The Gray Sisters: Expect The Unexpected

Unconditional Love

Lakin

Patience has never been my strong suit. I prefer to use my fists to get my point across. But, of course, now I would have to garnish some with Mia.

Her speech had improved, and so did her motor skills, but she had developed an innocence about her. She looked at things differently than before, and now it was my turn to take care of her.

I spent more time with her than with my family. They understood, but today we’re celebrating Grammy’s birthday. I swear the woman is like two hundred years old.

According to Dad, she is only ninety-five, close enough.

I drove over to Mia’s house to pick her up for the birthday party and got out of the car. I walked up to the front door and knocked.

Michael answered it and smiled. He held the door open as I walked inside.

“I’ll get Lyric. Mia’s a little upset.”?

“About what?”?

“Her dress.”?

I nodded and walked up the stairs, and he followed me.

I knocked on her bedroom door, and it was quiet. I turned the knob, opening it to reveal Mia sitting on her bed with her head down.

I walked over to her and crouched in front of her. “Hey, baby girl.”

She lifted her head and looked at me, wide-eyed, smiling. “Lakin!”

“Michael said you were a little upset about your dress.”?

“Oh, Lakin, it’s not pretty.” She sighed.

“It’s beautiful.”?

“Are you sure?” Her face lit up.

“Yes, now, come on. We don’t want to be late.” I stood up and held out my hand. She took it, standing up. She placed her hands on my shoulders and kissed me on the lips. That caught me by surprise because she hadn’t been affectionate with me for a while.

I missed this. I placed my hands on Mia’s face and kissed her back. I missed her lips and being close to her — baby steps.

I let go of her, and she smiled. I took her hand and led her out as Michael followed us. I led her to the car and got her situated while Michael went to get Lyric.

I drove her to Grampa’s and Nana’s house. After I parked, we got out of the car, and I held her hand while we walked inside the house. I didn’t want people to scare her.

As we entered, she clenched my arm as people saw us. The entire family was here. Uncle Jonas and Uncle Cayson came along with their wives and families.

“Lakin, I’m scared.” She buried her head into my shoulder.

“Mia? Look at me.”?

She lifted her head.?

“This is my family, which will also be your family one day. So, they won’t hurt you, Hunny.”

Everyone gave her a soft smile as a smile curled upon her lips. Then I heard a clunking sound against the floor. Oh, shit.

Mia gripped my arm, cutting off my circulation as Grammy crept towards us. Please be kind and gentle. I prayed to myself.

“Well, hello, Mia. You’re wearing a lovely dress today.” Grammy said. Wait. What?

Mia loosened her grip on my arm and moved her hands to her dress as she pushed the material between her fingers. “Do you think so?”

“Oh, sweetheart, I know so. How about you come with me, and we can have cake?” Grammy gave Mia a genuine smile.

Mia smiled and turned to me. “Lakin? Can I have cake?”

“How about some food, then you can have an enormous piece of cake?”

“Okay.”?

“Okay, food, then cake,” Grammy told her. “Get us some food, Nathaniel. I’m not getting any younger!”

“You can say that again,” Cayson said under his breath.

Mia giggled. “He’s funny.”

Grammy didn’t argue, and neither did the rest of us. We all smiled. That was a relief. As they made their way out, Dad and Ma walked over to me. “She seems like she’s doing better,” Dad said.

“We’re taking it day by day,” I said.

“Lakin, we’re proud of you,” Ma told me.

“She’s my heart,” I told them with a shrug. I walked by them and out to the backyard. Mia was everything to me. So much had happened that I was afraid she wouldn’t wake up, but she did. She might be different, but to me, she was my Mia.

*****

The party got into full swing. The noise level increased tenfold. It caused Mia to go into a full-blown panic mode because the noise was an issue.

“Stop!” She placed her hands over her ears.?

I turned and walked over to her as everyone quieted down. I reached her.?

“Lakin, it’s too loud.”?

“Okay, baby girl. Let’s go somewhere quieter.” I guided her away from everyone.

Michael followed suit.

“Will she be okay?” Larkin asked Lyric.

“No, but over time noise won’t be as bad. Michael said she’s been having a challenging time adjusting to things. It’s because of the brain damage,” Lyric said.

“She didn’t deserve that. I hope that the bastard rots in hell,” Maverick said.

Once we calmed her down, I took her home. The party was too much for her. Over time, she would get better with noise, but it was still a battle. At least, she was here and alive. Oh, Mia, my baby, it’ll be okay.