Trauma of the Forest (Meadema)

~ Chapter 79: A Safe Place? ~

They decided to first take a few hours together, to let this news sink in for a moment before they would talk to Kim about a safe place, which despite already being a sensitive subject, is now even more sensitive. Beth especially had to pull herself together first. And besides, Kim was on patrol until 4pm, so they wouldn't see her again until 5pm.

And besides, if this is an option to move in, it wouldn't happen for another three weeks anyway, since the demolition crew needs a week to empty the entire house and then another two weeks to make it so that it is possible to actually move in, so with a kitchen, with a few pieces of furniture and a bedroom where they can sleep comfortably enough. It just has to be at least livable, making the house to their liking would come later.

Beth was exhausted, she was often pretty tired after lunch anyway and ready for her afternoon nap, but now, with the blow that could also be added, she was dead tired. 'Liefje, why don't you just start your afternoon nap now? I know you're exhausted and we've already had lunch. You can still get three and a half hours of sleep before we can even talk to Kim'.

Beth nodded, she hasn't really talked much since she heard the news about her grandfather, only a soft hum now and then. 'Come on, I'll help you get dressed and then you can get a few hours'. They both stood up, Viv grabbed Beth's pyjamas from the bed and helped her get dressed, after which she pulled the covers off the bed and gave Beth the space to get into bed. 'You joining me, Vivi?'.

'If that's what you want, then I'll come and lie with you'. Actually, Viv wanted to look around on the laptop to see what needed to be arranged if a move was going to take place, because that's what she likes, preparation. But then again, she didn't know if they could go there, if it was safe enough, so maybe all her work would be for nothing. And besides, Beth, who is in a very emotional state, who asks her to come and lie down with her? She can't say no to that of course.

Three hours later, it was Beth who had woken up from the baby, who came to tell her that they had been lying still long enough. Not much later, Viv also woke up from the kicks against her side. 'Hey lieverd, did you sleep well? You ready for it?'. Beth nodded, clearly still in her emotional state, for Viv also a sign that the actual talking will probably be on her shoulders again soon.

'Come on, let's get changed and then we'll go to Kim's office'. Again, it was Viv who helped her get changed and put on her shoes, after which they left their room under supervision and walked into Kim's office. 'Hey Beth, hey Viv, are you okay?'. Kim had immediately noticed the somewhat sad looks on their faces.

'Uhm, actually we have a hard day today. Beth's grandpa died last night, so we're a bit emotional today'. Kim's look immediately changed from happy to a sad smile. 'Oh, come here'. Kim hugged Beth, after which a single tear rolled from her eye. 'How terrible for you. My condolences. We can also postpone our daily conversation if you don't feel like it right now. I completely understand that, then we'll just not do it today'.

'No, no, we have to talk'. These were the first words Beth had spoken, which surprised Kim, and Viv too actually, because there was quite a bit of eagerness behind Beth's words. 'Okay, yeah of course. Take a seat. But if it gets too much, take your time, you know that crying is always allowed here'.

They both took a seat on the chair, Beth pushed her chair all the way up to Viv's, knowing that she's guaranteed to shed tears at some point and that she wants to be able to snuggle up close to Viv at that moment. 'Uhm, so... I think there's something urgent you guys want to talk about then'.

Viv looked to the side one more time, at Beth, who was already in a kind of trance to keep her from crying, and as she had expected, this was also the sign that Beth was definitely not going to start talking. So before Viv started explaining the situation, she put an arm around Beth's shoulder to kind of keep her there.