HOME | DD

Description

The fire burns, hotter and hotter scorching your skin. No matter how hard you try, you can’t reach them. Their cries frantic and the pain in their voice is so gut wrenching you think you might be sick, right there on the spot. But no, you can’t stop now. Just a little farther and they will be safe in your arms. Then you feel a strong gnarled hand yank you back. The bony fingers digging into your neck. “Lâchez-moi! Lâchez-moi !” You wheeze in French, telling them to let you go. But the hand doesn’t let go, the grip just gets tighter and tighter. Using your last bit of strength, a blast of adrenaline courses through your gains and you rip the hand from your neck. But in now the three people you love most are so far away you feel as though you may never catch them. You feel the last bit of your strength slipping away, cursing that your body refuses to cooperate. Your muscles seize up and you drop, but still you refuse to stop. You crawl. The rough ground scraped up your arms and legs but you push on. You hear a stamped of big, black muddy boots and the the clanging of metal being unsheathed. The run in the direction you are headed. When they get there there are two shouts. A man and a woman. “Maman! Papá!” It’s a young voice, a boy, crying for his mother and father. Then the most horrific cry. It jolts your heart and freezes your blood. “Aide.” You squeak in French. But help doesn’t come. You lie there, numb and broken. Then then, you hear a girl’s voice. “Claude…get up.” She says. “You refuse, burying your fave in the gritty dirt. “Claude, Levez-vous!” This time she yells in French. Annoyed you look up, wishing this girl would just leave you alone. When you look up, you can’t get a good look at her, as your vision begins to blur. But you can tell her eyes are bright green. She bends down and places a hand on your cheek. Ça ira. Promets-moi juste que tu reviendras... Her voice faded into a whisper as she tells him to promise to come back. Then you finally black out, into nothing but darkness.

Ica startled awake to Claude thrashing around beside her like a fish that had been thrown onto the bank, struggling to breathe. He was screaming out in French. Ica only understood a few French words but other than that she had no clue what he was saying. Their two cats Irish and Nixen shot off the bed, their silver and red fur standing on end, making them look twice their side. Panicking she shook her husband vigorously with both hands, trying to whet him out of his night terror.

Claude! Claude! Wake up!” She shook him but he couldn’t seem to get out of his sleep paralysis. Zephyr! I need your help!” She cried, hoping her son could help wake his father.

Zephyr flung himself out of bed and stormed down the hall, with their golden retriever at his heels. He jumps on the bed and tries to grab his father’s hands to stop him from flailing but can’t quiet get a grip. “Dad! Come on! Snap out of it!” Claude’s left hand slips from Zephyr’s grasp and he accidentally hits his son in the face. Zephyr yelps and holds the side of his cheek, which immediately starts to bruise up. Rotary barks, sharp and high, as if trying to wake Claude as well.

Ica frustrated and almost furious seeing Claude hit Zephyr, she gets on top of him, straddling his body and pins his arms to his side, then lays completely down on him covering his body with hers trying to calm him.. Finally he sits up with a yelp, and his dark gray eyes flick open. His breathing is coming out in fast ragged breaths and his thin bangs are plastered to his forehead with sweat. Ica grabs his face and looks into his eyes making sure he is actually awake.

“Claude?” She said softly. “Are you okay?”

He gives a quick shake of his head. “W-what happened.”

”You had a night terror.” Said Zephyr as he crawled up close to his father.

Claude peered at his son, seeing the bruise on the side of his face. “What happened to your face son?” Zephyr looked down dejectedly, knowing if he told his father that he was the one that struck him he’d feel awful.

“Y-you…” Zephyr faltered.

”You hit him while you were flailing around.” Said Ica trying not to sound angry, knowing that it was an accident.

“But it wasn’t your fault papa!” Said Zephyr quickly. I’m okay!”

Claude’s dark gray eyes grew to the size of saucers. “I- I hit my son?” Claude’s voice broke. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?!” He yelled.

”We TRIED!” Retorted his wife, “You wouldn’t bloody wake up!”

”GUYS STOP!” Yelled their son, tears in his bright green eyes. “Mum don’t be mad at him! It was an accident. And dad, we did tried to wake you but like mum said we couldn’t. You can’t get mad at her either.” The tears that were in his eyes started to drip down his freckled cheeks.

Both Ica and Claude looked at each other guilty. Feeling bad that they had just shouted at each other in front of their son. Claude pulled Zephyr close rocking back in forth, crying into his brown wavy hair. “Je suis vraiment désolé, mon cher fils. Je ne pense pas pouvoir vivre avec moi-même. Je t'ai fait du mal, je suis un père horrible. (I’m so sorry my precious son. I don’t think I can live with myself. I hurt you, I’m a horrible father.)

“Non, vous n'êtes pas!” (No you’re not!) Zephyr’s voice was hysterical. “Don’t ever say that! Don’t ever ever say that! It was an accident! I know you would never hurt my on purpose. You are the greatest papá on this entire planet. I love you so so much!”

Ica, feeling guilty watching how easily Zephyr had brushed off Claude’s accidental bruising of their son’s face. Her anger melting away, she curled up next to her husband with Zephyr in between them. She reached over him and took his hand interlocking her fingers with his. “I’m sorry.” She whispered. And kisses his cheek. Zephyr’s right you are an amazing father. She reached up and wiped bath their tears away from their faces. “Zephyr’s right. You are an amazing father.”

”No, I’m sorry non amour. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I guess I really was a Disney villain.” He chuckled, knowing that his son said when he was angry or deep in thought he would have his ‘Disney villain’ face on. “If I didn’t have that stupid night terror this wouldn’t even have happened.” Said Claude feeling defeated. “This is the second episode I’ve had. And I feel like I’m getting worse.”

”Claude, you can’t help it. It’s not like you did it on purpose. You have PTSD.” Said Ica, stroking his gray hair.

”Yeah papá, please don’t blame your self.” Added Zephyr, craning his head back to look at his father.

