Post by Patch Adams on Feb 26, 2016 2:01:46 GMT -6
He took it as a good sign when she didn't pull away and tightened his hold on her. He could definitely feel her frame but it didn't bring disgust, it just brought sadness to the shadow manipulator. That his friend had been suffering for so long but nobody seemed to have managed to help in any way.
Her mumbles were faintly heard and he pressed his lips on top of her head. "I'm sorry I never asked." He said, truly meaning it. He had seen the differences but he never had the guts to actually ask Layla what was wrong. He didn't know what changed though but he was glad something did.
"Think the kids are enjoying their Valentine's date more than us?" He asked after awhile.
Post by Layla Harlow on Feb 26, 2016 7:55:25 GMT -6
With his arms tight around her, she felt less worried about whether he was off-put by her tiny frame, but it still lingered in the back of her mind. She felt better, if only slightly by his words and his comfort. He wasn't going anywhere for now and she was going to take advantage of that while she could. Layla knew that Patch could help her figure things out, and help her with her son to keep him from realizing how bad things actually were. Of course the seven year old was perceptive and noticed that she was skinnier, but he didn't understand why and she needed to keep it that way until she got better.
Layla closed her eyes, the tears on her cheeks drying while she kept hold of him. She didn't have much strength behind her right now, but prying her away from Patch would take a lot. He was her safe haven and he was Nicky's safety net. His apology made her sigh and grip him tighter. She didn't, couldn't, blame him for not asking her. It was a difficult situation to face, one that she'd been denying for years.
With a short laugh, Layla nodded, "It sounds like it. But I think we can turn ours around. Now that the uh elephant in the room has been addressed." She pulled back and wiped beneath her eyes to straighten up what little makeup she'd put on that day. Even as she moved away, she remained close to him, and settled for taking his hand for comfort. "We might want to check up on what shenanigans they're getting into because we know that if they're as much like us as we think, there are a lot of things that could be happening," She cracked a smile and squeezed his fingers.
Post by Patch Adams on Feb 28, 2016 11:22:13 GMT -6
Hesitantly letting her leave his embrace, he gladly took her hand, his thumb drawing lazy patterns on the back. A small smile curved his lips at the comparison Layla made between the kids and themselves.
"Yeah, they're being a little too quiet." He pushed off the counter and tugged at Layla's hand to get her to follow. What they saw next was like seeing each other from before the kids. With Emma's head on Nicky's lap, reading a book she had already read about twenty times before aloud and Nicky playing with her hair.
"Okay, so we don't have anything to worry about apparently." Patch chuckled lightly.
Post by Layla Harlow on Feb 28, 2016 11:55:12 GMT -6
Allowing Patch to tug her in the direction of the room with the kids, she stuck close to his side. The weight off of her shoulders was a huge relief and she could finally ease into the setting that she was in. It had been troubling her for so long and everything came to a head on the one day she could barely stomach. But now that Patch was aware of the situation, she felt like she could finally fix it again. He would no doubt help her. All she needed was his hand to steady her and keep her grounded.
The sight in front of them made her chest tighten and she curled around Patch's arm. Nicholas and Emma were each others' people. The way Nicky talked about Emma as if she was his biological sister, the way he hated being away from her for long periods of time, it reminded her of the way she felt about Patch. If anything had ever come between them, both her and her son would be devastated.
"Maybe they're just better-behaved kids than we were," Layla laughed quietly. Nicky, perceptive little one that he was, didn't even look up at the two of them watching. He was engulfed in his time with Emma, as he usually was.
Post by Patch Adams on Feb 29, 2016 16:58:03 GMT -6
"You know," Patch paused and grinned at Layla's assessment of the kids. If only Emma knew just how protected she would grow up to be with Layla, Nicky and him by her side... "Compared to us, I think everyone are angels."
He wanted to stay longer but they still needed to clean up and have their own little Valentine. They may just be friends but it was important to Patch that they have their traditions and Valentine's was always somehow important to them. Especially after Nicky.
"Give them about an hour before we get them to sleep." Patch nodded before turning to Layla and gave her an inquisitive look. "You wanna stay over?" he asked.
Post by Layla Harlow on Feb 29, 2016 17:21:09 GMT -6
Layla laughed and sighed, "That's probably very true." She leaned her head against Patch's arm and brushed her thumb across his wrist. The sight in front of her was picture perfect. She couldn't imagine a better scene if she had placed them together herself. Emma was happy as a clam, Nicky was smiling, and they were both clearly entertained by each other. Happy in just the presence of each other. It wasn't often that parents could manage two small children, sitting in a room together, happily entertained, not fighting. The two children were so easy and in all honesty Layla knew she'd been spoiled rotten with a kid like Nicholas.
