•Thicker Than Blood•

•Chapter 36•

The day went on as usual once more. Leon did exactly as he said he would at work. He contacted some therapists, got their information. He would print the information and place the papers into a folder for Claire and himself to look over whenever they got the time. Then, he would return home. Going and falling asleep next to Claire.

Then, just a few hours later, Claire would wake up for work and Sherry. She would get ready, noticing the folders on the table. She would set them aside for when she got home from work. She tidied up the place and woke up Sherry and Genevieve when the time came. Then, the two got up and got ready for school.

Per usual, when they were finished getting ready they went and ate the breakfast Claire had prepared for them. Once they ate, they were ready to go. Claire would be the one taking them to school. She waited for the bus to arrive, then once they got on she headed to work. She went through the day there.

Leon would eventually wake up, being the one who would pick up the girls from school. He would take them home, make sure they've eaten and were okay after the matter. Then, just about an hour later, Claire would return home from work. Chris was also out for the majority of the day.

Once Claire was home, Leon came in to greet her. He came in and hugged her, asking how her day went. She said it went easier than usual and they went about their daily affections. Sherry looked back and realized something... they were being affectionate again. She hadn't seen them get so close for a few weeks now. Had the issues been cleared up? She couldn't help but smile.

She glanced back at Genevieve and grabbed onto her arm. She jumped, accidentally sending her pen across the page she was writing on. Genevieve looked a little annoyed by this, looking back at Sherry with her eyebrow raised. But, Sherry just whispered an apology and shook her, jerking her head toward Leon and Claire.

Genevieve looked over, realizing what she was motioning on about. Leon had one arm around Claire while his hand was placed in hers on the other side. Claire was leaning against him while they quietly talked about how their days had gone. Leon mentioned the information he got. Claire nodded, saying they would look over it soon.

"Things seem to be getting better... Don't you think so?" Sherry asked, nudging her again.

"It seems like it... I haven't seen them get so close to each other in a while. Maybe they worked out their issues. Good for them." Genevieve suggested.

"It seems so..." Sherry paused. "Hey, where's Chris?"

"He went out to run some errands. He left a note for me saying he'd be back."

"He didn't take you with?"

"No, he left while we were still in school. Guess it was a solo mission. He'll be back."

Soon enough, Claire and Leon came forward. Claire tapped Sherry on the shoulder and motioned for her to come with them. Sherry nodded and got up. She told Genevieve she would be back and she headed upstairs with Claire and Leon. They went up to her bedroom and Sherry sat on the bed while Claire and Leon stood in front of her.

"Sherry, we've been thinking. Your panic attacks haven't been able to help themselves." Claire started, folding her hands together in front of her.

"We wanted to take a precaution and maybe reach out to get some help for you." Leon added.

"Help? With my panic attacks? How?"

"We're going to be looking into therapists. We're going to look over the information Leon got and choose a best fit. Do you have any preferences? Who would you feel most comfortable talking to?" Claire asked.

"I'd... probably want someone who could understand the panic? Maybe a girl if that's not too much." Sherry said quietly.

"It's not too much at all, Sherry. We're trying to get you someone you'd be the most comfortable talking to about this so we know the next step to take." Claire said.

"We're going to make sure everything goes okay in the end, okay, Sherry?" Leon set a hand on her shoulder.

Though, Sherry smiled up towards them. She didn't seem all too worried about the talk. They were expecting her to be nervous to talk to anyone other than them, but she seemed happy. Though, she wasn't exactly thrilled about the therapist. She was thankful that she was going to get some help she needed, but she was more happy about what was right in front of her.

"You guys weren't fighting today. You guys were close. Actually held onto each other... just like old times." Sherry said gently, keeping a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

Claire and Leon glanced at one another momentarily. That's when they realized just the defect they had in this child... Sherry looked up to them and they created an unsafe environment for her. They fought, not being mindful enough of whether she was there to hear it. They should have known fighting between them would trigger her based on her past. Now... they finally realized it.

"Sherry... I'm so sorry. We should have known. We never wanted to make you feel as though we didn't care. We care about you and we care about each other. Nothing is going to change... even when we disagree. The situation actually might change, but we're all still here together... that will remain." Leon told her.

"We should have been more mindful about how loud we were. We never should have fought when you could hear."

"No, I'm just glad you guys aren't fighting anymore..."

Leon and Claire glanced at one another again. Claire sent a smile his way and a nod, leaning into him after she said that. Leon chuckled lightly, wrapping his arm around Claire while she leaned. Then, Sherry hopped up off the bed. She moved forward and wrapped her arms around the pair, nestling her head against them with a content sigh.

"I love you guys..." Sherry said gently.

"We love you too, Sherry. Since day one. Nothing will change that. Ever." Claire ruffled her hair gently.

Sherry smiled lightly. "Maybe I should start calling you guys mom and dad.."

Leon's face turned a light shade of red at the comment. "Only if you're comfortable with it. No need to force anything."

"Pfffft... look at that tomato face. You got him wrapped around your finger, Sher!"

"Oh come on, don't act as if she doesn't have you either!" Leon chimed in.

"I never denied it!"

Soon enough, the three of them were laughing again. They were wrapped up in each other's arms, feeling better than ever. Things were looking up once again. That's just how life seemed to be. It was never a consistent good or bad. It was a cycle of ups and downs that they would endure together. That's okay! Struggling is okay. No matter what came their way, they would handle it. That they were sure of.