It's a quarter to two in the morning, a storm beginning to brew outside and Elena suddenly seeming to realize the time. Part of her hesitates as she grips the phone in her hands, considering driving back to her apartment before she decides against it. She just didn't want to be behind the wheel in this weather, not with the memory of her parents car crash in her mind. [text] I know it's late but the storms getting bad, can you pick me up? I'm at the college library.
Ray is too wired to sleep. The kids are in bed - most of them, anyway. He hopes Elena is back at her apartment instead of out in this weather, but she is an adult now, and he cannot - will not - hover like the overprotective father-figure he has become. Instead, Ray frets in his lab, working on one of his many projects until it is a reasonable hour to text Elena and make sure she is safe.
Or at least, that is the plan. His phone vibrating on his desk signals a text, and he casts a quick glance at it. Elenaâs name pops up, and he panics for a second before clicking on the text. A breath of relief, and he types a quick response.
[ text ] Of course. On my way.
