Ella's POV:
After my talk with Stef and Lena I head back to my room. I decide to do some homework and just go to bed early. It was a long day. After doing a few hours of homework and studying, I take a quick shower and go to sleep.
"Well, we can't go see Mommy before we leave because she is still asleep, they are coming in the morning."
"I still feel like Mama and Mommy would want me to go with them." I can feel my five year old brain getting scared.
"Honey, it's okay I promise, you can trust me silly girl." He smiles and tickles my chin. I can't help, but smile. I haven't seen him much, but he is family, so I guess I can believe him. I just nod, still sad to leave Mommy and Mama.
"Can't I just say goodbye?"
"You don't want to upset Mommy and Mama do you? It will hurt their feelings if we wake them up when they are sleeping." The thought of hurting Mama and Mommy's feelings makes me sad.
"Okay," I say, grabbing his hand and walking off.
I gasp and sit up quickly. I look to the clock. It's 3am. I can't help but start crying. I try to be quiet, but I am struggling. I don't want to go to Stef and Lena again. My feelings are all over the place when it comes to them. Ugh, I don't know what to do. I realize I am super sweaty. My sheets and pillows are drenched. I can't go back to sleep like that and I can't let go of this scared feeling. Who is this person? I couldn't make out his face clearly this time. I decided to go take a shower.
The hot water feels good against my clammy body. I am trying to calm myself down as I try to think about anything else. I am not having great luck. Everything is just too much for me.
I hear the door crack open and before I can say something I hear, "Sweets?" Oh great, Stef.
"Uh, yeah?"
"Honey, are you alright in there? What is going on?"
"I am fine, I just couldn't sleep and needed to shower."
"Are you hurt or sick? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am okay. Not hurt or sick."
She pauses for a moment, "Okay, I will let you finish."
"Night!" I say to her, hoping she will go back to sleep.
I finish my shower five minutes later. I get out and put on the fresh pajamas that I brought to the bathroom. I tend to my hair for a few moments so my curls dry well. I open the door and Stef is sitting in the hallway. I just stop walking when I see her.
"What are you doing?"
Stef stands up and walks over to me.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay before you went to bed." She grabs my hand and tries to make eye contact.
"I am okay," I say, looking away from her eyes.
"Why did you take a shower sweetheart?"
"What, am I not allowed to shower?"
"No," Stef says calmly, "You just showered right before bed, it's 3:20 am and I can tell something is wrong."
"Nothing is wrong, but I am tired, so I am going back to sleep." I walk to my room and try to shut the door. Stef comes up and prevents me from shutting it.
"I will tuck you in." She whispers, to not wake Mariana.
"I am good" I say looking at her, not moving.
"Come on honey, what is going on?"
"Nothing, I just don't want to be tucked in. Please just go away." I know I am pushing it, but I don't want her to see my soaked sheets. I can't deal with this dream right now and I feel embarrassed for how messy they got. I was going to change them out when she went back to bed.
"Honey, no, you are hiding something, I don't know what is happening. Please just let me tuck you in and then I will go." I just stand there not knowing what to do. She just sighs and walks around me going to my bed. She goes to get the bed situated and sees how wet the sheets are.
"Sweetheart, what happened?" She asked softly. I can't help the tears.
"Nothing, I just had a dream and got sweaty. I needed to shower, so I was gonna change the sheets when I was done."
"Was it another memory?" She asks curiously. I just shrug. "Was it scary sweets?" I shrug again. I don't know what to say.
"I will take that as a yes. Do you need to sleep with us for the rest of the night?" I shaked my head no. Stef takes my hands.
"Baby, just come with me, please." She drags my hand and I don't protest. I want to fight her, but the truth is I am too scared to go to sleep. I was just going to try and stay awake all night.
Stef guides me into their room and she brings me to her side. She pulls the blankets back and I crawl in. I instantly latch onto Lena and she just wraps her arms around me. I bury my face into her hair as she rubs my back. I can't help but let sleep overcome me.
"How much longer until we get there?" I say looking at him through the review mirror. It is getting light out and it is morning time.
"Not much longer honey."
"Okay, will I see Mommy and Mama soon since it's morning?"
"Yes, sweetheart. Everything is going to be okay. Alright?"