He gave his son a half smile. “Well I’m always going to feel horrible that I smacked my little boy.” He nuzzled his face.

“I’m okay really. I’m tough and good with pain. Doesn’t even really hurt.” He grinned.

”Speaking of which, I’m going to get some ice for that.” Said Ica letting go of Claude’s hand and getting out of bed. “I know you heal face but still. Ice will help it heal even faster.”

When Ica came back with the ice pack, Roary, Nixen, and Irish had made there onto the bed surrounding her son and husband. “Well I guess I lost my spot.” Laughed Ica.

“There is still room for you mummy. I’ll just sit on daddy’s lap.” Zephyr crawled into his father’s lap, then patted the empty spot next to them. “See plenty of the space.” Zephyr threw her a grin.

“Well, okay guess there is room.” She climbed into bed and snuggled close to Claude and Zephyr, then presses the ice pack pack to her son’s face.

“Eek. That’s cold!” Yipped Zephyr.

Ica laughed. “Well duh it’s an ice pack silly goose.” She held the ice pack on Zephyr’s cheek for a couple of minutes then looked at it. “The swelling is going down which is good. Maybe just a little longer.

Her son huffed then began whinging. “Mum can you stop now? It feels okay. In fact I can’t feel anything because my face is numb.”

Ica gave him a half hearted look. She wanted to keep icing it just a little longer but gave in. “Oh alright.” She took the ice pack away from his face. Ica looked at her husband a devious idea forming in her head. “Hey Claude?”

“Yes mon amour?”

“I love you.”

He smiled. “I love you too.”

He leaned over and kissed her and she kissed him back. Zephyr, usually grossed out by their displays of affection didn’t care this time. He was just happy his parents weren’t cross with each other anymore. It’s smiled through the kiss then took the ice pack and pressed it against Claude’s thin face. He reeled, shocked from the cold. “Ahh!” Zephyr and Ica burst out laughing.

“Sorry, babe, I couldn’t help myself!” Said Ica still cracking up.

Claude gave her a pointed but playful look then snatched the ice pack from her. He held her still and shoved it under her shirt. Ica squealed as the cold hit the warmth of her skin. Zephyr was now rolling, laughing so hard that no actual sound of his laughter came out of his mouth, just his shoulders shaking as he guffawed at his parents antics. Once every calmed down Zephyr settled in between both his parents. They put their arms over him and clasped their fingers together.

Zephyr looked at each of his parents. “Mum, dad?”

”Yes peanut?” They said in tandem.

”You guys scared me.” Said Zephyr softly. Claude and Ica looked at each other, surprised at what their son just said. “I…never heard you guys yell at each other like that. I know you have gotten in arguments before but never like this. I’d rather have you guys be all mushy then all shouty.”

Ica stroked her son’s wavy hair. “We’re sorry peanut. I think we actually scared each other.” Said Ica, looking to Claude who nodded in agreement. “It’s just that I think the both of us were panicking and we were in the heat of the moment.”

“You guys aren’t still mad at each are you? You still love each other?”

Claude and Ica hugged their son as tight as they could without crushing him. “Bien sûr!” (Of course!) Said Claude vehemently.

Zephyr smiled. “Good. Um…are you okay papá. You were having a really hard time. You were thrashing around and screaming. Was it Mamie, Papi (Grandma, Grandpa) and uncle Clement again?” Claude’s heart was warmed that even though his family was gone, and Zephyr had never met them, he still chose to speak of them like they were alive and well, that he readily accepted them as family. “What exactly was happening in that night terror. But! If it’s too much to talk about, you don’t have to.” Added Zephyr quick. “But I just want to make sure you are okay.”

Claude sat up so he was leaning against the pillows. Zephyr laid his head on his father’s arm. Ica got on the other side of Claude and wrapped his arms around him, just like the night when he had his first episode. “You can tell us anything.” Whispered his wife.

He nodded, and then began. “Yeah, it was kind of the same as last time…but even more intense. Maman, Papá, and Clement were in trouble and I couldn’t reach them. I ran and ran but they always seemed so far away. Then someone grabbed me and I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like my neck was going to break. But I was able to get away from the hand but I still couldn’t catch up to them. I fell and the pirates got to them before I could.” Claude’s voice was solemn and tired. “But then something weird happened.”

”Weird like what?” Asked Zephyr tilting his head.

“There…was this girl.”

”A girl?” Said Ica.

”Yeah looked like she was my age…well twelve at the time. But I couldn’t really see her face. But her eyes…were bright green. In fact, they were the same exact color as Zephyr’s.”

“They were?” He asked, sounding amazed.

”Wee, she was telling me to get up and…promise to come back…” he trailed off. “Then I woke up…well you guys woke me up.”

Zephyr looked up at his father. ”What do you think it means Papá?”

“I-I don’t know if it means anything. You know we aren’t superstitious and we don’t get visions like they did in bible times.” He chuckled. “Probably just a bad dream.”

Zephyr yawned. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

”You look tired peanut. Time to go back to bed it’s two in the morning.” Said Ica stroking his hair.

“Okay…can I sleep in here, to make sure daddy’s okay? In case he has another nightmare?” Ica nodded. Zephyr smiled sleepily and snuggled down next to his father. Ica draped the blanket over him and he was out immediately.

”You going to be okay Claudie Bears?” Asked Ica reaching over to grab his hand.

”I think so…but just incase I do have one, don’t let Zephyr try to wake me. I don’t know what I’d do if I hurt him again.” He stroked the bruise on his son’s face looking dejecting.

Ica gave him a half smile. “Okay…but he might jump in anyway. He loved his Papá and doesn’t like to see you in pain.”

Claude sighed. “Okay mon amour.” He yawned. “Good night. I love you.”

”Love you too.” With that she reached over and turned the lamp off.

As much as Claude tried to fall asleep, he couldn’t. He was afraid that if he did, he would risk another episode. He couldn’t get the words the girl had said to him out of his head. “Ça ira. Promets-moi juste que tu reviendras... It will be fine, just promise me you’ll come back. They played over and over until he couldn’t fight sleep anymore and it over took him.

