{Chasing Memories} Prison

Elise Chase

June 28

*Sitting on the floor, she stared at the photo album. The picture perfect shots of the perfect adopted daughter, the perfect future wife of a Chase. She had been in a prison, not quite content but happy. She had been grateful for them taking her off the streets of Boston, for giving her a home, a family but after Quentin's death and then Cam's, it had all crumbled. She slammed the book closed. The humans were putting her in a box again. Feeling closed in all of a sudden, she pushed the book under the couch and out of sight then headed to the closet. She needed to hit something and throwing her blades was a perfect escape.*

{Chasing Memories} Camden

Elise Chase

May 12 

*Smiling at the memories of Mother's Day in her mind, she was thankful that Micah was home for this one. She treated every day with him as a treasure. She sat back on the couch and opened up the photo album, flipping toward the back of the album. Gasping, she stared at the picture of her and Cam. The tears fell with no invitation from her. She still missed him every day and wondered about the what ifs for the millionth time. Tracing her finger over his image, she grinned at the older shots of him. As she closed the book, she said a silent thank you to Sterling for his wonderful gift.*

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{Chasing Memories} The Hen Hat

Elise Chase

April 2

*Gasping as she turned the page, she then burst out in laughter. She had hated that hat! But Sterling's mother had been adamant that it had to be worn. She remembered peering into the mirror wondering if she looked like a hen with its feathers ruffled. She had worn it though and had gotten compliment after compliment on it. Closing her eyes, she recalled that evening and her anxiety settling, only to have her fun dimmed by the ever present Chase aura of respectability and responsibility. The house had always been pristine and everything in place. Prepared. She idly wondered what August and his mate would have thought of Aric and Carys. Proud. Chuffed to be the grandparents of the unique Breeds. She really should show them this album and let them experience the history of their family.*

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{Chasing Memories} Flowers

Elise Chase     *Opening the photo album, she flipped the page and was immediately taken back in time. She rarely had ventured outside of the Darkhaven but as a teenager she had been enthralled with the flower gardens situated behind the home. She closed her eyes, remembering walking down the dirt paths so meticulously kept. The roses had been one of her favorites along with gerber daisies. As she had gotten older, Quentin had joined her whenever she went out at night, a guardian amid the flowers. Not long after that, she had stopped her daylight visits altogether. Sighing, she wondered why.*

{Chasing Memories} Sterling gives Elise a present

Sterling Chase with Elise Chase  March 23, 2014  *Gently handling the old photo album as he walked down the corridor to the quarters where he would find  Elise  and  Tegan. A number of mixed emotions and memories ran through his head as he reached out to knock at the door* Evening Elise. I was just going through a box of outdated combat gear, looking for pieces for Carys when I came across a smaller box containing Chase family memories. *Smiling as he holds out the book* Thought you might like to have this one.

Top of Form

Elise Chase *Opening the door with a small amount of surprise when 

Sterling indicates he has something for her. She looks at the leather bound book in his hands, recognizing the age of it, the book stirring memories of his mother and father.* Me?

Sterling Chase *Nodding his head as he watched the curiosity dance in the beautiful violet eyes that once tortured him, but now felt more like family than ever* Yes, you. My mother was an artist with the camera. Guess she had found a subject she really liked in you.

Elise Chase *Mimicking her mate, she arched her brow as she took the book from Sterling and motioned for him to come inside.* That part of technology captured her for sure. She would have loved the digital movement. Are you sure you want me to have this? *Tracing the lettering on the front cover, she hesitated to open it at first.*

Sterling Chase *Cutting a glance at how gently and lovingly she stroked the book* Yes. Just open the cover. See for yourself.

Elise Chase *She slowly sat on the couch and placed the album on her knees. Unlocking the old latch, she turned to the first page and let out a small gasp. There in black and white was a photo of herself as a child she had never seen before. It must have been right after she had come to live at the Chase Darkhaven. The next photo was her first cotillion. And August...she gently ran a finger along his image walking with her.* I never knew she took these. How did you find them again?

Sterling Chase *Taking a steadying breath as the pages colored his own memories* I was going through a box of old combat gear from the Agency.  Carys is learning self defense and I wanted to give her some practice gear. A second box was buried at the bottom filled with different photo albums and this was one of them. *Awkwardly running a hand through his hair* It wasn't meant to bring painful memories *hesitating* just beautiful ones. Tavia takes very good care of our belongings so the albums remained in perfect condition.

Elise Chase *Nodding, she brushed a tear away she had been unaware that had fallen.* Oh, Sterling, they are beautiful memories. I just thought...there were no actual evidence of these things. I love it but I am also a little overwhelmed at remembering everything. Your parents were also mine. They raised me too. August and your mother were very influential on me and who I became.

Sterling Chase You turned out perfect, Elise. *Glancing back at the book as it rested tenderly in her hands* I understand being overwhelmed. Take all the time with it that you need. The book belongs to you, as do the memories it contains. You are enough to make any family proud, it is right that you have something to remind you of that always. I know Tegan would agree in that.

Elise Chase *Looking up from the album, she tilted her head to the side.* We both got our happy ever afters, didn't we? I can't thank you enough, Sterling. I want to savor each of these pictures and mayhap even talk about your parents with Micah, Aric, and Carys. It was such a different world then and I would like them to know that.

Sterling Chase *Letting his features relax to a full fledged smile* For ever, and ever. No need for thanks, Elise, this is the way it should be. I look forward to hearing from you about sharing with the kids. There's a lot to learn from a trip to the past and I think it's a great idea. Tell Tegan I send my greetings. *Giving one last chuckle before heading back to his beloved Tavia* Mom always did take the most beautiful pictures, Elise, but in this case, her subject out-shined the photos. Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Elise Chase *She watched as he walked out the door, his gift still tenderly held in her hands. She could not believe that these had never been discovered before but there was a time and reason for all things. Gingerly turning the page in the album after he closed the door, she smiled as she saw a picture of her after learning how to drive. She had forgotten how much trouble that old convertible had caused. Laughing, she thought about how these memories were going to be inspiring.*