Page 4 of Emerald

“I still can’t believe you’re alive,” Zoe says in awe as she pokes me a couple of times, not quite believing I’m here before launching herself at me with a hug. “Welcome to the family. Can’t have too many sisters,” she says as she tries to squeeze me to death. Even after meeting under horrible conditions, she is still so kind. She’s a strong woman, then again, I think all the Clark girls are. That’s why I know once the dust has settled over our rebirth, everything will be okay. “I’m so happy you’re alive,” she says, still clinging to me.

Is there a warm and fuzzy feeling in my chest or am I having a heart attack? “I am, too,” I tell her.

“Thank you for bringing Max back to Grace,” she adds, stepping out of our hug before her face falls. “I know there was a good reason you did it the way you did,” she says as an errant tear slides down her cheek before she wipes it away. “None of us care about the intricacies of why it had to happen that way.” Sophie coughs, disagreeing with that statement. Zoe rolls her eyes at her sister, ignoring her. “All we care about is that the two of you are back from the dead.” She smiles before turning to Sophie. “There’s nothing else to say on the matter.” Zoe directs that statement to her sister.

“You know I’m not known to hold my tongue,” Sophie quips.

“Guess you’re gonna have to learn,” Zoe fires back as she turns her attention back to me. “We need to celebrate the miracle of your return tonight because this is not how we thought the day would end. It may take people some time to get over it, but that’s a them problem.” She glares at Sophie again, who ignores her. “Come, let's pop some champagne. Today has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Sophie, rally the troops,” she asks her sister, holding out her arm for me to take. Her sisterhuffs before storming away from us and starts herding everyone inside.

Zoe and I walk in silence for a couple of steps until everyone else has disappeared inside. “Sophie and Grace will come around, eventually. They’re both stubborn bitches.”

This makes me smile. “Thank you. I don’t deserve your kindness.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Zoe exclaims, surprised by my comment.

“Because I broke your sister’s heart making her believe Max was dead.”

“You had your reasons, and that is something we can talk about tomorrow when everyone’s emotions have settled down. Grace buried the love of her life today, so things may be tense for a while until she feels safe again. It’s been touch and go for her since Moscow and the same with Sergei.”

“It was the only way to keep Max safe,” I reiterate.

“I know, we all know,” she says, patting my hand, “but the funeral was literally today. We all said our goodbyes to you both.”

It was nice that her family included me today at their funeral for Max.

“It was a beautiful service, thank you,” I add.

“We may not have known you well, but we still cared that we had lost you. Wait, you were there?” Zoe asks, her eyes wide with surprise.

I nod. “We watched from afar. It killed Max to see Grace like that. We were supposed to have come back tomorrow morning to ensure the coast was clear, but Max couldn’t wait any longer.”

“Your brother loves my sister something fierce.”

“He sure does.”

“And you think they are safe now?” she asks cautiously.

“I do.”

Zoe lets out a breath. “Good. Well, then welcome home, Ellie,” she says, giving me a bright smile as we walk inside her gorgeous home. “We have a spare bedroom on the other side of the garden near Mateo’s studio. Hope you don’t mind not being in the main house. We weren’t expecting you.”

“I’m fine sleeping under the stars or on a sofa. I won’t be staying long.”

Zoe stops, lets go of my arm, and stands in front of me. “You’re not staying?”

“Don’t you think it’s for the best that I leave Max to it here? I’m a burden. I don’t want to be a constant reminder to Grace or to you of that life,” I explain to her.

“You will never be a burden, Elena,” she says, using my real name to emphasize how serious her point is. “You’re a Clark now and that means you are one of us for the rest of your life. That means you will never be alone again.”

I’ve been alone for so long. I’m not sure if I know what it’s like to be part of a family again.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am. And if anyone has a problem with it, they can deal with a hormonal pregnant woman and see how that goes,” Zoe says with a chuckle.

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ELENA

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