You can hear the worry in Cleo’s voice.
“I must apologize, Mrs. Takahashi. I must have done something wrong, and the system won’t open for me. You have to do things just right to make it work.”
Liar. He’s fucking lying and trying to placate Cleo so she doesn’t freak the fuck out.
Like you are right now, a little voice in my head reminds me.
I run my hands through my hair and start pacing as what he says hangs in the air.
“It’s okay, Daiki. Accidents happen,” Autumn tells him.
The tension in the room grows as I pace.
Don’t lose your shit. For fuck’s sake, don’t lose your shit.
“Nikita, sweetheart, are you okay?” Autumn soothes.
“I don’t like small spaces,” Nikita says quietly.
“Usually it isn’t bad, but with all of us in here, it’s a little tight,” Cleo says, sounding tense.
“It feels like a metal shoe box,” Nikita mutters.
“Amen,” I mumble.
“Miya, babe, how about you sit down and we play a game or something?” Autumn says.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I love her, I really do, but her optimism is grating on me. How can she constantly be so fucking happy? Especially with our men out there possibly fighting for their lives?
I shake my head. “I can’t.”
“Too bad, because that was an order,” she says, sounding fiercer than I’ve ever heard her. “Tension is high right now, and you’re making it worse.”
Cleo groans. “God, is this what I get for making us celebrate Christmas together? I just wanted to have a normal holiday like a normal freaking family. Is that too much to ask for?”
“Yes,” I say right as Autumn says, “No!”
“Is my house covered in bad vibes, Autumn? Is this because I don’t know how to cleanse? Hell, I don’t even clean this place. I have a freaking cleaning crew that comes in once a week!” Cleo says, her voice getting louder with each word.
A sob breaks from Cleo when baby Emily wakes up, crying.
Cleo starts freaking out more as Emily cries. Autumn is about to move toward her, but surprisingly, Nikita does, taking Emily from her arms. She hums to her softly.
Almost instantly, Emily stops crying.
“Thank you, Nikita,” she says softly before turning to me. “Okay, I’m not telling you again, Miya, sit the fuck down.”
Huffing, I come to a stop next to the wall. Turning, I face everyone as I slide down the wall, sitting on the floor. “Happy?” I ask sarcastically.
Autumn shoots me a tight smile. “Yes. Now I want everyone to close their eyes.”
Nikita, Cleo, and I share a look but do as she asks.
“Come on, just do it,” Autumn snaps.
Quickly, all three of us close our eyes.
“Perfect. Now I want you guys to picture a place in your minds. Somewhere that brings you peace and makes you feel calm.”
