Tell Me Why You Love Me (TMWYLM) Page 15

  "Okay..." I replied in a whisper, still feeling the pain in my head. I opted out of taking aspirin to ease the pain. I didn't want to have to deal with any form of tablets at all...

  "Is there anything you need?" I heard Craig, who gave me his childish smile or at least trying to. I shook my head at him with a gentle smile on my face. "Um... Do you want one of us to stay with you?" He asked.

  I laughed a little and patted his head. "I'm fine, Craig. I can handle the rest on my own, okay? I'm a big girl." I explained to him, trying to ease his mind.

  "At 16, saying that you're a big girl proves that you're not, brat." Jordan commented, teasingly. I cast him a glare that he answered with a wry smile. At least he was acting his usual self...

  Luckily for me, he was within my reach so I slapped his stomach. But it wasn't as hard as I wanted it to be. The loss of blood made my body feel a little weak. And that also meant I felt drained and tired, too. "Look, guys. I'm fine. I'll probably sleep for a while so you don't need to worry. Just go about your usual business, alright?" I explained to them, feeling my eyes slightly weigh more than usual.

  I saw the boys nod in unison. "We're here if you need anything, Free." I heard Josh as he stroked my hair once over before going off with Joe, who smiled at me.

  "If you don't move about too much, you'll be fine." Jordan caressed my cheek before leaving to do something else.

  I looked to Craig who was looking at me with worry in his brown eyes. "Um, Freesia? Can I... Stay here with you?" He asked me in that cute, irresistible, unbroken voice of his.

  Okay, even a heartless bastard would have a hard time not thinking he was cute in any way. I smiled and patted his head. "Of course you can." I answered him, watching that large grin appear on his face.

  "Really? Thanks, Freesia!" He said in a joyous voice. He knelt himself near the couch and watched me.

  He really is a cute little kid. I guess it'll only be a few years until his voice breaks and he's taller than me. I wonder if he'll be as handsome and attractive as his brothers...

  I felt my eyes close whilst in my thoughts and a small, gentle hand began stroking my hair. It wasn't long until I fell into a deep sleep...

  Chapter 19

  It took a while for my eyes to open. I didn't know what time it was, but I knew it was in the early hours of the morning and I wasn't a morning person.

  When my vision cleared, I realised I was in my room in my bed. How I got there, I could guess quite accurately since he was the only one who could probably carry me. Not being mean to the twins or anything, but they weren't as well-built as he is.

  I gently touched my head with my hand to feel the bandages still there, but there wasn't any swelling and it hardly hurt anymore. That was something I was glad about...

  I snapped out of my thoughts when I noticed somebody resting their head on the edge of my bed. It was Craig. He was obviously asleep, resting his head on his arms and watching his body slowly rise then fall with every breath. He was cute even when he was asleep!

  I had a feeling that he stayed with me all this time. He did seem worried about me and I was sure he had a sense of guilt since it was his pitch that struck me.

  "Morning, sweetie." A gentle, motherly voice whispered to me from my door. I looked over to see Miriam standing there with a soft smile on her face. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

  I nodded and mirrored her smile. "I'm fine. It still hurts a little, but it's bearable."

  Miriam walked towards my bed and sat on the edge, placing one of her hands on Craig's head, stroking it gently. "That's good. You know you couldn't have chosen a worse time to space out. This young man has been worried sick about you, too." She explained to me in a whisper, making sure she didn't wake Craig.

  My eyes looked down and I felt my smile fade, replaced by a small frown. "I know... I was just thinking about stuff that's probably not even a big deal."

  "Sweetie, these last few days have been really tough on you, it's only natural that you'll be so out of it." Miriam reassured me. "You've had a lot of emotional strain from both Josh and Jordan."

  "Wait, what?" My eyes snapped up to Miriam and I could feel my face flush. "How do you-"

  "Mother's notice when her children act strangely, dear. And both Josh and Jordan look like open books to me!" I heard a giggle escape from Miriam. "I don't know exactly what they did, but I could probably guess." She added.

