The Friend I Needed

Fifteen.

Fifteen.

“What a Halloween.”

Liam spoke softly looking through the window, staring at the dense rain showering the city, it had been stated earlier in the news that children were not allowed to trick or treat the streets.

Of course many children were saddened for this, as their favorite holiday was cancelled, but the thunder storm was too heavy to risk any life. Gabriel was so gloomy about it too, even more because he was still grounded and couldn’t see Elliot at all.

Tommy had been staying the past four days in Oddie’s home, grounded as well.

 As it was a Sunday they had stayed home not really being able to do anything, the possibility to see Henry and spend the day with him was nonexistent. Another reason why Gabriel was pouting over a blue cloud in the living room’s window’s booth.

“I know, dad. One mere rain shower turned into a compete thunder storm.” Oddie sat a cup of coffee in front of him in the dining table, which he thanked her for with a sweet smile. “I promised Gabriel we were gonna dress up and have our own costume party here at home and eat candies and all that stuff that murders our teeth’s health.”

“You never really liked that part of Halloween, I remember how you reacted all the time they gave you big amounts of candies.” He chuckled at her uninterested face.

“Yeah, well. I had Ollie to eat all that junk I never liked.” She took a sip from her cup staring out at the street, watching how heavy raindrops and a few low thunders could be heard. “At least I did eat the caramel coated popcorn balls they gave me.”

“And gummies, you always had a soft spot for those.”

“True.” They smiled at each other when the front door opened and closed, getting their attention.

They watched as a completely and absolutely drenched Tommy stood by the door, cursing the broken umbrella under his breath. Gabriel and Luca got close to greet him and get the paper bags he had on his arms.

“Can you please hand me a towel? I don’t want to drench the floor too.” He kindly asked Oddie who nodded and walked towards the bathroom upstairs and get what he needed.

The little boy set the paper bags on the kitchen counter, letting the sweet and warm scent fill his nostrils. With a sigh he grabbed an empty mug and filled it with the dark liquid on the kettle, placing the warm drink on the table where his grandfather sat.

“Thank you, baby.” She smiled at the sweet nickname most of her friends loved to call her by, helping him dry his hair she frowned at the broken umbrella on the floor.

“I guess it’s time to get new umbrellas. I’ll go buy some tomorrow after work.” She spoke softly before sighing at the sight of her dear friend. “Why don’t you go take a shower? There’s a cup of coffee waiting for you. Go do that while I prepare breakfast.”

“Sure, I got freshly baked bread so it must still be warm.” He walked up the stairs throwing a smirk to her. “Don’t let it cool off.”

“Okay.”

Oddie walked into the kitchen with a sigh, the delicious smell of freshly baked bread was something she could never tired of, it was her kind of heaven. Gabriel being the sweetheart he was, decided he was helping her cook so they both could finish faster and eat together.

Her father stared lovingly at how adorable they looked working together, resting his head on the palm of his hand he couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. The smile never leaving his lips, how he wished his loving wife could see this beautiful scene before him.

Sensing his sorrow, Luca decided it was a good idea to rest his head on top of Liam’s lap, staring up at him with the cutest puppy eyes that big boy could give, and damn was he successful to melt anyone.

“Don’t worry, boy. I’m alright.” He petted the bloodhound’s head scratching behind his ears gently. “I just love my family that’s all.”

“And we love you, papa.” Gabriel placed a plate filled with delicious looking food, the scent reaching his nostrils was so good he could feel drool coming out of his mouth.

“I know you do, pumpkin.” The little boy kissed his cheek before walking back to Oddie to help her set the table.

Right in that moment, did Tommy came down with his hair still damp from his shower, but he looked warmer than before and not like a freezing lollipop. Walking up to Oddie, he took the basket of bread from her thin hands kissing her forehead in the process.

Earning a sweet smile from her, they sat down and ate chitchatting little nothings, Gabriel exclaiming happily about the track team was getting ready to practice in the gym for the next race happening a little after new year.

Everyone was excited about that, sadly not everyone could go or else the place would be more packed than usual, so while some of them would go cheer for him directly in the race, the others would stay at Oddie’s house and see the event from the tv. Maybe they’d make a small party, whether he won or not.

