Alexia Eden(32)

“Sorry for earlier.” I say to them. They look at me confused, “You know …for kneeing you in the…” I say and they immediately understand.

“Don’t apologize to them Lexi, if I was there when they man-handled you I would of probably done worse.” Johnny says as Alex sits across from me on his lap.

“I just can’t believe someone as small as you put those two mutts, which are are double the size of you by the way, so easily on the ground in pain…it was amazing!” Johnny says in a pleased tone. There’s something about him that makes me easily drawn to him in a fatherly sense… maybe he just reminds me so much of dad.

I laugh at their comments. “Well my dad taught me how to stand up for myself.” I see Johnny wince when I say “my dad” but it was so small that I almost missed it, I watch as Alex rubs his neck as if trying to reassure him.

“When I was younger, I was the shortest in my age group but I was also the chubbiest, so the boys and girls used to pick on me. One day I came home with bruises and dad started teaching me self-defense and other types of martial arts at the gym he owned. He said that even though I was small I should be able to defend myself so I’ve been training since I was about seven.” I smile at the memory of my dad teaching me.

“You were bullied as a kid? How long did it last? Did James sort them out?” he rambles on and I see him sit up straight and his jaw tense. Why would he be angry? It was a long time ago…

“Yeah he went and spoke to their parents and they never bullied me again, but then after he died and things changed, the bullies came back and I just got to the point where I didn’t care what they did to me. I stopped going to lessons because the gym reminded me of him and I just couldn’t take it. I miss the training though…” I say as I look in the blazing fire and grimace at the memory of how I was bullied by those who used to be my best friends.

“Johnny could train you if you like … I mean if you wanted to carry on training?" Alex says as she looks down at Johnny underneath her. He looks at her and gives her a smile then looks at me with hope in his eyes.

“Really?” I say as I look at Johnny and his smile gets even wider.

“Of course! I would love that and then at least you have a reason to come back.”

“I’ll visit as often as I can…. that’s if you guys want me around, I don’t want to intrude or anything?” I say shyly.

“Honey we want you around as much as possible, now that we found you, you aren’t going to be able to get rid of us that easily.” Johnny chuckles,

“We would prefer if you lived with us permanently but I know you have other commitments and we don’t want to scare you away especially with this whole werewolf thing that’s new to you. Our home is always open to you when you want to come here. You’re part of our family and this is your home.” He gives me an encouraging smile.

"Thank you so much for everything, I would have loved to live here with you guys…it’s weird because I haven’t felt “at home” for so long and as soon as I came here and met all of you I felt like It was home. I didn’t really have a big family when I was growing up, it was just mom, dad and I. So spending time with all of you feels great.” I notice every single time I mention my dad Johnny grimaces. I need to get to the bottom of that. I see sadness in both Alex and Johnny’s eyes as I tell them this.

“So Johnny will you really train me?” I ask him smiling.

“Sure hun if you want me to.”

“Yes please, I’ll make sure I come visit you guys at least once a week, hopefully more if I can get moms car.” I smile at them excitedly.

“Then you can stay over whenever you come, we will even get you your own bedroom ready, I don’t want you driving all the way back there in the dark, do you think Georgina will mind?” Alex declares, I don’t argue with her since I really don’t mind spending more time with these people.

“Oh don’t worry about Georgina, she probably won’t even realize I’m gone, she never does….she’s too worried about her boyfriend and going out with her friends.” I mumble off not realizing how annoyed I sound at speaking of Georgina, I look at Johnny and Alex and both of their faces are scrunched up, I watch as their eyes darken with anger and Johnny’s fist is clenched showing white knuckles.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean for it to come out so harsh, it’s just that…. I get so upset at her sometimes. I’m sorry …. She’s not that bad I swear ….she’s getting better. I just miss who she used to be and it feel like I don’t know who this person is that took my mom’s place.” I stutter and look at my feet not wanting to look at their angry faces any longer.