It was the calm before the storm; the eye of a hurricane; the updraft of a funnel.  Things began to feel a little less chaotic for the Hurst Family after the evening’s events. Everyone made it back to the cabin that night.  Things were beginning to feel normal again.  Hunter sat on the porch with a beer in hand, Gyon sitting on a stump in the yard tossing sticks to Kita; both men, bruised, but the sweet taste of revenge gracefully formed along their lips. Colton, and the rest of the gang were slowly driving down the dusty road. Cassie’s head rested upon William’s shoulder, as they both were sound asleep. Little Sammy, knocked out inside his car seat and Lily rested her head upon the front passenger window, faintly falling into a deep slumber.

 

Summer sat in the backseat, staring amongst everyone with a smile upon her face. Family, the most important gift she was fortunately blessed with, had now expanded beyond her expectations.

The joy of knowing her children were taken care of in any event, with or without the help of her or Hunter left a bittersweet taste upon her tongue.

 

The thought recently crossed her mind, as the many dreaded hours of forced slumber she faced while in the hospital, that led her to a decision she felt was time for.  Colton had now pulled up to the cabin. He parks and begins to look through the mirror at everyone with the same smile as his mother.  Relief had crossed his face as he turned to look at Sammy.  Things could have taken a different turn that night and losing yet another person to the Mikaelson’s was almost another harsh reality.

 

He turned to Lily, gently rubbing her shoulder to wake her from her sleep. He sits and admires her beauty with a grateful smile. William was the first from the back to waken, he smiles down and kisses the top of Cassie’s head, as Summer glares on with happy tears in her eyes. Hunter begins to make his way towards them, he opens the back door noticing the ever-present smile upon Summer’s face.  He takes his hand, escorting her from the car, noticing the tears. He gives her a look of concern, as she continues to smile, brushing the side of his face with the palm of her hand. She makes her way towards the cabin, walking past him as he looked on. Hunter had turned his attention to the inside of the car, reaching in and grabbing Sammy from the seat.  As everyone else exits the vehicle, he turns to Lily and hands Sammy over to her. He now begins to realize the tears on Summer’s face as he looks around to his family.  Colton stood beside Lily, hugging both in his arms.  William stands embracing Cassie, while the two look upon the wreckage that was now her truck. Tears formed in her eyes as Hunter slowly walked over to her. His bruised body and slightly cut face was the reminder of Damon’s demise.  He reaches his hand out to her, and she notices no remorse escaping his vision.  She walks slowly past him and over to the front end of the truck; covering her mouth at the sight of the blood splatters that cover most of the shattered headlights, and grill, she backs away slowly, looking towards Hunter as William steps up behind her.  Shocked, she turned to William, burying her head in his chest as a loud scream, followed by the screeching sound of her cries which was heard by all.

 

Hunter stood alone for several moments; he looks over at everyone surrounding little Sammy with an array of hugs and kisses.  A smile begins to form across his face, as a job well done sinks deeply into his chest.  He begins to walk closer to the crowd as Sammy sprints over to greet him with a massive hug.  Picking him up and tossing him over one shoulder like a sack of potatoes, Hunter walks over to Colton, placing Sammy into his arms; with a knuckle rub to the top of Sammy’s head, Hunter smiles and walks into the cabin.  Gyon was now sitting on the couch with a can of soda in his hand.  His feet propped up on the coffee table and his left arm rested across the back of couch.  He takes notice of Hunter, as he looks around the room for Summer.  He bends his arm, pointing into the bedroom with the door closed.  Hunter nods, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.   The bed was topped with the suitcases, and bags that Colton and Lily had packed for them.  Summer sits on the edge of the bed, back to the door, staring out the window.  You can hear sniffles escape as her hand wiped a tear from her pale blue eyes.  Hunter walks around to the side of the bed, he bends to his knees in front of her as he takes her by the hand.

 

"You know I never wanted any of this to happen. It is not like I like doing what I did tonight. My family, our family is all that matters to me. He hurt you, he hurt Cassie, now he gets to hurt no one. Just to let you know, I did not hit him with the truck. He will be in the hospital for a long time, but he will get out of it." He leans down kissing her hands.

