Her Last Plea✨

Chapter 35

Mira scurried around her room, grabbing a book from her desk that Alexis had gifted her and tossed it into one of her two suitcases as she completed some last minute packing. Wearing one of her thin, long sleeved black knit shirts, she grabbed a purple and blue striped scarf off the back of her desk chair and looped it around her neck while stepping into her tall, grey knit boots. She sat down on her chair, making sure her skinny jeans didn't bunch near her ankle as Ara came into her room, holding a big piece of paper.

"What's that?" Mira asked, sliding her hand down her other boot to straighten out her jeans.

Already dressed in a red jumper with a white, lace collared long sleeve shirt underneath with matching white tights and black Mary Janes, Ara skipped over to her sister and handed her the paper.

"I drawed - I mean, drew - a picture for you." Presenting the picture to Mira, she moved to stand next to her and pointed at the drawing. "See - there's you, and there's me, and that's Marv, and we're making snow angels like Papa had showed on Boxing Day."

Mira wrapped an arm around her sister and gave her a hug. "Well, it's by far my most favorite picture."

"You think so?"

"Absolutely. I'll hang it up next to the other ones you drew - by my bed."

Ara grinned, standing on her tiptoes to kiss her sister's cheek. "I'm going to miss you."

Mira gave her another squeeze. "I know, but I'll be home on the weekends for awhile this semester.…so that will be nice, right?"

Nodding, Ara sighed as she leaned into her older sister. "I guess."

"You start school on Wednesday - you're going to be so busy with counting and coloring and reading that you aren't even going to notice that I'm gone," Mira said, trying to cheer her up a bit. "Now, if you want, I'll braid your hair before we leave."

"Can you just put it in a big ponytail instead?" Ara asked. "I feel like having swishy hair today - but with a bow."

"Like I'd let you leave the house without a bow," Mira mocked, grabbing Ara's hand as she stood up and led her out of her bedroom, where they nearly crashed into their father - who had arrived to call them downstairs.

"Hey Dad, I'm all packed. Could you please carry my bags downstairs?"

"Okay," Mike replied simply. "Garrett's driving you, Jayden and Isaac to school today. I have to take your mother for her doctor's appointment."

"That's alright," Mira replied, shrugging. "Is Lexi coming to say bye?"

"She's already at Garrett's, I think."

Mike watched as Ara pulled at her sister's hand, crossing the short distance to his younger daughter's room. He wasn't really sure what it was about his eldest today. Maybe it was her hair and how it was parted to the side, different than the sloppy bun she usually had it in. Maybe it was the faint, sheer lip gloss on her sassy mouth, or how her dressing habits were slowly evolving from t-shirts and zipper jackets to something a bit more put together, but she looked a little bit more grown up today......and that notion wasn't sitting well with him.

Shaking his head, he came downstairs with Mira's suitcases, situating them near the front door. He sighed, staring at the bags sadly, before turning around to make his way into the guest bedroom that was currently occupied by his wife.

He knocked twice before entering Delphina's room, finding her sitting in front of her vanity mirror, fitting her wig on her head - she had lost all her beautiful black curls due to the treatments. Mike knew she wouldn't feel comfortable to step outside without her wig and so he chose not to comment on it. The wig didn't look any different than her usual hairstyle when she had hair. Taking a seat on the edge of her bed, he watched as she clipped her earrings to her ears.

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking at him through the reflection.

"Nothing," Mike replied. "How are you feeling?"

Delphina shrugged, turning around on her stool to face him. "Alright. A bit tired from yesterday, I suppose. You were right though - Alexis's parents were wonderful people."

Mike nodded. "They seemed to really like you. Thank you for not….you know…."

"Being me?" Delphina questioned with a smirk.

"Essentially," Mike replied with a sheepish smile.

"Yes well, I have my moments," she replied, standing up. "Do I look like I'm on my deathbed?"

Mike sighed. "You know I hate it when you talk like that, Delphi."

"Just answer my question."

He stood up and walked over to her. Pecking her cheek, he said, "You look like the same headache of a wife that I've always had."

Delphina laughed, grabbing her handbag from the dresser. "You're a prat."

"And a predictable one at that," he replied cheekily. "I'm going to go get Marvin dressed. Hailey has offered to entertain him and Ara for the day."

Delphina nodded but otherwise remained quiet.

Mike walked towards the door before turning back again. "Eat some breakfast before we go to the hospital, please. I've made chocolate chip pancakes - Mira's favorites. However, if you'd rather have something else then I could make it....."

"Pancakes sound wonderful Mike," Delphina interjected quickly, rolling her eyes as she made her way towards the kitchen.