Vulpecula ✔️

Break.

It had been a week since I last stepped out of the mansion. I was taking online classes for my courses and sending the assignments through the mail. Papa John and Joanna contacted me quite a few times and I did come around to the fact that they aren't using me. They couldn't.

But I still didn't meet them. Not yet. I wasn't ready to talk to people and make merry talks. Right after my near-death experience I began closing off again. Though this time it is worse than the time when I was thirteen. This time I'm not dealing with some psychotic humans. This time I'm dealing with something psychotic but not human. Because humans can't disappear as that man did.

Sophia had stayed here for two days and then she left to stay with Edward. She said it was better that way because she could focus on the case against her uncle and cousin more that way. I didn't protest. Though I did feel horrible for feeling relieved that she would leave. I don't mind having people in my house, but I do mind it when I want my personal space and they invade it.

My friends had been blowing up my phone since that day. I'm sure Kayden filled everyone in on what happened. They began making excuses and went to the same extent of saying that they didn't know how Clayton did it. Maybe it was meant to be. Nothing is meant to be. Everything happens for a reason and with a cause. What he did had a cause. It had a very well reason as to why I stopped mid-air and didn't fall to my death.

Another set of books arrived today for Joanna. Ever since her pregnancy, she began reading a lot of books and kept on looking at baby pictures of papa John and herself. She would then pull out my albums and stare at them with an adoring smile on her face. None of my other nannies was as good as her. Some were even the crazy kind. But Joanna was more of a mother to me than a nanny.

I took the books along with some sweets that I kept at home and went to see Joanna. At the last moment, I decided to take a soft toy from my collection for her. She could use it for cuddles.

I closed the door of the mansion behind me and walked to their house. The garden seemed freshly trimmed and the roses began blooming more. The other side contained the marigold flowers that were so full and bright. The stone pathway to their house crunched beneath my feet giving me an odd satisfaction. The sound was good.

"Jo-Jo!" I called out as soon as I entered the house.

"In the kitchen sweetheart." She called back and I skipped my way into the kitchen. There she was, looking tired as ever, but still making the cookies that I love. "I missed you, my child." She muttered with tears brimming her eyes as she hugged me tightly.

Never had we three ever gone so long as a week without seeing each other. Even when papa John was on a business trip he would make sure to cut them short and come back home to us. It was so sweet of a gesture that he prefered us over his company.

"I missed you too Jo-Jo. I love you." I kissed her forehead and tightened my grip around her when began sobbing softly. "Please don't cry because of me. Look I got you chocolates, a teddy and the books. I'm here now. And I'm sorry."

"No no. It's okay. I'm fine. It's just the hormones." Something is wrong. She has never once blamed her hormones during pregnancy. She said that she cried because she wanted to. And today she blames the hormones which make me feel bad for keeping her away.

"Don't say that. It's not the fault of your hormones. I'm so sorry." I wiped her tears away and made her sit down while I put the tray of all the cookies in the oven.

"I feel tired." She groaned.

"You should rest."

"But you came after a week and I want to be here and talk to you." She pouted like a little kid making me smile at her.

"I promise when you wake up, I'll still be here." And I meant it. I had to make up for the week that I missed with my two favourite people. I forgot my change of clothes but they always keep some here in my room that they built especially in their mansion for me.

She nodded and walked away. After the cookies were made, I decided to check the office of the house for papa John. When I entered the office, I was immediately met with the most heartbreaking sight ever. Papa John had dark bags, it seemed like he hasn't shaved or eaten properly in a long time. The papers were strewn across the desk. One of his hands was in his hair and the other held a pen. But his eyes were fixed on the picture on his desk. Flashbacks from the day he installed it here came to my mind.

"Why are you doing this? It looks so sappy crappy thing. It's too cheesy Papa John." I admonished.

"Oh hush young lady. This picture holds my first family. The only people who love me and bring me joy. This picture is my whole world. This picture completes me. There is no John without his beautiful daughter and his gorgeous Joanna." He explained to me sweetly.

I looked at the picture and it was the one that we first took. I was three, Joanna was 17 and papa John was 18. Too young and might I add, handsome. Joanna held me in her arms and papa John had his arms playfully wrapped around her waist. I asked why there were such huge smiles on their faces and he said, "I had just whispered to Joanna that once I'd have a family like this with her. Me, her, you and your siblings. I might have made it a little dirty though."

"Papa John." I whispered. I didn't want to startle him and neither did I want to speak loudly and show him that I was about to cry. We both didn't like seeing each other cry. So we avoided crying as much as possible. Now it'd be a miracle if I even end up shedding a tear.

"Ava." He breathed out. There was immense relief in his eyes and a genuine smile broke out on his face. "How are you, my child?"

"I'm fine. But I know you aren't. Why did you do this to yourself?" I asked him as I walked toward him and hugged him tightly.

"My daughter wasn't talking to me. She didn't even see me. I know you weren't okay and I couldn't help you." I could hear the pain and care in his voice. My heart clenched happily when I realised that no matter who I lose, I'm always going to have them.

"I had doubts. There was someone who said stupid things to me and I gave myself the benefit of doubt. I should have talked but I wasn't ready for it. I'm sorry."

"No no. Don't be sorry for just needing your space. I just need to realise that you aren't the same little girl anymore. But I don't want you to grow up. Then you will not even remember your papa John for any boyfriend of yours." He whined.

"Nope. Not happening. My boyfriend will always be second. Papa John is the first man of my life and will always be."

"That was a relief to know."

"Now you go shower, shave and eat something then we can talk." I told him and began organising his desk while he did as I told him to.