Chapter 34
Avidya
I had no idea what time Zachariah finally came to bed, but what I did know was that I didn’t wake up once after I fell asleep. I woke up in a panic, thinking something had happened to Josh. I found his bed empty, so I gathered that Zach had taken care of him all night long. At least that was what I was hoping. I didn’t think Zachariah would do anything.
Although I didn’t want to get up, I knew I needed to. I desperately needed a shower and to get dressed before anyone showed up to the house. The bed was far too comfortable to move from, and I ended up dozing back off for a while after laying my head back on my pillow.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had slept through the night. It had to have been over a year now. It really was amazing how things changed over time.
I finally woke up when Zachariah came to shake me awake after I had dozed back off, telling me that his parents were here and would like to see me.
“What time is it?” I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I turned onto my back.
“Almost eleven,” he said softly. “I let you sleep for a while.”
“I didn’t mean to sleep so late,” I stretched my body out. This bed was like a vacuum, pulling me into its depths.
“You needed it,” he said, moving some of my hair off of my face. The pads of his fingers barely made contact with my skin. “Just figured you’d like to be dressed and awake before Toby got here. Apparently, he’s a bit excited to see you.”
“I think someone else is too,” I said, letting my eyes trail down his body.
“Wellhecan wait,” he grunted out. “I’ll leave you to shower and dress.”
I could hear the unsaid words about him being happy to join me if I needed help. Now really wasn’t the time. Although it did seem like an appealing idea.
“I’ll be down soon,” I said, pushing myself up.
It didn’t take me long to shower and throw on some clothes on that were here from before I left. I braided my hair off to the side so it wasn’t in my face all day long. My hair was now down to my waist and I refused to cut it. I liked my long hair even though I had no idea what to do with it half the time.
Walking down the stairs, I heard the voices of Julia and Carlos. Rounding the corner, I couldn’t help but smile as both of them gushed over my son.
When Zachariah spotted me, he instantly came to my side and pulled me against him. “I think we lost our son.”
“I could just love on him all day long,” Julia said, giving me a smile. “You look well.”
“A good night sleep helped,” I shrugged.
“Zach explained a bit of it to us,” Julia said. “I could have stayed longer if you weren’t up to me leaving yet. I wouldn’t have minded.”
“You have helped,” I said, giving them a smile. “And it was more than enough. I needed to do things on my own, and I did. I still would have been able to handle it.”
“Well, know that we won’t be letting you get away with us not helping now,” Julia said.
Not even five minutes later, it seemed like everyone else showed up. The house was instantly filled with laughter, love, and family.
I didn’t know I had missed this all so much. I never thought that I needed a family until I no longer had it.
The last ones to arrive were Violet and Toby, who seemed to have had a meltdown shortly before coming here.
Excusing myself from Zach’s side as he talked to Travis, I made my way to Toby, who would hardly look at me as he hid behind Violet. His face was red, his eyes even redder as though he had cried not all that long ago.
“Sorry,” she whispered low enough we were the only ones that could hear. “He’s a bit upset today. Long night of not much sleep. Most nights are a touch and go as it is.”
“You don’t have to explain to me,” I said. “He’s able to have a bad day. He’s been through a lot more than any of us here have.”
“Yes, he has,” Violet agreed, pulling me into a hug. In my ear she whispered, “He doesn’t know about the baby yet. He was so excited to see you last night he couldn’t sleep. And then this morning he didn’t want to take a shower before coming over here. I don’t know how he’ll react to the baby today after everything. His emotions are getting the better of him today.”
I could hear the concern in her voice. She had no idea how Toby would react to the baby, and neither did I.
