The Friend I Needed

Eight.

Eight.

Saturday came by rather quickly for Oddie’s liking, if it wasn’t for all the people helping her, she’d be a complete mess by now. Opening her eyes slowly feeling the morning sun lightly touching her face, she buried her face on the pillow with a groan.

Not entirely ready to get up, especially not at 7:30am.

Sighing in defeat, knowing she had to get up and start the day with getting everything ready for her boy’s birthday party, she tried moving out of bed. Yeah, tried.

“What…”

She looked down to her tummy feeling weight over it and then it hit her, with an annoyed expression she roughly pushed the thin arm away from her. Getting up and pulling the covers with her, uncovering the female body that was dreamily cuddling her not long ago.

“Sally, get up.”

“Why the early bad mood?” The said blonde groaned sitting up with a pout, trying to fix her nest-like hair she smiled brightly at her best friend. “Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?”

“Fun fact, I did. But may I know, why the hell were you sleeping with me?” Oddie started to walk towards the bathroom, she was in desperate need of a warm shower to fully wake up. “Better yet, why are you in my house this early in the morning?”

“You forgot? You begged me last night to stay with you.” Sally was doing it on purpose and the brunette knew it very well, that crazy blonde loved to tease poor Oddie. “You said you needed some company in bed as you were, feeling lonely.”

“I hate you so much sometimes, I swear.” She mumbled resting her head on the wall with a frown. “What happened to the nice and sweet school teacher everyone loves and respects?”

“She disappears the moment she leaves work to spend time with you.” Sally smiled so bright, Oddie swore she was wearing the sun as teeth. “But jokes aside, you did tell me to stay the night so we could start getting everything ready with time. Also, uncle Liam stayed in his room and uncle Roy will come soon, the rest of the guys will arrive possibly at 9:00am or so, maybe later.”

“Oh, I did say that.”

Oddie crossed her arms under her chest resting her back on the door frame of the bathroom, staring at her friend with a raised eyebrow, that teacher was enjoying being half naked on her bed.

“But the real question, why did you sleep with me when there’s another spare room and Ollie’s room for you to use?”

“I feel weird using Ollie’s room,” she sat on her knees untangling her hair as best as she could. “And I heard you cry in your sleep, so like the good best friend I am, I decided to come to your aid and we ended up cuddling to each other for dear life.”

“Uhu, sure. Now the real reason?”

“You’re no fun,” Sally huffed crossing her arms as well.

“I woke up late at night to go get a glass of water, when I came up the stairs once more I saw your door open and your bed looked so comfy and you sleep so peacefully, I couldn’t help but miss our sleepovers. And your body is so perfect in every possible way, I needed to cuddle those boobs and hips close to me.”

“I seriously think you have a problem with me.”

“Not a problem at all and before you think it, I am not gay.” She said rather quickly. “Believe me, I do love men as much as you do, but I do know how to appreciate a woman’s body. Especially yours, it’s so beautiful I can’t let anyone else cuddle that beauty.”

“Sally.”

“Yeah?”

“Get. Out.”

“Is this your way of saying you don’t love me?”

“Now.”

…

Both girls sat in the kitchen island watching the news on the tv while drinking some coffee, Liam was in the shower and Roy had called that he was on his way to her home.

Oddie had showered and dressed in the comfiest thing she could find, some dark blue sweatpants hanging low on her hips and a long-sleeved light gray t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, some sneakers and her hair tied in a low ponytail having some bangs fall over her face.

“So, what time does the party start?” Sally asked sipping her hot drink carefully, she was dressed somewhat similar to her friend, only difference being that she actually had a thick red hoodie on.

“I wrote on the invitations that they could arrive after 2:30pm. That way we all can have enough time to have everything ready; either way, it’s not like parents are that punctual when it comes to their kids’ activities.” She sipped her coffee calmly when the doorbell suddenly rang, causing her to cough hard almost chocking on the hot drink.

“Care to say that again?” Sally raised an eyebrow confused. Why would a kid arrive at an afternoon party right before eight in the morning?

