Later, we were all sitting in the great room when the phone rang. I went to my study to answer it, and found a relatively irate Ailea on the phone. I�...�d completely forgotten to call her. I apologized and after a moment’s thought, agreed on a Sunday lunch at her grandfather’s house. For me, it would be good to get a refresher in the Japanese phrases I had learned as my trip was rapidly approaching.Jessica arrived home about 10:15pm, and Kara and I were waiting in the great room. She greeted us,. “Um, yeah. That certainly is… interesting,” he replied. “Malik? Married, eh?”“Guilty as charged,” Serra giggled, throwing her arms around her husband and kissing his cheek affectionately.“I know what you’re thinking, but at least hear us out, Jax,” Malik said, holding up a hand. “We’ve thought this through a great deal.”“I can imagine it wasn’t too hard a decision, what with there not being a Council to punish your actions anymore,” Jax snorted.“Jax!” Laranth admonished him.“Just telling it. “It’s me, Erica,” I answered. I saw a smile on his face for a second before a worried look crossed over it. “Ann told me what happened Dean. I came as soon as I heard.” “She shouldn’t have done that. I didn’t want you to see me like this. I may never walk again. You better go. Sorry you made the trip for nothing,” Dean said. “Please leave.” I started walking but instead of to the door, I walked to where he lay. “I’m not going anywhere. I care about you Dean and whether you walk. Shaking my head and pushing my feelings off, I turned over to sit on my knees, crawled down, and jumped to the side of the house. I looked inside the window of where I planned to go. A nice little room it was, all painted with pink and trimmed with little girl designs. I dug my nails into the screen and tore into it, very quietly pulling it off and placing it on the ground. I placed my fingers on the window and slowly pushed up. Damn. It was locked. ‘Hmph,’ I said to myself. I had planned for.