Summer looks up into his eyes; she begins to smile while lifting their hands to her lips.  Pressing gently, she kisses the tops of his and begins to sigh.  "It is not Damon's life I am concerned about.  You did everything I would have done, only you allowed him to live.  I was prepared for that Bastard to die."  She lowers their hands, patting the mattress beside her for Hunter to sit.  "On the way back here tonight, I realized something, something that I had dreadfully expected to come, but not this soon."  She turned her body across the bed as she sat facing Hunter.  "Our kids don't need us anymore."  She lowered her head, trying to conceal the tears.

 

Hunter pulls her close to him holding her tightly. He lifts her head and wipes the tears with his thumb. "Maybe so babe, but that does not mean that we will stop helping them. They may be grown, but they are not going anywhere. The one thing I know for sure is that they will never truly leave. They went out of their way to make sure we made it to their match tonight. They might be older, but they are still kids and that will not change. They need you now more than ever my love."

 

She tries to form a smile, but the pain still rests persistently in her heart.  "I want to believe you, Steven, I do, but you did not get to sit and watch how calm and happy she was in William's arms.  It was almost like.."

"Almost like you used to be back in the day. She is her mother's daughter. She loves like you do babe. She is fearless, just like you are. Back when we first started together you were the same way. She is as happy as you were back then. Hopefully they will handle everything the same way we did."

 

With that, Summer smiled, reaching over and grabbing Hunter by the shirt pulling their bodies closer together.  Their noses touch as she brings her lips to his, gently kissing them.  Leaning back with a smile. "Do you think that boy out there is ready for all that?"  She drags her finger up underneath his chin, swiping it down upon his lip.  "Look how long it took you.."  She winked, leaning back to an upright position.  "I hope you are right; I've only seen that look that comes across her face whenever he is near, upon my own the second you are around. I hope he is ready for that kind of love."  She places her hand upon his shoulder, and with a playful nudge she speaks softly.  " He could only be half as lucky as you.”

"I think he will be okay. I only have one worry. He has yet to meet her other side, and I have the feeling he is not one to run, but I worry what will happen when that happens."  Summer nods her head with a sigh.  "You are right.  I was speaking to him about her on our way to the park.  He is clueless."  She takes Hunter's hand in hers.  "But we are all fortunate enough that Cassie has gained control.  I do not expect Vanity to show her ugliness any time soon, if ever again.  What more can Cassie run away from?  She faced her demons when she wrote her letter.  What else could drive her away?"

 

"Well, you know what they say, never say never." Just then there is a slight knock at the door. Colton steps in. He notices the packed suitcases and looks at his parents. "You guys going somewhere?" Hunter turns and looks at him. "Yeah, your mother and I are going to take a trip for a bit. I think she needs a place to rest. She has not been out of the hospital that long and has had no rest. We are going to take a couple weeks and go to the farm outside Nashville. It will be a lot quieter there." Colton looks over at his mother and smiles. "That sounds like a good idea. It is nice there this time of year. I am hoping everything around here settles down and you guys can come back for the wedding." Colton walks over and hugs his mom. He grabs the suitcases. "I will put these in your truck for you. Oh, pops you are going to have to replace Cassie's truck. William looked at it and he said you bent the frame. There is no fixing that." Hunter laughs. "You take care of that for us boy." Colton shakes his head. "Go say goodbye, and Pops take Uncle Gyon with you." Colton carries the suitcases out of the room.

 

Cassie, along with Lily, Sammy and William stand near the kitchen island.  Cassie has a look of concern upon her face as she turns looking to Colton.  "What are you doing?  Why are you taking mom's bags?"  Cassie steps in front of Colton, expecting him to answer.  Summer steps in and reaches for Cassie's hand.  She pulls her away slowly, drawing her into her arms. "My Sweet girl, your father and I have decided to take a little R&R up at the farm in Nashville.  Things now have settled down and we both know you are in good hands with William."  Cassie begins to shake her head as them leaving would not be an option.  "No, mom, you guys cannot just leave. We need you guys here with us.  I need you.." She begins to look over to Hunter, pleading him with her eyes.  "Dad, Please.."   Hunter turns to Summer with an, I told you look as Summer breaks out with a heartbroken smile.  "Cassie, it's going to be alright.  You have your brother and Lily here with you."  She walks over to William reaching out to his shoulder.  "You also have this fine young man by your side."  She looks up to William, whispering in his ear.  "Take good care of her, or your fate will match Damon's."  She leans up and gives him a kiss on the cheek as she steps back patting his shoulder.  "How far can that truck travel safely?'  William shrugs his shoulders. "A few hundred miles at most."  Summer nods, looking to Hunter with a half-smile. "You better not kill us before we get to a hotel."  She looks to Colton.  "Keep the Hummer.  We will take the truck and get a new one for her."  Lily begins to walk up to Summer and gives her a big hug.  "I wished you didn't have to go, but if Colton agrees its best for you, then I can be happy for you."  She begins to tear up as she wipes her eyes.

