video @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

[The video turns on to show Lucy in her room, and trying hard to keep a straight face because....things happened. Good things that is.

Trying to be positive, trying to be optimistic, but also being cautious....]

So....is it normal for things to randomly appear? I mean not 'falling out of the sky' random, but 'appearing out of thin air' random? There is a difference between the two.

Because, I just got something--well two somethings, and I'm not sure if it's real or if anything happened or if it's just magic.

Comments

[thestoriesarereal]

[Lucy misses his hugs. Misses being able to crawl into his bed and cuddle with her Papa. He's not cursed--which is a great thing at this moment, but she wants to touch him, give him company.]

Do you need water or anything? [She wants to take care of him too. She wants to be of more use and help make him feel better.]

..I could go buy a germ mask or something, Papa.

[jolting]

You've really got this nurse thing down. But I'm okay, James left a few water bottles here for me.

[He sighs] I know you miss me, Luce, but this is a very bad virus. Just be patient and I'll be better before you know it.

[thestoriesarereal]

I can't really be a nurse if I'm unable to see my patient.

[Lucy is trying to be understanding, trying to follow the rules. She knows Victor doesn't want her to get sick--but he's willing to let Jim get sick and it's frustrating. It has to be an adult thing. Granted, a very stupid adult thing, but she isn't trying to pick a fight or demand that she go in there to check on him.]

Are you saying you don't miss me?

[Because he's right, she does miss him, so...maybe seeing him for a little bit won't hurt? Just five minutes?]

[11calls]

Not here, anyway.

Can I ask what showed up?

[thestoriesarereal]

You can ask, but...

It's better that you take a guess.

[11calls]

You should know I'm pretty good at guessing games.

[And making giant leaps of logic.]

So, something from home. I'm gonna say pictures maybe?

[Pictures seem a safe choice.]

[thestoriesarereal]

So you should be able to win at this game!

[Lucy patiently waits for the first guess and quickly nods her head.]

Yes! Pictures from home--of my mom, myself, and Henry, he's my Dad. Plus, other photos of my grandparents too.

[jolting]

That's a good point.

[Ugh why did she have to use sense and logic? But dammit he's so proud of her anyway. James is right: Victor really can't say "no" to Lucy]

Yes, of course I miss you.

[thestoriesarereal]

[Lucy learns from the best. Logic works best with Victor...and pleading works both for Victor and Jim. ]

Then maybe I could see you? Five minutes--and I'll wear gloves and a mask.

[Which she'd have to go out and buy some, but that's besides the point!]

...I wanted to be able to help you and I can't [She admits softly. It's not a feeling of helplessness...but frustration that she's too young to do anything.]

[jolting]

That's nonsense. Of course you can help me. You probably do a lot more than you really need.

[He's going to regret this. He knows he will]

All right, fine. You can come in.

[11calls]

Wow! That's awesome! I'm so glad that you got pictures.

[Alex means it, and she's considering what else could have come.]

If it were me, I would want food from home. Was it food from home?

[winscenario]

Well, I've taken Victor for a ride on the bike already, so he's done that. The seat is small anyway, there's only room for two.

[ But he's totally buying her a helmet so she'll know what he means when he gifts it to her. ]

Deal. And I'm ordering in some food for us, but not pizza again. Actual food. I've got the medicine too, and lots of soup and bread. Don't worry about it, Lucy, I promise I have it all under control.

[ As much as he can, anyway. Other than taking care of Victor, it's not like he can do much else to figure out what's up with this disease. ]

[thestoriesarereal]

Yeah! Papa knows my Dad, but the last time he saw Henry, Henry was a young kid, so it'll be interesting for him to see the photos.

[She can tell Alex is being sincere, which makes this entire conversation even better.]

Good try, but no. It's an amazing book--the book that has all of my family's stories.

[She brings out the 'Once Upon a Time' book.]

See?

[thestoriesarereal]

Really? You mean it?

[Lucy wants to be sure that it's okay, she'd hate for Victor to get worse because he had a lapse in judgement thanks to a fever or the virus.]

audio; @altin

[bringbackgold]

Things come through from time to time.

I've gotten my motorcycle. And...a recipe that belongs to my fiance's grandfather.

[thestoriesarereal]

He didn't tell me that. [Okay, a tiny bit jealous, but that's okay. Maybe Victor would've told her sooner or later.][What's the word? She knows it! She can picture it in her head--!!] Sidecar? That way more people could fit on it?

[Still thinking of them as a family and as a way for them to go on adventures together.]

I'm not worried about it, I just...

[How can she explain what she feels in a way that's coherent and doesn't make Jim feel bad?]

I know I'm a kid, but I want to help to. I don't want it to be you taking care of Papa and having you get sick too. Even if it means helping with cooking more--or buying things at the market, I want to help.

audio

[thestoriesarereal]

So it's an almost common occurrence?

Really?! Wait...aren't you a bit...young to have a motorcycle?

[11calls]

[Alex's eyes widen and her mouth drops open.]

Wow! I'm so excited for you, Lucy! I would definitely be trying to figure out what I did to make t happen again!

audio

[bringbackgold]

It's pretty common.

Do I seem like it? I got it after I turned eighteen.

[ not that it was that long ago ]

[jolting]

[He sighs. Be firm, Victor. Think like a doctor]

I really don't want you to get sick, kiddo. I don't want you catching this from me. If you miss me, that's what Doctor Whale is for.

[thestoriesarereal]

I know right?!

[Excited child is excited.]

It's been in my family for a while and it's....it's nice to have a piece of home with me.

[thestoriesarereal]

Well then, I hope something else comes soon! Like....maybe my family.

Mmhmm! I thought you were a teenager.

[thestoriesarereal]

But what about you? You don't have anything to hug or hold...[Only Jim, and she's not going to compare right now...]

And Doctor Whale is for when you're not here--you're here in this house...just in your room.

[11calls]

That is so great! I'm so happy you at least get to have their stories even if you don't have them!

[bringbackgold]

That would be lucky.

I'll be nineteen for a few more months, so...I am.