Intertwined

Part 39: Together

When they gave Luna the necklace- she didn't seem phased, over joyed or anything as to how they assumed she would be.

As they sat at the table and shared bits of their day with the kids, Luna held the photo of Henry 'Judge' in one hand and the necklace in the other. She listened intently and yet only the boys commented on how awesome and cool all of it was.

Obviously Max and Helen left out the deaths and the other slightly fucked up bit.

No reason to traumatize children.

So as Helen and Max tuck Luna in tonight, Flower lying at the end of her bed like a good watch dog- they cover her up and gaze down at her- wondering what it is she is thinking about.

"Munchkin? Are you alright, Sweetheart? You've been awfully quiet." Helen gingerly pushes some hair from the child's forehead and strokes her cheek as she sits beside the child on the bed.

Looking up at Helen, the tiny tot has so many things going on in her own head right now- but the words simply are too much.

"I'm sad." She quietly says and It breaks their hearts.

"I'm sorry, Honey. We know that today was a lot...it was a lot for Daddy too." Max softly says as he kneels beside her bed, holding her hand.

"You can always talk to us. You know that." Helen sweetly says and the little girl looks up at them both and her eyes well with tears. "Oh sweetheart- I'm so sorry."

Pulling the child into her arms, Helen cradles her to her body and now Max sits on the bed beside them and rubs her back gently.

They hold her for a long while- thinking she'll cry herself to sleep- but she doesn't. She just stares off with wet eyes and thinks about everything she has ever known.

She's always felt unimaginably overwhelmed by the inner knowledge she has about the world. In her times of silence- her own solace with someone only she could see and hear and now the man in the picture makes the man she knows him to be- seem scarier than he ever was.

To see him as he was when he was alive makes him now look nearly monster out in nature. That gaunt face and sunken eyes- his long spidery hands and gangly lanky limbs.

She wishes she never seen the living image of him.

Though the original picture that was found in Georgia's pink photo album was of Judge- it was of him when he was sick. How he looks now as he visits and watches over the small girl.

To see him full bodied and healthy has a whole new feeling to it for Luna.

And it hurts.

For now her friend will forever be different.

Though she knows he is harmless and truly his appearance would not have normally startled her- now knowing knowing what he truly used to be: there is no way to see him as anything but deformed and slightly scary.

"I sleep with you?" She finally speaks and Helen and Max exchange a sorrowful look.

"Sure, Sweetie. Just tonight- okay?" Max says- wishing they were passed the kids in the bed phase like he was for so many years. Yet he knows she needs it tonight. Scooping her up from Helen, Max kisses her temple and they all head downstairs, Flower following close behind.

It's evident she's here for Luna.

It's that part of Georgia that will forever linger until the dog passes.

It is comforting to know she is surrounded by love- even if those surrounding her aren't entirely here here.

Getting to the basement, Max lays her on the bed and kisses her forehead once more before looking into those big blue eyes of hers.