Chapter 1, Part 2
1736 Words
London, United Kingdom
November 22nd, 2136
*
Annie POV
We stayed for an hour and waited for Valeria to finish with Dr Carson. When she came out, she was hugging herself and glued her gaze to the ground.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked.
Valeria nodded, but didn’t look at me.
The ride home was silent. I glanced at Valeria through the rearview mirror from time to time and saw that Valeria was sitting in the backseat, staring blankly out the window without saying a word.
I started second guessing my decision to take her in. After everything that happened with Jennifer, I wasn’t sure that I was healed enough to take in a broken teenager that needed help healing herself.
But when I saw her curled up on the floor, my heart broke for her. God knows what she had been through and I honestly didn’t want to know. I just wanted to help her heal.
Lucas parked the car outside our house and I turned back to Valeria in the backseat.
“We’re here.” I said.
Valeria got out of the car and looked up at the house.
The front door opened and Aidan skipped out of the house. Valeria took a step back when she saw the squealing kid and stared at him with wide eyes.
“Who’s that, mum?” Aidan asked and pointed at Valeria.
“This is Valeria.” I said. “Valeria, this is Aidan, our son.”
Aidan marched up to Valeria and reached out his hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He grinned.
I could tell that he instantly liked Valeria. He was never this forthcoming with people he didn’t know.
Valeria stared at his outstretched hand for a moment and took it.
“H-Hi.” She whispered.
“Come back in here Aidan. It’s cold outside.” My mother shouted from where she was standing just inside the front door.
“Go inside, Aidan.” Lucas said.
Aidan took Valeria’s hand and pulled her inside, happy to have a new friend. Valeria followed him stiffly, looking like a deer caught in headlights, but she didn’t pull away from him.
I followed Aidan and Valeria inside and we took off our coats. I made a mental note to buy Valeria a proper coat since she was only wearing a sweater and winter was coming fast.
Aidan pulled Valeria out into the sitting room where crayons and papers were scattered all over the floor. He rambled about the monster he was drawing and I noticed the ghost of a smile on Valeria’s face.
“Are you okay?” I asked her quietly. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I can tell him to keep it down.”
Valeria shook her head slowly.
“It’s alright.” She mumbled. “It’s just.. been a while.”
Aidan held out a crayon and Valeria hesitantly took it from him.
“Come draw something!” Aidan cheered.
Aidan and Valeria were sitting on the floor by the coffee table drawing with the crayons while Lucas and I got started on dinner. My mother excused herself saying that she needed to get home to her dogs and left.
I overheard Aidan ask Valeria a million questions while I was stirring a pot on the stove.
“This is a dinosaur.” He said and held up a piece of paper with crayon scribbles all over the sheet. “Do you know why there aren’t any dinosaurs anymore?”
“I-I think they died.” Valeria replied.
Aidan giggled.
“Of course.” He chuckled. “But do you know how they died?”
“Not really.” Valeria whispered.
I chuckled to myself and walked out in the sitting room before Aidan could give Valeria a full on lecture on the end of the dinosaurs. Aidan was incredibly smart and I had no idea where he learned it all.
“Aidan, dinner is almost ready, can you go help your father set the table?” I asked.
“Mom, can Valeria live here with us?” Aidan asked me.
I smiled softly and glanced at Valeria. She looked at me nervously, as if fearing my answer.
“Valeria is welcome to stay as long as she likes.” I replied.
Aidan jumped with joy and turned to Valeria, who was still sitting by the coffee table.
“Valeria, do you want to live with us?” He asked.
“Y-Yes.” Valeria replied. “If you want me to.”
“Will you be my friend forever and ever and ever?” Aidan asked innocently.
Valeria blinked at him, stunned by his question.
“Umm- yes.” She whispered.
Aidan squealed and I gently pushed him into the kitchen where he proceeded to tell Lucas about Valeria being his new friend.
I was happy that Aidan had taken a liking to Valeria. He didn’t have that many friends and I was afraid that he was lonely sometimes, especially after Jennifer died.
