Torn between risking it all and losing the man she loves, Ava must make a choice, but in the process of making this choice, Ava must accept the consequences of her actions and the damage that it leaves.
Series Order: Baby Steps, Colossal Jump, Movin...
"He's at work, but he should be home soon enough," I say.
"Oh, is everything okay?" Tori sounds worried, which makes me panic. Blake's words echo through my mind about wanting her to stay put. If I don't calm her down and reassure her things are peachy, she'll be up her in a flash.
"Perfectly fine," I reply. I could do with some sleep, but that's not a cause for alarm, well, not yet at least.
"How come you're at Blake's house?" she asks.
"I moved in a couple of days ago."
"What?" she screams. "I knew it, I shouldn't have left Blake by himself, as he can't handle this." I mentally roll my eyes and groan. Blake's been able to care for London perfectly fine without her help, or is she forgetting the fact she went awol when he needed her the most?
"Don't worry! Between Blake, our parents and myself, London is getting the care she needs," I say.
"No, I'm moving back to help." I quickly click on the camera button so that is changes to show my faces. For the first time in the call, I see her face. Tori's hair is tied up in a bun on top of her head, there's dark circles under her eyes which gives off a general sad appearance.
"The best thing for you is to stay where you are and continue your studies. Between the four of us, London is going to be completely spoilt for cuddles. In between weekends and breaks, come and visit us. I'm happy to do more of these video calls. Perhaps you could read London a book before she goes to bed?" I offer.
Tori bites her lip and slowly nods her head, "Perhaps you are right." But her eyes don't light up with agreement. I can see the turmoil of wanting to stay and wanting to go clearly written across her features.
"I don't know."
"You need to trust that we can do this. Within time, trial and error, it'll feel like normal. London won't forget about you, not with all this fancy technology." I softly grin.
"You're right." Tori slowly nods her head.
"Call tomorrow and you can read her a story before bed," I say.
"Okay, I'll mark it in my calendar."
"Feeling better."
"Yeah." She nods her head, which makes the camera shake.
"How's your place down there, nice?" I try to shift the conversation away from London so that it gives her time to settle on the idea of calling rather than moving. If anything, she looks scared. I don't blame her, moving away from your family and friends to a place that's completely brand new is scary. It puts my fear of moving ten minutes away to shame.
Tori walks around her small apartment to give me a virtual tour. She points out the kitchen, her study nook, the bedroom and a small bathroom. It's nothing grand, but it does look cosy. Before we part ways, I turn the camera back to a sleep London and she says goodbye. It's only when I hang up the phone that I realise why she's all smiley.
"Were you pooing the whole time?" I laugh.
Another half-smile crosses her lips which increases the growing nervous in my stomach. I really hope this isn't a messy nappy. I've already had three stinky ones at work and I really don't want to deal with another one.
"Come on, stinky, let's go change this nappy of yours. Will I need a hazmat suit?" I scoop her up and walk to the bathroom. I grab out her portable changing mat and lay her down. I take off her jumpsuit and quickly change her nappy. Thankfully it's not too messy, but rather average. Once she's cleaned up, I redress her and walk downstairs.
I feel like a new parent. I'm too scared to leave her in the cot upstairs by herself, partly because I'm by myself. I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to her in my sole care.
Dragging the basinet into the kitchen, I wrap her up and lay her inside. I stand by the side for five minutes with my hand pressed against her chest until she falls asleep.
Once that's taken care of, I start hunting through the kitchen for something to cook. I pull out a variety of vegetables for a salad. I grab a knife, bowl, and chopping board so that I can get started.
I chop through a tomato, carrot, lettuce and start on the capsicum when I hear the kitchen door open. Blake's heavy boots hit against the ground before I see him emerge through the hallway.
"Hey baby," he says as he walks into the kitchen and kisses my cheek. He then walks over to London to check on her. Because he's dirty, Blake doesn't touch her, but just peers over.
"I'm going to quickly shower and then I'll be ready, is that okay?" he asks. "Or do you need help?"
"No." I shake my head. "I'm almost finished, then I'll cook the chicken."
"Sounds good, thank you." Blake nods his head as he walks towards the stairs.
When the salads finished, I grab the chicken and chuck it into the fry pan. I grab out some spices and sauce to flavour the chicken, but I'm not too sure about what I'm doing, so I hope for the best. By the time Blake's walking back down the stairs, I'm setting the food out on the table.
"This looks amazing." Blake walks around the table to wraps his arms around my waist. He kisses my neck as he pulls out a chair. "Take a seat."
I sit down and wait for Blake to grab his seat across from me. I feel utterly exhausted, but relieved and excited to be eating dinner with Blake. It's a bit early for dinner, but I'm completely famished from the long day.
"I hope it tastes alright." I bite my lip nervously.
"There's always take away." He chuckles.
"You're right." I nod my head.
Blake's hand reaches across the table so that he can play with my fingers. The usual tingles shoot up my spine as I smile. We're an awfully odd couple, one you wouldn't expect. Perhaps out situation is in a little need of questioning, but, in that same odd sense, it feels like home.
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What is that one (or more) thing that feels like home?
