While Siobhan packed her things with Vivs assistance, Marjorie went to find Reece. He was sat downstairs on the sofa, leaning forwards and holding his head in his hands. When Marjorie sat down next to him, he didn't move for over a minute but eventually he sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "She's terrified of me." His voice was barely more than a whisper, he sounded so ashamed of himself. Marjorie placed her hand on his thigh before saying "it's not your fault Reece, it was a trauma response. You've not done anything wrong and it's not you she's frightened of." She paused before adding "I'm sorry I shouted at you darling."
When Viv and Siobhan came downstairs, they placed Siobhan's bags in the hallway for a moment. Both women walked into the lounge, but it was only Viv who approached the sofa. As she knelt down in front of Reece, she looked into his eyes sympathetically. "Siobhan's going to stay with me, at least for now. You've both shown her so much love and care, you're wonderful friends to her." Just before she stood up, she whispered "she knows you're nothing like your father. Sometimes our minds play tricks on us." Marjorie followed Viv into the hallway and embraced Siobhan warmly, feeling relieved to hear the blond breathing calmly against her. "I'll see you soon my love ok, don't worry. Viv will take care of you." Just as the two women left, Viv turned to Marjorie and said "I'll call you tomorrow. I hope Reece is alright."
Viv allowed Siobhan to nod off in the car, making sure to be as quiet as possible. The blond was exhausted after her panic attack so she needed her rest. Once she'd got Siobhan settled on her sofa, Viv thanked her neighbour for once again looking after Jamie. She always offered to give her money, but it was never accepted. After checking on Jamie and finding him sound asleep, Viv made her way downstairs again, holding a blanket. The two women didn't speak as Viv wrapped the blanket around Siobhan, pulling her gently into her arms. A few minutes of silence passed before Siobhan quietly said "I feel so pathetic. I've never had anxiety or panic attacks before. I hate the person I've become Viv." The idea that Siobhan felt pathetic or ashamed of herself made Vivs chest ache. "You're not pathetic Siobhan, you've been through so much trauma. I promise you, things will get better, you need to heal and that takes time."
When Viv stood up and disappeared into the kitchen, Siobhan immediately missed the feeling of being held so gently. As soon as Viv walked back into the lounge, Siobhan instinctively relaxed. The nurse was holding two mugs and as she handed one to Siobhan she said "I can tell you're secretly a hot chocolate girl." The blond surprised herself as she laughed a little, Viv was correct and as she sipped her drink, she wondered how her new friend was so perceptive.
Once they'd had their drinks, Viv led Siobhan upstairs and into the spare room, promptly leaving her to get ready for bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, Siobhan was out like a light and for the first time in months, she slept soundly. She was only momentarily confused when she woke up the next morning and when she remembered she was at Vivs, her heart settled immediately. As she made her way downstairs, she heard Viv talking to Jamie, he was giggling away in response. When she walked into the kitchen, Jamie looked over at her immediately, delighted at the arrival of a new person. He was holding crayons in his hands and as he waved them around, Viv turned to Siobhan. "Jamie made you something this morning." She promptly handed Siobhan a piece of paper, on which there was a drawing of a blond woman surrounded by hearts. Viv smiled and continued "I told him you'd be staying with us. He calls you the pretty lady from the nursery. I don't think he's quite up to the task of pronouncing Siobhan just yet."
As Siobhan looked down at the drawing, she felt her heart swell. She knelt down beside Jamie and smiled before saying "thank you for my drawing Jamie. I'll keep it forever." He looked up at her and giggled, holding a red crayon out as if it were a present. Siobhan took the crayon and asked "can you teach me how to draw one day?" Jamie nodded enthusiastically before holding his arms out. He obviously wanted to be picked up, so Siobhan scooped him up into her arms before standing and turning back to Viv.
The nurse was watching her with interest, quietly observing the way Siobhan interacted with her son. She knew she'd been right from the moment she'd met the blond.
Siobhan's heart had always been good.
YOU ARE READING
TO SHIELD A SERPENT (TNN - SIOBHAN/VIV)
Fanfiction**WORK IN PROGRESS** How can Viv help Siobhan?
