Her Lost Soul 2

Chapter 15

She's probably best to soak her ribs so I decide to run her a bath first. I turn the taps on and brush my teeth whilst it fills.
Why is Miley so well behaved for Riley? I mean she acted up a bit when we left but Riley could always calm her down. She didn't let her escalate. Riley's even managed to turn off her film without Miley reacting.
I turn the taps off once I've finished brushing my teeth. I decide I've wasted enough time, it's time to wake up my girl. Hopefully she will be in a better mood.
I find some clothes in Riley's room. Something comfy so it's not uncomfortable for her, not that she will like it.
I walk into my bedroom and she's still sleeping soundly. I'm surprised to say the least. I set the clothes on the floor. I stroke her hair out of her face and place my lips on hers. "Wake up baby."
I keep my lips on hers. Her hands slide through my hair and pins me closer to her. She groans and my tongue seeks entrance. She's distracting. "Hey, enough of that. We will never get out of bed if you do that."
She pouts, she's adorable. "No, you're being a tease." I chuckle as she groans.
"Well, makes a change, it's normally the other way around. Come on sleepy head, Miley is excited for presents." Not that she deserves any in my opinion. Riley grabs my top and yanks me closer. I place my lips against her neck. "Ri, you're being impossible."
I prize her hands off me and I lift her out of bed. She looks well and truly out of it. I carry her into the bathroom and set her on her feet. I start by lifting her top over her head and she opens her beautiful eyes.
I get to work on the rest of her clothes and I bite my lip. I'm always knocked off guard by her beauty.
"Beautiful." She blushes at my compliment and I peck her lips before lifting her up and carefully lowering her into the bath. I make sure she lays flat even though she resists slightly. "Can we try and have a better day please?"
I'm already exhausted after Miley's tantrum that I don't need her causing trouble too. She nods and I chuckle. She's being rather docile for her. "Where's Riley and what have you done with her?" It seems my two girls have switched places. She giggles but gasps. "Shh, don't do that." I trace my fingers across her ribs. "How are you feeling today?"
"Meds make me. . . groggy." Yes, I can see that. It's not necessarily a bad thing though.
"That explains the sleepiness. Perhaps they are good for you, they are making you rest." I start to wash her with a wash cloth and she shuts her eyes. "Merry Christmas Baby. I'm so glad we are together."
"Me too." I take her hand and kiss her ring finger. She's mine, nothing anyone can say or do will make me believe otherwise. She gasps at my touch and it only confirms my beliefs.
"What will you tell your Nanny and Pop's about me?" Will she tell them what we are? Will they approve of me?
"What do you want me to say?" That I'm your fiancé and that I'm yours.
"I know what I'd like you to say but it's not what you should say." Why is everything so complicated. Whatever happened to simplicity?
"Do I have to go into specifics? They are overbearing enough."
"But if they ask? What would say?"
"I don't know, Flynn. I'd probably tell them the truth. You aren't my boyfriend but you mean everything to me. My better half." I smile, even though it's not what she should say I'm glad she feels that way.
"And the ring?"
"A gesture of our love?" I'm the one that's insecure, I need her to say all these things to me. "Flynn, I'm not sure what you. . . want from me. You seem so interested. . . in what my family think. Yet, it could be for real. . . but you won't let it happen."
"I decided yesterday that as long as you stay breathing it's enough for me. It doesn't matter what we are because what we are is real. There doesn't need to be a label. I think it works well enough when we don't have a label, the way we are now."
"Okay." She's being awful compliant today. "Does that mean you won't. . . leave me again?"
"Yes, Riley. I don't think it really worked for any of us. Besides, I think James was a real tester. I didn't kill him and fuck, I wanted to. I was seeing red but I was in control, mostly. I could have taken him out with you in the crossfire but I didn't. Sure, I was impulsive but I wasn't out of control."
"Good." After I've gotten her hair wet I massage the shampoo into her hair. I love taking care of her and she lets me without problems.
After I've finished washing her I pull the plug and lift her out the bath. I wrap her in a towel and pick her up. I think I'm with Tyler on this one, I'd rather deal with Riley.
I carry her into my room and set her on her feet. I make sure she's dry before I grab her clothes I left by the door. I help her into the underwear first. I hold out the tracksuit bottoms and she pulls a face.
Here we go, I knew she'd hate the clothes. "Ri, comfort not fashion. You look beautiful in anything."
"It's Christmas," she sulks. Doesn't mean it has to be a fashion shoot.
"And? Who gives a fuck? You'll be slouching on the sofa for most of it anyway." She groans and steps into them and I shimmy them up her legs.
They swamp her, I have to pull the string tight to keep them up. I dread to think how much weight she lost.
I help her into a top and then find a hoodie of mine to wear. I hold out some fluffy socks for her. She smiles and I kiss her lips. "Anything else?"
I hope I didn't forget anything.  "Make up." I should have known she'd request that.
"No, no make up baby. You are better without." She doesn't need to waste her energy applying that shit.
"The bruises."
