Hey guys! So I know I've said this before, but I'm really sorry this has taken so long. There's a lot of excuses I could give, but they're just that... excuses. I know that I wouldn't have anymore time to really finish this, so I attempted to tie everything together with this chapter. I'll have another author's note at the bottom explaining more if you want to read it.

As always, read and review!

~Xena (Thisisreallystupid)

Ok I need pasta, tomato sauce, and beef. Oh, and don't forget to stop by the bank before getting Alex. I thought to myself as I maneuvered through the grocery store, attempting to gather all of the necessary items for that nights dinner.

My life had been quite boring since I moved to Arizona with Alex, not that I was complaining; growing up I had never had any stability, and I didn't want that for my daughter. I wanted her to have a proper childhood, especially since it had already been stained by him. It was for that reason that I was perfectly content spending my time within the isles of a grocer deciding between tomato sauces. Unfortunately,that stability was ruined by an unsure, "Max...?"

Something about that voice caused my shoulders to immediately tense, and I quickly turned around to face whomever said my name. Before I could even react the girl threw herself at me, enveloping me in a warm hug. It took me a moment, but I regained my senses and wrapped my arms around my sister. We stood like that for several minutes before finally pulling apart. Tears stained our faces as we took each other in. Finally I was able to make out a choked, "Ella."

That seemed to break whatever force was keeping her silent, and a flood of indecipherable words came flowing from her mouth. " Areyouok?I'vemissedyousomuchOhmygodwherehaveyoubeen!Whathappenedtoyou?Pleasedon'tleaveagain!"

I tried to answer her, but her rapid comments didn't allow me a chance to do so. When she finally stopped to breathe, I quickly cut in. "Ella, stop! Let me answer."

She blinked a few time before nodding, "Yeah yeah, ok."

I glanced at the other customers lingering within the isle warily, "I'll tell you everything, but this is neither the time, nor the place." Hurt shone in her eyes and I continued before she could object, "I want to tell you, and I will! I promise! But...not here. We can talk at my apartment."

Ella stared at me for a few seconds before nodding swiftly, "Fine, but I'm leaving with you. I'm not letting you leave my sight."

I conceded, "That's fine. Just let me put everything away, I'll order take-out tonight." She nodded, and followed me to my car. As I unlocked the door, I looked at her questioningly, "What about your car? Didn't you drive?"

"Oh...yea. Uh, can I follow you then?" She questioned.

I smiled slightly, "Yeah, that's perfectly fine, but I have to make a stop first."

…

When I arrived at my apartment complex, I quickly turned off the car, and removed Alex from her car-seat. She quickly jumped out of the car and began chatting about her day, all but ignoring Ella, who had gotten out of her own car and was trailing behind quietly.

Not wanting to start anything until we got inside, I followed Alex into the apartment. Almost immediately she tried to run off and play with her toys, but before she got too carried away I stopped her, "Alex, I want to introduce you to someone." She immediately noticed Ella, who had silently entered after us. "This is my sister, your aunt Ella."

Alex silently appraised her for a few minutes before mumbling, "Hi aunt Ella."

Smiling softly, Ella kneeled, "Hi Alex, nice to meet you."

She didn't reply, instead she looked between the two of us before running to her bedroom.

I looked to Ella apologetically, "Sorry, she's shy."

"It's perfectly fine...I'm assuming she's included in your explanation?" She fixed me with an indescribable look.

"Yes, she is." I replied without hesitation. "First... I need to know what you thought happened to me?"

Ella scrubbed her face with her hands before answering, "Honestly, we didn't know. At first we thought you simply ran off for a bit in order to get a break from everything, but when you didn't return... We didn't know if you ran off, or if you were taken. We never stopped looking for you though, I swear!"

I nodded, "Thank you...To be honest, I did run off at first, but I only wanted to get away for a few days! But, while I was coming home I was intercepted. I was taken and sold to a horrible man. He threatened, beat, and tortured me until I nearly broke." I explained the last seven years of my life. By the time I was finished Ella was opened mouthed in shock, with tears running down her face.

She threw herself onto me, pulling me close. "I'm so sorry Max. I'm so sorry. We should have done more. I should have dome more. I'm so sorry!"

Pulling away from her, I brushed some of her tears away. "It's fine, it's not your fault."

"It doesn't matter!" She insisted.

I shook my head slightly, "It's really fine... So why are you here?" I asked, forcefully changing the subject.

She took in an unsteady breath, "One of my high school friends just got married. I was planning on grabbing some food before leaving for home."

Glancing at the clock, I noticed the time, "Oh, I need to order food...would you like to get to know your niece while I'm doing that?" Ella excitedly nodded, before making her way to Alex's room. I listened for a moment, as Alex quickly warmed up, and began playing with Ella. Smiling to myself I ordered a pizza.

