...Breathe in for luck, and hope for more...

AMONG THE EMERALD HILLS
Chapter Two

Please read chapter one before starting this, you find that chapter and the rest of my stories at the link below...
http://thesims2.ea.com/mysimpage/uploads.php?user_id=483816&nstart=1&asset_type=story

This chapter is dedicated to Melinda, Nav and Nicole. Thanks for being there when I was down, and thanks for being there when I wasn't. I don't know what I would do without any of you.

Click the arrow -- you know you want to... --->

He slid his hands around my silken waist and slowly pulled me close.

The harmonious melody from the orchestra floated amongst the air, caressing my ear with an enchanting touch.

Our hands touched, his strong grasp around my palm, interlacing our fingers together in a gentle clasp.

The emerald gown flowed around my ankles, hugging me around the waist and swept out behind me, gliding over the floor in a silken whisper.

I could feel his fingers slide over the luxurious fabric and holding me close. I looked up slowly into his eyes, and felt my heart beat furiously as my breathing quickened and became shallow.

He tucked his finger beneath my trembling chin and brought my face closer to his own. My knees began to shake as he cupped my face and whispered my name into my ear. His lips gently brushed against my cheek and sent shivers down my spine.

I looked up at him through my lashes and parted my mouth slightly; he wrapped his arms around me and pressed our bodies together. His soft lips came ever so close as he twirled me one last time around?

And I twirled straight out of the bed in my grandmom?s house.

My stomach was pressed to the cold wooden floor, my arms braced for impact in front of me, and my face contorted into a bewildered expression I?m sure.

I let out a deep sigh and slowly turned over to lie on my back. I covered my face with my hands and allowed the air to escape through my lips.

?I hate dreams.? I retorted out loud, with a deep grunt.

?Erin, why are you on the floor??

I peeked through my fingers and saw my brother?s well-worn sneakers standing near me.

?Because I want to.? I explained stubbornly. ?Just go away Charlie.? I muttered, embarrassed by my secret dream.

Before turning away, Charlie asked softly, ?Is it that time of the month??

I lifted my body up with fury and yelled, ?No Charlie! Leave!?

He raised his hands in defense and ducked out of the room, but not before calling out around the corner of the doorway, ?I was supposed to tell you that breakfast is ready.?
I grumbled in response and fell back down with a sigh.

?Welcome sleepy-head!? my mother called cheerily from the breakfast table. ?Have a nice sleep??

?Mm hmm?? I replied dreamily, as I stumbled out into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from my eyes with the base of my palm. ?Wh-whaaat time is it?? I asked, trying to stifle a yawn.

?Oh it be mornin? still. Have a cup-a tay darlin?? My grandmother came around the corner, and placed a tea-cup in front of an empty chair. She pushed back a strand of gray hair with her finger and smiled affectionately at me.

I loved that smile of hers. She seemed to laugh with every curve of her lips. Her eyes aglow with love and compassion, speaking out to me as her eyes crinkled with a smile.

Even though I was overly tired from jetlag, grumpy over my dream, groggy and confused ? I smiled back, happiness pouring over me as I took the seat and carefully brought the cup to my lips.

But the tea was hot.

?Aghi!? I shouted as I quickly set the cup back down. I brought my fingers up and prodded my burnt tongue. ?I thont thiunk I han seel anything.? I stated, holding my tongue.

?What was that?? Kate asked, peering over at me.

?I don?t think I can feel anything!? I replied, after I had let go of my sore tongue. ?Why didn?t anyone tell me it was going to be hot??

?Well darlin?, `tis tay? My grandmother simply explained.

My brother and sister soon erupted into fits of giggle and laughter.
?She so told you Erin!? My brother exclaimed, his eyes shut with glee.

?Shut up!? I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest with a huff and knitting my eyebrows together in annoyance.

?Alright, alright?that?s enough now.? My mother called in a soothing voice, immediately breaking up our petty fight.

?Mom, what are we doing today?? My brother pepped up immediately, his eyes wide with curiosity as he leaned over the table.

I gave a sigh and rolled my eyes. I had never known Charlie to have any patience ? for anything. If he wanted something, he wouldn?t wait or prance around the topic, but demand answers without a care for what other people thought.

Something I always admired in my little squirt of a brother.

My mom placed a small piece of scone into her mouth, slowly chewing as she mulled over her answer.

She took another slow sip of tea from her cup before placing it carefully back with a small ?tink? as it hit the porcelain.

Charlie sat on the edge of his seat, his eyes nearly popping out his head with impatience. ?Mooommmmmmm! Seriously, you?re killing me! Are we going to be cooped up here all day?! I want to see what?s out there!? he whined, throwing his arm towards the window with a gasp of exasperation.

She gave a light chuckle before replying, ?Oh tush tush Charlie. Your sisters aren?t the only ones who enjoy teasing you.?

A twinkle passed over her eyes as she smiled warmly at him. ?I was hoping to meet with a cousin of mine. She lives close-by, and has children of your age.?

Kate and I smiled with excitement ? we both couldn?t wait to talk to them, learn all about Ireland from someone our age.

However, Charlie twisted his mouth into a sour note and slowly asked, ?She?s not?not going to?pinch my cheeks?? He slowly rubbed his cheeks with his hands as he continued, ?They still hurt from yesterday.?

Yesterday, along with the warm embrace from our grandmother, numerous other greetings were exchanged with other relatives that had come to greet us.

Most involved affectionate hugs, and smiles ? however a couple cousins and great-aunts enjoyed taking my brother?s still round cheeks and pinching them as they remarked on how much of a man he was growing up to be.

While, Kate and I snickered quietly every time the word ?man? was used to describe our pre-puberty brother.

My mom gave out a lilting laugh ? both melodious and infectious. We all found ourselves smiling with her, simply glad to laugh alongside her. ?No?no Charlie, she?s not one of those relatives.?

Charlie gave a deep sigh of relief and slumped back into his chair. However, he quickly perked up again and asked, ?Do they have a TV??

My grandmom entered the room again with a bark of laughter, ?Just because I don?t wish to be a havin? that daft thing in me house, don?t mean everyone else is to be without one.?

I smiled at my grandmom?s melodic brogue, so sweet and low. I don?t think I will ever tire of hearing it.

My brother raised his arm and brought it close with a characteristic, ?yesshh? in triumph.

I rolled my eyes again and took another sip of tea ? slowly this time.

I had almost half-expected another white-wash cottage, much like my grandmom?s. However, the house that we pulled up to, could have been a house in America and never been suspected for anything else.

?I wonder if they have playstation?? Charlie wondered aloud. I just sighed deeply, gritting my teeth as I tried to not reply with any sarcastic remark.

?Well here we are!? My mother exclaimed as she turned off the car engine. It?s low rumble gradually silenced.

We all looked from one another before hesitantly stepping out of the car and tagging alongside our mom, up to the house.

As we stood outside the door, waiting for the door to be answered, we each fidgeted with a slight degree of anxiousness.

I wrung my hands as a thousand thoughts flitted in and out of my mind.
What if they don?t like me?
What if they don?t like how I talk?
What if they think I?m some arrogant American?
What if they?re mean? rude? selfish?
What if I won?t fit in?

Those petty worries vanished with the passing breeze as the door was thrown open and we were all wrapped in a tight squeeze by a mysterious figure.

?Kieran*! Put them down!? A warm voice called from behind. ?Kieran? slowly released us from his iron clasp, and beamed down at us.

Before I could get a good look at him, an older woman toddled out of the doorway and rushed into my mom?s arms. ?Moira*!? she exclaimed, a bright smile spread across her bright face.

My mother smiled back, laughter in her eyes, ?Oh, Nora! It?s been too long. Far too long.?

??Tis too true. `Tis too true indeed. Oh now, come come.? She greeted to the rest of us, ushering us in with her arms. ?Kieran, move out of me way. I swear this boy be gettin? bigger by the moment.? She remarked, jerking her thumb over at Kieran, who was now leaning against the frame of the doorway, a smile still across his face.
???..
*Kieran pronounced KEER-en
*Moira pronounced MOY-ra

As we passed over the threshold, I casually glanced up to get a better look of this mysterious hugger.

But at that precise moment, he looked down to me, startling blue eyes meeting my own green ones ? 10 times larger as I stared up in embarrassment.

But I couldn?t break away.

There was something about his eyes ? something hidden beneath his dark lashes that kept me mesmerized. His chestnut hair flopped nonchalantly off to one side, strands falling in front of his beaming face.

His mouth was stretched across his face in a large grin, white teeth shining from beneath his lips, slightly dazzling me.

I must have strayed one second too long, for Kate called my name to follow, and his eyebrow rose in curiosity. I could feel my cheeks heating up as they blushed a faint pink.

Retarded bodily functions. Coming at the least opportune moment.

As I hurried in beside Kate, she whispered into my ear, ?What were you doing? You were staring at him like an idiot.?

I grumbled and turned away from her, ?Shut up Kate.? My cheeks had continued to keep their pink hue, plainly still embarrassed.

Kate continued to keep talking, not fazed by my cold shoulder technique, ?Who is he? He doesn?t resemble anyone in our family. Did you see his eyes??

Kate?s questions were soon answered as Nora led us into her kitchen, and another boy came bounding out of the room, his honest and warm face much alike to Nora?s and my mother?s.

?Fionn*! You do that again, I?ll be havin? to wallop ya. Do you want to be a killin? our American relatives from fright??
???
Fionn pronounced Fin

?Maybe?? he replied, his mouth curved into a mischievous grin that reached all the way to his eyes which twinkled with laughter.

He looked over to me from the corner of his eye and winked ? as if we were sharing some inside joke. He soon turned my way and waved his hand in greeting as he introduced himself in a booming voice, ?I?m Fionn. I think we be?second cousins? Oh it?s daft ya know? Too confusin? for me.?

Before I could respond, a figure emerged from behind us, looping my tongue into a thousand knots.

?Everything?s confusin? for ya.? remarked a velvety voice behind me.

My body went rigid and I became determined not to turn around. I focused all my concentration on my brother?s dirty shoelaces ? one of them happened to be untied, something I noted to tell him later ? and folded my arms across my chest, there was no way I would be showing any more interest in him and embarrassing myself furthermore.

?Ha, ha? Fionn replied dryly. ?Oh this be Kieran Andrews, the git from down the road.?

Fionn raised and extended his arm behind me, introducing Kieran to our family. I could hear Kate softly reply with a hello, while Charlie exclaimed enthusiastically about a playstation he had seen over Kieran?s shoulder.

?Dude, I totally challenge you.? Charlie dared Kieran, his eyes wide with excitement ? it had been a whole two days since his last contact with the game ? I rolled my eyes yet again.

I cheated ? I looked out of the corner of my eyes to look as Kieran gave a chuckle and sheepishly raised his hand in good-bye as he left with Charlie to take up the challenge.

A moment after they left, my mother asked Fionn in a low voice, ?His name is Kieran?Andrews??

Fionn nodded energetically, not noting the tone in my mother?s voice, ?Me best friend since we were little. He?s part of the family. Lives right down the road.?

?Oh?? My mother replied with faked interest. I peered curiously over to her, my eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

My mother snapped her head to face me, ?Stop looking so angry all the time Erin. You?re going to have a line permanently indented on your forehead.?

I could hear Kate snickering behind me as my face flushed bright red for the second time that day.

We waddled over to the kitchen table, slowly sitting down as Nora busied herself around the kitchen, cupboards flinging open, drawers slamming shut, silverware clamoring, and the tea kettle?s shrill whistle only adding to the chaos in the kitchen.

She poured the tea with a speed I believed could only come out of years of practice.

Soon, a tray of filled teacups and a platter of cookies sat at the center of the table, Nora toddled out of the kitchen yet again, leaving us alone with Fionn in the kitchen, silence surrounding us.

?Is she always like that?? Kate whispered to our mother, leaning across the table.

