BIG NOTE: Okay guys. The Idea of Alex having a twin is not mine, and I�m not steeling it nor am I taking credit for it. I had an idea to do this story before I saw that one, and for the record what I�m doing is completely different that the other one. To the author of the Alex twin story, I promise I�m not trying to steel your idea, but I�m going crazy to write this so don�t sue me. To anyone else, I�ve never seen this angle taken, if it has been taken then I didn�t know about it, hopefully it hasn�t been.
Summary: What if Alex had a twin at birth, and what if she was taken from them hours after she was born. How does Alex cope when he finds out for the first time after getting back from Ahm-Shere that he has a twin, and what happens when weeks later his twin comes home? Read Read please please.
The Long Lost Child
Chapter 1: The Truth Be Told
After the accident in the factory, Annie knew she had to get Jordan away from there, away from a home that had been barely that for either of them. Annie was now sixteen, and knew that her life with the Morrisons had come to an end. They had already told her that she needed to find a job elsewhere so that they could make room in the large Long Island house for other children who worked in the factory, and Annie had talked them into letting her stay long enough for her to find a proper job.
In the room she shared with Jordan, Annie watched the little girl sleep, and wondered how she managed to survive, really how any of them survived. They were more or less slaves, and from a very early age taught how to take care of themselves, and how to work. Before Jordan, Annie had only cared about herself, but she guessed she took care of the dark headed, blue eyed little girl, because she had been the one to take her that night almost nine years ago, from a hospital in London England.
That was how all the kids came to live with the Morrisons, by steeling them from hospitals in different countries, where parents were less likely to find them, here in the United States. They had been in London and there had been a boy baby with Jordan, her brother, Annie guessed, but Mistress Belle said to take the girl baby, so while she distracted the nurses, Annie had easily stolen Jordan from her bassinet, and after that had taken to her, and kept the name that was on the bracelet the hospital had put on her.
Jordan thrashed about in her sleep, and Annie got up from her bed, and walked two steps to her, reaching out to rub her back. That touch calmed her, and Jordan remained asleep. �I�ve got to get us out of this place,� Annie muttered softly as she went back to her bed. She was tall, and skinny, like most of the children forced to work in Mr. Morrisons factory. Annie had brown eyes, and strawberry blond hair that hung down to the middle of her back, the same length as Jordan�s. The room they shared was one without a window. It had two lumpy mattresses, and two dirty blankets. Annie often wondered what it was like to sleep in a nice bed, like the ones on the second and third levels of the Morrison home, but she guessed she would never know.
Tomorrow would be the day they left. Annie was taking Jordan, and the money she had easily stolen from the safe, which the Morrisons didn�t know she had found, and was going to London, to try and find Jordan�s family, hoping that they would want her. Jordan had stopped speaking a year ago, after watching a boy she worked with behind the huge machines get shocked to death. Her job in the factories, since she had been three years old, was to set rat traps, and to patch bare wires behind the assembly machines. Annie had known something was happening to her from an early age, because she stopped smiling, then talking and most mornings she fought, trying not to have to go there. Lately she had refused to do her job, and had been locked in the Cellar several times.
Annie knew that Mr. Morrison was getting fed up with her, and when he got mad, he did things that were not nice, did things to make troublesome kids disappear. That was why Annie felt it time to get her away, for fear that Mr. Morrison would kill her, because she wouldn�t do her job. Knowing that a new day was quickly approaching, Annie scooted under the filthy quilt and went to sleep, hoping, and praying she could pull off this escape.
~*~
Morning arrived when Mistress Belle opened their door. �Get her dressed, today you are going to get her to do her job,� she said coldly. Mistress Belle was gentle and sweet only to the babies. Once they got older she didn�t love them anymore.
Annie arose from her bed, and picked out the cleanest dress she could find for herself, then after she was dressed walked over to Jordan. She sat on her mattress and shook her �Jordan time to go.� Instantly Jordan sat up, and when Annie handed her the dress and her pantaloons, she put them on without hesitation. Annie was the only person she trusted, and for her she did pretty much anything asked. Once she was ready, and once Annie had pulled her hair back, tying it with a dirty piece of string, they headed for the kitchen to have breakfast with the rest of the children they lived with.
Breakfast lasted ten minutes, then all of them piled into the old red Ford truck, and were driven into the Big City. On the drive, Jordan sat on Annie�s lap, holding tight to her hand, always uneasy about riding in the truck. Their trip took thirty minutes, and when they arrived, they all piled off the truck, ready to go in the factory to do their individual jobs.
Annie kept a tight hold on Jordan�s hand, and just before the big gates closed at the factory, she pulled her through, and they ran. Both of the girls heard the shouts of angry men, and Annie quickly realized that Jordan was slowing them down. Quickly she knelt down, and told Jordan to get on her back. Once she had, Annie ran as fast as she could, ducking into the first alley she could find, hiding them behind a dumpster.
�Look in that alley and find them before Morrison has our heads,� One man called out. Jordan clung to Annie starting to cry, and Annie put her hand over her mouth. �Shut up, and be still, if they hear you, they will find us, and kill both of us,� she whispered in her ear. Jordan held on to Annie and took a deep breath, then relaxed when the voices of the men passed them by.
~*~
Night arrived, and the girls had eaten some food out of the dumpster to tide them over. Annie knew how to use a taxi, and had it take them to the docks, and once there she found a shipping schedule. Her job the past few years was to help with incoming shipments of supplies for Morrison Furniture Assembly, therefore she knew how to find out where ships were going. It was a busy place, and Jordan stayed glued to her leg as they hid behind some large shipping boxes. When Annie found the ship they needed, scheduled to depart for London in an hour, she picked Jordan up, and with some very careful maneuvering, got them aboard the ship they needed to be on.
The crewmen were on land, so Annie quickly found the mess hall, and got dried beef and a bag of potatoes, some bread, and some water, as well as a lantern and some matches, then went down into the large cargo hold. She was happy to find it already loaded, and found them a safe place to stay, in the back of the large space, behind several crates which were tied down. Annie set Jordan and their food down, and found some old burlap sacks, and within minutes made them a home.
�Now eat some of this, then we need to get to sleep,� Annie said. �When we get to where we are going you have to start talking again Jordan. I know where we were was a bad place, but if you want your family to love you, then you have to act normal, and acting normal means that you talk.�
Jordan ate all that Annie gave her without a word spoken, and once she had eaten, she lay next to her friend and went to sleep.
~*~
A great deal had changed since returning home from Ahm-Shere. Evelyn had declined taking the job of Curator at the British Museum, and though she still kept her old job as head of the Egyptian section, she did more, and more work from home. They had all come to realize how close they had come to losing one another, and each of them was doing their best to cope in their own way.
Alex had just started to sleep in his own bed at night, the nightmarish faces from Egypt finally settling in his mind. He was a smart boy, and brave, but there was only so much he could take, and all he had seen, had left a lasting impression on him.
Summer had arrived, and that left the family time to do things together. One day after taking a ride in the woods, on Seti, Alex walked inside the large Manor home, into the parlor, and found his parents sitting on the sofa against the far wall. His mum was resting her cheek on his dad�s chest, and Alex could tell she had been crying. Both of them were asleep, so he quietly went to his room and plopped down on his bed.
This wasn�t the first time he had found them that way, his mum crying, or asleep after she had been crying. Always when he had asked about that, they had told him that it wasn�t anything to worry about, and always before Alex had left it at that. Now, however, he was certain that something wasn�t right. His mind quickly made up, Alex decided to go ask the one person he could bribe into telling him.
~*~
After getting back from Ahm-Shere, Jonathan had sold his diamond for an ungodly amount of money, and had purchased an old run down hotel, which he was now renovating into what would be the best resort in all of London. As much as he had loved sponging off of Rick, and Evie, he wanted a place to call his own, so that when he wanted to have lady friends to his room, he wouldn�t get threatened by Rick for doing so.
Now in his room he lay in his bed, hungover, hearing the pounding in his head get louder, and louder, then realized that someone was pounding on his door. �All right All right keep your bloody wits about you,� he yelled, then regretted it as his head hurt worse. When he opened the door, he was surprised to find Alex standing there. �Your mum and dad aren�t with you are they?� he asked, not wanting to be lectured by Evelyn for being a slob.
Alex pushed past him. �Just me. Uncle John, I know, you know why mum cries sometimes for no reason, and I know its not something that is nothing to worry myself over. I am worried, because she was crying, and dad, and she were asleep on the couch.� Alex turned to face him. �She has always done that, cried for no reason at all, and then told me that she was all right, and I think I should know why she does that,� he said as he sat down on his uncle�s bed.
Jonathan sobered fairly quickly. He knew why Evelyn cried, and knew why they hadn�t told Alex, but he also knew they couldn�t hide what had happened all those years before, forever. �Partner first of all do they know where you are?� he asked. Alex shook his head. �Then you, and I need to get you home before your dad warms your bottom,� Jonathan said, delaying the inevitable. If anyone were to tell him, it was going to be his parents, and after getting dressed, Jonathan, and Alex went out of his building, to his car, and left for the Manor.
~*~
When they arrived, Jonathan sent Alex to his tree house, telling him that he needed to talk to them on his own, and now stood before them. �Look, I�m just his uncle, and I know it hurts you to talk about her, but he is afraid for you, and after all that has happened to him don�t you think he deserves to know about Jordan?� Jonathan asked, directing his words at his sister.
Evelyn, and Rick sat together, neither realizing how upset Alex was until Jonathan told them. �Is he in his room?� Rick asked.
�Tree house, I�ll fetch him, but you two need to talk to him, and tell him why Evie cries,� Jonathan said as he left the room.
When he was gone, Evelyn took a shuttering deep breath. �Were we wrong not to tell him?� she asked uncertain of the decision they had made so long ago. They had decided to wait until he was old enough to comprehend things, without it scarring the living daylights out of him, but now it looked as though the waiting was over.
Alex walked into the parlor by himself, and his parents made room for him to sit between them. �Mum are you sick?� he asked, as he took a seat on the couch. Since their return from Ahm-Shere, he had been terrified that she was sick, and that he would lose her again.
Evelyn wrapped her arms around him, and hugged him, kissing the top of his head before she made her reply. �No baby, I�m not sick. I�m sorry if my crying scared you, and this may be difficult for you to understand, but your father and I love you very much,� she said not really knowing where to start. She felt Rick�s arm go around both she, and Alex, and his touch gave her strength. �Alex, you have a sister, to be precise a twin sister named Jordan,� Evie said.
For a moment Alex thought they were kidding, and he looked from his mum to his dad, noticing the serious expressions on their face. This was real. �Where is she?� he asked, wondering if something had happened to her, wondering why his mum had said that he had a sister in the present tense.
Rick spoke next. �When the two of you were born, even before that your mum and I didn�t know we would be having two children. She wanted to have you here, but there were complications, and Dr. Brigman had me take her to the hospital, and that is when we found out that your mum was having two babies,� Rick said. As he told Alex the story of his birth, a story his son had heard before, but not the entire story, both Rick and Evelyn were transported back to that time.
~~**~**~**~**~~
Rick and Evelyn had gotten used to the idea of having a baby, and the last few months they had discussed names for their baby, and had decorated the room just down from theirs for their bundle of joy. Now there were two of them. Alexander Jonathan, and Jordan Christine. In the small comfortable hospital room, as comfortable as it could get, Rick sat next to Evelyn�s bed holding Jordan while she nursed Alexander who up until a moment ago had been quite loud, letting them know that he wanted to be fed. They had been born almost six hours ago, and night was closing in on them.
Evelyn looked down at her son holding his tiny hand as he drank her milk. �I don�t want them to go,� she said as she looked over at Rick.
He knew how she felt, but the hospital had a rule that the babies had to sleep in the nursery at night, so that they could be looked after, and examined to make sure they were healthy. �I know, but just think of it this way. When you wake up in the morning, and as soon as they let me in, we will get them ready, and take them home, then they won�t ever be away from us again,� he said. Rick felt Jordan shifting against his shoulder, and stood up. �I think she�s ready for dinner,� he said as she began to whimper.
Alex was still nursing, and Evie, being a new mother, wasn�t sure how to handle things, so when Jordan began to cry loud cries, they were both glad when Wendy came to help them. Out of all the nurses who had been with them since their arrival, Wendy was the most helpful. �Here now, lets show your mum and dad how to nurse two babies,� She said. First she helped Evelyn sit up more then moved Alex so that his feet were pointed out, away from Evelyn�s other breast, and then she took Jordan and put her on the free breast and all was well.
�I�ll be back in an hour to take them to the nursery,� she said, then left.
Evelyn leaned her head back against the pillows exhausted and happy. This was how life was meant to be, and though it was still overwhelming to be taking care of two tiny babies at once, she was prepared for that, and was looking forward to watching her children grow up.
Beside her Rick sat placing his hand out, letting Alex hold on to one of his fingers with his entire tiny hand. He had wanted a son, and was pleased to have both a son and a daughter. He and Alex would likely do things to drive Evelyn mad, and Jordan he was sure would get her way with him since she already looked so much like Evelyn. Their life was complete now and he was looking forward to the rest of it.
~~**~**~**~**~~
Right now Alex didn�t know how to feel. His parents had kept this part of the story of how he was born from him, and he felt as though he had been lied to. �Why didn�t you ever tell me about her?� he finally asked, hurt evident in his voice.
It was Evelyn�s turn to talk. �We didn�t want to scare you, and we didn�t want to give you hope of finding her. Your father and I have detectives looking for her, and the trips your father has taken with his business, he has also looked for her the places he has gone, in orphanages, and in hospitals. Our most important job as your parents is to protect you, and if we hurt you then we apologize,� Evelyn said.
