Chapter 6

Hayden leaned against the doorframe of the library with his hands in his pocket, holding Nora's silver watch in his palm. He could almost imagine each stroke of the minute hand was one of her heartbeats. He turned the thing over and over in his palm, tracing the glass with his fingers as his eyes traced Nora's face in front of her computer.

The morning sunlight was hidden behind dark broody clouds. The woods around the house drank in all the rain from the nights before, making the green of their leaves rich and dangerous. Nora sat in the armchair with her laptop blanched on her knee as she scrolled away. Her big round glasses hung from the bridge of her nose as her eyes scanned the screen with rapid speed.

Hayden stood watching her for the longest. He wanted to walk over to the girl and pull her hair out of the bun she had tucked it into, but he couldn't bring himself to disturb her. Her small toes poked out over the edge of the armchair making Hayden wonder if she was cold.

He had never really seen her so quiet and still. It was a strange sense of peace he knew wouldn't last too long. And as the seconds ticked by, Hayden wasn't sure if he even liked the silence around her. The mind that craved silence since birth suddenly feared silence from the modest beauty in the armchair.

"Nora?" Hayden cleared his throat.

"I know, I'm going," Nora didn't bother looking up from the screen. "Just another minute."

"Where are you going?" Hayden asked, curious to hear her answer.

"Breakfast," Nora muttered. "Birdie called me for breakfast."

"Birdie left for school almost two hours ago," Hayden chuckled.

"Who called me for breakfast then?" Nora's eyes snapped up.

"Birdie," Hayden said. "Two hours ago."

"Oh shit," Nora clicked her tongue. "Wow, how rude of me."

"It's fine," Hayden waved his hand.

"No, it's not," Nora frowned. She placed her laptop down on the coffee table in front of her and rubbed her face. "You guys have all been so sweet to me. Your mom is amazing and I think you dad might even like me a bit. I shouldn't be buried here in my laptop."

"You're working," Hayden tried to ease her conscience. "It's fine. We all get it."

"Still makes me feel bad," Nora shook her head.

"Any hits yet?" Hayden pushed away from the door and walked into the room.

"No," Nora looked at the laptop. "Wherever she is, she's not using her phone or her cards."

"Yet," Hayden added. "Give it some time. It's only been what....24 hours? Not even."

"I don't like waiting around," Nora muttered. "I don't know what else to do. I looked up all of Lidia's old contacts, but nothing valuable came up. Who do I go to? Who do I ask what the hell is happening?"

"Have you tried contacting your father?" Hayden asked slowly.

"He doesn't know anything," Nora rolled her eyes.

"We don't know that," Hayden pushed. "Maybe he knows something about your mom or Lidia."

"I don't think he does," Nora shrugged.

"Again, you don't know tha-"

"I don't want to speak to him, okay?" Nora frowned, trying her best to not let her frustration out on Hayden. "He has made it very clear that he doesn't want anything to do with me. I'm not going to go knock on his door again."

Hayden frowned, "Again?"

Nora let out the breath she was holding. She pushed back the messy baby hairs on her face before shrugging once more and looking away. She began to tug at the small piece of skin on her lip with her teeth as her hands tugged on the sleeves of her sweater. By the time she started to speak again, Hayden had assumed she was done talking about her father.

"I went to go see him senior year of college," Nora began quietly. "I tracked him down. It wasn't too hard. The man uses cards for everything."

Hayden slowly nodded, "What happened?"

Nora smiled for a second but it didn't spike up Hayden's heart rate. Instead it made his chest tighten. He watched her lower her gaze to her hands as she shrugged once more.

"He remarried," she said. "He has a son now....Noah. He was about three when I saw him."

"I'm sorry," Hayden slowly sat down on the edge of the coffee table and faced her. "That must have been hard."

"I don't know," Nora thought for a few seconds. "I just remember feeling so angry....He didn't even ask me to stay."

The boiling dislike Hayden felt for a man he never even met surprised him. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like for Nora to see her father with his new family and child.