"They are fading, baby. Don't hide with make up. If your family don't understand then they don't deserve you."
"I want to hide it from Miley."
"She's a smart kid, Ri. She knows they are there." She frowns and it's adorable. I retrieve her meds and slide her daily dose into her mouth.
I find my water on the bedside table and offer it to her. She swallows hard. First lot done, now for the pain meds. I twist open the bottle and she rolls her eyes.
I find the spoon and tip some on it. I bring it to her lips and she opens her mouth. I kiss her forehead in thanks for taking it easy on me. I scoop her into my arms.
"You don't need to keep carrying me," she grumbles.
"Let me look after you, Ri, please." I need to do this after I nearly lost her yesterday. She sighs and then buries her face in my neck.
I lock my jaw as I walk. She doesn't realise the effect she has on me, does she? I set her down on the couch and cover her with a blanket. She's looking at me like she's fed up of my protectiveness. Tough luck, she's got protective Flynn for a while.
"Merry Christmas, Honey," Abigail says cheerily as she walks into the room. She kisses Riley's cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Mommy," she smiles and Abigail leaves the room again as Miley comes running into the living room and climbs on the sofa to hug Riley. "Hey, Baby."
"Are you better yet? I don't like you keep leaving me." Didn't we all know about it this morning.
"Honey, I'm always here, okay? It's going to take time for me to heal but I'm always here with you."
I walk into the dining room where Tyler is. He's sat at the table with his phone is his hand. "I agree with you," I mutter as I sit down.
I put my face in my hands. I'm shattered and I haven't long woken up. "What?"
"You said you rather deal with Riley. Me too." Tyler laughs suddenly and I remove my hands. I watch as Abigail walks through with a plate in her hand. I roll my eyes, she better eat it.
"You won't be saying that later, trust me." I frown, wondering what he means by that. "I agree though, your sister is like a devil spawn. She's a brat."
I hear Riley coughing and I'm on my feet and heading toward the living room. "Mommy?"
"I'm good, baby." Riley has her hand on her ribs.
I sit on the arm rest and stroke her hair. "You okay?" Miley seems scared so I try comfort her. "They said coughing is normal, Smiley."
"You aren't just saying that?" She demands. Jesus, if she has a tantrum again, I'm leaving Riley to deal with her.
"No, of course not. Doctors said that coughing is normal with injury." She nods and Riley takes another mouthful. She leans over and sets the plate on the table.
I knew her docile behaviour was too good to be true. I take the plate and hand it back to her. "That is not all you're eating."
"Flynn," she whines.
"I thought we were having a better day today?" She sighs and picks up and pancake and shoves it her mouth. I shake my head and laugh, she's something else.
I get up and leave the room and join Tyler again. "You're predictable bro. Anyone would thing she's got you wrapped around her little finger."
I guess she does. "She's being docile, for her. I keep expecting her to explode." He laughs and looks up from his phone.
"Oh just wait, she will." The doorbell goes and Abigail walks through and out into the hallway. "Jesus, kill me now."
"They can't be that bad." Riley said they were like his parents so surely they aren't too bad. After a few minutes Abigail heads back to the kitchen.
"Oh yeah, they can." He looks back at his phone.
"Abigail! What happened to my granddaughter?" a woman shouts. I look towards the door. What's wrong with Riley?
I hear them chatting but I can't hear the words that are being said. "Don't go in bro. Not until your summoned. I'm doing you a favour."
"Abigail!" the woman bellows again. "She needs plenty of fluids!" I roll my eyes, we know.
"Feel sorry for Riley right now. She's in there alone to fend for herself," Tyler smirks. He's probably loving this. Bastard.
"Theodore! Get in here!" Jesus, she's demanding. I watch as a tall man walks past the doorway into the living room.
"I feel sorry for Pop's, he puts up with her twenty four seven." Jesus, it's like a running commentary.
"Where's my brother?" Riley croaks. Tyler sighs and gets to his feet.
"Wish me luck, I'm going in." I laugh, seriously? Are they really that bad? At least they're present during holidays. Mine were always hit and miss. I walk into the kitchen and grab some water from the fridge.
"I swear to god, if she shouts one more time I'm going to lose my rag." I raise my eyebrow at Abigail.
"Tyler seems to be as enthused as you. She can't be that bad?" Abigail stops what she's doing and comes towards me. She cups my face, her eyes are almost manic.
"Abigail! Why didn't you tell me!" the woman shouts again.
"Urgh, she's driving me insane. I'm trying to get the dinner done. Hayden was supposed to distract her for me." I laugh and she releases my face.
"Do you need any help Mom?" Her face softens and she smiles.
"Abigail! You have a lot of explaining to do!" Abigail curses and I raise my eyebrow.
"I'm fine Honey, I just need my mother to stop shouting at me." She heads back to the cooker and checks on the veg.
"Bro!" Tyler yells. I guess it's my turn to face the music.
"Remember you're family. You have to deal with my mother now too. Good luck." I smirk, surely she's not as bad as Riley.
"No one is as bad as your daughter." She smiles at me over her shoulder.
