Belonging
"In the echo of the night, His soul calls to mine.
In the silence of the night, my heart reaches for Him,
Within His arms, I find myself, yet I lose myself at His touch.
The world around me crumbles, His word ignites me. At His touch the world begins to be rebuilt. Within the walls of my soul, I come home to the feeling of belonging..."

Ellie McDaniels stood gazing out the window to the white lawn spread out before her, her breath coming in a cold gush against the glass frosted over from the nights winter storm. Sunlight sparkling off the fresh laid snow. A soft frown creases her full pouty lips, the frown line extending to a crease in the middle of her forehead making her look sad and worried. With a soft breath she breathes a puff of air against the glass, also making her bangs flip, for the moment up out of her face yet knowing in moments they'll be down in her eyes once more. A brave bird swoops down to eat from the seed she had laid out early in the morn knowing the animals of her forest would need the food, for the first time that morning she smiles a soft smile but it is quickly chased away as the ringing of the phone disturbs her silence. Ellie looks to the phone laying beside on her on the window seat, watching it as it rings two, three times thinking whoever is on the other end will give up, but by the fifth ring she picks it up, "Hello?"
"Ellie, it's Beth.. It's time, Will you come?"
"Are you sure Beth? Positive?"
With a sigh Beth on the other end answers, "Yes Ellie, I'm positive this time. I know you want your peace right now, but I need you with me, please? Please come over, we both need you."
Hearing the despiaration in her dearest friends voice she answers, "I'm on the way, I've been packed for days waiting. It snowed here last night as I'm sure it did there, not sure how the roads will be, but I'll be there. I have my cell if you need me call me. I'll get there as soon as I can."
"Thank you Ellie.. hurry but safely.. Blessed Be my friend"
"Blessed be Beth" With that, the silence filled the room once more. Ellie stood up stretching, the red stretch pants fitting her slender form like a glove, the white sweater comming to mid thigh, she had worked hard all summer to lose her extra weight and was very pleased with the results. With a toss of her waist length hair she glides across her dinning room, feet clad in deep white socks to chase away the winter chill. Boots waiting by the door as well as all her suitcases thinking this will be a long trip away this time. Tucking her feet into her boots, she shrugs into her leather jacket, keys and suitcases in hand she heads out the door, feet crunching against the snow listening to the sound she smiles. She shivers as she slides into the leather seats of her Explorer wishing she'd come out earlier and warmed it up, knowing for some reason today she'd be on the road. As the truck idles and warms, Ellie lets her dark brown eyes scan the white feilds of her yard, the birds flying low to eat scattered seed, she shakes her head at the silliness of the birds sometimes wishing to be that free. Forty-five minutes later she pulls up in front of the white house, her best friends house, the house where warmth and laughter is always in abudance. From the laughter of her friend and her new husband, and the laughter of her children. Warmth. Home. The longing once more fills the pit of her stomach. Stepping from the truck she leaves her suitcases to be brought in later. With a rush she hurries up the steps of the porch and into the waiting house, a knock never nessessary at Beths house, as she enters the house she stumbles right into the arms of a stranger. Dark eyes lift beneath her hat as the mans arms go around her to keep her from pitching forward or backwards, he holds her tightly against her, her eyes lock on the green gray of his for a few moments before she stammers and takes a step backwards, the warmth of his arms leading to a longing she can't afford to have. "I am so sorry." She stammers out.
A rich chuckle fills the room as the man answers, "No worry to be sorry always liked having my arms filled with a beautiful woman."
Ellie glances at the man and frowns deeply, then reaches up tugging the white cap off of her head, the rich layers of her auburn locks falling to her waist, with deft movements she slips from the jacket and tosses both to the couch. She spies her friends son.. "Joseph, how is your mom?" totally ignoring the stranger know, but not unaware of his gasp as her hair fell down and his eyes following her movements.
"She's okay. She's in the other room with Ray. It's been a long day. They think if the baby isn't here soon that they'll take her to the hospital."
"And your sister? Where is she?"
"Grandma has her, mom thought it'd be to much for her, but will be here as soon as grandma has word, cuz you know grandma." Joseph answers with a chuckle. "Aye we know your grandma and she'll be here in a snap, I'm going in, but first come here and give me a hug, I've missed you so since I moved"
"Mom will be glad you're here, she's missed you" Joseph steps forward into her arms, knowing that she's not his aunt by blood but by the friendship she and his mother formed months ago. "Ellie, how are the boys? Are they doing well?"
Tears darken Ellies dark eyes, the whole time the stranger watching the interaction between his friends son and this woman who he can't explain. "Aye they are well. Their dad keeps them busy. We're fighting again as usual.. soon we'll be in court again. We'll see. Thank you for asking" With a soft touch her lips kiss the boys brow. She steps from him, then remembers the man and her manners. She turns to look at him, noticing his dark penetrating gaze. Walking to him she holds out her hand, "Hi I'm Ellie McDaniels, an old friend of Beths. I'm sorry that I did not intorduce myself earlier."
With a look of satisfaction he takes her hand in his, her eyes becoming startled at the warmth of his touch, feeling as if electricity is racing up her arm and through her fingertips at just a touch. Wishing the contact would break she tries to tug her hand free, but he holds tightly. "My name is Hunter, and the pleasure I am sure is mine."
Letting go he gives her a charming smile then looks towards Joseph with a wink. On a huff, Ellie turns and makes her way to the doorway to the bedroom. "Joseph, if you look in my coat pocket I brought you something. And I have some presents in the truck for you all when you get a chance to go out. but be careful the ground is very icy." Her words making the boy smile as she steps into the room. Laughter of her friend Beth filling the air as she looks adoringly up to her husband Ray.








Copyright by syn^ August 2002, written for the sole purpose of her pleasure.