No Way Out [Book 3]

Chapter 53 - Happy Tears

***Ferris' POV

"Don't tell Mummy, but that was the best cake I've ever had in my entire life," Dad leans back from the table and pats his belly.

"Really? You mean it?"

"Mhm. You could even be a baker when you grow up and run your very own bakery. That would be fun, yeah?"

"Naw, I don't want to be a baker. I want to be a famous draw-er and have my drawings in like a museum or something where people can spend all day looking at them and then it would make them want to draw."

Oh my gosh, my dream sounds even more amazing out loud! Don't get too excited, Ferris.

"That's a lovely ambition-"

"What's ambition?"

"Oh, it's uh, it's what makes you want to achieve something," he explains with his hands. "And just so you know, the correct title is artist."

"Oh okay, yeah, an artist. I wanna be a famous artist."

"I know you will be, Love," he smiles and I believe him. "Alright, let's put our dishes in the sink so we can join the others, yeah?"

"Yeah!"

I stand up from the table, taking my empty plate with me and Dad and I walk over to the sink. While we wash the dishes, I tell him all about how much fun it's been staying at Grammy and Papaw's house and that I've been a big help with Janelle.

As he sets the dishes in the dry rack, he tells me how proud of me he is and that he'll talk to Mom about raising my allowance. I can barely contain my excitement and I have to do my happy dance.

"Alright, Miss Styles, who will one day be a famous artist," Dad smiles, patting my back, "I'm going to check on your sister."

"Oo! Can I help?"

"I'd love your help, Princess."

We make our way into the living room and my smile disappears when I see Mom. She's asleep on the couch next to Grammy and she just looks so helpless, and definitely smaller than I remember.

Well, the doctors did take the cancer out of her, Ferris. So that's why. Ugh, I just wish she felt better.

"Did Gem and John leave?" Dad asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, they had to pick up Phillip from band practice," Gramma explains.

"Well then, I'll have to get her back for not saying goodbye," Dad teases, making all of us smile. "Ferris and I are going to check on Janelle. Would you mind-"

"Don't worry about Beatrice, Harry. We'll stay right here until she wakes up so she's not alone."

"Thanks so much, Lauren," Dad says and we make our way up the stairs.  "I think I hear the little Jelly Bean."

"Yep, that's her, alright," I giggle as we open the door to her room and I smell it. "Ew, yuck. She definitely pooped her diaper."

"Would you like to change it then?"

"No way!" I shake my head and Dad laughs at me. "But I'll help."

I plug my nose as we walk over to the crib and Dad picks her up, telling her that it's okay and that he loves her. He lays her down on the changing table and I stand close to her head, away from the stinky end.

"It's okay, my little Jelly Bean," I coo, taking her hand in mine and she smiles at me. "Aw, that's my baby. There's nothing to cry about. Well, maybe your poopy diaper, but Dad is changing it so everything is great now!"

I hate it when she cries.

"And we're done," Dad exclaims, picking Janelle up and she whines. "It's okay, Love."

"No wait, I think she wants something," I look to where she's pointing and I realize it. "She wants us to play with her toys with her, Dad."

"She does?" he gives me a surprised look.

"Mhm, believe me, I know my sister."

"I believe you, Love, I'm just," he pauses, "impressed."

"Impressed with me?"

"Yeah, you're more mature than most adults I know."

I smile proudly, holding out my arms for my sister and Dad hands her to me. I gently bounce her in my arms as I walk over to the pink toy box and I set her down.

"Look at your fun blocks, Jelly Bean! And your dollies," I hold them up to show her and she squeals. "Aren't you going to play, Dad? She wants to play with both of us."

"Oh, okay, but only for a little bit," he walks over and sits down on the rug with me and Janelle. "I'm sure Papaw and Grammy would like to get you girls home before dark."

"What?" I gasp. "You mean we're not staying here with you and Mom?"

"Remember Mummy and I said you girls would stay over there for a week?" he asks and I nod, unable to hide my disappointment. "It's okay, Love. It'll go by really fast."

"But I want to help Mom and, and, and you."

Calm down, Ferris. Take a deep breath.

"You know something? That would actually help me out," Dad says, apparently talking to himself like he always does. "We have to ask Mummy first, but let's not get our hopes up. Okay, Love?"

"Okay," I nod and do my little happy dance on the floor. "Did you hear that, Jelly Bean? I'm gonna, maybe, help Mom and Dad while you stay with Papaw and Grammy, but it'll only be for the rest of the week. Can you be a big girl without me?"

Janelle looks up at me through her little glasses and smiles, holding up a block. I kiss her head and take the block from her to stack onto the others. She giggles, flailing her arms all around and knocks the blocks onto the rug.

"Yay, Jelly Bean!" I hold up my hand for a high five and she gives me a high five. "Aw, did you see that, Dad?" I glance up and watch him wipe a tear from his cheek. "Oh no, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Love," he chuckles, but I can tell he's crying. "You know how Mummy cries happy tears?"

"Yeah."

"That's what they are because I'm so incredibly happy that you girls are my daughters."

He wipes his eyes with his hoodie's sleeve and I lean down close to Janelle's ear.

"C'mon, let's give Dad a hug," I whisper, helping her stand up and I help her walk over to Dad. "One, two, three, it's the Hug Monster!"

"Ah! My favorite kind of monster," Dad laughs, wrapping his arms around us both and he falls backwards onto the rug.

"We got you," I say victoriously and Dad kisses the tip of my nose.

"That you girls did," he grins. "Should we go downstairs with the rest of the family now?"

"Yeah! Then we can ask Mom if it's okay for me to stay and help you and, and, and her."

Oh my gosh. I hope he didn't hear my stutter. It's so embarrassing. Ugh, it'll be okay, Ferris.

"Okay, Love, let's go ask."***

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter because of two things:

1️⃣ it's the last Ferris' POV 😭
2️⃣ it's the last one before . . . you'll find out soon enough 😬🤐😂

Much Love.
❤️❤️❤️❤️