Bo's Voice Over:
Sometimes the line between weakness and strength isn't a bold line drawn across the sand,
but rather a thin, tattered thread veiled beneath the dust of defeats.
…
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Dani's POV
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One step, two step, three step, four.
My hand goes to touch the door as it slips open for me. "Right on time."
Smirking to myself, stepping from my personal aquarium into the hall, chill running up my legs as my toes touch the tile. Come to think of it…the foam was rather nice. Kinda comfy…like a squishy hug for my feet. Hm.
Left or right…left or right…left or…head tilting to my right as I hear commotion. Tam-Tam and her merry band of boy scouts. Turning to the right, taking two steps, she stands in front of them, the three boys behind her more than accepting of their standing. And to think there was a time when men didn't let women do the heavy lifting.
Laughing to myself, arms folding over my chest. "Well, looky who. It's the three stooges and the world's worst detective."
"Retreat." She orders, eyes remaining on me.
"Retreat?"
"My queen gave orders, not to engage."
"You're lookin' might froggy though Skylar two point o." Smirk growing as her eye twitches. Guess she didn't like that. "Run along little boys, me and Zazu here need a moment."
The three reluctantly back away, growing smaller as they vanish down the hall. Not that it matters, they'll be dead long before they ever get to my mother. Shame. I really was aiming to keep the death toll down. Oh well, four isn't horrible. Shrugging to myself, Tam-Tam tilts her head, confused by me. Yeah, she is definitely the type Bo would chase after.
"Go back into your cage."
"Eh, not really feeling it. Hate swimming. But you know what, if you happen to have a safari cell, I'll take you up on it. Just between us, I find giraffes adorbs."
"What is wrong with you?"
"Me?" Laughing, I hop the tiles toward her stopping ten feet from her. "Personally I'd say nothing, but if you ask some other people they might say different."
"Go back into your cell." Her eyes darken, hallowing out.
"That shit," Waving my hand toward her face. "Disgusting. Bo put a paper bag over your head when you're fucking or is this the shit she's into now?"
"Go back."
"You know, my mother ordered no engagement. You know you can't take me. Yet, here we are…pretending we're about to fight."
"I said," Her wings pop out, and I gotta admit it's slightly cool. Never seen that before. "Go back…"
"Into my cell?" Laughing, I hop two more tiles. "Step aside Tammy, you don't need to die quite so pointlessly."
"Honor isn't pointless."
"So be it."
Perhaps too lazily I throw a right hook only to be kicked back. Skin scraping against the floor as I stumble backward. She comes at me, left..right..left..left..all easily deflected. Hands grapping her face, thumbs pressing into her cheekbones ready to find out what her insides look like only to find myself stumbling back again. Her feet having found my chest, mouth filling with blood. Her flappy little wings keeping her slightly elevated from the ground as she goes backward herself.
"This is getting irritating." Mumbling, I make my way back to her.
Right hook thrown only to be slammed into the wall as she had managed to spin into my attack, wing knocking me into the wall. Face slamming hard enough to beak the drywall. Dust in my eyes, blood in my mouth. Her hand gripping the back of my neck as she manages to land a respectable amount of blows into my kidney. Going to grab her wrist, she throws me down the hall causing me to end up on my fucking ass.
Staring up at her, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Alright, fuck it. I can admit my pride is kinda hurt. Guess I underestimated Valkyries' strength. Balling my fists, "Alright." Slamming them into what used to be the floor. "Bring it on you big bird lookin' bitch." Growl escaping myself as I jump up.
Stupidly she lunges at me, hand wrapping around her throat catching her midair. Slamming her one side of the wall and then the next. Free hand grabbing her weak attempt at a punch, crushing every bone. Eyes staring into…nothingness, not that it matters I can smell the fear. I can feel the fear. Hell, I can feel her impending death…but this one is different. I don't think I can keep this one. Shame, would have enjoyed adding a Valkyrie to my collection.
"You'd knew I'd win…"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Someone like you would never understand."
"Firstly, there is no one like me." Tightening my grip on her throat, I can hear her veins starting to pop. "Secondly, answer me."
"Dying for something you believe in is better than living without purpose."
