Soft, violin music drifted on the wind, the melody of the piano like a stream in the background. We were in a garden, strung high with flowers and lights. White chairs were sat opposite an alter, with 3 people in front of me. Antonio, in all his young glory, and a woman by his side.

The women was beautiful; she had long, curled hair that fell down her wedding dress – it was gorgeous. I examined her face; she had friendly, almond eyes – they looked exactly like Cole's – and bow shaped lips that curved up into a shy smile. Her cheekbones were high like Aiden's and I could see a mix of her three sons in her features.

"I now pronounce you, man and wife."

Maria – I realized – Aiden's late mother.

Then, her head turned and her eyes focused on me – I stepped back, startled. The applause from the invisible guests seemed to distort and slow, and the guest's expressions frozen with time. Maria swooped her long, wedding gown from the alter and stepped towards me.

She beckoned and I followed as though fixed in a trance.

"Come, sit." She patted the space next to her and smiled.

I obeyed and glanced sideways in awe. "Are you confused?" She asked gently. "I'm Maria – Aiden's mother."

"I know." My voice sounded as though I was underwater.

She sighed. "I'm happy that you are Aiden's mate; my son has been in a dark place since I passed and I've waited for this moment for a very long time. The day he was finally saved from his own hell." I didn't speak, too intrigued by her presence. Too scared to interrupt this angel. "I'd like to thank you, April."

"Don't." I gurgled. "I understand the concept of mates now – I think we've finally accepted it." I paused. "Aiden loves you very much – he says you love stars."

Loved." She corrected remorsefully. "Oh, I did April. Antonio wasn't very fond of it though, but he'd come for me. He'd always come."

I smiled back at her , feeling as though it was my very own mother speaking to me. I'd never felt so peaceful.

"You have not seen your mother in a long time, have you child?"

I shook my head.

"Do you miss them?"

"Yes. I want to see them again."

"You will... Soon enough." She smiled at me as she glanced around her."Time is running out, April. I need to say goodbye. Please take care of Aiden – Antonio, Kaden, Cole. They need something in their lives to take away the pain I caused them – they need an innocent mind, a difference of opinion – a woman to keep them in check." I laughed but it sounded as though I was gurgling. "I wish I was able to meet you properly. But I'm always here watching over you both..." she broke off.

"Thank you." I replied, watching curiously at her distorting form.

Her eyes darkened and suddenly, it felt like I was transported and that I was now watching from the confines of a dark forest. All sound was muted.

The fountains frozen and burst into tiny, fragments, the columns leading up the alter collapsed, the guests disintegrated. Maria looked at me once more, the chaos not quite reaching her. The roses in her hand withered and a sharp, flash of light shattered the reverie. The dream was gone – she was gone.

The sound of bubbling water filled my ears. Then, I was plunged into ice. Water, filled my ears, my nose, my mouth, suffocating me. I was lost and the last thing I remember before fading to blackness were blue roses falling into the depths of the dark waters.

I woke up in cold sweat.

Shaking, I sat up in bed and wiped my brow with my sleeve. You're fine; you're at Aiden's house.

1:39 am. I groaned and flopped back against the bed rest, letting my heart calm down to a normal thud.

What a dream.

Fragments of that dream-memory came back in shards every night, but today was the first time I'd fully remembered it. My hand went to rub my chest and abdomen, where the brunt of the accident had struck me; it had decided that it wanted to ache tonight of all nights and it hurt like a bitch.

I flung the bed covers off myself, carefully padding down the stairs. I felt my face and found my cheeks were damp. Maybe it was from how disconcerting the dream was, as well as how much my body ached.

I immediately poured myself a glass of cold water with ice. I sighed and drank in silence.

"April?" I jumped at the sound, before realizing it was only Daniel. His hair stuck up in every direction and he wore a grey t-shirt and basketball shorts.

"Did I wake you?"

"No," he yawned, padding over silently to the fridge. "Argh, I'm hungry. Want something to eat?"

"No, I'm good thanks." I paused, watching him rummage through the fridge until he made an ah noise.

"Why are you awake?"

"Couldn't sleep," I half-lied. "You?"

"Same... And I was hungry." He admitted.

I quietly finished my glass of water and stood, ready to go back upstairs and not sleep for the rest of the night because of that dream.

"Don't go. Please?" I felt my heart tug at his tone. "I felt bad about today with Rick. One of us should have stepped in to punch that dick-fuck. I'm sorry"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Don't apologise, it wasn't your fault. It's been sorted out anyway. Once an idiot, always an idiot, right?"

"You forgive too easily."

"And you werewolves don't." I accused, glaring at him.

"Hey! Don't be speciest!"

