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Bobby squeezed the glass until it burst in his hands. Shards of glass cut into his hand.
"Mom? Bobby?" call May from the open door.
"Damn it!" Bobby grunts."Yeah?"
He quickly took out a large fragment, washed his hand under the water and wrapped it in a towel.
"Hey!"
"Oh, no, what happened?"
"Uh, I was just cleaning up before dinner, and I somehow managed to break a glass.
"You’re all right?
"Yeah. Yeah, it’s just a scratch. Uh, I tell you what, let me just clean this up and…
"Oh, no. I got it. Come on, come here with me," May took his healthy hand and guided him on the coach. "Wait a minute.@
She grabbed a kit and a bowl of water and sat next to him. Man sat in silence, seem to be lost in thought.
"Bobby," she touched his shoulder and man turned to her.
"Oh, May, sorry, lost in thoughts."
"Give me your hand, please."
"No need in this, May. I can handle it, it just a scratch!"
"I know your “justs”," girl frowned. "And also know that you’re always our strong defender. But please, this time let me take care of you."
Bobby stunned for a moment. They don’t usually talk like this, May always hide everything inside her mind, just like he is.
"Sorry, okay…" he slowly extended wounded hand to her.
Girl carefully unwrapped the towel, Bobby winced. She takes water and clean his wound. Then it was antiseptic and she applied a sterile napkin with thick ointment. After that she made a neat bandage on Bobby's hand.
"Well, that’s it. How are you feeling?" May looked in his face with concern. "You look pale, and I would say exhausted…"
"May, thank you. It’s better now," he squeezed her hand.
"Well, could you do smth for me?"
"Yeah, what can I do?" Man watched May stood up and crossed the room to reach a blanket. Then she returned to him.
"Lie down on a couch and have some rest. Please!" She grabbed his hand, begging, cause he was about to hesitate. "Bobby, I’m really worry about you, and you look so exhausted. Mom comes soon, it supposed to be our festive dinner. She will go crazy if she sees you in this state."
"Oh, May," he blinked, trying to hide the tears filling his eyes. "But what about dinner?"
"It’s ok, I will manage," - she smiles, helping Bobby get comfortable on the couch. Then she adjusted the pillows and covered him with a soft and warm blanket. "Are you comfy?"
"Yes, it’s okay, thank you. I mean, really. I honestly feel terrible." He gave her a weak smile.
"Do you want me to sit with you, until you sleep? We have enough time before dinner."
"No, I’m okay. Don’t want to bother you more than necessary."
"Hey, you don’t bother me! I want to take care about my daddy, like he always cares for me." Girl stroked his hand and squeezed it lightly. "Relax, please. I love you." She kissed his forehead, standing up.
"I love you too, May."
And Bobby almost immediately felt asleep, overwhelmed by the suffering of the last few days and the emotions of the last half hour. When it was time to get up, May gently patted his shoulder, trying not to scare him.
"Bobby, it's time to get up, mom will arrive soon." He shivered in his sleep, making himself more comfortable. The girl smiled and stroked his back. "Daddy, you need to wake up. Or at least go to the bedroom."
Through his sleep, he heard May's voice, who called him dad, and the dream vanished. He sharply opened his eyes, looking around, wanting to make sure - was this a dream? It seems not. May sat on the edge of the sofa, stroking his back and shoulder.
"Shh, I got you. How do you feel?" He listened to his feelings. His hand ached a little, but the burden of the last days had almost fully lifted from his soul, and it became easier.
"Really better. Relaxing was indeed a good idea," he smiled.
"Try not to get too tired at dinner, and don’t even think about cleaning anything up, we’ll do everything ourselves. You'll go straight to bed, okay?"
"Okay," he laughed in response to the commanding tone that the girl clearly inherited from Athena. "May," his voice became serious. "Why do you call me like that?"
"Call how?"
"You know what I mean. This is...very unusual for me, you know. I never applied for this role. Or is it because I was injured?"
"I'm sorry you think that way. I should have said what I think a long time ago. I was afraid to hurt you with these words, thinking that it might be hard for you to hear it. I called you that not because you got hurt, but because you were willing to let me in a little. So I just took advantage," she smiled. "I love you, you are my second dad, and I love you and worry no less than about my mom or Michael. So don't think anything stupid and let me be a part of your world. Agreed?"
"Agreed," he smiles, tears froze in his eyes. "Come hug me."
May smiled and hugged Bobby, stroking his back soothingly, just like her mother did. After a couple of minutes, he pulled away.
"I think you said it was time to get ready for dinner?" a smile appeared in his eyes instead of tears.
"Yes! Mom will be home in half an hour!" May jumped up and ran to the kitchen to set the table.
Soon everyone was gathered. Athena immediately noticed Bobby's bandaged hand, but calmed down when she learned that it was just a broken glass and May was nearby. The dinner has a great atmosphere as they ate, laughed, exchanged stories, and played a few games of cards. Finally, it was time to clean up and go rest - everyone had a hard day except Harry.
"Go, Harry and I will clean everything here." May said, kicking her brother as Athena headed towards the sink.
"Honey, are you sure?" Athena looked at her daughter in surprise.
"Yes," she smiled, "go and have a rest."
"My girl, you are so grown up!" She hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you!"
And Athena and Bobby retired to the bedroom.
"May, I don’t want to clean up! Why did you make me?"
"Harry, listen. You and I still have a lot of time to do what we want, right?" he nodded. "But mom worked all day before coming to dinner and these couple of evening hours - all she has. Bobby has also been very exhausted over the past few days. Sometimes you just need to look a little more carefully at those around you, especially if they are people close to you, and let them rest when you can help. Understand?"
"I think yes. Then let's wash everything quickly." He smiled and playfully pushed his sister.
After cleaning all the kitchen May made two cups of aromatic tea and placed them on a tray. Rising to her parents' bedroom, she asked from the corridor/
"Wanna some tea?"
"Wow, honey, that would be great!" Athena's voice rang out. Then May pushed the door open, carefully walked across the room, placed the tray on the bedside table, handed the cups and saucers to Mom and Bobby. "May, thank you! Today was indeed a very difficult day. I really appreciate how you helped us,"Athena stroked her arm.
Bobby simply smiled silently and nodded - they had their own little secret. Of course, he would tell Athena, most likely within a few minutes. But for now it was their secret. May hugged and kissed both of them goodnight and left, quietly closing the door.
"You know, May is incredible."
"Yeah. Why do you say so?"
"Have you enjoyed our dinner?"
"Yes, it was perfect! Thank you."
"Not me. It was May."
"What? I suppose you want to cook it." Athena was surprised.
"Well, today was a hard day after a few the same. I was really exhausted and then I accidentally broke a glass. May come right in that moment." Athena gently grabs his hand. "I want to clean up and cook, but she made me sat while she treated me, and then made me laid down the coach and rest. And…she called me daddy, few times."
It was silent for a moment. Athena knew how hard it may be for Bobby, but also, she was excited the way that May behave.
"Baby, how are you now? How you feel about it?"
"I’m excited. And so overwhelmed. And… oh, this?" he caught her gaze, "my hand will be okay."
"Come here, give me a hug," she said softly. And Bobby leaned to her, give her a hug, rest at her chest. "You need to sleep and rest after all. I’ll always be right here. So were May, now you know it too." She smiled and kissed his forehead, and they almost immediately fell asleep.