The Dunhams (Sequel to Better or Bad - Lizzy Walker)

Day of Remembrance

Thanksgiving was as what we expected but at least they got to spend time with the kids. I stayed in contact with Edith afterwards. She decided to get fresh air by visiting Paris for a while and could come visit around Christmas. Mr. Dunham and Lena agreed to go back to therapy for the girls's sake including theirs. December rolled by which brought Christmasy cheer back into the house. We hadn't picked out ornaments yet but decorations, lights, everything else was no fail. It took a full three days to decorate the whole house. Bryce's friends came over to help with yard lights. Christmas is seriously our favorite family holiday so the house and inside was gorgeously beautiful. I even made a watchlist of Christmas stuff to watch on Disney+ and wear cute holiday PJs with the kids. But I'm still going back on the stage. I've performed a Christmas song on the Dancing with The Stars finale. Me and Bryce figured we'd find our ornaments this weekend. Today, I invited Simone over since he was performing his Christmas music in New York and Arizona. She too got her house holiday prepared with Kaylee. The kids being at school gave us an advantage to be alone. She let out a long breath. "Speaking of feeling parched, got any wine?" She asked. I held my stomach and chuckled. "Simone, don't you think you'll need to cut down a few drinks?" I joked. She looked at me in disbelief before laughing. "Look who's talking, the girl who drank margaritas when she was eighteen telling me I should cut down?" She giggled. I covered my eyes and laughed. "Not true—she cut me off. "Even sharing Coronas with her husband!" She laughed. I giggled uncontrollably. "We were kids!" I told her. Simone scoffed, snickering. "Rebellious kids actually. Oh how time flies." She said. We calmed down from laughing as I opened the wine cellar and pulled out a bottle of vodka. "How about water mixed with vodka?" I suggested. She nodded while getting two champagne fluids from the cupboard. "Besides, we have children. That's why we drink." She joked. I snickered. "No shame in that!" I joked. We snickered and laughed. Simone poured water in our glasses before I poured two drops of vodka. She grabbed hers and sipped carefully. I returned the gesture. "Ever heard from Riley?" I mentioned. We haven't seen each other since Meadow's wedding. Stacey, of course weren't present even at our Starbucks lunch but luckily, she is alright. I hoped we could meet up sometime this weekend. "Yeah. She was supposed to come to my house but she had house-cleaning duties. I don't know why that sounded so important." She told me. I mentally scoffed while sipping. "You're talking to a mom of two twelve year olds and a teenager who lives in a spacious ground house. House-cleaning isn't a joke." I sassed. Simone smiled innocently. "Well, Riley don't have kids so the bitch can make any mess she'd like." She joked. I chuckled and sipped once more. She looked around the kitchen in wonder. "I love your decorations! They're entirely beautiful!" She spoke in awe. I laughed. "Thanks! But we do have some plans for this holiday. One word. Presents." I said. Simone nodded in agreement and huffed tiredly. "Ugh. I rather shop online then go through the craziness." She whined. I hummed in response. "Same. Don't know about Bryce though. He would definitely want to shop outside like all parents do." I agreed. She fake smiled. "Except rich parents would like to save their millions." She said sarcastically. We chatted in agreement and snickered. She took a deep breath. "Where's your tree?" She asked. "Looking for new ornaments. We'll go shopping this weekend." I told her. She nodded in understanding. My phone buzzed. I grabbed it off the counter and answered. "Hello?" I said. "Am I speaking to Mrs. Dunham?" An anonymous voice asked. I nodded weirdly and excused myself out of the room. "Yeah." I responded confusedly. "This is Officer Harland. We spoken a year ago about the restraining order for your abusive ex-partner Adrian McKinnon. We're letting you know you're able to tear off the order since there's sad news. Mr. McKinnon passed away yesterday. A heart attack from excessive use of illegal pills. I'm awfully sorry Mrs. Dunham." He explained. The whole time hot tears were threatening to escape. I inhaled a deep breath. "Thank you Officer. Have a good day." I muttered. "You too." He said, hanging up. Why am I upset? I've hated feeling upset yet I'm more heartbroken. This time it isn't because of him. My breathing began to quicken so I covered my mouth enough to let out a quiet sob. "Lizzy?" Simone's voice echoed through my ears. I looked up and she stared at me worriedly. "What happened? Who was it?" She quickly asked. Tears finally fell from my eyes. "The Officer called m-me. H-h-he's...gone." I cried. She hugged me tightly. I hugged back. "Who's gone?" She whispered. I sniffled and rested my head on her shoulder. "Who is it? Tell me. I'm here." She whispered in a soothing voice. "Jace's birth father." Is all I mustered. She instantly gasped, rubbing my back repeatedly. "What happened?" She whispered. I sighed. "Heart attack. Pill-popping." I muttered in her ear. We slowly parted. "Then why you're upset? I fully understand why—I cut her off. "No Simone! You don't understand! He wasn't just my ex, he wasn't just my abuser, he was the birth father of my son. A huge piece of him. There are two pieces of Jace. Me and him! Now he's gone, it's gone! All his life I never told him about Adrian. Only to protect him from his issues. Breanna went through awful things because of Sabrina and I didn't want that to happen to him. Partially I hoped one day, just one day he'll change and come meet Jace. Now that day will never come." I cried, wiping my tears. She hugged me softly. "You can't blame yourself for doing what a mother does. Protecting her child. Adrian had his issues he needed to handle or not but it doesn't make you the fault. You've done an incredible job keeping Jace happy, healthy and safe. There is no justifications for what he's done in the past but there is no choice except forgiveness. Forgive him for yourself. Most importantly, you'll need to tell Jace now about him because someday or tomorrow he's gonna ask questions. Ok? Please stop blaming yourself Liz. You was only thirteen when you had this kid!" She advised. I hugged back and took deep breaths. "That makes me even prouder you're my best friend." She whispered. Another tear naturally fell. I smiled warmly. "Thank you Simone." I whispered and parted from the hug. She chuckled, wiping a falling tear. "I hate seeing you cry. It makes me cry." She joked but in a serious tone. I laughed and wiped my eyes. "Sorry! Sorry!" I giggled. Simone sighed happily. "Feel better?" She asked. "Not sure. What am I to do now?" I asked, the hopelessness in my voice. She raised an eyebrow. "How old was Jace when he came here?" She asked. "Eight." I answered confusedly. "And how old is he now?" She repeated. "Eleven." I quickly said. She patted my shoulder comfortably. "Tell him the truth." She told me. A pot of anxiousness overflowed my abdomen. I exhaled a breath I didn't know I held and rubbed my hair. No more hiding anymore. He deserves to know.

