2.67

Crawling out of the bed I felt Izzy's eyes watching me as I moved, "you awake now sweetie?"

"Mama," her bright eyes stared at me, hands outstretched, fingers clasping at thin air, "mama mama mama."

My heart melted.

"Yes, yes, I'm your mama," I crawled back to hover over her, my hair falling to tickle her into a giggle.

Scooping her up I held her to my chest, breathing in her milky scent.

"I'm scared baby," I whispered as my grip tightened on her pyjamas, "I don't want to lose you, I can't lose you again."

The tears I had held back from mourning the child I'd forgotten about came spilling out mingled with Hannah's pain of losing this sweet bundle of joy once before. The tears tickled my cheeks and dripped onto her ebony fluff of hair.

"I'm sorry," I wiped them away hastily with my sleeve, "I think I have to do something really, really stupid and dangerous."

"Daadaa…" Her little chubby fingers pulled at my hair playfully, but also painfully.

"Do you want your daddy?" I sat cross-legged, pulling her away from my hair to look at her, "I don't know where he is… Oh Izzy I've really messed up."

Was I going insane talking to an eight-month-old child? Most likely. I'd gone too long without adult companionship. Holly rarely visited, Ty was always busy at the hospital with Laura, Will with army training or missions, and Leo was being practically smothered by his father to 'work like him'.

I'd grown so used to Lex being beside me those first few months, helping me change nappies in the middle of the night or fetching me food or drink whilst I was being held hostage by the booby monster.

Then Noah started to be someone to rely on, though he always kept himself at arm's length, understandably so. I'd hurt him, again.

I recalled the last conversation we had. I knew deep down in my heart who he was, but I still was not willing to admit it. Once I admitted it he was no longer Noah, he was the man I hurt no matter the lifetime.

A knock at the door startled me out of my thoughts. Gathering Izzy in my arms, I attempted to smooth my frizzy auburn curls and answered the door.

Two tall and wide men in army camo stood at the door.

"Hello?"

"Good morning ma'am, we're here on orders of the general," the slightly taller of the two gave me a toothy smile.

"The general?" Just mentioning him made my heart skip a beat. "What does he want with me?"

"We're just here to escort you ma'am, you'll have to ask the General yourself," the other replied, "we can give you ten minutes to er… get dressed."

I blushed realising I was still in my pyjamas, my nipples poking through the thin cotton in the chilly morning air.

"Thanks, I'll not be long," I spoke hastily, shutting the door on their faces.

"Shit, shit, shit," I cursed silently moving back to the spare room Izzy's cot was in and placing her in it, "should I go? Should I run for it?"

"Don't worry mistress, I'll be there with you," Nyx spoke from the doorway, entering in her usual sudden and silent manner.

"Fuck," I placed my hand over my poor heart and leaned on the cot to steady myself, "okay, can you dress Izzy for me? I just need the loo and I'll get ready."

She nodded, taking the clothes I'd brought out of thin air. Considering she was somehow watching my every move under the command of Noah, who was an immortal like me, I figured there was no point in hiding my extra gifts. Chances are she had already seen me use them before I even knew she was there.

Dressing swiftly in some activewear, I thanked Nyx and placed Izzy in the sling to then follow the general's two goons to his manner in the upper official's residency area.

I could not help but gulp as I entered the guarded gate into the large residence and headed up the steps to the large manor. Last time I had only taken the detour around the back into the pool house.

Though it was my first time here, I knew every inch of this house from Hannah's memories of a future I very much wanted to avoid.

"There she is," the general rose from the breakfast table with a wide grin, "come, come, let me see her."

My hands instinctively wrapped around Izzy's back, holding her tightly into my chest where she played with the dummy I'd tied around my neck.

"Good morning General, may I ask why you've called for me?" I asked hesitantly, trying to force myself to stand tall instead of shrinking backward.

"No need to be so formal," he waved his hand, ignorant to my fear as he approached me to sneak a peek at Izzy's face, "she's beautiful, reminds me of Noah's mother, she was also called Elizabeth."

"What a coincidence, my middle name is Elizabeth too," I smiled sweetly, trying my best to hide my disgust at his closeness.

"I know," his face remained smiling, yet his eyes grew slightly cold, "it's come to my attention however that this little lady is somehow my granddaughter."

I flinched accidentally at his words.

"How?"

"A subordinate of mine tested Noah's and hers DNA when I requested it not too long ago, the funny thing is," he paused to look up at me, "I also had her DNA tested with the man you claimed was her father Lex."

I gulped, his eyes were filled with scorn as he continued.

"Both a complete match," he scoffed, "imagine my surprise."

Just what had Lex done? Why had I stupidly trusted that man?

"That's, erm, weird," I had no comeback, no excuse. It was taking every bit of my willpower to not just turn around and run, or better yet, pull out a blade and end this miserable old man's life once and for all. Yet, Noah had a plan, a reason to keep him alive, I shouldn't.

"Weird indeed," he sighed, "but nonetheless, I do believe she is my granddaughter, am I correct?"

"She is my daughter," I replied with a slight growl. Strength slowly returned to me as I felt her little fingers play with my hair.

"I see," he sat back down at the table, "nonetheless, the DNA speaks for itself, I'd like to request you to stay put in the manor for now, or at least until Noah returns and clears this all up."

"Request?" I raised a brow, trying to hold in my rage. This was no request.

"Just entertain an old man now would you?" He sighed wearily, then his hand beckoned a soldier over, "take the young miss here up to Noah's old room."

The soldier nodded then raised a hand to nudge me along. With each step I felt the ground under me shift, the room was spinning, I couldn't do this, I couldn't remain here. I had to get out quickly before he inevitably tried to take my baby girl away from me.