…

Afternoon came faster than she thought and silently, Oddie hoped that maybe the storm could quiet down enough for them to have a little stroll outside, not that she was a magical being and could actually control what the weather did.

She had received a call from Henry earlier about how every visit was cancelled and whoever had stayed out of the nursery was not allowed to come back until the storm passed.

She tried to stifle her laughter when she heard him grumbling about how those lucky bastards of neighbors he had could stay away with loved ones while he had to stay in all alone.

Of course she would’ve love to have him there, but she didn’t even know that he was allowed to stay nights out. She was keeping in mind that little fact, maybe movie nights could be possible now.

After a few more hours they started to dress in their costumes and have a little Halloween party for themselves. Liam didn’t really have a costume at all, so he merely dressed with his work clothes, a lumberjack never fails the trick.

Gabriel had been planning his outfit for about three months now and he worked really hard, not wanting to have Oddie spending money on a new costume every year, he decided he was going to make his own with whatever material he could get his hands on.

Lucky for him, he had someone who knew exactly how to make clothes. At first sight no one would really notice as it was a hidden talent from him, but Zachary Smith, the young man from Roy’s gym and another friend of Oddie, had a very interesting hobby.

Yes, he loved, loved to make clothes. His father before him had been a well-known tailor back in his youth and has his own tailor shop, even though Zach was more into baking like his grandmother and had always worked for her, he didn’t miss the chance to learn something amazing from his father.

So whenever Oddie or Gabriel needed something cloth related, he was their guy. And this time was no different, Zach had helped the brunette boy in the making of his new favorite costume of all times. He was a firefighter.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d be fooled into thinking you’re an actual firefighter.” Tommy smiled at the overjoyed boy.

Thanks to Liam’s extra construction helmet and the talent of painting from Oddie, the costume was just perfect.

“I know right?! I’m lucky I have such an awesome family to help me pull it through.” He jumped around with Luca wiggling his tail and barking excitedly. “Uncle Zach is incredible.”

“Yeah, he is a cool guy.” Tommy’s mismatched eyes sparkled sadness for a moment but he masked it right away, showing off his chef costume. Which also happened to be his work clothes.

“Ok, boy! Let’s take a picture of the year! I know it might not be the same as last year but, this is the best we can do.” Oddie walked into the living room carrying her camera and tripod to set it up in front of the chimney.

“Woah, you look fantastic!” Gabriel’s eyes almost fell out of their sockets at the sight of his gorgeous auntie.

She thought it was pretty simple as it was an outfit she had used many years ago, she blushed at his compliment pulling down the black hat over her head right on her face, trying to cover her embarrassment.

“Little boy’s right, Oddie. It seems like every time you wear that; it looks way better than before.” Tommy agreed with a gentle smile. Same smile that faded into a worried look when he saw Liam’s murderous smile and panicked eyes. “You alright there, sir?”

“Me? Of course I’m alright. Why wouldn’t I? besides you shouldn’t worry about me. Worry about what will happen to the bastard who dares even breathe her way right now.” He tried to contain his frustration but it was obvious, he didn’t like how his daughter looked.

“Come on, dad. Do I really look that bad?” She looked down at herself with a frown after setting the camera up, she had taken a hold of her face witch broom and tilted her hat back in place. “I guess it’s a little tight on me now, I’ve had this dress since I was in my freshman year of college.”

“That’s the problem, sweetheart. You look anything but bad and that pissed me off.” He turned around trying to hold back his rage. “Why was I blessed with a beautiful wife who gave birth to a stupidly gorgeous perfect daughter? What the hell have I done to deserve this kind of punishment?”

“Daddy, you’re overreacting again. I’m not that pretty.” Oddie tried to calm him down but, it appears she just added more oil to the fire.

“Are you out of your mind?! Have you seen yourself?!”

“Yes, I did before I left my room.”

“Then you must have seen the most beautiful and perfect witch of all! My goodness you’re so pretty I can’t even look at you.” He was almost crying hugging a weirded out Luca close to his chest on the floor. “My eyes are not worth such an enticing view. You’re an angel.”

“Uh, she’s a witch, papa.” Gabriel corrected but his grandfather only cried out louder.

“Then she’s the greatest and prettiest witch of all! Any man would be lucky to be enchanted by her!”

