Roach

Chapter 35

Mum silently cried in my arms, I know she did. Her breathing hitched and when she pulled away she hid her face from me. Cal rubs her back and hands her a cup of tea, then looks at me.

"You better do the dishes. All your mates are here and making a mess." Cal says, a small smile on his face. He soon sighs though and grabs some more cups.

"I will. I'll help. Don't worry." I reply, moving to grab more cups. I hand Soap and Price a cup of tea then go back to the kitchen to grab one for myself and Simon. Mum is sitting at the table with her head down. Maybe she's crying more, I'm not sure. I can't imagine what she's going through. Especially if she believed I died too.

Cal pulls me out of the kitchen, knowing Mum already wants to be left alone. I don't blame her, I would too. Thinking your kid died like that, it's not something any parent wants to hear. Especially from the mouth of the traitor himself.

"Roach," Price calls as we walk back. "I do hope you don't mind Soap and I coming."

"Hm? Oh--" I sit down with Simon, handing him his cup of tea. "Not at all. I... I was starting to miss you two."

Price laughs, "Oh I'm sure. We missed you both too. Soap nearly got himself killed though, trying to avenge you two."

"I don't want to talk about it." Soap adds, leaning back only two wince a little. I wonder if Shepherd shot him too.

"You should tell them later, Soap." Price gently rubs his arm.

Ruby and Pearl walk over to Simon and I. Ruby quickly climbs onto Simon's lap, somehow without spilling her little cup of hot chocolate. She stands on his thighs, staring into his eyes. "You look funny."

"Ruby!" Kristy gets up but Simon holds a hand up to her.

"You look funny too." Simon states without missing a beat. He just stares at her.

"Ghost you can't just say that to a kid," Soap states. "Have you ever--"

Ruby laughs, "No you!" She reaches out and puts a hand on Simon's cheek. "It feels weird."

"That's cause someone cut it."

"Who?"

"Can't remember but I hurt them back too."

"Mummy said that we can't do that."

"Well, it is different. You can't hurt kids but when you get grown, and join the military. Then you can hurt people."

"I'm not sure that's too appropriate to say, Riley." Price states, leading to Simon glancing over to him.

Ruby just giggles then sits down on Simon's lap. Pearl climbs up and I help her sit on my lap. She curls up with her little sippy cup.

"Price?" I question, getting Simon to look away. He focuses more on Ruby. To me, it looks like he's never been around kids like this. He looks a bit scared but isn't doing all too much.

"Aye, Roach?"

"Do you have kids?"

He lets out a chuckle, "Aye. I do."

"No way! I don't believe you." Soap chimes in.

"I do. A son and daughter." Price takes out his phone. "My daughter, Suzanna, is actually planning on moving from her hospital job to work as a field medic."

"Suzanna?" Soap continues, "So you've had kids this whole time-- Why aren't you spending Christmas with them?"

"They're busy. We never really celebrated on Christmas cause of me, mostly. I never got it off till now. Plus before I was in the Russian Gulags for years. Kinda put a damper on the holiday. We'll be doing something next week."