Angel Academy

Chapter Twenty-five

Niamh's POV

When we arrived at the house, my mother tensed up. I took her hand in mine, and she smiled at me, but it was forced. "Mom, everything will be fine. I promise."

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I know; I know." She clutched my hand as we got out of the car, and clenched it even tighter as we made our way towards the house that had once been a safe haven for us. When we reached the front door, I opened it and she froze in the doorway, shaking her head as tears fell down her cheeks.

"Niamh, I can't."

I smiled encouragingly. "Yes, you can mom. I promise." I tugged on her hand a little bit, and slowly she walked into the house. The living room was no longer in disarry. The couches were turned up right, and the insurance had given us enough money to buy new pots and picture frames. The house looked almiost like it used to, except for the carpet. We had had to put in new carpet because the old was blood stained and soil stained.

My mother had tears falling down her face, soft sobs coming from between her closed lips. "They may have taken the carpet out, but they will never be able to erase what happened here." 

I frowned and we walked into the kitchen. They had replaced all of the dishes in the kitchen and even the vase on the table. We went to walk upstairs, but she froze. "No, Niamh. I can't. I have to get out of here."

"Mom-"

"No," she snapped. "I want this house gone. I don't care how much you sell it for; just sell it. We'll stay in a hotel until then." She turned and fled from the house. 

Jeremy walked up behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. "You can stay with me until you get a place."

Tears streamed down my cheeks. "But this is my home. I grew up here, and now, those assholes have ruined it. I can't sell this house." My hands clenched, and I walked outside. "I won't sell this house!"

My mother turned to me, her eyes narrowed in anger. "Yes, you will." I shook my head. "Fine. If you won't sell it, then you can have it, but I refuse to live here."

"But mom.." 

She shook her head. "Niamh, I can't. I don't care what it looks like; how perfect it is or how much it seems like it used to be. I can't get the images out of my head. I remember everything; even when I'm not in the house. I have nightmares, Niamh. You know that better than anyone. You can keep that house of hell, but I won't live with you."

She climbed into the back seat and sat there, arms crossed, tears on her cheeks. I looked down at the ground. They may have ruined the house for my mother, but I couldn't bare to move out.

Jeremy kissed my neck. "Come on, let's go get your son." I nodded.

"Let's go get Heath." 

We drove up to Corbin's house after we dropped my mother off at a hotel for the next couple of nights. I walked up to the door and knocked. Addaline opened the door.

"Oh, Niamh. Corbin's not here."

I furrowed my brows. "I'm not here for Corbin. I'm here for my son." I peered around her and she stepped into my line of vision.

"Heath's not here."

After she said that I heard a small voice say, "Puppie," and a bit of banging which sounded like a book on hardwood.

I glared at her. "Not here huh? Move out of the way so I can get my son."

"No, Niamh. I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

I glared at her. "And why the hell not?"

"Maybe you should talk to Corbin." She went to close the door but I put my foot in the way.

"No, I'm not going to talk to Corbin. Just give me my son."

Addaline glared at me. "Corbin and I are going to be taking custody of your son soon."

I balked at her. "Excuse me? No, you're not. Corbin would never take my son from me."

Addaline smirked at me. "He can be easily pursuaded; especially from his soon-to-be wife." She showed me her engagement ring and I almost threw up in my mouth. "Now get off of my property before I call the cops." She slammed the door in my face, and when I went to open it, it was locked.

"Addaline! Open this fucking door! Heath!" I banged my fists angrily on the door.

"Leave now before I call the cops! Or better yet, stay so they can see how unfit a mother you really are!" 

I lowered my hand and stumbled back, tears blurring my vision as I climbed into Jeremy's car.

"Where's Heath?"

I looked back at the door. "Addaline says they're going to fight me for custody of him..."

~~~~~

Corbin's POV 

"You did what?"

Addaline stood before me, arms crossed, with Heath standing at her feet looking up at me. "I told Niamh we were taking custody of Heath, then I slammed the door in her face."

I shook my head. "No. Please tell me you're joking."

"I am not. I told you we needed to take custody of him. You were slow to respond so I took the lead. My mother contacted her lawyer and he said he would meet with me tomorrow at noon."

I gaped at her in disbelief. "Addaline, why would you do that?"

She shrugged. "She obviously didn't give a damn about her son. She left him and rarely visited him. He needs stability Corbin." Addaline stood before me, her head held high and eyes blazing with determination. 

"We can't just take Heath from her. She almost lost her mother; she would die if she lost Heath. She left him with us so we could watch him while she helped her mother get better. He didn't need to be there for that. Plus, their house was ransacked. How were they suppose to stay there until it got cleaned up?"

Addaline shook her head, eyes narrowed with anger. "Corbin, you just don't get it. She's too busy with her boyfriend Jeremy and her new lover the cop to have anything to do with her own child."

I scoffed. "Addaline, you're crazy. Niamh would never put any man, let alone two men, above her son. I know her, and she loves Heath in a way you will never understand."

"She's pregnant, Corbin. Can't you see that? While her mother was in the hospital, she gained weight instead of losing it. Her breats are bigger. She's glowing for Pete's sake. Can't you see? She's more excited for her new child than she is for poor Heath. She doesn't care for him anymore." Addaline's bottom lip quivered and her eyes watered. "Plus Corby, wouldn't it be nice to see your son all the time? We already have the nursery set up and everything. Plus, he's used to it here now. Wouldn't it be cruel to tear him away from what he's grown accustomed to?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but closed it again. She had a point; Heath was used to us now. He even said so himself he didn't want to go see his mother today, so why should I make him go back to her? Not to mention, if what Addaline said was true, and Niamh was pregnant and not concerned for Heath anymore, why shouldn't I keep my son? Plus, Addaline was right. Niamh barely even called to see her son. Even if her mother was in the hospital, her main concern should be her son.

I sighed, and slowly nodded my head. "Alright, fine. You're right. We should fight for Heath."