CHAPTER 1: Five Years

Evelyn's POV

"Happy Birthday, Ethan!" My boyfriend, Griffen exclaimed as he handed my now four yea old son a small and carefully wrapped present. I smiled, feeling a wartth in my chest as I watched my excited son rip open the present and his eyes light up with excitement.

"I got you a new book, little buddy." Griffen said proudly as he crouched down to Ethan's level. "It is about this brave knight who goes on a quest to slay a dragon."

Ethan squealed and threw his arms around Griffen's neck. "Wow, thank you so much for my present." He exclaimed and Griffen chuckled cheerfully.

I felt a pang of happiness wash over me as I watched the two of them together, it was a sight that made my heart swell. Moments like this made me forget about the heavy weight of my past, the memories of Mystic River Pack; and the man that I thought that I had lost forever.

Just as I was getting lost in my thoughts, I was interrupted by the ringing of my mobile phone. I had left it on the table in then kitchen and quickly turned to Griffen and Ethan. "Sorry, I should take this." I said apologetically.

My boyfiend gestured for me to go and answer it. "Go ahead, were be just fine, wont we buddy?"

I took a deep breath feeling a mix of emotions swirl within me as I looked at the caller id.

My mother!

I had not spoken to her in a long time, I kept ignoring her calls and promising to call back but never did, But something tolf me to answer it this time.

"Oh, Evelyn, sweetie. I'm so glad that you answered the phone." She gasped as soon as I picked up. Her voice was croaky and full of emotion. I instantly felt guilty for not involving her as I should have. She was Ethan's grandmother after all.

"Hello, mother." I responded, looking back into the other room where Griffen and Ethan were playfighting and laughing happily together.

"I have been thinking about you a lot lately, Evelyn, I miss you very much and wish you would come and visit me with my grandson, It is his birthday after all."

I paused for a moment and thought about the last time that I had set foot on the Mystic territory. I swallowed and picked up a glass of juice and swished it around my mouth.

"I don't think it's a good idea for me to come back, mother. " I tried my best to sound confident in my tone but it was hard due to the turmoil I felt over the entire situation.

I felt a lump in my throat as I gazed at my son who was now examining his new book with wide eyes. He did not deserve to be caught up in my mess, although Ethan was oblivious to all of this, as was my boyfriend.

"Ethan needs to know his grandmother before it is too late for me." She said and my heart sunk at her words.

"Wait? What do you mean before its too late? Did something happen?" I asked, my voice full of concern. I felt as if I was going to be sick.

"The truth is, I am not well. The doctor said that I do not have much time left. You need to come and see me before its too late to say goodbye."

The colour drained from my face and I almost dropped the phone. I forced myself to sit down and take a moment to process this horrendous and unexpected news. My mind began to race with worst case scenarios.

"What is going on?" I needed to know everything even though I knew it would hurt my soul to hear it.

My mother took a deep breath before she answered me. "I have a terminal illness and I don't have much time left."

I felt as if I had been smacked in the face and punched in the gut. I could not ignore what she was saying. I would regret it if I didn't go and see her. I loved my mother so much but I had no choice but to leave Mystic river.

"Why did you not tell me sooner? I cant believe this." I struggled to compose myself but I didn't want Ethan to catch on that I was upset, especially as it was his birthday.

"I am sorry, I did not want to burden you with this, you seemed so happy out there, away from here and I just, well I don't know but all I know is that it would make me feel so happy to know that I had seen you and been able to hug and kiss my grandson,"

"When do you need me to come?" I suddenly blurted out.

My mother's response was weak but I could sense the relief as she spoke, "As soon as is possible for you my beloved daughter,"

I wiped my eyes as I tried to sort myself out before anyone saw me letting my emotions get the better of me.

"Ok, I will come as soon as I can." I told her before I hung the phone up.

As I turned around, I saw Ethan was still fully engrossed in his book. I smiled as he glanced up and caught my eye. His bright blue eyes twinkled with excitement.

But where was Griffen? As I scanned the room, I realised that he wasn't there. Heading out the back door and trying to shake off the feeling of unease, I stopped in my tracks as I heard my boyfriends voice, He was talking to someone on the phone.

"Yes, and now that the child has just turned four it means he is old enough for us to extract a much larger sample."

I strained my ears to hear more but his voice was suddenly all muffled and I could not make out what he was saying.

What was he talking about?

What did it have to do with Ethan?