The next morning, Ica and Zephyr were up early, but Claude was still asleep. Zephyr went to wake him up but his mother gently stopped him. “Let’s let daddy sleep peanut. He had a rough night. How about you and I take Roary for a walk then go out to breakfast. Just you and me?”

Zephyr’s green eyes lit up. “Okay!” Claude stirred a bit but didn’t wake up. Ica put her fingers to her lips. Zephyr cringed apologetically. “Oops. Sorry.” He squeaked.

Ica shook her head. “Alright crazy boy, go on and get dressed.” Ica quietly got dressed left Claude and the cats asleep. “I love you, my wily old man.” She whispered as she left the room.

When Ica git downstairs, Zephyr and Roary were already to go. She smiled at him. “You’re riding your scooter I see.” She said as he started to put on his green and black helmet.

He grinned. “Yup.”

The three of them took a nice walk upon the trail and over the bridge then circled back. When the got home Zephyr ran inside and dropped his scooter and helmet in the middle of the floor. “Zeph.” He looked back at his mother who looked down at his scooter and his helmet then back at him with a pointed look.

“I was going to go check on daddy.” He said quickly.

”I know you’re worried about him, but please put your scooter and helmet away first.”

Zephyr did as his mother told him and he put his stuff away then ran up stairs to his parents bedroom, where he saw that his father was still sleeping. Then he ran back downstairs. “Mummy bears he is still asleep. He’s been sleeping along time.” Said Zephyr, worry creeping into his voice.

It was about 9:30 and Claude is usually up by now. Ica went upstairs to check on her husband. She popped her head in to see him sound asleep like Zephyr had said. She watched him closely to make sure he was breathing. Satisfied that she saw the rise and fall of his chest, she left the room and went back downstairs.

“He’s okay peanut. Like I said he had a really hard night. He needs his rest. He’s not young and vibrant like us.” She chuckled.

“Mummy…you aren’t that young.” Said Zephyr matter of fact.

”I’m younger than daddy.” She batted him playfully on the head. “Come on, let’s go get breakfast.”

When Ica and Zephyr pulled up to the breakfast restaurant, Sunny Side Up, the woman sat them down at a table near the river. “Can I take your orders?” Asked the waitress.

“Can I have the smiley face eggs… er except can I have strawberries in top so it looks like kitty ears And pink milk” Piped Zephyr enthusiastically.

The waitress looked at him for a moment, perplexed. “He means strawberry milk.” Explained Ica.

“Oh gotcha. And you?” She said looking in Ica’s direction.

I will have the French toast and sausage and watermelon green tea.” Said Ica smiling.

”Absolutely.” With that the waitress scuttled off to wait on more tables. Soon she was back with their drinks.

Ica noticing the crayons that came with Zephyr’s kid’s menu and grabbed one and doodled something. “Can you guess what this is?” She asked, sliding the menu in his direction.

Her son tilted his head to the left, then to the right. “Um…a goat…I think. With a stick on its head?”

Ica laughed. “Close it’s a goatacorn.”

Zephy laughed. “Oh mum. Of course you would draw that. My turn.” Zephyr took a blue and yellow crayon. “He drew two circles. Then he colored them in one with the blue crayon the other with yellow. On the willow circle he drew rays and sunglasses in the middle. On the blue he drew large white eyes then slid it toward Ica. “There. Guess that.”

Ica just stared at the menu, wondering why he drew something so obvious. “Uh a sun and a moon with faces?”

“Yup.” He said grinning.

”You couldn’t come up with something more original?”

Zephyr just stuck his tongue out and crossed his arms. “Well excuse me.” I was trying to make it easy so you feel good that you got it right.”

Ica chuckled. “Aww well that’s sweet Zephie bears. I love you.” Zephyr smiled, his huffy face disappearing. “Love you to mummy bears. Hey…mummy bears?”

“Yes peanut?”

”Why do I have green eyes?” Ica tilted her head at his question. “No one else in our family has green eyes. Even on daddy’s side…he said grandma and uncle Clement had blue and grandpa and daddy have gray. In school we learned about DNA aAnd eye color. You either get your dad’s eye color or your mums. I have neither.”

Ica pondered his question for a moment. “Well, I think sometimes colors can get mixed together. Daddy’s eyes are dark gray and mine are hazel, mixed together can make green.”

Zephyr didn’t look convinced. “Mum, blue and yellow make green, not gray and hazel.”

“Well…Zephie, I really don’t know. Sometimes it’s waaay down in the family kind. Maybe yiur great great great grandma or grandpa had green eyes.”

“Maaybe.” Zephyr went quiet for a moment. “Did you cheat on daddy with a guy that has green eyes?” He asked suddenly.

Ica nearly choked and spit out her tea. “Zephyr!” She yelped. “What in the world?! I would never chea- why would you ask me that?”

“I’m sorry mummy. But Hank at school said that his mum cheated on his dad and that’s why he doesn’t look like him. And then Markie said I was a test tube baby because daddy was to old to have sex and make a baby so you got DNA from some random guy an-.”

“Zephyr.” Her tone was serious. “Why didn’t you tell me or daddy any of this? Was this when you were studying the DNA stuff?” He nodded slowly. “Well did you tell Miss. Kean?” He shook his head no.

“I’m sorry.” He squeaked as tears began to fill his eyes. “I didn’t want…oh I don’t know I didn’t want to cause any trouble. And I really didn’t care what they were saying, but now a little piece of me
thought it might be true because no one else has green eyes in our family but I do.”

Ica got up to sit in the booth with her son and held him. “Oh baby, listen. Don’t listen to what those kids said. Sometimes people shoot off at the mouth without knowing any facts. You are your father’s son. And you know how I know?” He looked up her. “You look just like him sometimes. You have his eyebrows.” She traced his slanted brows with her finger making him giggle. And you have his mouth and his lips. And you have his expressions, including the Disney villain face when you’re mad.” Zephyr laughed. “And the most of all, he loves you to death. He will do anything to keep you safe. Do you understand peanut?”

