Eye of the Storm -SAFE HOUSE BOOK 2-

30

She woke with her alarm that Monday morning, pulling a sweatshirt over her head and threading her fingers through Austin's as they headed downstairs with their foster siblings. They were about to get something for breakfast when Laura held up her hand. Her voice was low yet firm and concerned as she ran her fingers through Austin's hair and pressed kisses to each of their foreheads. "Kids, you can go back upstairs. None of you are going to school today. I already called Blakefield Cross and Pearson. The staff members are fully aware of the situation and allowed me to pick up your assignments after I get off of work this afternoon."

What did this mean? Briana just wanted to get back to normal, and she knew Austin would, too. He clearly didn't want to miss another day at Blakefield Cross, which he began to make clear with his protest. "We can go... we'll be alright. If things get bad, we'll just leave early." His grip on her hand tightened, but whether it was from relief or anxiety, she wasn't sure. His face was unreadable as he forced his emotions down.

As she expected, Laura wasn't having it. "Jamie- I mean, your dad and I talked," she corrected herself. "You two have been through a lot these past few days. Austin, you almost died. You lost someone you cared about. Don't you think you deserve one day to recuperate?"

Austin tried to argue, moments with Mitchell possibly flashing past in his mind, but Briana nodded, and he gave in. What was one more day? Make-up work lay on the table. They could always get that done, along with a few hours of studying. There was always tomorrow. Tomorrow, he could go back to the way things were.

Still, she knew what their birth parents would say. Stop acting like a child and get to school. You'd better not be late, or I'll really give you something to be upset about. Opening his mouth to protest, just as Briana did the same, Austin ran a hand through his tangled brown hair. "But Mama, we're okay. Everything is okay now... you don't need to worry," he tried to explain before realizing that, maybe, she was right.

"No 'buts', my love. Jamie- I mean, your dad- and I talked. You two have been through a lot these past few days. Austin, you almost died. You lost someone you cared about. You need time to rest and process," Laura reminded. Briana nodded in agreement as she allowed Laura to pull her in for a tight hug. "Besides, people would stare at you- you hate that," she commented just as he seemed to realize the same fact.

She could be right this time. Briana knew Austin hadn't gotten any real sleep in a few days. Maybe taking a day off wasn't the worst idea. They could both use some time to rest and recuperate from what he had endured during his time away. Drew's funeral was the following day, and she had already called the school to arrange for his work to be done via correspondence or online for the week until all of Drew's affairs were sorted out.

Jamie came in from a morning run just moments later, reaching into the fridge for a cold drink as sweat poured from his face and neck. It was a moment or two before he noticed his children in the kitchen. "Hey, I know Laura told you you're staying home. No one got that much sleep last night. Go back to bed," he urged with a low voice, kissing the heads of both teens before he headed upstairs for a shower.

With a nod, both kids headed back up to Austin's room. They crawled into the bedside by side and shut their eyes, letting sleep overcome them. It was such a comfort to be back in this familiar place she hoped to call her forever home one day. What if she had to leave again? Would the Carters even be able to get her back? She tried to push the fear away, but it stayed ever-present in her mind.

Austin hummed lullabies in her ear, and it was easy to nestle her head into his chest as if that spot was made for her. She wondered what he was thinking about, what terrors could be passing through his head, but she didn't dare to ask. If he wanted to explain his thoughts to her, he would do it when he was ready. Briana wasn't about to force him into a conversation he wasn't quite up to having. It was best to let the day play out on its own, letting whatever happened happen. If he decided to open up, that would be great. She could find a way to help him. If not, the time would come.