A Calming Wake Up

Kenny's eyes sprung open, his breathing was heavy, and his body was slightly damp with sweat. He was having a terrible dream, which often happened after he got blackout drunk, he couldn't count the number of times he'd skip a party when younger just to get rid of this part of the morning. Before, his dreams had something to do with some crazy fear, like a murderer coming after him, or him falling out of the sky with no parachute to stop him plummet. However, after Zoey, all his dreams were plagued by the image of his wife. Every time it was the same, he was in a dark void, the only thing in front of him was Zoey, but each step he took towards her, she shifted away. Eventually, his walk turned into a sprint and even still, he could never catch up to her. He'd beg, shout, plead with Zoey, trying to make the girl stop but she'd simply smile at him, almost silently encourage him to move faster, as if there was some chance he'd eventually get there. Then, just when his hand seemed to be able to grab her, he'd awake...every time.

This morming was no different, and at the very last second before taking Zoey's hand, his eyes opened. Sighing heavily, Kenny sat up in his bed and pressed both of his hands onto the top of his head, groaning as he felt a pounding headache from the first hangover he's had in years. "Oh, fucking hell..." He almost whimpered before falling back into bed, grumbling out as he squeezed his eyes shut. Part of Kenny knew he'd regret drinking last night, but at that moment when he finished talking to Ellie about everything, he needed to numb up for once. The only problem with this being that he went overboard last night, he couldn't remember a damn thing after Brook brought him that bottle.

Like a light going off, Kenny immediately realized where his main priority should be. "Shit...Ellie," He sighed as he turned his head and peeked open his eye to see the clock, it was already nine-thirty.

Almost on cue, Kenny heard a very soft knock at his door, "Kenny? You awake yet?" Brook's muffled voice called out,

"Y-Yeah," Kenny weakly called back, his headache punishing him immediately for raising his voice,

Brook carefully opened the door just in time to see the man's face scrunch up while he let out a small groan of pain, "Yeah...that's what happens when you drink almost a whole bottle of whiskey in an hour," Brook remarked as she walked over and took a seat at the foot of Kenny's bed, "I'm honestly surprised you didn't throw up,"

"I can hold my drink...I just can't handle it," Kenny mumbled back, "God, everything is such a blur,"

"I'm sure it is," Brook said with an amused smile, "You were passing out on the couch by nine, and I had to pull you all the way upstairs just so Ellie didn't get to see her father passed out in the morning like some drunk,"

"Thank you," Kenny instantly whispered back, "I...I don't do that often, you know?" He nervously added on, "Ellie hasn't ever had to deal with me in a bad state, Brook, I promise. Last night I was just-"

"Kenny, easy, I'm not judging you," Brook warmly replied, "Trust me, if anyone could have used a drink last night, it was you. Not meaning I agree with how much you did, or the particular reason, but I can understand."

"How is she?" Kenny asked after a moment of silence,

"Ellie's fine, I made her a little breakfast, got her to take a shower, and now she's downstairs watching cartoons," Brook lightly laughed, "Taking care of a six-year-old girl is way easier than handling one drunk, Kenneth Clark, I can tell you that,"

Kenny very slowly sat up on his elbows and looked at the redhead curiously for a moment, "Brook..." Kenny softly said before diverting his eyes, "How much trouble was I?"

Brook's brow raised up for a moment, and she swallowed while thinking about her answer. Part of Brook wanted to let Kenny know that he kissed her twice, before trying to convince her to have sex with him. But another part, one that was much more in control and sympathetic towards the man's plight, could only see harm coming from the truth. So with an easy, playful smile, Brook shrugged her shoulders, "Oh not that much, you just got very...needy, that's all,"

"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't do anything to make you uncomfortable," Kenny sincerely stated, "And if I did, I swear it wasn't my intention,"

"Eh, I've dealt with a hell of a lot worse, at least you didn't start singing," Brook joked. Kenny's cheeks blushed and Brook relaxed completely, this was the man she knew, and would have wanted last night...if she wanted him at all, that is. "But once I got you in bed, it was all over; you were passed out in three minutes,"

"Well...sorry again, I'll try not to drink that much again, if at all, actually. Not much reason for it, at this point," Kenny muttered as he finally swung his feet over the edge of his bed and stood up. Brook followed suit watching as he moved towards a large box in front of his dresser, "You work today?" Kenny curiously asked while opening the box and finding a set of clothes,

