The Typhoon ~Vash x OC AU~

Chapter 13: Believing in the Impossible

Vash

Grey grunts as she looks up at me with those clouded newborn eyes. They're starting to lighten, turning into deep lapis, though I'm certain they'll only become lighter and lighter with time. Maybe close to mine.

I smile. Then look up, staring at the door to Luida's lab.

After Lei asked to see the documentation involving her mom and uncle, I thought it best to give her some space. After all, this is a delicate situation with delicate information, and right now, I don't think I'll be very useful. If anything, all I can do is be supportive by giving her room to debrief.

"Wasn't expecting to find you over here."

I look over, watching as Brad makes his way toward me. He sees Greywynn and smiles. He gently tufts her hair.

"Cute as a button." His eyes turn to me as he straightens his stance, resting his hands on his hips. "So, what are you doing out here? Is Luida about to do a check-up on one of you two?"

I shake my head. "No." I shift, rearranging Greywynn. "Actually, she wanted to see Lei."

He arches a brow. "Oh? Everything alright?"

I swallow. I don't know how to answer that. On one hand, I know what he means. Is everything alright physically? And that answer is simple. Yes. Physically, she is fine. But the underlining of that question...

"Not going to lie, I'm not really sure," I sigh.

He surveys me, then: "Can I sit?"

"Please." I motion at the empty space at my side.

He comes over, lowering himself as he grunts, his knees cracking. I lift my brow. He shoots me a sharp look.

"Listen, unlike you, my body is actually aging," he says, shifting. "And at my age, my body is a freakin' glowstick at this point."

I smile, chuckling, "Can't relate."

"Eh, shuddup," he mumbles. Silence falls briefly as we both look at the door. Then he speaks. "So, what's going on?"

I hesitate at first before sighing. I spend the next few minutes explaining everything to Brad as he watches me with understanding eyes. He nods, taking it all in. Lei's mom. Lei's uncle. Nai. What happened to her family. Everything. And after I say the last word, he remains silent.

I've known Brad a long, long time. Lifetimes. And I know that right now, he is rolling his words around in his mouth, trying to get a taste or feel for it. He does that for several beats before speaking.

"Jonas Williams. Name rings a bell."

I knit my brows. "Did you know him?"

He shrugs, "I don't think so. Not personally, but I think I may remember reading that name before."

"I thought Luida handles the paperwork."

"Who do you think gets that paperwork ready?" He shoots me a bored look.

"Right."

Brad is every bit as involved as Luida when it comes to the ship and its residents. Maybe more so. While Luida handles the executive functions of the ship – paperwork, making sure all plants are operational, and assigning tasks – Brad focuses more on technical. And part of that includes monitoring and checking residents.

He could have even been the one to check with Jonas and Lei's mom to see if they wanted to leave.

And that realization makes me feel squirmy.

Brad observes this, asking, "Antsy? Want me to hold her?"

I nod, passing her to him. "Yeah. Thanks."

"No problem." His face lights up as he takes her into his arms. His tone becomes light and bubbly as he chirps, "If it means I get to hold this little cutie. Hello. Hello."

I stand, feeling that jittery drive in my legs. It wants me to move – to do something – but my eyes fall on Brad and Grey, and I can't help but smile.

He really does look like a grandpa. Not just because of his age, but because of the way he talks and interacts with her. It looks so natural to him. And I guess he's always had that in him. Even when I was younger, there was something paternal about him. Well, once we got past the initial distrust.

"Look at you," I smile. "Grandpa Brad."

He keeps his eyes on her but points at me. "No. Never call me that again."

I laugh and that antsy energy zaps to life again. My eyes drift back to the door. I don't know what I'm expecting – what I'm waiting for. But I know they're in there. Both Lei and Luida. Are they talking? If so, what are they talking about? I almost wish I could be a fly on a wall in there, but I also know that I need to give them their space.

"Worrying solves nothing," Brad says. I turn and look at him. He still sits, holding Grey close, but his focus is on me. "And wanting to shoulder all her problems for her also solves nothing."

I frown. "I don't want to shoulder all her problems for her." He shoots me a knowing look and I drop my shoulders. "Okay. Maybe I wish I could shoulder them a little."

"Yeah. A little. Keep telling yourself that."

"Is it so wrong that I want to help her? Isn't that what partners do for each other?"

He shrugs. "Not necessarily. Partners should want to help each other out. But they still each need to know how to stand up for themselves. To stand on their own." He pats Greywynn's back. "You never know what the future holds. Someone could always end up gone or alone."

Those words are cold and abrupt, sending shivers down my spine. I look at my squirming daughter, then at the closed door.

These two people. They both mean so much to me – more than I could ever properly express. More than air. More than life. More than anything. They are my world. They are my everything.

"And when it comes to Jonas Williams," he continues, grasping my attention again. "You can't shoulder that for her. That's her family. That is her own mountain to trudge. And when the time comes, a confrontation that she needs to stand in."

I knit my brows. "When the time comes? Are you saying there's a chance we'll actually find him? She hasn't seen him in five years."

He shrugs, "Anything is possible. Try hard enough, and it'll happen." His eyes bore into mine, and his tone becomes steady and even. "Look at this little girl. Once upon a time ago, you were told the chances of you having kids were impossible. And now look. You have a daughter." A smile bends his lips. "If anyone should believe in the impossible, it's you."

**Ello lovelies! Another day, another chapter. The last one written before I leave for my trip, too. That said, it was a little scene between Brad and Vash. I was gonna make it Wolfie, but Brad said he wanted to shine, so I ran with it. And it seems that Brad just hinted at the possibility that we might get to meet Jonas. Possibly. Stay tuned for that. Well, as I mentioned, this will be my last chapter typed until I get home from my trip. Don't worry, the book is nowhere near done. Ya girl is just gonna be taking a brief break. I leave tomorrow (06/19/2024) but this chapter won't go up until 09/18/2024, so obviously I'll be home before then. And hopefully, almost done typing this book if not already done. But we'll see. Enough rambling. As always! Thank y'all so much for all the love! Y'all are the cat's pajamas! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross