Eithen and his parents sat there while River told them his story, they watched the emotions play across River's face as he talked about his daughter and how his ex just took off with no warning. Devon and Siobhan both gave their son a look, telling him that it was time to reveal what he knew. Eithen knew that it was going to be hard, but he really didn't have a choice now. Waiting for River to finish up, he thought about the best way to start this. From the beginning I guess,just please don't let him hate me after this. I don't think I could handle that anymore, he thought to himself.
"River, there is no need to be ashamed or embarrased by what you just revealed to us here. None of us think of you as crazy... if you say that you are getting visions of Raivyn during your episodes, then who are we to say differently. I for one believe you, as I am sure my parents do as well." Eithen said as he looked up to where his parents were sitting at the table. Pops had a serious expression on his face and Ma looked like she wanted to pull River to her and hold on til he got out all of his pain and sadness. Tightening his hold on River a bit, he knew that now was the time to let River know all that he had learned concerning Raivyn to this point.
River looked back and up into Eithen's eyes, seeing the truth there, they didn't think him crazy or unstable. He also saw something else there, something that he was unsure of how to interpret. Without breaking eye contact, he tried to pull away from where he sat in Eithen's lap. He was to comfortable there, it felt too right.
Eithen wasn't about to let go though, he pulled him back against his chest and continued to hold on, offering support and comfort. "River, I umm... I need to tell you a few things. Things that will be hard for you to hear. Just remember that what you learn tonight, was all done for you. Can you do that for me please?" With a nod from River, Eithen began.
River couldn't believe what he was hearing, that didn't sound like something Angelica would do. It had to be wrong... it just had to be. "Are you sure Eithen? 100% positive that it was Angelica that you spoke to? That doesn't sound like her. I can't even imagine her doing something like that. I know she was kinda distant when it came to our daughter... but that... just giving her away.... I can't, I won't believe it. There has to another explanation."
River just sat there shaking his head back and forth, not really wanting to know how Eithen found out all of this. But he needed to know... he did... he had to get his Raivyn back, he had to know that she was safe. He would deal with Eithen later for digging into his personal life. But if it helped him find his daughter, then maybe he could forgive him.... eventually.
"River, I swear to you that all I have told you came straight from Angelica herself. I wouldn't, no change that... I couldn't make something like that up. Please don't hate me for what I have done, but I needed to do it ,needed to do it for you. I knew something was going on in your life... why didn't you come to me? I would have helped you from the start. I know that I am a hard-ass at work... but am I really that unapproachable that you couldn't trust me with something this important? You know what I do, you know that I started up Sanctuary to prevent things like this from happening. You could have came to me." During all this Eithen continued to hold River and gently stroke his hand over River's hair and cheek, unaware that he was doing it.
"I know all of that Eithen, I really do... but this was me, my life, not some stranger that you felt the need to impress. Until this moment, I knew nothing of what happened to Angelica and Raivyn. That damn P.I. that I hired never had any info for me... or so he said. Wonder what he was getting for keeping his mouth shut all this time? " River wasn't sure what to think right now... he had to get away for a bit... he had to think.
"Can you let me up please Eithen, I need to go lay down. The episodes always wear me out. I am sorry that I ruined your night. Mr. and Mrs. Donavan, I hope the next time we see one another that it goes better." Once Eithen let go, River got to his feet and made it to his room where he broke down sobbing.
How could she? How could she do that to our daughter? That BITCH... if I ever see her again, she will be lucky to walk away. Oh baby, my beautiful Raivyn, what did mommy do? I promise you Raivyn, daddy will find you. Daddy will make it all better. With those thoughts going through his head, River fell into a restless sleep.
******
Back out in the kitchen Eithen sat at the table with his parents, going over all that had happened. From the start of the evening it had been kinda unsetteling when River froze up meeting Siobhan, to the time River left to go lay down. "Ma, tell me what that was when you got here... I know you understand what happened."
"I do son, but I am not sure how to explain it really. I think River and I have a connection of some sort, how I don't know, but we do. He has been in my dreams for the last week or so. I never understood them. I didn't think much about them after having them, just chalking it up to strange dreams. But now... like I said, I can't explain it." Siobhan answered as the men in her life just gave her a confused look.
Eithen knew that he just added to River's turmoil, but what was he to do? River had a right to know what he did about Angelica and Raivyn. Did it ease his mind any... maybe a little, because now he no longer had to hide it, but it still weighed heavily upon Eithen. And to top it all off was this pull he felt towards River. Did River feel it as well? At times it seemed that he did, but he wasn't sure. They could work on that after they located Raivyn. She had to be first priority, and everything else would just have to be put in hold.
"You still with us son? You look like you were a million miles away. What's going on in that head of yours?" Devon asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to see if his son would verify it for them.
"Yeah, I guess I was pops, just thinking you know. Now that we know River and his daughter have a strange connection and apparently Ma as well, maybe we can use that to help us locate Raivyn easier. Right now, we have run out of leads. She just seems to have disappeared, with no trail to follow. But, I will damn sure find one that will take us to her." Adding quietly "I have to, for River's sake."
