"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 64 - "New York Birthday..."

Chapter 64 - "New York Birthday..."

Clara's PoV

'I feel really awful about leaving' I mumbled.

'She doesn't start her first round of chemo until next week Clara. You'll only be gone for 4 days. I'll take her with me for the last lot of tests to be done okay?' John hummed pulling me into a tight hug.

Avia was so excited it was unexplainable. I wanted to start a tradition of something that would be amazing for the kids.

So I decided that for each child's 11th birthday - I would take them to New York. Of course John would probably take Henry - and Richard would want to do something specials with Evie as well, but since Avia's birthday falls on a Sunday this year, John decided we could make a weekend out of it.

They have an inset day on Monday which was just perfectly timed, and she would just miss Friday off of school.

'That's it. I'm packed Mummy. I'm ready to go' she squealed appearing in the doorway with her travel outfit on, rucksack on her back and jacket, hats and scarves on ready to go.

'So you are' I hummed still searching for my last few bits. 'How can any normal human being be this happy and energised at 5 in the morning?' I mumbled.

'I can't believe your going to be 11 on Sunday? Where on earth did time go? You were just my baby yesterday? Or my innocent little 5 year old that loved to read'

'Daddy. Stop' Avia scoffed pushing John off of him. 'This is why I'm going away with Mummy' she sighed, rolling her eyes.

'It's okay John. She'll want you again someday' I laughed, kissing him quickly as we both headed down to the taxi that was waiting patiently outside for us.

John wanted to drive us to the airport but because of timekeeping and schedules in December - if just wasn't possible for someone to be able to watch the rest of the kids at 5 in the morning.

'Have a good time. I want to see lots of pictures... And don't forget about my aftershave' John said as he kissed me goodbye, bud Avia was already in the back of the taxi.

'Come on Mummy. Stop kissing daddy and get in the car' she yelled out of the window, rolling it back up making the driver look quite amused.

'See you Monday night' I laughed going to join her in the back of the taxi and felt somewhat apart from John. I hadn't felt this way in a long time.

- - -

'Eew. Did you eat some of Daddy's tacos last night? Is that why your being sick?' Avia asked as she stood at the cubicle door of the airport.

We hadn't even made it through security yet. It was just a good thing that our flight was half an hour delayed.

'Hmm. That's the most likely cause' I said clutching my stomach and spitting up the remains of any stomach acid I might actually have left and still felt really shit afterwards.

I exited the cubicle and looked at myself in the mirror, all pale and run down. 'Daddy's cooking really is bad' I growled washing my hands and swallowing some cold water in sips.

'Are you going to be sick all weekend? Because I wanted to go shopping and ice skating and the dolls girl place' she said with pleading eyes.

'Don't worry. We can do all of those things. Early mornings just don't suit me that's all' I lied. 'And neither does daddy's terrible cooking' I hummed.

I knew that chicken looked a little off when I smelt it the previous night and felt like I wanted to gag. I ate it though because I was hungry at the time but now I'm just regretting it big time.

As if my morning wasn't already bad enough, Avia had skipped through security with flying colours whilst I set the stupid alarm on the machine off then had to spend the best part of 15 minutes being checked from head to toe.

By the time we actually got to the air craft - all I wanted to do was go back to sleep.

'Can I have... I'll have a coffee please' Avia said to the hostess that was handing drinks out on the plane.

'No you won't. You'll have a water or an orange juice. But for me a coffee wouldn't go a miss' I said opening my eyes as the hostess smirked.

'I'm 11 now mummy. I'm old enough for coffee' she whined.

'Your still 10 right now and your not old enough for coffee until your at least 16' I hummed, as I took the coffee and downed it in an instant then had to start filling out stupid visa forms, and paper work.

Then I got a chance to plan a couple of lessons for the last week before Christmas before the plane landed and we were in New York City, which was where I had to dig down the suitcase for more layers.

- - -

'Mummy it's freezing' Avia said with chattering teeth as we walked down the path towards the taxi bay at the airport with two suitcases.

She was wrapped up as much as I could get her for now as was I seeing as most of the layering clothing was in the suitcase.

'We'll be at the hotel soon. Then we'll get warmed up with hot chocolate and cookies then we'll hit some shops?' I suggested and she immediately warmed up to the sound of shopping.

John had decided that since she was getting the trip for her birthday that we wasn't going to get presents so we had given her some money to spend on whatever she wanted - within reason.

Plus her birthday is super close to Christmas, with only like 15 days in between, so presents were easier to buy her at Christmas if we don't do as many for her birthday.

'Oo. Shopping. I want to get some new jeans and a new sparkly top for when I j get home. And some earrings' I said as I stopped dead in the street.