�So what happened after they took us to the nursery?� he asked wanting to know the rest of this story, this nightmare.
~~**~**~**~**~~
No one could have prepared the O�Connells for the events which followed, and the next morning when Rick arrived at the hospital he found several of the Constable�s men in the lobby of the hospital. Still in the haze of being a new parent to two of the most beautiful babies he had ever seen, he started down the hall leading to the Maternity Ward, when two officers stopped him.
�Just a minute sir you can�t go back there,� one of the men said.
�My wife and my children are back there,� Rick said suddenly realizing that something was wrong. When they asked to see his ID, he gave that to them, and was more puzzled when they led him back up the hall to the front office where the Constable himself was waiting.
Constable Mathers was someone Rick knew well, they were friends due to their wives being childhood friends. �George what the hell is going on?� Rick asked.
George Mathers had been dreading this since he had been called in. �Rick take a seat,� he said. When his friend did he told him the facts. �Last night late, a woman came into the Maternity Ward yelling that her baby had been killed. She was extremely upset, and it took several of the nurses on duty to calm her down to talk to her. At the time we didn�t know it but she was a distraction,� George said as Rick began to pace.
�So what does this have to do with Evelyn and my...Oh god no,� he said as he stopped and suddenly realized what George was saying.
�Jordan was taken last night,� he said. Rick sat down hard. �Does Evelyn know?� he asked as he tried hard to keep composed. �And is Alex safe?� he asked as he stood up.
�No Evie has no idea, and Alex has been under the watch of my men since finding out that Jordan was taken,� he said. Rick left to go check on his family, and to try and find a way to tell Evelyn that their baby girl had been taken from them.
~*~
It was aggravating to Evelyn, that the nurses wouldn�t bring her babies to her, but they had said that she had to wait until after breakfast, and after Dr. Brigman arrived to make one last check on them. She had finished her breakfast of bland tasting scrambled eggs and toast, and was about to get out of bed and go see what was taking them so long to bring her babies, when Rick walked in.
�Good, I was about to get up and go take Alex and Jordan from...Rick?� she asked as she noticed tears in his eyes, then she suddenly began to panic. �Where are my babies?� she said as she stood up. Standing hurt her but she wanted her children with her now.
Rick went to her and gathered her in his arms and his next words felt like a thousand nails stabbing into her heart. �No, she isn�t gone,� Evelyn said as she pulled away from him. She ran for the door and out of the room.
Rick quickly went after her, and got to her as she fell to her knees sobbing. He knelt down, and took her into his arms and carried her back into their room.
�No Rick no,� she sobbed as he held her. �We are going to get her back baby. George and his men have been here since she was taken, and they are already looking for her,� he said praying to god they found her.
Before either of them could say another word, the approach of a crying baby got their attention, then Wendy, who had just come in for her shift brought Alex to them. Evelyn wiped the tears from her eyes, and took her son from Wendy. Not knowing what to say to either of them she left feeling sad for all of them.
Alex cried until he had a breast then he calmed down, clinging to Evelyn�s finger as she offered it to him. �Why is this happening to us Rick? Haven�t we been through enough?� she asked as she looked up at him.
He watched her with Alex, then came to the bed and sat down next to her. �I don�t know why sweetheart, and I won�t stop looking for her until she is home safe with us where she belongs,� he said.
~~**~**~**~**~~
He could tell how sad this made his parents and it was just as upsetting to him, but something ate at him. �You said you wouldn�t stop looking until you found her,� Alex said as he looked at his father.
�I was gone for the first three months of your life. I went back to Egypt, to Cairo and looked for her in the orphanage there, and in the cities surrounding there. Then I went to Bangkok and to India, but I never found her.� he said, not sure how to tell him this next part. He felt Evie take his hand and looked at her as she took over.
�Your father had to stop looking because of me. Alex I loved you so much, and I love you still, but I didn�t know how to deal with my life then. I had never been a mother, and I didn�t have Jordan, or your father, and that made me very sad, so sad that I stopped taking care of you the way I should. I stopped talking to your uncle, and I wouldn�t eat, because I felt like I had failed as a mother. I hadn�t protected Jordan, and because of me she was gone,� Evelyn said.
~~**~**~**~**~~
Jonathan had done all he could do for his sister. He had yelled at her telling her she was being stupid and selfish, because she still had Alex, and due to that she locked herself in her room and wouldn�t come take care of her baby. Jonathan had left messages at Rick�s hotel in India and was now taking care of his nephew. Dr. Brigman had told him what he needed to start bottle feeding him, and the first few times Alex had not wanted what was in the glass containers with the rubber nipples. Now two days later he had seemed to accept drinking the milk from those bottles.
Jonathan had just put him down in the cradle he had moved into the parlor, and after putting the half empty bottled down he went to the kitchen to fix himself some coffee, and wait for Dr. Brigman to get finished with his sister.
After getting what he needed he went back into the parlor and sat down on the sofa next to his nephew, and drank the strong black brew, then set it down on the coffee table. He looked up as Dr. Brigman walked down the stairs.
�She needs to eat Jonathan. I told her that if she doesn�t start taking care of herself then we will have to put her in the hospital where they will force her to take care of herself. Have you heard anything from Rick?� he asked.
�Not a damn thing. I�ll try to talk to her,� he said. He got up and as he was walking the Doctor out of the house, his brother-in-law ran in. �Oh thank god. She�s in your room. Don�t worry about Alex, I�ve been taking care of him,� Jonathan said as Rick ran past him.
~*~
In the bed where she and Rick had held one another, making love into late hours of the night, Evelyn now lay thinking about how much she had failed her family. Her daughter was gone, and her husband was doing all he could to find her, while she stayed here doing nothing. She had no desire to go to the hospital, but she didn�t have the desire to eat anything or to take care of herself either. All she wanted to do was just to sleep and put this nightmare away, to wake up and find her babies, both of them, home safe where they belonged. Thinking of Jordan brought on a fresh set of tears, and she softly wept into her pillow.
When Rick walked into the room and saw his wife his anger at her for pulling him away from the search for their daughter evaporated. He crossed to room, going to their bed and sat down reaching out to gather in his arms. �Shh, I�m home now,� he said as he pulled her to sit on his lap.
�I should have been stronger,� she said as she sobbed against his blue button down shirt.
�No honey, you did all you could and as much as I want to keep looking for her, I need to be here with you and Alex for now. I�ve been thinking,� he said as she began to calm down. �I think the best thing to do is to hire detectives to try and help find her. When Alex gets older, we can look on our own,� he said.
Evelyn lifted her head from his shirt and looked at him. �Why would they take her?� she asked.
�I don�t know honey, but if we find the ones who did it, then they better pray I don�t have my guns with me,� he said. Someone knocked on their door, and Jonathan stuck his head in.
�He�s hungry,� Jonathan said of three month old Alex.
Evelyn got up from her husband�s lap, and walked to the door. First she hugged her brother, and thanked him for taking care of her baby, then she took her son, and settled down in the rocking chair and let him nurse, and from that day on she promised never to let her baby go without knowing how much she loved him.
~~**~**~**~**~
It was sunset when they finally finished telling him about his sister, and Alex sat between them not angry at them anymore. �How long are you and mum going to keep looking for her?� Alex finally asked as he looked at both of his parents.
Evelyn lifted him to sit on her lap and wrapped her arms around him. �For as long as it takes baby,� she said.
They had dinner together, and the meal was eaten in silence, then Rick and Evelyn waited for Alex to get his bath, and when he was ready they both tucked him into his bed. �Mum dad?� he asked.
Both of them knelt down, and Evelyn leaned in and kissed his cheek. �What is it angel?� she asked as she stroked her fingers through his sandy blond hair.
�Is it all right if you keep your door open, and mine in case I get scared?� he asked, already feeling afraid. He was drained from the days events, from feeling angry and sad about his sister, and his eyes slid shut as his father told him they would do that.
After he slept, both Rick and Evelyn stood watching him, both thankful they hadn�t lost him in Egypt, both hopeful that one day soon they would have Jordan home safe, and have their family back together as a whole.
Chapter 2: Home
The first few days aboard the ship were blissful. Annie, and Jordan stayed in the cargo hold resting, and eating the food Annie managed to get for them from the kitchens at night. It wasn�t the most sanitary place for them, due to the lack of running water, or a proper place to use the bathroom, but the girls managed.
It was late one night, when Annie came awake to Jordan�s restless movements. When she reached out to touch her, to ease her from what ever dream she was having, she felt warmth. Instantly she was awake, kneeling beside her friend. �Jordan wake up,� she said shaking her.
Her whole body hurt, and Jordan cried out when Annie shook her. �Noo don�t hurt me,� she said, then she sat up out of breath.
For a moment Annie sat in shock, she hadn�t heard a word out of Jordan in over a year. �We�re on the ship remember?� Annie asked, once the shock wore off. �Your sick I think,� she added as she felt her head. When Jordan started to shake, Annie picked up one of the burlap sacks and put it over her, then hugged her. �Just go back to sleep,� she said.
As Jordan fell asleep, Annie prayed she wouldn�t get worse, fearful that if she did she would have no choice but to get someone to help them, and then they would end up back in a place neither of them deserved to be.
~*~
Since telling Alex about Jordan, Evelyn had not been able to focus on her work at the museum, or on her husband, and son. All she could think of was her daughter, the child she had only been able to hold in her arms for a few hours. They hadn�t looked for her together, and she regretted not looking for her. There was only so much the detectives could do, and they didn�t know Jordan, there was no emotional attachment. It was frustrating that most of the detectives had told them there was no hope in trying to look for her any further, and the three that still looked, she was thankful that they still did so.
Now in their room, Evie sat at her desk trying to figure out what to do. With Alex knowing about Jordan, that meant that possibly they could all try to find her. She was so caught up in her thoughts, that she didn�t hear, nor see Rick come into their room, not until his hand was resting on her shoulder. Evelyn sighed and leaned her cheek against his hand.
�You�ve been awfully quiet,� he said as he moved his hand away from her shoulder, and then took her hand, pulling her to stand before him. The hurt look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. Rick hugged her, holding her in his arms. �Do you want to talk?� he asked as he kissed her cheek.
�I want to find her Rick. Alex knows now, and we can take him with us. I�ll get a list of things from the school, and teach him myself, but I want to find her,� Evie said, with conviction.
Rick pulled away from her only a little so that he could look at her. �Evie we don�t know where to start,� he said carefully. He wanted to look too, but there was no logic to her kidnapping, and there never had been. It was a random act, because there had been no ransom notes, no links to Hamunaptra or Egypt, which had been their first thoughts.
�Rick, I can�t stay here and live my life being happy, when she may be out there hurt and unloved. After Alex was taken, I was so afraid that we wouldn�t find him in time, or that he would just vanish like Jordan. If we go together as a family we won�t be neglecting his needs,� Evie said as she began to pace. �Our daughter is out there someplace in the hands of strangers, and we have to do our best to find her,� she said as she stopped, facing him once more.
Being left in orphanages all of his life, Rick knew what it was like to wonder if there was someone out there who had loved him, and he had even looked on his own, during business trips to the Orient, and to other places where he thought Jordan might possible be, but he hadn�t found her. Maybe if they looked together, one last try, they would find her. �Then we need to come up with a plan if we are going to do this, and we need to let Alex decide if he wants to be a part of this,� Rick said as he hugged her once again. He felt the tension in her body leave her, and felt that maybe this time they would find their little girl.
~*~
Spending time with his Uncle John was something Alex never tired of. His Uncle, while years older than he, was a big kid, and often got into trouble along with Alex, getting scolded by his mum, which always amused him. Today they had gone to the park to sail Alex�s ship, and now they sat talking about Jordan.
�Did you ever get to see her?� Alex asked as he ate a handful of fresh roasted nuts.
Jonathan finished chewing the mouthful he had, then looked at his nephew. �Only once. I was in the waiting room, while your dad stayed with your mum. See men aren�t really allowed to be with their wives when they have a baby, but your mum insisted, so she got her way. I was sitting on the sofa in the lobby half asleep when your dad walked in with his stupid, er uh, silly grin that he always gets, and he pulls me to my feet and says not only did they have a boy, but a girl as well.� Jonathan said.
Alex smiled, trying to imagine his dad. �Did they want a boy or a girl, I mean before they found out they had both of us?�
�I don�t think they really discussed that. At first both of them, really all three of us were in shock. It�s natural for a married couple to have a baby, but I guess the shocking part was how fast that happened after they got married,� Jonathan said, as he took the last few nuts, and put them in his mouth.
�So why didn�t they ever have any more?� Alex asked. He knew about how a baby was made, finding that out after he opened the closed door of his parents room a year ago, and found them doing some very odd things. After that his dad had taken him out, and they had talked about what he had seen, and about babies.
All of this was getting rather uncomfortable for Jonathan, and he began to shift in his seat beside Alex. �Um, not sure about that one. Why don�t we take that boat of yours out for another spin on the lake before we have to head home?�
It was a breezy day, and for once Alex decided to give his uncle a break. The two of them walked down the little wooden plank built out on the water, and had a fun time watching Alex�s boat sail with the winds pushing it further and further away.
~*~
Fear gripped Annie as Jordan began to throw up everything she ate. Her fever seemed worse, and she kept having terrible dreams crying out, but then when she was awake she would never say anything. They managed to make it to London�s shore, and when night fell, Annie carried Jordan off the boat, and found a hotel close by. She was able to get them a small room with most of the money she had taken.
She put Jordan in the bed, covering her in the warm blankets, then left her to get some fresh water, to try and get her to drink some, as well as to wipe her face and legs and arms with a wash cloth in order to sooth her.
