Unfolding Truths: KO x LMM

Twelve

Gracie woke up in between Matt and Karen who were both awake and whispering to each other. Karen was propped up on their elbow, rubbing Gracie's back. "She really said all of that?" Karen whispered.

"Yeah. She doesn't want to see him. I think the three of us, or the four of us, need to all sit down together, you, Lin, Vanessa and myself, to talk about this. His behavior last night was unacceptable and we don't want that kind of behavior around Gracie." Matt whispered back.

"Is it really fair to keep her from him again? I mean, I'm not against it, but what will the two of them think? Vanessa's a lawyer, she could easily represent him if he chose to take this to court."

Gracie decided she'd heard enough and rolled over to face her mom. "Hi Mami." She mumbled, cuddling into her.

"Hi baby. Your dad was telling me you were struggling last night so you wanted to sleep in our bed." Karen said gently, kissing Gracie's head. She nodded. "I'm sorry baby."

"It's okay Mami." She whispered and rested her head against Karen's chest as they laid back down on their side, letting Gracie rest on their arm.

"But baby, it's not. You've known about your dad for two weeks now and it's causing you to struggle so much. It's not fair to you."

"Mami, I don't want to see him again. He upset you. And that upsets me. It's not fair of him to think that just because he's my biological father that he has any rights to be with you." Gracie said, sitting up. "And he's not my dad."

"I understand that you don't see him as your dad, but honey, he is, both biologically and legally. His name is on your birth certificate. If he and I hadn't gotten into that fight, you would have been raised with him as your father. I probably never would have married Matt."

"But that's a bunch of what-ifs, Mami! You did get into that fight, you did marry Matt, and you're dating Matt! There's a reason you and Lin broke up. And there's probably more that are bigger than the two of you, and maybe one of them is because he wasn't meant to be my dad. Maybe one is because Matt is supposed to be my dad, just like he has been since I was born!" Gracie stood up. "I'd rather have the dad I've had my whole life than Lin! Lin sucks!" She ran out of the room. And went to get dressed. She threw on her coat as Karen came out.

"Gracie, honey, what are you doing?"

"I'm going for a walk."

"Gracie..."

"Let her go." Matt said from the doorway.

"Stay safe, okay, baby?" Karen said. Gracie nodded and walked out the door.

She was grateful Lin only lived a block away, making the walk there quick.

When she got to his house, she knocked on the door loudly. Vanessa answered the door. "Oh, hi Gracie." She said, before noticing the tears. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Is he here?"

"He?" Vanessa asked.

"Lin. Is he here?"

"Yes, he's in the living room with the boys." Vanessa ushered the teen inside. "Lin, Gracie's here!" She called. Lin came running out.

"Hey mija!" He smiled.

"Don't call me that." Gracie snarled. Lin's smile dropped. "I don't know why you came into my life, or back into Mami's, but what I do know is that ever since you did, all you've done is ruin everything!"

"What are you talking about?" Lin asked. Gracie glared at him, noticing the black eye he had gotten from Matt punching him the night before.

"You know what I'm talking about. You can act all dumb and innocent, but you know. Admitting to Mami that you're still in love with them? Showing up in the middle of the night last night and kissing them?" She laughed angrily. "Yeah, I know about that. You kissed my mom, without her consent. You're married! You have a wife, and two kids! Mami is with Matt! Why can't you just stick to your life and your family and leave mine alone!"

"Hate to break it to you, Gracie, but I'm your family too."

Without thinking, Gracie punched him in the face. She immediately pulled her hand back and looked down. "I am so sorry, I wasn't thinking, I," she then shook her head. "Actually, you know what? I'm not sorry. Stay the hell away from me, and stay the hell away from Mami." Gracie turned and saw Vanessa crying, an angry and hurt expression on her face. She turned and headed for the door.

"You're still in love with them?! And you kissed them?!" Was the last thing Gracie heard before she shut the door, running back home.