Eleanor
Humming the song my mum always sang to me, I continued gently stroking my hand down the young girl's head. It seemed that ever since she laid eyes on Brian, a nightmare resurfaced. I just couldn't wrap my head around why. He wasn't in any connection to Nolan nor did he like him.
Looking at the sleeping girl, I stood up from the chair I was sat on and instructed the female nurse that no men were to enter the room except for medical staff. These girls were traumatised by men and I had to ensure their mental wellbeing as well as their physical.
Closing the door behind me, I looked to see several guards leaning against the walls talking amongst themselves.
"Daniel?".
"Yes ma'am?" he replied respectfully with his head bowed.
"Where is Brian?". Ever since we returned from Nolan's house, he was always disappearing. That was strange for Brian as he was always hovering over my shoulder like a hawk sensing I was going to slip up.
"He's gone to pick up Sofia and bring her here. Oh I forgot to say Diane wants to see you. She's in Oscar's office".
Diane. Oscar's mother.
I completely forgot that she was staying here after everything happened. I hadn't even had the chance to speak to her as the last memory we shared was of her son taking a bullet for us and her killing her husband. I felt terrible for not checking up on her sooner, but with everything going on I completely forgot about her.
"Thank you. Please come and find me when Sofia arrives".
"Of course" Daniel responded before standing guard in front of the medical room where the girls slept.
Calming my racing heart, I walked over to the double doors and knocked on them before walking in.
Not many things made me nervous anymore, but right now I was close to fainting. The lack of sleep was not helping, but the idea of being face to face with Oscar's mum unnerved me for some reason.
"Eleanor" a gentle voice breathed out. My eyes fell upon a frail older woman standing by the window.
"Mrs Hendricks, I"-
"Diane. Please, call me Diane".
I remained frozen on the spot wondering what the hell to say to her. She lost her whole family in minutes. What was I to say?
"How are you holding up dear?".
My eyes shot open as she turned around to face me with a sad smile. After everything that happened to her, she was asking if I was alright.
"I".
"I".
I tried to speak and lie my way through my feelings, but I broke down unable to speak or think.
"Oh Honey".
Diane rushed over to me and pulled me into a tight embrace. My arms instinctively wrapped around her as I rested my face onto her shoulder. I had been fighting for too long. I pushed aside all the emotions to focus on being a leader when in actual fact, I was no leader.
"Let it all out darling" she cooed as she stroked my hair so delicately just like my own mum did.
For what felt like hours, I cried into Diane's shoulder thinking about everything that happened. I had been thinking Oscar would come back, but I was starting to realise that perhaps I had been desperately holding onto the memory of him and in actual fact he was gone. I was now a single mother raising a child with another one on the way. All of us were at risk everyday. How could I carry on without him.
"I loved him" I cried out desperate for him to come home.
Diane held me tighter and rubbed her hands up and down on my back.
"I know sweetheart. I know". I could hear her own voice cracking and her body begin to shake.
"What am I going to do without him. I can't raise this baby without him".
People may see me as strong, but to be honest it was all an act. After defeating evil men, I'd lock myself away and cry over the guilt and shame over who I've become.
"You're going to be the most strongest mother. My son, he thought the world of you. He didn't speak to me much because of his father. But in that brief moment when he laid eyes on you, I could see that you were his everything. He didn't hesitate sweetheart. If he were here right now, he'd be on his knees bowing before you. I know you feel alone, but we are all here for you. I know it's not the same. I'm finding it hard to come to terms with my son not being here, but for your little one we have to keep going. We are family now Eleanor and no matter what happens, I will always be here for you and the children".
Diane pulled away and gave me a small smile with tears trailing down her cheeks.
She lifted her arm up and wiped away my endless tears.
"I wish we had gotten to know one another in happier times. I don't think I'll ever get over his death, but we have to look onwards. He wouldn't want us crying over him. Just like he'd tell Sofia, cry about it, scream about it but eventually you must let go of it. Now, enough tears, when was the last time you thought about yourself?".
I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing could come out. There was no answer. I hadn't thought of myself.
