Sorry it's been ages since we last posted for this story! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
I stare at Nii-chan as we wait upstairs in the playroom with Shachi and Penguin. "Cap't something the matter?" Shachi asks while Law paces from one wall to the next. I'm perched on my usual seat by the window.
Law stops a moment and glances at the two. "Our aunt is coming for a visit." Law says scrunching his nose up in disdain. "Last time she came here she was set on taking Azalea away with her." Nii-chan looks over at me worriedly, he's not at all pleased that she's coming, tomorrow to be exact.
"Is she coming to try to take Azalea away again?" Penguin asks turning his head to look at me, I stare back at him with a worried look. If Nii-chan is worried, I'm worried.
"I'm not letting anyone take my little sister away." Law says comfortingly, his confidence rolling off him to the other two boys. "Azalea, you shouldn't go around Aunt Eleanor alone." Nii-chan says while walking over to me.
I nod my head and smile up at him. "I know Law." I say obediently. Nii-chan takes his hat off nervously and runs his hands through his hair. "Everything will be fine, no one is going to take me away, I know you won't let them." I say smiling up at my brother.
"Neither will we Azalea!" Shachi and Penguin echo confidently as they come to my brother's side.
I smile at Nii-chan, hopping off the window seat I walk the remaining distance to my brother and hug him. "See, no one is going to get to me." I say confidently. "Besides we have Bepo too!" I cheer happily.
As I say this the bear sleeping in the corner perks his ears up and looks at me. "Azalea won't get taken away Cap't, you're too smart." Bepo confirms before going to sleep.
"Besides we don't even know for sure why she's coming to visit." I remind my brother soothingly.
…
Dressed in some of my nicest clothes I wait with Nii-chan, holding his hand nervously as we wait for mama and dad to get back from the port. "I'm glad we didn't go." I murmur feeling my heart race, Bepo is seated in the corner of the room. Law's ordered for the bear to follow me wherever I go in case one of the boys can't follow.
"Me too." Law confesses squeezing my hand in his. "It'll be a little visit and then she'll leave." Law says repeating what mom has told us. "No one but her will be leaving. Aunt Eleanor will leave here alone."
We sit in our nice clothes, me in a dress, Law in his khaki shorts, a white shirt with his striped tie, and his navy blue blazer. Though he refused to let mom do his hair, opting to wear the hat I made him for his birthday instead. Mom put me in my my favorite navy blue dress, it matching my brother's blazer, white stockings and black dress shoes. I wonder what will happen once Aunt Eleanor gets here, is she really as bad as everyone thinks she is, including mama?
"We have the guest room all made up for you Eleanor," I hear dad's voice carry as the front door opens, Law's hand grabs mine taking a tight hold on my own. "Law, Azalea, come greet your Aunt." He calls as we hear them step into the entryway.
Bepo pops up from his spot next to the couch as Law and I get off the couch and walk to the entryway, Bepo follows behind us very closely. "It's nice to see you." Law says in mock politeness, the same tone he uses when mom makes us greet other children or adults. "It's been a long time Miss Eleanor."
From behind Aunt Eleanor Mom and Dad both give Law a be nice look. "It's nice to meet you Miss Eleanor." I say mimicking Nii-chan in the same tone and mannerisms.
"Such polite children," Aunt Eleanor says looking down at Law and me. "So well dressed, such a strange pet you have." She says before clicking her tongue at Bepo. "Shouldn't you keep the little thing out doors?"
"Bepo is part of the family," Law answers as he tugs me away, having deemed us greeting our Aunt. I happily reach my hand out and pet Bepo's head. "Don't leave her side." Law mutters darkly to Bepo as he tugs me forward with him.
Law leads us up the stairs with Bepo following behind us. "He's very protective of his little sister." Dad's voice carries as we go the stairs. "Nothing wrong with that." He says simply. "I'll show you to the guest room, it's this way." He continues on obviously ignoring whatever was said.
"Let's pick out a book, I'll read to you." Law says affectionately as we enter the playroom. "We can read that pirate adventure again." He says as we approach our bookshelf, Law's are the bigger books higher up, while mine are inreach for me.
"I really love it when you read to me." I say quietly as Law picks a book off the shelf, sitting in my favorite spot with Bepo lounging at our feet, I lean against my brother as he reads. I enjoy the soft tone he uses when he's with me, the way he uses different voices for different characters in the book, I especially love how Law chuckles slightly when he finds something amusing.
"You can rest her on me." Bepo says quietly as I start to get sleepy. "I'll protect her." He says softly, I feel Law pick me up carefully and setting me down on Bepo, I cuddle into the bear happily.
Law, Bepo, Mom and I wave goodbye to Dad, he's taking on some mission suddenly, leaving again. "Take care of Mom and Law for me." Dad says while ruffling my hair up for me. "Law, listen to your mother, take care of your sister and mom." Dad says looking to Nii-chan. "Beop, keep them safe." He says while petting the bear watching curiously as Dad walks over to mom.
"Come back safe." Mama says while hugging dad tightly. "I'm going to miss you so much." She mutters quietly as they hug.
"I'll miss you too, I'll miss all of you, I love you." He says kissing her forehead before picking me up. "You Little Miss Azalea stay safe too, I love you my little blossom." He mumbles while kissing my head.
"I love you too dad." I mutter wrapping my arms around his neck. "Be safe." I mutter sadly as I'm let down for Dad to hug Law.
I watch as the two exchange words quietly. Mom holds my hand while Bepo nudges me with his nose. "It'll be ok, we're a family." I tell him quietly. "Dad will come back." I mumble watching as Law stands behind me as Dad heads off on his own towards port.
Law picks me up and sets me on Bepo's back. "Come on, let's go play at the field." He mutters pulling his hat on a bit lower. The three of us spend a lot of time out of the house now that Aunt Eleanor has been staying with us for a few weeks.
"I thought she was only gonna be here for a short visit." I mutter while frowning. "She's been here for ages." I grumble holding on to Bepo's fur as we pass the garden and head towards the open field, Shachi and Penguin meet us there.
"I know," Law mutters equally as upset as I am. "She'll have to leave eventually." Nii-chan say hopefully.
Shachi, Penguin, Bepo and I follow behind Law quietly. "Nii-chan, can I sleep in your room tonight?" I ask quietly.
"You know you can." Law says back affectionately. "Come on, let's go find a game to play." Law says simply leading out little pack around.