"Hm…" Giving her a nod, contemplating her words I tighten my grip crushing her throat before letting her drop to the floor with a thud.
I think mother might be a little upset about this one.
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Bo's POV
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The sound of the alarm blares loud enough to make Lauren have to cover her ears, nearly doubling over…but…I'm okay. My succubus is still taking a freaking nap. Wonderful! Heart pounding a million miles an hour, hands covering over hers as I force her to look at me. Her teary eyes peering into mine. "I'm here. It's okay."
And then the siren is gone…just like that.
No explosions. No fire. No gunfire. No screams. No…anything.
"False alarm?" Hesitantly I ask, hands dropping from hers.
"That's a little childishly optimistic even for you Bo." Danielle's voice causing my heart to skip a beat, hair on the back of my neck standing up. Hand instinctively on Lauren's stomach, pushing her slightly behind myself. "Do you really think in your state you could do much of…anything to me?"
"How did you get out?" The calmness in Lauren's tone shocks me the most, Danielle wiping her bloody hands on her pants.
"The glass was never going to hold me."
"And the door?"
"Guardian angel." She laughs, shrugging as if we're all just having some friendly small talk.
"What happened to best behavior and all that bullshit?" Snorting, hand still on her stomach as I take a step back, forcing her to do the same.
"This is me on my best behavior…though I do feel the need to apologize. I might have killed Tweety Bird, honest mistake." She shrugs again and for a second it doesn't dawn on me what she means. Lauren apparently getting it before I do as I feel her grab my arm. "If it makes you feel any better…at all, she died for honor." She laughs, taking a few steps in. "Must have really gave her one hell of a thrashing mother, she jumped at the chance to die."
"You're out…" Swallowing back the rage and sickness, I manage to force out the words I never thought I'd say. "Just go."
"Go? Oh no, no…no." Laughing, she steps further in as I guide me and Lauren another two steps backward. "We're just getting started."
"Then so be it." Fully ready for this fight, logic be damned I start forward only to have Lauren pull me back with a force she hasn't used on me in a long time.
"Really?" Danielle rolls her eyes. "Bo, come on. Did you really think this would all come to an end so quickly…so easily? Did you think that after all of these years our epic story would be wrapped up in some…rushed brawl? So sloppy? So quick? Did you think I've been away all this time and the best I could come up with was what…a little fist to cuffs showdown? Been there…done that. It's tired and played out."
"Dani, what…what do you want?" Lauren's voice full of hesitation, but her grip on my waist never wavers.
"For the moment? To give you your options. I want willing participants mother, because let's face it. I can force what I want, buuuut where's the victory in that?"
"Options?" I can feel my nostrils flare, my fists balled as my jaw pops under the gritting of my teeth.
"We're in a bit of a predicament here and the angel that I am, I come baring solutions." She smiles, clapping her hands together. "Option one is simple, Bo takes her rightful heritage stripping me of the responsibility. Goes off to the underworld and we're a happy family again."
"Think I'll pass."
"Eh," She shrugs. "Option two, which I am willing to reluctantly accept…I keep the burden, and we're all a happy family again."
"You're insane."
"Careful Bo, I haven't eaten my patience is wearing thin."
"What's option three Dani?"
"Option three, my least favorite…I kill everyone."
"How about I kill you and we call it a day?"
"Funny thing about that Bo, you kill me…you still inherit the title of Hades."
"Bullshit."
She's silent for a moment, nodding as if she was a disappointed parent. "Fine, I was hoping to do this with as little resistance as possible. There is another option, an option in which no one will be happy. See, your little bullshit wedding opened a door. A very interesting door. Fae tradition, such a funny thing. Bo-Bo here participated in the challenge ceremony opening the door wide open for-"
"I cannot be challenged."
"Not you mother. Bo. Your throne is blood right, Bo's is not. And had you not incorporated it into the ceremony well I'd be screwed."
"You want to challenge me…?" I almost laugh. "To what…marry your mother?"
"Don't be disgusting, to rule by her side."
"Even if…you would need…"
"Wait for it!" She yells, almost gleefully. "It's a little overplayed too, but I just kept seeing this moment in my head and it was soooo cool." She whistles, and if on cue dozens pour in from the door. Most notably, Leo.
