Bolting upright from a deep sleep, his heart
pounded, his eyes looked nervously around the room. It was a dream, just
another foolish dream where he heard her voice. He flopped onto his back,
a fine sheen of sweat covering his skin. Before he could drift back into
sleep, he heard her again, this time clearly. This time he knew he wasn't
dreaming.
She was radiant as she sat in the bed, their
daughter at her breast. He longed to touch her, to feel her, to hold her
in his arms as she fed their daughter. Their daughter.
Quinn. She held more magic for him than her mother.
"Please let me see you. Please...." He could see her
resolve fading as she weighed her decision. The hope that only hours
before was beginning to fade, surged within him again.
A resigned look crossed her face. "I
can make no promises, but I cannot keep her from you."
As she faded from his vision, the part of him
that was missing returned. She was part of his soul again. Picking
up the phone, he quickly arranged a flight to London. His packing was
interrupted by a knock at the door. Howie walked into the room, astounded
at what was taking place in front of his eyes.
"Are you mad? Don't you see, she's
just leading you on another wild chase. She will be gone when you get
there." Howie grabbed Kevin by the shoulders, trying to shake some
reason into him. "Don't waste your time."
"My daughter has been born. Nothing
is going to stop me from going to her, to them." Howie was blocking
the door. "Get out of my way."
"If it takes the four of us, we will stop
you." Nick and the rest soon stood behind Howie. Before any of
them could react, an unseen force threw them to the floor, holding them
there.
"Will you four never learn. This is his decision,
not yours." Her voice echoed in their ears. "If he chooses
not to come, it will be of his own free will, not because of your
threats." She released her hold on them. "Do not stand in
his way."
They slowly struggled to their feet, afraid of what might come
next. "So now she fights your battles too. Don't expect us to
be here to pick up the pieces Kevin."
He walked out the door
without saying a word, suitcase in hand. Nothing could have stopped
him.
He stood on her doorstep, heart pounding like a
schoolboys. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to knock, only to find the
door already open. She was standing in front of him.