We go into denial because the loss is so unthinkable we can't imagine it's true.
—Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy
Chapter 1: Denial
After a few days, Baron noticed a slight change in Charisse. She finally slept at night but she acted very peculiar when she was around him. She acted—more like pretended—everything was fine but in her eyes, he could see her suffering and almost bleeding to death with pain. Anytime he asked her if she was okay, she'd fake a smile and say that she was fine. He knew she lied about it because he could hear her crying at night before she went to sleep.
Now, Charisse was sitting on the couch, reading a book from his library, but looked very distracted. Baron, who sat at his desk drinking tea, observed Charisse's behavior with concern but said nothing because he had to tread the water carefully; anything he said might make her cry or set her off. Instead of asking, Baron got up, sat down next to her on the couch, and pulled the girl into an embrace. She didn't fight it but she rested her head on his chest and said nothing like she was totally ignoring the world around her.
This must be the denial phase, he thought as he held her in a tight hug.
"Charisse," he said, causing the girl to look up at him slightly, "how do you feel today?" He internally cringed because he knew what he'd get.
As expected, she gave him a false smile and said, "I feel fine, Baron? Why are you asking?"
"Well," he said slowly, choosing his words carefully, "I've noticed that you've been acting different since your parents…passed."
She shook her head. "No," she said in a peculiarly light voice, "this is just a nightmare. It's not happening to me. I'll wake up in my bed and find out this is a bad dream and my parents are here." Despite her strong words, though, her voice began breaking and her form began trembling.
"Charisse…" he murmured gently, trying to pacify her. "It'll be okay…"
"No!" she shouted with such force that the cat gentleman nearly jumped out of his skin. "Why am I not waking up, Baron?" Tears began to form in her tired eyes.
Baron got shocked into silence when the girl grabbed him by his shirt lapels and began shaking him slightly. "Charisse," he finally said, "it'll be okay…I'm here."
"I want my parents," she finally wept, burying her face in his dress shirt. "I want my life back…"
Baron said nothing but held the girl tightly as she wept into his shirt. It was full-on weeping—from-the-gut, heart-wrenching weeping that hurt the Baron's heart because he hated seeing Charisse going through this at such a young age. He knew she would eventually have to bury her parents but not at such a young age—no child should have gone through it.
"I'm here," he whispered when he felt her body contracting in sobs. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, okay?"
She sniffled and nodded her head but still concealed her face in his chest. Baron closed his eyes to prevent the onslaught of tears that threatened to fill his eyes but continued comforting Charisse. He didn't like seeing her in such pain; he wanted her to be happy.
"Anyone home?" the two heard that familiar gravelly voice and they turned to see Muta coming in.
The fat white cat looked embarrassed like he was a voyeur watching the moment between Baron and Charisse but he walked into the Bureau and sat his fat rump down in one of Baron's armchairs. For once, he just silently sat there, staring at the cat baron and girl, not saying a word. He didn't even greet Toto, who had just flown in, with an insult like he usually did. Toto hopped up to the white cat and they began talking quietly.
"Is everything okay here?" Toto asked quietly.
"No," was Muta's toneless answer. "She's hurting, Birdbrain."
"For once, I agree with you, Fatso," said Toto softly, without any conviction of his insult towards Muta.
"If you two," said Baron in an uncharacteristically harsh tone as he turned to look at them, "start arguing, I am kicking you both out, do you understand? Charisse doesn't need to be exposed to more trauma."
The bird and cat kept their mouths shut and just gave Baron a surprised look. It wasn't like Baron to get so short with them. He did get short with them…but only after thirty minutes of hearing their arguments or if they broke something in the Bureau while fighting. They knew why he was so tense though; he was merely trying to protect Charisse from more of the ugliness the world outside had. He just wanted to keep her safe.
"Sorry," the two animals mumbled, looking down shamefully.
"I'm going to my room," announced Charisse thickly as she stood to leave the room.