"You betray me? Question my ability to rule?" Lauren, steps out from beside me. Really have a lot more pressing issues at the moment babe.
"No my queen," Leo steps beside Danielle. "Never yours, just hers."
"You need someone better to rule at your side." Another voice speaks up, someone important I've seen at a million parties and never bothered to learn her name.
"As much as you hate it Dani, you are Bo's child and even with support you can't challenge her."
"Well see about that…there's a little workaround." She's just so happy, she's almost singing. "I can go by Danielle Alreyna daughter to Lauren and Bo Alreyna…or I can just go by Hades. Funny thing about that title."
"Y-you've thought of it all."
"Waiiit. Now I know you both, and you're both thinking there's a work around. Both thinking that hey, even though I have one third of the remaining cities important shitheads, it won't matter."
"It doesn't." I snap, hand gently wrapping around Lauren's wrist.
"That's where you're wrong, because I have something that makes me impossible to ignore."
"There is nothing you could have Danielle. Nothing."
"Okay." Laughing, she claps her hands once and then twice. "Come on out."
The crowd parts from the door, Danielle beaming. My heart racing, realization slowly setting in that there's little I can do at this point and Lauren can't take all them. Not with Danielle here too. We can't even run. I could agree to this challenge, but would she want it this moment? Would she wait for me to be…fixed? Would it be enough to buy Lauren some time?
My thoughts trailing off only to come to a dead stop as Sean walks in looking nothing short of a ghost of himself. He's not scared. He's not drunk or high like he was. He's…ashamed. Ashamed of what? How is he…oh.
"Charlie is gone, defected. Ri-Ri and Mikey are too young to have much say. Ethan doesn't have the balls. Sean, well Sean is pathetic, but he is the eldest and direct heir to the throne…and guess who has his support?"
"Sean…what are you doing?"
"What has she done to you?" I snap, never quite as disappointed in him as this moment. "What…just how?"
"Don't make me do this mom." His voice breaks, tears in his eyes…the glimpse I get of them as he refuses to look me in the face. "Just take her offer. Just please."
"Dani, what have you done?" Lauren brushes passed me, still stopping short of arm's reach.
"I want my family back mother, I've told you this. If you won't give it me with open arms then I'm going to have to force it."
"And if I won't at all?"
"Then I will kill everyone. I will kill every child. Every woman and man. Every human and fae. Then I will kill my siblings. And then I will kill Bo. Then I will kill…"
"Me?"
"No silly, myself." She laughs. "I will make sure that you live alone for eternity, knowing that all you had to do to prevent all of this…was love me."
"Can we skip to the you killing yourself part?"
"Har-har-har. Did miss your sense of humor Bo." Her eyes shift from me back to Lauren. "I know this is a lot to digest. So, you have…what the hell, I'm feeling generous, six hours to decide. I'll be at home, awaiting your decision."
And just like the sadistic hurricane she is, the damage done…she turns and walks out leaving nothing but destruction in her wake. Her groupies following quickly behind all bowing to my wife before turning. And then Sean who stands there like a broken child, who can't even look at either of us. My heart breaking as each passing second I come to the realization of just what he's willing to support…who he's willing to support.
"What…just…happened…?"
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Dani's POV
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"You're going to miss the fun." Smiling, I step from the shadows, Charlie jumping at the sound of my voice. "Really? Border hopping?" I point up at the wall she's been eyeing for a solid two minutes. "Kind of high for someone who is…defective."
"I'm not scared of you."
"Yes, you are. It's okay. Everyone fears me. Even mother."
"Are you brining me back for her?"
"Naw. I think she's done with you lamb chop." Drawing in the cool air, holding my breath I look around. "At least for now. She's got bigger problems to worry about."
"Then why are you here?"
"Boredom. Gave a deadline, got to stick to it. Imagine my surprise when I caught a scent of my annoying little brat sister. Had to check it out."
"If you're not going to kill me or bring me back then can you leave me alone?"
