A True Hero

Chapter 17

Uh, I'm sorry. I honestly didn't mean to ignore this book for over a month.

--
Micah's pov

A hand was on my shoulder as I gasped for breath, tears streaming down my face. I looked into worried brown eyes as Titus tried to calm me.

"Hey, hey, what happened? Are you alright? Look at me, Baby." I slowly calmed my breathing and saw that it was nearly four in the morning. I didn't realize I had started crying until I let out a sob.

Titus took me into his arms and I cried, even when my door opened and my parents came barreling in.

"What happened? Titus?" I felt him shrug against me and barely made out the words that came from his mouth.

"I dunno. We were sleeping and then he just woke up and started freaking out. I-it might have been a nightmare but I'm not sure-" he was now starting to freak out, not knowing how to handle it.

I felt strong hands pull me away from my boyfriend and into another body, holding me close. I wrapped my arms around Dad and as I sniffled I caught a whiff of his scent. It still hadn't changed from that comforting scent of the sea since I was a kid.

My breath caught in my throat as I tried to speak. "S-she-"

"Shhh, just breath for now Micah. Explain later." A hand ran through my hair and I only realized there were now more people in my room when I felt a smaller hand on my arm, looking to see Niko. He climbed into my lap and hugged me.

I calmed down quicker as I hid my face in his curly hair and carded my fingers through it as well. Soon, I was able to take full breaths of air and my sobs turned to sniffles. Everyone was watching me with worry and I just hugged my little brother tighter, him doing the same.

"Was it a nightmare, Baby?" Titus was right next to me, rubbing my back affectionately. I nodded slightly and Kai spoke up from my desk chair.

"It must have been a pretty bad one." She looked worried as she caressed her stomach. Its weird to think she's already 22 weeks pregnant. I took a breath and gathered myself a bit before speaking.

"S-same one from when we were little, b-but worse." I sniffled and twirled Niko's hair around my finger gently. "And other stuff t-too." Pops and Dad shared a look and knew what one I was talking about. Niko had heard of it but Titus never had.

"What nightmare?" He looked to me but Dad spoke so I wouldn't have to.

"Its about when his mother left. He hadn't had it in a while and it's never been this bad." I shivered and was grateful for my brother not moving from my lap, as he was the main reason I was staying calm.

"It h-had different stuff in it this time. Sh-..she-" I sniffled and wiped my eyes. "She yelled more. I got more of the conversation. And then after it was about Kai and then Titus and Niko." I sobbed and sniffled for a moment before gathering myself again. "It was bad."

Titus wiped my eyes before kissing my cheek and my parents hugged me as best they could with Niko in my lap. Kai kissed my cheek as well before sitting back down.

"Thanks guys." They all nodded and Niko finally pulled away, but stayed in my lap, grounding me still. Everyone nodded before we decided to have a family day, keeping Niko home from school.

Me, my siblings, and Titus all cuddled up on the couch, blankets around us and a movie on the tv. My parents made breakfast and brought it to the living room before sitting on the love seat together. Everyone ate and we cuddled until Dad's phone rang and he answered it, talking for a bit.

"Well, I guess Meibel didn't go to school today either. Her and her friend got into a fight and she woke up upset this morning, so Denki let her stay home." Pops nodded and Dad continued. "They're gonna come over for a few hours."

"Really!?" I jumped a little at Niko's yell before smiling to myself. He cleared his throat and quieted down. "Really?"

"Yes, really Niko. Your best friend is coming over." Dad smiled and Niko jumped from the couch to, I'm assuming, clean his room up.

Kai snickered and nudged me with her foot, making me look at her over Titus' head.

"Do you think they'll date?" I shrugged and watched the movie.

"I dunno. He's still figuring out whether he likes girls, boys, both, no one or everyone right now." It seemed as though it was left at that until she spoke up again.

"Twenty bucks says they do." I smirked, knowing my little brother.

"Thirty says he sees her as a sister and they don't date." She laughed and shook her head.

"Oh you're on." I laughed and further into the movie there was a knock at the door.

"I got it." Dad stood and made his way over, opening it with a smile. "Hey guys! Just leave your shoes and coats here." He pointed to the mat and hooks by the door as they stomped off the February snow. The now eleven year old Meibel excitedly tossed off her coat and pulled off her gloves and hat, leaving her yellow hair a mess.

"No running!" I heard Denki yell as she bounded up the stairs to Niko's room. He sighed as she didn't slow down in the slightest. Dad laughed and looked to Denki.

"Sometimes I wonder if you actually used your sister's egg or if you somehow had some of your own." Everyone laughed and Hitoshi shook his head.

"I wonder if she's even got any of my genes. Besides the insomnia, you'd never know she was my kid!" He huffed and sat down, Denki following with his own comment.

"And the undying love of cats. She cried when we got her Cheshire for her birthday. That girl has a serious obsession with Alice in wonderland." He leaned into his husbands side and I chimed in with a snicker.

"I think we got that when she named the other cats Tweedledee and Tweedledum. What's next? Caterpillar?"

"Probably." Everyone laughed and we continued to talk, the movie forgotten as laughter floated throughout the house.

--

Okay, even I had to go back and check on this so for any confusion, here are birthdays and ages as of this chapter.

Meibel: January 6, 11

Niko: February 11, 11

Titus: March 6, 17

Micah: April 14, 17

Kai: June 18, 16

Micah and Titus' anniversary is March 17.

If you're confused about any other dates, just ask.