Her Last Plea✨

Chapter 24

After another awkward meal at the Watson residence, Alexis sat with Marvin and Ara in the couch as Ara had demanded that she read them a story, Cinderella to be exact, before leaving. Mira sat on the floor, her head leaned back on Alexis's knees, eyes closed, as she too listened to the story that she could recite from memory.

As the story finished, Alexis closed the book and brushed a hand through Marvin's hair. The toddler was fast asleep, snuggled against Alexis. "I think it's bedtime."

Mike nodded and collected a half asleep Ara in his arms. He turned looked over at Delphina, who was staring absent-mindedly at the floor. "Delphi, could you take Marv up to bed, please?"

Delphina continued to stare at the floor as she shrugged delicately. "Alexis can take him."

Startled by the answer, Mike asked, "Delphina, are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine," she replied blankly.

Resisting the urge to argue, Mike motioned towards Alexis to get up with his son. "Come on then Miller."

"Actually," Alexis said slowly, giving Delphina a confused glance. "Mira, could you take your brother instead?"

Mira nodded and stood up, carefully picking up Marvin as she followed her father towards the stairs.

Alexis waited for them to go before turning towards Delphina again. "What's wrong? What are you thinking?"

"Trust me, Alexis, you don't want to know."

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know. You look......upset."

"I'm jealous," Delphina practically spat. "I don't wish to discuss it."

Alexis's eyes widened as she quickly got up from the couch. "Oh, I'm sorry for asking. I think it's getting quite late. Maybe, I should head back to my place."

"I didn't say I wanted you to leave," Delphina said with a wave of her hand. "I'm simply channeling my eldest by speaking whatever I'm thinking at the moment, and right now I feel jealous."

"Alright," Alexis whispered, sitting back down.

Delphina closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She'd seen Alexis with the children countless times before, but never inside her house - or more appropriately - Mike's house. Tonight felt different. Tonight felt more intimate somehow as she watched her kids snuggled up with Alexis while she read them a story. Tonight, Delphina saw the exact picture she was hoping for, but still, she found herself feeling like a voyeur instead of the reluctant matriarch that she was.

Delphina came out of her thoughts as Alexis cleared her throat. "Delphina, if I did something wrong - "

"Oh no, you did nothing wrong," Delphina quickly cut of Alexis's apology. Sighing, she shook her head slightly and said, "I'm sorry. I should be thanking you for speaking to Mira about school. We tried to talk to her about it last night and she went stark raving mad."

"Teenage girls....." Alexis said with an uncomfortable laugh. "There isn't enough money in the world that would convince me to go through that stage again."

"Same here," Delphina replied with a small smile. "God help Mike.......and you when Ara becomes a teenager. I fear she's gonna be much worse."

The women shared a laugh as Mike entered the room with a confused expression on his face. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Delphina replied. "Has Mira gone to bed already?"

"Uh no, she said something about a shower," Mike answered. "Anyway, Delphi, it's time for your medicines."

Nodding, Delphina stood up and made eye contact with Alexis. "Thank you Alexis.......for everything."

"Goodnight Delphina," Alexis smiled, standing up as well.

"Give me a call if you need anything," Mike said as he gave his wife a chaste kiss on the forehead.

"I will. Goodnight," Delphina said, leaving the room.

How Delphina managed to keep her composure until she reached her room was beyond her comprehension. The second she shut the door, the tears that were pooling in her eyes began to spill over. Walking over to the medicine cabinet, she gulped down all the necessary pills, each one tasting more bitter than the prior.

There were moments where she wasn't sure who she was more jealous of - Alexis or the children - and how they seemed to always gravitate towards each other. She never had that kind of ease with her children, not even in the past one year when she had actually started to bond with them.

They are Alexis's children now - a treacherous voice whispered in her ear as her body shook with suppressed sobs.

It had been an evening filled with observations for Delphina. Mira barely spoke five words all day until Alexis arrived, and then suddenly had an abundance of things to discuss. Delphina was proud of Mira's decision to go back to school - she was simply disappointed that it was Alexis who had helped her daughter to decide. But, Mira wasn't the only child who seemed more comfortable with Alexis. Marvin did nothing but wiggle all day in Delphina's arms, but the moment Alexis held him, he was content. She even got him to eat dinner without much of a fuss. And Ara.....that child showed Alexis ten different ways to curtsey in her princess outfits and the woman had watched every single one of them, praising the girl when required and also gave insightful advices for Ara to use if she ever met Prince Charming.

As the medicines began to take effect, Delphina felt her senses calm and her body relax. Crawling into bed, she pulled the comforter over her body and reached out to shut off the lights.

The children will be happier with Alexis

The children have always been happier with Alexis

Mike will be better off with Alexis

She kept telling herself all these so as to control the tears that were continuously spilling down her cheeks.

Using her sleeves, she wiped her tears off as she realized that she no longer feared death, nor did she fear at having her children love Alexis more. Death was inevitable for her at this point and the children had always loved Alexis more anyway.

Being loved less, being needed less - that she could handle. What she couldn't handle was being forgotten.