Dani reaches her hand out to her and speaks softly, earning her trust rather quickly. Elizabeth doesn’t speak, but takes Dani’s hand after only a little persuasion. My heart sinks. Kids, much like dogs, can sense good people…and she’s afraid of me…only me… That thought stirs up so many others, mixing in withthe other feelings of guilt and failure. I could’ve saved Nonnie… If we just had a little more time. That’s why she’s afraid of me. I’m not a hero in her eyes…
Will my daughter be afraid of me, too? Will I fail her as well?
I lay my head back against the seat and close my eyes, taking every blow to heart. We just need to get her back to Victoria… Three more steps. The airport, landing, and home. That’s it…
Chapter 21
Ashia
Daisy’s drool dribbles onto the couch as I rub her belly, and even though I'll have to wipe the leather down later, I’m just excited to have her back. Damien surprised me with her right before he left, and she hasn’t left my side for a second. She's seemed so happy. Her head has either been in my lap, on my belly, or upside down with her tongue hanging out. She’ll have to go back with Darnell once everyone gets home, so I’m soaking up every second of it that I can.
My heart leaps from my chest when my phone buzzes in my pocket, but I take it out as nonchalantly as I can, not wanting to alert Victoria or John just yet. We’ve all been a little on edge since they left for Seattle. Knowing there would be hours when we couldn’t communicate with each other has rattled all of our nerves, but I think we've all handled it pretty well, considering everything we’ve been through.
I cried for about three hours after he left, but John and Victoria were both sworn to secrecy.
We just landed. Be home soon.
A large weight rolls off my shoulders as I read Damien’s text, and a cool wave descends in its place. I knew he was okay when he let me know they were at the airport, but knowing he’s close again feels even better. John sits across from me in one of the armchairs, sipping tea and reading through one of his old files like he isn’t just as worried as I have been. It’s been quiet here, thankfully, and we’re all still in one piece. Well, except for Victoria.
She’s sitting on the other couch with her elbows on her knees, jolting her whole body with her shaky legs. Her hair is put up in a puffy ponytail, but that hasn’t stopped the sweat trickling down her forehead. I’ve tried to get her to focus on something else—anythingelse. John and I bickered over what movies to watch, I’ve attempted to force her to eat something, and I even tried to get her to pet Daisy. I'm pretty sure she’s still scared of her, though.
“They just landed.” I grin and look up to Victoria first, hoping to see some type of excitement on her face. My words must have struck her, because she looks terrified instead. She’s completely unmoving now—no jitters, twitches, or even breaths. Just when I'm afraid she gets lightheaded, she lets out a shaky breath and stands, immediately pacing the open floor. “Are you okay?” I sink into the couch a little, expecting her to snap at any moment.
“I don’t have anything for her…” She starts to twirl her curly ponytail with her fingers. “She doesn’t have clothes or toys… Nothing—she hasnothing! Why didn’t I think of that?!” she shouts, only growing more frantic with every step she takes. John looks up from his file to watch her move from one side of the living room to the other, and then back again. He doesn’t say anything, though. His eyes bounce over to me every couple of seconds, but I suppose that’s his way of letting me handle it.
“Hey, it’s okay. We can get things for her. It’s no big deal. We didn’t really have a lot of time to plan,” I point out, hoping to ease some of her anxiety.
I can relate to a certain extent. I didn’t realize how much we needed for the baby until Damien started buying everything. Now, I’m also starting to panic, and we still have about fifteen weeks left before we meet our daughter. She has maybe thirty minutes tops.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do… I know that we’ll have to leave soon, but I don’t know where to take her or where we’ll live… I’ve just needed her back so badly that I haven’t thought it through…” She continues to pace, and John lays his file down onto the coffee table like he’s about to give some fatherly advice. I butt in before he can.
“Victoria, take a deep breath. You can’t pass out before she even gets here.” She turns to look at me like she’ll snap. So, I continue before she has the chance to get even more upset. “Of course, you guys can stay here—especially with the Society on your ass. We'll figure it all out. She can just stay in your room with you, and we’ll get her whatever she needs.”
Before I can even think of it, my phone is back in my hand, pulling up my messages. I text Serena ‘shopping 9-1-1’ right after texting Damien back, asking him to check her clothes for the size. She replies right away with a ‘hell yeah,’ and I send her a detailed list of what to get Elizabeth, knowing she’ll deter from it anyway. Ser has never had a problem spending Damien’s money, and even though she'll be buying for a four-year-old girl, she’ll still see it as an opportunity.
“No. Not after this.” Victoria stops in front of me with shaky hands and terrified eyes. “We can’t risk them following us here…” Her lips quivers, and then tears fill her eyes, sending ice through my veins. “Oh, God. What have I done?”
“Hey. Don’t do that.” I stand up and grip her arms, steadying her, and Daisy moves with me on instinct. “If they knew you were here, they would’ve just come for you. They wouldn’t have given you the choice.”
“And now they don’t have either of us!” she yells. “They’ll come for all of us!” She tries to pull away, but I grip her tighter, not letting her spiral.
“Then we’ll stop them,” I declare, even though I’m not sure we can. Right now, she’s terrified. Unfortunately, she might also be right, but that’s something we can prepare for. Elizabeth will need her calm and collected, not on the verge of a breakdown. “We’ll all figure it out, together. But right now, all you need to focus on is your sister, alright? She is going to be just as scared as you, and as moms? We don’t get to be the scared ones. Okay?”
She stares at me for a few moments, caught in a war between her emotions and her head. As we continue to stare at each other, her fear passes onto me, crawling up my skin like bugs. She has averygood point. The Society could very well come for them both, but I just don’t get why. In the grand scheme of things, could two lives bethatvaluable to them?
John must see my growing worry, because he finally steps up to us.
“Why don’t I take her outside to wait? That way she can get some fresh air before they arrive.” He nods to me, silently telling me that it’s best. I’m shocked when Victoria doesn’t argue. She just gently pulls away and steps softly towards the garage door. John follows suit, lightly patting me on the shoulder as he passes by.
He must have seen her before he spoke, because Dr. Von walks down the stairs and draws my attention. She’s looking a little over-dressed to be this late in the evening, but of course, Ms. Perfect has to be ‘appropriate’ at all times. My annoyance spikes,but I’m thankful she doesn’t speak until John closes the garage door behind them.
“Ashia?”
I groan at the same time as Daisy, finding it sort of hilarious. This dog totally understands me on a deeper level, and I love how she tends to match whatever emotional state I’m in.
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to notify you of my departure. Though, I feel it would be beneficial if I stayed a few more days. It would be wise to check on Elizabeth’s mental state, as well as close out sessions with Zeke and Victoria—and you, if you’ll allow me to,” she suggests, and I can’t help but raise my eyebrow in curiosity.
