"Grandma said Amelia has to live at the hospital until she gets better. She said Olivia took after you and that she needs to stop having babies she can't take care of."
"Grandma needs to get some business. You can tell her I said that." Maya said.
"Grandma said you and mom are stupid."
"That's not a nice word." Olivia said.
"Where is mom? When is she coming to get you?" Maya asked.
"I think she took a vacation. I grabbed a few things from my house and suitcases were in the living room. It is her birthday. I guess she wanted a break from DC."
"What? She didn't ask me to keep Sophia for longer than a day."
"I can go stay at Olivia's house until mom and grandma come back from vacation."
"Great." Maya said.
"Can I have your house Olivia?" Sophia asked.
"No. Can we all stay in a good mood for Amelia?" Olivia asked, double checking her purse for Amelia's gift.
Maya checked the time in her SUV and looked in the backseat at Sophia. She was eating chips and dropping crumbs all over her seats. It had been two weeks since the car accident. Amelia was coming home and continuing her treatment with the psychiatrist. She asked for Sophia to be at the hospital.
"Why are you eating in my car?"
"I'm hungry."
Maya took her phone out her purse and threw it in the backseat. "Call mom, and let her know I'm not keeping you."
"I want to stay with Amelia."
"Mom and Aunt Sophia can you please stop fighting until you take me and Amelia home?"
"Can we go to Gettysburger?" Sophia asked.
Maya leaned forward and rested her head on the steering wheel. Sophia climbed to the front and looked in the glovebox for more chips. Maya sniffled and Olivia closed her purse.
"Mom, why are you crying?"
"I'm starting over. I'm happy and scared. Those babies are coming home soon. I don't know if I can handle it."
"Me and Amelia can keep the babies."
"Sophia get back in your booster seat." Olivia said.
"I want Gettysburger."
"Okay, I'll get you some food after we get Amelia." Olivia said.
Maya wiped her eyes and looked in her purse for makeup.
"I'm going to be here for you whenever you need me. You can call me when you're up with crying babies."
"Thank you Livvie."
Maya took a deep breath and stepped out of her SUV. She had to pull herself together. The medical staff would have questions if they saw her losing control of her emotions. "I'm going to see my babies. Call me when you're ready to leave with Amelia."
Sophia hopped out of the SUV and ran after Maya. "Wait for me!"
Olivia reached down for Sophia and put her on her hip. "Let's get Amelia."
"And then Gettysburger."
Olivia laughed and kissed her cheek. "You are my favorite aunt."
"You're my favorite niece. Amelia is my best friend. Can I stay at your house until mom and grandma come back from vacation? I can have your whole house."
"Who's going to read The Day the Crayons Quit?"
"You have to read Goodnight Moon with Amelia."
"I can read both. We're going to read books, eat dinner and you and Amelia can play a few hours before you go to sleep."
"Why is Maya being so mean?"
"She's overwhelmed."
"Why does she need a break from me?"
"Because she needs wine and chocolate."
A few minutes later, they were looking through a glass window at Amelia and a psychiatrist. Amelia ran to the glass and waved hello. The doctor pressed a button letting Olivia and Sophia in to speak with Amelia.
"Why do you live at the hospital?"
"Because I ran in the street. I can go home today."
"Your stay here was for your own safety." The psychiatrist said to Amelia.
"I don't like being here."
"You've made a lot of progress. You'll be continuing your therapy once a week." The psychiatrist was speaking to Amelia and looking at Olivia.
"Thank you." Olivia said.
Olivia smiled and hid her emotions. Keeping Amelia in the psychiatric ward was excessive and traumatizing. Yet, she couldn't get her child back until they both completed therapy and Olivia completed a parenting class. Her parenting class was completed. Now, Olivia's therapist and Amelia's psychiatrist insisted on weekly appointments. In the last few weeks, Olivia had learned more than she thought she would ever need to know about childhood suicide rates. She was tired of living a nightmare.
"Mom, I'm ready to go home."
Olivia pulled Amelia into a hug. She didn't know the last time Amelia had a toothbrush or a comb. Her teeth were yellow, and her hair was tangled in a ponytail. She was wearing the clothes she arrived in two weeks ago.
"We're going to Gettysburger."
"Drive thru." Olivia said.
The doctor signed the paperwork for Amelia to leave. Amelia held up her arms and Olivia leaned down to pick her up. Tears wet her neck.
"Why are you crying?" Sophia asked.
"I'm going home. I hate this place."
Olivia reached for Sophia's hand while she balanced Amelia. They made their way to the maternity floor. Sophia let go of her hand when they stepped off the elevator. She ran and Olivia put Amelia down to chase after Sophia before she could annoy the staff.
"Where is Maya and her babies?" Sophia asked a nurse.
"Excuse me?"
"Let's go Sophia." Olivia said.
"Follow your mom." The nurse said.
"Olivia is my niece! She's not my mom."
The nurse laughed, "What?"
Olivia nodded, "She is my aunt."
Maya stepped in the hall when she heard Sophia.
"Is that your indoor voice?" Maya asked.
"No." Sophia said.
Maya frowned at Amelia's unkemptness and looked at Olivia.
"Where going to drive thru at Gettysburger." Olivia said.
"Who's keeping Sophia me or you?"
"I think you need a break. You can stay here with the babies. I'll call Fitz to come get us from the hospital."
"Thank you."
Fitz was there to get them a few minutes after Olivia called. He was a lot better. The bruises were still fading, but he didn't have any complaints. They had the house to themselves the last two weeks. Isla wanted them to have a long break. She couldn't keep Karen every day because she had to work at the hospital. She convinced them to allow Mellie to keep Karen until they worked out their problems. It was an awkward situation. They were surprised when Mellie agreed. She was no longer working at the restaurant. She was dating the new mayor of her city in Virginia. Marcus Walker, and he paid for Mellie's hotel for two weeks. Isla and Mellie alternated keeping Karen. Today, Mellie was going back to Virginia. When they arrived at her hotel, her bags were packed, and she was holding Karen. Smiling, she happily gave her to Olivia.
"Are you ready to go home?" Olivia asked Mellie.
"Yes. I love Karen very much, but I'm not ready to be a mom yet. I made the right decision."
Olivia smiled, relieved she wouldn't have to deal with an emotional breakdown from Mellie.
"I have plans to hangout with Skye. Do you know she flew all the way to Virginia to see me?"
"That's great."
"Well, goodbye Olivia."
"Goodbye Mellie."
"No fighting and no tears." Fitz, said when they were in the car.
Olivia looked back at Karen in her car seat. She was sleeping. Amelia was looking out the window. Sophia was eating her burger.
"Should we call the nanny back to work today?" Fitz asked.
"No, I think we'll be okay without the nanny for a few days."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I want to spend time with my own kids. They need me not a nanny."