Picking Up The Pieces (Robby X Miguel)

Chapter 1

No one thought Miguel and Kamaria would last especially Robby, but after 16 years of marriage, they were still running strong almost inseparable. That's why when Robby heard she died he couldn't believe it.

"How's Miguel?" Robby felt bad he was only now getting back to California after three whole days went after this tragedy.

"I don't know the last I check on him, he wasn't doing so good. He won't listen to me, his mom, or even your dad. Can you check on him? He probably won't shut you out." Sam told Robby.

The two didn't talk much. It was ironic. Miguel rushed into marriage with a woman he's only dated for barely a year, no one believed it was going to last, but it lasted 16 years. Robby dated Sam for four years before marrying her, the two got an annulment six months in.

"I'll go check on him." Robby agreed and immediately hung up. It was too hard to talk to Sam after the way they ended things. Hell, that was their first conversation in three months.

**
Robby used a key Miguel gave to him on Christmas to unlock the door. It wasn't like he needed it. Robby didn't visit often enough to need a key. Usually, Miguel came to him.

When he usually visited Miguel's house it was usually full of life. Today it wasn't. The lights were dim, the kids weren't anywhere in sight, and none of the kids from the dojo were around.

A sound could be heard down the hall. It sounded like crying. Robby assumed it was one of the kids. He's never lost a parent, but imagine it would be hell. He slowly pushed open the door, "Hey it's Robby" as he opened the door he could see Miguel crying.

"Oh h-hey, Robby." Miguel quickly wiped his face in an attempt to look like he wasn't just crying his eyes out.

"You seem... in bad shape," Robby said turning on the light. It was even worse than he thought.

Miguel didn't bother to look up from his desk. "I already had a lot of people come to check on me. I don't need anymore." Miguel croaked.

"I'm not even here to check on you, but you need a damn shower it smells like hell in here." Robby didn't mean to be rude, but he couldn't just let Miguel wallow like this.

"I didn't have the time yesterday or this morning," he mumbled. Kamaria always wanted to be cremated at least three days after her death if possible, so Miguel was just sitting there next to her ashes.

Robby remembered when he and Sam broke up. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt broken like he didn't know how to move on with the next chapter of his life. Miguel let Robby stay with him, no gloating or strings attached. If anything he kept trying to bond with him.

Robby was childless at the time and getting out of a 6-months marriage, and he felt broken. He couldn't imagine how Miguel felt.

Miguel gently rubbed the urn as if she was still there. He lifted himself like his own body was the heaviest thing in the world to him. He managed to force himself to the bathroom and in the shower. "A little help," Miguel called out in a strained voice.

It wasn't like Robby had never seen Miguel naked. "Can you shampoo my hair?" Miguel asked holding a bottle of shampoo.

Robby took the bottle and washed Miguel's hair while Miguel washed his body.

"Where's Oliver?" Miguel asked. Miguel always cared for Ollie. When Robby told Miguel he had accidentally had a baby from a one-night stand Miguel was already planning sleepovers.

"He's at the apartment right now. He's fine." Robby tried his best to give Ollie what he never had, but Robby felt like he was failing.

His work required him to travel a lot, and he didn't want to leave Robby, so Ollie usually traveled with him or stayed with Johnny, Robby's mom, or Miguel.

That wasn't the life he wanted for him. He wanted Ollie to have the stable life he always wanted as a kid and not a father who raised him on facetime.

Miguel chuckled, "Maybe he and Carmelo will start talking again. I think they were arguing over soccer or something. Kids can be petty."

Miguel climbed out of the bath dripping wanted on the floor. Even Robby couldn't deny Miguel looked great for a 41 year old he looked 25.

"Well, they still aren't as bad as us. Your kids should be up soon what are you cooking for breakfast?" Robby asked as he started cleaning the floor of water.

"Um... TV dinners?"

"Seriously? That idea sounded so bad l wouldn't be surprised if my dad came up with it."

"I don't know I only cooked breakfast for them 7 times."

Robby couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You had your first child 15 years old. In that time you only cooked breakfast 7 times."

Tears soon escaped Miguel's face. "Kiki used to make breakfast and I did dinner."

Robby immediately felt bad for what he said. "Don't cry. Let's get you some clothes." Robby went through Miguel's closet to find some clothes. He snickered at the Lil Nas X shirt. That reminded him of the time he got Miguel back into modern music. He practically dragged Miguel to concerts.

"Here's a shirt and some shorts. You get your kids, and I'll make breakfast." Robby laid the clothes on the bed and went to the kitchen. He shot Oliver a quick text saying he was going to be late.

Robby made some breakfast burritos quickly, so he could get back to his son.

"Hey, uncle Robby," Carmelo said. He was Miguel's oldest and Robby's godson. If Miguel and Kamaria had both died Robby would've had custody of him. It's not like Robby would've said no. He loved that little brat. Seeing the otherwise upbeat kid so down looking so hurt, pained Robby.

"Can you drive me to the store tomorrow? I need to get my training outfit." like his mother Carmelo was a dancer. He wanted to try soccer but didn't want to fall into a rivalry with Oliver.

"Sure kid." Robby accepted. The other two kids came downstairs. The middle child was named Kamila. She was just as into Karate as Miguel was. She was actually one of his students before he adopted her.

The youngest was Mariana. She was the only one who didn't look depressed. She was only 9, but she believed in spirits, so she believed her mom was still in the house with them.

Robby served up breakfast for the table before getting ready to leave out the door.

Miguel finally came downstairs in a considerably better state than before Robby came over. "Thanks so much, Robby." Miguel hugged him.

"Yeah, it's no big deal," Robby said. "No, it is. I'm glad you didn't walk on eggshells around me..." Miguel took a deep breath before he asked this heavy question. "You can say no if you want, but can you and Oliver stay here a while?"

This was though. On one hand, Robby may have to take a sabbatical from work, but he could also help his stepbrother while giving his son the stability to stay in one place for a while.

"I'll have to ask Ollie."

****

"Are you serious that sounds great!" Ollie said eating the pizza Robby promised him.

"You sure we may stay there for a week or even three months I'm not sure," Robby answered honestly. He had a no lying policy when it came to Ollie. He never even lied about Santa, Easter bunny, or the tooth fairy existing.

"Please can we do it?!" Ollie begged. The apartment was nice especially for only two people living in it, but Ollie wanted to see what it was like to have a backyard.

"Alright, I'll call Miguel." This was gonna be a big change for Robby. Being in the house with four kids and taking time off work. Robby couldn't just leave the kids and Miguel by themselves. He started to text Miguel he was going to stay.

No turning back now.