The Delacours: Part Deux

twenty.

The kids were sitting at the table doing their homework when I walked in. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I saw them. Ava and Noah ran towards me, grabbing at my hips to hug me. Odie stood up and walked slowly over to me. He looked exhausted, but happy to see me. He gave me a half hug after Ava and Noah let go and I put my arms around him.

"Hey, Momma," he said. His voice was quiet and sounded like he hadn't been sleeping. I asked him to come with to the living room.

"You alright?" I rested my hand on his shoulder. "You sound tired..."

"I'm exhausted, Momma."

"Have you been sleeping?"

"I've been trying, but when I'm not in school, I'm training. And when I'm not training, I'm with Ella, and when I'm not with Ella, I'm thinking about training. All I can think about is this stupid fight!" His breath was quick. I forced him to sit down on the couch and knelt down in front of him.

"Odie, Odie. Take a deep breath." He was hyperventilating. "Odie, can you hear me?" He nodded his head after trying to take a few breaths. "Odie... what's Ella's favorite color?" He didn't answer. "Odie? Ella's favorite color. Come on, you can do this..."

"O – o – orange," he said, quickly.

"When's your birthday?"

"S – Sept – tember ... eighth."

"Odie, just try to take a deep breath... What's Noah's favorite color?"

"I – I don't know, uh... R – red? I – I think."

"Odie, what's Poppa's favorite food?"

"D – diner pancakes..." His breathing was finally calming; his heart rate was slowing down. Every once in a while, he would take a sharp breath, but I stayed kneeled in front of him, holding his hands until he returned to normal. "Momma... that's what you, Noah, and Poppa feel every time that happens?" he said, when his breathing regulated. I nodded slowly. He leaned forward and gave me a tight hug. "Thanks..."

"Has that ever happened before?" I asked when he pulled away.

"No? I felt my chest get tight a few times, but I was able to just breathe through it, or go reconnect."

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I know this isn't easy. But it's almost over."

"How do you know?"

"...I just do. You're ready. Why don't you take a break from training tonight? Go play a game with Noah or invite Ella over for dinner. Take a night to relax."

"What about Mom?"

"I'll talk to Mom about it. Just finish up your homework... I have something planned for you kids this weekend." He nodded and slowly stood up, flashing me a smile as he turned to head back to the table. He ruffled through Noah's hair as he passed by him. I slowly stood up, placing my hand on my stomach. I took a deep breath as I headed to the kitchen. I grabbed the bottle and turned my back to the kids as I poured the last of Val's blood into a glass and drank it slowly. As I turned around from placing the glass and bottle in the sink, Val came down the stairs and run towards me when she saw me.

"Liz!" She opened her arms and jumped onto me, wrapping her legs around my hips. She kissed my lips as I wrapped my arms around her waist. She broke the kiss to me hug me tightly. Before closing my eyes to return her hug, I looked over to the kids – they were staring at us and Odie was trying to get them to look away.