Her Last Plea✨

Chapter 53

When Mike saw Mira, he nearly breathed a sigh of relief for no other reason but that she was already with Jay and not one of those nitwit girls whom she called friends. The relief was short lived, however, because the look on his daughter's face nearly killed him as he watched Jay protectively grab her hand.

Speaking of hands, he felt Principal Rogers place a comforting hand on his upper arm. "Like we discussed, she can resume term when she's ready," she said softly. "I'm going to alert her teachers of the unfortunate news."

"Thank you, ma'am," Garrett replied as Mike's attention remained transfixed on his daughter. "I'll return Isaac the day after the wake most probably. Jay, however, will return with Mira."

Principal Amelia Rogers raised an eyebrow at that but chose not to comment. Instead she said, "It's quite alright Mister Greene. You can visit their dormitories and collect their bags whenever you're ready to."

Rogers walked away via a door on her right, leaving the others on opposite sides of the hallway. Finally, Isaac nudged his father and pointed at Mike with a jerk of his head. Garrett immediately caught onto what Isaac was getting at and placed a hand on Mike's shoulder to get his attention. "Mike, she might look like her mother - but she's stubborn like you," he murmured. "You're going to have to go to her."

Mike nodded, well aware by the frozen stare on Mira's face that he would have to move to her. Carefully, he swallowed the dread, burying it deep as he walked towards his daughter, Garrett and Isaac following him a few steps behind. Mike stopped a good two feet in front of her, his hands buried in the pocket of his coat as he looked at her eyes. "Sweetheart," he said softly. "I need you to come home."

Mike wanted to speak, but her mouth wouldn't open. Her eyes welled with tears as she used the sleeve on her free hand to soak them up before they fell.

"Mira," he said, his voice quiet and firm. "Do you understand me?"

Jay squeezed her hand as she stifled a sniffle. "Yes," she whispered. A few silent moments passed between them as Mira did her best to keep her composure. "She died, didn't she?"

Mike nodded. "Yes."

A tear slipped down her cheek as Jay squeezed her hand once more.

"Jay," Garrett said. "You're excused from classes if you wish to come with us."

Jay looked at Mira, who clutched his hand tighter as she looked at him frantically, tears falling down her cheeks. "Of course, I'm coming," he replied instantly.

Suddenly, Mira bolted from Jay's grasp and straight into her father, nearly knocking him over as he did his best to keep his balance. He wrapped his arms around her tight as her arms hung by her sides, her tears turning into sobs. Mike sighed and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm so sorry," Mike whispered in her ear. "I did everything I could, Mira. We all did."

"We - were - going - to - get a - dress," she choked out between sobs. "For the.... for the first time, she actually wanted to go! And now.... now she can't!"

"Shhh," he cooed, his hands rubbing soothing circles on her back as she continued to cry. "Marv and Ara are at Nana Faith's house. Do you want to go there? Or do you want to go home?" He gently asked.

Mira pulled back from him, wiping her eyes with her sleeves. "Nana's," she stated softly. "Where are Grandma Esther and Grandpa Steven?"

"Making arrangements, I assume," Mike said. "I'm going to go see them later."

"And Grandfather Charles?"

"I'm sure he's at his manor."

Mira sniffled again. "Is he going to make you marry Aunt Cordelia?"

Mike couldn't have swallowed the laugh that escaped his lips if he tried.

"It's - it's not funny!" Mira wailed. "She's wretched!"

Mike gave his daughter another hug and a kiss. "Grandfather Charles cannot make me do anything - especially marry Aunt Cordelia. Besides," he said, letting her go as he brushed a hand against her cheek. "Remember your mother had a plan?"

Mira sniffled again as she nodded. "Can we go? Now? Please? I want....I want Lexi."

Mike froze slightly, Delphina's voice in his head saying, "....while you're her father, Mike, you aren't really capable enough to deal with an emotional teenage girl alone." Sighing, Mike shook his head, knowing his wife had been right in her plan. And while it pained him to know that he wasn't enough for his daughter, he was grateful that she had Alexis to turn to.

"Lexi's at Nana's too with Marv and Ara. We can go there right now," Garrett replied when he realized that Mike wasn't going to. "Let's go get your bags."

Mira turned around at looked at Jay, who stood there, holding both of their school-bags on each shoulder. "Will you come....to Nana's? Please?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, tears falling down her cheeks with every blink.

Jay quickly nodded. "Obviously. Nana Faith's probably making breakfast."

She choked on a laugh as she cried. "You literally just ate!"

"There's always room for Nana Faith's waffles or pancakes," Jay stated, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and giving her a hug. "Come on," he said, just a bit softer.

Mira nodded, accepting his hug before choosing to walk away, linking an arm with her father as she leaned her head on his upper arm. Mike slowed his gait to match hers as they walked towards the dormitory building, with Garrett and his sons a few steps back.