“Please, stop already. You’re embarrassing.” Both Tommy and Oddie said at the same time, trying to calm the overreaction of said man.

His adoration for his children sometimes was too overwhelming, but thankfully they didn’t happen often, or else Oddie would’ve killed him already. It’d be a lie to say she didn’t look good at all.

The black dress she was wearing was tight on the chest area and waist, popping out her gorgeous curves even more, adorning her hips was a thin metal chain tied in a knot over her left hip.

The low ‘v’ neck line on her chest was a sin itself, the valleys of her round vast mounds could draw in any men as if they were magnets, the dress skirt wasn’t that long but neither that short, reaching right above her knees.

The dress had sleeves that barely touched her elbows, allowing her slender wrists and hands to be shown. The black and purple stripped stocking she wore under the skirt of the dress hid her soft skin, paired up with low heeled black ankle boots she had completed her costume.

Of course, her makeup had to go perfect with it. Beautiful purple and black eyeshadow on her eyes and a dark wine colored lipstick adorning her silky lips. She was indeed, a sight to see.

“Can we just take the picture and ignore dad’s rant?” She rested a hand over her face trying to hide her embarrassment. Of course the dress would look tight, she was no child anymore! It was shorter and tighter all over, she now had the body of a young adult.

“Yes, please. Let’s take the picture.” Tommy gathered them all, including Luca with his superman cape, in front of the chimney and prepared to smile.

“Ready, boys? One, two… say trick or treat!”

“Trick or treat!”

Flash~

Right when the perfect picture was taken, the most horrendous thunder they had ever heard resounded the whole block. Oddie and Gabriel couldn’t help but scream bloody murder, hugging each other tightly. Even poor Luca whined in fear, staying close to their legs.

What was worse, the light went off.

“Dad? Tommy? Goodness it’s so dark.” She called for them, as the darkness of night had come and the moon was covered by the stormy gray clouds, there was no source of light to help them out at the moment.

“I’m here.” Tommy called from her right, reaching out to touch her hand.

“Daddy?”

“Here, sweetie.” He reached out to touch her other hand, he sighed taking off his helmet. “Does your phone have battery? If it does, turn on the flashlight. I’ll go get the ones we have in the garage, so don’t move.”

“Let me go with you.”

Both Tommy and Liam went away into the garage, leaving Oddie and Gabriel cuddling to each other on the carpeted floor of her living room. Sitting on her knees she held the young boy close to her chest as she reached for her phone turning the flashlight on.

Luca kept looking around but never leaving her side, when another rumbling thunder raged over the skies scaring them even more. Such a devastating sound that was, as if the sky was about to fall apart.

The ring of her phone brought their already scared minds into pure panic, definitely not expecting a call at this moment, she picked her phone close to her ear after pressing the green button.

“H-hello?”

“Doll? Are you ok? You’re home, right?” She’d be lying if she said that Nathan’s voice didn’t bring peace and tranquility to her alarmed mind.

“Nate? Oh my god. Yes, I’m home. Where are you?”

“I’m at the station. We’ve been receiving calls from the police. Apparently the whole city blacked out, and we’re yet to wait for an answer from the electricity company. We don’t know how long we’ll be out of energy.” The way his voice calmed her was unbelievable.

“That explains why the whole street is dark. It looks so scary.” She hugged the trembling boy closer to her chest trying to keep him warm.

Even when they had the chimney, the house was getting colder by the minute as the house heating was not currently working. The burning wood could only do so much to have the living room warm.

“Are you cold? Your voice’s trembling so much, I can’t tell if it’s from fear or coldness.”

“We could say both are taking a tool on me.” She looked down at Gabriel and Luca with a small frown, they were trembling as much as she was. “Well, on us.”

“Are the kids with you? Are they ok? What about Luca?” She smiled at his worried voice, it was so sweet of him that she felt her heart melt. But right now was not the moment to fangirl over him.

“If by kids you mean Gabriel and Tommy, then yes. And Luca’s fine, jus cuddling my legs. I’m sitting on the floor, the place is too dark to move aimlessly, I think it’d make things worse.”

“Good thinking, doll. That’s the safest thing to do right now.” Another rumbling thunder crashed the sky louder than before, even she started to whimper at this. “Oddie? Babe, I need you to listen to me, ok?”

