The Story of Us

Chapter 4

I'm a bit disappointed with this one, but meh.

Jade came downstairs the next morning with a new found energy. "So ever since the ultrasound yesterday, it occurred to me that we didn't even start on the nursery. So, I spent the entire night writing down a list of everything we need, like a crib and a changing table and a dress and I always wanted a rocking chair and books and clothes!" She looked at a distant and sad-looking Perrie. "Is something wrong? Did something happen?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with," the blonde turned so her back was facing Jade.

"Perrie, I can see that it's bothering you. Talk to me," she urged.

The blonde scratched her head, "My sister just called. My grandmother passed away last might."

Jade covered her mouth in shock, "Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry." She put a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder.

Perrie faked a smile, "So what about that list? We should get started."

Despite the persistence to change the subject, Jade saw passed it and could see the hurt. "No, it's okay. You need to be with family. I can do this on my own, or some other time. Look, you should go to your sister and see your parents. This can't be a good time for them."

Perrie agreed with her, but only one thing was stopping her. "Will you come with me?"

Jade was touched. The blonde's statement was a testament on how they were getting close with each other. She smiled, "Sure, not a problem."

Smiling weakly, Perrie took the brunette's coat for her, and drove in silence to the main house.

***
"You grew up here?" Jade asked, looking at the estate.

"It was my grandmother's," she led the brunette to the foyer. Before they could enter the threshold, however, her sister had already ran out and went into her arms. She grabbed her mid-stride and held her.

"She was okay," Caitlin's voice was muffled against her sister's shoulder. "She was awake and she was eating and she was talking," she continued crying. "She asked me to go, she just wanted us to leave."

Jade could see Perrie's eyes water and really see all her walls break down. In that moment, everything she knew about the blonde, all the strength, vanished at this particular moment. She was human, she was vulnerable, and she needed someone.

Perrie walked to the door, and Jade followed obediently. The house was amazing, something almost straight out of a movie. But nothing about the house could hold the brunette's attention, it was the people inside it. A middle-aged, blonde woman was crying alone in what looked like a library, and a man of the same age was sitting on the couch with a somber look.

The young woman in Perrie's arms went to meet the older woman in the library, and Jade walked close to her friend, "I can wait in the car, if you'd like." She said.

Perrie grabbed her hand and squeezed it, knowing she couldn't say the words aloud. Wordlessly, the blonde pulled her into the living room and stood by the large window.

***
A few minutes later, the rest of the family walked in, and Jade pushed the girl to go to her family, while she remained standing.

The first person Perrie went to was her mother, whose crying seized. "Are you okay, sweetie?" The woman asked, wiping her eyes and kissing her daughter's cheek.

Perrie nodded as she briefly hugged her dad. Jade could tell that there was some distance between them because she didn't look at him the way she looked at her sister and mother.

Taking a seat on the couch, Caitlin walked to her sister and sat against her. "I can still hear her voice. She was planning the wedding, looking in at the menu," her voice broke.