“Must be Nathan, I told him to be here early to help dad and uncle Roy with the yard.” She stood up walking towards the door trying to hide a yawn behind her hand.

When she opened the door she stared up trying to find the rather tall firefighter, but to her surprise there was no one there.

“It’s too early for anyone to play this kind of prank.” She mumbled with a sigh, but right before she closed the door a small tug on her shirt caught her attention.

“Good morning, Miss Oddie.” She felt her blood freeze as she looked down at the small boy.

“Elliot?”

“Hi.” He shared a cute smile with her, he was wearing a light green long-sleeved t-shirt under a worn-out dark blue jacket, blue jeans and sneakers.

“Baby, not that I mind but, what are you doing here so early?” She crouched down holding the slightly trembling kid close to her, is was the middle of October so it was no surprise that the weather started to get colder than before.

“Well…”

He turned to the street and so did Oddie, right there in that ugly old car was a woman with a bothered look, she rolled down the window and spoke with pure venom rolling out her tongue.

“I don’t care if it’s too early. You wanted to come to this stupid party? There you go then! Here you are!” At the tone Elliot’s mother was using, Oddie’s instinct was to immediately stand up and pull him close behind her, earning a scowl from his mother. “I don’t want to hear any complains, you hear me, f*****g brat? I’m not picking you up, so find a way to get back when this s**t is done! And don’t you dare call me for a ride!”

At that, she drove off like a mad woman, which apparently she was; Oddie felt her eye twitch for a second time in the day and felt her fist tighten as well as her hold on the child. What kind of mother spoke to her son like that? To say the least, she was enraged.

“I’m sorry, it was either come this early or not coming at all.” Elliot’s timid voice got her out of her murderous thoughts, she frowned slightly at the shy boy who still held her shirt.

“I promised Gabriel I’d be here and asking daddy would be a terrible idea, so I asked her and she said I could come only if I was able to stay away from the house all day and not bother her or daddy to come pick me up.”

Oddie took a huge amount of air into her lungs, trying to calm her inner anger down before she unleashed it all in front of him. After a few deep breaths, she smiled gently at him ruffling his hair sweetly.

“I don’t mind you being here right now, baby. I’m actually glad you’re here, do you think your parents would mind you staying the night? I can drive you back tomorrow afternoon. That is of course, if you want to.” The shine his eyes showed was the only answer she needed, she smiled brightly at him. “Great, we can tell Sally to call your mother and ask.”

“That’d be great, Miss Oddie.”

“You know, you can just call me Oddie, right?”

“Is it ok?”

“You don’t even have to ask, baby.” They smiled at each other when the rambling sound of a truck parking in front of them interrupted.

“Mr. Bear is here.”

“What a morning am I having.” She mumbled under her breath closing her eyes, she had pretty awesome people in her life but they also drove her insane in many ways.

“My goodness, must be my lucky day if two little angels are here to brighten my morning.” Nathan walked up to them with a wide grin, Elliot immediately ran up to him right into his arms only to be lifted in the air, his giggles filled the porch accompanied by his rough laughter. “Good morning, little one.”

“Good morning, Mr. Bear.” They shared a bear hug and the boy was down on his feet again, walking to Oddie with a happy face. “Since I’m here I want to help around too, Oddie!”

“Oh, do you now?” She smirked at his eagerness, he nodded frantically so she crouched down once more and started to whisper. “In that case, I got the perfect mission for you, but let me tell you it is not an easy one.”

“Ah, is it that important?”

“Oh yeah, it definitely is.” She frowned as well as he did. “Do you think you’re ready for this? Not even my dad is brave enough to do so.”

“I can do it, I’m strong.” The determination in his eyes melted her heart in a second and it was becoming hard for her not to crush the boy into a hug and kiss his whole face.

Nathan raised an eyebrow amused by the situation, crossing his huge tattooed arms over his wide chest staring at both in silence; he wouldn’t say it out loud, but he was curious about what she was about to ask the child to do.