He suddenly dropped the knife and leaned against the counter top. "I need your help April. Diego said you were good at this kind of stuff," he trailed off, waving his hand around in the air as though to magically make me understand what he was trying to say.

"Talking?"

"Yeah, that. Umh, so anyway... Beau likes Barbara and I think they may be mates." He blurted out.

My mouth dropped. Beau told you about the 'girl-mate' material he met... Barbara was conflicted with another guy.

"Beau likes Barbara?"

He nodded. "If Beau finds her and they become mates... what'll happen to my my best friend?"

"That's what you're worried about?" My voice dripped with incredulity and I instantly felt bad afterwards.

"Well yeah, I mean if Barbara and Beau are mates, then we won't be able to pick up girls anymore. He'll be so whipped about her, he'll forget about his friends... I'll be alone."

"Won't you be happy if Beau finds his mate? That's a key moment in a werewolf's life, right?"

"I know, I know – I sound like a shitty friend." He glowered darkly at the tomato on the chopping board as though he wanted to strangle it.

"But you don't want to lose him to some girl who suddenly arrived and tore him away from his life-long best friend." I finished for him.

He nodded. It was only then that I noticed the dark eye bags surrounding his eyes, his blood-shot eyes and faint stubble growing on his jaw line, so slight I barely saw it until I squinted.

"Daniel, what's going on with you? You look... Well, to put it kindly, you look a mess." I frowned.

He looked down at himself as though remembering where he was.

"I'm fine! Why, do I look bad?" He asked worriedly.

"You look tired... and hungover. The result of a bad nights drinking I presume." I declared. "Or let me guess, you were up all night, tossing and turning because of Beau and Barbara."

His smile dropped away. "No."

My mouth fell open. "It is because of that, isn't it?" I was met with a stony silence. "Look, you guys are bound to grow up. I mean sure, hanging out and drinking and whatever else you guys do is all well and good. It's part of growing up. But there's a stage where you mature – maybe Beau's doing just that. Isn't finding a mate the best thing for a werewolf? It completes you and all?" I asked softly. "But, you'll find your mate too Daniel - even if you don't, you have us," I gripped his hand. "And Beau will still love you, I know he will – no-one leaves their friends for a partner... You and Beau are like Dick and Dom. He would probably ask your permission before he takes any action with her!"

"That's true." He admitted, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"You and Beau will still be wing men for each other; he'll never forget about you. He's just growing up and I just know he'll want you there with him."

"Damn April, you really are a good relationship giver."

I pretended to flick a speck of dust off my shoulder.

I paused, fretfully chewing on my lower lip in debate. Finally, I mustered the courage to ask the one thing that had been gnawing at me since I came down to the kitchen: "Daniel... Did you know...? Maria?"

His head shot up and his expression turned wary. "Why?"

"I know who she is, Aiden's mother... It's just... I was curious about her. Aiden told me everything, don't worry. But... I just wanted to know what she was like – did you know her?"

He nodded tiredly. "Well, I didn't really know her very well; what I do remember was that she was kind and always smelled of cookies." He said. "Aiden was pretty cut up about her and things got complicated since her death. Diego is the one who's known him the longest – they grew up together and he was there during his mother's funeral – the rest of us grew closer during high school."

"Right." I nodded thoughtfully to myself and smiled, thanking him as I scrambled off the chair.

I was just about to leave, when his voice stopped me. "April!" I turned. "Thanks."

I smiled. "Talk to him."

Then, I turned on my heel and ran as silently as I could up the stairs until I reached my room. But I couldn't seem to get to sleep without feeling like I was about to be consumed by water, feeling terrified that I would go to sleep and never wake up - not just for another 6 months, but ever.

My feet found themselves walking to Aiden's room. I hesitated before knocking - I didn't want to wake him up, but I felt as though I needed him. Why the hell was I not in here more often? After a few moments, Aiden opened the door, yawning. He looked so gorgeous.

"Baby, what's going on?"

"I can't sleep." My voice was quiet. He must have sensed something was wrong, because he stepped towards me, pulling me into his chest.

I hugged him tightly, feeling ridiculously emotional all of a sudden. A few moments later, I realised I was crying. Aiden drew back, feeling the wetness on his chest and he looked surprised.

"I'm so sorry." I said quickly, wiping my face.

"Are you hurt?" He cupped my cheek, the other hand following my tear-trails softly.

"No, no. It's just... I had the weirdest dream. And my stupid body hurts so much." I said quietly. "Can I sleep here tonight?"

Without a word, he took my hand and led me to the bed, scooping me up and laying me down before going into his bathroom and emerging a few moments later.

He had stores of my medication in his hand - I don't how, or why, but that boy had made sure my medication was everywhere. He sat besides me and instructed me to take my pills and water before checking my temperature and kissing my forehead. I had to say, he was much nicer when he was too tired to insult me.