"Can I?" Laughing, my attention finding it's way back to mother's mini me. "Let me impart some wisdom to make up for missing eighteen years of your life. Whether you hate this bloodline or not you are a part of it. Our blood courses through your veins and that means you have an authority that cannot be stripped from you. Don't ask, order. Don't wait, do. Don't plead, demand. Don't accept, take. Don't follow, lead."
"Are we done?"
"Ha." Nodding, smirking I start to step away from her only to spin back around, hand wrapped around her pretty little throat. Pinned against the wall, struggling to breathe. "You my dear sister are not born to lead, it's evident." My nails puncture her skin, grip loosening. "But you may just be a killer, right up my alley."
"Danielle." Struggling, her hands gripping my wrist.
"Embrace it Charlie, because at the end of the day it's all that makes you special. And it will be the only thing that makes you valuable to your human whore." Letting her go, she falls to her knees gasping for breath. "Here endith the lesson."
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Bo's POV
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"The kids…the ones who haven't abandoned us are in with Kenz." I say as calmly as I can manage, Lauren staring out of the window of an empty room.
"Have you ever wanted to just…take a break?"
"A break?"
"Not from us, from…everything."
"Lauren, we don't have time for this."
"Have you?" She turns around, almost snapping at me. I kind of find myself surprised to see she hasn't been crying, I kind of find myself surprised at my own surprise.
"What are you asking me?"
"Have you ever thought of a break…just a break away from everything? Just a long pause on the world. Come back in five years or ten years and start over. Just step away from it all."
"Sure, I'd love that babe. I'd also love a pet unicorn too, but we aren't getting either."
"Really, would you?"
"Now isn't the time for hypotheticals."
"Now is just like any other time Bo."
"Fine, sure I would love a nice long nap away from everything. I'd love to just take a moment away and come back to something…better. But we can't and-."
"Excuse me, my queens." Declan's voice from the doorway pulls our attention. "We are ready."
"Ready?" Lauren asks.
"Danielle is lingering on Main Street, I've assembled a team."
"No, Bo."
"You don't get to tell me no."
"Excuse me?"
"Lauren, you don't get to tell me no…not now." I snap, Declan nearly running away at this point. "I may not be able to…take her one on one, but I refuse to stand by as she…demands the most ridiculous, psychotic demands in the history of psycho-ness."
"You will get them killed. You will get yourself killed. For all you know she is waiting for you for this exact situation."
"I refuse to sit by and do nothing! To stare out of windows dreaming about things that won't happen. She is threatening our family!"
"You don't think I understand that?!"
"With or without your blessing, this will happen."
"Don't…don't do this Bo."
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Dani's POV
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"Let the bodies hit the floor." Whispered hum, fingertips tapping together as I walk from one side of the street to the next.
One heartbeat…two heartbeat…each one bringing the sweet feeling of death a little closer. She really should have let this be. No one to blame for what happens next except herself. Soooo stupid. The euphoric feeling washing over me in tsunami sized waves. Soo much death…got to love it.
The sound of heavy boot steps echo through the desolate street, my pacing coming to a halt. Thirteen heartbeats…only thirteen?
"This is pathetic Bo." I call out, her Gestapo crowded around her. "They will die."
"Always were full of yourself." She stops forty feet from me, her band of merry men holding up their M-14s. "You couldn't honestly think that this would work. That we would take this."
"You couldn't honestly think that this pathetic joke would work."
"Come with us willingly, go back to captivity. You'll never see the light of day, but you'll be breathing."
"Last chance, take them back."
"The order ma'am?" One of the children next to her asks.
"With extreme prejudice."
I'm not one to boast but it's rather laughable and kind of impressive how easily I close the distance amid the rain of gunfire. Hands wrapped around two of their throats, ripping them out. Spinning around hand through the chest of one ripping his heart out and then the next three. Four shots go into my chest before I snap the necks of the next four. Finishing the rest off with blows to the heart.
Stupidly Bo goes to throw a punch, back of forearm blocking it. She goes to kick up, attempting to knee me in the stomach. My palm landing on her chest sending her down onto the street. Starting down at her I can't even revel in the victory, so damn pathetic.
"Was this worth it?" Silence. "Was any of this worth it Bo?"
"Finish it."
