Expect the Unexpected

Nine

At the house she'd shared with what was now her second ex-husband, Mishy wasn't surprised when the first one motioned to their son before she could open the door of the rental car they'd all piled into. She wouldn't deny that she was more than a lil lightheaded from the blow he'd landed right in front of the judge, but not to the point of passing out or anything. It definitely wouldn't be smart to try walking without help for a while, and she knew it without having to think about it.

        Still, she couldn't help a startled squeal when Zak swept her up bridal-style, which she'd have expected outta his father. Course, as she wrapped her arms around his neck outta instinct, she supposed it wouldn't be smart for Rob to do that kinda thing, if his neck was already acting up. In fact, that was prolly why he'd motioned to their son as he was climbing outta the front seat moments earlier.

        Having taken her keys from her, said Silver Fox more or less led the charge up to the front door with as many of their bags as he could carry for the moment. Once his ex-wife and their daughter were in the house, he knew that he and their son'd come back out for what lil was left. In the meantime, he wanted to get the former of those women into the house so she could change outta her dressy attire, then settle in to relax. Not only that, but he wanted to get outta his own suit, and he was sure their kids felt the same way since they'd also dressed up more than normal.

        "Mom!"

        Looking up after unlocking and opening the front door, Rob wasn't surprised to see two teenage boys emerge from what looked like the living room.

        "What on Earth happened to ya, Mom?" the slightly taller of the pair queried as Zak set his mother on her feet.

        "Um..." Mishy bit her lip, clearly unsure of whether to answer that question.

        "Let's just say your dad's not coming back for a long fuckin' Time," the oldest of the children dead-panned.

        "He hitcha again?" the shorter of the teens asked on a gasp.

        "Right in front of the judge," Rob growled, hanging her keys up on a hook next to the front door. "He's damned lucky I'd sense enough not to hit him more than once on her behalf."

        "Wait, who're you?" Both teens looked confused as they asked that question in unison.

        "Gee, I'm surprisedja can't tell, boys," Zak laughed, moving to wrap an arm around him. "I mean, it's not like I'm practically his clone or anything."

        "You're pushing it, son," he dead-panned, even though a smirk was starting to curve his lips.

        "All right, all right." His son laughed as he turned back toward the front door. "I'd rather ya not beat my ass like a red-headed stepchild in a sparring match I've no Hope in Hell of winning, Dad."

        "Nah, I'd unleash that side of myself on Rikki since I know he can take it," the Silver Fox chuckled. "But you–don't think I won't bust out a few of my best tour punishments on ya, if need be."

        "Agh, fuck no!" Zak looked horrified at the very Thought, just like he'd Intended. "Not going there again–I'd enough of that when I was sixteen or so!"

        Everybody cracked up as he helped his ex-wife through the doorway that most definitely led to the living room. Mishy was obviously curious as to what they meant by that, which made him grin before miming zipping his lips and throwing away the key. All he'd tell her was that he'd gotten their son good with a few very Creative punishments, which'd quickly taught him not to push his buttons, when he'd take him out on tour with him.