Relapse

Chapter 1:

Cassia Jefferson-Johnson sat curled up on the couch flipping through a magazine. The steady, methodic footsteps of her mother coming down the hall caught her attention. She looked up when the footsteps stopped.

"Mommy?" she asked when she saw Maureen begin to sway back and forth slightly. Maureen regained her composure and continued on her way to the kitchen with the latest addition of their family in her arms.

Paige was barely a year old. Like Cassia and Tiffany, she was adopted locally. She had bright blonde hair that was already starting to curl and deep blue eyes. She was the apple of Maureen's eye and could barely stand to be away from her at times.

"Mom, are you alright?" Cassia asked as she put down her magazine and approached Maureen. Paige reached for her big sister, and Cassia took her in her arms.

"I, uh, just need my glasses," Maureen replied as she squeezed her eyes closed. She felt her sight fading at the moment, and she definitely didn't want her daughters to see that.

"Go back to bed, and I'll bring them." Maureen was too exhausted to really argue. She gave Paige a light kiss and retreated back to bed.

in bed, Maureen pulled the blankets up over her head. The tumor had definitely done its damage, even two years later. She still had dizzy spells, migraines and sometimes she went semi or completely blind. It was now just an accepted part of her life, and everyone was amazing about it. Even Benny called every once in a while to check up on her. it was sweet of him, and he was doing his best to make amends still.

In the past few years, Benny finally took a step past being separated and living at the loft and divorced Alison. He and his seventeen-year-old son were now living with his fiancée, Katie. The Bohemians found her a million times better than Muffy could ever be.

When Joanne walked in the door around seven, she was greeted by an over-enthusiastic, "Mommy?" from Paige.

"This would be great if she actually wanted me," Joanne commented to Cassia as she picked Paige up and balanced her on her hip.\

"One day she will," Cassia assured. Joanne gave her and Tiffany each a kiss.

"Where is your mom?" she asked. That set off a wave of tears from Paige.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Joanne gently bounced the small child up and down on her hip.

"Mommy's sleeping," Tiffany commented without breaking her gaze with the television. Joanne grabbed the remote and flicked off the apparatus.

"Alright, missy, bath, pjs and bed." Groaning, tiffany slid off the La-Z Boy and trudged out of the room.

Paige's wails eventually subsided to crocodile tears, which Joanne definitely wasn't going to fall for.

"I fed them both," Cassia said as she got to her feet. "There's a questionable substance stuck in Paige's hair. Sorry I couldn't give her a bath yet." Joanne pulled her into a one armed hug.

"don't be sorry, you've done so much already," she assured before kissing her cheek. "Thank you." Cassia returned the hug before retreating to her room for the night.

After getting the girls off to bed, Joanne went to see Maureen. She felt terrible for not being able to come and see her wife sooner.

"Honeybear?" she cooed as she sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked Maureen's dark waves.

"Pookie?" Maureen moaned as she rolled over to face her.

"Hey baby, rough day?" she nodded. "Alright, you go back to bed." Joanne gave her a light kiss on the cheek. She was well aware that Maureen was getting worse once again; it was time to see the doctor once again.