Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Dean scowls, his little body getting ready for yet another battle with his sister.
"I said you should ask first. That's different."
"You absolutely can paint, but it has to be at the table or outside in the backyard," Victoria says, quick to jump in to avoid whatever confrontation is beginning to build between the two of them.
Daisy looks up at Dana. "Backyard?"
Dana runs a hand over the top of her daughter's hair. She doesn't go out there unless we're having a group and someone from the staff is with her, despite knowing that Cerberus has a guy back there and they're safe.
"If Miss Juliet or Miss Victoria says it's okay," she says, stress in her tone.
"The backyard is perfect," I say as I stand. "Are you ready now, or do you want to do it later?"
Both kids answer by turning around and running toward the back door.
Victoria drops her stack of folders on her desk before following us from the office.
The kids are hyper. Daisy is talking to her mom about all the things she's going to draw, while Dean bounces up and down.
I hate that they don't have a way to get all that energy out, but Dana has been adamant that they need to stay in the house. Even though we might have opinions about that, we have to follow her lead in what she thinks is best for her kids.
Victoria grabs the painting supplies from the living room closet before turning back to the kids.
"Ready?"
They run toward the back door, but trauma is a very real thing. Both kids pause, looking back at us, and I hate the pain and worry in their eyes.
Trauma is one thing, but kids also learn many behaviors from their parents, including trepidation around certain actions and behaviors. Dana is scared to go outside, and now the kids are too.
"Can't paint standing here," Dana says, and opens the back door.
I know how big a step this is for her.
"But I want you to be careful not to make a big mess," she tells them as we all step outside.
"I won't make a mess," Daisy assures her. "But Dean probably will."
Dean, too excited to get started, doesn't take the bait, and I'm grateful to avoid yet another mini argument between the two of them.
Once they get started, they ignore everything around them except for the art they’re creating.
Drawing and painting can be very cathartic for anyone, and although I was worried that some of their fears would come out in their creations, they both painted happy scenes.
Daisy spends a lot of time on a mountain scene with animals and cloudless skies, and Dean paints every dinosaur he can pull from memory.
Victoria and I watch for a while before letting Dana know we were going back inside to work on the final preparations for the fundraiser tomorrow.
She looks a little nervous, but dips her head in understanding.
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted, but not exactly in a bad way.
I was able to focus on my tasks, the idea of Graham still on the edge of my thoughts as always, but they don't take over like they normally would.
When Denise arrives for the overnight shift, I’m more than ready to head out, knowing that tomorrow is going to be just as tiring.
Chapter 31
Nyx
Anticipation is something I'm familiar with.
I have felt it more times than I can count—the buildup of suspense when I know shit is going to go down.
Every mission, in the Corps and with Cerberus, has that same edge to it.
Excitement for what I get to do, how I get to help the world by taking one more bad guy out, is something I've grown accustomed to.
Standing outside, counting down the hours just to see someone step outside?
That's a very new thing for me.
I don't hate the feeling, but it does make me realize I need to take a few beats and try to figure out why something so mundane would make my heart race.
I know it has nothing to do with a threat to her safety. We've got that covered.
It has everything to do with her and her alone.
Something I can only describe as joy comes along with the sight of her stepping out of Juniper House, and for some reason, that joy is gifted to me a little earlier than it normally is.
Juliet opens the front door, her eyes searching the property until they land on me.
It makes me stand a little taller, pride that I'm the first one she looks for filling every gap inside me.
As she steps off the porch and makes her way in my direction, I pull my earpiece out and nod in Bishop's direction.
We walk down the sidewalk, her steps much smaller than mine, but I've already learned to adjust my speed to accommodate hers.
"I have to get groceries," she reminds me.