Chereads / Love, Lust, Loss LIFE / Chapter 17 - Smile

Chapter 17 - Smile

The next week was pretty tense... Peyton's morning sickness was slowly decreasing but it was still hardly bearable for her... And Maya and Katlyn were working with Aaron to plan the memorial for Daniel. Aaron and Peyton still left Atka with Atticus and Maya, she was the only comforting thing he felt he had rught now... With Atka there he. left Peyton with Katlyn. He felt safer leaving her with his sister than a dog, even though he knew Atka has done more for Peyton that je could ever amount to... While Katlyn was with Peyton, Aaron was at Maya's. They were trying to get Atticus to talk. While also planning a memorial. Atticus stayed quiet up in his room drawing, with Atka cuddled up next to him... "Maya. I really think that seeing Peyton would do something for him. Maybe make him wanna talk again... Can we just try it? He hasn't said a word in 4 days." Maya stopped typing and stood up. "I know but... I just dont want him to have to see her in pain. I'm worried if seeing her hurting will make him think... Think of what Daniel went through." Maya started to tear up. "He asked me last week if daddy went through any pain when he died... He asked if he would go to hell... For killing all those people... Or heaven for saving so many... And I- I couldn't give him an answer, I just let him have that image in his head... He started to cry and he asked me if he suffered. I can't let him have those terrible thoughts in his head... I don't want him to remember him that way. I can't Aaron." Aaron nodded and made Maya sit back down. At this point Maya was almost at 8 months. This child was Daniel's last gift to Maya, he wanted to protect his brothers child. Both the baby and Atticus. At any cost... "Maya. I think you need a good rest. Takke a nap or lay down for a bit. I'll go check on Atticus." Maya nodded away and Aaron stepped up stairs. "Hey kiddo. What are you up to?" Atticus didn't bother to look up. He just shrugged. "Your mom is gonna take a nap. If you need any thing you can just ask me okay?" Atticus shrugged again. "Okay." Atticus was still petting Atka and looking down. That made Aaron think. "Hey I think I got a job for you... Atka hasn't had a bath in a while... Wanna help me?" Atticus looked up this time and smiled. Still didn't make a noise, but it was a start. Aaron went to go run the water. when he came back Atticus had a stack of towels and Atka was helping him keep his balance by leaning on the stack... Aaron led them into the bath and Atka did not wanna go in... Atticus had to get into the tub with her with his little swim trunks. "Okay. Here is Atka's dog shampoo. Don't get it in her eyes. I got the back paws. Can you get her front paws buddy?" Atticus smiled again and nodded. Still no words but he was opening up bit by bit... Before they could finnish rinsing Maya walked upstairs, "What on Earth is going on here?" Aaron looked at her trying not to laugh, she may only be 5 "5" but she knew how to scare him. "Maya its okay, we are giving Atka a bath." Maya was about to start a small rant but then she saw her sons face. he was smilling. Almost laughing. She couldn't help but cave. It was his first smile in almost 2 weeks. "Okay, okay I cave. You can finnish giving her a bath but then to bed with you. Its almost 9:30." Aaron nodded, "We got this Maya. I can clean up the water when we get her done. Goodnight." Maya smile and walked over, "Goodnight my wierdos. Get some sleep." She kissed Atticus's little head. Then Atka's, and punched Aaron in the arm. "Okay I get it. Sorry." Aaron and Maya laughed while Atticus smiled. Maya walked out smilling, "Goodnight." After the bath Atticus went to sleep. And Aaron drove back home. He left at 5. Almost 5 hours. He releaved Katlyn of her dutties and went to say goodnight. "Hey honey... How are you feeling?" Peyton smilled the best she could. She was tired, and a beatiful hot mess. "Hi... I'm fine. Don't worry." Aaron kissed her head and said "Goodnight." He was about to leave the room when Peyton heard the door open, "Wait... Aaron? Honey where are you going?" Aaron turned around. "I was gonna sleep in the guest room. You need your sleep Toni." Peyton gave him that look that makes him melt. "Okay, but can you stay here untill I fall alseep?" Aaron smiled and sat on the bed. "Okay... I love you." He kissed her hands and let her sleep. "Goodnight Peyton." Peyton smiled and slowly fell asleep. For the first time in days everyone went to sleep smiling. After all the drama they needed something they could use to take their minds off of Daniel... Finally they were smiling... they were happy... But this feeling was just the start of a bigger picture. Their story wasn't even starting yet...