“Ok.”

Nathan was dying at how terrified her voice sounded, but he couldn’t leave the station just now. With thunder storms like this one anything could happen, a fire could start out of nowhere and he needed to be prepared for the worst.

“Are you alone with them? Is someone else there with you?”

“My dad.”

“Ok, good. Look babe, I don’t know how much longer we’ll have signal so I’ll make this quick.”

His voice was out of breath; she couldn’t tell if it was because of how worried he was or if he was doing something else out there. “I need you all to stay away from the windows, don’t get close to anything with crystals or anything sharp. And please for the love of God, do not go upstairs. Stay down, in case of… ugh, I hate to say this but, in case of the worst, it’ll be easier to help you out if you’re somewhere with easy access.”

“Alright, don’t go upstairs. Got it.” She gulped trying to ease her heart, if she let fear overcome her Gabriel would be even more terrified than he already was, and she didn’t want that.

“Dammit, I wish I could be there with you.” He started cursing under his breath, he really hated the idea of not being there but there was nothing he could do at the moment, and that angered him more than anything.

“We’ll be ok, Nate. I promise.”

“You better be.” Nathan sighed over the phone, she could tell he wanted to stay in line with her. “Babe, I can’t keep on talking right now. The signal is going down faster than we thought, but the emergency lines will keep working.”

“So if anything happens I can-”

“No.”

“W-what?”

“The last person I want to hear from the emergency line is you, Oddie.” He groaned in frustration, if the situation wasn’t this bad she’d think that was an incredibly hot sound made by him. “Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you all safe, but you calling here would mean something really bad happened. And I can’t even bear the thought of any of you caught in any fire.”

“Nathan, we’ll be ok. I promise.”

“Like I said, you better.” She could hear some more voices with him before he sighed once and more. “I gotta go now, but please, please be safe and do what I said.”

“I will. And Nathan?”

“Yes?”

“Please be safe too, don’t make me worry.”

“I’m supposed to be saying that.” That ridiculously hot smirk of his could be heard by her, there was no doubt that smirk was there.

“Yeah well, I’m not the one out in the danger right now, am I?”

“Touché, doll.” Once more, some voices were heard before he spoke again. “But I really have to go now. As soon as I get the chance, and if the signal isn’t completely dead, I’ll call you again to make sure you’re ok.”

“Alright, stay safe Nathan.”

“Be safe, bear man!” Gabriel decided to speak still hugging Oddie for dear life, she put the phone close to him so he could hear him loud and clear. Nathan’s smile went wider at the sound of his voice.

“You too, little man. Keep everyone safe while I’m away, alright?”

“Yes, captain bear!” He spoke once before hiding his face back on Oddie’s chest. She put the phone back to her ear with a warm smile on her lips.

“You got a new nickname.”

“I think I like it more than bear man, if I’m honest with you.”

“Seriously, Nate. Be careful.”

“I will, babe. If you keep worrying about me like that, I might steal you so I can keep you for myself.” He flirted her way, good thing she wasn’t there to see his flushed face.

Since when did he even flirted anyway? New talent unlocked apparently.

“Keep calling me that and there won’t be a necessity to steal me.”

After another short goodbye they cut the call, right when another thunder decided to make an appearance. Tommy and Liam came back to them with bigger flashlights, Oddie smiled at them and hugged them when they kneeled before her.

“Dad, Tommy. You guys ok?”

“Yeah, we’re fine. Took us a moment but we found what we needed.” Liam answered caressing her face lovingly. “I heard you on the phone, who was it?”

“Nathan. He’s at the station.”

“Is he ok? Did something bad happened already?”

“He’s fine and no, thankfully nothing worse than a blackout has come to anyone.”

Both men sighed relived, at least the city wasn’t a total chaos as they had thought. Oddie had told them the instructions the strong firefighter had told her and they immediately sat by a corner in the room at the far end of the house.

That was one of the guests’ rooms that was used by her friends or Roy when they stayed over, as it was one of the biggest rooms it had plenty of space. Even when the window it had was kinda big, the corner they took as shelter wasn’t even close to it.

“What do we do now?” Gabriel looked up at Oddie with a worried expression, kissing his forehead and pulling him closer to her body she sighed over his head.

“Now we wait.”