“That’s the spirit. Then be ready as you’re about to face a great terror, only the bravest can manage to do this, be successful and survive to tell the story one day.”

“Are you a survivor too? You accomplished the mission?” His blue eyes went wide in appreciation, she bit the inside of her cheek, this kid was killing her with his sweetness.

“I’m a legend already, darling. Care to take my place now?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“I’m so proud.” She stood up and opened the front door for him to enter. “In that case, go wake Gabriel up and tell him to come down for breakfast.” Nathan was about to burst out laughing but he held it in as the child was too determinate on doing the mission.

“I’ll do it! I won’t fail on this important mission; I’ll go for it and I’ll be successful.” He wore a prideful expression, took a deep breath and stared hard at the staircase.

“Go on then, soldier. Make me proud.” She crossed her arms under her chest with a tiny grin decorating her lips.

“I’ll bring him down in ten minutes.” He ran up the stairs in full force. When he was gone both adults couldn’t hold their laughter anymore.

“Man, if that kid decides to be a firefighter like Gabriel, he’s gonna be a damn good one.” Nathan then stared at Oddie, it’d be a lie if he said he didn’t enjoy the view. “Good morning, Oddie.”

“Good morning, Nate.” She winked allowing him inside, when both got in he closed the door behind him. They were about to walk towards the kitchen when the Elliot stood before them once more with a deep frown. “Not even two minutes have passed, honey.”

“Could you please hold my backpack?”

“Uh, sure?” She took the item from his hands, confused as ever.

“And my jacket please.” In all seriousness he took it off and handed it to Nathan, taking a deep breath he rolled the sleeves up to his elbows and started to walk back to the second floor. “I’ve seen the target of the mission; it’ll be though but not impossible. If you hear screams, don’t worry we’re ok.”

At this Sally had entered the hall with a surprised look, she looked at the equally surprised friends trying to find an answer to what the hell she had seen.

“Um, am I supposed to understand what just happened?”

“Not even us can understand.” Nathan was the only one to answer, he turned down to look at a very pale Oddie. “What kind of movies this kid watches at home?”

“I’m… not sure, but I’m definitely hiding all action movies I have around. I suddenly don’t feel safe.”

…

Ten minutes later, the three adults stared at the children sitting in the island before them, trying to figure out the situation. To say Oddie was surprised would be an understatement, she was astonished; Elliot had managed to do the impossible and came out alive.

“Tell me again,” Nathan, who yet again had his arms crossed, rested his lower back on the kitchen counter behind him. “Why are we so amazed by the kid completing the mission?”

“Oh, you don’t know.” Sally answered fixing the breakfast plates for the three of them, as the kids were already eating in silence watching toons on the tv. “Gabriel has really bad morning moods, he never wakes up on the right side of the bed. Usually he wakes up by himself, but on weekends he takes his sweet time and if you try to bother him, well you pretty much get kicked out with a door slammed to your face.”

“Oddie, how do you deal with his moods?” He asked the still amazed girl beside him, she was calmly drinking coffee but her eyes never leaving the children.

“I clearly don’t.” She took a sip from her cute mug before sighing. “I don’t dare wake him up unless is something really important, like today. Like Sally said, he wakes by himself, all I do is wait for him either here or in the living room.”

“And he’s in a mood?” He raised an eyebrow before looking at the taller boy, he looked so calm it was hard for him to imagine him in a mood.

“Yeah, he is. I just wait for him to fully wake up, when he does all the bad temper leaves his body and I have my little happy pumpkin clinging to my leg all day.” She again, sips her coffee but now with a frown. “Elliot, baby.”

“Yes?” The boy looked at her with his cute face, having some bread crumbs glued to his cheeks. Gabriel noticing this, grabbed a napkin and cleaned his face softly before getting back to eating in absolute silence, Elliot smiling brightly at him. “Oh, thank you.”

“Mhm.” Was the only answer he got.

“How exactly did you manage to accomplish the mission given to you?” She asked bringing her almost empty cup back to her lips, the young boy just shrugged.

