Capturing Ella

Chapter 52 - Joe

Chapter 52 – Joe

00:52am

I drove the blue car down my parent's street, marvelling at how little it had changed in the month that I was gone. I'm not too sure what I expected to change, but everything about me had changed in the month that I was gone, but my street – the same street I've lived in since we were relocated – had not changed at all. I slowed the car down before driving over the drop curb and into the front garden, where my car had normally sat. However, I told Maui I preferred the brand new blue car they gave us when we went down to Cornwall in comparison to the shitty old Corsa I had that kept breaking, so they took away my old Corsa (good riddance) to let me keep this car. Well, to let Ella and I to keep t his car. I dimmed the headlights, scared of waking my parents at this stupid time in the morning.

We had got back to Maui the same day as we left, trailing Jason's car, and Ella was admitted straight into hospital again for the baseline tests. She had fallen asleep during them, bless her, but we had to wake her up to sign the paperwork. Susan wanted her to stay the night but I protested. We compromised, saying I'll bring her in about half ten the next day and she couldn't really decline considering the fact Ella was asleep in my arms. So I managed to get Ella home, with her in the passenger seat head lolled against the door with a blanket over her as I drove the hour drive home in silence.

I cut off the engine, but even before the keys were out the ignition both my Mum and Dad had come out of the house in their nightclothes and was standing by the car. Probably hoping to meet Ella properly – they had only done so once since we left Cornwall and that was for about ten minutes before Ella was taken away to have yet another blood dialysis done. Since then, they had been dying to meet her and talk to her properly but I didn't want to wake her up. I told them that she was uncomfortable with being in cars. Knowing them they saw an opportunity to see what she's like when she's awake but it backfired. I opened the drivers' door.

'What the Hell are you doing up? I said I'd let myself in,' I whispered at Mum as she crouched down to look through the window.

'Is Ella awake?'

'No, she's asleep like a normal human is at this time.'

'Why is she always asleep, Joe, is there something wrong with her?' Mum whined.

'Maui thinks one of the Savant's in the warehouse did something to her to make her constantly tired, her brother is coming over in a few days time to figure something out and see what we can do. She's starting to fight it a lot more, though.' I explained, closing the door.

'Will she be okay, though?' Dad asked as I walked around the car.

'Maui said she'll be fine, just give her some time.' I explained, opening Ella's door before unclicking her seatbelt and picking her up, adjusting the blanket back around her telekinetically. She smiled slightly in her sleep, nursling her head into my chest.

'She's so adorable – you two are so well matched!' Mum exclaimed and I pulled a face at her as she hugged Dad.

'I think even better suited than Jake and Leannah – don't tell them I said that,'

'I'm so telling him.' I whispered, locking the door before resting the car keys on Ella's stomach. Jeez, they were getting so excited just seeing me being around her, they will literally have an aneurysm when they find out she's pregnant. 'I'm just going to go straight to bed. Thanks for staying up even though you said you wouldn't.'

'We're talking anyway, son, it's fine.' Dad argued back, gesturing for me to take Ella upstairs with her.

'Love you guys,'