Zephyr wrapped his arms around his mother. “Yeah, I do.”

”And Zephie.” He looked up at her. “Does any of this happen to have anything to do with what daddy said about the that girl having the same eyes as you. The one in his night terror?”

“Well yeah…kind of. But it doesn’t matter anymore.” He said.

”You gonna be okay?” He nodded. “And just remember you can tell me and daddy anything you are feeling. Or meema, or nanny, uncle Liam…anyone who, loved you okay?”

He smiled. “K mummy.”

Just then the server came striding over to the table with the breakfast and put the plates down in front of them telling them to enjoy. Then they tucked in.

When Ica and Zephyr got back to the house, there was still no sign of Claude being up and about. “Is he still not up it’s 12:30.” Asked Zephyr getting exasperated.

Ica getting worried herself decided that if Claude was still sleeping she would just wake him up. “Come on, let’s go see.”

When they got up stairs, Zephyr and Ica quickly made their way to the bedroom, Ica right behind him. “Papa time to wake-woah!”

Claude’s wife and son had walked in on him getting dressed. He startled, giving a sharp ‘ah!’ Ica immediately put her hand in front of her son’s eyes shielding him from his father’s nakedness.

“Claude…you…you’re up.” Stammered Ica, a little distracted by her husbands lack of clothing. He smirked at her, but wrapped the towel around his waist.

“Daddy! Hurry up and get dressed!” Piped Zephyr. “I don’t want to ever see that again!”

Claude chuckled but quickly put his trousers and shirt on. “Okay son, I’m sorry. I’m dressed.”

Ica removed her hand from her son’s face but couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you getting dressed with thee door open anyway?” Asked Ica.

He shrugged innocently. ”Well you guys were out so…I didn’t think anything of it.”

Ica shook her head but she was starting to giggle. “Remember you wily old man, it’s not just the two of us anymore. We have a son now. You can’t go parading around naked.”

”I know I kno-.” Claude was cut off by the dramatic voice of his son.

”UGH! Dad come on! You stunk up the bathroom!” Cried Zephyr. “Why didn’t you spray?! UUUGH!”

Claude’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Let me guess, no one was here so you didn’t think you had to spray either? What about poor Roary? His sense of smell is like a thousand times more sensitive than ours.” Ica looked over at him. He was sitting happily on the bed wagging his tail.”

”He seems fine to me.” Said Claude grinning cheekily.

Ica put her hands on her hips. “Thanks for having my back you doofusy dog.” Roary jumped down off the bed and jumped on her, trying to lick her face.

Zephyr could be heard spraying massive amounts of Febreze in the bathroom, then came out holding his nose. “Oh come on son, it’s not that bad, you’re being dramatic just like your mum.” Ica gaped at him as he threw her a sly smile.

“Anyway before you flashed us. We were coming to see how you were feeling.” Said Ica.

”Yeah Papá you were sleeping for a really long time.” Added Zephyr.

Claude sat down on the bed and Zephyr went to go plop down besides him, followed by Ica on the other side of him. “I’m okay cacahuète. After my night terror I couldn’t sleep. When I finally did get to sleep it was four in the morning, so I needed the rest.”

”So you’re okay now?” Claude nodded. “Good. I worry about you. You’re the best father in the world and I have to make sure I take care of you.”

Claude smiled warmly and squeezed him tight. “Merci mon incroyable fils.” (Thank you my amazing son.)

“So now that I know you’re okay, I’m going to go outside and practice my soccer. We have that picnic coming up and I don’t want to suck.” With that he scooted downstairs and out into the backyard.

”I love my boy, so much. He means everything to me.” Said Claude. Ica had an uncertain look on her face, as though she wanted to say something but was holding back. “Are you okay? What is it mon amour?” Asked Claude his brow furrowing.

Ica looked down feeling a tad uncertain is she shouted l her husband this. But she loved this man and she could tell him anything so she just spit it out. ”Yeah so today at breakfast, Zephyr asked if…I cheated on you.”

Claude reeled. “WHAT?! W-WHY?!” Cried completely stunned.

”Well you see, what had happened was, he asked me why he had green eyes because no one else in the family, my side or your side had green eyes. But I guess they were studying DNA aAnd this kid in his class said that the reason he looks nothing like his dad is because his mum cheated on him.” Claude just listened, still at a loss for words. “So then that’s when he asked if I cheated on you with a guy that had green eyes. Of course I told him no. “Then there was the whole thing with the test tube baby.”

”Wait…huh?” Claude looked at his wife completely dumbfounded.

”I guess this other boy in his class said…well he said that…you were too old to have sex and couldn’t make a baby so therefore I had to get some random DNA from a guy that had green eyes.”

Claude just looked at Ica. “And he just told you all this today?” He asked clearly in disbelief.

Ica nodded. “He said he didn’t want to cause trouble so he didn’t tell us or Miss. Kean. But then…I guess that girl in your night terror that you said had the same eyes as him made him more curious I guess. I reassured him that he could tell us anything and he was fine after that.”

Claude sighed. “Speaking of that, there is something I need to tell you.” Ica’s face creased with worry. “I’m going to France.” He said flatly.

Ica raised her eyebrows. “W-what? I thought you couldn’t bear to step foot in France after all that happened there.” Ica was clearly bewildered. “When did you decide this?”

“This morning. I couldn’t get those words the girl in my night terrors said. It will be fine. Promise me you’ll come back. I don’t know why but I have this feeling that I need to go back to France, and face my fears. Then maybe the night terrors will be gone.”

Ica studied Claude’s face. She could see that even though he had finally slept he was emotionally and mentally drained. He needed to do this, she could see it. “Well okay, but me and Zephyr are coming you.” She said her face resolute.

All he did was smile, then threw his arms around her. “I’m scared Mon amour.” Said murmured Claude into her shoulder.

She ran her fingers through his hair. “I know Claudie bears. But we’ll be with you everything step of the way.

