Breaking Point (BWWM)

32. Recovery

A/N: Thanks for bearing with me, y'all. I appreciate you for checking in on me. Sorry this has taken so long for me to update.

Trigger warning for this chapter: mentions of sexual assault and abuse.

I know this story has many dark themes, but I figured it's worth mentioning.

Anyways, please enjoy! I'll do my best to upload soon. Thanks as always for your patience and understanding.

Lucy's eyes slowly crack open, she winces at how sore her stiff body feels. The dull hum of the vehicle persists, though it's otherwise quiet. She adjusts herself, pausing when she slowly tries to turn her aching neck to see the others. She rolls her neck and shoulder, she's not used to sitting in a car so long.

It's still dark outside, so her eyes have to adjust. She looks at the others around her, spotting Braxton's long figure reclined in his seat. His long legs are crossed at the ankle. She winces sympathetically at the angle of his neck, he'd undoubtedly wake up sore like her.

The kids are all still snoozing peacefully, Seth's still cuddling Hyunjoo in his lap in their sleep (despite how Jooyoung had warned him not to do). It's so cute, the little girl was so sluggish, and spent the day wanting to cuddle her father. She'd kept looking at the boot still on his foot, despite how many times her parents reassured her that he would be fine.

She can hear Sehoon snoring quietly in the seat in front of her. Trying to spot Aesir in the dimness. The steady momentum of the vehicle isn't the easiest for her to get used to. She leans up, careful not to let the cream leather seats strain beneath her weight. She tunes in to hear his steady breaths, feeling a bit better seeing his tiny arm on the other side of Braxton.

Her heart settles at the sight, she'd hardly realized its acceleration in the midst of her search. She looks down at the little carseat in front of her, where she'd set Atreus down. He was rather difficult last night, not wanting to leave her arms every time she tried to set him down or pass him to his father. Braxton couldn't keep him calm for long, even for their short bathroom breaks. When she'd return his tiny dimpled hands would reach for her, and it was impossible to resist holding and comforting him.

Braxton hasn't been the most comfortable about how clingy Tre is proving to be, specifically with her. He's yet to mention it, but she can sense his growing concern about it. He and Seth are of the belief that it could quickly become an unhealthy attachment. But he's still a baby, only three months old. He's supposed to be clingy, maybe he's worried because Aesir, even at his clingiest, wasn't this anxious if she wasn't nearby.

The baby below her stirs in his seat, Lucy is quick to lay back and shut her eyes. No doubt that if he sees her awake he'll want to be held, and he'll wake everyone else up until she does. She wants to squirm with the uncomfortable seatbelt on, pulling her knees up to her chest.

She hears Atreus huff, snuffing in his seat. The stimulating toys above his head swaying and tapping each other. She bites back a sigh, she and Braxton were reluctant to set his carseat by her feet, having strapped him in properly at first. But he wouldn't stay asleep if Lucy's not in his clear line of vision. His peripherals weren't enough. Aesir was very frustrated about it, and kept pouting to see his brother consume so much of their attention. Thankfully Laurence was able to get him in a better mood. However, he's since took it upon himself to keep Jergen company up front, even insisted he drive a few hours in his place. There's a divider that hides them away from sight.