Choices

“Please everyone come closer. I need to tell you some things,” said Eliza.

Eliza sat down in a chair beside Erik and waited for everyone to get settled before she started. “In a nutshell, the poison that Tessa ingested is making her bleed. The harder her body tries to stop the bleeding, the more it’s happening. You know when you cut your finger and after a while it dries up and clots off. Well, Tessa’s body is going through all of those things that make her blood clot. The more she bleeds, the more her body sends, but the poison won’t let them do their job.”

“So what can you do to stop it?” asked Teddy.

Eliza looked over at Erik and sighed. “I’m afraid there isn’t much we can do.”

Jacob’s said, “ What are you saying Eliza?”

Eliza looked at Jacob and then continued, “I’ve talked to Logan, there isn’t a lot of time. Tessa needs to go to the other realm immediately. It’s possible that Tessa could recover from this, but her babies are in immediate danger. If she doesn’t leave soon, she will lose them both.”

Erik began to sob.Eliza put her arm around him and brought him closer. Jacob’s eyes filled with tears as he ran his hand across his mouth and turned back to the window. Teddy leaned back into his chair as Haldir began pacing the room.

“She won’t ever be able to come back will she?” asked Teddy.

“I don’t think so,” said Eliza.

“She can’t travel,” said Haldir. “I can tell when someone can. Teddy and Tessa can’t. I knew a long time ago. I wanted to take them there away from this world when their parents were killed but I couldn’t. I knew they had mates here and would never be able to get back to them.”

Haldir stopped pacing and then said, “I’ll take her. We can leave now.”

Eliza spoke up and said, “ Logan is taking Tessa.”

Haldir laughed to himself. “Logan’s really going to give up his whole pack, his whole fucking life here?”

“Yes, he is,” said Eliza.”

“ What's that supposed to mean Haldir? asked Jacob. “ What the fuck are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying that Tessa has sacrificed everything she is and was for your dad for the past 23 years. I find it really hard to believe that he’s just going to walk away from everything he has.”

“Haldir that’s enough,” Teddy yelled as he slammed his hand on the table beside him.

“Right or wrong, Tessa loves Logan. She did what she did knowingly. He didn’t force her. They did it together,” Teddy said in Logan’s defense.

“I need to get back to Tessa now. I’ll send Logan out to talk to you,” Eliza said as she stood. She stopped and turned back to Jacob. She started to say something but stopped and left the room. It wasn’t the right time.

Jacob went to Erik and put his arms around him.

“She’s going to be ok Erik.”

“What about the babies?”

“They’re all going to be ok!” said Jacob. “ Look at me.”

Erik looked up at his brother's face. “ They're all going to be ok.”

Logan walked into the waiting room. His face was expressionless. His eyes empty of all emotion. He was a shell of a man. Tessa’s blood smeared on his shirt and pants.

Erik stood and walked to his father. Logan grabbed him and pulled him close.

Logan looked at Teddy and said,”Go to the house and pack as much of Marissa, Tessa and my things as you can and bring Marissa here as soon as possible.” Teddy nodded his head and misted out.

Then he looked at Jacob and pulled Erik back. “I don't have much time. So listen to me boys. We have to leave now. The babies are in trouble and the only way we can save them is to get them to the other realm. But we won’t be able to come back. Erik, you can stay here with Jacob if you want to, you don’t have to decide right now. Haldir can bring you later if you want. But you boys know, I love you so much. So much. I’m so proud of you both. Your mother, if she could tell you right now she would tell you how much she loves you. Now come spend time with your mother until it’s time to go.”

Logan sent the boys back through the hallway while he stayed to talk to Haldir.

“You can take us all? Even with Tessa like that?”

“Yes, of course.”

Logan nodded his head and clenched his teeth as his tears began to fall. “ These people who did this to her, I want them to pay.”

“They will, Logan. Don’t you worry about that now, you just take care of my girl,” said Haldir. He didn’t really believe the things he said to Jacob earlier. As much as he disliked Logan, he knew better. He knew Logan would sell his soul right now to make her well and save his children.

“You’ll look after my boys? Please look after them Haldir.”

“Of course I will Logan.”

Logan went back to Tessa’s bedside while his sons sat in chairs on each side of her bed, each holding one of her hands. Eliza stood behind Jacob and softly raked her hand through his hair.

Tessa’s eyes fluttered open slightly and she looked up at Logan as he leaned in to kiss her head. “Hi sweetheart.”

Bloody tears rolled down Tessa’s cheek. “My babies? Are they ok?”

“They will be Tessa. We're going on a little trip,” said Logan.

Tessa’s lip quivered. "The other world?" she asked.

Logan kissed her lips and said,“Shh, it’s ok. I always take care of you don’t I?”

Tessa forced a smile and nodded her head yes.

When Teddy and Stella arrived with Marissa, they crowded into the room. Stella leaned over and hugged Tessa. “I love you Tessa. I’ll look after your boys, don’t worry about a thing. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, I love you and I’ll miss you.”

Then Teddy leaned in and kissed Tessa on the forehead. “Until the next time we meet my dear.”

“I’ll see you in dreams Teddy,” Tessa said.

Eliza moved to the other side of the bed and began to remove Tessa’s IV and nasal oxygen tube. Jacob and Erik took turns saying goodbye to their baby sister then went to Tessa. Haldir took Marissa from Jacob while Logan and Eliza helped Tessa sit up on the bedside.

Erik hugged Tessa close and kissed her belly. “Goodbye babies. I love you Momma.”

“I love you baby.”

Jacob leaned in and put his arms around his mother and brother. “ I love you. I’ll take care of Erik, Momma. I’m so sorry for everything bad I ever did. I love you.”

Tessa said, “Jacob no. It’s been the honor of my life to raise you two. This isn't your fault. Sometimes bad things just happen. There’s nothing to forgive. I love you both so very much. Please don’t forget how much I love you.”

“It’s time now Tessa,” Eliza said.

Logan leaned down and picked Tessa up bridal style. She held onto his neck tightly. He grabbed a bag from Teddy. Then Teddy gave the others to Haldir , which he put over his head and slung across his chest.

Tessa said, “ Goodbye boys, I love you so much.”

Loganlooked at his sons once lst time and said, “ I love you. Take care of each other.”

Then Haldir put his hand on Logan’s shoulder and the four of them disappeared.