Breaking Point (BWWM)

30. Calamity

A/N: Art work is not mine
Song title: The Guardian (Ellie's Song) by Shawn James
Don't forget to comment! I'd love to know your thoughts. This one took a lot out of me.

Laurence softly hummed to himself, using his knuckle to gently knock at the door. He could hear his grandson's whining on the other side, though he hadn't heard a response. He pushes the door open, seeing Atreus squirming on his back in the center of Lucy's bed, though he couldn't see her. His thick brows furrow and he shuts the door behind him, wondering why she'd leave her son unattended like this. It was completely unlike her.

  He looks behind him at the bathroom door, warm light glowing behind it. He studied what he could of the shadow inside, startling at the sound of a relentless, visceral cough. It was soon followed by a flush.

  Concerned, he approaches the door, "Lucy? You alright in there?" He called, his hand gripped the door handle and gently pushes it in, though he'd only managed to wedge it open an inch before it was abruptly slammed back shut. Don't come in. Her voice insisted in his head.

  Stunned, he was about to ask again when he heard her sniffling, stifled sobs. Like she was choking back tears on the other side. The water faucet started to run, and he heard the resistance of a harsh gag. "Lucy," he called again, she started scrubbing her teeth.

  Laurence sighs in defeat, turning back to the squirmy baby in the center of the bed. He looked rather upset to be left alone, his little face pinched. He scoops him up, hugging him to his shoulder and shushing him. He gently taps the infants back, surprised when he let out a burp. He stares down at the infant's cute face, watching his milk-stained tongue thrust out as he settles in his arms.

  The bathroom door swung open, Lucy turned the switch off. The two of them lock eyes for a moment, though she doesn't say a word. Laurence was taken aback, she hadn't given him her typical warm smile at all. Her pink-hued copper eyes make a quick scan of the room, Where's Aesir? She asked, sounding alarmed.

  "He slept over at Seth and Joo's," Laurence assured her. "He's alright."

  He stared at her arms, wrapped loosely around her middle. Her expression was grim, worn. Her deep complexion was devoid of much life, pale and clammy. She looked weak, like she could collapse at any moment.

  Laurence starts to comfort her, about to place his hand on her back. Though she shriveled away from it, not acknowledging his gesture as she shuffled back to her bed. He watched her sit upright, starting to stare at her nimble, bruised fingers, how they repetitively grasp at the fabric of her shirt. He assesses her aimless fumbling, her directionless, distant, almost blank stare.

  "Are you alright, Lucy?" He asks her again. She looked like she was on the verge of tears, and the way she was holding her stomach rang some alarm bells. She had really long, deep, concentrated breaths. He couldn't make much more of her copper eyes in the dim room, but they appeared dilated.

  "What happened?" He asks softly. No response.

  Laurence brings himself closer, sitting on the bed with her, though her gaze didn't so much as flicker his direction. She sat stiffly, not reacting at all to his weight dipping with hers.

"I won't tell Braxton, Lu," he offered. "I promise,"

  Despite her eerie stillness, her head inevitably twitched the slightest bit, a small tick you could've easily missed. Though she didn't respond.

  Laurence's lips thin, he looks down at Atreus, cradling him in the crook of his arm. He pushes himself up, slowly walking about the open area of the room, gently bouncing the infant to sleep. He made certain to stay in her line of sight, though she hadn't been watching.