Description

The fire burns, hotter and hotter scorching your skin. No matter how hard you try, you can’t reach them. Their cries frantic and the pain in their voice is so gut wrenching you think you might be sick, right there on the spot. But no, you can’t stop now. Just a little farther and they will be safe in your arms. Then you feel a strong gnarled hand yank you back. The bony fingers digging into your neck. “Lâchez-moi! Lâchez-moi !” You wheeze in French, telling them to let you go. But the hand doesn’t let go, the grip just gets tighter and tighter. Using your last bit of strength, a blast of adrenaline courses through your gains and you rip the hand from your neck. But in now the three people you love most are so far away you feel as though you may never catch them. You feel the last bit of your strength slipping away, cursing that your body refuses to cooperate. Your muscles seize up and you drop, but still you refuse to stop. You crawl. The rough ground scraped up your arms and legs but you push on. You hear a stamped of big, black muddy boots and the the clanging of metal being unsheathed. The run in the direction you are headed. When they get there there are two shouts. A man and a woman. “Maman! Papá!” It’s a young voice, a boy, crying for his mother and father. Then the most horrific cry. It jolts your heart and freezes your blood. “Aide.” You squeak in French. But help doesn’t come. You lie there, numb and broken. Then then, you hear a girl’s voice. “Claude…get up.” She says. “You refuse, burying your fave in the gritty dirt. “Claude, Levez-vous!” This time she yells in French. Annoyed you look up, wishing this girl would just leave you alone. When you look up, you can’t get a good look at her, as your vision begins to blur. But you can tell her eyes are bright green. She bends down and places a hand on your cheek. Ça ira. Promets-moi juste que tu reviendras... Her voice faded into a whisper as she tells him to promise to come back. Then you finally black out, into nothing but darkness.

Ica startled awake to Claude thrashing around beside her like a fish that had been thrown onto the bank, struggling to breathe. He was screaming out in French. Ica only understood a few French words but other than that she had no clue what he was saying. Their two cats Irish and Nixen shot off the bed, their silver and red fur standing on end, making them look twice their side. Panicking she shook her husband vigorously with both hands, trying to whet him out of his night terror.

Claude! Claude! Wake up!” She shook him but he couldn’t seem to get out of his sleep paralysis. Zephyr! I need your help!” She cried, hoping her son could help wake his father.

Zephyr flung himself out of bed and stormed down the hall, with their golden retriever at his heels. He jumps on the bed and tries to grab his father’s hands to stop him from flailing but can’t quiet get a grip. “Dad! Come on! Snap out of it!” Claude’s left hand slips from Zephyr’s grasp and he accidentally hits his son in the face. Zephyr yelps and holds the side of his cheek, which immediately starts to bruise up. Rotary barks, sharp and high, as if trying to wake Claude as well.

Ica frustrated and almost furious seeing Claude hit Zephyr, she gets on top of him, straddling his body and pins his arms to his side, then lays completely down on him covering his body with hers trying to calm him.. Finally he sits up with a yelp, and his dark gray eyes flick open. His breathing is coming out in fast ragged breaths and his thin bangs are plastered to his forehead with sweat. Ica grabs his face and looks into his eyes making sure he is actually awake.

“Claude?” She said softly. “Are you okay?”

He gives a quick shake of his head. “W-what happened.”

”You had a night terror.” Said Zephyr as he crawled up close to his father.

Claude peered at his son, seeing the bruise on the side of his face. “What happened to your face son?” Zephyr looked down dejectedly, knowing if he told his father that he was the one that struck him he’d feel awful.

“Y-you…” Zephyr faltered.

”You hit him while you were flailing around.” Said Ica trying not to sound angry, knowing that it was an accident.

“But it wasn’t your fault papa!” Said Zephyr quickly. I’m okay!”

Claude’s dark gray eyes grew to the size of saucers. “I- I hit my son?” Claude’s voice broke. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?!” He yelled.

”We TRIED!” Retorted his wife, “You wouldn’t bloody wake up!”

”GUYS STOP!” Yelled their son, tears in his bright green eyes. “Mum don’t be mad at him! It was an accident. And dad, we did tried to wake you but like mum said we couldn’t. You can’t get mad at her either.” The tears that were in his eyes started to drip down his freckled cheeks.

Both Ica and Claude looked at each other guilty. Feeling bad that they had just shouted at each other in front of their son. Claude pulled Zephyr close rocking back in forth, crying into his brown wavy hair. “Je suis vraiment désolé, mon cher fils. Je ne pense pas pouvoir vivre avec moi-même. Je t'ai fait du mal, je suis un père horrible. (I’m so sorry my precious son. I don’t think I can live with myself. I hurt you, I’m a horrible father.)

“Non, vous n'êtes pas!” (No you’re not!) Zephyr’s voice was hysterical. “Don’t ever say that! Don’t ever ever say that! It was an accident! I know you would never hurt my on purpose. You are the greatest papá on this entire planet. I love you so so much!”

Ica, feeling guilty watching how easily Zephyr had brushed off Claude’s accidental bruising of their son’s face. Her anger melting away, she curled up next to her husband with Zephyr in between them. She reached over him and took his hand interlocking her fingers with his. “I’m sorry.” She whispered. And kisses his cheek. Zephyr’s right you are an amazing father. She reached up and wiped bath their tears away from their faces. “Zephyr’s right. You are an amazing father.”

”No, I’m sorry non amour. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I guess I really was a Disney villain.” He chuckled, knowing that his son said when he was angry or deep in thought he would have his ‘Disney villain’ face on. “If I didn’t have that stupid night terror this wouldn’t even have happened.” Said Claude feeling defeated. “This is the second episode I’ve had. And I feel like I’m getting worse.”

”Claude, you can’t help it. It’s not like you did it on purpose. You have PTSD.” Said Ica, stroking his gray hair.

”Yeah papá, please don’t blame your self.” Added Zephyr, craning his head back to look at his father.