~*~
The day after he and Jonathan had gone to the park, Alex was sitting in the Parlor setting up his army men for combat, when his parents came down stairs with serious expressions on their face. �Is there something the matter?� Alex asked, as they both sat down on a sofa close to where he was playing. He walked over to them, and his mum lifted him to sit on her lap. Ordinarily he would protest that, but he didn�t, needing to feel loved by her.
�Alex your father, and I have made a rather big decision, and we need to know what you think. We want to go look for Jordan, and we will likely be gone for several months traveling to places we think she might be,� Evelyn said, as she kissed the top of his head.
�So you want to leave me here?� he asked, not liking that idea. He was quickly reassured by his dad.
�No pal. We are going to take you with us. Your mum will get a list of things from your teachers to instruct you on while we are gone, but we need to know if you want to do this. Always before we have looked for her in secret, because you didn�t know, but now that you do know we want to try to look harder,� he said.
Alex, after their last adventure, had not wanted to do any more traveling. Then after he learned about his sister, he had thought of asking them to go find her. �I think we should do that. Are we going to go all over the world?� he asked.
Rick smiled at him. �We are going to start here in London, with the hospital, and talk to people who were there that night she was taken. Then we will likely go to Egypt and look in the orphanages in Cairo and Alexandria, and the surrounding cities. After that, well we haven�t planned that yet,� he admitted.
Alex nodded. �So when do we go?� he asked, anxious to get started.
�Your father, and I will start tomorrow, going to the Constables office to get the papers they had filled out when Jordan was taken, then we will go to the hospital. Alex, we are going to be busy with all of this looking, so if you start to feel left out, you tell us,� Evelyn said, as she turned his head so he could see her.
He hugged her as tight as he could. �I�m not worried mum, I�ll just stick around here with Uncle John, and with Megs. She called from Paris and she is going to be home tomorrow,� Alex said.
After their talk, Alex left to get a snack in the kitchen, and both Rick and Evelyn went to her office to make up a plan of what they needed to ask, and where they needed to go once they left London.
~*~
Never in her life had Annie had to deal with a sick child, even when she herself had been sick, Mistress Belle had called in the doctor to come examine her, then nursed her back to health. Jordan slept most of the night, and into the next day not wanting to eat. The dreams seemed to have subsided, and Annie managed to get her to drink a glass of water here and there, but she still couldn�t keep food down.
It seemed ironic to the young girl, that they were finally free, and now Jordan was sick, with no signs of getting better. Annie had worked out a plan of going to the hospital, to see if Jordan had a birth Certificate, but now she couldn�t do that. She had managed to remember the last name O�Connell, and had decided her best bet was to try and see how many lived in London.
After Lunch that first day, Annie had taken a shower and put on the dress she had washed out, then walked to Jordan�s bed. �Hey, you sleep, and I�m going to go get a few things,� Annie said as she rubbed her hand over Jordan�s fevered body. The only response she got was a sigh, and before she could change her mind about leaving her alone, Annie walked out of the room, and pulled the door too, locking it.
Not far from their hotel was a phone booth. Annie had learned from working at Morrison�s business that if you wanted to find someone you called the operator. �I need a list of the O�Connells in London,� Annie said, trying to use her most professional voice. While she waited she looked around her, seeing a little fruit stand, and decided that she would buy some apples, and some bread at another little shop she saw. When the operator got back to her, Annie frowned. The only O�Connell listed was a business located not to far from where she was. Annie took out the pad of paper she had, and wrote down the address, then left the booth to get some food, and hopefully get Jordan to eat something that she could keep down.
~*~
In his office constable George Mathers sat looking over some files when his door opened. His secretary, a young woman named Helen, who had blond hair and brown eyes announced that Rick and Evelyn O�Connell were there to see him.
�Send them in,� he said as he cleared his desk. When the couple walked in George stood up, and walked over to them. �Is Alex all right?� he asked. Several times through out Alex�s life, George, and his men had been called to help search for him. Once when he had been taken for four days, and one day when he had gone off on his own to see an air plane exhibit in a neighboring town.
Both Rick, and Evelyn shook their heads, then Rick spoke up. �No, Alex is doing good. George we want to see the files, reports you filled out when Jordan was taken. Evelyn, and I have told Alex about her, and we want to concentrate on finding her,� Rick said.
That time had been a dark time for everyone who was involved. His men had worked day, and night for months, trying to find any clue as to where she had been taken, but nothing ever turned up. �Well let me get Helen to go downstairs and get them out,� he said. �You too take a seat and I�ll be right back.�
Once he was gone, Evie walked over to his desk, and looked at the picture of George, his wife Ellie, and their three children. �I�m afraid Rick,� she said as she turned back to face him.
He walked over to her. �Of not finding her?� he asked.
�That, or finding that she has a happy life. What if the people who took her did it because they wanted a baby. What if they have raised her in a happy home, and she believes that they are her real family. What will it do to her when she finds out that she has been lied to?� Evelyn asked.
Rick sighed. �I don�t know sweetheart. We can�t know what she is doing until we find her, and I think the best thing to try to do is just to take this one day at a time. We will both go crazy if we play out all the fears we have,� he said. His biggest fear was finding out she had died, that her life had been a living hell, and that she had died a violent death.
Evelyn walked to him, and they held one another until George came back with the files. The short rounded man sat down at his desk, and opened the folder. �The only clue we ever had that never panned out was that night a woman walked in, well Rick knows this, but she was ranting about the hospital killing her baby. She threw around medical trays, and all of the nurses had to calm her, which left a window of opportunity for someone to take Jordan. When we asked about the woman, Helga told us that she had calmed down, and was sitting in a room, then she vanished,� George said.
That was a starting point. �Do you know if she still works at the hospital?� Rick asked.
�I�m not sure, but go check, and if they give you any trouble call me and we will come down and question them ourselves,� George said. He stood up and gave Evelyn a hug, and Rick another handshake, then when they left, he called home to check on his wife and children.
~*~
Night fell over the city, and Jordan�s fever was back, worse than it had been. Annie had thought that she was doing better. She had eaten a few slices of apple, and kept it down, but now she was throwing up again. �Shhh, everything will be all right you�ll see,� Annie said as she wiped Jordan�s face. Once Jordan was relatively calm, Annie picked her up, pulling a blanket over her, then left to get a cab, to take them to St. Agnus.
The hospital looked the same, and when Annie stepped out of the cab, she felt like running away. She knew she had to set aside her fears to help Jordan, that her friend was more important, and with that thought in mind, she walked inside.
Inside looked different then Annie had remembered. The lobby was more decorated, and there were couches to sit down on. She walked to the desk and told the receptionist that her daughter was sick, then was directed down the hall to the right, where the emergency room was.
On the walk there, Annie started to feel afraid again, but when Jordan began to whimper she swallowed that fear. �Shh, I�m not going to leave you okay, and this is the only think I can think of,� Annie said, hoping Jordan stayed asleep.
The nurse at the emergency room was an older woman, and Annie told her what had been happening, then everything happened fast. They were led to a room, and she was told to lay Jordan on a bed. As soon as she tried, Jordan held on to her. �She�s afraid, It�s okay,� Annie said as another nurse came, and pried her away. Annie watched as Jordan screamed, kicking, and hitting to no avail as the nurses held her down, then put a needle in her arm with a tube in it.
�Miss, you might want to come talk to your daughter,� one of the nurses said. Annie walked over, and Jordan rolled away from her crying.
�I�m sorry, I didn�t know what else to do, you haven�t been able to keep your food down and I�m not perfect,� Annie yelled.
�Ma�am, why don�t you come with me,� Betty said. She noticed how filthy the little girl was, and how distraught both of them were. Thankfully the young girl agreed, and Betty led her down the hall to a small Canteen.
�She�s not even mine,� Annie said as she began to cry. �We were all taken when we were babies, and forced to work in factories. Jordan was a tough little kid, from the time she learned to walk, and she was cute, and loved to be held, then they made her work with the machines, and she won�t talk, and she�s likely going to die before I have a chance to give her back to her parents,� Annie said as she lay her head on the table, and began to cry.
Betty sat beside her rubbing her back, trying to take all of this in. �Do you know her family?� she asked.
�O�Connell, but there is only a business,� Annie mumbled.
After getting Annie calmed down, Betty led her back to Jordan�s room, finding that the little girl was asleep. �You get some rest, once she gets some fluids in her body, she will be better.� When she left she hurried down to the nurses station, and told Helga what she had been told. Betty had no idea about the events of eight years ago, but as soon as Helga heard, she had Betty go back to stay with the girls, and made a call to the Constables office.
~*~
Having the phone ring at 1am, meant only one thing, and when Rick picked up the phone he was prepared to kill Jonathan for getting into trouble. The voice on the other end however was not Jonathan�s, and what he was told quickly woke him fully. �Wait George, your sure it�s her?� Yeah we will be there as soon as we get dressed.�
The light going on, woke Evie more fully, and when she looked at Rick he was sitting still, looking as though he had seen a ghost. �Rick what is it? Who was that on the phone?� she asked as she sat up.
�George said Jordan is at St. Agnus,� he said, as he shook his head. When he looked at Evie he saw the tears in her eyes as he felt his own tears drip down his face.
�I�ll get Alex up,� he said, as he leaned over and kissed her. Once he was up, he pulled on the pants he had worn that day, then ran down the hall to Alex�s room. �Hey pal,� Rick said as he knelt beside his bed.
Never a morning person, Alex pulled the pillow over his head. �Go away,� he said.
�Alex Jordan is alive and at St. Agnus,� he said, which woke his son as quickly as it had him.
When they were all ready, they got into Rick�s car, and left for the hospital to see if the child there was really theirs.
~*~
Betty told her that Jordan�s family was on the way, and now Annie sat on the couch biting her finger nails. What would they say to her, would she get put in jail? Her thoughts were interrupted when Jordan sat up, eyes wide with fright. �Shhh, it�s okay,� Annie said as she ran to her. When she reached out to hold her, Annie expected Jordan to push away, but she didn�t. �Guess what?� Annie said as she sat on the side of the bed still holding Jordan close. When she didn�t get a response, which was normal, Annie continued. �You�re parents are coming here to see you, and Betty says they are really nice people too,� Annie tried. She looked up when she heard the knob on the door twist, and felt Jordan hold on to her tighter.
When the door opened the woman standing there wasn�t a nurse. She had on dark pants and a dark top with some sort of robe hanging down to her ankles. �Are you Mrs. O�Connell?� Annie asked, starting to feel afraid herself.
Seeing the smaller of the two girls, Evelyn knew without a doubt that it was Jordan. She saw the fear in both the girls eyes, and all the anger she had for the older girl disappeared. �My name is Evelyn, and you may call me that,� she said smiling. She walked toward the bed, and Jordan closed her eyes.
�It�s okay Jordan, your mom won�t hurt you, but you need to lay down and get more rest okay?� Annie asked.
Evelyn watched as her daughter did as she was told, and felt hurt when she rolled away from her.
�My name is Annie, I�ve known Jordan since she was taken. I guess you have alot to ask me, but it�s better if we talk about it when Jordan doesn�t have to hear it. Are you going to have me arrested?� Annie asked.
�No, is she eating better? They said she was dehydrated, and that she had an ear infection,� Evelyn told her, worried about her baby.
�She hasn�t eaten anything since we came here, but what ever they are giving her seems to have worked because her fever doesn�t feel as bad as when I brought her here. I guess this will be a drag but I need to stay with her a while when you guys take her home. She�s used to me, and I think she would freak out if I left before she was ready,� Annie said.
Evelyn nodded, unable to keep her eyes off of her baby. �They told us that if she is able to keep some food down, by tomorrow night she should be ready for us to take her home. As for you staying with her, I wouldn�t think of pulling you two apart,� Evelyn said as she looked to the older girl.
~*~
In the waiting room, Rick and Alex sat on a sofa, Alex already asleep with his head on his dad�s lap. It seemed like forever before Evelyn came to them, and after carefully moving Alex, so that he could stand, Rick walked to her and once again held her in his arms.
�It�s so difficult to believe that she is finally here,� Evelyn said as she rested her cheek against his chest. �The girl with her seems like the only friend Jordan has had. Oh Rick, she�s had a terrible life.� She couldn�t hold in her sadness, and cried softly against his chest. All of this time she had thought that the people who had taken their baby, had given her a good life, and now she knew the truth, or some of it, enough to know that Jordan�s life along with Annie�s had been bad.
�Shhh, we will get her home, and give her the life she deserves, and erase what ever bad there was,� Rick said. After a few minutes, Evelyn calmed down, then sighed. �Why don�t you go see her? She�s afraid of us, but I think that if she gets used to us being there, then she might learn that we only want to love her,� Evelyn said.
Rick nodded his head, and gave her a kiss, then looked into her eyes. �I love you,� he said, then left to go see their little girl.
~*~
The next day brought improvement. The IV was removed from Jordan�s arm, and she ate a bowl of fresh fruit in the morning, and for lunch some toasted bread and more fruit, keeping that down. Annie stayed in bed with her while her parents took shifts sitting with them, telling her about the house, and the horses, and the cats in the barn.
It was right after lunch that a boy came in about her age, and shut the door. �Hi, I can�t stay long because they told me I�m not allowed to be here, but I just wanted to see my sister,� Alex said.
�I bet you and Alex will have fun together,� Annie said, as Jordan turned to face him. She had never been afraid of the other kids who worked with them in the factory, and watched him as he walked up to her bed.
