I am Ukrainian🇺🇦. (A VLODYMYR ZELENSKYY FANFIC)

Chapter 34

Vova was sitting in the window when dad and Andrii came back with the food.

"Hi sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Dad asked as he was putting the food down.

"Daddy?" Was all I managed before I was wrapped in his arms.

"Mon chéri" Dad said as he kissed my head abd held me while I cried.

"Je t'aime papa" I whispered through the tears.

"Je t'aime plus douce fille" Dad said back.

"What about me? Nobody loves me even a little bit?" Vova asked from the window.

I pulled away from dad we both looked at him holding our arms open.

"Maybe just a little bit." We both said as we hugged him.

At this Vitali woke up a bit worried.

"What happend? Wladimir?"
Vitali asked still trying to wake up fully.

Vova pulled him into the hug.
"Everything is fine he is right here." Vova said pointing to Wladimir.

Vitali looked over saw his brother was ok. He gave a sigh and melted into the hug.

Just as he was about to fall asleep again Vova said "lets eat first ok big guy. You need food."

"Tired" Vitali complained.

"We know you are but food first then more sleep." Dad said.

"Fine, Jorji can feed me while I sleep." Vitali said laying his head on my shoulder eyes already closing.

We all just laughed.

Andrii was standing to the side feeling left out.

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Early one morning I woke up with a severe panic attack.
I registered a hand on my back. Just a calming reassuring hand.

After calming down some I look up. It's Wladimir.
His face is soft and caring as he looks at me and he’s smirking slightly. Despite the pain and nausea coursing through me, I smile back at him. I can’t help it, I missed my buddy.

"Wladimir, you are awake. Are you ok?" I ask softly

"I am fine yes. Better question what was this all about? They never were this bad?" He asks back with concern.

“Ok Im glad you are ok. At least come climb into the bed please. I can’t imagine that standing like this is comfortable. I need you to hold me.” I say, shifting over to one side of the bed.

Wladimir stiffens slightly at my request and anxiety passes through me swiftly. But in my slightly delirious state, I pat the space on the bed beside me, smiling as I pull back the covers.

“But your in pain and-”

“Wladimir, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. But don’t make excuses.” I sigh, and suddenly regret my offer.

“I’m sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude. I will come cuddle ” He whispers, gently throwing one arm around me.

After completely calming down Wladimir was the first to break the silence.

“Can I ask you a question?” Wladimir says, and I nod as I swallow a mouthful of coffee and set my cup back down. “What are your coping skills? You mentioned once that you have things you can do to feel better and calm down.”

“Oh well there’s a few things i guess.” I start slowly, I haven't  expected this question. “Uh deep breathing is a big one. Because of the way that anxiety affects your brain as well as your body, it's usually easier to calm your body first which in turn calms your brain. Along those lines pressure is also good. I have a weighted blanket at home that helps a lot and when I’m out at work or something pulling a sweater tight around my body works as well. Deep pressure hugs are good too, or pushing myself into a corner. Getting one of the wonderful strong people in my life to hold me, like you are doing now. Distraction is a big one. Staying busy and surrounding myself with lots of stimulation makes it harder to latch onto bad thoughts and feelings. Journaling or talking is another one. Getting the thoughts and emotions out into the world makes it easier to move on. Otherwise I'm just kinda pushing it down and ignoring it instead of dealing with it.”

“Wow, where did you learn all these?” Wladimir asks. He had been staring at me intently the whole time I was talking.

“Years of therapy my friend.” I say, rolling my eyes and smiling. “It was a lot of trial and error to find what works for me. Dad helped alot especially in the beginning.”

I wince as I shuffle closer, laying my head on his chest and sighing deeply.

“Are you in pain?” Wladimir asks quickly, stiffening when I wince and beginning to pull away. “I can go get a nurse and ask for more meds or-”

“No.” I say firmly, reaching an arm around to pull him closer, trying to ignore my screaming chest wounds. “Just, lay with me for a while. I missed you. You scared us you know. ”

Wladimir relaxes as I finish talking and begins stroking my hair lightly. I inhale deeply, trying to memorize his scent as I try not think back to my dream. Focusing on the sound of Wladimir’s heart beating and the feeling of his hand in my hair, I slowly drift off into sleep.
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I wake up to a kiss. I smile without opening my eyes.

"Hi daddy" I say

"Morning baby. How are you feeling today?" Dad asked as he was stroking my hair.

"I am ok, my chest hurt a little bit but it's fine. It was worse earlier. Where is Vova?" I say as I snuggle more into Wladimir.

"Are you cold sweetie?" Dad asks.

I simply nod.

"Vova is sleeping in his bed. Wladimir is blocking your view." Dad said with a smile as he pulls a blanket over us. "When did he wake up? He doing ok?" Dad added.

"He said so yes. And I don't know I had a panic attack this morning and he was just standing here rubbing my back. So I told him to come hold me and here we are."
I told dad.
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6 weeks after we ended in hospital we were discharged. Wladimir was doing great. Like his usual self. I was still had a little bit of pain once in a while but it was fine. Vova was back at work soon after.

Dad had taken it upon himself to make sure that our house were fixed by the time we got home. Luckily they managed to get the fire put out relatively fast and the damage was not that much.