He gave his son a half smile. “Well I’m always going to feel horrible that I smacked my little boy.” He nuzzled his face.

“I’m okay really. I’m tough and good with pain. Doesn’t even really hurt.” He grinned.

”Speaking of which, I’m going to get some ice for that.” Said Ica letting go of Claude’s hand and getting out of bed. “I know you heal face but still. Ice will help it heal even faster.”

When Ica came back with the ice pack, Roary, Nixen, and Irish had made there onto the bed surrounding her son and husband. “Well I guess I lost my spot.” Laughed Ica.

“There is still room for you mummy. I’ll just sit on daddy’s lap.” Zephyr crawled into his father’s lap, then patted the empty spot next to them. “See plenty of the space.” Zephyr threw her a grin.

“Well, okay guess there is room.” She climbed into bed and snuggled close to Claude and Zephyr, then presses the ice pack pack to her son’s face.

“Eek. That’s cold!” Yipped Zephyr.

Ica laughed. “Well duh it’s an ice pack silly goose.” She held the ice pack on Zephyr’s cheek for a couple of minutes then looked at it. “The swelling is going down which is good. Maybe just a little longer.

Her son huffed then began whinging. “Mum can you stop now? It feels okay. In fact I can’t feel anything because my face is numb.”

Ica gave him a half hearted look. She wanted to keep icing it just a little longer but gave in. “Oh alright.” She took the ice pack away from his face. Ica looked at her husband a devious idea forming in her head. “Hey Claude?”

“Yes mon amour?”

“I love you.”

He smiled. “I love you too.”

He leaned over and kissed her and she kissed him back. Zephyr, usually grossed out by their displays of affection didn’t care this time. He was just happy his parents weren’t cross with each other anymore. It’s smiled through the kiss then took the ice pack and pressed it against Claude’s thin face. He reeled, shocked from the cold. “Ahh!” Zephyr and Ica burst out laughing.

“Sorry, babe, I couldn’t help myself!” Said Ica still cracking up.

Claude gave her a pointed but playful look then snatched the ice pack from her. He held her still and shoved it under her shirt. Ica squealed as the cold hit the warmth of her skin. Zephyr was now rolling, laughing so hard that no actual sound of his laughter came out of his mouth, just his shoulders shaking as he guffawed at his parents antics. Once every calmed down Zephyr settled in between both his parents. They put their arms over him and clasped their fingers together.

Zephyr looked at each of his parents. “Mum, dad?”

”Yes peanut?” They said in tandem.

”You guys scared me.” Said Zephyr softly. Claude and Ica looked at each other, surprised at what their son just said. “I…never heard you guys yell at each other like that. I know you have gotten in arguments before but never like this. I’d rather have you guys be all mushy then all shouty.”

Ica stroked her son’s wavy hair. “We’re sorry peanut. I think we actually scared each other.” Said Ica, looking to Claude who nodded in agreement. “It’s just that I think the both of us were panicking and we were in the heat of the moment.”

“You guys aren’t still mad at each are you? You still love each other?”

Claude and Ica hugged their son as tight as they could without crushing him. “Bien sûr!” (Of course!) Said Claude vehemently.

Zephyr smiled. “Good. Um…are you okay papá. You were having a really hard time. You were thrashing around and screaming. Was it Mamie, Papi (Grandma, Grandpa) and uncle Clement again?” Claude’s heart was warmed that even though his family was gone, and Zephyr had never met them, he still chose to speak of them like they were alive and well, that he readily accepted them as family. “What exactly was happening in that night terror. But! If it’s too much to talk about, you don’t have to.” Added Zephyr quick. “But I just want to make sure you are okay.”

Claude sat up so he was leaning against the pillows. Zephyr laid his head on his father’s arm. Ica got on the other side of Claude and wrapped his arms around him, just like the night when he had his first episode. “You can tell us anything.” Whispered his wife.

He nodded, and then began. “Yeah, it was kind of the same as last time…but even more intense. Maman, Papá, and Clement were in trouble and I couldn’t reach them. I ran and ran but they always seemed so far away. Then someone grabbed me and I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like my neck was going to break. But I was able to get away from the hand but I still couldn’t catch up to them. I fell and the pirates got to them before I could.” Claude’s voice was solemn and tired. “But then something weird happened.”

”Weird like what?” Asked Zephyr tilting his head.

“There…was this girl.”

”A girl?” Said Ica.

”Yeah looked like she was my age…well twelve at the time. But I couldn’t really see her face. But her eyes…were bright green. In fact, they were the same exact color as Zephyr’s.”

“They were?” He asked, sounding amazed.

”Wee, she was telling me to get up and…promise to come back…” he trailed off. “Then I woke up…well you guys woke me up.”

Zephyr looked up at his father. ”What do you think it means Papá?”

“I-I don’t know if it means anything. You know we aren’t superstitious and we don’t get visions like they did in bible times.” He chuckled. “Probably just a bad dream.”

Zephyr yawned. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

”You look tired peanut. Time to go back to bed it’s two in the morning.” Said Ica stroking his hair.

“Okay…can I sleep in here, to make sure daddy’s okay? In case he has another nightmare?” Ica nodded. Zephyr smiled sleepily and snuggled down next to his father. Ica draped the blanket over him and he was out immediately.

”You going to be okay Claudie Bears?” Asked Ica reaching over to grab his hand.

”I think so…but just incase I do have one, don’t let Zephyr try to wake me. I don’t know what I’d do if I hurt him again.” He stroked the bruise on his son’s face looking dejecting.

Ica gave him a half smile. “Okay…but he might jump in anyway. He loved his Papá and doesn’t like to see you in pain.”

Claude sighed. “Okay mon amour.” He yawned. “Good night. I love you.”

”Love you too.” With that she reached over and turned the lamp off.

As much as Claude tried to fall asleep, he couldn’t. He was afraid that if he did, he would risk another episode. He couldn’t get the words the girl had said to him out of his head. “Ça ira. Promets-moi juste que tu reviendras... It will be fine, just promise me you’ll come back. They played over and over until he couldn’t fight sleep anymore and it over took him.

