Adoration: [Cole X Reader 3]

Chapter Seven- I Swear, We're Gonna Make It

Despite my frail and fragile state, I pulled myself up, barely getting my hip over the window sill and onto the roof. I muffled a cough with my sleeve and pushed myself forward, sliding the window closed as quietly as I could. I pulled my hat further over my ears, keeping my head warm, as crawled to the flattest spot on the roof, just above the window.

I was so... tired. Weariness was holding me as it's captive, not allowing my head to break the surface for air. I was tired of being all alone all the time. I was tired of feeling helpless after defeating Jax and getting Cole back. I was tired of being tired. My mind flickered back to all the times I had been the strong one, where I was the strong shoulders to be leaned on.

Times like when Cole was stuck in his slump and he needed me to be the one with strength. Or when the team asked me to step up to his place of leader and push them forward. Or with Jax. Or when Jay was kidnapped.

Yet here I was, frail and fragile and broken.

My chest heaved as a wailing sob escaped me, the ball of sorrow and pain unfurling deep within me. I cried to the stars that shone bright above me. I cried to the moon which cast a pale glow down on the earth. My broken and shattered heart fell and ached with every breath I took.

The wind pushed against me, wrapping me in what almost felt like a hug of some sort. I jolted as my heart pounded and I peeked over the edge of the roof. I held my arm close to me, as if I could wipe away the horrible memory of the jump at Jay's mansion all those years ago.

In the moment, I never expected my reaction to come the way it did. To my own surprise, I laughed. Tears streamed down my face as laughter shook my small and frail frame. For some reason, I survived that jump, despite my best efforts. For some reason, the universe had decided that I was still useful. Yet, cancer had ripped my own self from me. I survived to again face death head on.

So, I laughed. I laughed at the absurdness of it all. I laughed at how the world decided I was useful only to snub out my life a few years later by way of a slow painful death. I laughed at how it let me have triumph, believing I had won; giving me my love and a group of friends who supported me above all.

Screw you too, universe.

Lloyd scrambled around the apartment, smacking his knee against the doorframe. He let out a squeal and Kai snickered, holding a hand to his mouth and Jay smacked the back of his head shushing him. The blue ninja slid into the room and poked Cole, who sat ready and waiting for them.

"Is the coast clear?" Jay whispered a bit too loud and his brother in law nodded slowly.

"She's outside."

Jay tilted his head but pulled Cole out of the room to show him their assortment of items. With a smile, they high fived and got to work.

I sat up suddenly, wide awake, never having realized I fell asleep. Pushing myself up higher on the roof with my feet, I gasped and scrambled away from the edge. My eyes were dry and scratchy from constant tears and I coughed into my sleeve, lungs aching. Ever so slowly, I made my way back to the window, pulling it open. Feet first, I lowered myself into the bedroom, feet landing on the bed. I was surprised to find it empty, my husband no where in sight.

Immediately, my heart raced as the dawn sky began to peek through the window. "Cole?" I called, worried he had left on some mission not knowing where I was. Gently, I fumbled onto the ground and glanced around our home, checking every where for him. Our little flat was empty, void of him and Devin. Determined, I made my way downstairs to where everyone else lived, finding it empty as well. I peeked my head in my friends bed rooms, finding no one, not even my brother.

"Hello?" I grumbled and hacked into my sleeve once more before sliding down the hallway into the living room.

I pushed the door open with a hand and clapped a hand over my mouth, a smile forming on my lips.

Before me stood my team, garbed in their pajamas, standing before a giant table full of wonderful things. A wide array of breakfast foods ranging from hash browns to waffles and everything in between. Where there was space between the dishes, beautiful flowers were placed, bright and colorful.

My heart warmed and I shook my head in disbelief as Cole came to stand beside me, his arm wrapping around me. Jay bounced over as well, pulling me in to a tight hug. I squeezed him tight and pressed my face into his chest.

"What on earth, Jay?" I questioned, my voice half a laugh. He let me go and I was bombarded by the rest of my team, each pulling me into a hug until we were all mashed together in one big group hug.

"Surprise!" Jay giggled and his face brimmed with a joy he couldn't seem to contain.

Kai winked at me and Lloyd cast me a wide smile. "We wanted to give you something special because we haven't been able to spend much time with you recently." Lloyd spoke up as we all split to find a seat at the giant table. Wu and Misako cast me wide smiles as they sat as well.

"This seems like a lot for me." I muttered as Cole took my hand in his with a squeeze.

"It was your husbands idea." Nya gently elbowed me from my other side and I shook my head.

"Thank you." I gave a small chuckle and bowed my head. "I... I didn't... I guess I thought you all were too busy for me."

From around me, voices of protest rose and my brother caught my eye and smiled, wide and toothy.

"You're part of us, sis. We're always here for you."