…

Ella stayed for an extra three days, which she spent getting to know her niece and trying to convince me to go home with her. I know it might sound horrible, but I didn't want to see the flock. Honestly, I was afraid of how they would react. Would they hate me? Would they be angry? Would they blame me for not trying hard enough to find them? Unfortunately, Ella convinced Alex that we should meet everyone, who then effectively wore down my resistance.

We decided it was best to take Ella's car, so we packed our bags and loaded up. It was about a five hour drive, so I had plenty of time to psyche myself out. Ella tried to ease my worries, but she was often kept busy by Alex's constant array of questions. Before I was anywhere close to being ready to see everyone, we were pulling into the driveway.

As I began to unbuckle Ella quickly spoke up, "Oh by the way, since it's Sunday everyone's over for dinner." My eyes immediately went wide, but before I could reply Ella turned to Alex, "Are you ready to meet everyone!"

With Alex practically bouncing up and down with excitement, I was forced to compliantly follow as she and Ella made their way to the front door. When Ella raised her hand to knock on the door I tried to protest, but before she even knocked the door flew open and Dr. Martinez was pulling

her into a hug.

"Oh, Ella! Why didn't you call? You were supposed to be home days ago!" Dr. Martinez pulled away to look at her, and that was when she noticed Alex and I standing behind her.

Her eyebrows furrowed and she took a step away from Ella, towards me. Without saying anything she pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel her shaking and I pulled her closer, "Hey mom."

She released me, and I quickly introduced her to Alex. Almost immediately, Dr. Martinez scooped up into her arms, "Hey sweetheart, I'm your grandma."

The Flock must have noticed something was going on, because a crowd had formed inside of the doorway. Fang pushed his way to the front, and everything seemed to slow as our eyes met. I don't know how long we stood there like that, but the spell was broken by Nudge as she ran forward to meet me, "Max, your alive!"

…

After reconnecting with everyone and everyone getting to know Alex, it was decided that Alex and I would stay. I had lost so much time with my family, and I didn't want to lose anymore. We were there for about a week, before I realized that I needed to go back to Arizona, and sort everything out. Originally I planned to go alone, but as I was preparing to leave Fang cornered me.

"I'm going with you." He fixed me with a glare, as if challenging me.

I rolled my eyes not rising to the challenge, "Fine, but I'm leaving today."

He nodded quickly, "You flying? It'll be faster."

I swallowed hard, "Uh, well...actually...I don't know."

"What?" His dark eyes bore into me.

Looking away I shuffled my feet and mumbled, "Actually, I haven't flown in over seven years...not since the time he..." Memories of him – standing over me, gripping my wing, threatening to have them removed – flashed before my eyes.

Fang immediately grabbed my chin and forced me to look him in the eyes, "He can not hurt you anymore, stop acting as if he can." He didn't give me a chance before he walked outside, "Let's go."

I quickly followed behind, and experimentally stretched my wings. Taking a deep breath I ran forward unfurling, and taking off. God, it felt so good to be flying. There's nothing in the world like it; although, I was reminded of why I always wanted to chop my hair off as it kept getting into my mouth.

Altogether it was an uneventful flight, and Fang and I arrived without issue. We landed in the alley behind my apartment, and I immediately pulled Fang into a tight hug. "Thank you." I whispered. He had reintroduced me to the best experience in the world.

He fixed me with an unreadable look, and before I knew it his lips were on mine. He was running his hands through my wind-tangled hair, and I was running my hands up and down his chest. It felt like forever before we broke apart, both of us wild-eyed.

"God, I missed you." He said before pulling me into another kiss.

…

I contacted my work, and Alex's preschool and told both of them that I was moving. Fang and I managed to pack everything we needed, and left in the car. We made it back with no problems, and Fang proposed that Alex and I move into his apartment with him (since he had an extra room of course, and that was obviously the only reason). And we lived happily ever after...or at least as much as Avian-Americans can.

So I promised you guys another author's note :)I know not everyone will read this, but I feel like I should include this anyway.

I started before my freshmen year of high school, I started the rewrite as a sophomore, and I am now a senior. So much has changed within that time. My writing style has changed...A LOT, and I apologize for the change in style between this chapter and the last. I know the end was kinda a cop out, but I wanted to tie it all together as best I could.

So, I mentioned in the first chapter of the rewrite that I was going through anxiety and panic attacks, but that it was getting better, well I wanted to give you guys an update on it since it's been almost 2 years... Well it didn't get better, honestly it got worse. I was on a downhill spiral with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Fortunately, at the end of my junior year I began really coming out of it. I still have bad days, but they aren't nearly as common.

I know this author's note is very jumpy, but I'm trying to say a lot without being too wordy :) Anyway, I wanted to say thank you to everyone whose read this, either in it's original format or in just the rewrite. Thank you. I have appreciated every comment and favorite that this has received. I love you all. :)