  I couldn't hide the blush on my face and I couldn't help but talk about it with Miriam. She wasn't my mother, but she was the closest thing to her. And the type of person she was, I was sure she would keep it a secret from everybody else. "I really don't know anything about Jordan at all..." I started, looking at my hands on my lap. "He treats me so different compared to the boys, I don't know if it's because I'm a girl or what, but it just doesn't make any sense... He acts like a jerk most of the time, but he can also be really caring and protective of me. I just never realised how much of a stranger he actually is to me..." I explained, pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around them. "I know a fair bit about Joe and Josh. Craig's still a kid so there isn't much to know about him, but I know that he's, well..." I quickly glanced to Miriam, unsure if I should say it.

  Her gentle smile said it all. "That he's different." She finished my sentence for me and I nodded. "It may not look like it in your perspective, but Jordan is far more reclusive than the other boys. He always has been since he was little..." I felt a hand stroke my hair delicately. "You'll be surprised that you probably know a lot more about him than you think. Ever since you came here, he's changed. He never used to hang about with the other boys and he never joined in with any family gatherings. Since you arrived, he's been more keen to join in with others."

  My eyes widened at her words. "Is that... Why you thanked me the other day when we were in that bookstore?" I asked her and she replied with a small nod. "Has he really changed that much?" I almost asked myself and then looked to Craig still sleeping and I couldn't help but smile at his cute face.

  Miriam followed my eyes to Craig. "You've changed the other boys, too. Craig was always a shy boy and he never had any friends other than the twins. I was worried about him at first, since he was always home-schooled and never made any outside friends." She explained, watching her son with nostalgic eyes. "The twins, too. They were so excited to know that you were joining the family. I'm sure they see you as their bigger sister, even though you're the same age."

  "Am I really that much of an influence?" I asked her and she nodded.

  "It may seem like you don't know them well, but I have a hunch you know them better than I do. I'm sure you know when they act differently, too. Don't you?" Her green eyes gave me the same gentle look I receive from Jordan. You could tell they were related.

  That is partially true... I can't really say what they're feeling, though. I guess only mothers can do that sort of thing... I shook my head to clear my thoughts away and smiled at Miriam. "What time is it?" I asked her.

  She took a quick look at her wristwatch. "It's 6:30. I need to get off to work soon. I wanted to check up on you before I left." She explained, rubbing my head in a motherly way.

  I thought it was early... "I think I'll get up for a while." I told her. "I think it would be best to start moving before the boys wake up, so I'm not rushed or anything."

  "I think that's a good plan." Miriam whispered, before leaning in to Craig and kissing his head, then standing up. "Do you need some help?" She asked, holding out an encouraging hand.

  I shook my head. "No, I think I'll be fine."

  I slowly slipped myself out the bed and placed my feet precariously on the floor, making sure I had enough strength to support my body upright. It took me a few seconds to get on my feet, but after that there wasn't much of a problem.

  Before I left the room, I carefully picked up Craig and laid him in my bed, sliding the covers over his body. He really was a cute kid...

  "You have a way with kids, don't you?" Miriam a
sked me as both she and I made our way down the corridor slowly.

  I gave her a glance and shook my head. "Not really. There were a few other kids at the orphanage younger than me. I took care of them most of the time, since I was the only one that could have at least some control of them." A chuckle escaped me and we both made our way down the stairs.

  "Do you want to go back there to visit them?" She asked me, supporting me from my back as we took one step after another.

  "At some point, yeah... I never made any friends, really. But I'd like to see Janice again. She was my mom's friend so I could relate to her a lot... And she always told me about my mom when she had the time to hang around with me." I explained.

  When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the pair of us headed to the kitchen. I sat on the counter and Miriam boiled the kettle.

  "If it's okay with you-" Miriam started, turning to face me and showing a gentle smile in her eyes. "Would you share some stories about your mother with me sometimes? I would love to hear about her."

  My eyes widened at her proposal but, somewhere inside my heart, I felt a glowing warmth of happiness. "Of course. I kinda miss talking about my mom... I sometimes talk about her to Jordan, but not very often. But, when I do, I can't help but feel happy to be telling him about her."