A while later, our security picked up our kids from school. Bella smiled while coming to the kitchen. "Hey." She greeted sweetly. I returned the gesture. "Today was good?" I asked. She nodded. "I've got new friends too. They're actually Jin's brothers. Don't worry, they're very nice and respectful." She said, smiling. I chuckled. "What a relief. Where's Jace?" I asked. She scoffed. "Where else? In his room riding the hoverboard or playing Xbox." She told me. Eh, not surprising. I nodded and walked pass her to upstairs.

******

In his room, Jace rode his LED hoverboard back and forth adding some spins. I playfully knocked. "Hey J!" I said, smiling. He looked up and returned the gesture. "What's up Mom? I'm still learning to ride my board." He said. At this second I wished I practiced a breathing technique before this. I tried mentally relaxing myself. "Actually, Jace there is something we need to talk about. More like a conversation I've waited to discuss with you." I told him. He gasped, hopping off the board and throwing a blanket over his head. "Oh god! Not that conversation Mom please! I can't take it!" He begged. What, the conversation isn't—oh my goodness. I did my best to contain my quiet laughter and low-giggling. "No! No. That's not what I meant baby. I promise." I assured. He pulled the blanket off and breathed a breath of relief. We sat on the bedside together. The moment of silence became so clear in this room. Of course since I'm finally telling him the truth. I cleared my throat and exhaled. "Jace, this isn't easy for me to say nor I didn't think it'd be easy for you to hear. Remember you once asked me about your father? Your birth one?" I asked. He quickly nodded. "I think I wondered for a little while. There was times I thought about asking but it's stupid. He never even visited me when I was with Sabrina." He spoke sadly. My hand intertwined with his and I squeezed a bit. I smiled sadly. "Sweetie, your original father...he had problems. Problems that didn't include you but he needed help anyway. He once broke into our house and got arrested a year ago. There was also times before he did things...you should never do to women physically. No matter what." I explained. He looked at me curiously. "Why didn't you tell me before?" He asked. I inhaled a deep breath. "I was trying to protect you. He was a good person but his issues were spiraling, I didn't want you to go through what I went through. Today, they called me and said he passed away...." I trailed off. Tears were threatening to escape. Jace rubbed my hand while motioning me to continue. "He passed away from taking illegal drugs. It made me very sad knowing you'll never get to know him after he received the help he needed. Yet God knows he's in a much better place now." I continued. "Are you still mad at him?" He asked confusedly. I nodded my head no. "No. I forgive him for all he's done before. I don't think I could ever hate him. If it weren't for him I wouldn't have you." I said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. He smiled happily. "Mom, it's awesome how you could forgive him for doing awful things. I'm glad he's in a better place so Bryce became the best father in the world to me and Breanna too. I'm grateful to have a brave mother." He said. I looked at him in awe and hugged him. He hugged back. A tearful smile popped across my lips. "I love you so much." I whispered. He smiled. "Love you too." He said. We parted. "Alright! Why don't we shoot some hoops?" I suggested. Jace looked at me in disbelief. "You? Shoot hoops?" He asked. I smirked. "The things I do when your Dad's not home." I joked. He laughed. "Cool! Let's go!" He beamed. "And remember to write your Christmas list. I'm not shopping late." I told him sharply. He nodded obediently before rushing out. I took a moment and took a few breaths. Whoo! Eleven years of this passed by quickly.