Only The Strong Survive (Sequel to Survival)

Chapter 18- Don't You Worry

Days Later

I just finished working a ten hour shift. And I'm beat. Aidan is already in the back seat as we drive home.

It's a ten minute drive when we finally get home and the lights are still on. Hopefully there's dinner leftover.
As I park my car, I carry Aidan and head to the front door just wanting to plop down in my bed and close my eyes. I'm so tired.

When I enter the leaving room it's completely empty. I head to to the kitchen and find no one. Sighing, I place Aidan on his highchair and prepare heating a bottle.

Already warmed, I grab a chair and sit across from Aidan. His hands reach for the bottle and on his own, he feeds himself.

Nothing but the suckling noises he's making as he eats sounds the room. I just watch him silently, admiring every feature of him. He eventually turns to me, still eating, and chuckles at me, dripping milk down his chin as he continues.
I grab the bib and wipe the trace away. Then I sweep his hair to the side feeling how soft it is. I manage to give him a small smile when he turns to me again. Then I turn around to look at the entire kitchen.

We're both all alone.

***

I decided I needed a break. Aidan is asleep upstairs and I have the baby monitor to help me make sure he's okay.

So I do something I haven't done in a really long time.

I watch TV.

The channel doesn't really interest me, but it's something I guess. All I need is a distraction.

It wasn't long when I hear the door open and close and voices boom out. What I expected to be the family, turned out to be family and friends.

Friends that go by Merida, and Hiccup.

I haven't seen them for months. I'm sure they've kept their distance.

When they reach the living room and find me sitting there, everyone looks at me before Mrs. Corona comes around and sits next to me,"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I nod my head and close my eyes at the smell of sushi. And at the same moment, my stomach decided to growl in agreement.

"You want to have dinner with us?"

I look up at everyone and see they're staring back at me, waiting for me to answer.

"I-I don't w-want to interrupt." They already look like they've planned everything out, I'll just ruin everything.

"Elsa, you know if you want to-"

"No, I'm fine. I'm going to check on Aidan. Bye." I wave quickly before running up the stairs to my room.

Already inside, I lock the door and and slide down against it. I shake my head trying to calm down my breathing.

'They're just people calm down!'

"I-I'm trying."

'Try harder! And shut the hell up!'

I close my eyes and take deep breaths trying to stop the voices. When I'm sure that they stop I stand up and walk beside the crib where Aidan is awake. Guess I woke him up.

"Hey, baby." I pick him up and cradle him in my arms. He's getting bigger.

He's still a baby, but he's growing already too fast for my liking.

"You know, I would never admit to this, but...it's getting hard for me. I have to work to support us in the future, because we can't keep living off these people. They consider me a daughter. I still can't believe it.