The Beginning of the End - Jenlisa

Chapter Nineteen

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Sneaking down the stairs with a stealth that could have rivaled even that of when Riley was acting against his punishments, he found her NINI in the living room, the city lights spilling from the large, floor-to-ceiling windows was his only guidance.

Jennie was curled up on the couch, dressed in a set of silk pajamas, a chilled glass of water in her hand. Her khaki hair was loose, falling over her back and shoulders in soft, natural waves.

Reaching the base of the stairs, Riley swallowed. His feet touched the hardwood floor, and his choice of making his presence known was ripped away from him.

"Riley?" his NINI's voice resounded clearly through the silent room, and so did the inquisitive tone it was infused with. Placing the glass on the coffee table, Jennie shifted to turn in his direction as Riley began to slowly make his way across the room, to her NINI. "What's wrong?" Jennie asked, lifting Riley into her arms and settling him onto her lap.

The handsome boy remained silent throughout the entire process, avoiding meeting her NINI's gaze.

Jennie brushed rebellious locks of hair away from his cute face. "Can't sleep?"

Riley shook his head.

"Why? Are you not feeling alright?" Jennie checked his temperature and frowned at his continuing silence. Refusing to speak up when he was displeased was not like Riley, and if that wasn't the case, then what was this situation about? "Are you excited?" Jennie tried.

Once again, Riley shook his head.

"I thought you wanted to move with your LILI." Jennie said, confused.

"I do, NINI." Riley answered. "That's not it."

"Then what is it?" Jennie pressed.

This time, his response was immediate. "Do you want this?"

For a moment, Jennie was surprised. But then she realized that this was Riley, and Jennie should have expected that, sooner or later, she would need to have this discussion with him.

"Was I not the one who proposed this to you?"

The handsome boy gave her NINI a pointed look. "I don't think it was your idea."

"No~." Jennie admitted. "But your LILI talked to me about it first. So if I didn't want this, I wouldn't have even mentioned the subject to you."

"Yes, you would have," Riley insisted, and there wasn't a hint of doubt in his voice. "You do a lot of things for me."

"Riley, I know perfectly well that you wouldn't be happy if I myself wasn't happy. I've known it all along."

"Then you're happy that we're moving in with LILI." It was more of an accusation than a conclusion.

Jennie's answer was simple. "Maybe I am."

"That's unlikely." Riley pointed out.

"Why?"

Riley made a noise similar to a frustrated whine. "Because, NINI... You two separated for a reason. I know you get along now, but..."

Jennie heaved a sigh. "Come here~." Jennie whispered, cradling him to her chest. "I know it can't be pleasing for you to hear this again, but there's still so much about life that you have yet to learn." Resting her chin over his head, Jennie fought to control the raging emotions inside of her and the tears they stirred in her eyes. "Sometimes, Riley... sometimes the best thing you can do is to live the present, without thinking of the past or the future or the possible consequences. That's what I'm about to do right now."

Jennie pressed a kiss to his forehead, and straightened. "Come on~, let's get you back in bed. You have school tomorrow."

"Are you going to be alright?" Riley asked as she rose, with him in her NINI's arms, gazing at her with large, worried eyes.

"I will be just fine." Jennie answered firmly, but with a fond smile on her face. "You know why? Because I'm your mother."

Riley grinned, and knew every last letter of those words was true. But at the same time, he knew her NINI did not entirely believe them.