His sister looked skinny, and her skin was pale, not like his, tanned from the sun, from their adventure in Egypt. �I have a horse, and I bet dad will get you one if you want to,� he said, wishing she would say something. His parents had told him that she didn�t talk, and that she hadn�t had a good life, and Alex wished he could find the people who hurt her, and hurt them back. �You know you don�t have to be afraid of us Jordan. Dad and mum take really good care of me. They read me bed time stories, and when Christmas comes, mum and I bake cookies, and we have food fights. When I get afraid at night she lays with me and sings to me. We also have an Uncle John, and he is fun. He gets in trouble with me, well we get grounded, at least I do because I do things that I shouldn�t do, but they still love me,� he said.
Before he could get another word out, the door opened, and Evie smiled as she walked in. �You better go before they fuss at you,� Evelyn said as she gave her little boy a hug. When he was gone, Evie sat down on the couch close to the bed. �Rick is getting release papers signed, and then we should be ready to go. Jordan, I brought you a soft nightgown to wear, and want to know if you will let Annie help you with a bath,� Evie said.
When she nodded her head, Annie was shocked, but happy. Her family seemed nice, and seemed like the type of people who would help her through any problems she had. In the small bathroom off from their room, Jordan took her cloths off, while Annie filled the tub with water, then when it was full enough, she took Annie�s hand, and held on while she stepped in.
�I like your family. You should think about talking to them about things that happened to you. Alex said that his mom and dad keep him safe, and I bet they will do the same for you,� she said watching as Jordan washed herself with the bar of soap. Her hair was something Annie had to help with, and once she was clean, Annie helped her dry off, then took the satchel Evie had given her and pulled out a long flowing light blue night gown with puffy sleeves. It was mad of the softest fabric Annie had ever felt, and it was clean. When Annie put it on Jordan, she made a point of holding her up so she could see herself in the mirror. �See they do love you, so you should think about letting them take care of you,� Annie said as she put Jordan down, then took the brush Evie had packed, and began to brush out her hair.
In Jordan�s room, Rick and Evelyn sat talking about what they needed to get for Jordan. Evelyn had gone shopping early that morning, and had taken the time to get the cloths cleaned at the Laundry house, but she also wanted to take the room across from Alex�s and decorate it for her daughter. They were talking about that, when Annie walked in holding Jordan who was now clean.
�She�s all ready to go,� Annie said before thinking.
Suddenly Jordan clung to her shaking her head. �Noo, don�t go,� she cried out.
�I�m not, we�re going together, and I will stay as long as you want me too okay?� Annie asked as she hugged Jordan closer. Jordan�s head nodding was the only response she got. Annie followed the O�Connell�s out of the hospital to a powder blue car, and slid into the back, still holding Jordan close. They drove through town, then out of town for a while, and pulled into a long drive, up to the biggest house Annie had ever seen. �Jordan take a look at your house,� Annie said shaking her a little.
She did look, and saw the boy who said he was her brother run out the door. He ran to the car as it stopped, and opened Annie�s door. �Come on, me and uncle John got a few things for you,� Alex said excited to have his sister home.
Annie followed Alex, leaving Rick, and Evelyn in their wake. �What did he do?� Rick asked, wondering what Jonathan had done to cause such excitement, as he took Evelyn�s hand. They walked into the house, and when they got to the parlor they found it full of lots of things for a little girl to play with. Jordan sat on Annie�s lap looking at everything. There were porcelain baby dolls, baby doll beds, stuffed Animals, books, all sorts of things.
�I got carried away,� Jonathan defended when Rick looked at him. He was relieved when they both came to him and hugged him, thanking him for thinking of her, then Evie took charge.
�Annie, why don�t you and Jordan follow me to her room, there is a bed there big enough for both of you, and the doctor said she still needs to rest,� Evelyn said. While the girls left, Alex and Jonathan gathered the toys and the lot, and carried them to her room. They made a few trips, and by the time they had finished Jordan was tucked into bed while Annie took a bath.
Alex got one of the dolls, and walked over to the bed. �I don�t know what you like, but you can sleep with her. Don�t you dare tell anyone this, but I still sleep with Paddy. He�s my bear,� Alex said. He held out the doll and was pleased when she took it, and laid it next to her. �Sleep well,� he said then left.
Evelyn who sat in the rocking chair had a difficult time not crying, but she managed to compose herself and got up finding a book that Jonathan had bought for her daughter. �Jordan I�m going to read this story to you, and if you want me to stop then just hold up your hand,� Evie said. The story she had picked was The Secret Garden, and she began smiling as Jordan watched her. Evie read three pages, until Jordan went to sleep, and as she closed the book Annie walked out clean and wearing a more adult night gown.
�I�ll leave the two of you to rest. If you or she needs anything our room is the one on the end, though we won�t be going to bed for a while. Annie thank you for bringing her home,� Evelyn said, and without hesitation she gave her a hug, then left to go check on the rest of her family.
Chapter 3: Love and Trust
As Jordan lay next to her asleep, holding a beautiful doll, Annie lay awake unable to sleep. It was still early in the day, and she was exhausted after all she had been through, but she was also worried. It seemed as though Jordan would be fine here with her family, and if she learned to trust them, then where would that leave Annie. Pushing those thoughts out of her head, Annie decided to make the best out of what she had now. Finally she was sleeping in a nice room, with a clean, nice bed. She was with people who didn�t treat her like an object to be used, and that made her feel good. Finally sleep took hold, and Annie rolled over facing Jordan, for the first time in a long time sleeping soundly knowing she was safe.
~*~
Downstairs, Alex sat alone, sad that his sister wasn�t able to do more than just sleep. He knew she had to get better before they could start having adventures, and knew she had to learn to trust him, but the waiting part was not easy. As he thought of all the things he wanted to do, he began to sort out pieces of a new puzzle he, and Jonathan had gotten for Jordan, figuring she wouldn�t mind if he put it together without her.
That is where Evelyn found him, as she, and Rick walked out of her office, which was located past the stairs, just before getting to the dining room on the right side. They had called George, and told him they would talk to Annie tomorrow, getting more details about the place they had been forced to live for so long. Both of them were intent on making the people who had hurt the girls pay, both hoping for long prison sentences, though Rick wanted to do more, but knew his obligations to his family had to come first, and so he put those thoughts aside.
Walking over to Alex, Evelyn sat down across from him. �Alex, your father, and I have been so involved with Jordan, that I have forgotten to ask how you were feeling,� Evie said, feeling guilty for that.
It wasn�t that they had neglected him, and Alex sighed looking up at his mum. �What if Jordan never talks? I mean what if she only trusts Annie for ever?� He was afraid of that, and afraid of being hurt, as well as seeing his parents hurt.
That thought had crossed Evelyn�s mind, but then it passed. Evie knew that their daughter trusted Annie, but she also knew that Jordan would come to realize that everyone living in this house would love, and protect her, and that love would help her open up to them. She didn�t have any doubts in her mind as far as that was concerned. �Alex, it may take her a long time to trust us. I�m not sure what happened to her when she was away from us, but I do know that if we love your sister, and give her time, she will learn that we won�t hurt her,� Evie reassured.
�How do we show her that we won�t hurt her?�
�By doing the things we normally do. I think the most important thing for us to try to do is to spend time here as a family, be here to show her what it�s like to live with people who love one another, and that may help her trust us more quickly.�
Alex nodded his head, then he and Evelyn got to work on the puzzle, and were later joined by Rick.
~*~
Distorted images filled her mind. Laughter, and the smell of cigarette smoke consumed her, and Jordan tried to get away, but the faces were all around her, and the laughing got louder, and louder, then she sat up, and the images, as well as the sounds and smell vanished. She felt Annie sit up then huddled against her.
As she held Jordan, Annie knew that tomorrow she had to find a way to tell the O�Connells about these dreams, and about the things that had gone on in the factory. �Jordan why don�t we go get your mum and talk to her,� said Annie. A head shake was her response, and Annie sighed. For now she wouldn�t push that, but on her own she was going to let them know that they needed to find a way to get her to open up, to do that before all that had happened to her destroyed her. Gently Annie rocked her, and it wasn�t long before Jordan went back to sleep.
~*~
When morning arrived, as soon as Annie felt the sun on her face, she woke up. After stretching, she turned over, and watched Jordan sleep. Last night had been long, because the dreams kept coming, but now she slept, and she didn�t look afraid, which was good. Suddenly Annie�s stomach grumbled, and she carefully slid out of the bed.
The room was three times as big as the small room the two of them had shared in Stanton Island. It was elegant, decorated more for an adult than an 8 year old girl, and Annie wondered if her parents would fix it up for her once she was used to them. The headboard of the bed was pushed up against the far left wall, leaving only enough room on her side of the bed for a nightstand with an elegant Tiffany lamp. Next to Jordan�s side of the bed was a desk, with another lamp on it, but nothing more. Against the wall on the right of the entry to the room was a huge book shelf full of books and figurines. Across the room from their bed, was a beautiful dresser with a huge mirror that went across it, and more figurines on the surface, all of cats, or of warriors of some sort. The bathroom was to the right of the dresser, and inside was a huge porcelain bath tub, and a bathroom cabinet for storing towels. The sink was also made of porcelain with gold faucets on both sides, one faucet for hot water, and one for cold.
After dressing in cloths Evelyn had left for her, slacks and a dark shirt, Annie went back to the bed, and then stood. She was hungry, but Jordan was finally sleeping peacefully. The only problem was that if Annie left, and she woke up, she would likely freak out, and Annie didn�t want that. �Jordan wake up,� she said as she patted her arm. It didn�t take much, and then Jordan sat up, for a moment looking frightened. �We�re safe, remember, we are with your family. I don�t know about you, but I�m half starved, why don�t we go see if they have anything to eat,� Annie said.
Despite it being summer, mornings were still chilly, and Annie noticed goose bumps form on Jordan�s arms as she stood up. She walked to the closet which was on the far wall across from the entry of their room, and when she opened it, among the dresses, and the other clothing, there was a white flannel robe with flowers printed on the material. It was soft, and Annie brought that to her, helping her put that on, then the two of them walked out of their room, and went downstairs.
~*~
In the kitchen, Marie had hot water boiled for coffee, and for tea, and was making eggs, and bacon, toast, as well as fresh fruit. She had found a note on the kitchen table explaining about Jordan, and Annie, so she was making more than normal. As she was finishing setting the table, which sat across from the entrance to the kitchen, in front of a huge picture frame window, the two girls walked in. �You must be Annie, and Jordan. My name is Marie, and I help with the cooking, and some with the laundry,� she said.
Annie smiled, and said �hello,� then lead Jordan to the table. They sat between the table and the window, before Annie really though things over. �Do we need to wait for the rest of the family before we eat?� she asked, looking around the kitchen, wondering if she should have waited for someone to come get them. She looked around, noticing her surroundings. Unlike the kitchen in their old house, this one was more lively. The floor was made of black and white tiles, and in the middle, was a huge burgundy colored carpet with intricate designs.
Before she could answer, Alex walked in wearing long pajama bottoms and a matching top. �Nope, we early risers get the best food,� he said, as he walked around the table, and sat next to his sister. Marie made up their plates, making sure to make a light meal for Jordan, putting slices of fresh orange on her plate, with a few slices of toast. She set that in front of her, with a glass of apple juice, then served Alex, and Annie with eggs and bacon, putting out more toast for them to eat, and a big bowl of sliced fruit.
�So what do you like to do Alex?� Annie asked, to break the silence that had formed around them.
After chewing up his eggs, Alex swallowed. �Well My favorite thing to do in the summe, is get Seti out, and ride him without his saddle. He really loves going into the woods, and when the stream isn�t too high I let him tromp around in the water. I have a friend called Megan who rides with me. She�s my best friend, because we have known one another since we were babies,� he said.
While they were talking, Jordan had finished her meal, and pulled on Annie�s arm wanting eggs. Without thinking, Annie gave her what was left of her eggs, and would ask Marie for more in a moment. Jordan ate the five bites of egg Annie had given her, in addition to the bacon before she was completely full, then listened as her brother talked about his models, not sure what he meant by all of that.
Marie came with more food for both Alex, and Annie, noticing that Jordan didn�t look like she was feeling well. �Are you all right?� she asked.
That got Annie�s attention, and she realized that she shouldn�t have let Jordan eat what she had. �Where is the bathroom, she�s likely going to need use of it in a minute,� Annie said as she stood up.
Alex led the way, and when the door shut he heard the familiar sound of someone getting sick, and decided he should go wake his parents.
~*~
Mornings had always been their time, a time when Alex was asleep, a time when they didn�t have to worry about him. Now Rick lay on his back holding Evelyn in his arms, as both of them caught their breath after making love. They had both drifted into a light sleep when someone knocking at their door woke them fully.
�Mum dad, Jordan�s sick again I think,� Alex called out. He knew what a shut door meant, and waited for what seemed like forever before both of them came out.
Concerned, Evie went with Alex, and as they reached the top of the stairs, Annie was climbing them holding Jordan, who cried softly against her shoulder. �I goofed, I let her eat eggs, and bacon before I even thought about what that would do to her,� Annie said feeling bad. As she walked to their room, Rick and Evelyn followed her, and once Jordan was in bed, Annie stepped a little away then sat down on the side of the bed.
�I�m really sorry,� she said.
Evelyn knew she felt bad, and was quick to reassure her. �Don�t worry, we will help her feel better. I think for today, and possible tomorrow she needs to rest,� Evie said.
Alex walked in, and found her doll, putting it next to her. �I�ll come see you when you wake up,� he said guessing that his mum would keep her in bed. When he got sick, that was usually what made him feel better.
From the bathroom, Rick brought out a glass of water, and set it on the bedside table on Annie�s side of the bed, then walked over to his little girl, and without thought, leaned down, and kissed her forehead. �Get some sleep okay,� he said. She didn�t respond, but she had shut her eyes as soon as she saw him approaching her.