"Tell me that after you've met my mother." I shake my head as I make my way into the living room.
My eyes land on Riley first. Her eyes are shut and she seems to be resting. Good. I notice the older woman get off the couch and she makes her way to me.
"Flynn I assume? My god, Riley, he's so handsome." She grabs my face a gives me a wet sloppy kiss on my lips and my eyes widen. "Young man, I want to thank you for saving my granddaughter."
Jesus Christ. I look at Tyler and he coughs to hide his amusement.
"No problem Mrs Hughes." When she turns to head back the couch I wipe my lips. Gross.
"Don't be daft dear, call my Nanny Elsie. Riley you chose a fine young man." She sits on the couch and pats Riley's leg.
"I didn't choose him, Nanny. I had no choice." She doesn't open her eyes though. Elsie is gorgeous too even for her age.
"How sweet. Now, who is this little one? Hey sweetie, I'm Nanny Elsie. What's your name?"
Miley doesn't respond but as always her curiousity gets the better of her and she peaks at Elsie. "It's okay, baby. You're going to love her."
"I'm Miley, Angel is my Mommy." I take seat next to Tyler on the floor and he playfully jabs my arm.
"Enjoy that sloppy kiss?" Tyler mocks quietly. "Not that bad, you said." I growl and wipe my mouth again.
"Miley is Flynn's sister. Their parents died and Miley has been in a home. She's eight years old. . . but looks like a five year old. She has some issues that. . . we are working on. From the first day she accepted me. . . as she hasn't others. She needs me and I need her. I've been granted custody. . . of her until the adoption is complete."
"My. . . I'm too young to be a great Nanny. Let me look at you, dear. Aren't you a treasure." I hear Miley giggle.
"She almost sounds cute," Tyler whispers. "I know for a fact that she's risen from hell."
"Bro, she's just a kid. She's got problems, sure but it's not her fault."
   "Can Nanny Elsie have a cuddle?"
"I'm smothering her with a pillow if she hits me again. Kids are like aliens, the should stay on mars." I laugh quietly, he's special.
  "Did they not feed you?" I sigh when she shouts again. "Abigail! You need to be feeding these kids more." It's not her fault they are stubborn.
"Mother, can you stop shouting at me? If you want to talk to me come and find me. I'm getting the lunch ready."
"Flynn be a dear and get me some Sherry."
"I can get it," Tyler whispers. He only wants to escape. I'm not letting him get off that easily.
"Sure, be right back." I get up and leave the living room. I find Abigail in the kitchen. "Do you have any disinfectant?"
"Is Riley okay?" Abigail frowns.
"Yeah, this is for me. Your Mom kissed me. On the lips." I cringe and find some Sherry on the rack. I get out two glasses.
Abigail laughs, "Sorry Honey. It's just a couple of times a year we have to deal with her." I pour some in the glasses and I quickly take a swig. I cringe at the taste.
"Better get this back to her." I down the rest of my glass and pick up Elsie's. I hear Riley groan. What the hell is she doing now! "If that is your bloody sister getting up I'm going to kill her, bro!"
When I reach the living room Riley is on her feet with her hand on her ribs. I groan and Riley rolls her eyes. "What are you doing now?"
"I need a wee." I pass Elsie her drink and then scoop Riley into my arms.
"You're actually going to be the death of me." She buries her head in my neck. I look at Tyler and he grins at me. He's hilarious! If he says I told you so I'm going to punch him.
I carry Riley into the downstairs bathroom and set her on her feet. I pull the door to on the way out. I get my phone out and there is a Facebook notification.
REGAN- Flynn, I need you. Please. I'm scared to have this baby alone.
Jesus Christ! I remove her as a friend on Facebook and then block her. She's actually insane!
I hear Riley groan and I carefully push the door open. She's looking at herself in the mirror. I look her up and down to check she's okay."What's wrong?"
"Why didn't you tell me I look like shit?" I smirk at her and lift her into my arms. She's blind.
"You could never look like shit, baby. You are the most beautiful thing on this planet despite the bruises." I pepper kisses across her face and she laughs but then soon gasps. "None of that, I told you earlier."
I carry her back to the couch and lower her on to it. I make sure the blanket is covering her.
"Mommy," Miley cries.
"What's wrong baby?"
"You keep leaving me." She's clingy as fuck. Can Riley not go for a piss without her getting upset?
"Sorry baby, I think it's present time."
"Presents?" she squeals.
"Yes baby, why don't you hand them around? Read the label and pass around the correct presents." Miley gets up and heads to the tree. I sit Riley up and move her forward slightly and climb in behind her.
Everyone finds a seat in the living room, whether it's on the floor or the couch. Miley runs around and keeps passing the presents out.
I knew Christmas would be better this year. Despite Miley's meltdown, it truly is the best one I've head in a long time. If ever. Tyler always says that it's my fault for falling in love with his sister.
It's not just Riley that ties me to this family. They are just special people. I was here because he asked me here the first time. I'm glad he did, I'd be stuck at uni, wallowing away.