welcomed feeling of belonging rose up inside her. After a moment she realized that they had already told her in no uncertain terms that they considered her as part of the family and, to her surprise, she also realized that she had come to think of all of them as her family as well. The thought took her breath away as she felt the warm feeling of acceptance rise up and envelope her like a safe cocoon. She drifted off to sleep feeling safe and accepted.

~ x x x x x ~

By the beginning of summer, after running a few MRI and CAT scans on Sparrow, the doctors had determined that most of the memory loss was the result of minor brain damage which was apparently the result of two instances of blunt force trauma at nearly the same location on her head. Doctor Peterson told her that, with the exception of a few bits and pieces that might occasionally pop up under the right conditions, the memory loss was permanent. She had already resigned herself to it and took the news with very little reaction. That night the sense of loss hit her hard and David came in to comfort her.

The next day she sent a letter to her brother explaining her memory loss and the circumstances surrounding it along with the news that the doctors had concluded that the loss was permanent. She told her brother that she had been informed by Clarissa that the two of them had once been close and that was all she knew about it. She would like to maintain contact with him but that he should not expect anymore than friendship since she didn't really know him.

During the spring she got a job through one of the helpers working at a small bookstore in midtown Manhattan. The most fascinating part of her job was listening to the stories of the ghost that was supposed to haunt the place. She had never seen the ghost herself but she had heard plenty of stories about him. According to the owner, who had inherited the store from his grandfather, the ghost was an artist that had died homeless back in the late eighties.

About the same time that she started work, she also started studying in preparation to go for her GED. Two weeks later Elizabeth and Cherry invited her to go out with them on a girls' day out shopping trip. Late in the afternoon they ended up in a very nice furniture shop and Elizabeth pointed out a desk. "Now there's a nice looking style."

Sparrow set her gloved hand on the desk wistfully. "It's a beautiful desk." Her eyes wandered over the clean lines and the beautiful grain of the wood. Then her eyes widened a bit at the price tag.

Cherry commented casually while watching Sparrow's expression. "It's a perfect match to the furniture in your room."

Sparrow glanced up uncertainly at Cherry. "Um, yea I guess it does."

Elizabeth nodded once then turned to the man that had just walked up beside them. "Very good. We'll take it."

Sparrow's eyes got even wider as she stared at Elizabeth. "But . . . but . . ."

Elizabeth looked Sparrow straight in the eye as she rested her hand on Sparrow's shoulder. "You're family now and you need a desk of your own since you're planning to start school." She broke into a grin. "And you'll need a place to set the computer that we ordered for you this morning."

Sparrow was overwhelmed by their generosity but the thing that kept running through her mind making her feel warm all the way through was the three words 'You're family now'.

                                                                                                               Chapter11