The Sun Will Come Out

Chapter 9

Maya's POV
We pulled up to the apartment complex and I could tell how excited the kids were. We headed up the stairs, Carina and I walking a bit slower than the two excited children that were scampering up each flight.

"Slow down you two," I laughed. "You don't even know where you're going."

Jess and Iris both halted for us to catch up to them. Once we got there, Jess was surprisingly the one to take off.

"Come back Jess," I said a bit sternly. "Let's walk carefully up the stairs, please."

I heard her audibly sigh but she trudged back down the steps to walk at our pace. I ruffled her hair a bit.

"Thanks kiddo," I said quietly. She looked up at me and I could see tears pricking behind her eyes.

I turned to Carina and said, "You two go on ahead, we'll meet you up there. Just wait for us to do the room reveal."

She nodded and took Iris's hand, guiding them up the stairs. As soon as they were out of sight, I turned to Jess and got down on one knee.

I gently reached out and stroked her arm as her tears started to fall. "I know you're overwhelmed," I said to her. "It's a lot to take in, I know."

She shook her head slightly before meeting my eyes. "Are y-you mad at me?" she asked through her sobs.

"Sweetheart no, of course not," I responded. "What gave you that idea?"

"Y-you raised your- your voice and I thought you were m-mad," she choked out.

I pulled her into a hug. As we broke the embrace, I put my hand on her cheek, soothingly wiping her tears.

"I wasn't mad, baby," I said. "I just didn't want you to get hurt. I didn't mean to raise my voice, I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure you could hear me."

"Are you scared that Carina and I are going to be like Peter?" I asked softly. She nodded her head slightly.

"Baby," I whispered, pulling her into another hug as she started crying again. "Shh, it's okay. He will never hurt you again, and I promise Carina and I won't either."

I held her close and stroked her hair. I continued to shush her quietly in an attempt to soothe her.

After a minute or two, she began to calm down. I went to stop hugging her but she continued to latch onto me.

"Can you carry me?" she asked sweetly into my shoulder. I smiled at the question. She really did trust me.

"Of course, sweetheart," I replied. I picked her up and held her against me, making sure not to drop her.

She was still unbelievably light, especially for an 11-year-old. I thought maybe a few days of regular meals might help her gain a little bit of weight, but I suppose it will take longer.

I walked the last few flights of stairs, opening the door quietly as I got to our apartment.

"Welcome home, Jess," I said when I walked into the main room. "Wanna go check out your room?" I asked her, trying to lighten the mood a bit after our conversation downstairs.

I got a groggy "no" in response. It was just then that I realized her breathing was starting to even out.

"Ok," I said, not wanting to push her. "Well I have to put you in there, so you'll see some of it," I said, laughing a little.

I felt her smile against my shoulder, making my heart flutter. "Come on Iris," I said quietly, motioning for them and Carina to follow me to the room.

"Close your eyes," I whispered to Iris as I leaned down to their ear. They put their hands over their eyes and waited for further instructions.