With a nod, Layla glanced up at him and met his eyes. His question made her smile and she nodded, glancing again at her little boy. If she said no, she knew there would be hell to pay from her little one. "I don't think he'd let me say no," She smirked briefly before it fell and she glanced down. "That and...I'm better off when I'm with you and Emma. I'll eat if you cook because you're much better at it than I am," She looked up at him and smiled sheepishly.
It was still so odd for her to talk about the disorder out loud, even if it was nothing detailed. She knew though that if she was alone, she'd surely make Nicholas eat, but being left to her own devices would probably lead to her continuing her fast. "You don't mind, right?" Ever the worry-wart, she couldn't help but feel like she was always imposing on her best friend.
Patch squeezed Layla against him briefly and nodded when she more or less said yes to staying over. When she asked whether he minded, he raised an eyebrow and gestured to the kids.
"We still have a few of you guys' things in Emma's room." Patch added. "I may have not mentioned it to you...just in case you guys decided to sleepover." He chuckled. "Okay, I'm switching Frozen on so she won't whine before she goes to bed."
Post by Layla Harlow on Mar 2, 2016 10:26:01 GMT -6
The look she was met with made her laugh. It was so like them, something that happened every time that Patch offered anything to Layla. She struggled with just accepting things right off the bat because she didn't want to become a burden of any kind and with the way her parents treated her, that's often what she felt like regardless.
Layla looked up at him and smiled, "Well then I guess we have no reason not to stay, huh?" She didn't mind though. One way or another they would have ended up here. Even if both of them were 'forced' to wear Patch's clothes to sleep in and find a couch or the floor. Nicholas would have happily slept on the floor of Emma's room, just to be there when she woke up or if she had any nightmares. And Layla was happy to sleep on the couch because it was out of the way and she wouldn't disrupt anyone else if she had the nightmares.
"Good idea, Nicky will be mimicking the YooHoo guy for the next week," Layla sighed and smiled before she released his hand so that he could do as he said. Nicky looked up then and smiled. The weight she'd felt earlier had lifted and she was content with where the rest of her night would be going.
"Nope." Patch gave her a smug grin before chuckling at the remark about the cartoon character Nicky would supposedly be mimicking for the rest of the week. It wasn't like he wouldn't be tortured by Emma belting out "In Summer" all week long until she got to watch the cartoon again.
As he set things up, he reminded himself to grab the warm milk for Emma so she would actually sleep tonight. After the three servings of dessert, she needed something to lower her sugar rush.
It briefly crossed his mind that even though Layla had unburdened herself, it did not mean she was free of the issues plaguing her. He knew it was an ongoing pursuit. A part of him refused to accept that he would have to be there but he knew he had to be there. He cherished Layla and Nicky so much. Sometimes, it occurred to him that he cared for them a lot more than his own family. That thought scared him.
Tonight, however, Patch was more than willing to push those thoughts aside, at least for one night, and make it so that they all went to sleep with a heart rid of any burdens.
"Ems! Frozen's on!" Patch called out as he made the two glasses of milk along with the tea for him and Layla.
Post by Layla Harlow on Mar 3, 2016 23:31:19 GMT -6
Layla had taken a place on the floor, watching Patch set everything up. Sometimes she just enjoyed watching him do little things. He was efficient and quiet when he was concentrated and it gave her something to keep her mind busy. The idea of him being there comforted her, yes, but the idea of how often she felt like she'd need him didn't. Independence had always been one of the major parts of Layla's genetic makeup. It wasn't because she wanted to be, but because she always had to be in her family. Her parents stopped taking care of her years ago, she hadn't spoken to them since and even before she had always fended for herself. The only time she relied on anyone was when something very bad was happening. This fell under that category, and yet she didn't want to rely on Patch so heavily.
Perhaps it was pride that made Layla so hard pressed to handle things on her own, but she knew that now that Patch figured it out, she wouldn't have much of a choice. It was both good and bad, she decided. Good because she would have the help. She would have her best friend and she would have a stable foundation for getting better. Bad...because there was no promise of it getting better for good. How could she put her best friend through things like this again and again throughout her entire life and not feel guilty? Layla curled up with her knees against her chest.
Nicholas settled for sitting on the couch behind her, his fingers stroking her hair the way she always did to him when he was anxious or upset and she leaned her head back to make faces at him, causing the seven year old to laugh. Nicky patted the spot beside him for Emma as she entered the room and Layla smiled to herself. Inseparable. Just like her and Patch. She looked up when her best friend walked back in and stood up to help him carry everything in without spilling or breaking it. She handed a glass to Nicholas, kept a mug for herself while Patch gave Emma her warm milk. Layla sat back down in front of the couch while the two children started cheering for the movie to come on. "Yoo-hoo! Big summer blow out!" Nicky exclaimed before the movie even began.
Patch was mindful that there was a bigger chance of Layla not fully recovering from this illness. He was willing to put in the effort simply because Layla was his friend. But he knew he couldn't really make promises he didn't know if he could keep. But for now, with Emma and Nicky so dependent of each other, Patch wasn't going to jeopardise that relationship for anything.
