"How are you, my darling?" The blonde sat alongside her husband as soon as they seated inside the vehicle as Odette was in front of her parents by untying her scarf which she used as a pirce of an attire for disguise, concealing her face from the passing and roaming nuns circa the mental hospital where Odette no longer resides it.

In the meanwhile, the former holy man turned the cab's radio by turning down the volume by keeping it as low volume as possible, in fact, he and Jude were eager to listen to Odette's adventurous journey behind the dull, sinister walls of the notorious facility as his berry-coloured, damp lips were pursed as if a balloon was burst in the lucid sky. His long, adroit fingers worked on the cab's radio buttons by switching the radio stations until an eloquent, cheerful song came at last, floating inside the vehicle.

"I-I'm fine. I'm feeling better after this mess I've been through these days." The juvenile brunette rejoindered by stuttering each syllable as she was beyond elated of the freedom's notion. Out of the lunatics. Out of the heavy medicaments. Out of the leery nuns and Father McKenzie, himself.

"Just running scared each place we go so afraid that he might show! Just running scared what would I do if he came back and wanted you!" Roy Orbison's song played recently as it was sufficiently audible for the horde of adults as its guitar stings were fiddled and fiddled in the background, mingling with the vocalist's eloquent, spectacular voice.

"That's good, sweetheart! You will need an overwhelming bath and to eat something." Timothy evoked by stopping on a red light by turning to his daughter by extending his free mammoth, creamy hand by cupping her cheek as his thumb traced her well-defined cheekbone which she has inherited from her mother as his chocolate brown pools were fixed on her, replenished with ultimate warmness, paternal, almighty love he had for Odette. Her pale, porcelain, youthful complexion was as feeble as a moribund creature as if the slow, tight-lipped death and starvation were consuming her entire being as its darkness were overally lodged each muscle of hers. Timothy's heart broke when Odette didn't look herself at all. Her skin was as floppy as a disk even she was slender and the extra pounds were decreasing as her self-esteem diminished. "I hate it to see you so weak and vulnerable just like when we saw you with your mother for first time." All of a sudden the green light shone which as Timothy's heart raced by readjusting his position by darting his gaze on the motorway as his sole free hand was recently occupied with working the steering wheel. 

"I will eat and have a fresh bath. First of all, I need to know if you have reserved a hotel room for yourselves." Lisp danced on the young lady's dry tongue as she suddenly collapsed by reclining, whereas her frail eyelids were still opened like blinds as her unkempt, soiled in scum chestnut ringlet of tresses were ruffled on the passenger's leather backseat. 

"We did, of course! Since our arrival in Boston just because of you." The former sister of the church replied by turning to Odette as she extended her petite, amusingly warm hand, reaching for hers to take it into hers by squeezing it, in order to reassure her. A benevolent, affable smile curled up in the corner of her rosy-coloured lips. "After we get back at the hotel, you will take a bath and eat something really scrumptious to fill your lovely belly of yours where your new life is growing now."

"Just running scared feeling low yeah running scared you loved him so! Just running scared afraid to lose if he came back which one would you choose!"

"Why I didn't see Serena earlier today? I mean, her absence is pretty evident even in the corner of my eye."

"Aww, dear! Don't be so concerned for Serena your friend. She's in good hands. I don't want to ruin the surprise for you." In the meantime, the 3 adults couldn't repress giggles, tickling the corners of their mouth especially in the brunette and blonde's case. 

--- *** ---

It has been a few hours since the both young women were rescued from Briarcliff, as a result of having the ultimate freedom by joining the general population as well.

Odette and Serena took fresh, hot baths by spending an hour to relish its warmness, whereas the sea of soap bubbles blanketing every inch of their frail skeletons, besides scrubbing the scum and filth of their bodies and unkempt hairs with mint shampoos which the hotel has equiped the bathrooms as well. 

Afterwards they changed themselves in much different garments as the formerly adopted love child Serena dressed up herself in a stripped lavender and slightly above the knees length white lesen dress with medium sleeves, sleeving her arms up to her elbow with V neckline, followed by white chunks, shoeing her wee, well-shaped feet, a lavender bow scarf braced her neck. 

Whereas Odette wore a navy blue shirt with black pencil skirt, outlining her drop dead gorgeous hips' swan curves, flaring down to her mid-thigh, followed by black stockings and black pumps. 

