Finally

Part 49: To All

The days passed quickly it seemed.

Days turned to months.

Months turned to years.

And pain turned to a peace.

I didn't expect to come this far and leave behind what I had, yet here I find myself this morning. Looking out at the world beyond my window, I question very little any more.

"Mum! Have you seen my Ballet slippers?!" Luna calls from upstairs as she does most mornings.

Much like her father, Luna has the hard case of ADHD. Moving from task to task and object permanence proving a difficultly for the poor 14 year old.

"Downstairs in the basement I presume." I call back to her as I fix breakfast. "Is your brother up?"

"No!" Sighing heavily, I set the pan down on the stove and turn the burner off- the bacon still sizzling and it's aroma filling the home fully.

"Can you wake him, please?" I call once more and hear a stifled grown. "Thank you."

Her feet pad across the upstairs wooden floor and a knock occurs just after. The echo in the house is a Godsend...mostly.

"Vinny...Mum wants you up..."

Silence.

"Vincent! You need to get ready for school!" She bangs in his door and waits. "Mum! He's not waking!"

Sighing heavily, I suppose I should finally take the lead.

Vincent is a wonderful little 10 year old, but he is a rock. That boy sleeps more than a narcoleptic.

Which he is not.

We tested.

Marching upstairs, I tap the tall teen on her shoulder and gesture for her to move on with her life for the moment- which is fine for her because she would most likely rather be on her phone or reading than deal with her little brother.

They get along great.

Most days.

It's hit or miss, but they look out for each other no matter the case.

Knocking on his door, I open it after a second or two and find his room a mess.

"Vincent, I need you to wake up Darling- we're going to be behind if you don't. I made breakfast and your lunch already." Walking over to his bed, I sit beside him- covered fully in his blankets and gently place a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Love. It's time to get up."

Pulling back the blankets, I find his eyes staring at me, reddened and wet cheeks presenting his quivering lip.

"Darling? What's wrong?"

"I don't want to go today."

"But it's Friday...and Miss Clardell said you were going to have your awards today at lunch. I even took off for it." Vincent pushes his face deeper in the pillow and his sobs become slightly more known. "It's about Dad...isn't it?"

He nods, but doesn't remove his face from the pillow.

"Huh...Your Dad would want you to go. Get your award...you worked hard to earn it. Can't we do that...for him?" I say softly and play with his hair.

"It's not the same!" He yells through his pillow.

"I know, Darling...but Dad...Dad can't..."

Buzzzzzzz!!!

My phone goes off in my pocket and I leave go a heavy sigh.

"Fine...why don't you come to work with me then. Hmm? How's that sound?" I ask and he looks up at me. The kid has never missed a day of school in his life and not because I wouldn't allow it, but because he is like Max in every way.