Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.15

After my return the feelings I had of being watched were worse than ever. I hated going into town now but worse than that being at home also kept me on edge. I tried to go about my normal routine as much as possible, telling myself it was all in my head. I was a nobody, unimportant, I knew there was no way someone was really watching me. I tried talking to Hope, but she was busy. First the honeymoon then relocating across country to settle into married life.

We spoke briefly, but she did most of the talking. I thought about talking to Mom, but if Dad learned about how I felt, I'm sure he'd find someway to blame it on Jonas or have me move back in with them. He'd been going on and on about how we were growing up too fast and he needed to find a way to stop that. Jonas was the only one that knew since I'd panicked that day and called him. We now talked everyday, a few times a day. Hearing his voice always made me feel better. It had been a month since the wedding. Hope had mailed Grams pictures and a copy of the video since she couldn't attend. She and Caleb were planning on coming out to visit, but she had to wait with her new job since she'd used up all of her accrued vacation time.

I've learned over the years that moments in life can change things, sometimes for the good, or in my case most times for the bad. This was one of those moments. My grandmother had died. Mom called me with the news, the retirement place where Grams lived called him. She hadn't come down for breakfast and when they went up to check on her, she was gone. Died peacefully in her sleep. I told Mom I'd be over, but I couldn't think straight. My grandmother was gone. My phone rang again just as I headed towards the shower. As soon as I heard his voice on the other end I broke down into tears but somehow I managed to rely the fact that I'd just lost another person I loved.

He was at my door thirty minutes later, I didn't expect him to come, but I was grateful he was there. As soon as I saw him, I just fell into his arms and cried. Jonas held me, rubbing my back, and just letting me soak through his shirt with my tears.

"I...we...didn't even get to say goodbye. To tell her how much I loved her."

"She knew. You talked about her all the time, she knew how much you loved her."

Of course he was right, but it didn't help that I didn't get to tell her one last time. When Grandma Sha passed, we had time to prepare and say our goodbyes. I felt cheated that she left us with no warning. I didn't like losing people I loved.

"Thank you for coming. You didn't have to."

"I want to be here for you Grace. Let me know how I can help."

"I need to go to my parents'."

"I'll drive you."

After getting Vor fed, we piled into my truck and Jonas drove me to my parent's house. As soon as Dad opened the door I hugged him and started crying all over again.

"I can't believe she's really gone."

"I know. But she went peacefully. This was what she wanted."

After Grandma Sha died Dad had offered to turn her, he didn't like the thought of losing his mother, but she refused. She said she was too old and didn't want to live forever without the love of her life.

"I didn't expect to see you here. Were you with her this morning?"

"Um...no sir. Grace called me, she was upset so I offered to drive her."

"Good."

The mood at the house was somber. Mom had made all the arrangements, Dad had called Hope. He said she was very distraught. She and Caleb were due to come visit in two weeks so Grams could officially meet him. They were taking the next flight out and would arrive tomorrow. Jonas stayed the day with me. He and Carter talked sports. Erin grilled him on things Fairies could do and needed tips on the best way to play a trick on one. She apparently had a friend that was a fairy and was always pulling pranks. Dad even laid off his over protective role for the day.

"It was nice of him to come."

"Yeah, he's a nice guy and a great friend."

"I'm glad you have him."

The next day I was back at my parents' house waiting on Hope and Caleb's arrival. Jonas had offered to come again, but I told him it wasn't necessary. I'm sure he had better ways he could spend his days than with my grieving family. The service was the next day. Hope and Caleb planned on staying for an extra day after that. I hadn't seen her since the wedding and I was looking forward to her visit, even if it wasn't under the best circumstances. That was until she walked through the door.