As soon as the young women left their hotel rooms as their imminent destination was downstairs as their parents were waiting for them eagerly in the bar to share an alcoholic beverage since they were already adults to drink alcohol, to share some piece of wondrous moments along since their reunion, the singer's pumps clicked against the scarlet red's carpetted flooring by strolling up to the elevator as her lion mane of silken chestnut tresses were bouncing with each motion of hers even moved a single muscle of her petite body. 

Once she stepped beside the elevator by pressing the button for the recent floor she was located, all of a sudden a feminine, trembling hand was pawing her shoulder by ushering her to turn to the other girl as their eyes met, locking up the strawberry-haired's stare in awe. 

"Aww, Serena! You're released from the shithole where we were." The juvenile singer's heart leaped in sheer ecstas when she united with her childhood friend again especially in the hotel, snapping her train of thoughts what her parents might give her as a present and what kind of a conversation she's going to have with them. "I'm so relieved and glad you're well." She couldn't help but throwing her arms by scooping Serena in a tight, warm hug as their hearts were throbbing violently, heavily in their chests as their ribs were pressed together. 

"I'm so happy to see you, Odette. Elsa and Massimo are responsible for my release, of course! They're spectacular people with Evelyn as your parents as well." In this moment, the brunette's hand kneaded the strawberry-haired girl's upper back as her fingers tipped lightly the lesen fabric of her dress. The both girls couldn't any longer confront the demons of their criminal exhilaration which warmed the gaps of their pierced hearts in their chambers. "They did so much ta release me though I don't know them personally well enough."

"It's alright, Serena! At least, ya are thankful for their aid and by the way they treat you. You're a wonderful person, ya know!" Joyous, childish chuckle zinged Serena's lips once the elevator pipped by keeping the both ladies' wits about entering inside it and convey them to the lower floorings of the grandiose, luxurious building, which housed temporarily guests who want to reserve a room for 24 hours at least. 

"I know for which I'm grateful to hear it since you're so sweet to tell me it right away." The both women sighed as they stepped up inside the elevator as it was Odette who pressed the button for the first floor.

--- *** ---

After Odette and Serena used the elevator for directing transfering them to the lower floors of the grand hotel, the both married couples were in the hotel's bar as it wasn't crowded with swarm of people, hence, outnumbering them as if they were outsiders as well. In the meantime, a joyful song played in the bar's background, whereas Evelyn was hiking outside the hotel's area, wandering around the nature by relishing and appreciating its ethereal natural beauty which possessed in the eyes of a nature enthusiast, besides she was underage to enter in the bar.

Moreover, the Bostonian ordered for herself something lighter and less riskier beverage for herself such as a mineral water, due to the fact she was in the first trimester, while Elsa ordered for herself a glass of white wine along with Massimo and the former man of the cloth has rather asked for a hot green herbal tea.

The both couples were cackling and chatting with each other as they concealed their presents as a surprise for the both girls, who were about to enter in the bar within minutes, perhaps seconds. 

"Somewhere there's music! How faint the tune somewhere there's heaven! How high the moon," Marvin Gaye's song was recently playing in the background by jingling pleasant tunes in the adults' ears. 

"Ya didn't forget about the present for Serena, did ya?" Jude sipped her mineral water as her damp lips curled by questioning Elsa.

"I didn't forget. Don't worry, Judy! I got this." The former freakshow owner clarified by sipping her glass of white wine, savouring its sweet, sinful taste which burned the corners of her mouth. 

"Let's not forget, Odette has a present which awaits her but she mustn't know about it until we give it to her directly." The slightly younger man exclaimed by dangling his strong, muscular arm around his wife's shoulder as his colossal, smooth hand rubbed her shoulder. 

"Hey, look who're coming!" The German emigrant took a pull at her cigar by fixing absently her old Hollywood honey curls by hoarsely giggling as soon as the horde of adults' orbs were transfixed on the both women as she was in awe to behold Odette, dressed up in different outfit than her mere, rigid, shapeless patient robe which she wore the last time when they met one another. 

"Our princesses!" The Italian faked his gasp as a slight, optimistic smile cradled his lips in a crescent form. 

"There is no moon above! When love is far away too! Till it comes true that you love me as I love you!"

"Serena!" Elsa and Massimo said in unison by earning the both young women's happy looks, darted on the horde of adults as they got from their seats to embrace each of them for a split second. "Odette!"

