Hated Ties (Book 3. Ties)

19. That Was You

With everything that happened at the party, my mom decided that Lucius should just stay with Robin since he ended up knocking out in one of the rooms. "He can just come home in the morning," she had laughed but I could see the sadness deep in her eyes. "No need to strain your back, Robin." My mom continued smiling to pretend she was not hurt at how the evening turned out to be.

I wonder if Lucius has made it back home. Levi is already out of bed and I hear chatter and dishes clinking downstairs, so maybe he is here. I step into my slippers and head downstairs. My mom, Faith, and Levi are all in the kitchen but no Lucius. All three are wearing an apron which makes me giggle.

"Kenny! We are making le pain au chocolat." Faith's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Pour de vrai," I ask.

Faith looks at Mom questioningly. "Yes, really," my mom answers. "We decided it would be good to make something special, since you and Levi will be gone soon."

A little tug at my heart came with the thought. I kind of wish I could stay, but I also think about my dad. I cannot leave him alone during this time.

"Well I hope y'all don't mind if I just watch and snack." I smiled. I certainly enjoy cooking but hunger calls.

"Come, come, Mackenzie." She moves around the kitchen island and grabs me by the shoulders. "You feed that baby," she says as she leads me to the refrigerator.

They continue with their mess of flour and other ingredients while I move my eyes around the fridge to find something to eat in the meanwhile.

A minute later, in comes Lucius. Levi and I mutter a good morning to him.

He is wearing the same clothes from yesterday with disheveled hair. If he was a stranger to you, he would look like a playboy who had a night of wicked fun in the city. Instead of having a cheeky smile that came with a night like that, he looks somber.

With my hands full of peaches, yogurt, and honey, I go to sit on the other side of the island where the food is being prepared.

My mom has a look of anger, but more than that it is sadness. Instead of saying anything, she keeps working on the dough. Faith is the one that speaks up. "Daddy, you hungry?"

That little voice shines some light in his eyes. Faith wipes her hands with a towel and runs to Lucius, hands outstretched. "Very hungry," he tells her as he picks her up. She pecks him on the cheek.

"Mommy said you were tired, but I missed you. No sheep book, Daddy."

Guilt spreads through his features. "I'm sorry, baby. I missed you too."

"And mommy," Faith asks.

He raises his eyes to my mom, but her eyes are cast down, appearing incredibly busy with the dough. "I missed Mommy too," he replies with the same gloomy look.

"Down! I make chocolate bread." Faith runs back to the stool she had been standing on.

"Let's wash your hands first, Faith." Mom scoops her up and washes her hands. Not once has she glanced at Lucius. Clearly she is upset with him, but does not want to make a scene in front of Levi. Me, well I have been a part of their fights when I lived with them. There seems to be less moments of peace nowadays though.

Before, yes they would argue. However, I have hardly been here and all I have seen them do is fight. I have not seen the hugs or kisses that I used to see. What happened?

We all keep on pretending nothing is wrong. It is all an illusion though because you cannot hide your feelings when it comes to the eyes. The rest of the day we spend out with my mom and Faith. Shopping and exploring New York.