Fionn quickly replied without hesitation, as if the question had been asked several times before, ?Pretty much. She?ll be comin? back soon. Probably draggin? me sister along.?

Right on cue, Nora returned, her hand clasped around a young girl?s wrist, her face bright as she introduced her daughter.

?Caitriona* -- these are your relatives from America!? Nora exclaimed, pushing the young girl forward.

I guessed her to be between mine and Kate?s age, give or take a year. But there was no way possible that either I or even Kate could be compared to her. I didn?t even see how we were related.

She was gorgeous.

Where Nora and Fionn both shared our family?s warm eyes and honest faces, Caitriona held everything behind piercing gray eyes and a porcelain face.
??.
*Caitriona pronounced kaw-TREE-a-na

Her ebony black hair fell in soft ringlets down upon her shoulders, framing her delicate face. It was a stunning contrast to her creamy ivory skin, flawless in its perfection.

Her bone structure was that of what I?ve only seen in fashion magazines ? not even that, one only depicted in stories with women of astounding beauty, their faces only seen in the never-ending expanse of our imaginations.

She held her slender body with a grace and stature that I could only gape foolishly at. It commanded attention with a seemingly natural poise.

Her full lips barely moved as she greeted us in a soft voice ? like the sound of wind caressing the grass, it slid over my ears with a smooth touch.

I stared at her with ever increasing envy that was quickly burning into jealousy.

While she was exchanging looks with everyone else in greeting, I stole a quick glance into her entrancing eyes.

And my jealousy died like an extinguished candle.

Her eyes were dead. There was nothing behind them. No light, no spark or laughter. Not even a twinkle that passed over.

I felt horribly sick and empty inside. Like nothing would ever be right again. It was as if my world was spiraling down into nothingness. But that wasn?t me. That wasn?t my life.

I broke my gaze and let it fall to the floor, carefully examining my shoelaces.

Despite her enthralling beauty and statuesque presence, I never wanted to have that feeling inside of me ever again. And I believed it was devouring Caitriona at every moment.

For once, I was almost grateful for my freckles. Almost.

?Ana.? she called out, her eyes lingering on mine. ?You can call me Ana.?

She continued to stare at me for a second too long, indicating she had seen me foolishly gazing at her only a moment ago.

I tried to smile back, proving that I had nothing to be embarrassed at. However, my forced smile twisted into a lopsided, crooked expression that vaguely resembled what one would call a smile.

So much for remaining nonchalant.

After all the greetings were exchanged, all the girls sat around the table, and Fionn began to start looking uncomfortable.

?I think there be a bit too much estrogen here for me. To keep my manliness in check, a bit of playstation might do me good.? He stated with a bark of laughter before waving goodbye and joining Charlie and Kieran in the other room.

Before there was any time for an awkward silence to settle over us, Nora piped up, her voice filled with excitement, ?So, you young ladies be attendin? the dance tonight??

I felt a small amount of bile rise in my throat. ?D-dance?? I asked weakly. I could feel the kitchen starting to spin.

Nora sensed my hesitancy and let out a deep chuckle, ?Nothin? I?m sure like it be in America. Tonight will be nothin? but good ol? irish music ? no matter what the youngsters say.? She added, casting a sidelong glance at Ana.

Still ? I was a white girl from suburbia ? we don?t dance.

?Yeah?uhm?I think I?m going to plan on being sick tonight?? I quietly replied.

?I?ll be there!? Kate responded excitedly. ?I don?t know much about irish dancing, but I do love to dance! Can?t be much different!?

Kate was making me nauseous.

?That be the spirit!? Nora replied, clearly happy Kate was willing and even excited.

I looked over to Ana, who had focused her attention on the clouding sky. ?Ana??? Nora asked softly ? almost cautiously.

She turned slowly and looked to us with her deadened, flat eyes. She just stared for what seemed an eternity, unresponsive to our stares. She looked into Nora?s eyes for the briefest of moments and nodded her head slightly before turning away again.

