Page 38 of Victorious: Part 2
Hurricane grins widely. “Yeah, ’cause when I come, I come hard, and I leave everythin’ tremblin’ in my wake.”
We all cringe as Ingrid visibly shudders. “Jesus, Hurricane, I do not need to hear shit like that. Now shush and say hello to your little brother,” Ingrid states, showing off Louis to them. The happiness in her expression makes my chest tight.
Nash immediately reaches for Louis. “Hey there, little brother,” Nash says, taking Louis, who immediately starts babbling happily. “Holy shit, he’s gotten huge.”
“Language,” Ingrid scolds, but she’s beaming from ear to ear.
That’s when I notice Novah slip into the room, holding a huge basket of food, a bunch of flowers, and a card. My heart instantly lifts a little.
I didn’t even know she came with the rest of them.
“Novah! My baby girl,” Ingrid cries, fresh tears starting as she throws her arms open for her daughter.
“I couldn’t let them come without me,” Novah chimes, placing everything on the counter, then hugging Ingrid tight. “How are you holding up, Mom?”
But then Novah sees Nash holding Louis, and her entire expression changes. “Oh my God, can I hold him?Pleeease?I’ve missed him so much.”
Everyone chuckles as Nash reluctantly hands Louis over, and Novah immediately melts. “Look at you, little man. You’re so perfect with those chubby little cheeks.” She cuddles Louis against her chest, swaying slightly, and Bayou watches her withan expression that’s part love, part terror.
“Don’t you get any ideas,” Bayou mutters to his Old Lady.
Novah shoots him a look. “What? I’m just holding my little brother.”
Nash starts laughing. “Man, watching my sister get clucky while holding her baby brother, and getting told off for being clucky by her stepbrother, husband, is some serious therapy-level shit right there.”
“Shut up!”Novah snaps, but she’s grinning, still swaying with Louis.
“I love you guys,” Ingrid chimes, the smile lighting her face as I stand back watching her with her family.
Despite everything, despite Bella dying in the bed next to us, I can’t help but smile too.
This is family.
My messy, complicated, beautiful family.
But as I watch Ingrid surrounded by her children, as I see how complete and happy she looks with them, that torn feeling in my chest grows stronger.
She belongsherewiththem.
And I? I belong in Los Angeles, fighting a war with my chosen brothers.
As the afternoon turns to evening, the room fills with quiet laughter and gentle conversation. Louis has been passed around between all his NOLA family members, completely comfortable and happy, surrounded by people who love him.
It’s Hurricane who notices first. “Hey,” he says quietly, his voice more gentle than I’ve ever heard it. “I think Bella’s tryin’a tell us somethin’.”
We all look at my sister, her eyes moving between me and the nightstand beside her bed. I follow her gaze and see a sealed envelope with my name written on it. The handwriting is shaky, clearly written months ago when she still had movement in herhands.
I glance down at her and weakly smile. “You want me to read this?” I ask.
She manages the smallest movement with her eyes, the only way she can nod now.
With trembling fingers, I open the envelope and unfold the letter inside. The handwriting shows the progression of her disease, starting stronger at the top, getting shakier as it goes on.
I clear my throat and begin to read aloud, “My dearest Romeo, I’m writing this while I still can, knowing that someday soon you’ll be reading it when I can no longer speak.” I take a deep breath, preparing myself for what is next.
“First, I need you to know how proud I am of the man you’ve become. You walked away from everything Mom and Dad wanted for you and built a life that makes you happy. That takes courage.”
I can’t help but smile.