  Miriam placed a cup beside me full of hot tea. "Here, this'll wake you up." She said to me a wide grin on her face. "And I wonder if you'll actually feel as obliged when talking to me about her as you do with Jordan." She chuckled to herself before planting a kiss on my forehead. "I have to go now, sweetie. Be careful and don't play baseball or fighting with the boys for a few days, okay?" She quickly changed the subject before I could ask what she meant. "Bye, dear."

  "Bye, Miriam. And I'll be careful. Promise." I reassured her before she left the villa and headed to her car in the driveway.

  I watched her as she drove off and out of view, sipping my tea slowly. I wonder what she meant by what she said... Is Jordan special or something? I don't know...

  Well, I need to stop over-thinking. That's what got me this injury in the first place!... But telling my brain that is another story.

  Before the boys got up, I decided to take a place on the couch, slouching myself over the edge and turning on the TV, watching the Sport News whilst happily sipping my tea.

  Sometimes, it's nice to have a bit of peace and quiet, away from the ruckus the boys create during the day. Now that I think about it, I wonder if it was as hectic as it was before I arrived here... Or I really influenced this household so much that it has completely changed?

  ... No matter, I shouldn't start drifting off in my thoughts again for a while. I am on a strict rule to not over-think for a day of two, meaning no thoughts about my mom, my influence, or Jordan... Easier said than done.

  *

  It was an hour or so before the boys started getting up. Well, I say that as if they did it naturally, but I was wrong.

  The first voice I heard was Craig's and his footsteps racing down the corridor and down the stairs. "Freesia? Freesia!" He yelled repeatedly, obviously waking up the other boys at the same time.

  When he showed up downstairs, I waved my hand from the couch. "Mornin' Craig!" I announced to him, a grin on my face.

  "Freesia!" I heard his relief in his voice as he ran to the couch and hugged me. "You're okay now?" He asked, that childish grin on his face.

  I returned with a bear hug and ruffled up his hair. "Sure am!" I laughed as the reaction was Craig's usual smile. "Although I can't play with you guys for a few days." I told him, pulling him out of the bear hug and tapping the end of his nose.

  I saw an instant look of disappointment, but it changed as quickly as it arrived when Craig smiled. "Okay. The quicker you get better, the sooner we can play again!" He exclaimed, jumping a little and then running off and back upstairs. "Guys! She's feeling better now!" I heard his voice shout upstairs.

  I suddenly heard a mute sound of something being thrown and then Craig retorting. "Ow! Hey Jordan, what was that for!?"

  "It's too early in the morning for you to yell, shrimp!" Jordan's voice was as loud as Craig's... Way to be a hypocrite.

  I shook my head with despair. Jordan really is grumpy in the morning, isn't he? ... Correction, he really is grumpy all the time!

  I decided to go see what was happening, hearing some mumbling argument between the two. I had more stability now, finally feeling like my body had woken up and fully functioning.

  I made my way up the stairs and saw Craig and Jordan arguing. Well, more like Jordan teasing Craig and Craig trying to fight back. I leaned against the wall and smiled. "I'm so glad we have no neighbours, here." I stated, immediately grabbing the attention of both the boys. "You do realise it's only 8 in the morning, right?" I asked them, seeing Jordan's face transform into a small smile.

  "And who gave you permission to leave your bed, brat?" he asked me, closing the gap between us.

  A smirk played on my lips and I raised me head a little. "Your mom did." I told him and he stopped in his tracks. "I saw her off when she went to work. And thanks to her, my head's cleared a little bit." I pointed to my cranium before turning around and heading back downstairs. "I feel in a gracious mood, so I'll make breakfast for you guys if you want!" I called back to the two in the corridor.

  "Breakfast!?" I jolted a little in surprise as the voices of Joe and Josh appeared. I looked to their door to see two identical heads peering out from it.