"Uh, yeah, for a little bit. It's the weekend, so I'm only down there from ten to two, doing some paperwork and giving a weekly rundown to my boss," Brook explained,

"Oh, good, good," Kenny nodded, "Um...I'm sure, Ellie, wants to spend more time with you. She always clings onto Juliet when she's around, and for right now, I'm guessing the same will go for you,"

"Yeah," Brook grinned as she thought about the little girl and how much of a little stalker she actually had been this morning. Obviously it was adorable and cute, but in the same way a bit upsetting, Ellie clearly was looking for a female figure to look up to and spend time with now that she was growing up. Kenny could only do so much before finally hitting that "dad only" line where Ellie would need a mother figure. "Speaking of Juliet," Brook suddenly thought, "Didn't you say she was coming down with your car?"

"Yeah, she'll be here later this afternoon, I'm not sure if she's staying long though," Kenny replied as he finally picked out an outfit for the day,

"Well if she wants to, she's more than welcome to crash her for the night." Brook smiled, "Not to mention; I'm sure she'd like a day to explore her old town too,"

"Maybe," Kenny slowly agreed, "Julie moved on from this place pretty easily, only thing she wanted to take with her is currently married to her anyhow,"

"You're probably right," Brook nodded as she turned and moved towards the door, "Anyway, I'll let you get yourself cleaned up and dressed. Ellie and I prepared you a little breakfast platter downstairs, and I made sure to leave you a few aspirins for your little carry on you have this morning," Kenny let out a breathy chuckle and gave the girl a thankful smile, "I'm gonna grab my bag, then I gotta go, so it'll just be you an Ellie here for a while. Oh, and she's been talking non-stop about unpacking with you, so..."

"On it," Kenny smoothly replied, "I promised her, and I'm not gonna break that,"

"Good to hear," Brook warmly said, "See you later, Kenny,"

"Have a good day, Brook," Kenny replied while moving towards the bathroom in his room. As he stepped inside and shut the door, Kenny let out a long sigh of relief. Part of him feared that he had done something stupid last night with Brook. Especially when she referenced just how much of a handful he was during the whole event, but luck seemed to be on his side. On top of not wanting to disrespect Zoey's memory by doing something with her little sister, he didn't want to alienate his sister-in-law on only the first day she let him move in.

Meanwhile, Brook entered her room and let out a small exhale, "Fuck..." She hissed under her breath while rushing to the other side of the room, snatching her purse from the top of her end table and running back to her door. She didn't want to worry Kenny or make him feel any worse, by telling him that she was running late because she had to make Ellie breakfast and wake him up. It didn't happen very often for her, but Brook's boss was a bit of a hardass, she hated anyone fucking up in anyway.

The redhead could hear Kenny's shower running as she reached the top of the stairs and for just a moment her mind flickered back to the second of their kiss last night. The firm but tender hold her had on her waist, the tickle of his scruff, how soft his lips felt against hers...

Brook squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, forcing the memory away before making her way downstairs. She moved into the living room and gave her niece a broad smile, "Daddy's finally up," Ellie let out a little cheer and bounced up and down in her seat, "He's taking a quick shower, but then he'll be down here to take care of you. I gotta go, so you gonna be okay for a few minutes while daddy showers, munchkin?"

"Yes, Aunt Brook," Ellie replied with a gleeful smile,

"That's what I want to hear from my big strong girl," Brook proudly replied as she knelt down and spread her arms out, "Now come on, give auntie a hug goodbye," Ellie wasted no time, leaping from the couch and jumping into her aunt's arms. "You be a good girl, and I'll see you later this afternoon,"

"Bye, Aunt Brook, I love you," Ellie warmly replied as she squeezed the woman as tight as she could,

"I love you too, squirt," Brook lightheartedly said while letting their hug end, standing up, and giving the red-haired girl a small playful pinch on the nose. Ellie let out a giggling laugh and ran back to the couch, sitting back to watch her cartoons as Brook power walked to the front door and got into her car. Pulling out of her driveway and turning off to get down to the office as quickly as she could. Which, as luck would have it, was only twenty minutes later. Traffic was light, making her only...an hour late.