"Okay, Grandpa."
I wake up and push Lena's arms off of me and instantly get out of bed. I can't help but feel dizzy, like the walls are caving in on me. I clutch my head and feel like I am going to fall, but I don't, something stops me.
"Honey, what is wrong?" Lena is calling to me, but I can't focus on her. I can't focus on anyone. My grandfather? He is the reason I was kidnapped?
"Sweetheart. Look at me. Look baby. Feel me." It's Stef. I can't see her. I can't feel her. I can't focus on anything.
"Help me. I don't know what is happ-" Everything goes black.
...
"Stef, it has been ten minutes. I think we need to take her to the hospital." I feel something cold on my forehead. I try to open my eyes, but I can't.
"Her breathing changed Lena, I think she is waking up."
"It is just making me nervous." There is a pause. "You are right. Her breathing has changed, I can hear it. I think this is more emotional than physical. Ella honey, can you hear me?" Lena says.
I try to say anything, but I can't. It comes out in a quiet grunt.
"That's it baby. Can you open your eyes?" Stef says. I try, but nothing.
"Ella, my love, open your eyes," Lena says. I try, but I just close them harder. "There you go baby, just the other way now." she tries again, brushing her fingers through my hair. I try again and open them a little, seeing light.
"That's it, sweets. Can you look at Mama and Mommy?" I try to focus on one of them and see Lena.
"There are your pretty eyes, my love!" Lena says, smiling wide at me. I look over at Stef who is smiling at me too.
I try to speak again and it is just more moans and grunts. I get frustrated and feel tears in my eyes.
"It's okay baby, take your time." Lena says.
I take a moment to collect myself. Somehow I was moved to the bed. Lena and Stef are on either side of me.
"What happened?" I say in a whisper.
"Well honey, you popped out of bed and started panicking. Then all of a sudden you started falling, so Mom caught you. We tried to help you come out of the panic attack, but you couldn't focus on us. Then you asked for help and mid sentence you passed out." I just look at her. I try to sit up, but struggle so they help me into a sitting position against the headboard.
"Oh yeah, I remember."
"Are you feeling okay, love?" Stef asks.
"Yeah, just a little tired and out of it, I will be okay." I say softly.
"What happened my love?" Stef again.
"I just remember having a dream and then waking up and well, what you said basically."
"What was the dream about?" I can't tell them, can I? One of their fathers kidnapped me?
"It was about... well...huh, I don't remember, to be honest." Stef and Lena make eye contact.
"Honey-"
"Stef, I swear. I don't remember, but if I do, I will tell you." I can't tell them. I have to figure out what is real. What if it isn't true and they disown their parents? No, I have to wait. I have to find the truth on my own before I crush one of them.
"Okay, baby." she says.
...
The next hour they keep a close eye on me. Slowly I got some strength back. It was 5:30am, but none of us went back to bed. I think they are still worried about me. By 6:00am we were all downstairs. They are having me drink water and eat some food to get my strength back. As time passed, I started feeling better and better.
I stand up and put my dishes in the dishwasher. I feel sad and confused. I am nervous about what I saw, what if it was really my grandfather? Stef is sitting in the breakfast nook. I can't help it. I walk over to her and crawl into her lap, snuggling right into her. She doesn't say anything, she just kisses my cheek repeatedly and starts rubbing my back as I let her hold me.
...
It is after school on Friday and we are heading home. I still haven't said anything about my dream. Stef and Lena let it go, thankfully.
"Hey guys, I have some great news," Lena starts. "Grandma, Gram and Grandpa are all coming this weekend. Ella, they want to see you. I know it may be a bit overwhelming, but we figured it would be easier for you to be reunited with all three at once."
"Yes!" Mariana stated, "you will love them all. They spoil us rotten." I just give her a smile, trying to not panic inside, but failing miserably.
"Uh, when will they get here?" I say trying to keep the quiver out of my voice.
"First thing tomorrow morning! They will stay Saturday night, until Monday morning." Lena claims.
"Cool." I say, unable to keep my nerves out of my voice.
"Honey, I am sorry. I know it feels intimidating. I have kept them away for a month, but they are struggling with not seeing you. You are their grandchild after all. I couldn't keep them away any longer." I just nod.
What the hell am I going to do?
