Chapter 20

Over time Charlie's kidney function had gotten a lot better. We found new medication that works for him. The doctors raised his life expectancy by an additional 10 years giving Charlie 15 years. They said as the kidney continues to adapt to his body he may live a full healthy normal life before that kidney decides to quit. He lost a couple of pounds and was even considering a career change. He decided to go back to school to get a degree in education like me. He wanted to be apart of the administration to be at the school with the kids just like me. He said it would make his mental health ten times better too.

I'm so happy and proud of him. Charlie has had his own personal demons. His share of ups and downs that I still can't believe he went through with me. He truly is the best husband and father ever. In the meantime while he's getting ready to go back to school, I'm preparing for Christmas. Halloween left us quick, and Thanksgiving came and went. My kids love helping decorate the tree. It's a little funny though because all of our ornaments are at the bottom because they can't reach up high enough. This is my last Christmas with my brothers. They'll be in college next winter. Justice may have quit soccer a while back but he still loves the game. He wants to coach it someday. Jesse has decided to major in English/Literature. I'm not sure if he wants to teach it or do something else with the degree.

Charlie was sitting at the dining room table on his laptop, he was registering for the spring semesters courses. It'll probably take an additional four years to complete the requirements I did. He'll split his time between work at the radio station, schoolwork, and the kids.

Bryan's gotten the use of his powers. He sees something it flashes quick and he tells us or takes care of it in an instant. He'll be in the 5th grade by the time Charlie makes a breakthrough with working at the school. The girls will be going into 1st grade then. They really are growing. I enjoy it each and everyday.

"Bryan?!"

"Yes mam!?

"Can you bring that other box of ornaments out of the closet?"

"Yes mam!"

I watched as Bryan started to leave. He stopped a minute.

"Bry?"

He looked up rather slowly. It was a vision. Charlie and I normally could tell by the blank stare on his face. He gasped and blinked rapidly. He then held his head.

"Bryan, you okay?"

"Anna!" He shouted and rushed over to her. She tripped on the tree skirt and was headed for a box of glass ornaments. Anna screamed and Bryan caught her.

"Thanks bubba!"

"Yeah...well be careful."

He walked by me and I stroked his fringe as he past.

"Char?"

"In a minute babe!"

"Well we need someone to put the star on top, and that someone is gonna have to be you...you're the tallest."

"Alright I'm coming."

He entered the living room. Bryan came in behind him.

"These are plastic Momma."

"Great! That's what we need."

We decorated the tree together. We still had a few days until Christmas but seeing it put up made me feel as if it was Christmas morning already. The kids were in bed and the first snow of the season began to fall. We turned the lights out, except for our tree. I sat in Charlie's lap and we just watched it fall outside the window. They were huge illuminating white flakes.

"Look at that coming down out there." Charlie whispered.

"Mm-hm."

He sighed and wrapped his arms around me. I could feel his chest against my back.

"Our seventh wedding anniversary is next week." He told me softly.

"Yeah...seven years of marriage, 11 years and four kids later, what do you wanna do?"

"I d'know...maybe go back to Paris..."

I smiled at the thought. Those days actually seemed so easy back then, regardless of where I've been and all I've done.

"Let's just have our anniversary like this...you holding me...watching it snow."

"I'd like that." He replied. I felt his warmth. He kissed the side of my head. We were about to fall asleep until we heard Juju bark. His toenails clicked down the hallway and he entered the living room.

"What is it boy?" Charlie asked with a yawn.

Juju barked again. We both sighed.

"Better go see what he wants he'll wake the kids." I said and stood to meet Juju.

"Juju, hush now...you wanna wake your brother and sisters?" I exclaimed and petted him.

"Maybe he needs to go to the bathroom?" Charlie questioned.

"Really Juju, now? It's freezing...but I guess when you have to go...you have to go...come on boy."

I led Juju to the back patio. As I left Charlie and I heard the girls scream. All three of the girls were screaming bloody murder. I allowed Juju to go out and ran down the hall to the bedroom. Charlie met me there.

"What is it?!" I yelled.

"Did you hear them!"

"Yes!"

"Girls!" Charlie shouted. He then beat on the bedroom door. It was stuck as if it were blocked.

"What in the hell?" Charlie stammered. He then threw his body against the door to break it open. The girls kept screaming.

"Anna! Isa! Mira! It's alright it's just Mommy and Daddy!" I cried over their screams.

"Mommy!" We heard Anna cry out.

"Annabelle...its Daddy baby doll...open the door." Charlie said calmly.

"We can't!' She cried back.

Charlie attempted to break the door open again. He grunted and held his shoulder.

"Wait a minute Char! Wait!"

Charlie backed up. My eyes began to glow magenta. I raised my hands.

"Vis aperta!" I waved my hand and two glowing slashes made an X in the door that then vanished taking the wood with it, leaving a giant hole in the door. The girls were crying. Charlie stepped in. The bed had been moved all the way to the door. Charlie scooted it back. I knew the girls couldn't have moved it by themselves. Pictures were crooked, the room looked as if there had been an Earthquake. Bryan was in the floor off the bed.

"Bryan?!" Charlie quickly ran over to him and held him in his arms. I comforted the girls.

"Bryan!" Charlie shouted and shook him. Bryan whimpered. He then let out a scream and held his head.

"Its okay! It's okay!" Charlie hugged him tightly.

"I...I'm sorry."

It was then we discovered Bryan awakened a new power as he slept:

Telekinesis.