The Dangers Of The Damaged ✔︎

23 ↝ Snow Angels

"I wasn't even tryna chase a high,
I just didn't wanna feel so low,
Know I'm gonna miss the crazy nights,
But you made me wanna let it all go."
Live Forever - Liam Payne & Cheat Codes.

When I wake up the next morning, the sun is already high in the sky. I stretch my arms above my head, and glance at my phone, it reads 10:00 am. Dragging myself off the bed, I walk to the french balcony doors and tug the curtains open. The sunlight hits me directly in the face when I do so, and I squint a little to peek a look outside.

It's a beautiful day, and it seems like it snowed last night, because the ground is covered in a thick layer of white. The pool in the backyard that I had seen a bit of last night has been covered up to protect it from the snow. After admiring the gorgeous backyard view for a few more moments, I make a beeline to the bathroom to clean myself up. It takes me a matter of minutes to brush my teeth, wash my face and run the brush through my hair, before I pull on my slippers and make my way downstairs.

As I slowly near the kitchen, I can already hear voices. Hunter is sitting at the island like last night, and Lilly sits beside him, and he's cutting up pancakes into bite sized pieces for her. My heart warms at the sight, my stomach bubbling with an unfamiliar feeling at the way he's tending for his little sister. Milo's sitting obediently next to Hunter, resting his head against Hunter's leg. Kate sits across them, the IV now nowhere to be seen, flipping through a newspaper as she sips on a mug of coffee. Celia is by the stove, flipping pancakes.

The little family in front of me seems to be far from perfect, but the way they are so content with each other, so loving, they remind me of my family.

Kate looks up from my paper, noticing my arrival, and smiles. "Alex, honey, good morning."

"Good morning." I return her smile as I walk up to the island and prop myself up to sit next to Hunter.

"Sleep well?" She asks, setting her mug down. Kate is still in her pyjamas too, a silky robe pulled around her petite body. She looks better than she did last night, some of the colours has returned to her cheeks.

"Yes. Like a baby." I say.

"Here you go, Miss Alex." Celia walks over to me, placing a plate of pancakes and syrup in front of me, along with a glass of orange juice.

"Merci, it looks great." I compliment, and Celia's eyes twinkle with delight.

"You flatter me, mon amour." She ruffles my hair affectionately and returns back to the stove. Picking up my fork, I dig into my own food, humming in delight at the taste of the delicious fluffy pancakes.

"Miss Kate," Celia speaks up, walking over to Kate. "Your doctor's appointment is scheduled for noon."

Kate places her newspaper down, sighing. "Very well, I should go get ready."

"Doctor's appointment? What for?" Hunter immediately asks, his tone concerned as he looks at his mother.

"Don't worry my love, just a checkup after my little setback yesterday. Celia will accompany me, and we will be gone for a few hours I'm afraid," Kate turns to me. "I'm sorry dear, I was looking forward to spending the day with you."

I smile, shaking my head. "It's alright, we have tomorrow."

"Indeed we do! That reminds me, Celia, on the way back from the doctors, we should go grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow." Kate informs, and Celia nods in agreement.

"Hunter, darling, while we're gone, why don't you take Lilly and Alex out? Show Alex around town." She continues, reaching over and grasping his hand. "Lilly would love it too."