 

"I feel like I'm not only losing a close friend, but I’m also losing the only mother I felt I have."  Summer turns to Hunter as her eyes now begin to tear, she looks back to Lily with a smile. "Honey, you will never lose me.  I am always but a phone call, and an ass kicking away."  She grabs Lily and hugs her tightly. "You keep my boy in line..and watch over my little Spawn.  Before you know it, he will be driving fast cars, motorcycles and coming home with a pretty lady on his arms.  Cherish him while he's still young."  She now looks over to Colton.  "You hang tough, son.  remember your roots, remember whose blood runs through those veins.  You have a lot riding on those strong shoulders, be strong like the man we raised you to be.  This is not good-bye my son, it's only a few sleeps away.  Your mother will always be there to chase those monsters out from under your bed."  She smiles as she grabs him up in her arms, laughing.  Colton lets out a half smile, trying to hold back the tears himself.  Summer walks over to Little Sammy, picking him up into her arms.  "My little munchkin don't go and grow up too quickly on me now.  You know Sassy doesn't want to get old."  She winks.  "You take good care of your mom and Dad and Aunt Cassie for me ok, and when Sassy gets back, I will have the biggest bag of gummy worms waiting for you, ok."  She gives him a tight hug and a kiss on the forehead.  Her eyes are now fully engulfed in tears as she looks to Hunter, walking out of the door.  As Cassie follows close behind.

 

Hunter walks behind them. He reaches out a taps on Cassie's shoulder. She turns and grabs Hunter holding him tight. He holds her and leans down, kissing the top of her head. "Listen, little one, we are not leaving forever it is only going to be a couple of weeks. I just want your mother somewhere quiet for a bit. You have some things to figure out yourself. I am happy for you and that boy of yours, but you are going to have to tell him everything. Don't worry, he is not going to run away, he has already proven his love. Just be upfront with him and talk with your brother. There is nothing more important than family. He is at a hard time in his life right now and he is going to need you, and you are going to need him. Just remember, I love you little one." He kisses the top of her head again and lets her go and walks out the door. Cassie stands there as William walks up and hugs her from behind. "You going to be ok Crashie?"

 

She turns, burring her head into his chest.  He holds her tightly for several moments before letting her go.  Gyon stands out on the porch with both hands on his hip.  "That big ol' Bastard did not give me a hug goodbye!"  He turns and looks to Colton.  "Well Kids, it’s been fun, but in this case, 6 is a crowd."  He taps Colton on the shoulder.  "I better follow them just in case."  Colton nods, laughing.  "Don't be a stranger, Unc!  Thank you for everything."  Gyon nodded, walking to his car.  As he opens the back hatch Kita comes running and jumps into the back of the car.  Gyon sighs in frustration as everyone laughs.  Cassie manages to call Kita back; as he jumps down, he hikes his leg upon Gyon's expensive alligator boots.  He lets out a disappointing sigh as he closes the hatch and walks around getting inside the car.  Hunter now places the bags into the back seat of Cassie's beat up truck.  He notices a duffle bag sitting in the back seat.  Thinking it must be William's he yells out for him to come over.  Looking at the bag, he tells him it is not his as he steps away and goes back to Cassie.  Curious, he begins to unzip it.  With a smirk and a shake of his head he looks to Summer.  "How?"  She turns to him smiling.  "Oh, you must have forgotten who I am Steven."  She gives him an evil grin as he zips the bag up and gets in the driver's seat.  "How long do you think it is going to take before he notices?"  Summer shrugs her shoulders.  "About as long as it took for me to get them."  She laughs as they begin to drive down the road.