Chapter 51

**ELENA**

I'm hot and I have to pee. I try to move, but I feel like I'm covered by several blankets. When I open my eyes, I immediately recognize the source of the heat. On my left, I'm being cuddled by Caleb, on the other side by Finn and Theo is on my legs. I'll never get up without waking them. The sun is already shining outside, I don't know what time it is but I think we all needed to get some sleep and recharge our batteries by being together.

"Stop moving. I want to sleep." Finn mumbles and for the first time in what seems like forever, I smile.

"I have to go to the bathroom but I promise I'll be back after." I whisper to him and he shifts to let me get up.

I look at them one last time before leaving the room to go into the adjoining bathroom. After a moment's hesitation, I leave the door open. I don't know if it's my desire to be close to them or my fear of being locked in. Perhaps a little of both, I must admit. I do what I have to do in the bathroom and get in the shower. I check two or three times to make sure there's no one in front of the door before getting in the shower. The shower has always been a moment of relaxation for me, but this one seems different. I want it to be quick but effective. I feel terribly dirty after having to relieve myself in a bucket and not being able to wash every day. As I scrub every nook and cranny of my body, my hand comes to rest on my lower abdomen. The doctor who osculted me told us that her body was beating, but I need to see it with my own eyes and hear it myself to be sure.

I rinse and dry off with a big fluffy towel. I'd never paid attention before, it was so natural, but if this unfortunate experience has taught me anything, it's that nothing is ever taken for granted, even the most elementary things. As I wrap myself in a bathrobe, I'm startled to hear a throaty rasp.

I turn around and see Finn, his arms crossed over his bare chest. He's not the most imposing of the three, yet he's practically blocking the doorway. When I realize this, I take a deep breath.

He frowns slightly as he uncrosses his arms.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine." I reply. I can't tell him I'm okay because I'm not sure I am, but I know I'll be okay with them.

"I'm so sorry..."

"Stop... Please." He misinterprets my words and takes a step back. I slowly approach him and stop right in front of him. "None of what happened was your fault... or Caleb's or Theo's." I shake my head. "He went nuts. He lost his true mate and kidnapped me to substitute my mother."

"What?!" Caleb and Theo both appear behind Finn.

"You let me get dressed and I'll explain everything."

**CALEB**

I listen to Elena and I've never wanted to kill someone as much as I do today. I feel like she's talking about a stranger, so much so that I don't recognize him in what she's portraying. She wasn't exaggerating when she said he'd gone crazy. My parents have become two strangers.

But hearing her talk about everything she's been through also makes me realize how strong she is, and that makes me incredibly proud of her. The three of us listen in silence, letting her go at her own pace. When she stops just as I've found her, Finn stands up and paces, while Theo stares off into space, elbows on his knees.

“We've got to find him. As soon as possible.” Finn tells us. “We don't know what's going on in his head because he's obviously lost it.”

“I agree with you.” I confirm. “He might want it back.”

“Once we have it you'll decide what to do with him. After all, he's your father.” He tells me with a serious face.

I feel so guilty about what happened to him. If I'd been more vigilant and less naive, I wouldn't have fallen into my mother's trap and stayed by Elena's side and none of this would have happened. I clench my fists and Elena rises from her seat to sit on my lap.

“Stop it. I can hear what you're thinking from there. All this isn't your fault, Finn's or Theo's. The only one responsible is Eric.” She says, looking at us in turn. “I won't let guilt eat away at you. You don't have the right, not for me and not for our baby.” I unconsciously place my hand on her belly.

Theo stands up and kisses Elena on the forehead. “I love you so much. I'm going to get ready, I can't wait for the doctor to confirm that the baby is okay.”

He climbs the stairs and I can't help thinking something's wrong with him. Ever since Elena came home I've found him strange.

“He feels guilty because he thinks he could have done more to find you quickly.” Finn says to Elena. “It's going to take time for all of us to recover from this.”

“I know.” Elena replies and he kisses her on the lips.

“I'm going to get ready too.” He tells us and follows Theo's lead.

“It's not me who'll decide what to do with him when we find him, but you.” I whisper in her ear.