I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Walking Away

Tommy had gone to the master bedroom and started packing. He brushed angry tears away and opened the dresser. Grabbing the neatly folded stacks of clothes, he placed them in the suitcase. Doing this until the  suitcase was full, he expected Paul to come in at any minute. 

When there was no response after a few minutes, Tommy started packing the second one. Suddenly Taylor and Hannah came in the open door. "Mama, you go on trip?" asked Taylor. "You take us?"

"Yes, I'm going on a trip for awhile. I can't take you right now." He bent down and quietly talked to the two little girls. "I need to go away foe awhile." "Tell Rory and Mady I'll be back."

Hannah crossed her arms. "No! You no go!" "You s'ay !" She burst into tears along with Taylor. "You no lo'e daddy now so you go!" 

"Baby, I do love your dad very much. I just need to think about some things for a few days." Tommy tried to leave but the girl sat on his suitcases. He finally just gave up and headed down the hall to the guest room. Closing the door, he sat on the floor. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. He soon felt little hands on his face. Opening his eyes, he saw Aurora. She had her thumb in her mouth and was crying. Mady crawled in and sat beside him.

Picking them up, Tommy rocked back and forth trying to comfort them. Finally the three of them were joined by Taylor and Hannah. The four girls at in Tommy's lap, refusing to let him go. He looked up later to see Paul leaning on the doorframe, eyes red. "May I sit down?" he asked. 

Tommy nodded and let Paul sit. He wound up leaning on his shoulder as they talked. Tommy agreed to unpack and stay. Paul told him he only wanted the other story so he could hear the lies. "I love you Tom, I know the truth."

They took the girls out to eat so they could enjoy time with each other. They both promised to talk to each other in the future and work out their problems.