Promise from the heart

Chapter 35

After days of Charlie's continuous pleas to the doctor, she finally gave in. He was discharged two days later, with the assurance that he wouldn't walk around too much, and that he'd have someone with him at all times, since he was still healing from massive injuries. His aunt took that as a sign to take a few days off from work. They obviously couldn't get back to the house, so they continued to stay at the apartment-hotel Ariel had stayed with the boys while Charlie was in the hospital.

Ariel had gone to speak with Jordan's uncle and they decided that the boys needed a change of scenery. School wasn't what they needed right now, but love and care and each other was. Jordan asked to stay with them and his uncle took that opportunity to catch up with his husband for some much needed alone time.

They spent their days sightseeing, pretending to be tourists, and it was therapeutic for all of them to just be in each others company, focusing on nothing more than to be there for one another. Ezra worried a lot, as did Ariel, and Julian, Jordan and Charlie were still recovering, so Brooklyn's cheerful chatter ended up saving and distracting them all. When they didn't even feel like smiling, Brooklyn made them laugh. He was exactly what they needed.

When Monday came around, Ariel had to go back to work, and so Charlie and Jordan were in charge of the kids. They mainly took walks together, went to the playground so Ezra and Brooklyn could release some of their excess energy, and then they played games inside until Ariel came home.

"Welcome home," Charlie greeted as a tired Ariel staggered into the apartment.

"Charlie!" she whined.

"Yes?" he chuckled, as she walked over to the couch and leaned on him.

"This client is being a proper--" she saw Jordan and the children walk into the room and stopped herself, "twat."

"So why did you accept?"

"It's a really well-paying client. And I only have to work with them for three more days. Then I can take a few days off for the move."

"Move? Where?" Brooklyn asked.

She grinned. "I've found a house we can actually afford. It's a bit more on the countryside, only a few hundred meters from a lake. There's quite a piece of land that comes with it, so we could even have animals there."

The boys eyes lit up and so did Charlie's. "Animals?"

"Yes!" she said.

"Can we go there today?" Brooklyn asked all excited.

Ariel laughed. "No, sweetheart. But as soon as my lawyer and the insurance company have settled things, we're going to move there."

Not understanding what those words meant, Brooklyn asked, "Soon?"

"Yes, my darling. Soon."

That was enough for Brooklyn to squeal and jump up and down with Ezra. "Animals, we're getting animals!" The two shouted.

Eventually they settled down, still smiling widely. Ariel told them all some more about the house and the land it was built on as she cooked them some dinner. When they had eaten, Julian, Ezra and Brooklyn quickly left the table to go play and Jordan went home to hang out with his uncle. Charlie kissed him goodbye, and then turned around to go to his room.

"Stay."

He sat back down again and out of the corner of his eye he saw the boys playing. They were out of earshot.

"Talk to me." She said and frowned. "I'm worried about you."

He knew there was no point in pretending nothing was wrong, or to try and change the subject.

"I still can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see their faces." he winced, remembering.

She pushed her chair closer to his and leaned his head on her shoulder, running her fingers through his curls.

"I wish I could take the memories and the hurt away." she sighed.

"Julian can't seem to sleep either. Even Ezra and Brooklyn aren't themselves."

Guilt threatened to consume Charlie. "I'm sorry."

Ariel ignored him and turned her head to kiss his head. "I think this new place will be good for all of us. You four have been through so much, and I honestly don't think more people in your life is the way to make things better. But nature and animals..." she smiled and her eyes crinkled, "...that might do the trick."

"Thank you for caring so much about us," Charlie said and squeezed her hand. "I'm sure it'll be great."

"You don't ever have to thank me for loving all of you, Char. And I do. Loving you four is the easiest thing in the world."

"I love you too, auntie."

He smiled, but not really. He knew his aunt could feel his pain, so he excused himself and went to his bedroom. Every time he blinked, every time he slept he saw them. They came for him again and again. They wouldn't leave him be. Outside he was smiling, but inside, the thread he was hanging on to was fraying, and it was only a matter of time before it snapped.

Only a matter of time before he no longer could put himself back together.