unbroken (unexpected series)

Chapter 45.5

        “And she did…” he said waiting for me to go on.

        Sighing heavily, “Pops, I’m entitled to my worry… I know nothing bad could’ve happened, but that doesn’t mean I can just shut it off-”

        “Then how are you supposed to enjoy the good times?”

        “And this is a good time?” I asked sarcastically, with a bit too much snap, but he didn’t answer immediately, only stood and poured another cup of coffee.

        When he was just about to leave the room, dad came over again, “When Kayla gets home, and tells you about her night, you come let me know if this was one of those good times, Chris,” and with that he left me alone to stew.

        After finishing my cup of coffee, Fiona and Quinn were both awake, with their morning cups of milk ready, I changed them into fresh diapers and headed outside sitting them down to drink.

        As they drank, I noted that soon, all the kids would be able to venture outside here, not just Kayla and the twins. Their eyes were getting more accustomed to the light after having spent their whole lives in that prison. Kayla’s eyes adjusted and healed when she had her first change, shifting into her wolf earlier than any of the other children. Although, now that we learned she was an Elemental Wolf, it did make sense.

        The rest of the morning came and went, waking the kids up, keeping to our schedule, but I kept my eyes on the clock every free moment I could until Rainy came to me. “You okay?” she asked me.

        Blinking, “How – how are you so calm?” I whispered despite being alone with her, her smile was there but it didn’t meet her eyes.

        “Your parents have the kids occupied, Michelle, Nicole, Quinn and Fiona are down for their naps, lets go sit on the deck...” she replied taking my hand and leading me back there. Instead of finding her own chair, Rainy gave me a light push, then came and sat on my lap. Sighing I held her close, needing that comfort, “You remember when you told me about all the things I would get to experience?” her tone wistful.

        I nodded against her, “Kayla is having one of them right now,” she whispered her voice thick, “I mean it’s not the same… because well her sleep over is with Ben, and Lucy is there, but it’s her first one… and she’s having it…” she pulled away, her eyes glassy.

        “I’m too old to have those experiences you mentioned-”

        I shook my head furiously from side to side, “No it isn’t…” I demanded but I could tell Rainy had already thought about all this, her expression hard and determined.

        “It is… but – Kayla is having one of them right now, she’s already missed so much… I’m just so happy – so – so happy, that she isn’t missing anymore… it’ll be hard, like you said, but all I could think was ‘that Kayla has someone like you.’ Ben is older, he cares for her and he’s putting in so much effort to make her at ease, they’ll have their bumpy roads but I don’t think this experience is going to be one of them,” she whispered blinking her tears away.