Chapter 3
Clarke sat in the car with her eyes closed and the passenger seat all the way back to avoid nausea. She couldn't understand why Lexa kept running. Lexa ran everytime.
When the car came to a stop, Clarke waited for her mom to come around the car and help her out. She felt significantly worse than when she left the hospital. Maybe seeing Torrey would help her.
Abby helped Clarke back into the wheelchair and led her towards the front door. Abby led Clarke through it and into the living room. She helped her slowly move and adjust to the couch before walking back to the entrance way to close the door.
"Mom?" Clarke called out when she hadn't seen her walk back into the living room.
"Yes my darling?" Abby steps back into the living room to bring her complete attention on her daughter.
"Where's Carly and Torrey? Torrey and Carly and normally right at the door when I get home. Torrey is normally so excited to see me.." Clarke yearned for her baby sister and second mom. She wanted Carly in her arms. Carly made Clarke feel happy and comforting. Carly was just a small baby but Clarke loved her unconditionally. She was disappointed she didn't see them at the door.
"I'll go get them. Torrey may be upstairs with the baby. She may not have even heard us pull up. " Abby disappeared upstairs. When she came down a few minutes later, she had Torrey behind her and Carly in her arms. Abby didn't miss the small, weak, smile that appeared on Clarke's face when she saw her little sister. Abby placed Carly in Clarke's arms and smiled. Even in times of pain and illness, Carly never failed to light up their life.
Clarke looked down at Carly as she grabbed and played with Clarke's hair. Clarke laughed and carefully kissed the top of her sisters head. Torrey stood back and admired the moment between her two daughters. Clarke was so calm and so gentle with Carly. It seemed like Clarke would protect Carly and hold onto her for the rest of her life, and Torrey was perfectly okay with that.
Clarke quietly patted Carly's back until she was asleep. She smiled and admired how peaceful her sister was. She finally looked up at Torrey. Torrey walked over and kissed the top of Clarke's head before sitting down next to her. They heard the front door open and close as Abby left for the nightshift at the hospital,"How are you feeling Babygirl?" Torrey automatically began to question her.
Clarke felt tears well up in her eyes as she began to talk about that says activities,"I saw her again Tor. She was there and she ran again. When is she going to quit running? I've been so sick for so long. This could all end and I could be healthy again if she would just stop running. "
Torrey reached over affectionately,"I'm so sorry princess. I know you want to be normal, but baby, no one is normal. No one. I'm going to talk to Abby and see if we can get you into public school this year okay? If your mom says it's okay, and your doctor clears it, you'll start in September. And according to your home schooling credits, you'll start as a senior. Are you okay with this?"
"What about Carly? If you and mom are working, and I'm at school, no one will be home to watch Carly. " Clarke pondered. She wanted to go to school. She wanted to finally be a regular kid. No one would be home to watch Carly and she wouldn't trust her sister with just anyone.
"Your sister will be at my moms until you get out. You'll have to pick her up after class. " Torrey smiles at her in an attempt to calm her. Torrey desperately wanted her to socialize. She rarely left the house unless it was for another hospital visit.
Clarke grins,"I'll do it. I can go to school for my senior year."
Torrey's eyes lit up and she gave Clarke a hug. She kept the hug light to avoid hurting Clarke and the baby but it was filled with so much emotion and happiness,"I'll talk with your mom after her shift and to the school in the morning. How does that sound?"
"Perfect. Thank you." Clarke smiled weakly. Exhaustion was beginning to make an impact on her and she knew she would be falling asleep soon.
Torrey noticed and decided to let her rest,"I'm going to start dinner and a movie. What do you think of chicken soup tonight?"
Torrey asked as she lifted a still sleeping Carly from Clarke's arms. Torrey helped Clarke lay down and stretch on the sectional couch before laying Carly beside her.
"That sounds nice. I won't want but a little bit tonight though." Torrey nodded and moved to cut on the movie. She knew neither of them would actually pay attention to the movie but she enjoyed the background noise. By the time the movie had started and Torrey had moved into the kitchen to start dinner, Clarke had already fallen fast asleep and was snuggling close to Carly. In the moment, Torrey watched her whole world sleep peacefully on the couch, and she couldn't be any happier.