At present, there was nothing to jeopardise. Emma was climbing on to the couch beside Nicky and Layla helped him with the mugs.
"The Stitch mug is Emma's." Patch reminded Layla. Though he knew Emma wouldn't mind sharing her mug with Nicky, or really anything of hers, he also knew Emma would likely not drink from the mug she was given until Nicky was done, asked Patch to wash it and make another batch of milk for her if she wasn't given the Stitch mug on the first go.
Patch laughed at Nicky's exclamation before joining Layla on the floor. Emma immediately scooted up to his shoulders and dangled her feet over, putting the mug of milk on his head and bounced a little as the first song started.
Soon enough, he found himself singing along to the song with Emma.
Post by Layla Harlow on Mar 4, 2016 18:17:44 GMT -6
Layla nodded, she did remember which was Emma's and so did Nicky. Even if Layla forgot, she knew her kid would have switched with the little girl beside him just to make her happy. Neither of them seemed to mind, they were go with the flow, but anything to make Emma happier was Nicky's main focus when they were together. She handed both of the munchkins their mugs and she settled back on the floor in front of her son, preparing herself for the singing and bad jokes made by the snowman.
Nicky's hand continued running through her hair as he watched the movie, singing and laughing with Emma. Even Patch was singing along. She didn't though, far too wrapped up in her own mind than the movie. Not that she knew the words anyway, even after the many times she'd seen the movie, she never paid enough attention to remember the songs. She was content with listening though. Observation was what she'd always done anyway in family situations. She didn't know how to be in the center, even with her own son she struggled. When Isaac and her lived together, she felt out of the loop and stood off to the side because she'd rather watch two people be happy than ruin it.
The movie hadn't quite ended before Nicholas was drifting. He'd set the empty mug down sometime during Let it Go and made his way down to Layla's lap. He was curled up around her as she hugged him and watched the rest of the movie. Completely out when it finished. She glanced over at Patch and smiled briefly.
Post by Patch Adams on Mar 7, 2016 19:50:37 GMT -6
He spent the rest of the movie mouthing some of the lines without even realising it. Nicky stared and laughed a few times but even he was laughing and singing along. Emma didn't even make a sound the whole time, sipping from her cup every now and then. The only other reaction she had was when Olaf started melting.
Once the movie was over, Emma bounced on Patch's shoulder and laughed. "I wish we could watch this every day." Patch rolled his eyes and kept a hold of her legs before standing up. Emma squealed and wrapped her arms around Patch's head. "Paaaatch!" She whined, though it quickly dissolved into giggles.
"Sorry kid. But hey, it's time for bed. Brush your teeth and uh...comb your hair?" Patch knew Emma had a bedtime routine but his mother was the one who always did it with her. "Aww...but Nicky's still here." Emma pouted, bringing her face close to his. "I wanna stay awake until he goes, please?" She whispered.
"You can't stay awake the whole night." Patch said with a small grin. "He's sleeping over, isn't he?" His eyebrows furrowed in the middle and turned to Layla, trying not to break out into a full blown grin.
Post by Layla Harlow on Mar 7, 2016 20:06:57 GMT -6
Layla couldn't keep the smile from her face as she watched the two Adams' children. Patch was a great big brother and she could just see how much effort he put into it. She could tell that it would transfer over easily once he had his own children, although she wondered how long down the line it would be for him to experience what she already had. They were both still so young. Emma would be an amazing aunt though, young as she was, she had that sweet, maternal side of her just as Layla had when she was that age.
Emma's complaint issued a glance up from Nicholas. He looked at his mother and batted the long lashes that he'd gotten from her. A total weakness of hers, though he didn't even know that she'd already accepted that they would be staying the moment that Patch had offered. There was hardly any denying Patch and when the kids ganged up on her too, there absolutely was no denying what they wanted. It wasn't fair, but she loved them too much to give them less than what they wished for. And the look on her son's face proved that he had no intention of leaving.
Layla looked up at Patch and narrowed her eyes at him. That look. He knew as well as she did that she had no choice or say in the matter. "Of course he is," She smiled and brushed Nicholas' hair out of his face.
He hopped up from her lap and stretched, "Yes, yes, yes! I'm staying Emma-lemma! I can help get her ready for bed, Patch."
Post by Patch Adams on Mar 7, 2016 20:33:37 GMT -6
It wasn't like he had put her on the spot, anyway. He just wanted Layla to be the one who gave the good news to her kid. But it was kind of cute to see Layla just melt at Nicky's eyelash batting.
Emma squealed and bounced, her arms going every which way, smacking Patch's head in turn. "Put me down, Patches!" Emma requested, to which Patch obliged without much fuss. The moment her feet touched the ground, she was by Nicky's side, tugging his arm to follow her.
Patch grinned as they ran off, once again leaving Layla and him alone. "Wanna watch another movie where there's no singing snowman?"