When he left, Evelyn saw that for now Annie had things under control. �I�m going to go downstairs to eat some breakfast, then I�ll come up and sit with the two of you if you don�t mind,� she said. While Jordan was her daughter, the room they both shared was just as much Annie�s as it was Jordan�s, and she didn�t want Annie to feel like she didn�t have any private time.
�No, It�s sort of nice actually,� Annie said. She watched as Evelyn left, then looked at Jordan who had opened her eyes again. �See, your dad is a nice guy,� she said. In response, Jordan rolled away, and Annie sighed. It was difficult taking care of her, because Jordan didn�t help. She never told Annie what she thought, so taking care of her was sort of a guessing game in a way.
When Evelyn came back, Jordan was sound asleep, and Annie felt it time to talk to her about her daughter. �Is there a way we can go talk in another room?� she asked before Evie got too comfortable.
Seeing the look of worry in the young girls eyes, Evie nodded and led her across the hall. �Alex will you take some of your things in Jordan�s room, and if she wakes up come to mine and tell me?� Evelyn asked. When he agreed, she led the way to her room, and once Annie was inside she shut the door.
For a moment Annie looked around the room. It was by far the fanciest of the bedrooms she had been in. �Jordan has had to deal with alot. No more than the rest of us except that she saw a boy die,� Annie said.
Evie was glad she was sitting down, because her whole body felt weak, and sickened by finding that out. �What happened?� she finally asked as she found her voice.
�They worked together setting rat traps behind machines at the factory. They also had to patch up bare wires, ones the rats would chew on at night. Adam was doing that I guess, and got shocked to death. I wasn�t there because my job was to keep track of shipment information, but some of the other kids told me that she had screamed, and wouldn�t stop even with threats of getting put in the cellar. They did that when she got home, keeping her there for a week. When she finally came back to our room she would wake up having terrible dreams, then she wouldn�t do her job, and got locked in the Cellar for more time to think. I got her out of there because I knew that Mr. Morrison would either kill her, or start beating her, and I figured out that she would live better with you and your family,� Annie said as she finally looked up at Evie. She saw tears falling down her face, and felt bad for that, but she also hoped that now that Evie knew, she would find a way to help Jordan.
Evelyn couldn�t imagine what all of that had been like for Jordan, and was thankful that Annie had the foresight to get her out of there. �Does she still dream?� Annie�s nodding head told her the answer to that question. �Annie if she does have a dream will you bring her to Rick and I?� she asked.
�I can try. I asked her last night when she was having dreams if she wanted me to go get you, I can just bring her though, maybe that would work. She seems to be doing better, I mean she let her dad kiss her, and before she would have screamed,� Annie said, pleased that Jordan was starting to trust, if even only a little bit.
After talking to Evelyn, she left to go check on Jordan. Evie stayed composed until she left the room, then she cried. How could people be so cruel, how could they bring harm to a little girl, who had only been afraid at seeing the death of another child. When she heard the door open, she composed herself thinking it was Alex, then when she saw Rick, she went to him, and let him hold her. Through her cries she told him what Annie had said, feeling his body tense with anger.
�We need to get Annie to go down and tell the Constable all she can, as soon as we can. I want those people, all of them, to rot in a jail cell for the rest of their lives,� Rick said.
~*~
When she woke up, Jordan didn�t feel as bad as when she had gone to sleep. Quickly she realized that Annie wasn�t there, and began to panic, then she saw Alex on the floor, playing with tiny men. For a little bit she watched him, then he looked up at her.
�Do you want some water?� he asked, as he stood up, and went over to her bed. She didn�t respond, so Alex took her the glass, and in a moment she took it taking a few sips before she gave it back to him. Alex went back to his soldiers, then took a few of his men, and put them on her bed. �See these are civil war guys. My dad, I mean our dad, ordered them for me when I was younger, but I still like to set them up, and have battles and what not.
The men were all in uniform, all with tiny faces painted in detail. They had weapons, guns and other things, and after looking at them, Jordan put them back on the bed.
�I guess you don�t like this stuff. Did you have toys where you came from?� he asked curious. Again she didn�t say anything. �You know we aren�t going to hurt you. Mum and dad won�t let anything bad happen to you ever again,� Alex said, wishing she would say something to him.
Before she could respond, Annie came in from sitting outside in the garden. �Are you hungry?� Annie asked. Jordan had slept well past lunch. Annie got a head nod, and smiled as Alex left to tell his mum that Jordan was hungry. �When you eat try to do it slow, that way you won�t get sick again.� Annie also got her to drink the glass of water at their bedside table, then helped her get her robe off. It had warmed up, and the room wasn�t chilly anymore.
~*~
After Jordan ate, Annie sat down to talk to her, knowing she would not be happy when she told her what was about to happen. �Listen, I need to go with your dad to talk to some people about what happened with us at the factory. Those people are going to make sure that the Morrison�s can�t hurt anyone else, and maybe get the other kids back with their parents,� Annie said. Already Jordan was shaking her head. She sat up, and clung to Annie. �Jordan I�m not going to leave you, and your dad won�t let anyone hurt me. Your mum and your brother will stay here with you and keep you safe,� she said holding her close.
�Take me,� she whispered.
Annie felt bad, but she wanted to help the O�Connell�s nail the Morrison�s and all the bastards that worked for them into an early grave. �Jordan, your still sick, and you have to stay here,� Annie said.
Suddenly Jordan pulled away from her, rolled away from her, and began to cry. For a moment Annie thought about staying, but then took a breath, and got up. �I�ll be back,� she said as she went to the closet, and got a sweater that Evelyn had gotten for her, then walked out of the room, as Evelyn was approaching. �She�s mad at me,� Annie informed.
�Try not to worry, Alex and I will see what we can do to make her feel better.� Once Annie had gone, Evelyn walked in to her daughter�s room. Jordan wasn�t crying, at least not that Evie could see, but she was turned away from the door. Evelyn walked over to Jordan�s night stand� and picked up The Secret Garden, then went to Annie�s side of the bed. Instantly Jordan rolled away, not wanting to face her. Evelyn ignored that, and sat down on the bed propping a pillow up then she began to read the next part of the story.
Never before had anyone read to her, and the story she listened to was of a young girl in a new home, a big home like this one. As her mum read, Jordan held the doll Alex had given to her close, needing to go use the restroom, but afraid that her mum might get mad at her. One of the big rules in the factory was never to interrupt an adult, no matter what, but Jordan needed to go. Finally she sat up, and when her mum stopped reading, she lay back down terrified that she would get hit.
Evie realized Jordan needed something, and it didn�t take her long to guess what it was. �Jordan if you need to go to the restroom, then I will wait for you to come back. I don�t get mad for that,� Evie added. She watched as her daughter got up, and hurried across the way to the bathroom, and frowned when she heard her get sick. Quickly she went to the restroom and went in. Jordan was leaning over the toilet, and her hair had gotten in the way. �Shh, Evie said as she moved her hair out of the way, and knelt down, holding her. Jordan had eaten broth for lunch, and Evie guessed they would have to try liquids like water, and give her fruits, then work their way up slowly.
When Jordan seemed to be better, Evie moved slowly, carefully turning her, then picked her up, and didn�t get any protest. �I need to get you in the bath to wash your hair,� Evie said as she turned the water on. She didn�t get any response, and Jordan held still, as Evie got the water running. When her mum offered her water to drink, she took the glass, taking a few sips, then pushed it away.
Evie helped her undress, and held her hand as she stepped in the bath, then got her hair rinsed off, and helped her back out. Taking a fluffy towel, Evelyn helped her get dried off, then wrapped it around her, and picked her up again. In her room, Evelyn got a clean night gown out, this time a light yellow one, with embroidered flowers on the front of it.
Jordan got her panties on herself, and let her mum help her with her night gown, and by then she was exhausted.
Taking a chance, Evelyn held her once more, and went to the rocking chair which sat in the middle of the room, and sat down, letting Jordan sit in her lap, then she just held her and rocked. It wasn�t long before she felt her head nod forward in sleep, and carefully, Evie stood up, cradling her in her arms, without a peep, then put her to bed, and went to call Dr. Brigman, worried that she might need to be put back in the hospital again.
~*~
Being at the Constable�s office was nerve racking, but Rick had reassured her that George was a nice understanding man, and he also assured her that he would stay with her, and for once Annie didn�t mind having an adult be with her. Finally they were called into his office, and Annie instantly liked him. He was a few inches shorter than she was, and had a great laugh. Rick introduced them, then they got down to business.
�They take babies from different countries, but only one baby. So Jordan was the only one from England, and then Thomas was the only one they took from Japan. They have their own man who flies them, and that time she told me I was going with her. I was used to take Jordan, and alot of the other babies because I was small, and it was easy for me to get in and out of Windows,� she said. �Rick, I didn�t mean to take Jordan, Mistress Belle always said that we were saving the babies we took,� Annie said, afraid he would kick her out of their house.
Anger was the strongest emotion he was feeling, not at Annie because she hadn�t known any better, but at the people who had taken them, and sadness for other parents who had gone through what they had, and who likely wouldn�t be as lucky as they had been with Jordan, who had found home again. �You had know way to know that what was happening was wrong Annie, and I�m just glad that you brought her home to us,� he reassured.
Annie gave them addresses, of the factory, and the house, then it was over, at least for the time being.
�Annie thank you for coming here today, and thank you for being so brave,� George said. �I�ll get this information out to the National Authorities and push for them to move quickly to put these people away. Rick, we may need you and Evelyn to give statements once arrests are made,� he said.
�Just call us,� he said. He got his coat, and helped Annie with her sweater, then they went to his car, and headed home.
~*~
While they were gone, Jonathan arrived, and he, and Alex sat in the Parlor playing chess, talking about Jordan, or more Jonathan was inquiring about his niece.
�Mum�s been with her for almost an hour now. She got sick again this morning because Annie let her have Bacon and Eggs. Your move,� he said.
Jonathan pondered his move, not knowing why he played, because Alex always won. As he thouth about his move, Evie came down the stairs. �I called Dr. Brigman, and he is on his way. Jordan was sick again,� Evelyn informed.
�Do you want me to sit with her?� he asked, wanting to help out.
�Thank you, but I think it best that I do that. Just sent him up when he arrives,� she said as she walked up behind Alex and kissed him, then whispered something in his ear. As she walked up the stairs she heard the words �Check Mate,� and Jonathan�s complaint about Evelyn lending him a hand. When she arrived back in Jordan�s room, her daughter was awake holding the book upside down. �Should we read more?� Evie asked as Jordan looked up.
When she nodded her head, Evelyn smiled, then settled in bed beside her. Instantly Jordan leaned against her, and as she read, Evelyn pointed to the words, wondering if she should tell her that Dr. Brigman was coming in to have a look at her.
They had just gotten to the part where the little girl found her cousin, when someone knocked on the door. Jordan looked up, and when she saw a man walk in that she didn�t know, she hid her face against Evelyn�s chest.
�It�s all right my sweet angel, this is Dr. Brigman, my friend, and he just wants to have a look at you to make sure you are going to get better,� Evie tried. Jordan shook her head holding tight to Evelyn.
�Not to worry, Jordan. Look here a moment,� he said gently.
Evelyn was both surprised, and pleased when Jordan cautiously looked at him.
�This is my stethoscope and what I do with it is put it against your chest to hear your heart beat. It doesn�t hurt at all. He gave it to Evelyn, who let Jordan touch it, then when she was ready, Dr. Brigman listened to her heart beat. �That sounds good to me. Jordan, The next thing I need to do is look in your ears with this. It might feel a little funny, but I need to make sure no infection is in there,� he said.
With Evie holding her, Jordan allowed him to do what he needed. Always in the past the Doctors never talked to her. They always held her down, and were rough with her, yelling at her to hold still. This man talked soft, and let her see things before he did anything to her. When he finished, he asked her if she would try to drink as much water as she could stand to drink, and only eat dried toast and fruit for the rest of this day and the next.
�Call me if she gets worse,� he said as he packed his things. As he was leaving, Rick and Annie ran in, both with looks of worry etching their features.
�She�s all right,� Evie reassure both of them, as Jordan still rested her cheek against her chest. �We just need to have her work her way up to eating richer foods, so for today and tomorrow it�s all the water and fruit she can stand to have. Jordan do you want to sit with Annie?� Evelyn asked. Jordan didn�t answer, but she stayed where she was, which was a big change.
That surprised her, and saddened her at the same time, but before she could get to upset Alex ran in. �Uncle John wants to take me to get Ice Cream, he asked me to ask you if you want to come,� Alex said to Annie, then grabbed her hand, and pulled her out, leaving Rick with his two girls.
He watched them a moment, then walked over to the bed, and sat on the edge. He kissed Jordan�s cheek, then Evie on the lips. �Do either of you need anything?� he asked.
�Nothing I can think of, but thank you for asking,� she said. He gave her another kiss then left, glad that Jordan was opening up at least to one of them.
~*~
Night fell, and Jordan had slept most of the day, eating what fruit her mum brought for her and drinking as much water as she could stand. Evelyn had left her only a few times to eat, and to spend time with Alex, who assured her that he didn�t feel left out. Now as they finished another chapter of the book, Evie shut it. �Now, you get some sleep, and perhaps tomorrow you will be ready to do more than stay in bed all day,� Evelyn said as Annie walked into the room.
Jordan had been giving her the cold shoulder all day, and Annie guessed a great deal of it had to do with the fact that she had gone away, and that she was still angry about that. She watched Evelyn tuck her in, and give her a kiss, then went over to the bed.
�Good night Annie,� Evie said. She hugged her, and kissed the top of her head, then left to go make sure Alex was in bed, and possibly share a story with him.
