Innocently Taken

Seven

Ariana sniffled, standing up from the seat of the private jet she was escorted in. She was still recovering from a panic attack. She was still crying for those that lost their lives. She was still in the middle of a mental breakdown.

As she was escorted to the steps and they lowered, she saw Mac at the bottom and she sniffled, making her way down slowly. She kissed him for a few seconds before wrapping her arms around him, sniffling as she let out a sob.

"You're okay. You're safe," Mac said, rubbing her back.

"I was so scared... People died... People were hurt..."

"I know. I heard. Where's your mom?"

"Getting Toulouse."

A few seconds later, Joan came down the steps and Mac gave her a hug.

"You good, Mom?" Mac asked.

"I'm fine, honey. Thank you," Joan said.

"Your dad's waiting for us back at his place. Nonna's there. Your stepmom got the girls from school early."

Ariana nodded. "Okay..." she whispered, looking around.

"You're safe. You're safe, I promise."

"I don't feel safe."

"You are. I swear. I promise."

"Your dog pissed on my shoes," Alexa said as she walked out of the plane barefoot. "I knew we should've gotten a doggy pad."

Ariana let out a small chuckle. "He doesn't like you, you wear leather."

"There's a smile," Mac said. "Let's keep it."

------------------------------------------------------

As Ariana walked into the front door of her dad's house, she was greeted by his dog. Bending down and kissing his head, she ran her hands over his ears. "Hey, Stang..."

"Eddie? We're here," Joan called out.

"Can I raid your fridge Mr. B?" Alexa called out.

"Go ahead Alexa," Eddie said as he stepped into the hall.

Ariana stood up and ran to him, wrapping her arms around him. "Daddy..."

"Hi, baby," Eddie said. "How are you doing?"

"I don't know yet... I keep throwing up."

"Are you sick?"

"She's stressing herself out," Joan said.

"Where's Carol?"

"The kitchen."

Ariana sniffled and walked into the kitchen with everyone else, immediately walking to Nonna and hugging her. "I was so scared I wouldn't see you again..."

"You're here now, Babydoll. It'll be okay," Nonna said. "I love you."

"I love you too. Gramps too. He sends his love."

"He always does."

"How are you, honey?" Ariana's stepmother Carol asked.

"I'm fine, Momma," Ariana said, making her way to her and hugging her. "Where's Jessica and Sophie?"

"Upstairs."

"Girls," Eddie called out. "Ari's home."

Ariana sniffled and pulled away from Carol. Hearing the loud thumps of feet, she finally saw her little sisters and she knelt down, wrapping her arms around both of them as they hugged her. "My babies," she said, kissing their heads.

"I thought you died," Jessica said.

"I didn't, but a lot of people did. So you pray for them tonight, okay?"

"Were they Tiny Ephelants?" Sophie asked.

Ariana laughed a little. "Tiny Elephants. But, yes. They were. They are Arianators, part of the Ariana Army, Tiny Elephants. They were my family."

"Mommy said to not talk about it at school."

"Well, if Mommy says don't, then don't. But if anyone asks, you can tell them that I'm okay and I'm safe and at home, okay?"

Sophie nodded.

"Are you staying here with us?" Jessica asked.

"For a little while, but I have to go back to LA soon. I have pets that I have to go home to."

"What if you get hurt?"

Ariana looked at her for a few seconds and gave her a small smile, pushing her sister's hair behind her shoulders. "I won't get hurt, honey. I'll come back and visit. I'm gonna stay with you and Daddy and Mommy for a few days before I go to my house."

"Is he gonna stay with you?" Sophie asked, pointing to Mac.

"Only if Daddy says he can."

"Whatever's gonna make you the most comfortable," Eddie said.

"Then I guess he's gonna stay. You guys don't remember him, huh? That's Mac, he did The Way with me."

"I dunno what that is," Sophie said.

"The song you don't like because I kiss a boy."

"You kiss a lot of boys."

"The one with the balloons."

"Ew!"

"I remember you," Jessica said. "You played Mouse Trap with me and cheated."

Mac held his hands up in defense. "I won't cheat anymore, I learned my lesson."

"Are you gonna stay in the same room?" she asked, scrunching her nose.

"There's no other room for him to stay in, so yeah. We'll share my room."

"Are you gonna sleep in the same bed?"

"Well, yeah. I'm not gonna make him sleep on the floor, I'm not that mean."

"We're not allowed to have boys in our room with the door closed."

"Well, maybe we'll leave the door open then."

"No, you're gonna close the door and you're gonna be quiet, I don't wanna hear an funny business," Eddie said.

"Dad!"

"No worries there, Sir," Mac said. "She's not loud."

"Malcolm!"