Hated Ties (Book 3. Ties)

18. Noticed

"Are you going," Robin asks.

I think about it as I rub my nonexistent belly. "I don't know. I would love to see everyone, but not. You know?"

"Just go," he says.

I roll my eyes even though he can't see me. "Are you commanding me?"

"You've forced me to do things before. I am deciding to return the favor," he eloquently insists.

"I don't want them to bring things up," I reveal my fears.

He clears his throat. "You know that's inevitable with Raven. Just try to control the conversation."

That's that.

I really do miss everyone so much. They're all the family I had always wished to have. It is time I face the music. Besides, I have exciting news to share.

*****

"I love them all so much. I'm glad you're meeting them." I look over at Levi to my right as the taxi takes us to my mom's place.

"It's nice to be able to see what your life has been here in New York without me," he says with melancholy.

I smile sadly. "Don't say it like that."

"It's the truth," he whispers as he pulls his arm over my shoulders and brings my body closer to his. "You're not going anywhere anymore."

I sigh in peace. "Nope."

Soon, we are standing looking up at the elevator's light as it takes us up to the correct floor.

"KENNY," Faith screams with pure excitement.

I laugh and kneel down. "Well hi to you too, baby."

She pulls away from my hug and looks up to Levi. "You bwought your fwiend?"

I move my eyes up to Levi and smile. "He's my boyfriend now."

A scowl forms on her little face. "Your boyfriend?" Her r more clear this time.

"You want to tell her," I ask Levi.

His face lights up with happiness. He also gets down to her level. "We're having a baby."

Her eyes widen. "Where?"

I chuckle. "It's growing right here." I place my palm on my abdomen to illustrate where the baby currently resides.

With all the three-year-old sass she possesses, Faith places her hand on her hip and asks, "are you serious?" Which only causes Levi and I to laugh. "And I get to play with the baby," she continues to ask.

"Yes!" I tell her and laugh. "Where's mom?"

Without thinking twice about it, she says "kitchen."

I grab her hand and walk to the kitchen. The closer we approach, the more bickering and clatter we hear. "... that's what I said! She said it's only going to be like that for a week after—"

Without allowing Lucius more time to explain, my mom interrupts. "It's still a week that I have to figure out what to do with, Lucius." My mom throws a metal bowl in the sink with frustration.

"Mommy," Faith calls out, forcing her parents to pause and look our way.

My mom's eyes widen before a big smile pops up. Lucius has a passive look on his face but moves forward to greet us. My mom brings me to her arms tightly and I realize how much I have missed her.

"Hi, Mars," Lucius mutters as he hugs me.

"Some things haven't changed, have they," I ask him quietly.