"So are we going to talk about what happened or not?" Isabel asked quietly as she inched closer trying to avoid John hearing. Anna glared at Isabel in disbelief. "She's got some nerve asking me that." Anna thought in amazement, but she guessed she shouldn't be surprised."The part where you were a bitch. Or the part where you undermined my marriage?" Isabel stuttered at Anna clearly flustered. Her blonde hair was out of place and her eyes looked wary. Anna leaned against the door frame and stared her down. She could almost read Isabel's expression like a book, she was clearly worried. Anna liked the idea that she was worried for a change."I… I… don't know what's going on with you but you are acting crazy." Isabel said in a hiss stepping closer. "Completely unlike yourself and I don't like it." "You mean unwilling to take crap from you and do what you say?" "NO! Of course not."Anna slammed the door shut on the moving truck and leaned against it. She crossed her arms and tucked
Her head spun with the knowledge that her cousin had sent those men to kills her. Anna couldn't prove it but all the pieces fell into place and made complete sense. Isabel helping her escape, Isabel suggesting the city she should move to and even which apartments she should consider. "God I was so blind" she chastised herself as she walked back toward the car and got in. She cringed as she remembered that the house Isabel lived in now was a small guest house on John's family estate. How am I going to get rid of her now? "Hey, Earth to Princess!"Anna rolled her eyes at John and stuck out her tongue at him. He reached over and tried to grab it. Anna pulled back and blew a raspberry at him. "What space cadet?" "Where were you just now? You were a million miles away, did Isabel say something to you?"Anna wanted to say something, she wanted to tell him everything but how could she? The conversation she'd heard outside the door and the realization that Isabel was probably behind her d
"Hello Melissa." Anna said in a sweet tone as her eyes met Melissa's. "If your son would not keep distracting me I could get more done."What..?" Melissa sputtered as she stood stock still in the light pouring out of the dining room. The light softened the lines around her eyes but the last year had aged her. Green eyes, identical to her son's, were bracketed with lines that had only gotten harsher and her once black hair was now striped with grey. The cruel twist to her mouth did nothing to soften the harsh look. "Anna…" John choked and covered it with a laugh "didn't you want breakfast? I thought you were hungry." "I'm starving." She said as she ran her fingers down his arm and gave him a wicked smile. Anna put her hand around his arm and tucked herself into John's side as he growled at her with fire in his eyes. Melissa gurgled and turned in a huff heading into the dining room. "Well I'm not sure there is much left as you took so long." "I can make do with anything, especia
"So you convinced him to keep you around?" Melissa asked venomously as she sat back and stared at Anna as if she were a piece of crap on her designer shoe. "Probably just spread her legs for him, John is pretty susceptible to that." May chimed in as she slurped her coffee. She leaned back and her Ann Klein blouse pulled up revealing her midriff. She smiled at Anna and put her leg over the edge of her chair getting comfortable. "That is none of your business, either or you." "And anyway whether John and I have sex and where is our business." Anna said with all the patience she could muster. This was so typical of them. Go for the throat the minute John's back was turned. "But It is our business, "Melissa said cattily as she sat with her fingers steepled as she examined Anna as if she were a bug under a microscope "We can't have any gold diggers in our family and you my dear are a gold digger."One, Two, Three, Four Anna counted to herself as she tried not to let go on them. Althoug
"Of course not!" Anna tapped her foot and looked him in the eye waiting for him to continue. All the years of snide remarks from his family had finally pushed her to the breaking point. "Then tell me," she paused as her hands clenched and unclenched at her hips, "why it feels like I'm defending myself again? I believed you last night when you said Erin was all over you and now you don't believe me when I tell you something?" Anna's hand raked through her red hair and she pinched the bridge of her nose praying for patience. She'd thought everything was better after they talked last night, but now it seems like they were falling right back into one of their most dangerous habits. His mother and sister had been a sore spot between them for years and now she knew he was still as blind as ever. "Anna, No!" he shouted loudly coming to stand in front of her. He put his hands on her arms and pulled her against his chest. "I know you and I believe you, but you and my mother have never seen
Anna watched him go knowing this was not going to be an easy conversation. Unfortunately it was one that they needed to have. John needed to stand up for them like he'd done since the beginning. Anna remembered the first day they'd met so clearly it was as if it were yesterday. Clarence Creek North Carolina, a small town about 30 minutes outside of Asheville was not a forgiving one. Growing up the child of a single mother made it so much worse. She'd gone to school that first day knowing it was not going to be pleasant. Clarence Creek Elementary First day of Kindergarten Anna bit her nails and watched the children run around the classroom. No one had noticed her and those who had noticed her whispered about her hiding behind their hands. Most of the kids lived around her but weren't allowed to play with her because she didn't have a daddy and her mommy went to heaven in a car accident. Anna had never felt so sad. She tried not to cry but tears slipped down her cheeks and soaked th