  I rolled my eyes at them and continued walking. "Yeah, but you have to get your butts downstairs, stat! Or I may change my mind!" I almost sang the last part and I heard all the boys run about getting themselves ready for the day. Somehow, feeling that I had power over all the boys made me laugh slightly. The fact I also had power over somebody 2 years older than me made it all the more enjoyable, too!

  So, as promised, I started cooking up breakfast. I decided to go with a simple Omelette. I took four eggs and cracked them at the side of a bowl, tipping in all of the egg then throwing the shells into the trash. The bowl was quite shallow, but it was the only one a reasonable size, so I had to be careful beating the eggs so that none of it splashed anywhere.

  I took a dash of salt and a pinch of pepper and whisked it into the egg. I set that aside whilst I took a red onion and a tomato from the fridge and diced them before throwing them in a frying pan. I turned up the heat on the stove and set the pan on, stirring with a wooden spoon.

  At some point in the preparation, I started humming to myself the same tune my mother sang when she cooked. I never knew the song, I wasn't even sure if it was a song or just some random notes my mother put together. Either way, it was probably my favourite tune to hum.

  When the diced onions and tomatoes were cooked enough, I poured the beaten egg on top of them and mixed the ingredients together, still humming that tune.

  Once they were all mixed nicely, I added a bit more pepper and then flipped the omelette over to cook the other side. As I waited for it to cook, I took some cheese out the fridge and grated it onto the chopping board, making a large pile of small ribbons of cheese.

  After a few minutes, I flipped it back over and waited it to cook for a little more before setting out 4 plates.

  I took a spatula, turned off the heat and took the frying pan, setting it on the metal pan stand. I cut the omelette into 4 equal-ish pieces and placed them on each plate. I took some of the grated cheese and sprinkled it over the omelette pieces and watched as they melted into the egg.

  As it was cooling, I took out 4 glasses and poured orange juice into each. Fresh Orange was a good complimentary drink with omelettes, plus it's good for you.

  Once I was done with all the preparations, I spun around to jump a little. "Shit, when the hell did you guys get there!?" I spoke in a startled voice as I saw all 4 boys watching me intently.

  They all gave me their unique smiles and Craig spoke for all of them. "Ever since you started humming Daisy Bell!" He announced.

&
nbsp; "Daisy Bell? So that's what it was!" I stated as I set the plates in front of each of the boys. "It's been bugging me for so long, I can't believe I forgot it!"

  I saw Jordan give me a perplexed look. "What, is it special to you in some way?" He asked me as I handed him a knife and fork.

  "Um, you could say that." I smiled at him, seeing the other boys quickly tuck in to their Omelettes and show delighted faces. "My mom always used to sing it when she cooked. She did tell me the name of it once, but I completely forgot it a few months ago." I turned back around to clean up the mess I made and wash all the apparatus. "She once told me that it was also the very first song her and Kyle danced to when they got married..."

  "What about me, kid?" my eyes widened as I faced Kyle, making his way into the kitchen.

  I swallowed down a nervous lump in my throat and continued washing up. "The song you and my mom danced to at your wedding." I explained to him, watching him from the corner of my eye.

  He nodded in realisation. "Ah, 'Daisy Bell', right?" He spoke to me, looking at the boys. "You cooked this?" He asked me, pointing to the now nearly empty plates.

  "Yeah. Sorry, I never knew you were home today. Should I make you some?" I raised the frying pan out of the soapy water and looked at the man now at the fridge.

  Kyle smiled as he took out some milk. "No need. I'll just get something quick. I need to get to work soon, anyway..." He looked at my head and frowned. "Do I want to know what happened to that head of yours?" He asked a little sternly.

  I glanced at the boys who seemed to be thinking the same thing as me. "Uh, probably not... But I'm alright now. Just a little bump, that's all." I told him a white lie that he took without any doubt showing on his face.

  He shrugged and switched on the kettle. "Well, as long as you're okay... So, why were you talking about Daisy Bell?" He asked me, changing the topic.

  "Because she was humming it!" Craig told Kyle with enthusiasm. "She was humming it whilst she was cooking."