After Evelyn left, Annie used the bathroom, and then came to the bed. Jordan was already turned away from her, and Annie frowned. �So are you going to stay mad at me for the rest of my stay here?� she asked. She slid into bed and Jordan moved further from her, and that made Annie mad. �Fine, you know what I�ll sleep in the den,� Annie said. She grabbed her pillows and ran out, and Jordan started to cry.
~*~
Downstairs, Rick was locking up when Annie ran down the stairs, and went to the couch, putting a pillow there, then he watched as she lay down facing away. �Annie?� he asked as he walked over to her.
�She�s being mean. I wanted to help you with the Morrison�s, and I told her that, and now she won�t even let me near her, so she can get what she wants, and don�t even try to tell me that I have to be nice to her, because right now I don�t want to even look at her,� Annie said. She was hurting. Jordan had been her responsibly, and she had liked that, even the scary times when she was sick.
Not knowing what to tell her, and not feeling he had a right to make her do anything she didn�t want to do, Rick left her alone, and as he got to the top of the stairs, he heard Jordan�s cries, and hurried in. Evelyn was with her, but Jordan wasn�t letting her hold her, and Rick felt responsible. He walked to the bed, and easily lifted her from there, holding her close. For a moment she struggled against him, and got in a few good hits, then she began to relax as he sat down, rocking her. When she quieted he kissed her. �Jordan, I asked Annie to go with me today, and I know how scary it has been for you, but we need to put the Morrison�s in a place where they won�t hurt any other children. You and Annie have been friends for a while now, and I think maybe you should give her a chance,� Rick said, hoping she understood what he was saying to her.
~*~
While Rick soothed Jordan, Evelyn sat with Annie.
�I know it�s stupid for me to get mad at her, and I want her to learn to like you, but she�s been my only friend, and when she gets used to you what�s my purpose?� Annie asked as she wiped her tears with the kerchief Evelyn had given to her.
Evie hugged her then. �Annie, we want you to stay with us despite anything that happens with Jordan and us, or Jordan and you. My husband was abandoned at some point in his life, and he knows what it�s like to not have anyone to care for you. Both of us want you to feel a part of this family, and we will help you look for yours if you want to try,� she reassured.
As they finished talking, Alex came downstairs. �Dad said Annie should come upstairs, he said Jordan wants her to stay now,� Alex informed.
Both of them followed Alex upstairs, and when they walked in Jordan�s room she was tucked into bed. Rick, who had been sitting on the side of her bed, stood up and kissed her goodnight, then he and Evie went out.
Once Annie had slipped back into bed, Jordan snuggled against her, and the two girls soon fell asleep.
~*~
In their room, all was quiet. Evie lay on her side with Rick behind her holding her against his chest. �How did you know she would let you hold her?� Evie said, rather surprised by how quickly she was responding to both of them.
He kissed her shoulder. �I didn�t, but I felt responsible for causing her anger, and her anger was misplaced. Annie needed to come with me today, and Jordan needed to know that Annie wasn�t betraying her,� Rick said as he continued his kisses along her shoulder.
Soon all thoughts of their children were drowned away, as they made love to one another well into the night, enjoying the intimate time between them when nothing else in the world mattered.
~*~
As with the night before, Annie felt Jordan sit up, and quickly sat up herself, holding her as she shook. Without asking her, Annie got up, and then picked her up, carrying her to her parents room. The door was open, and for a moment Annie felt strange about entering their room, then put that past her. �Jordan�s had another dream,� she called out, as she stood at the foot of their bed.
Instantly both of them sat up, clean from their earlier love making, and both were dressed. Annie took her to Evelyn�s side of the bed, and this time when Jordan wanted them, she didn�t feel hurt by that. �If you want to bring her in later you can,� Annie said, then she left.
Snuggled between her parents, Jordan felt safe. She wasn�t ready to talk to them yet, but being with them, she felt no more need for fear. Without a word she rolled over on her side facing her father, shutting her eyes and soon fell asleep without a hitch.
Both parents decided that tonight, at least, she would stay with them, and after leaning over her to kiss, they both joined her in a good nights sleep.
Chapter 4: Promise Broken
As welcome as the O�Connells made her feel, Annie still felt out of place, and felt her time with them had come to an end. Logically she knew that Jordan was supposed to trust her parents, and turn to them when she was afraid, but it was not easy for her to accept, when that began to take place. There was still a long way to go for Jordan to trust them enough to talk, but at night it was her parents who comforted her when she had a bad dream, and during the day she never wanted to be away from them. Annie still loved the little girl who had been her only friend, but it wasn�t the same, and it didn�t take long for her to decide that her place was elsewhere. She still wanted to act, and knew the best place for that was in Hollywood California.
Five days after their arrival, early one morning, before the sun even rose, Annie gathered the few things she felt she had a right to take, and without looking back she left the O�Connell�s home, not realizing the danger she was placing herself in by leaving the safety of the O�Connell home.
~*~
It was just after sunrise that Rick awoke, shutting off his alarm before it woke his wife and his daughter. For a few moments, he lay watching them. Jordan lay facing him as did Evie holding their little girl safe in her arms. They had been lucky to have found her, and he wanted to insure that she and the rest of their family remain safe. Today he was meeting with the Constable to see if the arrests, of the people who had taken her away from them, had been successful, and then he had meetings with Sam and a new Client for most of the morning. After lingering a little longer, Rick slipped from the bed ready to start his day.
~*~
As soon as the girls had gone missing, Mr. Morrison gathered the few things that held any meaning to his life, and along with his wife disappeared, leaving his company and his house behind. He had not worked hard all of his adult life to gain wealth in such trying times, to have it all taken away, and neither he nor Bella were going to let those two girls escape without paying for the trouble they had caused. Now both of them sat in the office of the very man whose child they had taken from England all those years before, both waiting to meet with him to make a business deal on some yachts they wanted built.
�Do you really believe that this is the family?� Bella asked her husband as they waited.
�Yes, there is only one family by the name of O�Connell here, and they will all pay for what their daughter has done,� Albert said taking her hand in his. Upon arriving in England they had learned of the arrests made, and the closing down of the factory, and while he and Bella could servive off the money they had, it wouldn�t last forever. He hadn�t known until the child and the girl had gone missing that the O�Connell�s were the richest people possibly in the world, and this time taking their daughter would be for all of what they had.
Finally the door to the meeting room opened, and in walked two men. Introductions were made, and an apology from Rick, who had told them some family trouble had occured earlier that day, and that was the reason for his being late. Once introductions had been made, the meetings began.
~*~
Sitting in the very Hotel room that she and Jordan had lived in before the O�Connell�s had found her, Annie tried to wipe away the fear she felt. She had been ready to leave for America, to go on with her life, but while she had been waiting to board her ship, across the way from where she had been sitting, she saw two people she never thought she would see again. Now Annie knew that trouble was brewing, and was terrified of them, and of the reaction she would get from the O�Connell�s for taking their money, and for leaving, when she had promised them, and Jordan she would stay. It was nearly noon when she finally decided she should go back to their house, and once she paid the man at the front desk for her half day stay, Annie walked out of the hotel, and down the walkway to the street, where she would hale a taxi to take her back to their home. That had been her plan, until she was grabbed and pulled behind some shipping crates.
�Well look what I have here,� she heard Lucas say. Lucas was the Morrison�s faithful man servant, and she had more than one run in with him over her life of hell with them. Annie bit down on his hand, and for a moment she thought she would get away, then he was on her again.
�Now Annie that wasn�t very nice of you. You don�t know the trouble you have caused us, but now that we have you, I�m sure we can find a way to pay you back for all of that.� With that, Lucas led her away from the road, and up the walk way to a very fancy hotel, telling her not to make a scene as they entered. He was happy now, and sure that his boss would also be happy for his find.
~*~
Evelyn had tried as gently as she could to explain to Jordan why Annie had gone, but no words of hers could take away the pain her daughter was feeling. After all Jordan had been through, she didn�t deserve to be in such pain, and Evie sat on the side of her daughter�s bed long after she had cried herself to sleep trying to not be angry at Annie�s actions.
Finally she realized that she had been blind, that Annie had just been hurt by Jordan�s slow acceptance of them. Had she have seen that things were not all right, Evelyn would have talked with her, assuring her that she was still welcome to stay with them, and that Jordan still loved her. Evelyn leaned over her daughter and kissed her cheek, then left to check on Alex, and wait for Rick to return with a report on the arrests that were supposed to be happening in the United States.
When she found him, Alex was setting up his train set, but Evelyn could tell he was angry, just as she had been. �Alex, would you like some help with that?� she asked as she sat down beside her son.
�Why bother,� he said and started to leave, when a hand on his stopped him. �It�s not fair mum, why would Annie leave her when Jordan still needs her. I mean how is she going to learn to trust us, when people start going away?� Alex asked as he settled himself on her lap.
Evelyn wrapped her arms around him. �Alex, Annie was hurt, and I know that what she did seemed cruel, but Annie felt this was the right thing to do. She hasn�t had an easy life either, and maybe she felt Jordan had enough love with us around,� Evelyn said, trying to make sense of why she had gone. The letter hadn�t said much, other than Annie wanting to act, and that she would send them the money she had taken from their safe once she was making her own.
�Maybe we should go sit with her..Hi Jordan,� Alex said as she walked over to them. He got up, and let her sit with their mum, then sat down beside them and showed her his train set.
~*~
After meeting with the Wilson�s, the false name the Morrison�s had given to him, Rick left to go talk to the Constable, who had been in meetings earlier that day. He sat in George�s office waiting for him, hoping that the Morrison�s were in custody, and also hoping that Annie had been found. He knew she had every right to leave, but the fact that the Morrison�s may not yet be in custody, worried him, and the fact that despite any protests from Annie that she was old enough to be out on her own, Rick still felt responsible for her well being. If she still wanted to go after they found her, he would make contacts in California with people he had met in his business dealings there, and find a place for her to stay.
He looked up when the door opened, and when George walked in he saw the troubled look in his eyes. Almost instantly Rick realized why George looked the way he did, and he suddenly felt the need to go home and be with his wife and his kids.
�Rick, the Morrison�s have vanished,� George said, as he sat down hard at his desk chair. �From what the authorities have found, the workers said that he and his wife and a man servant left for business in Los Angelos, and have not been heard from since then. I�ve sent my men to patrol the area around your house, to make sure you and Evelyn and the children keep safe. Also my men have not been able to find Annie,� he said as he finally looked up at his friend.
�You�re doing the best you can George, and I know this isn�t your fault, so don�t blame yourself,� Rick said already knowing that his friend did. �I need to go home to be with my family, you�ll call if anything develops?� Rick asked.
�Yes I will,� George stood up, and after seeing Rick out called a meeting of his officers to start searching for Annie.
~*~
Knowing that an outing would do her daughter, as well as the rest of them some good, Evelyn took Alex, and Jordan to the museum to check on the progress of the new exhibit. It was still not available for the public, but she took Jordan and Alex to the third floor of the museum, and as she went to turn on the light�s around the statues, from Thebes, she found that the lights didn�t work.
�Alex go behind the exhibit, and see if it�s plugged in,� Evelyn said as she walked over to the registry to see what progress the teams had made with the exhibit.
Obediently, Alex held Jordan�s hand, and led her through the semi dark room. �Stay here, I need to take care of this. He started to let go of her hand, but she shook her head at him. �Jordan it�s okay, it just needs to be plugged in,� Alex said, not realizing why his sister was afraid.
�You will die,� she said, her voice trembling with fear.
Alex turned to face her, shocked that she had spoken. �No, it�s just a plug, you know like the lights at the house are plugged into the wall, it won�t hurt me I swear it,� he said. Jordan let him go, and in a moment the exhibit was lit up. The statues were all of Bast, different sizes, and made of different stones. �See no problem,� Alex said.
Jordan nodded her head, and the two of them started to go back toward their mum, when Rick appeared out of breath. �Hey dad look,� Alex said not realizing that his father had been worried half out of his mind when he had found his family missing.
It had been Jonathan, who had informed him that they had gone to the museum. Quickly Rick realized that he needed to control his emotions so that Alex wouldn�t realize something was up. �That looks really good. Alex will you and Jordan wait in your mum�s office a moment,� Rick asked as he looked at the exhibit himself.
�Uh sure dad,� Alex said, as he led the way. Despite his father�s efforts, Alex knew something was up, but he decided it better to do what he was told. His mum�s office was on the first floor, and Alex found Ed the security guard who let them inside. Once they were there, Alex plopped down on the couch. �Hey Jordan, why did you think I was going to die?� he asked as he looked over at his sister. She was looking at the pictures on their mother�s desk.
�Because Adam died,� she said as she turned to face him. When it was evident Alex didn�t understand, Jordan took a breath. �Adam got shocked in the factory, and that�s very bad to do,� she said.
Alex had not expected to get and answer, but was glad he did, and was glad that she trusted him enought to tell him that. �Well the one�s here are safe, and if they weren�t, then mum wouldn�t let me or you near them,� he reassured. He got up, and walked to the desk, and told her about the pictures as they waited for their parents.
~*~
Annie winced as she sat down in the cab. Her back hurt from the whipping she had received, and she felt trapped. The Morrison�s had told her that she would get Jordan for them, or they would find the O�Connell�s themselves, and kill them all, all but Jordan then make her suffer. They knew Jordan was Annie�s weakness, and had used her to get their way. It was getting dark, and as the Cab neared the long drive, Annie had him stop just before he turned in. She got out and after paying him, snuck into the tall grass when she heard a car coming from the O�Connell�s drive way. When she got a good look, she saw that it was a patrol car, and realized that it wasn�t going to be easy to get Jordan away from them.