"We went to a coffee shop a few blocks away from his house," Nora continued. "He asked about my school, what I was majoring in, if I had a job....It felt normal for a few."

Hayden slowly nodded. He reached out and took Nora's hand, holding it in between his before bringing it up to his lips and pressing a kiss on her knuckles.

"I thought maybe we could have a relationship again," Nora looked at Hayden. "I wanted to be a part of his life. Get to know my baby brother."

"What happened?" Hayden could see the way Nora battled to keep her eyes dry.

"As the waitress bought the check, my father looked at me and said....." Nora took in a shaky breath. "He said it would be best if I didn't try to contact him in the future."

Hayden's hand gripped Nora's. His jaw tensed as the ache in his chest left him feeling breathless.

"He had a new life. A fresh start....and he didn't want his old life coming back and messing that up," Nora almost lost her voice speaking the words.

"He doesn't deserve you," Hayden said. "He doesn't deserve to be in your presence."

"I didn't tell Lidia," Nora looked at their hands. "I told her the address I found was fake..... I couldn't tell her."

"It's okay," Hayden reached up and touched the edge of Nora's face. "Sometimes we lie with pure intentions."

Nora slowly nodded, her eyes lowered. She took in a deep breath and counted to a hundred in her head to even out her breathing.

"If my dad knows anything about my mother being a vestal or Lidia and Nana," she said slowly. "I doubt he will want to talk."

"You don't ever have to speak to him," Hayden said. "Never."

"Trust me," Nora laughed, fanning her wet eyes to keep the tears from running down. "I don't plan on it. He's been dead to me since that day."

Hayden wanted to pull her onto his lap and wrap his arms around her. She really wasn't kidding when she said she had nobody left to call family. Just the thought of Nora being alone made Hayden's insides disappear. He knew more than anyone how important it was to have people who loved you and would lay down their life for you. Nora needed to know that feeling of being secure.

"This woman is moving at snail speed!" Nora suddenly snapped, her eyes on the laptop beside Hayden. "Ugh! Come on! Buy something, damn it!"

"Nora, Nora," Hayden took both of her wrists and gathered it up in his hand. "Relax. We'll get our info."

"How?" Nora asked. "We keep meeting dead ends that give us more questions than answers."

"Relax, please," Hayden shushed her. "Breathe."

"I am breathing," Nora gave him a pointed look.

The look of frustration on her tiny face amused Hayden. He held back a smile as he cleared his throat and pulled her by her wrist.

"There might be another way," he said slowly.

"What is it?" Nora asked.

"We tried your way. Maybe we should try my way," Hayden smiled. "We can ask your mom and Lidia directly."

"You can speak to the dead?" Nora shrieked. "And you're just telling me?"

"I can't speak to the dead," Hayden shook his head.

"Birdie can?"

"No, Ki-"

"Your mom?"

"Nora," Hayden tugged at her wrists again. "Stop. Listen."

"Sorry," Nora sat up straight.

"We know Killian and Kiara," Hayden said slowly. "Kiara is still re-learning the ropes, but Killian can go down to the underworld and speak to your mom and Lidia. We can cut Nana out of the equation completely."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Nora asked.

"Because Killian and Kiara kind of have their hands and plate full right now," Hayden said. "With the baby and Kiara's condition...but I know Killian can make an exception for a friend."

"Okay," Nora nodded slowly. "It's worth a shot, right?"

"Right," Hayden nodded. "They're all still in Italy. We can go right now."

"Right now?" Nora asked.

"Yes," Hayden's smile grew. "Let's go."

As he jumped to his feet, Nora remained in her seat as if she had grown roots. Hayden turned and looked down at her, holding her hand.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I...." Nora looked up slowly. "If Killian does agree-"

"He most likely will."

"I can...."

"You'll have your answers," Hayden smiled.

Nora nodded slowly, "I can....I can send a message to my mom."

