Eight

"How is Jo doing?" asked Claire.

We were all at the beach, just having a relaxing day. We decided to stop all activities so that Jo could have some time to adjust to the people around her.

When I told everyone about the condition Jo was in, half of them didn't want to believe it, but Jo presented herself as a child holding a plush and clinging to me, afraid of strangers. Instantly, they saw how bad her condition was.

I explained to everyone that I was her nanny for now while her parents were on their honeymoon, which Jo believed would give us time to bring back her old self. I specifically told everyone to be nice to Jo. I mainly aim those words at Seth because he is the most childish of all the men in the group.

I pull my sunglasses down and spot Jo with my sister, Lily, and the twins.

She hadn't gotten used to us because everyone else was a stranger to her. Yesterday, after Dr. Warner examined her. Jo was scared to meet the others. She clings to me like a monkey. Instead of following today's plans, I suggest going to the beach so Jo can get to know us better.

It took a while for her to talk to everyone, but after getting scared and crying, Jo was able to open up slowly today.

Terry Jo was about to cry, but Terry used her mature and soft expression to stop the tears by brushing them away. Not only did it stop Jo from crying, but it made her blush. We girls have all been there before. Terry may be a woman disguised as a man, but she has such a beautiful face you couldn't resist having a crush on her.

On the other hand, with his childish personality, Seth quickly got Jo to open up. I don't know what or how he gets kids to like him. I mean, when Poppy was scared to trust anyone, he was the first to open her heart, even when she was raised in the dark and scarred by the men who had done things to her. Seth has a way with kids. It may be because he is obsessed with Marvel, D.C., Harry Potter, and other popular brands that kids and adults his age collect. He even has some Lego models that he assembled placed on his shelves.

Jo grew accustomed to Claire because she inquired about the round belly. Jo thought Claire had eaten a beach ball, which made the atmosphere lighten up. Though Don was sticking around Claire because of her pregnancy, and his intimidating glare made her cry, Don soothed Jo by patting her head. Jo then realized Don wasn't scary and hugged the man like those giant Costco teddy bears.

Rex was the first person Jo ran to after meeting everyone because he was the lovely man who gave the bunny plush.

"She seems fine," I state. I look down and smile to see Rex napping with a book covering his face. "Looks like she is adjusting to Effie, Lily, and twins."

Jo is with Effie and Lily, building a sand castle. I chuckle at once to see Logan sleeping under a pile of sand, unaware that his twin gave him boobs making the girls laugh. Jo is finally close to those four but still feels timid around the others. Now that they are parents, this would be a valuable lesson for them when their kids reach that age. I should be proud of them for handling the situation well.

"And Ares?"

Claire and I turn our heads to the other side. Don and Terry were sunbathing when we found Ares away from the large mat we had placed, which fit everyone. He had a beach umbrella to himself, picking and dropping sand as his sad eyes would advert to the same and at Jo.

I sigh and remove my sunglasses. "I feel bad for him. He was the only one Jo was scared of the most."

"Maybe seeing Ares triggered something."

It was hard for Jo to talk to Ares. Before meeting him, her face was pale, and she started screaming and hiding behind me. The look on my brother's face was full of regret. He knew he had made Jo like this and decided to get away from her, or else it would have worsened her condition.

Ares didn't want to hurt her anymore.

"You can say that, but Jo's mind is that of a six-year-old; Ares was a skinny boy at that age."

Claire and I continue to study Ares' behavior. There was giggling on my side as Jo was smiling brightly. Then, groans from Claire's side as Ares throws the sand roughly, gets up, and walks away.

"Poor Ares," Claire says. "He feels guilty. He wanted Jo to talk to him even in her state."

"It will take time for her, and he understands that."

"Have you contacted her dad?"

I shake my head. "I don't want her dad and brothers to go A-Team on to rescue their precious Jordan. We have to watch over her for the time being."

Claire lay back on the chair and rubbed her round belly. "But our vacation is almost over, and if Jo doesn't return to her normal self, how will you explain to her family?"

"If Jo doesn't return, then I'll take the blame." I also lean back and brush my messy bun hair with my fingers. "The Walkers are like family. They were there at my parents' funeral. They may be furious with me that Jo is acting like a child because my stupid brother kissed her, but I will take the fall."

"Hope that doesn't happen," Claire says as her face falls. "And even if it does, I'll be there to take the fall with you."

"Claire, you don't have to do that."

She reaches and places her hand on mine. "We are family. We stick together."

I smile as we both let out a soft giggle.

"Thea! Claire!"

The giggling stops as Effie and the others, including Seth, who took so long to buy snacks, return with a frantic expression.

"Effie, what's wrong?" I ask, on high alert, knowing something is wrong.

"Have you seen Jo?" She pants.

I asked Claire a look as Jo's name had awakened the people from their naps. I shake my head. "No..."

"Shit!"

"Wasn't Jo supposed to be with you guys?" Claire asks.

"She was, but she needs to use the restroom," Lily answers. "So, I took her because I needed to pump milk for Rambo and send it to him, but I forgot my diaper bag. I would have asked Liam to get it for me, but my phone was in the diaper bag. So, I left Jo only for a minute. By the time I returned, the stall that she was in was empty. I'm so sorry, Thea. I shouldn't have left her."

I got up and hugged Lily as she sobbed. "It's not your fault. Guys, we need to find her. Even if she's an adult, her mind is that of a child. She could have gotten lost, or something bad happened to her."

"We go in teams of two," Rex said, getting up and standing next to me. "Makes it easier to search this entire beach."

"What if she's left the beach area and headed into the city?" Claire states.

"That could be another reason," Don says. "Terry and Seth will go in that direction in case Jo ends up there. As for the rest of us, we search the beach. And baby, you stay here with me."

"Do I have to stay?" Claire starts to whine.

"Can't risk you getting hurt. I know my brothers can handle the workforce. We stay in case Jo returns here." Don says, then presses his lips on the top of her hand like a gentleman. "Plus, I must take care of my queen, who is with my child."

I pull on a Chester cat smile as Claire blushes while the girls all giggle and the men cringe at their brother's romantic words.

As much as she wants to join the search team, she also can't hurt herself while pregnant. "Claire, just stay and listen to Don. We will be in contact, and make sure to call us when Jo has been found."

"Okay, I understand," my cousin gave in as she sighed. "Wait, what about Ares? He should know and help with the search."

"I didn't notice her leave." Liam scans his eyes around the beach.

"I'll contact him." I pull my phone out and have my brother's number on the screen. "Okay, everyone, let's find Jo."

We all went in a different direction, leaving Don and Claire at our spot, waiting for Jo to return. I held my phone to my ear to call my brother, but after two unanswered calls, he didn't answer.

"Damn it, Ares. Pick up!" I hissed and redialed his number, only leaving continuous rings as Rex, and I searched through the crowds of people at the beach.

"We will never find her here," Rex groans.

I kept calling Ares, but he wasn't picking up; instead, I texted him to see if that would get his attention.

Fuck Ares, pick up the damn phone! Jo is missing. If you find her, call Effie or me. Please!

I brush my hair back roughly. If this continues and Ares isn't answering my calls, we must look for Jo.

I hope she's okay.

Suppose something terrible happens to her again. I will not forgive myself.