Chapter 2: A New life for Hannah

 

~*~

And somewhere while your sleeping

Someone else is dreaming too

Counting down the days until

They hold you  close and say I love you

And like the rain that falls into the sea

In a moment what has been is lost in what will be

 

When love takes you in everything changes

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

And this love will never let you go

There is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold

~*~

 

 

The month that passed, after Rick’s call, seemed to move at a snails pace.  Evelyn, Alex and his new family, as well as Marie  moved back to London in that time, and repaired any work that the house needed, though Alex had been there with Megan quite a few times, so the house was not in bad shape.  The day of Rick and Hannah’s homecoming arrived quickly, and that was the talk at morning meal.

 

“So mum, are you ready to be a mum again,”  Alex asked as he took Josh from Megan to burp.  Their son was a month old to the day, and growing strong, though right now he was asleep.

 

“I think so.  I’m not sure what she will think of all of this, your father said she doesn’t let anyone near her accept for him,”  Evelyn said as she took a bite of toast.

 

“Good morning Family,”  Victoria said cheerfully.  She was dressed up on a pretty velvet blue dress, and her hair was all done up in spiral curls.

 

“Woe cuz, hot date?”  Alex asked.  She shook her head.

 

“Behave, Alex,”  Megan said as she nursed their other son, Jacob.

 

“Oh only because you asked,”  he said leaning in to give her a kiss.  Jonathan walked in as well, and looked at his daughter.

 

“Go wash that make up off,”  he said.

 

“But,”  she tried, then ran out when he gave her a stern look.

 

“Some things never change,”  Evie said smiling at her brother.  Jonathan walked over and gave her a kiss.

 

“Well isn’t this nice, we are all under one roof, so does Rick and Hannah know about the twins?”  he asked.

 

“Not yet,”  Evelyn said longing for him to be home.  Once breakfast had ended she went to her room to get dressed.  Because of Hannah’s shy nature, Evie was meeting Rick and she by herself.  As she finished putting on what little makeup she wore, Victoria knocked on her door then walked in.

 

“May I come with you please?”  she asked.  Seeing the sad look in her eyes, Evelyn couldn’t say know and after she put her coat on they left together.  On the drive, Victoria told her about how strict Jonathan had become.

 

“You know angel, your father loves, you.  He wasted a great deal of his life drifting, and I think he sees that in you,”  she said.  Her aunts perspective on things seemed to help.  When they got to the port the ship was just docking, and Victoria stayed in the car, to give Evelyn time with Rick and Hannah.  As she got closer to the ship, Evelyn spotted Rick straight away, and against his shoulder wearing a warm sweater, with the hood pulled over her head was Hannah.  He came down the ramp and in a quick moment she was in his arms.  Hannah didn’t utter a sound, keeping her face pressed tightly against his neck.

 

“I missed you,”  she said as they shared a kiss.

 

“I’ve missed you,”  he said rubbing her nose with his.

 

“Hannah, can you say hello to Evelyn?”  he asked. 

 

“No,”  she said softly,  Evie smiled and took his hand, and as they walked to the car, Rick told her about the trip, and how they had spent most of it in their cabin.  As soon as the ships cabin boys loaded Rick’s gear, Rick got in noticing Victoria for the first time.

 

“You have turned into a lady,”  he said as he sat in the front of the car with Hannah still holding tight to him.  Victoria blushed, but thanked him, then they all headed home.

 

~*~*~

 

When they arrived, Megan was sitting in the little garden outside with Alex and their two babies, and Rick took notice of the little ones as soon as he got out of the car.

 

“Oh son, you did get paid back,”  Rick said laughing as he walked over.

 

“I know, if they are like me, I think Megs and I will let you have them,”  Alex said trying to get a peep at Hannah.

 

“Stop,”  she said as he tickled her bare foot.  Alex hadn’t expected that, but knew from what his mum had said that it would take Hannah a great deal of time to get used to all of them.  While everyone got things unloaded, Rick took Hannah upstairs to the master bedroom, and once away from everyone she looked around.

 

“Big here,”  she said still staying in his arms.

 

“Yes it is.  This is my room, and Evelyn’s,”  he said.

 

“Me too,”  she asked.  A knock on the door, caused Hannah to grasp ahold of Rick’s neck once again.  Evelyn walked in alone, and sat down on the bed beside them.

 

“Hannah, would you like anything to eat?”  Evie tried.

 

“Cookie?”  she asked softly.  Evelyn smiled and left to get that, and once she was gone, Hannah looked around and let Rick get her hooded sweater off.  In the time she had been with him she had been examined, not willingly by a medic both in Germany, and when they had gotten back to Britain, where the British Forces Headquarters was located.  The medic said her health was good, and to keep watch over what she ate.  As much as he hated, it, Rick knew they would need to get her to their own doctor, and he wasn’t looking forward to that at all.

 

“Are you and Evie my momma and daddy?”  she asked, breaking his train of thought.

 

“We are going to take care of you now, and you are our daughter, yes, but you don’t have to thing of us as your momma and daddy,”  he assured her.

 

“I want to,”  she said.  Rick smiled and gave her a kiss, then when Evie got back they had a cookie party for three.

 

 

~*~

When love takes you in everything changes

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

When love takes you home and says you belong here

The loneliness ends and a new life begins

When love takes you in it takes you in for good

When love takes you in

~*~

 

Just a note.  This is not the end, but just a beginning, I hope you guys like where this is going. 

Shelby