{Banana Smoothie} ✔️

Chapter 106

August 14th

Ivy's POV

Kiara has been officially moved into the manor, with little protest from her mother and a huge protest from her father who needed an heir for his business. Uncle Draco quickly shut him down with some threats, and when she's on her feet and stable again, they will talk about where she will be housed.

I was so frustrated with myself and just everything- I didn't know what to do. Mom was busy taking care of Kiara who was in and out of sleep. Every time she woke up she'd forget where she was. Iris was entertaining the twins because I just couldn't find it in me to do so. I was already the boring sister, but my mind full of all these thoughts made it worse.

I looked up and found myself in front of Dad's office. I was hesitant, but knocked anyways, the door opened and I found my father at his desk his wand pointed at the door as he read through transcripts. I stepped in and closed the door behind me, while he set his wand back on his desk.

Turning only then does he look up from his papers. "Is everything alright monkey" he smiles while I pick at my nails nervously. "I don't know what to think" I whisper looking at the floor. He sets his papers down and walks over to me.

"Hey it's okay, come sit down" he ushers me over to his chair. I sit with sad eyes, watching him pull another chair over to me. "Now what's going on? Is it Kiara?" He asks grabbing my hands. "You looked tired" I whisper staring at his eyebags.

"The promotion, I have to go through a lot of stuff first" he sighs taking a hand away to wipe his eye. "It's going to be okay though, it's going to be worth it!" He smiles at me. "I'll get to be home with you, watch you all grow... even though I might be a little late. I'm so sorry" his voice gets lower and lower as he shakes his head.

"I'm such a bad father, I was selfish... I just couldn't stand the thought of somebody else supporting my family" he chokes out as I just stare at him with tears in my eyes. "Dad, I'll admit there were some days I missed you, but you could always tell who you put first. You were almost fired 5 different times for missing work because one of us had something going on or we were sick" I chuckle as he looks back up not expecting my words.

"Dad you missed work to watch the talent show Iris and I put on when we were 11" I laugh remembering our failed attempt of putting on a show. We weren't as good as we thought we were. He scratches the back of his neck nervously nodding with a chuckle.

Shaking his head he takes my hands back. "Merlin your mother is affecting me! I got so off-topic" he sighs staring at me with a determined face. "Let's talk about what's bothering you" he questions me, now focused.

"Dad... I really like her and I know I have a hard time with expressing these sorts of things, but I'm worried about her, she was so devastated and I just didn't know how to react. I feel petty? I don't know" I groan rubbing my eyes.

"Her brain remembered the good memories first and the bad ones all came back after, crashing in all at once" I add. He squeezes my hands showing he's listening. 

"Listen, you and I are very similar and I'm so sorry because of it. We don't show feelings as well as everyone else, but for the right people, they come out... like your mom" he smiles thinking about him.

"You have feelings for this girl and because of it, you worried. When she's in pain you're in pain... mentally of course" he explains and I nod understanding. "How do I get through it... because it hurts, I don't want to feel this way anymore... I feel so guilty" I plead for his help.

"Well, I'd say the easiest thing to do is help her, and you can do that by being there for her. She's struggling right now." He explains and I look to the door. I didn't want to bombard her, but maybe I should check up on her.

"Thanks, dad" I massage my temple just wanting to get rid of this feeling. He stands and I follow getting pulled into his hug. "I love you so much, you can talk to me about anyone, anytime" he whispers kissing the top of my head.

"I love you too, thank you, I hope to see you at dinner tonight!" I cheer walking towards the door. "I plan on being there" he chuckles sitting in his chair to hurry through his work. "Isla and Imani will be super excited" I exclaim clapping my hands together.

I could tell he was smiling by the way his head dropped, something he did whenever he laughs. Closing the door behind me, I head up the stairs past Asher's room. Knocking on the door, it opened to my mom. "Hi, mom," I say meekly his eyes hiding a bit of sadness.

"Hello Ivy, do you want to come in?" He asks nodding towards Kiara. "Yes please," I rush out a little too quickly. He chuckles opening the door for me to come in. "I trust you'll respect her boundaries and not freak her, she remembered you when she woke up so I'll leave you guys alone for a bit" he smiles at the two of us.

"I'm going to be in the kitchen making your father some lunch" he kisses my cheek before closing the door behind me. She seemed so peaceful just sleeping there. I tiptoed over to the bed and laid on top of the blanket just staring at the ceiling.

With little movement which I assumed was her shifting into a more comfortable position, she placed her arm over my chest. I looked to the side to be met with her eyes. Her hair, long and wavy and hadn't been brushed properly in a while.

"Hi," I choke out. "Hello," she answers sitting up with a yawn. I follow sitting up with her. "How are you feeling?" I ask her eyebrows furrowing. "Like I could sleep forever, and incredibly guilty" she answers sheepishly.

"I feel like I should be at home" she continues. This makes me look away, she doesn't even want to be here. We should just let her go home. "At the same time, your mom has treated me better than my own mother, and I've only been with him a few times" she sighs.

I stare at her with some sort of hope and she lifts the blanket for me. I hesitantly get underneath it and she once again wraps her arm over my chest. "And your father... he's a lot like you, quite terrifying at first" she giggles and I smile turning to stare at her pale complexion.

"Terrifying, you find me terrifying?" I joke making her eyes narrow. "You did want to kill me" she shrugs her shoulders as I bite my lip. "You were being bratty" I explain and she rolls her eyes. "I'm a bratty person" she smirks.

"Well, at least I know you're feeling better" I tease stroking her cheek. She nods the pink on her cheeks extremely noticeable.  "Do you think they miss me?" She grumbles intertwining our fingers.

"I'm not sure, but I sure as hell do" I laugh pulling her closer to me. She sighs but ultimately smiles back at me. "It's all so confusing... I don't know what to think" she answers truthfully. "Don't think then, save it for later" I whisper moving my face closer to hers.

Her soft face grows even more innocent as she stares me down unsure if I was being serious or not. "I'm so happy, you stuck around for me" she answers sitting back up. I go to follow again but she pushes me back down.

"Kiara where are you-" I go silent as she lays over me. "I want to be as close to you as possible, so you don't leave me" her tone was serious, face sad. "I'm not leaving you... I can't" I coo pulling at a strand of her hair.

She pulled herself farther up my body and I looked between her eyes and lips. She took the hint with a red face and her lips were placed softly on mine. I latched onto her back and her hand went to playing with my hair the other keeping her up.

It was a sweet and soft kiss, one that showed how innocent and sweet she really was. My brilliant girlfriend. I spent 9 months of my life with Deacon and not once did I feel the way I'm feeling now. Back then... I was just excited someone liked me.

I rubbed her back as she pulled away to catch her breath.

"I'm so happy I remembered you"