Labyrinth

Chapter Twenty-Four

One thing that Christian has developed a new habit of is whenever the war is mentioned on the radio, no matter where he is, he runs and sits right in front of the radio to listen to any updates.

It was a cold Monday evening when Christian, Elise, and Garrison were sitting in the living room and mindlessly listening to the radio.

"Good evening, America, we have some unfortunate news for you regarding the war," came from the speaker of the radio.

"Turn it up, dad," Christian asked and sat down in front of it.

"The war is not going in the direction American folks would want to hear. Last night there were several bombings in the city of Vichy, France. We need our morale up more than ever before. Encourage young men to join...." Christian tuned the rest of it out.

"Where was Cameron going, Christian?" Garrison said not remembering.

"France." Christian said as tears escaped his eyes.

Garrison took a deep breath.

"Son, France is big. We don't know exactly where in France he is. Please, stay positive."

Christian cried as Elise sat on the floor next to him and hugged him close. Christian cried in her arms.

-Time Skip-

Elise knocked on Christian's door softly and when she heard the faint "come in," she entered.

"I have to watch Chelsie's younger cousins today. Do you want to come with me?" She asked.

"Seeing children makes me think of him," Christian said sadly.

"Christian, I know you're hurting, but Cameron wouldn't want you to be like this. Please, for him, for you, let yourself be unchained and feel again." Elise said.

"I don't know how to feel anything when he's not here," Christian cried.

"Come, stand up, we are getting you dressed, and you are coming with me." Elise got Christian up. She saw white on the bed and looked at Christian with a smirk.

"I miss him, and I get lonely." Christian said red tinting his cheeks.

Elise just laughed softly.

Christian showered and got changed and the brother and sister duo were off to Chelsie's house.

"How old are they anyway?" Christian suddenly asked.

Elise was happy Christian was showing interest in something.

"They're four and two. Little munchkins!" Elise squealed.

"And they trusted you to watch them?" Christian laughed.

"Hey, that's not nice!" Elise pouted.

Christian laughed loudly, "Sorry sis."

It was quiet again until Christian suddenly said, "Cameron and I talked about kids."

"You did?" Elise asked genuinely surprised.

"Yes, we knew we couldn't adopt or anything like that, but we did talk about it." Christian said.

"Cameron was afraid of kids until we went to the park one day and Cameron played with them on the swings."

Cameron and Christian just walked into the park when they saw it was overrun by little ones.

"I don't think screaming children sets the mood for a date," Cameron laughed.

"Oh, come on, let's just go sit where it's quieter." Christian pulled his hand.

Cameron sat down on the grass and Christian sat next to him resting his head on Cameron's shoulder.

Suddenly a little girl came up to them, "I can't find my mommy, can you push me on the swings?" She asked with an innocent smile.

"Where's your mommy," Christian said, instantly alarmed.

"I don't know, she walked to the bench and now I don't see her," the little girl frowned.

"Deciding that was more important than swings, Christian picked her up and the three walked around the park but there was no woman that was looking for a missing child.

Christian and Cameron brought the girl to the police station where they learned the sad upbringing the little girl had. Her mother walking off and coming back days later was a recurring thing.

Christian cried when he learned this. "Come on, we're taking you to eat," Christian said, helping the girl up.

The police officer gave a dirty look and Cameron instantly shut him up with a glare.

Cameron and Christian learned all about her toys and friends as the girl has an imagination as vast as the seas.

After paying for their meal, Christian was reluctant to bring her back to the station.

"Will you stay with me," the young girl asked, scared to be alone.

Christian kissed her forehead, "Your mommy is coming for you," Christian said even though he didn't know for certain.

"But I like you two," she answered.

Cameron knelt down next to Christian and said, "How about we come visit tomorrow?"

"Yes, yes!" She screamed.

That night Cameron held Christian in his arms and said, "I don't care if it takes 5, 10, 15 years, but we will have children."

Christian turned around in his embrace and kissed Cameron passionately.

We never saw the girl again, but we did agree we wanted children.

Elise was crying which Christian didn't notice in his trance.

"I'm so sorry, Christian," Elise hugged him.

"I'll be okay," Christian cried.