Through the wind and the rain
she stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place
Where she's loved concrete angel
After coaching the girl out of the bathroom, Peter followed her to get her brother and sister, so they could go home and get the kids settled, before the rules got dropped on them. Peter knew that the rules would be hard because the kids might not want to listen to the rules, or they might just be too scared to understand the rules.
Once they pulled into the Burke's driveway, Neal being the gentleman he was, opened the door for the kids and grinned that charming smile at the teenage, who blushed and down-casted her eyes, while she picking her sleeping baby sister. Peter helped her little brother out of the car, then started walking to the house, looking back to see if Neal and Aimee were following him. When he seen them following, he opened the door for them and smiled seeing his loving dog Satchmo running up, to get his daily loves from Peter and Neal. Lucas walked in first and look at the Christmas tree that had a few presents under it, which was up in the house. Aimee walked in next holding a sleeping Penny on her shoulder, guilt wash-over Aimee, because It seemed the kids might not have a Christmas this year.
Elizabeth walked up looking at the kids and gave them a sad smile, "You must be hungry." She said not knowing what else to say. El was one of the most comforting people around, but with this… Well it was hard and she could not just find the words to say to these children. Was there a word to comfort them at all?
Penny opened her little eyes while yawning. Her small hand reached up and rubbed her tired ogles, and smiled a sweet sleepy grin, "I'm hungry." She said while keeping her head on her big sister's shoulder. The big sister was Penny's security blanket. Aimee of course never minded holding her little sister because it was a soothing feeling for Aimee as well. Penny looked at El and smiled brightly, "You pretty; like mommy was." She said lifting her head up from her sister and watched the brown haired, blue eyed woman. Penny felt her heart warm slightly looking at Elizabeth, because of the fact that she did look like their lost mother.
El looked at the little girl and could not help, but smile. The little girl was cute, sweet, and clearly did not see as much as Aimee had, because she seemed to trust the Burkes and talk a bit. Aimee might have taken more of the torture than she allowed the little ones to take, but Lucas had yet to say a word just as Aimee had.
El led the kids to the dining room and told them to have a seat as she disappeared into the kitchen to get them so soup. She got three bowls of steaming chicken noodle soup, which she had made herself, and carried it back out on a little tray, she handed out a soup to Lucas, and then two in front of Aimee since she was still holding Penny.
Aimee gave a small "thank you" and started feeding Penny. Little Penny seemed to be feeling much better from the Tamiflu she had taken at the hospital; or maybe it was just getting out of that dirty house they were in. Who knew, but the chicken soup smelled wonderful, and Aimee was happy to get food into her little brother and sister, and not have to worry, but she was still on guard; still watching these people. She trusted no one really, but the two men did get them out of that filthy grimy house where they had been in for about four months. Now all that was left was making sure that never happened again.
Peter walked over to his wife and smiled at her, "Sit down hon. Neal and I will get the rest," He said kissing her head while smiling down at her. Once El nodded, Neal made his way into the kitchen and started to fill three more bowls with the delicious looking soup. Neal was of an expansive flavor palette, more expensive foods were to his liking, but Neal did love the simple home-made meals, like this one. He would make meals of this type from time-to-time, when he knew his short friend would not be stopping by that night. One of Neal's favorite comfort meals was his home-made Tomato soup, with a grilled turkey and cheese sandwich, with just a little herb mayonnaise. It was one thing that helped Neal with those long lonely nights, where he found himself thinking of his father, or Kate.
After the two younger kids took a bath; Aimee took a quick shower instead, just so her brother and sister would not be alone with people she did not know well. Not long after Aimee put the kids to bed and give Penny some more medication since the little girl was coughing, and had a stuffy nose; Penny got on her knees and folded her petite hands and began her prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, thy angels watch me through the night, And keep me safe till morning's light." After she finished, Penny climbed up into the warm inviting bed and smiled as Aimee tucked her in tightly. Aimee climbed in next to her sister and wrapped her into a warm embrace, hoping for a peaceful resting night.
Not being able to sleep after several hours of just laying there in bed, Aimee got up and walked down to the kitchen. Sitting down at the breakfast bar, Aimee's hands covered her face, as she took a deep breath, "Daddy, what am I supposed to do here? Please help me out here." She asked out loud, not aware that she had company.