Since Annie was good at sneaking, it didn�t take her long to maneuver around the house and find the window which looked right into the parlor. Jordan was there with Alex, playing some sort of game, and Annie was almost at a loss of how to get her attention, when she looked up. Quickly Annie put a finger to her lip, and shook her head, then motioned for her to come outside.
Inside, Jordan suddenly got up.
�Hey where are you going?� Alex asked. Their mum and dad were in the kitchen making dinner, and had said for he and Jordan to stay in the parlor. Neither of them knew she had spoken to him, and she had asked him not to tell.
�I need to go,� she said, and Alex quickly realized what she meant. There was a bathroom in the hall leading to the front entry, and Alex just nodded his head, getting back to thinking of his next move. Jordan had caught on to playing checkers very easily.
When she got to the bathroom, Jordan ran as fast as she could, and made it out of the house finding Annie waiting for her. She jumped in her arms and hugged her tight.
�Jordan you and I need to get out of here,� Annie said expecting Jordan would do as she was told. When Jordan pulled away from her shaking her head, Annie realized she was going to have to tell her the truth and hope that she would go along with this. �We have to. The Morrisons are here, and they want us. They said that if I didn�t bring you back, that they would kill your family, and Trust me when I tell you that it wouldn�t be hard for them to do.�
�No, won�t go,� she said as she turned to walk away. Annie grabbed her putting a hand over her mouth, and held her still, then ran with her into the foliage. �Look don�t make this any harder than it is. If you�re dad is half the man he seems to be, he will get you back,� Annie said putting aside her feelings of guilt for taking Jordan back to the people who hurt her. �You don�t have a choice in this Jordan, and I can either drag you with me or you can walk. I�m going to let go of your mouth, if you scream, I�ll tell Lucas,� she said. When she put Jordan down, the little girl was shaking like a leaf, but she didn�t protest and went with Annie.
~*~
When a couple of minutes passed, Alex went to the bathroom to check on his sister, and when he didn�t find her there his blood ran cold. He ran to the front of the house and found the door open. It was dark, and he didn�t see anyone in site. �MUM DAD MUM,� he yelled as he ran to the other part of the house.
In the kitchen, Evelyn was setting the table. She had been crying in Rick�s arms until a few moments ago, upset that the Morrisons had gotten away, upset that their daughter was once again in danger. When both of them heard Alex�s panicked yell for them, they both ran to him. He was out of breath, and without his sister.
�She took off out the front door,� Alex said.
Rick knew instantly, that Annie had to have something to do with it, and quickly ran to get his gun, and his car keys. �Evie you and Alex call the constable, have them meet me at the docks,� he said.
For once in her life, Evelyn didn�t protest. She had to protect Alex, and she knew that Rick wouldn�t let Jordan disappear again.
~*~
When the girls reached the main road, a car was waiting for them, and Annie had not expected that. A door opened, and Lucas stepped out, and suddenly, Jordan pulled away from her, and ran. �Get in the car,� he yelled as he ran after her. He caught her in three steps, and clamped a hand over her mouth as she screamed. �Not so fast little brat, you are going to make us alot of money,� he said as he got in the car holding her still. The driver of the car was none other than Mr. Morrison himself, and Annie realized she had led them straight to the O�Connells doorstep.
Mr. Morrison turned the car around, and as he started to drive away, he didn�t see behind where another car pulled out of the O�Connell drive way with it�s lights turning off.
In his car, Rick tried to think of what to do, and just decided to go with the flow. He would follow the car in front of him, hoping it was Annie and Jordan that were inside, and think later. The car drove past the city, heading for the docks, and by then Rick knew it was them. It turned into a parking lot of a fancy hotel, and Rick went past, and pulled up to the front of the building. He sat low in his seat and didn�t have long to wait before Annie, and two men, one holding Jordan, walked from the back of the building. The one man he recognized instantly, and more anger flowed through him. �Time to make the bastards pay,� Rick said as he got out of his car. They had just gone into the hotel, and Rick drew his guns, and walked in behind them.
At this time of night the hotel was pretty quiet, and once Rick cleared the entry he clicked his guns. �Stop right there,� he said.
Knowing his voice, Annie nearly wept for joy. As she turned around to face him she felt herself pulled hard against Mr. Morrison�s body, and felt something sharp go at her throat.
Lucas pulled a knife on Jordan as well.
�Well Mr. O�Connell, I under estimated you didn�t I?� Albert Morrison said. �I suggest you put that gun away before one of these girls gets hurt,� he said.
Rick guessed this was about money, and prayed he was right. �I think you should give my daughter and Annie back to me. You wouldn�t want to kill her, because if you did you wouldn�t get any of my money. If you hand both of them over to me, then I will give you all of my money. My family comes first,� Rick said.
Morrison realized Rick had a point, especially when he looked past him, and saw flashing lights. Before he could say a word, Lucas dropped Jordan, and ran toward the back of the building.
Rick fired a shot, not missing his mark and hit Albert,s hand. The blade fell, as the man cried out, then he ran. �Stay with her,� he yelled at Annie. He wasn�t going to let him get away.
Stunned, and shocked, until she heard Jordan�s screams, Annie quickly held her. �Don�t worry, he won�t be gone for long,� Annie said as she rocked Jordan. They heard another two shots fired, just as the police arrived, as did a very unhappy receptionist from a room behind the desk.
�Mr. O�Connell is in the back,� Annie said to the officers, then looked up as Mistress Belle appeared with a gun, pointed right at Jordan�s head.
�You both deserve what�s coming to you,� She said. Annie shut her eyes, and heard another shot fired, then opened her eyes when she realized the shot had come from behind them.
Rick ran to the girls, gathering both of them in his arms. �Did he hurt either of you?� Rick asked, feeling Annie wince.
�Not Jordan, she�s just scared. I�m sorry I am,� she said, as she began to cry.
�Don�t be, let�s get you two home,� Rick said as he stood up, and helped Annie to her feet. To the Constable�s men, he informed them that two bodies were in the back, and that if they had any question�s they knew how to find him. He paid the Receptionist of the hotel for the damaged, then led Annie and his daughter to the car.
~*~
At home, Jonathan sat with his sister, resisting the urge to drink. When Alex had called, and told him that Jordan had been taken again, he had gotten there as fast as he could. �Not to worry old mum, you know Rick won�t let them get away with taking her,� Jonathan said as he hugged his sister who was quiet a mess, as she had every right to be.
While his uncle took care of his mum, Alex sat outside with Charlie, one of the constable�s men. �What if they don�t get her in time?� Alex asked feeling responsible. Before Charlie could answer, Rick�s car pulled down the drive, and Alex ran down the steps. When the car stopped he saw Annie holding his sister, and had mixed feelings, about her being there, then let them pass, and opened the door. �Jordan,� he said as he hugged both of them.
She didn�t respond, only clinging to Annie tighter, and Alex frowned, then felt his father�s hand on his shoulder. �Go tell your mum that they are safe,� he said. Without protest Alex left them, and when he was gone, Rick knelt down, and reached out rubbing his daughter�s back.
Knowing that she was safe, Jordan pulled away from Annie, and went into her father�s safe strong arms. Alex had been right, they did keep them safe, and that was more than Annie had done.
~*~
A few hours later, Jordan, and Alex were both asleep in Rick and Evelyn�s bed, and while Rick talked to George, in Jordan�s room, Evelyn tended to the whelps the whip had left on Annie�s back. �I know you and Rick must be mad at me, but I didn�t think you would be able to protect yourselves, and I thought that he would kill you, and make her suffer,� Annie said, as she tried not to cry. Her back really hurt, and despite how gentle Evelyn was being, it wasn�t gentle enough.
�You did what you thought was best for Jordan, and that�s what matters. Annie Rick and I talked it over, and we would like for you to stay here with us,� Evelyn began, but got a head shake.
�I can�t. You guys have one another, and I want to act. I�ll be out of your hair by morning,� she said as she sat up.
�Do you know where you will be going?� Evelyn asked as she handed Annie a soft cotton gown.
�Hollywood I guess,� she said as she pulled the gown over her sore body.
�Will you let Rick find some place for you to stay? He knows alot of nice people who would be more than willing to let you stay with them,� Evelyn said.
That Annie agreed to, and once Evelyn had gone, she tried her best to sleep, amazed at how generous these people were, even after all the trouble she had just caused them.
~*~
Morning came all to fast, and it was feeling Alex move away from him, that woke Rick. �Hey, why don�t you and I make breakfast for everyone,� he said softly.
Alex stretched then faced his dad. �Annie�s leaving again isn�t she?� he asked troubled by that.
�Yeah she is,� he said, reaching out to move Alex�s hair out of his face, realizing that both of them were over due for a visit to the Barber Shop.
�She�s being selfish,� Alex said as he moved away from his dad, and got out of the bed. He didn�t understand why his parents let her sleep in the same house, especially when he overheard that Annie had been the one to lure Jordan from the house.
Carefully Rick slipped from the bed, and walked over to Alex kneeling down, then gathered him in his arms. �She was afraid Alex. They told her that they would kill all of us in front of your sister, and Annie didn�t know what to do,� he said.
Alex sighed and rested his cheek against his father�s chest. �I guess she did what she thought best, but I still don�t like that she wants to leave Jordan,� he said.
�I know pal, but she has to do what she thinks is best for her life. Now why don�t we go make breakfast,� Rick said as he stood up.
Lightning fast, Alex ran out, and Rick grinned, then went after his son, knowing a race was on. Evelyn never liked them to race in the house, but after all that had happened, he knew that they needed some more fun times.
~*~
As the sun began to set, the O�Connells stood at the docks, seeing Annie off on her journey to the United States. Rick had contacted a friend living in Los Angeles, or right outside the big city, who had agreed that they would pick Annie up in two weeks at the train station there, and let her stay with them as long as she needed to.
The whistle blowing indicated that it was time for Annie to say goodbye. They had all been looking around at the different shops along the pier, but now the time had come. Annie said goodbye to Rick and Evelyn first, which wasn�t hard. Alex had gone of with his uncle, not willing to speak to her, which she didn�t blame him for, and now she stood with Jordan looking at the ship she would call home for the next week. �I�ll write you when I get there, and when I become famous, you can come visit,� Annie said. Jordan held tight to her leg, and Annie was amazed that she even wanted to be near her after all they had been through. She picked Jordan up, and nearly got strangled as Jordan clung to her.
�Don�t go, my daddy can�t keep you safe,� she whispered.
�His friends will keep me safe, and the Morrisons won�t every bother you or me again,� Annie reassured her. Another whistle blew, and Annie tried to put Jordan down but she wouldn�t let go.
Evelyn noticed and walked over to them. �Jordan, why don�t you and I go look at that doll you liked,� she tried. She got a head shake in response.
�Jordan let go okay, I�m going to go, and you need to quit being so silly,� Annie said.
Suddenly Jordan did let go, and when Annie put her down, she ran away from them over to Rick. Annie did her best not to feel sad, and looked at Evie. �Thanks for all you�ve done,� she said. When Evelyn hugged her, Annie hugged back, then she left to board her ship. Once she was aboard she turned and waved at them, then went to find her room and start her new life.
Chapter 5: Communicating
Neither Rick, nor Evelyn had assumed that Annie�s leaving would be
easy for Jordan to handle, and the day after she was gone, their daughter stopped responding to them, as well as to Alex. If they tried to hold her, or hug her to make her feel better, Jordan would pull away from them, and talking to her always sent her running to her room. Both of them knew they had to give her time to deal with things on her own, and they both understood that. Alex on the other hand was upset both at Annie, for leaving his sister, and at Jordan for turning her back on those that wanted to love her the most.
Being in the Garden was the only place Jordan felt at peace. It reminded her of the story her mum read to her every night, of the little girl and her Secret Garden. Now she sat by the fountain located in the center of the garden, trying to figure out why Annie hated her enough to leave her. She had thought that over, and the only thing she could figure out was that because she had trusted her parents, Annie was gone. It wasn�t fair, by any means, that Annie had left her alone. Jordan wasn�t sure if she really loved these people who called themselves her family or not. Maybe Like Annie she needed to go away, maybe that would be for the best. Her decision made, Jordan left the garden to go find her mum and dad and tell them of her choice.
~*~
With Alex gone to see Megan, and Jordan in the garden, Rick and Evelyn sat in the parlor together on one of the sofa�s. Evelyn leaned against her husband�s chest tired, and worried for their little girl. �Maybe we are wrong to try and let her sort this out all on her own Rick. She�s been alone for far to long,� Evelyn said as she lifted her head from his chest, to peer into his blue eyes.
Rick always found strength in those Hazel depths, and leaned his head down kissing her lips lightly. �I�m not sure what we should do. She won�t tell us what she wants, and obviously us trying to love her isn�t something she can handle at this moment in time,� he said as he sighed, and wrapped his arms tighter around her body.
He looked past her as Jordan walked out of the kitchen. When she walked over to them, he was surprised, and let Evie go, so both of them could face her.
As she thought about what to say, Jordan remembered well that the bad men wouldn�t get her anymore, and that Annie had told them she was leaving, and her father had helped her find a place to live. Taking a deep breath, she began. �I have made my choice,� she said barely above a whisper.
Neither of them moved, unsure of what to say to her, she seemed determined, and inwardly Rick smiled, because she reminding him alot of Evelyn. Finally he realized she was waiting for them to respond. �What choice have you made Angel?� he asked.
�I want to go away, like Annie did. I want to go live where she is,� Jordan said, swiping at a tear that started to fall down her cheek. When her mum reached for her, Jordan backed away. �She says she would be busy, but I can live with someone else that you know,� Jordan said.
Evelyn wanted to cry, this was not at all what she had expected, and she wasn�t prepared for this or how on earth to respond. When she heard Rick start to talk, she grasped his hand in hers.
