Just Breathe

Chapter Fourteen

A/N: We decided that they should really live in Washington Heights, not Brooklyn at this point. We'll be going back to change references to their location in this story. Thanks for reading!!

Monday morning. The red eye flight back to JFK had seemed like a good idea to Vanessa on paper when she'd booked it months ago. After the weekend law conference, she would catch a few hours' sleep on the plane and be able to head into the office at 9 am like usual. The twins would still be at Lin's parents' so she'd only be responsible for getting herself ready. As the mother of two toddlers that made the task seem easy.

The reality, of course, was quite different.  Her non ability to bounce back from jet lag and a weekend of celebrating reminded Vanessa she was no longer twenty two. The fact that her seventeen year old was up and at 'em, immaculately dressed with perfect make up, made that realization all the more difficult to swallow.

Vanessa sighed as she checked the coffee pot and saw it was empty. "Did you drink the whole pot this morning?" She asked Lia, who was grabbing a Belvita bar from the pantry.

Lia looked at her mother, confused. "I didn't make any."

Vanessa narrowed her eyes in confusion. "How are you so perky? It's Monday."

Lia shrugged her shoulders and unwrapped her bar, then took a big bite. "I hab esh ay tee pwep afteh shkool," she said, her voice garbled from the food.

"What?!" Vanessa asked, rubbing at her temple. She could already feel a headache coming on. Lia chewed quickly and swallowed.

"I have SAT prep after school," she said more clearly, watching her mom closely.

Vanessa nodded and turned to fill up the coffee pot in the sink.  She would definitely need the caffeine today.  After work, she would be picking up the twins from their grandparents' and they'd be full of energy. 

"Is Dad already gone?" Lia asked, taking another bite of breakfast.

"Yep," Vanessa said, turning off the faucet.  She put it back in the heating station and it started to brew.  "You know your dad, he's-"

"Non-stop," they both said together, then grinned.

"That reminds me," Vanessa continued.  "We're planning on all meeting up for dinner tonight with your grandparents. Can you make it after SAT prep?"

Lia's heart dropped. Sure, she could do some work on the train, but she'd have to make changes on the way and that made her anxious.  Plus, the twins would no doubt be climbing all over her throughout dinner.

Vanessa could see the panic on her daughter's face and instantly regretted stressing her out.  Lia definitely needed some down time, but she also knew school nights tended to be packed.

"Never mind," she told Lia, giving her shoulder a squeeze.  "You've got school in the morning, so I'll tell Abuela and Abuelo that you couldn't make it."

Lia felt instantly relieved, and Vanessa could see her shoulders un-tense.  "Thanks, Mom."  She pulled on her backpack and then threw her Belvita wrapper in the trash.  "I'll text them and see if I could maybe see them this weekend."

"Good plan," Vanessa responded, giving her a quick kiss on the head.  "I'll see you tonight."

Lia was out the door moments later, mentally preparing herself for the day.  As she took the elevator down, she whipped out her phone to go through her plans.  After SAT prep, she'd take the train home and do more practice problems on the way.  She'd eat a quick dinner, then get the evening's homework done.  Somewhere in there, she'd spend a bit of time with her siblings and parents.  After that, she could spend the evening working on her applications.  Lia still had plenty of pills to keep her going into the night.  It was only Monday and it was going to be a very long week.