Skulduggery Pleasant: Raising Cain

Chapter 120 - Snap back to reality

Chapter 120

Six days awake

Nadia was halfway through helping Valkyrie get changed into her pyjamas when she saw from Valkyrie's bedroom window her parent's car coming up the drive. The anxiety kicked in quickly like it always did, but for Valkyrie's sake, she didn't let it on.

The first night had been easy because Valkyrie had just let her put the clothes on her, lifting the first leg, then the other, and so on. Maybe somewhat awkward for herself to be around her naked girlfriend in that way, but Valkyrie hadn't cared, and it wasn't something she felt she should feel awkward about, so she'd just done it. It felt a bit weird though. She was with Valkyrie in a way that was moving towards a sexual relationship. Looking after her when she was like a child just made it weird no matter what. Even though she wasn't viewing her in that way... it didn't make sense and Nadia knew that, it just made her uncomfortable.

Tonight, Valkyrie insisted she could do it herself. It had been half an hour, but finally, blessedly, she had pulled her bloody trousers on.

"Alright, into bed," Nadia said softly, pulling the thick covers back. With agility that told nothing of the countless things Valkyrie had knocked over that day, she jumped into the bed and swung the covers over herself. "Good night Valkyrie."

"Night night Nadia," Valkyrie murmured. "Have fun with your parents."

Nadia nearly gave away that she was shocked Valkyrie recognised the car, but then smiled and nodded, closed all the curtains and shut the bedroom door behind her. She took a deep breath and then went into Tanith old bedroom, her new one since Valkyrie was in her own and she could hardly sleep next to her as the situation was, and quickly changed her top to one that hadn't been food splattered from baking with Valkyrie, brushed her hair out, and went down the stairs.

Anton had let her mum and dad into the house. Neither looked happy, but they didn't look mad, which make her irrationally hopeful. She hadn't spoken to them at all since she'd left the house two weeks ago.

"Nadia," her mum exclaimed when she caught sight of her, before rushing forward and wrapping her into a tight hug. Nadia hugged her back. She'd really missed them. "I was getting worried about you."

"It's fine Mum," she said, giving her an automatic smile. "Really, I've just been busy."

"Doing so much you can't even text me?" She asked disappointedly before waving her hand as if she was trying to make Nadia forget she'd even asked that question. "How is Valkyrie?"

"She's doing well," Nadia reported, leading her mum to the sofa. Mr Vinay followed behind and they all sat down. Anton left the room. "She was in the hospital unconscious for nine days and then she was awake but she's not quite all there, I suppose. It's been really hard, but she's getting better every day. This was only her second day home but she should be recovered within two or three more days we hope. Maybe even sooner."

"That's wonderful," Mrs Keena said, and Nadia could see the worry and genuineness in her eyes. "How have you been?"

"I've been fine," she lied. "Worried, tired, maybe a little scared sometimes. But it's all working out now. Valkyrie actually recognised your car coming up the drive and knew who you were."

"Does she remember you?" Mr Vinay asked.

"Not yet," Nadia said, trying not to sound sad. She felt as if her whole life was trying not to sound sad or anxious or anything she really was nowadays. As soon as Valkyrie was properly recovered, she was going to use her as an emotional dumping ground, and then let Valkyrie do the same to her. "But it's only a matter of time. We know that she remembers the majority of her feelings towards the people she knows a lot better than any memory, but she usually refuses or doesn't have the attention span to explain her memories so we don't know exactly how well she is connecting to her long term memory at the moment. It's getting better, and so are her motor skills and stuff, but she still needs time. We can tell she, well, has feelings for me, but she doesn't remember that we are dating."