axel

::twenty eight::

Point of View: north 

[Now it's time to leave the lights

And hope that the future is just as bright

Please think of me back home

So, so close.] {Lights; The Cab} 

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I pull out my camera after awhile and start videoing the fireflies. I videoed some of dinner too, and making the food as well. I considered not bringing my camera, afraid of something happening to it, but I'm so glad I did.

While I'm videoing, Noah takes Chloe from me so I can use my hands, and she rocks her back and forth.

I swing the camera over to Noah every once in a while and she grins or makes faces at the camera.

When it starts to get really cold outside, we all start to walk back to her house, cold and numb, but happy.

When we get back to the house, I tell all my kids to get in the car, and they all pile in. I walk back in and round up their stuff and grab Chloe's carrier. I set it down on the table and Noah sets her in it, and then she elbows me in the ribs.

"Thanks for coming," she says again and I roll my eyes.

"See you later?" I ask, and it's a question. Because we go to different schools, and I don't come by the rink anymore. Us running into each other in the grocery store was amazing.

She nods, "Yeah. If any of the little kids left anything here, I'll give you a call or something."

I smile my thanks and walk outside to the car.

She stands in the doorway, her blanket still wrapped around her torso and raises a hand to wave at us.

I wave back before strapping Chloe into the car and getting in myself.

She stands near the door as I put the car in reverse and pull out of the driveway, a small silhoutte against the bright interior of the house.

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It's late when I get home and usher the kids into bed. My mom is still up, though when I walk in. She's tasting dishes that the chefs she's hired for The Ball are making.

I walk past her to go upstairs, and she calls, "How was it?"

My hand lingers on the banister as I consider what to say. Do I tell her it was better than she could even imagine her fancy parties being? Do I tell her it was the most fun I've had in months? Do I mention that I've never seen her children happier?

I decide on none of the above and simply say, "It was fantastic," and I mount the stairs and leave her and her taste testing behind.

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I wake up the next morning to the sound of my mother's voice cutting across the intercom system that's right next to my bed.

"Good morning everyone! We have only one day now before The Ball! It's tomorrow night as you all know, so today and tomorrow is crunch time! So everyone up and ready to go in ten minutes!"

I've heard that exact same recording a whole bunch of times. She recorded herself saying that the first year and now she just replays it on the morning before a party.