Nora watched Ana for another moment, a small sigh escaping her lips. She turned to us, an apologetic smile on her lips.

?So Erin, that leaves you.? Nora stated, retreating back to the horrific conversation.

I darted my eyes around the room, trying to send the focus somewhere else. ?Mom!? I exclaimed, ?What about you? Are you going to stay home with grandmom??

My mother gave a hearty laugh as she replied, ?No, no my dear. Grandmom and I are both coming. I wouldn?t miss this for the world.?

Of course she wouldn?t. I rolled my eyes and slumped in my chair. ?I guess I?m coming?? I muttered, heaving a deep sigh.

?Oh this is simply lovely!? Nora cried out, clasping her hands together in rejoice. ?I?ll get Fionn and Kieran to come also.? She added, winking towards Kate and I.

Kieran? Maybe it wouldn?t be so bad afterall?

It was bad. I knew I hated dancing for a reason. Embarrassing myself completely in front of a crowd of people is not something I like to call fun.

I was cursing and kicking myself every minute we were there. Pulled at the ridiculous dress Kate picked out for me (that I would have never worn in a million years), and continued to cross and uncross my legs while I sat in the corner of the room, hidden by the shadows ? a scowl surely plastered on my face.

We had arrived at the dance hall shortly after night had fallen, the building aglow with the sounds of music and boisterous shouts echoing to our ears.

Fionn and Kieran had come earlier, toting Charlie along with them. When we entered, there was no sign of them, and Ana had disappeared from our group also. Kate and I settled ourselves down at a nearby table, Kate excitedly watching the couples twirling about the room in a flurry of colors.

I, however, slumped my head into my propped hand, and watched as my mom, grandmom and Nora walked over to another group of women I recognized to be more aunts?or cousins?or siblings?one of those.

I turned back to Kate to try and casually ask if she had seen Kieran?or Fionn, even Charlie. You know, someone we knew.

But as I turned around, I was unexpectedly greeted by an empty chair. I frantically looked around the room, looking to see where she went off to.

I should have known.

Kate had already been scooped up into some young, dashing irishman?s arms, twirling gracefully around the room. I sighed with frustration and retreated to the corner ? hoping to escape any wandering eyes.

It was around midnight when I finally was fed up with counting how many different men Kate danced with and if I could tie a cherry stem, that I had gotten from a drink, into a knot with just my tongue (which I couldn?t ? realizing after the 67th try).

I stood up and walked determinedly out the door, my brow furrowing with frustration, annoyance and boredom.

The cool air felt good against my flushed cheeks, cooling me down both physically and emotionally.

I took in a deep breath and caught a whiff of the smell of salt and realized I could hear the far off sound of waves crashing against a shoreline.

With nothing else on my agenda for that evening ? except perhaps trying to tie my shoelaces with only my toes ? I went off in search for the beach.

I didn?t have to go far before sand melded against the mossy rocks, leading to the shore; the black water alighted only by the silvery glow of the moon.

I sighed deeply and chucked the heels I had off my feet and into the nearby grass. Last time I ever wore those, Satan?s own personal creation.

I ran out into the waves, a childhood playfulness taking hold of me as the frothy waves gently splashed against the bare of my skin.

I stood out in the water for a moment, thinking back?wondering if I would ever finally learn about Aine ? the mystery woman who seemed to haunt all areas of this enchanting land.

I only stood out there for another pondering instant, the Irish coastline isn?t known for their sunny beaches and warm waters ? the biting cold of the water stung my feet and legs, until I wasn?t sure I could feel them anymore.

I ran out soon afterwards, looking at my raw feet in the moonlight, my pink toes still numb from the icy water.

I bent over and covered my frigid feet with my warm-ish hands, hoping to heat them up, and gain sensation again.

As I squatted over my feet, I casually surveyed the area around me, the dark, craggy rocks that jutted out into the black waters, waves breaking in white foam against it.

The wind picked up, and I could see the faint outlines of grasses stirring against the breeze, the waves pounding against the shore, a white face with hair blowing into the wind?.

A face?