Neal had not been able to sleep either, and he was down looking at the Burkes wine choices. Upon hearing the girl, Neal stood up and looked at her. He did not want to scare her by just coming out and be staring at her; so he cleared his throat and watched her jump lightly, "Sorry, I did not mean to scare you at all. Can't sleep huh?" He said walking over and sitting down next to her while smiling that charming beam that made his greyish blue eyes shine in the small amount of light that filled the kitchen.
Aimee rubbed her face, trying to rub the tears out of her emerald greens, "No I can't sleep. I guess it's the whole 'strange bed' thing." She said looking at him and smiled a little. That man's smile was so amazing. It easily pulled a girl in so quickly, and you could not help, but smile back and blush.
Neal looked at her and still had that smile on his face. He knew this girl had to be going through a lot, and he wanted to help so badly, but he was unsure of how, then an idea clicked, "You know, I know where the Burkes hide the ice cream and cookies." He said and smirked seeing Aimee's face brighten at his words. He got up and got a plate out and two bowls. Filling the bowls up with ice cream, he put some cookies on a plate and looked at her.
Aimee looked at the ice cream and cookies, and it brought back memories of her father, and she just had to smile. She reached for her necklace and looked down at it while Neal was getting them spoons; kissing the necklace softly she left it out of her shirt, where she had it most of the time.
Neal walked over and sat down with her, looking over he seen the locket and smiled: "Your boyfriend give that locket to you?" He asked then took a bite of his ice cream.
Aimee pushed a small bit of ice cream into her mouth, trying to stop the tears that started to form at the edge of her eyes. Neal's question had hit her a little hard, but it wasn't like she was not on edge already that night, "No, My dad and mom gave it to me." She said looking around the kitchen a little, trying to cast her eyes to anything, but Neal's face.
Neal watched the girl and nodded his head. Studying how the girl's eyes were going place to place, he knew he should not push her, but Neal just had to ask one more question: "Does it open?"
Aimee smiled a little looking back at him, "It did, but now it had my parents' ashes in it and has been sealed off. It's a way for me to keep them with me." She replied looking into those greyish blues and got lost for a minute. Forgetting all the fear and worry she had for this man; she felt comfort with him right now. Even talking about something she never talked about was easy with Neal.
Neal watched her, and nodded once again. He thought it was a good idea with the ashes. He knew Aimee was such a sweet girl, but she held so much in her and never let it out, "Aimee you can talk with me about anything. I hope you know that; No matter what time day or night." He declared with a calm soft voice. He wanted the girl to understand he meant every word.
Aimee took a couple bites of her ice cream and looked at Neal, "Ok, but you are not going to want to hear about my teenage problems." She stated watching as Neal pull the spoon out of his mouth.
"I will listen to anything you want to talk about. I am not one to say something and not go by it." He said then finished his ice cream.
Rubbed her neck a little as she finished her ice cream, she looked at Neal, "Can I go back to the house and get the presents I got for the kids? Christmas is just a few days away, and I don't have the money left for more presents." She said looking at her dirty bowl and got up to take the dish to the sink.
Neal sighed hearing her question; he took his bowl to the sink as well, and spoke: "No I'm sorry. It's too dangerous for you to go back in there. I promise you guys will not go without Christmas. We will figure something out. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, well today is since it's past midnight; but anyways. You will have Christmas." He said, smiling at her.
Aimee sighed shaking her head, "So all the money I spent is gone for nothing. Great." She said sadly and started walking to the stairs, "I'm going to go back to bed. Thanks for the talk and Ice cream. See ya in the morning." She said softly and started up. Walking back in the room, her beautiful little sister was still asleep, so she climbed back into the bed and put her arm around the little girl's body and a smile pulled on the blonde's lips when her little sister turned over and cuddled closer to her; Penny's little face buried into Aimee's neck. Maybe this would all work out. Maybe they would have a Christmas, but Aimee doubted it; for the kids' sake she hoped the kids would get a nice Christmas; with this being the first without their parents, it would be a hard one. Every day was hard, and it was not getting better, just harder. Aimee wondered if they would ever have a good life, or if sadly was their fate; all Aimee knew was she had to stand through all of this and be the one to hold them together, if she could hold herself together that is.
WOW! I am so happy that I have some people that like my story! It makes me feel great! On with some great news: I have a Beta reader and I can not wait to put her to work! Thanks to one of my good friends Ev who offered to be Beta, and make this story the best it can be! Love ya Ev! 3