Family

Peaceful

After the entire family gets all they need at the store, the drive home with the animals. Lisa is holding her kitten tightly (but not enough to hurt him), snuggling into his soft fur. She was hoping that she could get as much time with her kitty as possible before they took him away. She was used to the pain but, she really hoped that they were not lying about keeping him. She really loved Charles already.

Lauren was sitting with the puppy on her lap, taking a nap and Lauren was smiling while gently petting the dog. She gently strokes the short fur, the feeling relaxing her.  Though she is very tired she tries her hardest not to sleep. Almost every time she does, she has horrible nightmares that keep her awake until her body can't stay awake anymore.  She has permanent bags under her eyes, even though she is still very young. The sleep deprivation does definitely chill out the young child who would most likely be very hyper otherwise. 

They pull up to their cozy family home, Amy unbuckling imeadietly, rushing to help put everything away. She had always been a people pleaser, and it was amplified when she was adopted, too afraid to be left alone again. 

Christina gets all the kids out of the car so they can help at least a little bit. You know, the kind of help where a child wants to lift something heavy and the grownup carries all of it but the child grins because they are helping the grownups... That kind of help. It boosts the kid's confidence and both Christina and Katherine would do anything to see all their kids happier in themselves.

Lisa stands back, stroking her kitty and keeping an eye on the puppy ensuring she doesn't run away. When everything was inside they set up the puppy crate and litter box, as well as a few other things they separate. Amy plays with the puppy, Dani goes upstairs to play with her toys, Lauren gets a book and starts reading, Lisa sits on the couch with her kitten, Katherine keeps an eye on Amy, Lauren, and Dani, and Christina prepares a nice lunch.

It was peaceful... Until it wasn't.

There was a crash followed by a scream and thunderous footsteps. Christina rushes out of the kitchen, hyperaware, believing there could be a serial killer in the house... or something like that. When she realizes there is no mass murderer she races to figure out which of the girls is hurt. When she goes into the living room she sees absolute chaos.

Katherine is trying to get a panicking Lauren to clam down while Lisa is also freaking out. There is a smashed vase with a guilty looking puppy, and the cat is just chilling on the back of the sofa, grooming himself. Christina rushes over to Lisa, slowly reaching out to calm her down. She flinches at the contact before melting into one of her mother's calm embraces. Her panic still prevalent but, once she fully realizes that she isn't with her dad, she calms down, tears on her face slowing to a stop. Her depression just amplifies her feelings and seeing her little sister so panicked... She blamed herself. It was all her fault... Maybe if she hadn't asked for the kitty then... then the vase wouldn't have broken because of the puppy chasing the kitty. It may not make sense to others but her mind was twisting every thought she had. Making her hate herself to the core, believing she was worthless. But, in mom's embrace, it was all ok again. SHe could forget about how worthless she felt because mom was here to make it all ok.

Lauren, however, is a different story. Despite all efforts to get her to relax from her panic attack she continues to freak out, her breathing rapid and shallow. For Lauren, she was back in her nightmare. People yelling, screaming, fire licking at her own feet. She feels like she is dying... and everyone she loves is burning alive. The fire consuming them. The same fire that is burning her lungs, keeping her from breathing. The racing thoughts don't make sense but, it seems so REAL... it has to be real.

Christina bites her lip, wondering how to help her struggling daughter but, in reality, she can't really do anything. Katherine is doing all of the right things. Lauren just wasn't responding. In reality, all they could do was wait for her to calm herself down. As much as it pained them both to see her like that... they knew she would be the only one to pull herself out of this panic attack. The most they could do to help her was to just be there for her. Their presence would soothe her to an extent but, her nightmares and panic attacks will rip away any sense of security. Once she came out of it they could soothe her with all the cuddles and kisses in the world but right now, at the moment, they were completely and utterly helpless.

And that was the most terrifying feeling of all.