her⁕mileven

14

Chapter 14: Settling in

Mike
When we pulled apart, I noticed Mum standing there with a wide smile on her face, tears in her eyes and her hands together. She walked over and enveloped El in a big hug, which I thought was really sweet.

'Thank you, for making my son so happy.' She quietly said to El. El nodded and gave her a shy smile, to which my mum returned with another big one.

Mum started talking to El, and El tried her best to converse back, but I understand it must have been hard seeing as she can't string together full sentences yet, but me and Nancy would teach her. However, she was doing well for what she knew.

Nancy looked at me with an excited glint in her eyes.

'Shall we take her clothes shopping tomorrow? She can't keep wearing my clothes, not that I mind, but don't you think she'd like to have some clothes that actually fit her?'

I nodded, I had hardly thought about that. El started walking over to us and mum went to put Holly to bed. I looked at her and started talking as she wrapped her arms around my torso and rested her head on my chest.

'We were thinking, do you want to go and get some clothes for you that will actually fit?'

She slowly nodded, 'yes...please?'

She spoke slower when she got to the word 'please'. I could tell this was a new word to her and she still wasn't sure she was using it right. I felt so proud that she was using new words, it wasn't much, but everything counts. I looked down at her and nodded,
letting her know that she used the word right.

A look of relief spread across her face and she went back in for another hug. I could tell she was trying to expand her vocabulary, and I couldn't be more proud of her.

I didn't want El to have to sleep downstairs in the basement, she must have been terrified and I know if she's alone there's more of a chance of her having nightmares, though she probably will anyway.

I went up to my mum and checked if it was okay, just for now.

'Yes Michael, that's fine. I trust you both. But no funny business, okay?'

I turned a shade of bright red and turned away waling down the hallway.

'I'M FOURTEEN MUM.'

She checked to herself and went back into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. I softly knocked on Nancy's door and me and El both walked in and gave her a hug goodnight.

I took her hand and led her back into my room and quickly got in bed, patting the space beside me. I took her in my arms and we held each other close. I felt her breathing deepen and it was then I realised she had quickly drifted off to sleep, I swear she had a smile on her face.

I smiled and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

'Night, El.'

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SHIT THIS IS AWFUL I HATE IT BYE