The Ryland Boys

Chapter 6: Aunt Ella

The sound of Lucas's singing rang through my ears like a damn church bell. Too early and too loud.

"Oh god." I said holding my skull from exploding and pushing out of the bed. I looked around the room, the room had a badass hot brunette chick on a poster and then a couple pictures in frames followed by a desk and a book shelf.

Getting out of the bed, I walked to the frames and picked one up staring at the photo.

Mason and Jax stood beside a very handsome guy, his buzzed hair and his big smile. He looked like an older version of Lucas.

Putting the frame back down, I stared at the wedding photo of him and a pretty blonde. He's married?

Now I know he won't be using his bed any time ever.

I headed to the bathroom washing off my face and drying it off with a towel.

Staring down at the dress, I pursed my lips.

Going to the dresser, I pulled it open and grabbed the sweat pants and a T-shirt changing into them.

I hope Alison doesn't mind me borrowing her sons clothes.

Heading out the door, I looked to Lucas's room and he was making his planes crash into each other.

I tiptoed past his door and made my way down the stairs to the kitchen to take an Advil.

Reaching into the cabinet, I pulled out the bottle taking two and then putting the bottle back up grabbing a water.

Drinking some water, I laid my head onto the cool counter.

"I don't know if I should be confused or..."

I looked up at the guy, my heart pausing in its place "Honored." He said smiling.

Of all the f*****g days....

Carter stood in the kitchen doorway with his bags in his hand and his navy attire on. "I-" don't even know what to say.

I sighed "I'm sorry, my names Norah." I said walking over and holding my hand out to him, he took it and shook it. His confusion still clear "I was going to guess you where Masons girlfriend, but seeing you in my clothes makes me wonder." He joked.

Looking down at his clothes I blushed "I'm sorry, no I'm not his girlfriend, or yours." I laughed.

"She's my girlfriend." Lucas said smiling widely up at Carter.

Carter stared at Lucas "Woah! Look at you, all grown up, buff too, and you have a beautiful girlfriend?" He asked.

Beautiful huh?

I smiled down at Lucas who smirked up at me "She is pretty awesome. Better than Amy." He said nodding.

Carter laughed and let out a sigh "Amy's gone kid. She uh, wanted bigger and better things." He said rubbing his bandless ring finger.

He's divorced....

"Carter?" Alison's voice came from behind him and I stared at her smiling as she cried "You didn't tell me you where coming home!" She said pulling him into a hug.

As she cried hugging him tightly, he stepped back "They sent me home for the next two months." He said smiling at her.

She turned and ran into the hall "Carters home!" She shouted.

He laughed and I eyed the time "Well, I should get going. Let you guys have your family reunion." I said smiling over at him.

Carter gave me a soft smile "Who are you?" He asked me again, I realized I hadn't responded to that question "Lucas's babysitter. You'll see a lot of me, you'll be sick of my face soon enough, huh Lucas?" I said looking down at Lucas.

He shook his head "I wish she lived here." Lucas said sadly.

I smirked "Alright, Ill see you Monday. Be good and be safe while I'm gone." I said to him.

Lucas nodded and I gave him a hug before turning to Carter "I'll bring your clothes back, and I'm sorry if your bed smells like Daisy's." I laughed lightly watching him grin as I headed to the front.

Looking to the stairs, I watched as Jax came down stairs, his eyes catching on me, running down my body and then dropping to the floor. For a guy who has his own prostitute monthly, I don't understand how he's so weird around me.

Grabbing my clutch and dress, along with the broken heels, I headed out the door and down the steps.

Jack got my car and I hopped in driving home, Mom was awake asleep and I pulled the covers over her. "Norah." She said opening her eyes.

I smiled "Morning mom." I said soft.

She smiled "You have a fun night?" She asked me sitting up.

Nodding, I ran my hand through my hair "Want to hear something hilarious?" I asked her.

She nodded and yawned "I fell asleep in the oldest brothers room, since he's off in the navy. Well this morning I changed into his clothes and went down stairs and guess who greeted me in the kitchen." I laughed.

Her eyes lit up "he came home?" She asked staring with wide eyes.

I gave a nod "I was so embarrassed!" I said laughing.

Mom sat back looking me over "Did you blow them away?" She smirked, her eyes running over my hair as she took my hand.

"Yes ma'am, Alison didn't even recognize me!" I said not sure if I should be happy or upset about that.

She ran a hand over my cheek "Let's go have some breakfast. I have a few things to talk about with you." She said avoiding my eye contact.

I watched her worried eyes before nodding, last time we had one of these moments she left to my aunt Ella's for a month to recoup. She's battled depression for years, at least as far back as I can remember.

Getting up, I headed to my room dialing my aunts number and waiting.

"Norah darling." Her voice sounded distant, she's driving.

I let my heart settle "Hey, I uh-Is mom okay?" I asked jumping the gun.

Her voice on the other line was quiet for a while, "She will be, she just needs to be away. I'll be there in a couple hours to pick her up. I'm driving out there, do me a favor and convince her to come with me. She's worried about leaving you after the uh incident." She said calmly.

Of course moms worried, it was the one time she ever left me home alone. It was the worst day of my life, but I have become stronger since then. Plus the house has a security system and I've taken self defense classes. Not to mention the gun.

I stared at my door "I'll convince her, just make sure you take care of her. She's been over working and I think it's to keep her mind busy." I said low.

Aunt Ella sighed "That's how it starts, I'll be there soon." She said before saying bye and hanging up.

Wiping a stray tear, I changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt slipping on my high top converse and walking to the bedroom door.

The sound of moms struggling steps told me she was taking a suitcase downstairs. I think she's trying to do it without me noticing.

This is exactly how it happened last time, she'll tell me when she has a warm belly of pancakes and coffee. 

We sat across from one another, her silence killing me "You've been overworking yourself too much." I began.

She looked up at me drinking her third cup of coffee, "I'm okay hunny." She said shrugging.

I shook my head "You should take a break, go visit your sister for a while." I said reassuring her.

Mom stared at me carefully "Really? You're okay with that?" She asked me watching my expression, I held my stare "Absolutely. Don't worry mom, I'll probably be spending most time with the Rylands." I said smiling.

She sighed in relief "I actually brought you to tell you, she's coming to get me later today. I'll probably be there for a week or two." She shrugged.

No, she'll be gone for a month or two. 

Aunt Ella came to get mom later that day, and I was home alone, she took the cat. I began adding the extra locks onto the back and front doors making sure every window was locked before I took the gun and headed to my room locking the door. I locked the three slide locks and eyed my bed.

It took me a good two hours to sleep, and I needed to talk with my friend Amanda the entire time. Nichole isn't the 'stay on the phone friend' but Amanda was. She was my grounding partner, always keeping me sane. She was the first to arrive after the incident, she helped me clean the blood off the floor and dialed the police for me. She did everything for me, and has every day after that too.

Amanda asked if I wanted her to fly home from Germany to stay with me until my mom got back, if that's not a die hard friend I don't know what is.