Page 37 of Victorious: Part 2
I inhale sharply, trying to keep my emotions in check while Hurricane claps me on the shoulder. “Ingrid called Kaia, told her what was happening. We couldn’t let you go through this alone, brother. And when Nash heard we were coming, he insisted on joining us,” Hurricane states.
“We drove straight through,” Bayou adds. “Wanted to be here for Bella. And for Ingrid.”
I feel my throat tighten with emotion. “You didn’t have to—”
“Bullshit,” Bayou interrupts. “Family’s family, South. Bella’s family. And Ingrid’s our mom.”
Hurricane nods toward the room. “How’s Bella?”
“Not good,” I admit. “Not good at all.”
Hurricane grips tighter on my shoulder for support. “Then let’s go see her.”
When we all file back into the room, Ingrid looks up and her entire face transforms. The exhaustion and grief are still there, but suddenly she’s lighting up with the thought of having her family there with her.
“Hurricane? Bayou? Nash!” She stands so quickly she nearly knocks over her chair, tears streaming down her face as she rushes toward them.
Hurricane reaches her first, scooping her into his arms and spinning her around despite the solemn setting. “Hey, Mom,” he whispers into her hair, his voice thick with emotion.
“God, I miss you so much,” Ingrid sobs against his shoulder. “All of you.”
When Hurricane finally sets her down, Bayou immediately pulls her into his own embrace. “We miss you, too, Mom. So, fucking much.”
But it’s when Nash steps forward that Ingrid completelybreaks down. “My baby boy,” she whispers, cupping his face in her hands. “You came all this way.”
“Of course I did,” Nash says, pulling her against him. “You’re my mom. I couldn’t let you go through this without us. And I’m a grown man, Mom,” he adds on the end for emphasis.
Ingrid smirks, cupping his cheek. “Of course you are, honey.”
I watch the reunion with a mixture of emotions. Happiness that Ingrid has her family here, but also a sharp pang of something I can’t quite name.
This is herreal family.
Her sons.
Her people.
And seeing how complete she looks surrounded by them makes me realize how torn my own heart is between two cities, two families.
Hurricane, always needing to be the center of attention when it comes to Ingrid, holds tightly onto her, as if refusing to let her go, when Bayou nudges him. “Hey, man, let the rest of us get some mom time.”
“I was here first,” Hurricane grumbles like an errant child, but the smile crossing his face tells me he’s all talk.
“You’re always here first.” Nash laughs. “Some of us have real jobs that don’t involve terrorizing people on motorcycles.”
It’s exactly the kind of banter that would normally make me laugh, but right now it just emphasizes how much this is Ingrid’s world, not mine.
Bella has been tracking the whole reunion, and happiness shines bright in her eyes despite everything she is going through.
“Look who came to see you, Bells,” I tell her softly. “Remember the NOLA family? Hurricane and the guys? And Nash, Ingrid’s son.”
Hurricane approaches the bed carefully, his usual swagger replaced by gentle concern. “Hey there, darlin’. You been givingmy boy, South, here trouble?”
Bella’s eyes sparkle, and she manages the smallest movement, which might have been a nod if she could still move her head.
“Good,” Hurricane chimes with a soft chuckle. “Someone’s gotta keep him in line.”
“Pfft.” I snort out a laugh. “Keepmein line? There’s a reason they call you Hurricane, just saying,” I reply.