The next morning, Ica and Zephyr were up early, but Claude was still asleep. Zephyr went to wake him up but his mother gently stopped him. “Let’s let daddy sleep peanut. He had a rough night. How about you and I take Roary for a walk then go out to breakfast. Just you and me?”

Zephyr’s green eyes lit up. “Okay!” Claude stirred a bit but didn’t wake up. Ica put her fingers to her lips. Zephyr cringed apologetically. “Oops. Sorry.” He squeaked.

Ica shook her head. “Alright crazy boy, go on and get dressed.” Ica quietly got dressed left Claude and the cats asleep. “I love you, my wily old man.” She whispered as she left the room.

When Ica git downstairs, Zephyr and Roary were already to go. She smiled at him. “You’re riding your scooter I see.” She said as he started to put on his green and black helmet.

He grinned. “Yup.”

The three of them took a nice walk upon the trail and over the bridge then circled back. When the got home Zephyr ran inside and dropped his scooter and helmet in the middle of the floor. “Zeph.” He looked back at his mother who looked down at his scooter and his helmet then back at him with a pointed look.

“I was going to go check on daddy.” He said quickly.

”I know you’re worried about him, but please put your scooter and helmet away first.”

Zephyr did as his mother told him and he put his stuff away then ran up stairs to his parents bedroom, where he saw that his father was still sleeping. Then he ran back downstairs. “Mummy bears he is still asleep. He’s been sleeping along time.” Said Zephyr, worry creeping into his voice.

It was about 9:30 and Claude is usually up by now. Ica went upstairs to check on her husband. She popped her head in to see him sound asleep like Zephyr had said. She watched him closely to make sure he was breathing. Satisfied that she saw the rise and fall of his chest, she left the room and went back downstairs.

“He’s okay peanut. Like I said he had a really hard night. He needs his rest. He’s not young and vibrant like us.” She chuckled.

“Mummy…you aren’t that young.” Said Zephyr matter of fact.

”I’m younger than daddy.” She batted him playfully on the head. “Come on, let’s go get breakfast.”

When Ica and Zephyr pulled up to the breakfast restaurant, Sunny Side Up, the woman sat them down at a table near the river. “Can I take your orders?” Asked the waitress.

“Can I have the smiley face eggs… er except can I have strawberries in top so it looks like kitty ears And pink milk” Piped Zephyr enthusiastically.

The waitress looked at him for a moment, perplexed. “He means strawberry milk.” Explained Ica.

“Oh gotcha. And you?” She said looking in Ica’s direction.

I will have the French toast and sausage and watermelon green tea.” Said Ica smiling.

”Absolutely.” With that the waitress scuttled off to wait on more tables. Soon she was back with their drinks.

Ica noticing the crayons that came with Zephyr’s kid’s menu and grabbed one and doodled something. “Can you guess what this is?” She asked, sliding the menu in his direction.

Her son tilted his head to the left, then to the right. “Um…a goat…I think. With a stick on its head?”

Ica laughed. “Close it’s a goatacorn.”

Zephy laughed. “Oh mum. Of course you would draw that. My turn.” Zephyr took a blue and yellow crayon. “He drew two circles. Then he colored them in one with the blue crayon the other with yellow. On the willow circle he drew rays and sunglasses in the middle. On the blue he drew large white eyes then slid it toward Ica. “There. Guess that.”

Ica just stared at the menu, wondering why he drew something so obvious. “Uh a sun and a moon with faces?”

“Yup.” He said grinning.

”You couldn’t come up with something more original?”

Zephyr just stuck his tongue out and crossed his arms. “Well excuse me.” I was trying to make it easy so you feel good that you got it right.”

Ica chuckled. “Aww well that’s sweet Zephie bears. I love you.” Zephyr smiled, his huffy face disappearing. “Love you to mummy bears. Hey…mummy bears?”

“Yes peanut?”

”Why do I have green eyes?” Ica tilted her head at his question. “No one else in our family has green eyes. Even on daddy’s side…he said grandma and uncle Clement had blue and grandpa and daddy have gray. In school we learned about DNA aAnd eye color. You either get your dad’s eye color or your mums. I have neither.”

Ica pondered his question for a moment. “Well, I think sometimes colors can get mixed together. Daddy’s eyes are dark gray and mine are hazel, mixed together can make green.”

Zephyr didn’t look convinced. “Mum, blue and yellow make green, not gray and hazel.”

“Well…Zephie, I really don’t know. Sometimes it’s waaay down in the family kind. Maybe yiur great great great grandma or grandpa had green eyes.”

“Maaybe.” Zephyr went quiet for a moment. “Did you cheat on daddy with a guy that has green eyes?” He asked suddenly.

Ica nearly choked and spit out her tea. “Zephyr!” She yelped. “What in the world?! I would never chea- why would you ask me that?”

“I’m sorry mummy. But Hank at school said that his mum cheated on his dad and that’s why he doesn’t look like him. And then Markie said I was a test tube baby because daddy was to old to have sex and make a baby so you got DNA from some random guy an-.”

“Zephyr.” Her tone was serious. “Why didn’t you tell me or daddy any of this? Was this when you were studying the DNA stuff?” He nodded slowly. “Well did you tell Miss. Kean?” He shook his head no.

“I’m sorry.” He squeaked as tears began to fill his eyes. “I didn’t want…oh I don’t know I didn’t want to cause any trouble. And I really didn’t care what they were saying, but now a little piece of me
thought it might be true because no one else has green eyes in our family but I do.”

Ica got up to sit in the booth with her son and held him. “Oh baby, listen. Don’t listen to what those kids said. Sometimes people shoot off at the mouth without knowing any facts. You are your father’s son. And you know how I know?” He looked up her. “You look just like him sometimes. You have his eyebrows.” She traced his slanted brows with her finger making him giggle. And you have his mouth and his lips. And you have his expressions, including the Disney villain face when you’re mad.” Zephyr laughed. “And the most of all, he loves you to death. He will do anything to keep you safe. Do you understand peanut?”