When he got into bed next to me, I realised just how close we were; I could feel his body heat radiating from next to me. He turned, propping himself up onto one elbow. Oh god, the way he was looking at me made a pool of heat gather in my stomach.

"Do you snore?"

I snorted, peering at him from above the covers. Of all things I expected him to say, it was not that.

"No! Well, I don't think so. Do you?"

"No. Well, that's good then. I won't have to suffocate you with a pillow to shut you up." And he's back. "Turn around."

My eyes widened. "What?"

He looked unfazed. "Turn around, April." He looked so serious I couldn't help but comply.

Less than a moment later, his arm had pulled me by my waist so I was pressed against him. Hmm. So this is what spooning felt like. It feels good, I thought, surprising myself. His bare torso was pressed against me, feeling incredibly hot

"Where does it hurt?" He murmured against my hair.

"Everywhere," I whispered back. Then, realising how dramatic I sounded, I corrected myself. "Mainly just my abdomen and chest."

His hand reached up under my shirt and I froze, feeling his deft fingers slowly work their way against my skin, pressing into the softness of my stomach. He began massaging it slowly, taking care to avoid the area where my stitches once were; he knew exactly what areas hurt and his fingers were working a freaking miracle on them. I almost moaned in relief.

"Thank you," I managed to breath out. I felt as though I couldn't breathe being so close to him.

He pressed a kiss beneath my ear. "Don't mention it."

After a while, once I felt as though the ache had subsided greatly, he reluctantly let his hands fall away, but they remained under my shirt, his thumbs drawing little circles on the hilt of my hipbones, working upwards. I wiggled around, trying to find a comfier position, liking how my body curved against his. I could feel myself falling asleep right now. Then, I heard a sharp intake of breath behind me.

"Don't do that."

"Oh, sorry, did elbow you or something? I was just trying to get comfy - " Then, I realised why a few moments later when I felt something hard pressed up against my back. Was that...? Oh my god. Well now I was wide awake. I tried to turn around or at least move away, but his hold against me was firm. In a flash, he had flipped me onto my back, arms pinning me down.

"I can't help it," I felt him breath, his voice husky. I felt my heart rate quicken as I stared into his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll control myself. But god, you make it so fucking hard for me to do so."

"Oh, and by the way," he paused, leaning over me to press an open kiss onto my nearly non-existent jawline. "Oh and by the way? You sleep with me from now on. My bed will always be open to you." I felt my heart squeeze. "My legs too if that's what you want."

**

I had a second dream a few nights later.

I was in white paradise. My eyes closed as the voices of my mother, father and sister sounded in my head.

"April?" My eyes opened slowly and I looked up to see Maria standing some way off, unsmiling. "It's time April."

"Time? Time for what?"

"Child, it's time for you to choose where you want to go. With me or back home."

I frowned and turned my head into the direction she was staring at. My eyes widened at what I saw. There was nothing; a complete blank. All I wanted to do was fall into the darkness and its comfort.

"Now look there." Maria said.

My breath caught in my throat at the sight: a river sloshed against the banks, its waters dark and endless. Above, on the Roslyn Bridge, a pair of bright headlights broke the darkness, heading for the water. The river opened up and swallowed it whole, two barely conscience forms inside staring at me.

"No... No, I can't go back." I pleaded.

"It's your choice, April. Where do you want to go – you have to choose."

I glanced at the black tunnel and then back to the nightmare on my other side. From above, bright sirens lit up the road and suddenly as though in fast-motion, I watched the entire 6 months I was in the coma unfurl. My shoulders slumped as I saw my parents and sister crying in the waiting room, Nina recovering, the doctors performing surgery. Then, Aiden sitting by my side day in and day out, a cup of coffee in his hand as he watched over me and spoke to me. I saw the Kayla I knew and loved come back.

My heart broke. I wanted to be selfish so badly. I wanted to not feel pain anymore. I was so tired. I wanted to quit. I started to cry. "I'm so tired. I just want peace."

"Is that what you want, April?" Her voice made me look up. Made me really look at the scenes before me. Would I choose peace over closure?

No. I couldn't. I wouldn't. Let me be in pain, but don't let my family - don't let Aiden.

"Okay." I breathed, suddenly calm. "I've chosen."

She smiled a sad smile. "Go. Live your life, April."

I awoke, my eyes peeling open at the bright, artificial lights above me. My fingers twitched into life and I cracked my lips open, my throat dry. My body ached; some part were numb, others uncomfortable and pained.

"April?" Instantly, two hands scrambled to my side and that familiar, Spanish accent revived me. "Oh thank god, you're awake." Aiden's voice shook and I opened an eye wide enough to make out his form. And I smiled.

I'd chosen the right path.