The smile on Hayden's lips slowly dimmed. He could see the excitement and hope rising behind Nora's brown eyes. But damn was she so scared to let them show.

"Killian won't say no," Hayden said gently. "If you want....you can send a letter to her."

Nora's eyes widened, "Wh-what do I say?"

"That you miss her," Hayden smiled. "That you're working at the palace and you're brilliant. You know you're a vestal and need answers."

Nora slowly nodded, "Yeah, I can say that...."

"Yeah," Hayden nodded along with her. "You can tell her about your new apartment and how you helped find Kiara."

The first hint of a smile on Nora's face was like a breath of fresh hair. She hesitated at first but slowly she couldn't hold back the smile anymore.

"I'm gonna need a few pieces of paper," Nora gripped Hayden's fingers tightly.

____________________________

"This one is for my mom," Nora said, holding up the small white envelope.

Killian nodded, rocking Lila on his shoulder with the burping clothing underneath her.

"And this one is for Aunt Lidia," Nora held up the second envelope.

"I'm sure Hayden explained to you how the underworld works," Killian's eyes flickered to the boy standing behind Nora.

"Yes," Nora nodded, taking in a long deep breath. "I understand you might not be able to find them."

"If I do...," Killian began. "Do you want to know where I found them?"

"No," Nora shook her head. "In my head they're both happy in the Elysian fields. I want to keep it that way....forever."

"I get it," Killian said.

"Thanks again, Killian," Hayden stepped forward. "We wouldn't be sending you there if we weren't desperate."

"Anytime," Killian lifted Lila. "Kia should be back in an hour or so. She's with Gemma. You two sure you can handle Lila?"

"Of course," Nora held out her hands. "I love babies."

Hayden's eyes flickered to the girl as Killian handed Lila to her. He watched the wide smile on Nora's face, feeling his own pulse rise. A warm spark blossomed in his chest that made him want to stand closer to Nora.

"She just ate so she should be falling asleep now," Killian said. "I'll be back as soon as I get anything."

"Got it," Hayden nodded.

"Bye, princess," Killian leaned down and kissed Lila's head. "Mommy is on her way."

"Thank you again, Killian," Nora said, gently patting Lila's back.

Killian gave her a small nod as he stepped back and summoned a portal. Nora held her breath as she watched him disappear with the letters in his hands. Her heart picked up it's pace despite her efforts to keep her excitement buried.

"She's throwing up," Hayden frowned, looking at Lila foaming at the mouth.

"What?" Nora pulled the baby off her shoulder and cradled her in her arms. "That's just spit!"

"It looks gross," Hayden picked up Nora's hair and moved over her other shoulder.

"Grab me that cloth," Nora pointed to the changing table as she headed over to the armchair in the room. "It's just a little spit. Did you burp, baby girl?"

Hayden handed Nora the cloth as he pulled out another wipe from the box and began to clean her shoulder. He watched Lila staring up at Nora over her shoulder as he stood behind the two. Nora spoke to the baby in a strange high pitched voice, giggling and cooing at anything Lila did.

"Nap time?" She asked. "Yes? Yes, let's go take a nap, princess."

"I don't think she can understand you," Hayden tossed the dirty wipe in the trash and sank down into the other armchair.

"It's still good to talk to babies," Nora got up and began to bounce Lila in her arms.

Hayden pulled the small stuffed bunny from behind him and held it in his hands, spinning it to make the floppy ears swing in the air. His eyes followed Nora around the room as she walked back and forth with the baby, humming and rocking her arms.

"Do you want children?" He asked, moving his eyes to the bunny in his hands.

Nora paused and looked over her shoulder, "I did."

"You don't anymore?"

"I don't think that's an option for me anymore," Nora turned away. "I can't have children, remember?"

"Doesn't mean you can't be a mother," Hayden looked up.

"If I make it out of this alive....sure why not?"

A deep scowl appeared on Hayden's handsome face, "Why wouldn't you make it out of this alive?"