John sighed when he saw her and opened his arms wide. He knew that look and it broke his heart. She ran to him and wrapped her arms tight around him as her heart expanded. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that." He said as he stroked her hair. "I made it clear that if they didn't accept you that they didn't accept me as we are a package deal. " "And?" "They apologized and said that they understood" "Seriously?" Anna said incredulously pulling back to look at him in shock. "Yep, I told them that if they made you miserable that they had to move out." "What made you change your mind? "Usually you come up with reasons that let them off the hook." "I realized that you were more important to me."Anna smiled brightly. "I am so proud of you." "I just wish I had done it earlier." "Me too." She said softly as she nibbled the corners of his mouth. "It's hard always being the bad guy.""I know and I'm sorry," John said as he captured her lips in a kiss that scorched her to her toe
Anna opened one eye and smiled down at John. He lay asleep beside her, totally carefree. Anna smoothed his hair back and kissed him gently. John's hands locked around her and he deepened the kiss with a growl. "What a nice way to wake up." He said softly. "I agree," she said with a laugh as she ran a fingernail down his chest. "Can we just move in here?" "I don't think that would work. Your phone has been buzzing constantly by the way. I think they know where we are."John sighed and ran his hands across her face loving the way the stained glass caused light to filter over her face in rainbow colors. He kissed her deeply and rolled over to answer to latest buzzing. "I have to go take care of a problem at work, some problem with the marketing pitch for the mall account. I'm really sorry, I can say no.""No it's okay, I understand." And she really did, John's work would never have called when he was out of the office unless it was absolutely necessary. John's advertising agency was
Six months later Anna still woke up screaming. The counselor said that as time went by and with therapy that the trauma would fade. Anna stared into the mirror and could almost see the bruises that had encircled her neck for two weeks after the accident. She ran her hands over her neck and shivered as the memory of that rainy night came back to her. The times when she woke up screaming were awful but thinking about them while awake was worse. Tears began to fall slowly and she tried to shake them off. Isabel had been damaged in many ways but she was the last member of her family she had and now she was gone. Anna knew she shouldn't cry for her but found herself doing it anyway."Princess, please don't cry," John begged as he slid the door open and wrapped his arms around her. He sat behind her on the bench in front of the mirror encasing her with his body and she leaned back with a sigh."I know I shouldn't but I just can't help it when I think about it.""I'm so sorry, I wish I could
Their screams echoed on the buildings around them as they began to go over the edge. Anna mourned the loss of the life she'd wanted, the one she'd wanted so badly that she'd traveled back in time. Darkness began to swallow them as they started over the edge, but suddenly Anna was jerked back. Isabel's eyes went wide as Anna was jerked away and she lost her grip on Anna. The hand grabbing Anna's shirt was a solid link to safety and Isabel realized this as her hands slid free and she fell into darkness. Anna was pulled back and she saw John's strong hand had been the one holding her. Anna collapsed into John's arms as Isabel's screams died away into the darkness. The thud of her hitting the ground was loud despite the thunder and lightning and in that moment Anna curled into John as the horror seeped into her bones."Anna are you alright?" John panted as his arms wrapped around her as they both slid down the wall to sit in the rain. "It's you I'm worried about, seeing you laying there
"I don't have anything else to say to you, John already said it all." Isabel laughed, "Wow you are better at pretending than even I thought, how is it not killing you that John and I were in your bed together?""You weren't "Together" John explained it all and Melissa admitted it. ""Amateurs," Isabel said with a grimace as she looked at Anna and shrugged. "I should have done it myself but I needed a little help. The biggest mistake I ever made." Anna found the pulse at John's throat and breathed a sigh of relief. He still didn't stir but she'd been feeling around his head while Isabel was gloating and the large bump behind his left ear was scary beyond belief. She had to do something."No the biggest mistake you ever made was trying to come between us. John loves me and I love him. Nothing is going to change that." Isabel laughed and stood snuffing out the lighted tip of the cigarette she was smoking. "I think I can change his mind. He is so accommodating, isn't he? Allowing me t