“There are no impossibilities for a man with determination. It wasn’t hard to do it, to be honest.” Gabriel gave him a blank stare, which he of course, totally ignored. “I don’t get why you said it was a difficult mission.” He kept on eating his breakfast and drinking a delicious cup of hot milk.

“I see. I’ll reward you later today.” They smiled at each other, Sally and Nathan finished getting their plates ready and also prepared two more for Liam and Roy.

“Wait a minute.” Gabriel finally spoke, drifting his eyes between Elliot and Oddie. “She was the one who sent you upstairs?”

“Yeah, why?” The younger answered drinking his hot milk with a satisfied expression. “This is good a chilly morning.” He mumbled relaxed. Gabriel glared at the woman sitting right across from him, she was now on her third coffee.

“Why would you send someone to wake me?” She chocked on her drink panicked, Gabriel’s frown only deepened at this. “I could’ve sleep more.”

“Ah, well. It was either getting woken up by him or me.” Both stared at each other deeply before cracking a smile. “I won.”

“You’re lucky you’re pretty.” He mumbled getting back to finish his food, when he was done he took his plate and Elliot’s to the sink. He then walked over to Oddie and pulled her down to kiss her cheek and nuzzled his nose on her. “Either way, it’s always nice to wake up to you. It wasn’t so bad to have him wake me, he’s as cute as you.”

She smiled nuzzling back before sending him up to his room to shower and get ready for the day, Elliot decided that his mission wasn’t over until Gabriel was fully dressed and ready for action so he followed him up the stairs with a happy Luca behind them.

Right in that moment, Liam came down the stairs raising an eyebrow at the two little boys going up.

“Morning, papa.” Gabe hugged him smiling before going back his way, Liam felt his eyes fly out. Gabriel was in a good mood, early in the morning.

“Morning, pumpkin.” He managed to mumble following him with his eyes.

“Good morning, Mr. Liam.” Elliot’s voice caught him of guard, he was not expecting the small boy to be there so early. “Sorry, did I frightened you?”

“Good morning, cookie.” He liked giving others nicknames and this boy quickly caught his heart so, of course, Elliot got himself a overly sweet name. “I’m fine, just surprised to see you this early.”

“Oddie said the same.” He smiled following Gabriel, who waited for him at the top of the stairs.

Liam watched both kids disappear in the room and took a deep breath trying to understand the situation.

“What the f**k…” he barely whispered closing his eyes, he finally entered the kitchen noticing his precious sweetheart, the lovely blonde and the annoying boy. “Good morning, my love.” He kissed his daughters head but he only got a frown back.

“Don’t curse when the kids are around, please.” He paled at this.

“Goodness, must be a talent of yours to hear curses even when they are barely spoken in a low whisper.”

“Good morning, daddy.” She ignored his comment motioning him to have a sit and eat.

“Yeah, yeah ignore me.” He rolled his eyes going to Sally to kiss her temple. “Good morning, sweetie.”

“Morning, uncle Liam.” She smiled at him brightly. “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a baby.” He then turned to Nathan who said a quiet greeting making the old man frown. “Good morning to you too. I better not find out that we had another guest sleeping under this roof or else this won’t be a good morning any longer.”

“Dad, stop.” Oddie frowned at him while Nathan choked on his food, Sally patting his back trying to help him breathe again. “No one other than Sally spent the night here.”

“Good, I don’t want to know you have an affair when my precious pumpkin sleeps two doors away from you.” All three of the young ones blushed so much they looked like a bunch of red apples sitting in the kitchen island, Nathan was literally dying not being able to regain his breathe while Sally and Oddie tried to disguise their embarrassment.

A few minutes later, Roy appeared on the kitchen’s door holding a box of donuts wearing a big smile, which suddenly turned into a frown when he saw the apples and a hard laughing Liam.

“I guess it’s a good morning?” He asked his best friend who nodded amused.

“A very good one my friend, you have no idea.”

“Do I want to have an idea of it, though?” Roy frowned when the three guys turned at him, with completely reddened faces they answered him at the same time.

“No!”