HEADLINE ✓

TRACK 47 - PART 1

"Morning." I rubbed my tired eyes. "Do you want coffee?"

She nodded.

"Okay. Coming right up," I said, fighting back a yawn.

Giving her a quick kiss on the forehead, I tossed the covers off my body and moved to get out of the bed. A grip on my arm held me back.

"You're coming back... right?"

For a split second, I wanted to laugh, assuming she was joking. Catching the pained look in her eye told me there was no humour behind her question; it was a genuine ask because she was scared I wouldn't.

"Of course I am." Taking hold of her hand, I raised it to my lips and kissed the inside of her palm. "I promise, baby. I'll make us some coffee and come right back."

TJ hesitated, allowed a forced smile to appear, and responded with a slight nod of her head. "Okay."

Closing the bedroom door behind me, I released a breath. Shit. Something was going on in her head. That was stating the fucking obvious. I couldn't imagine what she was thinking following the events of last night.

What was I supposed to do? Try and make her talk about it? What if that only resulted in everything being worse?

Giving Doctor Khan a call might be my best option. But there were only so many minutes I had before TJ would get worried about me not returning fast enough.

Play it by ear - that was my plan. Get her coffee. See if she voluntarily wanted to talk. And then, give Doctor Khan a call later.

But first, my girl needed coffee.

Ma was the first one to spot me as I entered the room. "Good morning," she said in a quiet tone as if she was unsure of her greeting. "Sleep... well?"

"As well as we could, I guess." I kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you for helping."

"I didn't do much-"

"You did," I affirmed. "Trust me. I think she needed your type of warmth last night."

I made my way towards the coffee maker and turned it on.

"Well, your father and I are going to go explore a bit. Someone," Ma looked at Rory, "Was supposed to join us but decided this morning that she didn't want to anymore."

"It's not nice to break a promise, Rory," Dad said, getting into his wheelchair.

Rory, who sat at the table, rolled her eyes. "I'm six years old now. I can change my mind."

"You're going to hurt Papa's feelings."

Dad waved it off. "That's alright. She's too sassy for me this morning anyway."

With some help, the two of them were out the front door and off on their adventure. Knowing exploring was something the family enjoyed doing - Rory, especially - I ensured that Big Mike was around to be their transportation.

"Where's TJ?" Rory asked before stuffing her mouth with a spoonful of cereal.

"Uh," I looked over my shoulder. "She's not feeling well."

"Why not?"

"Rory, don't talk with your mouth full."

I caught the glare she sent her father as she slowly chewed her food, looking as if she was planning his demise. "Thanks for... you know, getting her out and cleaning up the-"

"Don't worry about it," Aidan said as he made his way over. He dropped his voice to a whisper, "I can't imagine a parent saying that shit to their kid. When Rory woke up I couldn't help but give her the biggest hug and smother her with attention."