Anna pulled away from John and stretched. She walked toward the desk and picked up the papers staring at them. "you know you don't have to do this?" She said as she turned to face him. "I know I don't, but you deserve it and I want to share everything with you, the good and the bad. I want to share all parts of our lives. I've felt like that for a while and having you come work at the company helped but I still didn't feel right.""Why didn't you tell me?""Have you seen our lives in the last few months?""I know right?" Anna laughed as she put the paper down. "It was like the universe was against us."John came and put his arms back around her and pulled her to his chest tucking her under his chin. "We have too much going for us to waste time worrying about the universe. ""How do you do that?" "What?""Make it all sound so logical.""I have to because how else am I going to convince you to stay with me." "I already said I would stay." "But what if you change your mind? All I can
Anna turned the corner and bumped into John. She'd agreed to come to the office to talk but she hadn't expected him to come out of nowhere. It had been two days since the airport and she wasn't any closer to deciding what to do. She'd had nightmares about it the last two nights and couldn't focus on anything. John had called and asked her to meet him at work and she'd agreed because she needed to move forward somehow. "Anna it's so good to see you." His hand reached out for hers but she pulled back. John flinched, never realizing how much a simple gesture could hurt. He wanted to hold her, to make her believe in him and his love with nothing more than the strength of his love but he knew she wasn't ready for that. "Is it?" She asked looking anywhere but at him. "Anna if you will just listen I know we can make it through this. Look at all the crazy we have dealt with so far." Anna nodded knowing that he was right, but she just couldn't shut up that nasty little voice inside her own
John walked slowly inside, trying to keep himself from hitting them. He wanted more than anything to hit them all. All three of them had worked hard to ruin his life and he was holding onto his temper by a thread. He sat down and leaned forward putting his hands on his knees. He rubbed his eyes with his hands hoping that he had the strength not to act on the anger burning inside him "Why are you here? Was I not clear when I told you to stay away from me and Anna?"Melissa sniffed, "I knew you were not serious. So I let myself in." "Mother, you are not listening! Get it through your privileged head, I want you to stay out of my life. You have probably ruined any chance I have with Anna."Melissa looked at him in shock. "You were serious? I thought you were just angry, I know how you get.""Let me set you straight once and for all. I love Anna, I would give up anything and anyone for her. You three harpies are like a plague on my life. I want you out of it.""John, why are you being s
John's face fell as she spoke. Anna wanted to reassure him it would all be alright but she wasn't sure it would be. She was so tired of fighting what now felt like fate. She just couldn't figure out why she'd been given another chance if this is how it was going to end. "Please stay a few days, at least let's talk it through." He begged, unashamed."Will it make a difference John?" Anna asked as she wiped tears from her eyes. "It's as if the universe is conspiring against us." " I never took you for the type to give up so easily.""Easy? Do you think this is easy? I feel like my insides are being torn out.""I know," he said softly putting calming hands toward her "I just want you to fight for us.""I've been fighting for us since the day we met and I'm tired, John.""So you're just going to get on a plane and disappear?" "Are you going to grab me again if I try?"If I have to."Anna smiled at that but sighed and turned fully toward him. "I guess I could give it a few days, but I ca
Melissa paced, her heels clicking on the neutral linoleum on the floor. She viciously rubbed her arms wrinkling the expensive fabric of her shirt but she didn't seem to notice. "I'm not sure what you want me to say.""How about the truth?" I know it is a foreign concept to you but I really need you to tell her.""John is there any need? Why don't you let her go, you have Isabel now.""Mother! " John screamed "stop it, I don't "Have" Isabel, tell her the truth!" His hand slammed his hand down on the small table and it jumped and almost toppled. Melissa turned and looked at John in shock. "How dare you talk to me like that?""Easy!" John shouted, "I refuse to let your lies end the most important thing in my life."Melissa gasped as the anger in John's voice vibrated around the room. "Fine," She said in a huff as she turned to face Anna. "John doesn't "Have" Isabel." "What does that mean exactly?" Anna said as she stood and stepped toward Melissa. "Well, It means that John and Isabel
Anna sat nervously at the gate, she'd told Bess she didn't want anyone to wait with her but now she was regretting that decision. She stood and walked over to the window watching the plains taking off and landing and felt more hopeless than ever. She had grown to love Asheville in the time she'd lived here. Even before the original timeline, she grew to love it. Now watching the skyline from the wall of windows at the airport it was as if the skyline of the city was waving goodbye. Her heart ached but she turned away. They called boarding and Anna grabbed her bag and went to wait in line. She kept her head down wanting to shut the world out. She kept to herself and didn't' talk to anyone because right now she didn't want to interact with anyone. Anna felt like she was stuck in her own world and she liked it. Heartbreak was a good companion when your world was falling apart. Anna was about to hand her ticket in when she heard her name being called."Anna!" "Anna wait!" the voice screa