His Return

7. Honest Revelations and Hateful Reactions

"Thanks, Kella." I hand the college student the check for babysitting. "I work again on Thursday."

"Okay." The young redhead nods. "I'll see you guys Thursday. I hope your foot feels better Sofia."

"Thanks Kell!" My daughter grins from the couch, before raising her hand to initiate the handshake they made up when Kella first started babysitting as a teenager, right after I moved here to Iowa.

After two weeks of being here I was in a difficult position. I needed to start working and I needed childcare. My only problem was that the only person I knew in this town was a doctor I had met the week before.

We met Kella at the town park while she was walking her dog and stopped to make faces at the six month old Arianna, who couldn't stop giggling. Without her and Sam I would have never have survived alone, here in Stadia.

"Mikey!" Sofia tells as soon as the front door closes. "Mikey, come here!"

"Sofia," I stop her yelling. "You need to realize your brother is going to take this very differently than you."

Mikey is a great kid, but when he's angry, it's difficult to keep him calm in the moment.

"But he can't be mad." She whispers, a frown covering her face. "Dad doesn't remember anything. We can make sure he doesn't leave this time."

"Oh, Sofia..."

"Now where is he? Mikey!"

"What?" What sounds like a stampede of elephants rushes down the stairs. "You trip?"

"Michael Brooks!" I shout as he slaps his sister's foot, causing her to wince in pain.

"I fell you dumbass." My teenage daughter throws a book at her brother.

"That's bad." Arianna mutters climbing into the couch with her sister just as I shout. "Sofia Grace!"

"You're the one with the wrapped foot." My son laughs as he sits next to his sister.

"Good, you're in a good mood." Sofia says, looking at me and Mikey's smile disappears.

"What's that supposed to mean?" My son looks at me, his guard coming up. "And obviously I'm in a good mood. Sam's coming over for the Giants vs. Saints game." My heart starts to ache at the grin covering his face. That's the thing about my son, if something gets him down, he's not doing for long.

"Something happened today." I tell him, kneeling down next to the couch. "I need you to listen to everything I'm going to say, do you understand Micheal?"

"How was school?"

Neither teen answers me as I start to drive but Arianna starts yelling me about the volcano the class made in science class.

"Guys?" I glance into the rear-view mirror. "Hey, what's wrong?" I ask noticing Sofia's pale face and Mikey's angry one.

"We learned something today."

"Watch the tone." I tell my teenage son, parking our SUV in the side of the road when I notice tears starting to fill my daughter's eyes. "What happened today?"

"Is Dad alive?" She voice breaks, as the tears leak from her baby-blues.

"What?" I've turned around so quickly my head spins for a second.

"You lied!" Mikey growls at me. "When you dated Captain Bailey, you told him dad left and he told his son. Well guess you told the whole fucking school today?"

"Watch your mouth." Is the only horrified sentence that I can get to leave my mouth.

"You're unbelievable, Mom, and I hate you! All you talk about if how great family is and how important it is to be honest and yet you've lied about family for years! Do you know where he is?"

"Daddy's alive?" Arianna questions from her seat behind me just as Sofia start panicking. "Mom, you're not saying anything!"

"Mom!" Mikey screams next. "What happened to Dad?!"

"I love you three so much." My voice cracking no matter how much a try to swallow down tears.

"Mom!" My twins both yell and Arianna starts crying. "Where's Daddy then?"

When the truth came out, it took Sofia a week to forgive me and it took Mikey a whole month.

"Mom." There's panic in Mikey's voice. "You're scaring me."

"Someone showed up at the hospital." I tell him, reaching for his hand. "Mikey, you dad-" Instantly, his hand is retracted from mine. "He had brain surgery and doesn't remember anything since when you were little."

"You told him to leave right?" He stands from the couch, stepping back from me.

"Mikey, he doesn't remember anything since way before he left."

"Mom, you told him we don't need him and he needs to leave, right?"

"Is Daddy coming here?" Arianna asks and Sofia shushes her, before starting to whisper.

"Mi-"

Horror crosses Mikey's face when the doorbell rings.

"Is that-" Mikey's pale face breaks my heart.

"Mommy, is Daddy here?" Arianna whispers, looking like she can't decide if she should run to the door or go hide under her bed.

Her fingers twist in in her t-shirt as she anxiously taps

When I look at Mikey, he's staring at the oak door that separates us from Michael.

"Mikey-"

"I don't want to see him." Is all my son says before storming up the stairs, pausing for just one second. "Tell him I hate him and he can go back from where-ever it is he came from."

"Wait, Mikey!" Sofia calls after her twin, hobbling after him. Arianna, I guess, choosing to go hide.

Honestly the best idea because Michael doesn't know..

"Oh fu-"

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Guys I'm trying to get more updates out!