Stormy Eyes

Chapter Fifteen: Emotions

TW. The following chapter contains content that some might find triggering.

**************

"How's it feel to be in your old room, Espen?" Archer carried one of my bags through the door while he spoke.

"Amazing. It smells like home." It was home, my second home. When I missed them, I would beg mom to let me stay with Archer and Aroura. Chris would stay home sometimes and I'd get them all to myself. As well as the room him and i shared here. There were two beds, both single. Both with the original sheets that Aroura let us pick out. Mine with white daisies on a black duvet and Chris' plain black.

Carter came in with the rest of our bags and dumped them between the beds. Archer walking to Aroura. I heard him mutter to her, "I'm not comfortable having him stay in here with her."

Aroura whispered back, "She's not a child anymore. She can make her own decisions and stopping them here won't stop them from anything back home if there is something going on." Oh my. What is it with everyone.

"Looks like you're stuck with me in close quarter's for the next few days." Carter whispered in my ear. His face so close to mine reminded me of the dream I had before arriving here. Goosebumps colonised my arms, but it was hidden from sight by my sweater. I laughed awkwardly, which made him look at me with curiousness. Oh, Carter. If only you knew about the dream I had, that wouldn't be the look on your face. Poor guy. Poor me.

"Settle in, we're leaving for the hospital in fifteen minutes. I just have to change." Aroura said as she made her way to the door. "Come Storm, you too. Go with daddy to get your jacket."

"No, mommy. I want to stay with Espen and her man friend." Storm ran to give me a hug and she grabbed Carter's hand in the process. I could see it took him by surprise, but he held her hand back despite that.

Aroura looked at Archer and gave him a silly look. "Storm, listen to your mom. We have to go see Nan in the hospital soon. We must get ready."

"We'll play when we get home, okay?" I assured her. "Me and my 'man friend' here." I chuckled.

"Okay." Storm said disappointed. She walked off and took her father's hand and they made their way out of the room.

"I'm leaving this door open." Archer informed us. Both Carter and I shrugged it off, not too phased.

-------------------------------

The Five of us walked through the hospital doors and made our way to Nora's room. The closer I walk to her door the tighter my chest gets. The pain in my throat is building up to the point where I am not sure if I can hold in the tears. I don't want to cry, because if I'm crying when I walk in there it will cause her stress, which I don't want. "You guys go in, I need a moment to collect myself."

"We can wait for you and all go in together?" Aroura offered, placing her hand on my face.

"No, it's alright. I just want to breathe for a sec." I smiled through my heartbreak. "I'll be okay." She looked at me with sympathy. She's been around long enough to know Nora like the rest of us do, she is truly a part of the family and I know this is affecting her too. I don't want to add to the sadness by crying, when I'm aware of how badly she wants to cry too.

Carter and I were left alone in the hospital corridor. Non of us saying anything. I look up to the ceiling trying to suppress the tears. I see Carter's tall build come into frame and i feel his arms wrap around me. "It's okay. You aren't alone." He whispers. I place my head against his chest and a tear slips out. Fuck. "Espen, you're allowed to cry."

So I do. A few tears come out but stop shortly due to the tight embrace that Carter has on me. It's comforting. His steady heart and his warm body create a space of momentary serenity. The comfort urges me to speak, "I have no idea what to expect when I walk through that door. She has always been so strong in my eyes. It breaks my heart to know that strength is fading. I don't know what to do."