Safe and Sound ft. @neverthescme ‘s children.
• Aida cares for Josh’s children while he’s out on the supply run.
The sounds of discomforted cries that echoed throughout Aida’s apartment was nothing short of heart breaking. She knew he would have felt more comfortable in his own home but her AC worked better than the one at the motel at the moment. His head rested on her shoulder and her free hand patted his back soothingly, reassuring him that the father that he cried for would return soon. Though Theo was sick, she felt honored that Josh trusted her enough to watch the boys while he was away and despite the toddlers symptoms it was going quite well.
Grayson had been such an angel, though. Sat on the couch with her Walkman and a bowl of sweet peas carefully resting on the cushion beside him, he was enthralled with a book that Aida thought might keep his attention. The boy knew that his brother needed all the attention he could get and that she would make it up to him once Josh returned home. Until then, she intended to focused her energy on comforting Theo as best she could.
”Okay, darlin’, let’s get you some tea. You want some, Gray?” Aida managed to get the toddler comfortably in one arm and tapped the boy on the shoulder. He gave her a slight nod and a quiet ‘yes, please.’ in return before glancing back down at the words on the page. Shaking her head with a chuckle, she resumed rocking Theo and decided to give making tea with one hand a go.
It was definitely easier with both hands, but the small child was clinging for dear life to her shoulder and she knew setting him down wouldn’t even be an option at that point. She was surprised with how little of a mess she had made though and gave herself silent kudos before pouring the liquid mixed with some of the last of the honey she had into two mugs and Theos sippy cup. After assuring that it was cooled down enough, she offered it to him and he took it instantly. At least the slightest bit of relief took over his tear-stained features and once she made sure he was content, she brought Grayson his mug.
”Will my dad be home soon?” The question was one she’d been expecting and after moving what was left of his peas, she sat down beside him. “Now that’s a silly question. Of course he will. He’s just doin’ some good for the Outpost right now. Just know that if they didn’t need him, he’d be snuggled up at home with you and Theo, ain’t that right?” Her voice turned into a coo as she looked towards Theo, who’s eyes were beginning to droop. “But for now, you’re stuck with lil ol’ me and I think I think I need to get this guy to sleep while he’s got the chance.” Lifting herself from the couch, she began making her way towards the bedroom to lay the now sleeping child down.
For the first time in hours the apartment was quiet and with Theo resting and Grayson still quite keen on the book, she took the opportunity to clean up the little mess that had been made before she grabbed one of the dining room chairs and carried it as quietly as possible towards the side of the bed that Theo was snoring soundly on. The two would more than likely take up most of the space on her twin mattress whenever Grayson got tired and it didn’t really phase her much. It wasn’t the first time she’d opted to sleep in what most would seem an uncomfortable situation.
For now, though she’d stay awake for both Grayson and anxiety’s sake. Showing emotion didn’t come easily for Aida anymore unless it came to KJ or the Lothars, but she truly did care for the members of the Outpost who had chosen to go on the run. They were risking their lives to keep the place functional and she couldn’t help but feel worried for their lives. The world outside of their perimeters were violent and harsh, but someone had to do it. They were skilled enough to know what they were looking for and get in and out quickly. That didn’t stop her from praying silently to herself to God she wasn’t even sure was there that every one of them would make it home safely. Josh had done a fantastic job at raising the children during this fucked up time and she knew that he’d make it back to continue doing just that.
She was just a worry wart. Nursing the cup of tea like it contained the whiskey she wished she could drink at that moment, she felt a lot like her mother and she could somewhat see what she had gone through when she had her wild phase. Staying out all night with friends was so minuscule next to the situation at hand and she chuckled lightly to herself for even comparing the two. There were much greater stakes at hand and the remembrance of those cut the amusement she felt short. There was nothing amusing about being vulnerable in world full of zombies and in an attempt to fight the flashbacks that came with her travels with KJ, she stood from the chair and joined Grayson in the living room. For the next few hours, she questioned him about the contents of the children’s novel he had started on and it kept their minds at ease for the time being. There was still a feeling of sadness emanating from both of them, but she knew it would linger until Josh returned. All she could do was remind them, and herself that it would be soon.
pixelskylines
gracieabrams
theartofmadeline
tangentwithtanner
prguitarman
andulkaphoto
2087
origamiaround