�Jordan, I know how much this hurts you, but Annie was old enough to make that decision. Tell us how to help you,� Rick said, also not sure of what to say to her.
Jordan looked at her feet as more tears fell. �I did. Annie knows how to make me feel better, and I want to be with her not you,� she said then she left, running up stairs to her room.
�Oh Rick,� Evelyn said as she clung to him. Both of them held one another for several long minutes, then Evelyn felt her husband move, and stand up.
�She�s not pushing us away like this,� he said as he took her hand. He led her up the stairs, finding Jordan�s door cracked open. She was packing her cloths in a bag, in between sobs, and it broke Rick�s heart as it did Evelyns. He walked across the room, knelt down, and gathered her in his arms.
For a moment Jordan let him hold her, and then began to push him away. �No, let go of me,� she said, and began to struggle. Suddenly she was mad, more than she ever had been, and she struggled harder in his arms, managing to get in a good smack against his face before she quit fighting, then she just cried.
�Shh,� Rick said, amazed at how much that one smack had really hurt. She was diffinantly his kid, strong like Alex, and Evie. He stood up, and carried her over to her bed, sitting down, so that Evelyn could sit with them which she did.
�Why won�t you let me leave,� she said in a shaky voice.
�Because you have been gone too long, and because we love you too much to ever let you go away again,� Evelyn said as she wrapped her arms around both her husband and her daughter.
�You�ll just leave too,� Jordan said as she shut her eyes. All she wanted was for them to leave her alone, for them not to love her, and she was going to make sure they didn�t love her, then they would get rid of her, and she could go be with Annie. Bravely, she tried being mean.
�Well I don�t love you, and I won�t ever love you,� she said, and abruptly pulled away from her parents embrace. �Just go away,� she said as she crawled into the rocking chair. She shut her eyes, listening as she heard the bed squeak.
�We will be downstairs if you need us, and we do love you Jordan,� Evelyn said as she took her husband�s hand and led him out.
~*~
When Alex arrived home from Megan�s it was past dinner, but they had given him permission to eat with his best friend. For him the day had been fun. He and Megan had talked alot about Jordan, and she had helped him realize that he just had to give her a chance, to let her have time to get used to things. When he arrived in the parlor, his parents were there, but not his sister. �Hi mum, Hi dad,� Alex said as he walked over to them.
They made room for him to sit between them, which he did, then both of them hugged him. �So how was your day?� Evelyn asked, trying not to feel guilty for talking to her son.
�Great. Megs and I raced, and I actually won this time. I don�t think Sweet Thunder was feeling her best today,� Alex said of Megan�s horse.
While they talked, Jordan sat in the hall upstairs listening. They had Alex, so why did they want her. That had been nagging her all day long. She listened as Alex told them about his day, and listened to how happy they were for him. Jordan got up then, and walked down the hall to his room. He had taken her in there to show her his models, and without much thought she took one and threw it hard. It sailed across the room, and hit the wall, making quite a bit of noise as it broke into several pieces. She took another model, a plane that Alex and Jonathan had made, and threw that one. Again it made alot of noise as it hit the wall and broke apart.
Downstairs, all of them heard the noise, and Alex recognized the sound, from braking earlier models when he had been angry. �NOOOOO,� he yelled as he ran upstairs. When he got to his room he found three of his best models trashed, and Jordan about to throw another. �Do it and you won�t have a hair in your head,� Alex said, fed up with her all together.
Bravely she threw it, and her eyes widened when their father stepped in and caught it. �What�s going on here?� he asked.
�I want you to hate me,� she said, realizing that maybe she should have thought of a different way to get them to do it.
�Well you win, because I do hate you, and I hope you rot in hell,� Alex yelled as he ran out of the room past both parents.
Evelyn took Rick�s hand. �Go talk to him,� she said, knowing he was too angry to deal with Jordan, and not wanting their relationship to start off on a bad note.
Rick nodded, and left to find where Alex had gone off to, leaving the girls alone.
�So do I get to leave now?� she asked as she sat down on the floor.
Angry herself, Evelyn had to take in a few breaths and let them out. She knew how much the models meant to Alex, that each one he had worked on with either his father and or his Uncle, and that they held a special place in his memory and his heart.
�No angel, you don�t. Jordan, we won�t let you leave, and trying to make us hate you won�t work,� Evelyn said as she sat down next to her little girl. �What you did to Alex�s models was very mean, and hateful,� she said.
�He hates me now,� she said as she kept her gaze on the carpet before her, not daring to look up at her mum.
�He�s angry with you, and he has a right to be angry, those models were something he worked very hard to build, and ones he spent time building with Uncle John, and with your father,� Evelyn said, hoping she was saying the right things.
Jordan felt more afraid than she ever had in her life, afraid that they would hurt her. �Are you going to lock me in the cellar now?� she asked.
Evelyn reached out and gathered Jordan in her arms. �No we won�t ever do that, but you will be punished for this.� She felt Jordan tense, and began to rock her. �I think you know what you did to Alex�s models was wrong,� Evelyn said. Evie got a sigh as a response, and continued. �When you or Alex decide to make a wrong choice, then it�s my job and your dad�s job to teach you what you did wrong, and most of the time when you do wrong we punish you. I have to talk to your father, but I think having you stay in your room for the rest of the evening will be a suitable punishment,� Evelyn said. As she finished Alex came in followed by Rick
He looked at his sister, and was still really mad at her, but he really didn�t hate her. �Jordan I�m sorry about what I said. I don�t hate you, I�m just really mad at you right now, so thats all I have to say,� he said.
Evelyn waited, but Jordan didn�t say a word. �Jordan, maybe it would do well for you to tell Alex you are sorry,� Evie whispered in her ear.
�I�m sorry for hurting your models,� she said softly, then left the room going to her own.
Evelyn watched her go, then stood up and crossed the room hugging her husband, before going back to help Alex pick up what was left of his three favorite models. They weren�t totally ruined, and she hoped they could fix them almost as good as new. �All right Alex, get your bath, and brush your teeth. In the morning we will try to put these back together,� she said.
Obediently, Alex did as he was told, wondering if Jordan was even going to get punished for what she had done, not realizing that his mum had already decided on grounding her.
~*~
In their room, Evelyn found Rick sitting on the bed, and walked over to him. �I told Jordan she was grounded,� Evelyn informed him as he looked at her. �What is wrong?� she asked as she sat beside him.
�I was ready to spank her for that, and I can�t imagine what would have gone through her mind if I would have. How is it that you can be so calm?� he asked.
For a moment Evelyn pondered that. �I don�t know really how, maybe just trying to see things the way she does, for a fleeting moment I was ready to do the same thing, so it seems we are both guilty of making bad first choices,� she said trying to comfort him.
Rick opened his arms and when she was leaning against him he pulled her closer. �I think maybe tomorrow the two of you need to get out of the house. Alex and I both need time alone, and I need to get us down to the barber shop at some point,� Rick said, noticing that even his hair was getting too long for his tastes.
~*~
In his room, Alex was washed, and dressed in light blue pajama shorts and a white T-shirt. After slipping on his blue cotton robe, he walked across the hall to Jordan�s room and saw the door half open. When he walked in he found her laying on the bed facing away from him, still wearing the same cream colored dress she had been in since earlier that day. �Do you want to talk?� he asked, hoping to make amends.
�No,� she said in a watery voice. From her tone, Alex could tell she had been crying, and shook his head. He wondered alot now if she would ever let them love her, or if she would always be so closed in on herself that she didn�t see that they wanted to care for her. After lingering another minute, Alex walked out of her room and went back to his. He slipped off his robe and put it at the end of his bed, then slid under the warm covers. As he closed his eyes he heard a meow, then smiled as Cleo jumped up on his bed and lay against his head, her favorite place to sleep.
~*~
When she woke up it was morning, and Jordan found herself dressed in a white nightgown. She wondered how they managed to get her dressed without her knowing it, then shrugged it off, and started to get out of bed when she remembered what her mum had said. She was grounded for breaking Alex�s models. Before she could worry too much, someone knocked at her door, then her mum walked in dressed in a pretty outfit, dark slacks, and a dark shirt, accented with a gold belt. She also had on a garment that looked like a robe.
�I decided that you and I need to go out and find some more outfits for you. You have plenty of dresses, but you need things you can wear for play,� Evelyn said, not giving Jordan any choice.
She looked away. �Please let me stay here alone,� she said. Her resolve had not changed. She still wanted them to hate her.
While she otherwise sulked, Evelyn picked out a navy short sleeved dress, with a white Satin sash to tie around her waste, and a colour which hung just below her neck, and devided in the middle. �I know you would rather us not care for you, but we do, and your father and brother have gone to get their hair cut and spend time together, so I thought you and I would do the same,� Evelyn said as she took the dress to the bed.
�But I don�t love you,� she said frustrated.
Evelyn sighed and knelt down trying to see into her daughters blue eyes. �You may not love me, but I love you very much, and I want to do all I can to make you happy, to show you all the things that you have never seen,� Evelyn said.
�I won�t get dressed, then you can�t make me go with you,� she said.
As much as she loved her daughter, Evelyn had a feeling she was being tested, and stood up. �Jordan Christina O�Connell I want you to get up this instant and get dressed,� she said firmly.
Her mothers change in tone got her attention very fast. She slid off the bed and pulled her nightgown off, then reached for the dress, her hands shaking.
Quickly Evelyn noticed, and knelt down again. �Now thats better,� Evie said as she stilled her daughters shaking hands. She had not yelled at her, but had used enough force in her voice to let her daughter know she meant business. When her dress was on her, she led her daughter to the bath room and got a wooden brush with soft bristles. In a few minutes she had Jordan�s hair French braided, in one braid along the center of her head.
�You look very pretty,� Evelyn said as she lead Jordan out of the bathroom too admire herself in the full length mirror. Evie smiled as she only looked at herself fleetingly, then they left the house ready for a day in town.
~*~
While they drove into town, Jordan sat quietly looking out the window. Evie had tried talking to her, but that didn�t seem to work, so she thought about what they needed to get for Jordan. A few things Evelyn had decided on was beginner books to help Jordan learn to read, and the same for her arithmetic.
When they arrived in town, and much to Evelyn�s surprise, Jordan took her hand as she got out of the car. The two O�Connell women, walked down a crowded sidewalk, until they arrived at a Department store and went inside. Immediately, a woman Evelyn knew well, Bonnie Davis, who was the head sales woman, walked toward them. �Evelyn welcome, and who is this pretty young lady?� she asked.
Evelyn smiled. �Bonnie, this is my daughter Jordan,� she said.
Bonnie had known her a long time, and remembered when their daughter had been taken. For a moment she stood there, a million questions running through her head, but then she just smiled. �Well Jordan you are just as pretty as your mum. Now what may I do for the two of you?� she asked.
~*~
Across town, Alex and Rick walked out of the Barber shop with freshly cut hair. �Well pal, where too?� Rick asked.
�Why don�t we go to the park? I have my Rugby ball in the back of the car,� Alex said.
Rick grimaced. The last time he and Alex had played, he had nearly broken his leg, when he slipped in a mud puddle. �Hmm, why don�t we go to a picture show?� Rick asked.
Liking that idea even better than his, Alex quickly agreed to that, and the two of them headed for the Movie Theater. When they arrived they found a new movie playing, Frankenstein. �Oh Yeah, lets do that one,� Alex said nearly jumping out of his shoes.
Rick thought that over. Alex was still young, but then passed up on that worry. His son knew what was real, had been through more than any kid should be in Egypt, and for the past few weeks with Jordan�s arrival, deserved a treat like this, so this would be their time. They went inside the theater, and got a bucket of fresh pop corn, and drinks, then went into watch the movie.
~*~
A few hours later, Evelyn and Jordan finished their shopping. The back of Evelyn�s car was full of packages for both of them. Their day had gone all right. Jordan hadn�t said a word to her, but neither had she let go of her hand. Seeing that they still had a few hours of day light left, Evelyn pulled her car to the side of the park, and they got out. She got in the trunk of her car, and pulled out a blanket, then led her daughter to the lake. Jordan helped her spread out the blanket and when Evelyn sat down, she sat with her.
�When I was your age, your uncle and I would come here to play. There wasn�t much here other than the lake, but while he would play with his friends, I would pick flowers just over there for my mum,� Evelyn said. She pointed to a place past the lake which was now just grassy land.
�Is my daddy mad because what I did last night?� she asked. Since last night only her mother had been around, and Jordan feared that he didn�t love her, that she had succeeded.
�Oh my angel no don�t think that. He was the one who got you into your nightgown last night. I don�t know how he keeps you or Alex asleep, but he has always been able to do that better than I have,� Evelyn said as she pulled Jordan to sit closer to her.
Suddenly they heard Alex calling them, and when they turned he had a kite already sailing high in the sky. �Hey Jordan come over here and try this.� he said.
For a moment she just sat, and watched, then ran over to where her brother stood, and watched him.
�Here hold on tight to it, once it gets up that high it gets pretty tuggy,� he said transferring the handle into her hands.
Jordan felt the tug as soon as he let go, and was afraid she would lose it but he assured her she would not.
While they took turns flying the kite, Rick settled beside Evelyn, who admired his hair cut. �You look very handsome,� she said, reaching up to run her fingers through his hair.
Rick never got his hair cut too short, knowing that his wife loved to run her fingers through it as she was doing now. �It looks like you and Jordan had a good day together,� he said noticing her smile as she flew the kite.
�We did. It started out sort of on the rough side of things, but we got past that, and I think despite her efforts to try not to have a good time, she did anyway,� Evelyn said pleased.
The two of them sat watching their children, both pleased that they were getting along, and both fulfilling eight years of wishing to finally see both of their children together and happy.