Zephyr wrapped his arms around his mother. “Yeah, I do.”

”And Zephie.” He looked up at her. “Does any of this happen to have anything to do with what daddy said about the that girl having the same eyes as you. The one in his night terror?”

“Well yeah…kind of. But it doesn’t matter anymore.” He said.

”You gonna be okay?” He nodded. “And just remember you can tell me and daddy anything you are feeling. Or meema, or nanny, uncle Liam…anyone who, loved you okay?”

He smiled. “K mummy.”

Just then the server came striding over to the table with the breakfast and put the plates down in front of them telling them to enjoy. Then they tucked in.

When Ica and Zephyr got back to the house, there was still no sign of Claude being up and about. “Is he still not up it’s 12:30.” Asked Zephyr getting exasperated.

Ica getting worried herself decided that if Claude was still sleeping she would just wake him up. “Come on, let’s go see.”

When they got up stairs, Zephyr and Ica quickly made their way to the bedroom, Ica right behind him. “Papa time to wake-woah!”

Claude’s wife and son had walked in on him getting dressed. He startled, giving a sharp ‘ah!’ Ica immediately put her hand in front of her son’s eyes shielding him from his father’s nakedness.

“Claude…you…you’re up.” Stammered Ica, a little distracted by her husbands lack of clothing. He smirked at her, but wrapped the towel around his waist.

“Daddy! Hurry up and get dressed!” Piped Zephyr. “I don’t want to ever see that again!”

Claude chuckled but quickly put his trousers and shirt on. “Okay son, I’m sorry. I’m dressed.”

Ica removed her hand from her son’s face but couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you getting dressed with thee door open anyway?” Asked Ica.

He shrugged innocently. ”Well you guys were out so…I didn’t think anything of it.”

Ica shook her head but she was starting to giggle. “Remember you wily old man, it’s not just the two of us anymore. We have a son now. You can’t go parading around naked.”

”I know I kno-.” Claude was cut off by the dramatic voice of his son.

”UGH! Dad come on! You stunk up the bathroom!” Cried Zephyr. “Why didn’t you spray?! UUUGH!”

Claude’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Let me guess, no one was here so you didn’t think you had to spray either? What about poor Roary? His sense of smell is like a thousand times more sensitive than ours.” Ica looked over at him. He was sitting happily on the bed wagging his tail.”

”He seems fine to me.” Said Claude grinning cheekily.

Ica put her hands on her hips. “Thanks for having my back you doofusy dog.” Roary jumped down off the bed and jumped on her, trying to lick her face.

Zephyr could be heard spraying massive amounts of Febreze in the bathroom, then came out holding his nose. “Oh come on son, it’s not that bad, you’re being dramatic just like your mum.” Ica gaped at him as he threw her a sly smile.

“Anyway before you flashed us. We were coming to see how you were feeling.” Said Ica.

”Yeah Papá you were sleeping for a really long time.” Added Zephyr.

Claude sat down on the bed and Zephyr went to go plop down besides him, followed by Ica on the other side of him. “I’m okay cacahuète. After my night terror I couldn’t sleep. When I finally did get to sleep it was four in the morning, so I needed the rest.”

”So you’re okay now?” Claude nodded. “Good. I worry about you. You’re the best father in the world and I have to make sure I take care of you.”

Claude smiled warmly and squeezed him tight. “Merci mon incroyable fils.” (Thank you my amazing son.)

“So now that I know you’re okay, I’m going to go outside and practice my soccer. We have that picnic coming up and I don’t want to suck.” With that he scooted downstairs and out into the backyard.

”I love my boy, so much. He means everything to me.” Said Claude. Ica had an uncertain look on her face, as though she wanted to say something but was holding back. “Are you okay? What is it mon amour?” Asked Claude his brow furrowing.

Ica looked down feeling a tad uncertain is she shouted l her husband this. But she loved this man and she could tell him anything so she just spit it out. ”Yeah so today at breakfast, Zephyr asked if…I cheated on you.”

Claude reeled. “WHAT?! W-WHY?!” Cried completely stunned.

”Well you see, what had happened was, he asked me why he had green eyes because no one else in the family, my side or your side had green eyes. But I guess they were studying DNA aAnd this kid in his class said that the reason he looks nothing like his dad is because his mum cheated on him.” Claude just listened, still at a loss for words. “So then that’s when he asked if I cheated on you with a guy that had green eyes. Of course I told him no. “Then there was the whole thing with the test tube baby.”

”Wait…huh?” Claude looked at his wife completely dumbfounded.

”I guess this other boy in his class said…well he said that…you were too old to have sex and couldn’t make a baby so therefore I had to get some random DNA from a guy that had green eyes.”

Claude just looked at Ica. “And he just told you all this today?” He asked clearly in disbelief.

Ica nodded. “He said he didn’t want to cause trouble so he didn’t tell us or Miss. Kean. But then…I guess that girl in your night terror that you said had the same eyes as him made him more curious I guess. I reassured him that he could tell us anything and he was fine after that.”

Claude sighed. “Speaking of that, there is something I need to tell you.” Ica’s face creased with worry. “I’m going to France.” He said flatly.

Ica raised her eyebrows. “W-what? I thought you couldn’t bear to step foot in France after all that happened there.” Ica was clearly bewildered. “When did you decide this?”

“This morning. I couldn’t get those words the girl in my night terrors said. It will be fine. Promise me you’ll come back. I don’t know why but I have this feeling that I need to go back to France, and face my fears. Then maybe the night terrors will be gone.”

Ica studied Claude’s face. She could see that even though he had finally slept he was emotionally and mentally drained. He needed to do this, she could see it. “Well okay, but me and Zephyr are coming you.” She said her face resolute.

All he did was smile, then threw his arms around her. “I’m scared Mon amour.” Said murmured Claude into her shoulder.

She ran her fingers through his hair. “I know Claudie bears. But we’ll be with you everything step of the way.