"From the lack of response, I can see it's been a while. So, here is what you're going to do. You're going to go into Oscar's room, you're going to have a bubble bath and not be disturbed. I'll look after Sofia when she comes here. Have a nap, I'll send some food up and you're going to have some time alone for yourself and the baby. Is that clear?".
She sounds just like Oscar. Stubborn but with reason. They both put others before themselves. I was glad that Diane would always be apart of my life even though her son was no longer here.
"Thank you Diane".
She smiled as she stroked a loose strand of hair from out of my face.
"You never have to thank me. Now go. If you need anything, just let me know".
************
For the first time in ages, I felt normal again. Normal as I could feel.
As soon as my head hit the pillow, my eyes fell shut and I surrendered myself to the sleep I had desperately tried to avoid.
After several hours of sleep, I decided to do something I hadn't done since before I was safe in Oscar's arms. Have a bubble bath. I only ever had showers as bubble baths were something I enjoyed with him.
I had run myself a bubble bath with candles surrounding it. Just the way Oscar did for me. He'd often surprise me with them and join me giving me the most amazing massage in the bath. For a man with such large hands, he was so delicate with every touch.
Tying up the straps of my winter dress, I let my hair fall behind my shoulders and stared at myself in the mirror. Running my hand over my ever growing bump, I couldn't help but smile as the little one moved inside of me.
The father of my baby would never get to hold them. Never get to tell them how much he loved them. But I would make sure our baby knew how much of an amazing man he was and that he was the reason why both of us are still here today.
"I can't wait to meet you little one. And I know even though he's not here anymore, daddy will always love and watch over you".
I let my eyes fall shut and smiled as the baby kicked as if in excitement. I had been so preoccupied with everything that I hadn't even given myself time to be excited as a first time mum.
Opening my eyes, I walked to the window hearing a car drive along the gravel stones.
Gripping the window pane tightly, I stared out at the front of the house as Brian carried Sofia out in his arms tickling her relentlessly.
Eager to embrace my baby girl, I hurried out the room and rushed through the maze like hallways.
Carefully dodging all the guards and maids, I got down to the bottom of the stairs and stopped by the open front door.
"Mummy!!!".
I couldn't help but smile as Sofia ran into my arms and gave me a gentle kiss on my nose before I did the same to her.
"I missed you sweetheart" I whispered into her ear before cuddling her tighter.
"I missed you more mummy. Oh and I need to tell you something".
I got down on my knees and looked at her with a frown.
"What is it you want to tell me?".
Sofia looked back at the door to see Brian standing there with his arms in his jacket pockets.
I instantly felt nervous looking at him. He was staring at me with an unusual expression looking as if he was on some kind of power trip.
"Mummy, Brian said I can call him daddy now that my daddy is in heaven. He said he will always look after me".
Anger coursed through my blood at her innocent words. She was too young to understand everything going on.
Looking up at Brian, I began to shake uncontrollably at the audacity of him telling my daughter to him call dad after losing her real dad not even a week ago.
"That's nice" I muttered through gritted teeth.
"Baby, why don't you go to the kitchen. Kiera needs some help making cookies".
Sofia's face lit up and ran in the direction of the kitchen. My eyes followed her until she closed the door behind her.
I slowly looked back at Brian to see him staring straight at me with a blank expression.
"Start the car. We need to have a serious chat about some things" I said, anger lacing my voice as everything that happened was starting to piece together.
Brian gave me a slow nod before turning back to the direction of his car and pulled out his phone.
I am going to find out what he's hiding from me.
**************
Cole
"Oh shit, Oscar".
Oscar packed up the knife he took from James and turned to look at me. Concern and fear plastered on his face at my frantic tone.
"What is it? What's the matter?" he questioned whilst walking over to me.
"Brian. He's changed it".
Oscar growled and snatched the phone from my hands at the lack of information.
I watched as he stared at the phone intently but failed to notice what I had.
"Brian has brought the exchange forward. It's no longer 3 days. It's today. He's giving her away today".
Updating tomorrow! It's gonna be a big one. ❤️