"I'm just kidding," Nora shook her head. "It's just a lot sometimes. Some moments, I'm fine. But then the next, I'm drawing in questions and uncertainty. Who knows how much I don't know about myself yet."

"Nora," Hayden's eyes returned to the bunny. "No matter what happens....I won't let anything happen to you. You know that right?"

Nora nodded slowly.

"Good," Hayden said. "I need you to know that."

Just then, Lila began to fuss in Nora's arms. She let out a small cry of protest and rubbed her tiny face with her balled fists, kicking off the blanket around her.

"No, no," Nora began to rock her once more. "Shhhhhh, it's okay. Go to sleep."

Hayden rose from his seat and made his way over to where Nora stood with Lila. He looked down at the baby and smiled at the mini Kiara look alike.

"What?" Nora asked, noticing the smile on his face.

"She looks just like her mom," Hayden said.

"Her mom is very beautiful," Nora brushed back Lila's dark hair.

"Eh, she's okay," Hayden shrugged.

Nora suddenly laughed, putting Lila over her shoulder once more. She began to pat the baby's tiny butt as she looked up at the half jinn.

"Of course you have," she rolled her eyes. "I forget that your exes are supermodels now."

"Not all of them," Hayden scuffed. "Just two of them."

"Hey man, that's two more than the average male," Nora said once more. "You really hit the dating lotto, didn't you?"

"Is she asleep yet?" Hayden asked, wanting to talk about anything else other than his exes.

"It's not that easy," Nora rolled her eyes. "You try putting a baby to sleep."

"I can do a slumber spell."

"She's a baby!"

"You said to put her to sleep!"

"That's reckless," Nora moved away. "Go sit over there. I'll put her to sleep myself."

Hayden made his way back to the armchair and sank down. His eyes watched Nora pace the floor until Lila finally fell asleep and she put her down in the crib. He admired the way she moved so slowly, being extra careful to not disturb Lila. Nora's humming was very off key but Hayden didn't mind at all. He liked it and never wanted her to stop.

"Stay very quiet," Nora said, creeping back to where Hayden sat.

"Not hard for me," Hayden grinned.

"Should we play some lullabies?"

"No," Hayden shook his head. "Let the girl sleep in peace."

Nora looked over her shoulder at the crib as she carefully sat down. She picked up the bunny Hayden had dropped and held it on her lap.

"You'll make a really good mother, Nora," Hayden didn't know what compelled him to say those words aloud.

But he was glad he had spoken then aloud. Nora's eyes turned to him as a wide grin appeared on her face. The tips of her cheeks turned red as she picked up her feet and folded her legs underneath her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"You seem surprised by what I said," Hayden observed.

"Not surprised," Nora shook her head. "Just caught o-"

The air beside Lila's crib began to swirl. Nora sat up straight as Hayden's eyes flickered up. Together, they watched the portal open, creating an entrance for Killian to walk back into the room.

"You're back!" Nora whispered, jumping to her feet. "Did you find them?"

"I was only able to find your mom, '' Killian said.

"What did she say?" Nora rushed forward. "Is she okay? Did you give her my letter?"

"Yeah," Killian nodded. "I gave her your letter."

"And?" Hayden pushed.

"She said she's very proud of you," Killian looked at Nora. "And that she wishes she had more time with you."

Nora's eyes began to water.

"She said she's sorry for leaving you alone," Killian said gently. "If things were different, she would have done things differently."

"Wh-what does that mean?" Nora felt her breath hitch.

"I'm not sure," Killian frowned.

"Did she say anything about Nana?" Hayden asked. "Or about the vestals?"

"Yes," Killian pulled out the white empty envelope from his back pocket. "I wrote it down."

Nora and Hayden took a step closer to see what he had written down.

"She gave this address," Killian said, handing them the paper.

"To?" Nora asked.

"I don't know," Killian said. "All she said was to go here."

With trembling fingers, Nora took the small envelope from Killian.

"Thank you," she whispered.   

They need answers lol