Chapter 12- Bonding
Amanda looked out her bedroom window. Since it was Friday, her father had explained that she didn't have to think about school until Monday. Being at this school felt familiar and strange at the same time. Everything was as Amanda was now remembering, but she also was remembering her life as Sarah Nicholls. It also hadn't been easy that she hadn't seen Jackson or Naomi since waking up. Her father had said they were on the grounds, but they had agreed to keep their distance as Amanda rebonded with her family.
Amanda turned as the door to her room opened and Moira stepped in. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Her mother asked as she walked to her and gently stroked Amanda's face and hair gently.
"All right, I guess, Mama. It's funny. This place feels familiar, but it feels strange too and I don't quite know how to tell Daddy," Amanda felt, feeling a little forlorn at having to tell her mother all this.
Moira smiled gently and pulled her into her arms, pressing Amanda's head to her shoulder. "Your father knows, baby, and understands. But me, your father, and David are all here for you. We want to help you adjust to life here, but you do have to try. Can you try, sweetheart?" Moira asked, the gentle hand running through Amanda's hair making her feel safe and loved.
"I guess so, Mama," Amanda said and Moira kissed her forehead.
"I'm glad, Amanda. Now, let's go. Me and your aunt Raven want to take you shopping for school clothes and I need your father's credit card," Moira said as Raven entered the room. Apparently she had decided to be blue instead of looking human, but Amanda wasn't afraid of her aunt. She also wasn't afraid when she saw Hank looking blue either or Kurt Wagner, who everyone called Nightcrawler.
"Did you tell her?" Raven asked.
"Yes, she told me, Aunt Raven. I just hope neither of you mind shopping with me as I am the worst shopper in the world unless it's a movie or book. It was easier to go see "Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace" than it was school clothes when school started a few months ago," Amanda said, rolling her eyes.
"You like "Star Wars?" Raven asked.
"I love "Star Wars." Jedi knights are so cool," Amanda said as they left her room and Raven and Moira stood on either side of her. The gesture was like Moira's hand running through her hair; a feeling of safety washed through her. They stopped in front of Charles's study and Moira knocked on the door.
"Come in," Charles's voice called out to them. Moira opened the door and they entered Charles's office. Charles looked up from some paperwork and giving his wife and daughter a smile rolled his wheelchair up to them.
"Charles, I need you're credit card," Moira said, after giving Charles a quick kiss.
"I see. Well, I see no problem as long as you buy our girl whatever she wants," Charles said as he gave Moira the card.
"Dad, I don't want everything," Amanda said.
"Just indulge us this, Sweets," Charles said, pulling her down onto his lap and cupping her face gently.
"Your father is right, baby. You deserve it and more. After we shop, me and Raven will take you out to eat," Moira said, stroking the back of her head gently.
"You two have ganged up on me," Amanda said.
"That's right and don't argue with us. You'll lose, love," Charles said, kissing her forehead.
"Is it safe for me to even go out with Stryker looking for me?" Amanda asked.
"It should be if you stay close to me or Raven," Moira said as Amanda stood up and they left the mansion. At one point about halfway Raven had decided to look human.
"Aunt Raven, if you aren't ashamed of your blue skin, why do you morph into a human?" Amanda asked, furrowing her forehead.
"That's actually what Erik has asked me. It's easier actually for me to look human while I am doing chores as most people are terrified when they see me blue," Raven said, turning to look at Amanda as Moira was the one driving.
"I don't know why. It's not like you're Frankenstein's monster. You're probably more human than most humans, Aunt Raven," Amanda said. Raven reached over and stroked her face gently.
"And you are sweet to say that, but, sadly, not all humans are like your mother," Raven said.
"So, what kind of clothes do you wear, baby?" Moira asked, changing the subject.
"I wear blue jeans a lot and any shirt that I can pull over my head, t-shirts and turtlenecks. I don't really dress up a whole lot unless it's Saturday and I go to the synagogue or it's a Jewish holiday or mine or someone else's Bar or Bat Mitzvah," Amanda said as they pulled into the mall's parking lot.
"Well, then, this should be fun as I haven't dressed you up like a doll since you were three," Raven said.
"I didn't play with dolls much when I was little, so I wouldn't know how to dress a doll," Amanda said as they entered a department store and a sales clerk showed them the section for teenaged girls. Amanda was soon looking at shirts, her mother was looking at pants, and Raven was looking at shoes and jumpers she could dress Amanda in.