"What's wrong with you?" Using my foot I nudge her side. "This is a low for you. Where's the fight? Where's good ole' patented Bo stupidity of never giving up? This was a poor attempt at…anything."
"Why didn't you stay gone?"
Kneeling down beside her, hand on her chest to keep her from getting up. "Is it so hard to believe I just want my family?" Sighing, I stand back up. "With or without you Bo, I will get what I want."
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Bo's POV
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The sound of their voices spilling out from Kenz room only further adds to the weight of my defeat. My stupidity. I was wrong. I was so so wrong. I can't focus. I can't breathe. I can't think. I got them all killed. I failed. I'm useless. I'm out of control. Hands running through my hair as I walk into the room. Their bickering stops, all of them falling silent. Lauren stares at me, disappointment radiating off of her.
"I um, I made a wrong…you were…we need to come up with another plan. Quickly."
"Bo…"
"Lauren, you were right. Alright. I admit it. And in a little while I will have a good cry about Declan and the others. But now we need a plan."
"The plan is…"
"Don't!" I snap, cutting her off. Ria and the boys jumping. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Just look…look we will figure this out. Soon I'll be up and running. I'll…we just need to hide until I can fight."
"I'm sorry, but isn't mother the strongest living being?" Ethan asks.
"Your mother can't kill Danielle."
"Is she stronger than you mother?"
"That…is up for debate."
"Bo." Kenz says softly, pushing herself up into a seated position. "There's only one strategy left here for us to play."
"No, what you two want is not a strategy. It's surrender. I refuse."
"Think about this my love."
"I am! I refuse for us to be forced into some sick, twisted fantasy of the Brady Bunch."
"What's the Brady Bunch?" Ria asks, tossing her magazine onto the floor.
"Not the point Ria." Kenz says, shaking her head.
"We can fight this. We can fight. We always fight and we always win. Just…I just need to figure this out and…"
"We have a deadline Bo, a deadline. Are you willing to call her bluff?"
"Do you really want to accept her back?"
"Want and willing are two different things. I want her gone, I want this to have never happened. I want to be able to trust my children. What I am willing to do is accept defeat if it saves the lives of my family and my people."
"Lauren…don't do this."
"Bo," Kenz reaches out, taking my hand. "There's not another way…right now.
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Dani's POV
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"I count my demons as they dance around my bed." Whispering words, beat long forgotten. Fingertips pressed to the glass, the chill soothing my boiling skin. "I feel them breathing down my neck, it never ends…" Heart beginning to speed up as I feel her presence nearing.
So many years have passed, so much time but this place still feels like home. More now than it ever did then. How interesting the things time changes. Time heals all wounds they say, it's debatable. Some of mine have healed, scar tissue a forever reminder, but they don't hurt anymore. Then there's others…so many others that haven't even began to heal. Maybe it just hasn't been long enough.
"Did you make a decision?"
"I have, yes."
"And?"
"Life is made up of moments Danielle, just a constant string of moments, because the truth is they are all you ever remember. You don't remember your life as a whole. You don't remember every detail. No, you remember moments. Just these moments in time and like photographs…sometimes they lie."
My brow narrowing, staring into the reflection of my own eyes. "W-what?"
"Things are starting to fade for me, so many things and all I'm left with are these moments. Moments of you as my daughter. Moments of you as my…enemy? Moments of you as my…reflection. So many moments. I'm not sure which ones I hate and which ones I simply accept anymore. I'm not sure if I hate any honestly or rather just accept them."
"I need an answer mother." Still I don't turn, but rather catch the image of her in the reflection of the glass as she lingers near the kitchen.
"We've tried you being my daughter and it doesn't work. We've tried you being my enemy and that doesn't work."
"We've tried many things."
"We have." She nods. "You don't want to be my daughter and I don't think underneath it all that you want to be my…lover. You've attempted both, failed both. You say things…do things that make people have this assumption of you, but…" She steps forward. "That night in the warehouse, we played chicken and you swerved. You were and always have been a dog chasing after something, yet when you catch it…you have no clue what to do."
"I'm growing tired mother." I turn around, arms folded.
"You have and always have had this perception of your mom, and you want to be that. You believe she is my lap dog and in turn that's what you desire to be…"
"That isn't…!"
