Can't Stop (Frusciante fan fic)

Part 37-In The Moment of the Meantime

A/N: No direct relevance to the story, just a beautiful picture.

Ellie's POV

"Mom, John is gone! Where did he go?" I hear an alarmed voice yelling outside my room. "Shit!" I whisper, jumping up suddenly. I don't know what time it is, but I do know that both John and I are completely naked. John face palms, and looks at me haplessly for further guidance.

"Mama!" Sophia yells, pounding on the door. The damn cat starts meowing loudly outside too. "John went to the store, honey, he'll be right back, and I'll be right out!" I reply. I jump out of bed trying to find where my PJ's went to, as John sits up bewildered in bed.

"You're not fooling anyone!" Sophie yells. "I know John is in there! Good morning to you too, John!" Thank God I closed and locked the door last night.

"You don't have to answer her, John," I whisper in a low voice. "In fact, DON'T answer her." "Sophia, it is too early! Go back to bed and take your cat with you."

"It's not early, Mom! It's after 9 AM. I don't know what you're up to, well, actually, I do, but I'm hungry!" I frown in the direction of the door. John sighs and puts the pillow over his head. "Sophia, you know how to get cereal for yourself and where John's food is. You're the one who is pulling my leg! Now let us, er, I mean, me, go back to sleep now!"

She walks away grudgingly. John takes the pillow off his head and covers his mouth, trying not to laugh, and I do the same. We are totally busted. I'm the worst mom and role model ever. But I lean over and give him a good morning kiss, not caring right now.

"Don't worry, she'll get over it, John. As far as wrong ideas, she already has a bunch of wrong ideas in her head. I've done a terrible job of sheltering her. She'll be fine." I pause and we kiss and cuddle up again. Neither one of us has put our clothes back on, even though we know we should.

John rolls away from me with a groan after a minute. "I guess we have to get up." "Yeah, we do" I mumble. "Do you want to go out there first while I use the bathroom, or the other way around? Wait a minute, I really have to pee, I'm going to get dressed and head out," I say, hopping back into my pajama pants. "See you out in the kitchen," I nudge him.

When I come out of the bathroom, John is already in the kitchen sitting up at the counter, holding John in his lap, and talking with Sophia. "Good morning, Mom! I'll get your and John's cereal," she kisses me on the cheek. John excuses himself to go to the bathroom, leaving me alone with her.

She gets the cereal boxes and two bowls out of the cabinet, acting like nothing is different from usual. "Sophie, look," I say awkwardly. "I know you love John, and I do too, but he has to go home tomorrow. But your Dad will be here tomorrow so.." I don't know what else to say.

"I know, Mom," she says. "It still sucks, though. I don't like it," she looks glaringly at me. "I know it does, Sophie. But we don't have to like everything that happens to us. I know I've brought some bad stuff upon us and I'm just glad you're willing to forgive me."

She stares at me with big sad eyes. "Cheer up, Sophs, Remember what Gandalf said? That we have to decide what to do with the time that is given to us? We need to let John live his life, and give your father a chance to be a decent person. I know it's not easy."

I realize John has reappeared in the hall and is listening to all of this. Sophie sees him and smartly changes the subject. "Hey, John, cereal is all ready!" She brings two bowls of Kashi with milk to the table and gestures to us to sit. We both thank her and smile at each other. I know it won't be this way for long, so might as well enjoy the moment.

John's POV

I feel rather sheepish after being caught by Sophie. But, I don't feel uncomfortable, surprisingly. I know nothing is forever. I heard every word of Ellie's caution to Sophie. And something tells me Aaron's presence, while a good start, is not going to solve everyone's problems.