In Omnia Paratus (AU) - Book 2

Parents

"I'm not feeling great." I moaned to Matt as we sat at the table with everyone at the ball.

"Are you alright? Want me to take you back?" He asked.

"I think I just need some fresh air." I smiled standing up. "I won't be long I promise." I kissed his cheek and headed out the back doors to the quad.

"Hey stranger." I shouted seeing Richard sat down on the bench in the quad. It was empty and now just the two of us. He looked up but didn't say anything he just nodded. "What's up grumpy?" I flicked his ear.

"My parents just spoke to me." Richard mumbled.

"Ah well the sentence is always a bummer really. What did they say?" I asked.

"Well apparently they just spoke to you." He laughed.

"Yes they did." I smiled.

"They said they upset you. That the new boyfriend had to stick up for you? They brought up Maisie didn't they?" He raised his voice angrily.

"Yeah but I'm over it now." I shrugged.

"I'm not." Richard snapped suddenly and it frightened me the way he shouted suddenly. "It reminded me of something that happened in the hospital that day."

"What's that?" I asked.

"When we were happy." He muttered then started to explain... "It was the morning you were discharged and we went for a coffee. We started talking about how much you ached having that kid and then we talked about what would happen to us and everything else, if the worst happened to Maisie."

"I remember the conversation Richard."

"Something you said stayed with me." He mumbled. "That you were a mother, no matter what people said you were a mother now and even if Maisie didn't make it, you were still her mother." Richard said.

"I agree." I said quickly.

"Well, maybe not. You told my mother you weren't a mum anymore, and I hate to think you've forgotten about our little girl." Richard moped.

"You think I've forgotten? Next week is her 6 months of being dead and we're away all week." I frowned.

"Well how about on Friday we set aside some time to talk about Maisie. She deserves it after all." He said.

"That's a great idea." I agreed. "And please never think that I've forgotten her." I said looking down at my feet. He didn't respond.

- - - - -

"Hey there's something we need to tell you before we leave don't go too far." Dad caught me as I was getting ready to go to the paper Sunday afternoon to put together a special parents weekend edition.

"Sure thing I'll be back in 30 minutes, before you leave." I smiled leaving dorm quickly in quite a rush. The paper was going to be busy with parents.

"See ya later." Rachel smiled as I closed the door.

- - - - -

"Look sir, I'm sure your daughter is a great writer but you have to be in year 11 to be on the paper." I shrugged leaning back in my chair as this dad and his nervous daughter sat opposite me.

"You're year 12." He stated angrily.

"Year 11 and up." I spat back putting on a fake smile to not come across as rude. "She's almost there, give it 6 months and she can start at the end of this year on trial." I smiled.

"Can't she be your assistant or something? Get a feel for the paper?" He asked.

"I'm sure..." I looked over at the girl.

"Sara." She smiled.

"I'm sure Sara doesn't want to run around after me, she'd be better just waiting a few months." I looked at the girl feeling really sorry for her, she looked embarrassed.

"I don't mind." Sara perked up.

"Really?" I frowned.

"I could help around here. Make things easier." She volunteered.

"I don't know..." I hummed.

"Miss Coleman I assure you this would be a great idea." Her dad joined in.

"Alright. But don't tell anyone yet I have to finalise some things." I smiled looking over at the girl and then back at her father. They got up and left all happy and then came in the next parent. Complaining about how her son never writes proper articles.

I swear this was the worst day for me.

- - - - -

"And this is where our staff write and research all the different articles..." I hummed smiling looking around as I showed the 7th group of parents around the newsroom that day.

"Also remember students must be year 11 or above to join the paper but we start accepting applications from year 9 students to look out for any... outstanding potential." I continued.

"So that concludes our little tour and feel free to have a look around the desks and talk to some of my staff and ask me or them any questions you have." I finally finished.

I saw Matt in the corner of my eye when a parent was talking to me and he snuck over and tried to get my attention. "Sorry could you excuse me for a moment." I muttered to the dad. "Matt." I smiled. "What are you doing here?"

"I knew you'd be overwhelmed with parents and I knew you'd need a break so I came to give you this donut and this..." He pulled me into my office and pressed me up against the wall where he kissed me placing his hands on my hips as mine rested on his neck.

"Matt.." I breathed breaking the kiss and looking down. "I have parents out there, that think I'm professional please--"

"I just came to give you the donut, I'll see you later tonight." He laughed leaving the newsroom as I went to see the rest of the parents and start the 8th group of touring parents.