White Lies | All American

thirty one

✨ Months later ✨

Haiden was finally home. She was happy and slightly frightened.

Her experience wasn't terrible but she still wasn't sure if she was ready to dive into the world just yet.

"Okay, impromptu family meetings never really go well for us, so just rip the band air off, dad." Liv said.

"Okay. I'm moving out." Billy blurted.

Haiden sat still, unaffected by the news as she adjusted her blanket.

"Wait, you're leaving us again?" Jordan questioned, alarmingly looking to the others.

Billy shook his head, sitting down.

"This is nothing like last time. I leased a nice condo that's just a couple of miles away so I'm gonna be around a lot. I'm gonna be around a lot.." He looked to Laura, hoping she wouldn't fight him.

"Is this because of the investigation at school? Are you leaving to protect us from something that's coming?" Liv inquired.

"No, no. The truth is, your mother and I, we have been separated for a while now, and moving forward is what's best for the family. Right, Laura?"

"Right, yeah."

"Okay." The children agreed, shrugging.

"Thank you." Billy softly spoke.

"Oh, and I call dibs on the bigger room."

"Nope, in your dreams." Liv said.

The parents laughed, watching their twins argue.

"Get out of here."

"I love you, Dad." Jordan hugged his father.

"I love you too, man."

"Love you, dad." Liv tightly embraced him before chasing Jordan up the stairs.

"Hai, let me talk to you." Billy called before she could get too far.

"What's up?"

"How you feeling? And therapy.. how- how is that going?"

Haiden glanced to her occupied mother then back to Billy, sighing.

"It's fine, I guess. I can't talk about it."

"Yeah, no, I know.. I just wanted to check in with you. I heard you're going to that party tonight."

"Dad, stop. I know you're worried about me but I'm maintaining. Your micro parenting isn't helping."

"Okay!" He threw his hands up in a surrendering gesture.

"I will say no more. Come here. I love you so much."

Haiden groaned as he tightly embraced her.

"Dad."

"Let me have my moment...
I don't get many."