Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.14

The wedding was beautiful. Hope looked amazing, I'd never seen her so happy. Caleb and his entire family were extremely nice and Hope seemed to fit right in. She was planning on getting a job transfer to Aurora Skies and settling down there with his family. She said it was an easy call since she didn't live near us anyway. My sister was married. I never thought I'd see the day that would happen yet she was, and overjoyed about it.

Being around her and Caleb was like being around Mom and Dad and Grandma Kerri and Sha, when she was still alive. You could just feel the connection they had. It was great for her and them but I'd never felt lonelier while surrounded by so many people. As much as I enjoyed seeing Hope and being there for her big day, I was happy to be home. I'd missed Vor and my quiet piece of the world and I'd also missed Jonas. I realized how much when I saw him to get Vor. Jonas' friendly smile was a great welcome home.

"How was your trip?"

"It was good. Hope was a stunning bride and she looked very happy. Thank you again for keeping him. I felt better knowing he wasn't locked in a kennel all day. How was he?"

"You're welcome and he was no problem. In fact I liked having someone to talk to at night, he has very interesting views on the world."

I started to respond when I realized he was joking about Vor talking back. "Guess it's a good thing he's used to living in a small space, but having the park across the street help to give him a place to run around."

"You think I live at the store?"

"Yeah, I mean you are always here so I just thought maybe this place had an apartment above it or something."

"Should I be flattered or concerned that you've wondered about where I live."

"What? No..."

Jonas started laughing and cut off what would have been a rambling explanation. "I stay out on Cliff Road."

I knew that road, there was only one house that sat out there. A large modern looking place that over looked the bay.

"That's a big house."

"Yeah, that's why having company was nice. My family has filtered through here and several other cities over the years. All of the houses we own are large just in case there are a few of us that live in an area at the same time. Family is great and all but sometimes we like to retreat to our separate areas. Or like now separate city."

That first day he convinced me to stay and talk he told me about his years in Hidden Springs. It was sorta the hub for fairies and lot so politics and such. After 40 or so years of dealing with that, he was ready for a change. We talked for a bit more before I was ready to head home. I missed my house and needed to check on my plants. Hopefully none died while I was gone.

As we rounded the corner to the parking lot Vor started barking. I didn't see anyone, but he caught wind of something, the hair on his back was standing up. The area was clear as I looked around. Out of the corner of my eye I caught movement, but whoever it may have been disappeared from view before I could get a good look. Nervousness over took and I quickly ran to my truck, making sure to lock the doors when I got in. Vor continued to whine a bit as we backed out, but settled down after a bit. I hadn't even thought about the strange feelings I'd had before the trip but now they were back full force.

I kept looking in my rearview mirror at the cars behind me. There were a few, and I thought maybe I was being followed, but they'd turn off down a different street. All but one that stayed with me until I made the turn onto my road. I held my breath checking to see if it would follow, but it didn't. When I pulled into my driveway, I noticed my hands were shaky. Once inside I quickly locked the door. Vor started whining again picking up on my anxious mood.
  

It's all in your head. It's all in your head. I chanted to myself. It had to be. I guess being around all those people in Monte Vista really threw me out of my comfort zone more than I realized. I had just about convinced myself of that when I heard a car engine. I lived at the end of the street, not many people came down here as it was a dead end. I pulled out my phone and hit redial on the last number.

"I think someone is outside my house!"

"What?"

"I...I..." I heard the car engine fade away. I peeked out the window to see the tail lights as they faded away.

"Grace! Are you okay?"

"Yeah...I...sorry. Vor was barking a lot when we left and I...for some reason I thought someone was following me."

I felt so stupid. No one really even knew me so why would I be followed?

"Following you? What? I'm coming over."

"What?! No! Don't really, I'm just being...I'm just a little off balance with the trip and everything. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I'd feel better if I came to check things out."

"Yeah. I'm okay, really. Sorry for bothering you. It was just a dumb over reaction on my part."

"You're never a bother, Grace. Call me if you need anything."

Once we hung up, the nervous feeling stayed with me. I made sure my doors were locked up tight and even went ahead and set my alarm being sure to turn off the indoor motion sensors. I tried to keep busy by taking care of my plants and doing random cleaning around the house. Vor spent a lot of time pacing behind me. That night I took a long bath in hopes it would help, but it didn't. Vor seemed to be really effected by my mood as he kept barking and whining. He didn't want to leave the front door that night when it was time for bed. Eventually I was able to get him settled down, but I tossed and turned for a while before I finally fell asleep.

**A/N**

The wedding photos are courtesy of Piazzagirl1015. She put that whole wedding together and it came out beautiful. I can't do big weddings but she did an amazing job!