NOAH

Ch. 25

Chapter 25

A smile adorns my face as I walk into the house, my spirit swirling in a new direction. It swoops down into the rocky sea of my stomach, calming the storms that threaten to wreck my nerves with doubt. Even as twin sharks bare their razored teeth in my direction, a crab snaps at me with it's claws, and a whale groans as I step into it's habitat, a guppy brings me swimming back to exuberance.

I jump over to Dag, lifting him into the air, his tiny teeth shining as he giggles in response. Danielle narrows her eyes in our direction before her teeth bare down against one another. One hand pushes against a counter, the other against her stretched belly.

"What the fuck has you so happy? Is it that hot, Noah, guy?"

I plant kisses all over Dag's reddening cheeks as Danielle stands against the counter, her foot tapping against the floor. "Well, was it him? You can give me my son if you're not gonna answer."

I press one last kiss into his forehead before placing him gently into the cushions of the couch. His flushed hue deepens as a whimper escapes his little lips.

I run my hands through his hair before backing towards the stairs. "I'll see you later."

"You can talk to me about him, you know? Nothing's gonna happen."

I take the stairs one at a time, the groaning of the whale becoming a little too irritating for my taste. I don't know if the whale is purposely trying to slice open my heart again, just so it could cram it's way inside and loot another piece of me, but it has another thing coming. A glimmering, golden mermaid is going to guide me away from her as we rush together through the sea.

I lock my door, shutting all the sea creatures out so I can finally rinse the grime of the day away. I strip before stepping into the steamy fog that warms through my entire being. The sensation kin to the fire that ignites every time I'm with Noah. Raining down on me, a hot and heavy storm that I can't grasp the urge to run from.

Water slides from my curls to my toes as I step from the shower. I grab some sweats and throw them on after drying, my eyes wandering through my closet as if they've never seen it before.

My hands glide against the soft fabric, a bolt of excitement shocking my system, sending my hands into a frenzy as they whip through hangers of outfits. I could show up in my sweats and converse or scrubs and I'm sure she'd be happy, but my body ached to be better dressed than normal.

I pull a blue Christmas sweater from a rack, a blue Christmas sweater that I've never worn once. A Christmas sweater that I can wear to meet the only present I've wanted for fifteen years. I could pair it with leggings and converse if I need a bit of normal to go with the good. A piece of the ground to stable me when I'm swept off my feet with elation. A little piece of me for my mother to see.

Maybe she'd have the same sweater and we'd match. Or my siblings could have the same sweater, and she'd take a group photo of us wearing it. I can find Noah a matching sweater and he'd be with us too. We'd all smile before she leads us inside, telling stories about my siblings and I'd share my stories about me, me and Noah.

"Flower!" Danielle calls, tearing me from my daze. "Flower, bring me my phone!"

"I'm busy!"

"You stupid bitch!" I hear the sea creature groan, footsteps thumping up the stairs. "I just had a braxton, you idiot!"

My eyes wander to the bags of baby gear resting in the corner of my room as mother and daughter continue to yell. "Well, why do you need your phone if it's a braxton?!"

"It's almost time for her to be- Fuck, just give me the damn phone or so help me!"

She'll be out at any moment now and not a thing of mine is packed. My pockets switched places with my heart, now more empty than ever. The reason for my lack of funds, lack of occupation, is also the reason my heart feels a tinge of something other than loneliness.

Between the hospital and Noah, there's no room for anything else but mom. And, truth be told, I'm not willing to give up any of those just yet. So, little Danielle can force her way into the world any time she pleases. It won't stop me from doing what I've set out to do.

If it all works out, I can go home.

Where I belong.

***

My eyes flutter open, the dinging of my phone jerking an end to my slumber. My lips lift into a smile as Noah's name illuminates the dim room.

Are you awake?

I stretch out my limbs, sitting upright as a yawn burns through the tip of my nose.

I am now.

Not even thirty seconds later, my phone lights up with a response.

Can I come pick you up?

Noah, you literally could show up at 3AM and I'd get in the car. Where are we going?

His response isn't so speedy this time around, allowing more time for doubt to sneak her way in. But, the ding of my phone startles her away before her seeds are planted into my mind.

To my house.

His message warms my fingers as they grasp the phone, heat streaming through me, sweltering my body from the inside out.

If you're uncomfortable I understand. I'm uncomfortable living there. I just want to search my dad's car. See what he's hiding.

Will he be there?

I'd never invite you if he was here. But, my aunt is here and I might need you to distract her while I go to the garage.

Distract her? I'm not even sure how I'm going to keep my thoughts from leaking onto my face. How am I going to sit with her and keep my judgment to myself when I don't have Noah to help. My phone dings once more, breaking me from my thoughts.

If it's too much I get it.

I shake my head as if he can see me, sending a response.

It's not, but how will I distract her?

She'll probably talk you to death anyway but if it comes up just say you needed me to fix your car. I'll just pretend I'm looking for my charger. She won't relay any suspicions to my dad because there wont be any.

I grab my converse, throwing them on before letting Noah know to come get me. My phone dings before the laces of my second shoe are looped together.

I'm outside.

I bounce down the stairs, ignoring the calls of Danielle as I speed through the door, rushing towards Noah's car. His smiles grows as I slide into his chilled seats.

"I believe this is for you," He says, placing a candy bar into my lap.

"Thanks."

He pulls onto the road, smiling at me. "Thanks for coming."

"I would never refuse."

"Never?"

"Never."

Red beams from the stoplight mingle with the fading colors on his skin as he smiles, his eyes meeting mine. "I'm glad I met you."

Fever steams through my cheeks, surely mirroring the glowing hues of the light. "You sure about that? I bring lots of baggage."

"I'm sure." He says, the beams glowing green against his face as he presses on the accelerator. "I just want to get this over with so we can move on for real, together."

My hands fly to my chest as warmth flutters through my heart. Every inch of my body whistles as his words shower me with ecstasy. Ecstasy so strong, nothing and no one will change how it makes me feel.

My stomach twists as Noah slows along the stretched driveway towards a small two story house. Trees loom above the roof, seeming to be curved at the top as if they were shielding it from any rainfall. The warm flutters in my heart morph into icy trembles that rattle through my hands as I unbuckle my seatbelt.

"Are you OK?"

"I'm fine."