I stood up swiftly and immediately froze in my place. The figure was up on the rocks, looking out to the never-ending expanse of the horizon, long strands of hair intertwining in the strong breeze.

Suddenly, they turned, exposing their stark, white face to me. And yet?they seemed so familiar?

?Ana?? I questioned aloud.

Nothing could doubt it now.

Those perfect cheekbones and fair skin weren?t hard to miss. I carefully walked to the massive rock and took hold of a jutting edge and hoisted myself up, walking carefully over to Ana, repeating ?don?t fall, don?t fall? over in my head.

?Ana?? I asked again ? my voice was shaking. I guess I had underestimated my fear for heights ? that or, my fear for tripping on rock, smacking my head on the concrete surface, my skull cracking open and my brain leaking out all over the ground. It could be that.

She still didn?t turn to me. All I could see was her dark hair flying into the air. ?Ana!? I yelled more forcefully.

It was then that she finally spun around, slowly to look at me with those chilling dead eyes of hers that I could see even in the dark of the night ? raising all the hairs on my arm to an upright position.

?Erin?? she called softly. I was surprised she remembered my name. I had gawked at her though, that provided enough reason to remember me.

I moved closer to her and crouched down against the wind that was picking up. ?What are you doing up here Ana??

?Thinking?? Vagueness always helped. Ugh.

?Well, isn?t it a little?dangerous up here?? I replied, quickly glancing down to the depths below us.

?It?s what I want.? she replied, ambiguity being a key factor in this conversation.

?What do you mean?? I asked, hopefully understanding a little more about my mysterious cousin.

She looked up to me, and I felt my heart break. No ? shatter into pieces. To see something that beautiful, that delicate, filled with sorrow ? not bleakness or indifference, but actual and complete sorrow is something that will haunt your dreams til the end of your days.

She held me in her eyes for another moment, and I realized in a moment why she was up here.

The world was nothing but an empty shell. Devoid of life and love. A pain had been eating away at her, slowly caving in her frail body. She hurt, and she didn?t want to hurt any longer.

She was going to kill herself.

?Ana!? I exclaimed, fear alighting in my eyes. ?You can?t, you ? ?

Before I could continue on with my stuttering objection, Ana rose gracefully and turned to the edge.

Without thinking, I flung myself at her, trying desperately to stop her at all means, I grabbed at her shoulders, her arms ? even her gorgeous hair, any means to stop her.

But, in my attempt to halt her, my bare foot caught hold of a protruding rock, pain shooting up my leg as I head the sickening sound of my bone snapping.

I stumbled another foot more before tumbling down the edge into the dark waters below me, the pounding waves swirling me deep below.

Now before I run from the mass mob chasing me for that ending...I wanted to thank some people first. ^_^ (and give you my list of cc)
_______________
THANK YOUs
To my "yahoo family", without all your laughs -- I don't think I would be sane enough to write this.

Jas (essenceofjas) and Ana (BloOd rEd Ros3) for teaching me all the basics of photoshop and beyond and keeping me company ^_^ -- just so everyone knows, I didn't name Ana in this story after the Ana above...but maybe I should say that from now on...hehe--

MY CRITIQUE GROUP! I seriously couldn't have done this without you! Thank you for critiquing it so fast and catching everything! You guys are seriously my life-saver.
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(do NOT ask me for cc in a guestbook signing -- I will NOT respond ^_^, it's all right here)
I listed most of my favorite sites on this uber awesome site --
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You can check it for updates on sites I've found and love.

If you'd like to check out pictures for upcoming chapters/series, or just random pictures and ramblings visit my flickr and fotolog! (I use flickr the most -- FYI)

www.flickr.com/photos/bmn308
www.fotolog.com/cutiepie3084

Seriously where I spend ALL MY TIME. Drop on by and send me a hello! I'd love to hear from you! And I know you'd love this place too. Great for writers, simmers and everyone in between!
www.scribblersabode.com (website)
www.ryleerider.proboards83.com (forum)

Another awesome site...they don't bite either...at least I dont think >_>
www.similik.proboards54.com