Not so Natural

Chapter Nine -Aching Heads and Angry Hicks-

Cassadee sat with the boys and kept them occupied while Alex cleaned the kitchen. Daniel sat by Cecilia’s side periodically dabbing a damp cloth on her head. “Hey guys, when is she supposed to wake up?” he called up the hall. “She’s not conscious yet?” Cassadee called back. Alex came in carrying Adam with Cassadee and the boys at his heels. “Hey how about you take the kids to the corner shop and buy some waffles? And when you come back I have a surprise,” Alex suggested with a smile. Daniel took Adam and the small group left Alex and Cecilia alone. “So, hey, uhm I’d really like you to wake up now,” Alex commented nudging the still girl. She grunted as her eyelids fluttered open. She sat up and stretched with a wide yawn. She got up and started to change her bloodstained shirt before noticing the other occupant. “Hey can you pass me that hoodie?” she inquired nonchalantly. He tossed it over to her and turned when she changed. She strolled down the hall banging on the bedroom doors, “Everyone up!  It’s a special day!” Alex leaned on the doorframe, “They should be back soon.” Just as the words left his lips, the group came in. The pair raced downstairs to find all ingredients for waffles. Cecilia gave Cassadee a huge hug before slipping her second ring off, “Happy Birthday little sister! Grandmama gave it to me for my graduation from eighth grade. Now I’m giving it to you for your eighteenth birthday!” Cassadee put a hand over her mouth with tears in her eyes, “This is mom’s old ring!” “And now it’s yours, we all pass it down to every younger sister or daughter,” Cecilia told her with an identical expression. Cassadee slipped the ring on then gave her elder sister an embrace.