I helped Valeria up and she looked down.
“I meant what I said.” I whispered. “You are welcome to stay here for as long as you like.”
Valeria nodded and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Thank you.” She whispered.
“Would you like a hug?” I asked.
The tears spilled on her cheeks and she quickly wrapped her arms around my waist. I felt her body tremble and I gently caressed her hair as she sniffled softly.
My own tears threatened to fall when I remembered that Eric told me her friends had been executed yesterday.
“You’re safe now.” I cooed and hugged her tighter. “I know that it doesn’t feel like it right now, but everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
A small whimper escaped Valeria and her shoulders shook as she sobbed. I held her patiently, waiting for her to cry it out.
When Valeria pulled away, her eyes were red and puffy.
“I’m sorry.” She gasped when she saw the wet stains that her tears had left on my shirt.
“It’s okay.” I chuckled. “It seems like you needed a good cry. It happens.”
Valeria sniffled and nodded.
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
Valeria nodded again and I took her hand.
“Let’s eat.”
We joined Lucas and Aidan at the kitchen table and Aidan chatted away about his school day. Valeria sat quietly and listened, but I could see her eyes soften when she looked at Aidan.
After dinner, I convinced Aidan to pack up the crayons before bath time. Aidan fussed a little, saying that he wanted to play some more with Valeria. He was very happy when I said that there was plenty of time for them to play tomorrow and I managed to get through his night time routine fairly quickly.
When I came back downstairs, Lucas had turned the TV on and he and Valeria were sitting together on the sofa.
“Would you like me to show you where you will be sleeping?” I asked.
Valeria nodded and got up. We went back upstairs and I led her to the guest room.
“We can redecorate it however you’d like it.” I said. “The bathroom is down the hall and there are fresh towels in the cupboard to the left.”
Valeria sat down on the bed and gasped in surprise. I frowned in confusion until her face broke into a huge grin and she bounced on the bed a little.
“You like it?” I smiled.
Valeria nodded, still with a huge grin on her face.
“Let’s see if we can find any clothes that fit you.” I said and turned to a door on the other side of the hall.
I hesitated a little before walking in. Jennifer’s clothes were stored in boxes in the closet. I didn’t have the heart to throw them out. It felt weird even considering lending her clothes to Valeria, but I told myself that Valeria needed them and if Jennifer was here, she wouldn’t have a problem giving some clothes to someone who needed them.
Valeria had followed me into Jennifer’s room and looked around while I rummaged through the boxes trying to find some pajamas for her.
“Who’s room is this?”
The question caught me off guard and I looked up. A flash of fear appeared on Valeria’s face.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered.
“It’s okay.” I replied. “This was our daughter Jennifer’s room. She passed away two years ago.”
Valeria took a few steps back towards the door.
“Oh.” She mumbled and frowned in confusion.
I tilted my head to the side.
“You look confused.” I stated.
Valeria gulped.
“Am I going to take her place now?” She asked.
I was stunned by her question, but Valeria looked genuinely confused.
“No, sweetheart.” I replied and walked up to her. “ You are not here to take her place because you are going to create your own place in this family. You are you and Jennifer is Jennifer. Do you understand what I mean?”
Valeria nodded and bit her lip.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered.
I took a gentle hold of her upper arms and held her at arm's length.
“You don’t have to apologize so much.” I said. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”
I located a pajama set for Valeria and handed it to her. Valeria stifled a yawn and I smiled.
“Do you want to get some sleep?” I asked.
Valeria nodded and went to change. I took out a toothbrush for her and helped her brush her hair. I was surprised when I detangled her curls and a contented sigh left Valeria.
When she was ready for bed, I tucked her in.
“Goodnight sweetheart.” I whispered as Valeria’s eyes fluttered closed.
“Goodnight mum.” Valeria whispered.
My heart caught in my throat and I blinked to keep the tears from falling. I turned away and left the room before Valeria could see.
After what just happened, there was no way I was sending away that girl.
She was family.
- Writer