Once she was out of sight, Muta and Toto began bombarding the Baron with questions of how Charisse was doing. For the last few days, both animals left the Baron and Charisse be so the girl could receive all of the cat baron's attention. Apparently what foul mood Baron kept hidden from Charisse was released at Toto and Muta but they knew he was just struggling as much as the girl was.
"How do you think she's doing?" Baron demanded irritably. "She's doing the best a person can while their mourning. This process takes time so don't ask about it every day."
In an uncharacteristic sign of weariness, Baron sat down at his desk, sighing as he pressed a hand to his temples. Muta hesitantly backed away, afraid to anger the cat baron further, but Toto hopped up to Baron and gave him a gentle look.
"Baron, what's wrong?" he asked quietly. "I know that Charisse's situation would put you on edge but why are you so…tense? It should be Charisse that's tense, not you."
Baron sighed desolately as he hunched his shoulders in defeat. "I'll tell you what's wrong," he said stonily. "I hate that this had to happen to the poor girl! What has she done to deserve this!? She loved her parents with all her heart and soul and treated them with respect! All I can ask is why? Why did this have to happen!?" Tears welled up in Baron's eyes and he turned away, placing a hand over his face.
"Look," said Muta softly, "what's happening has happened since the dawn of time; people die eventually, Baron. You of all people would know that. I'm not saying Charisse's parents deserved this because they didn't but accidents like this happen. All that we can do is pick up the pieces of Charisse's broken heart and reassemble it the best way we can. It won't be easy but it's not impossible."
"I know that," replied Baron stressfully. "I know that people die every day. I lost Louise and I'll never forget it. Now, I have to do the best I can to provide for Charisse, and I will because I love her!" Suddenly, he slapped a hand over his mouth irritably as if he cursed.
"You love her?" asked Toto, feathers ruffling in shock.
"Of course I do," amended Baron calmly. "She's my friend and I care for her. I hate having to see her suffer like this."
"I know you do," said Toto softly. "We all care for her, Baron, but I notice your feelings for her."
"You should pursue them then," remarked Muta devilishly.
Baron's head snapped like he flicked a fly away. "I would not do that now," he snapped sharply. "Renaldo Moon, I cannot believe you suggested that! Charisse would be even more traumatized if she heard this! I suggest that you will not bring this up again!"
Muta looked down and backed away slowly like he was in the grips of a deadly dog. "Sorry," he mumbled.
Baron nodded once and turned towards Toto. "I need to put all my attention to Charisse. Please don't be insulted when I ask you to leave."
The bird nodded in understanding and stretched his wings, ready to take flight. "Take care, Baron," he said gently. "I hope you and Charisse will be okay." With that, the bird took off through the window he came in from.
Muta stood on his hind feet and walked to the door, saying, "See you later, Baron. Tell Charisse that I hope she gets better soon." With that, the fat cat made his exit and shut the door behind him.
Baron stood to his feet and walked to Charisse's feet but found the said girl passed out on her bed, sleeping peacefully with tears on her cheeks and nose. Smiling softly, he walked up to her, wiped the tears away gently, and pressed a kiss to her brow before pulling the blankets over her and shutting the curtains to block out the sun.
"Good night, love," he whispered before walking out.
…
Baron didn't know at what time but that night Charisse came into his bedroom, holding her pillow at her side and tears running down her face. Of course Baron was sleeping but he woke immediately and looked at Charisse anxiously. The weeping girl ran to Baron's bed and ran into his open arms.
"What's the matter, Charisse?" he asked gently. "Did you have a nightmare?"
She nodded, whimpering. "It was about my parents…Baron, can I stay in here please?"
Baron pulled his covers back and let the girl cocoon herself against him. Slowly, he laid back down and wrapped his arms around her so she'd feel some comfort. As the girl drifted off next to him, he wrapped her in a tight embrace and kissed her hair gently. Eyes closing, he smiled a bit and drifted off to sleep next to the girl he loved.
A/N: Sappy ending but I hope you enjoy this. Please leave nice comments!
