Lost Then Found

Part Four

My eyes flickered open slowly. My mind and soul felt weightless as I stared at the beams of sunlight coming through the kitchen window. No nightmares had plagued me during the night and I was happy about that. I lifted my head and yawned. My tongue lolled out my mouth as I did so. The dog bed had somehow gotten a hundred times comfier since last night and I nuzzled my head into the firmness. A jolt of awareness shot through me. Wait... I'm not out in the garage. My body stilled and my eyes flicked up to see Jasper staring down at me with a small, amused smile on his lips. Embarrassment rose within me as I quickly removed myself from him. Had I been in my human form, I would be blushing like a schoolgirl. My ears drew back against my head.

"It's alright," he said gently. His accent sent a shiver down my spine. It reminded me so much of my home. "I stayed to keep you calm." He stood and brushed himself off. "I have another pair of joggers and a shirt, but could you not shred them this time?"

I nodded my large head sheepishly. After shifting and getting changed, I walked back into the kitchen. I picked up the chair I had knocked over the night before and placed it back. A gasp came from the doorway and I spun around to find Esme.

"I'm glad you're alright, Uria! You made us worried." She rushed over and enveloped me in a hug. She squeezed me tight and I distinctly remembered my mother doing the same before she left me for the last time. With shaky arms, I returned her embrace. Tears rolled down my cheeks unbidden.

This feeling... My chest is tight with it. It's so unfamiliar.

"I know it may not be my place," Esme said as she pulled away, "But know that I am here. I will listen." Gratefulness swelled within me like a tidal wave and I couldn't help but pull her in for another hug. I desperately needed it. "As Edward said, the past belongs in the past. We've all done something we are not proud of, but we were able to move past it. In time, I hope you will too."

"Thank you, Esme," I whispered. Even in Esme's cold embrace, I had not felt this warm in years. The feeling of safety had not abated.

The night progressed quietly. The Cullens left me alone save for Esme occasionally asking if I needed anything. I laid curled up in my dog bed. One of my hind legs hung off of it but it gave me as much comfort as Esme's hug. Whatever Jasper had done to me was lingering. Calmness lapped upon the shores of my mind in gentle waves. I was at ease and tired but sleep evaded me. I knew I had questions for the Cullens but I couldn't bring myself to get up. I don't know how much time had passed before I heard the door open. Edward stepped into the garage. I watched him approach and sit down in front of me.

"I will answer one question but then you've got to quiet your thoughts. You're loud and it's giving me a headache," he said.

Sorry, I thought. A minute passed as I wondered what I should ask. It's been about a year since I... Does it get easier?

"You've got to forgive yourself before it gets easier," he replied. "From what I've heard from your thoughts, it seems you have suffered enough."

Thanks, Edward, I thought. He nodded and went back the way he came. The door clicked shut behind him softly. I wondered briefly if forgiveness was even an option. I curled up tighter and resigned myself to the thought.

~~~~~

The next morning I was awake and had already phased back to human when Emmett came sneaking through the door. He grinned at me sheepishly when he noticed me looking out the little windows on the garage door. "I wanted to spook you again, wolfy. No fun!"

I grinned at his playful tone. "I tend to learn my lessons the first time around. Good luck getting the drop on me again," I replied. He winked.

"It's only a matter of time." He pressed a button and the garage door began to rise. "If you plan on sticking around a while, Esme will probably ask to sign you up for school."

"That'll be up to Uria to decide," Carlisle said as he entered the garage. "There's no pressure. Everyone here is always welcome and always able to go their own way if they so choose."

"Moving on is probably for the best," Uria stated despite the sudden tugging at her heart. She rubbed her chest absently. It was a feeling she hadn't felt for a year. "Vampires and wolves don't get along."

"You don't know our family well enough yet, Uria," Carlisle said kindly. "We've gotten on fine so far, yes?"

"We tend to pick up strays anyway," Alice butted in from where she stood in the driveway. She winked playfully.

"No pun intended," Emmett chuckled.

I smiled. Who would have thought vampires of all people would make me feel so welcome.

"If it weren't for Carlisle, it probably wouldn't have happened," Edward said bluntly after hearing my thoughts. He stood beside Alice. "He's the one who decided to help you when we found you collapsed in the woods. Generally, we all defer to his judgment."

"It seems so far it was for the best. I've got to go. Have a good day everyone." Carlisle waved as he walked toward his car. I watched him walk away feeling thankful for his kindness. It was unheard of between our species.

Emmett, Alice, and Edward turned to do the same when I heard Jasper approach. "Esme said that she'll take you into town for clothes and supplies."

My heart warmed further at their generosity and I smiled at him. His accent wasn't as thick this morning and I wondered briefly if he masked it to better fit in with the locals. "Thanks for letting me know." He nodded and went to move past me when I cleared my throat. He stopped and returned his attention to me. Curiosity danced in his swirling amber eyes. Gratefulness swelled in me so fast that I thought tears might come to my eyes. "I... I've not felt peace in so long and you willingly helped me without prying. Thank you."

A barely there twitch of a smile appeared on his lips. "You're welcome."

I watched as the Jeep and Volvo sped on down the road. I rubbed my chest again. A pack link was felt in the heart. My eyes turned towards the sky. The cool breeze swept around me as I watched the cloud cover slowly roll onward. Maybe it was time for me to start forgiving myself and just maybe have a family again. Even with so little time spent here, I was already feeling my soul being put back together.

"Uria! Breakfast for you, dear!" Esme called from within the house. I turned away from the outside world and closed the garage door.

"I'm coming, Esme!" I replied. A small smile was on my lips. Yet another small stitch was sown into my broken heart.