"My beautiful ray of sunshine! Welcome back!" The former members of the church burst out shortly after the other married couple hugged the both girls as Jude and Timothy embraced altogether their daughter, verging to suffocate her with their arms which reinforced their hug. 

"Mom and Dad! I'm so happy for meeting again. I awfully love both of ya. So much!" While Serena stood uneasily, sheepishly alongside Odette by contemplating the small family, admiring their family love they shared with one another, her heart molted at the sight as she wished she had such a doting and tender family, although on other hand her heart ached for such phenomenal moments to be shared with somebody she was fond of. 

"We love you too, sweetheart!" Shortly after they broke off the embrace, thereafter the rejoiced parents pecked affectionate, delicate kisses on the brunette's forehead and parchment plump cheeks. Afterwards the brunette seated, awaiting her parents to embrace Serena.

"Serena! It's a plesure to see ya again." The middle-aged mother heaved a sharp exhale as Serena's chin rested on Jude's shoulder. 

"I-It's a pleasure to meet again, ma'am!" The strawberry-haired lady fessed as her stammer lingered even webbed her tongue with severe spiderweb, struggling to spell each syllable, in fact, she was exceeding bashful. 

"Somewhere there's music! How near, how far somewhere there's heaven! It's where you are! The darkest night would shine if you would come to me soon!"

"Don't be shy, Serena! Ya can count on us. Feel welcome to call me just Judy or Jude." Consequently Timothy hugged Serena as a couple of seconds later everybody sat. 

"Everything is fine. I'm just nervous when I'm around a lot of people." 

"You aren't obligated to talk to me like that as If I'm your Harvard or Oxford professor. I'm just a mere woman and mother with an extraordinary husband and a daughter."

"So girls, we have also a present for you which you might love." In the meanwhile, Elsa took another drag of its cigar length by blowing away dim, seconds before leaving her cigarette in the glass ashtray by unzipping her purse by delving in it before gathering a collection of gramophone disks which she might like her secondary daughter, besides a simple amethyst necklace for Serena. 

"What presents?" The both young women were beyond excited as they wore agitation on their young-looking, porcelain faces at the thought of receiving their gifts momentarily as Elsa handed gingerly the gramophone disks to the brunette and the amethyst necklace to the other orphan. "Aww, that's so sweet of you, Elsa! It wasn't necessary at all since your love and support are enough for me to reinforce me."

"Don't be too humble, Odette! I knew it you will like it as well." In the interval, the brunette surveyed the gramophone disks which her hand grasped without unwillingly dropping them by an accident. 

"It's gorgeous this necklace you gave me, ma'am!" A modest, girlish giggle escaped the strawberry-haired love child as her fingers clumsily, nonetheless gingerly held by the both sides her gift. 

"I'm not ma'am, Serena! I'm just Elsa, okay?" Meanwhile Serena just nodded lightly her head, affirming her words without blandly bickering by resuming the heating debates which might emenate from the pettiest reason. 

"Elvis Presley? Ritchie Valens? And the Beatles?" The juvenile singer heaved an exultant inhale from the top of her lungs as she was eager to listen every record of these gramophone disks as her hazelish-brown eyes glistened the brightest stars in the darkest night. "I can't wait to listen to them once I get back at home. Thank you, Elsa!"

"Somewhere there's heaven! It's where you are the darkest night would shine! If you would come to me soon until you will, how still my heart! How high the moon!"

"My angel!" Suddenly the former members of the church earned their daughter's profoundly inquisitive, enthusiastic gape as Jude balled something compact, as simple as a luminescent gemstone which gleamed past her honey brown irises as a content grin distorted across her lips. "That's your present which you have always deserved since you're my strong and unique warrior whom I have never had the chance to give any birthday presents until the day I met you."

"Mom, it's stunning! You didn't have to do this to make me happy."

"Don't be too modest, Odette! It's not only a gift from me. It's from your fathah too!" Meantime the girl couldn't suppress shed crystal, translucent tears which tumbled down her cheeks as she snaked her arms around her parents' shoulders, pulling them in a tight, warm hug as her tears vaguely drenched their attires' fabrics. "And just remember! No sad faces! I want your shining smile on your beautiful face." The kindhearted words of her mother warmed not only her fragile heart, but also encouraged a gleeful smile by sobbing quietly to herself, due to her parents' tremendous love they showed. 

To be continued...