Page 55 of Erase Me
I gazed into the depths of the same expressive dark brown eyes that I knew so well.Even into old age, her face had changed very little from the youthful looks I took in now.She had the same high cheekbones, a well-defined jaw, and a straight nose.At this moment in time, she had none of the lovely wrinkles that would someday form around her eyes and mouth and deepen when she smiled.It was always that warm and captivating smile that defined my grandmother’s face for me.
More than her physical features, I admired the poised and confident way my grandmother always carried herself.There was an aura of grace that accompanied her every movement, a quiet strength that resonated with wisdom accumulated over the years.A person only had to be in her presence for a moment to realize this woman’s character was a testament to the richness of experiences and her innate spirit.
It always filled me with pride when someone said I was similar to her in this way or that way.
Right now, our hairstyles differed, of course.Mine was cut short, while hers was long and worn in a ponytail.I stood a bit taller and had hints of my father’s Irish roots in the smattering of freckles and the reddish tones in my skin.Through the years, I’d frequently heard people say that while my mother inherited all of Xander’s classic Persian looks, I bore a stronger resemblance to my grandmother.Maybe that was why he recognized me outside.
I quickly calculated our ages.At this moment in time, she was thirty-six and I was thirty-two.We could easily have been mistaken for sisters.But more than our looks bonded us.We not only bore a striking resemblance to each other; we were both risk-takers and known to be fearless.I had no problem with any of that.
On the flip side, we also shared the genetic mutations that made us susceptible to similar illnesses.What had skipped a generation in Layla had resurfaced in my DNA imprint.It was my grandmother’s insistence and encouragement that led me to join the Quantum Commute Division.
When Nadine finally broke the silence, her tone was as composed and friendly as if she had expected me to drop in for a cup of tea.“You and I are related.”
“Yes, we are.I am…I’m Avalie...”
A knot had formed in my throat, choking out the words.My gaze fixed on the child, who had turned in her mother’s arms to peer at me, a sweet smile creasing her face.Looking at the baby only made it tougher to speak.
My mind jumped to Nadine’s stories about the moment when she tried to convince Xander that time travel was real.I was hardly an old hand at this, but as I stood five feet from an infant who would one day be my mother and a young woman who would be my grandmother, raw feelings raced through me.
I took a deep breath and glanced at Xander who, thank God, wasn’t so much as batting an eye at the experience.His gaze was fixed on Nadine.As always, she was his top priority.
“I’m Avalie Briar...”I tried to start again, but my stubborn tears wouldn’t stop.I nodded at the infant.“I’m Layla’s daughter.I come from…I’m from the year 2079 and…”
Nadine handed the child carefully to Xander as she moved toward me.An instant later, I felt her arms draw me into a tight embrace.
“Avalie,” she murmured.“I love that name.”
Oh, my God.
I wasn’t generally prone to crying.Certainly not sobbing.Usually, I managed to keep a tight rein on my emotions.Yet, at this very moment, the act of touching, smelling, and holding the person who had always been my anchor—the one I’d loved and adored my entire life—was my undoing.
Hugs were Nadine’s secret power, my mother always said.As I grew up, I came to believe it too.Having her arms around you wasn’t just a bandage.It was a cure for hurt feelings, breakups, angry words, and disappointments, along with the cuts and bruises that accompanied growing up as an active child.I cherished her hugs.She was never quick to let go.She had no fear of holding you too long or intruding in your space or somehow impinging on your independence.Her hugs were all about love, caring, and letting me know that she was there for me.Always and forever.
I felt it now.All of it.
Love is timeless.
I don’t know how long we stood there like that.Neither of us wanted to let go, and it was only the baby’s complaints about being neglected that prompted Nadine to release me and take Layla from Xander.
“I have a million questions,” he said as the baby settled in Nadine’s arms.He then put his arm around the two of them.
“Yes,” I said quickly.“Of course.”
The family reunion sparked the fear that I was on the verge of losing them.My focus intensified, sensing a genuine urgency in the situation that lay before us.
As my gaze shifted toward the western windows of the house, I noticed a couple of shades had already been drawn back, allowing the sunlight to pour in.
“You’re back a day early.That’s good, so long as no one knows about it.”
“Are Nadine and the baby in danger?”Xander asked, his expression darkening as he traced the direction of my gaze.He detected my concern.He was the same fighter I knew.
“Yes, they are.”
“Then we have to go,” he said, looking down at Nadine.
“We will,” she said calmly, giving him a reassuring nod.“But let’s hear what Avalie has to say first.”
I’d heard many stories from my mother about her childhood.Xander and Nadine were always on the move.Layla never stayed in the same school for any extended period.She didn’t stay in touch with old friends.She was under the impression that it was all job-related, even though Xander was a self-made millionaire and Nadine didn’t work outside the home.At some point in time—I guess when Layla was married and I was born—they stopped moving around, thinking they were safe.Safe enough, anyway.