"Silence. I'm speaking now." She holds up her hand, a strength to her voice that catches me by surprise, silencing me. "It's just you and me now here Dani. No one else, so let's be honest. I still love you and I never could find a way to stop." She takes another step forward. "I thought there was a chance that you were alive and I was okay with that." And another step. "You have seen your mom as my lap dog, someone beneath me and as much as you hate her Dani that is what you've aspired to be. You don't have to say it aloud. It's fine. Because at the end of the day, we both know this is the truth."
"Mother…"
"I'm tired of fighting you Dani, I'm tired of the bloodshed we leave in our wake. We run from what we are and maybe we should, but I'm tired. So, we will try this. You can be what you honestly desire to be. I can be a…mother again. We can have a second chance of sorts. Ethan is the first to follow. The others will soon."
"And Bo?"
"She may or may not, but that will be her choice Danielle and if she chooses to try, I demand you try too."
"You demand?"
"Yes."
"Huh." Smirking, taking two steps forward. "Non-negotiable on Bo huh?"
"Non-negotiable."
"Damn." Taking a step in, reaching up I cup her cheek and she doesn't flinch. "Between you and me mother," Leaning in, lips pressed to her ear I whisper. "I only desire to be your dog because those are the only ones you give affection to. Just ask Ethan." Slowly pulling back, a soft kiss to her cheek. "If you cross me mother, I will rip their hearts from their chests and dine on them in front of you."
"And if you cross me sweetheart," Her tone as gentle as her touch as she reaches up, cupping my cheek this time. "Your time in the underworld will seem like a day in heaven."
I almost laugh, smiling into her touch.
Let the tango begin.
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Bo's POV
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Love is supposed to last forever…that's the whole point, isn't it?
Window open, I stare up at the building. The apartment too high up for me to see, but I know she's standing in the window now looking down and watching. I know she's standing there gloating like the smug…vile…creature she is. I know she's standing there reveling in the fact that she's won. She's actually finally won.
A parent is supposed to love their child more than their partner…aren't they?
My eyes falling onto Michael who lets go of Lauren near the door, turning and walking away from her, toward me. Attention shifting to Ethan standing in the doorway waiting for her…for a new life that he has no clue what it entails. He looks scared and stoic at the same time, like a mini Lauren…so many years ago. If it were another moment in time…I'd smile.
Does that rule still stand if the child is…well…is Danielle?
Lauren wraps her arms around a reluctant Ria. It takes a few seconds, but she wraps her arms around her mother. I can't believe we're back here. Back at this place…literally and figuratively. How do all roads end here? How after everything to we end up back in this place? How….just how?
After everything…how…how can she choose her over me?
The car door pulls my attention, I look into the back seat at Michael staring out his window. I can't remember the last time I saw him like this. But the sound of the door wasn't him, he had managed to sneak in at some point in my wallowing. It was Ria who slid in beside me, without a word.
Silence crushing us like a brick wall falling from the sky. Everything I have inside of me struggling to keep from crying, tears just around the corner. Every beat of my heart bringing me one step closer to dying. The sick feeling in the pit of my stomach creeping up every inch of my being. Hands gripping the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. Deep breath held.
"We'll um…we'll be okay." Sighing, speaking making it worse. "We'll be fine. We're strong and it is…you guys just haven't experienced like this…but I have…your aunt has and we'll…we'll be okay."
"Mother…?"
"She um, this is, well this is her decision and it doesn't mean that she doesn't love you. It's just…that...um..." I take a deep breath, tears filling my eyes as all I can hear in the back of my mind is this voice screaming 'LIAR'. "We're going to be okay."
Forcing a smile as Ria turns to look at me, dead in the eye. "Get your shit together."
"I…what?" I almost laugh, blinking back tears. "What?"
"Get. Your. Shit. Together."
"Ria." Michael calls her.
"Mother gave me a message for you. She said, get your shit together…she's waiting."
"She's waiting?"
"Yeah." Ria nods, sighing as her attention turns to the window. "That's what she said."
Get my shit together…? Smirking to myself, nodding as a stray tear slips down my cheek. She's waiting…?
Nodding again, eyes finding the rearview mirror.
Game on.