Never the same - Manifest

Chapter 2: Breaking the ice

Michaela
"Ben... what are you not telling me?"

"I can't forget about what happened."

"I know me too, but we'll sound so crazy, and things are sort of back to normal."

"Yeah," Ben sighed. "Whether that means good or bad."

Michaela jumped to the conclusion that it was about Ben and Grace. She thought back when Olive wanted to tell her something, but never said it. What were they hiding?

"Grace," Mick said.

"What... what about her?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Don't think I don't know. You and Grace have been hav-"

Grace walks downstairs. "What's all the chatter down here? Where's Cal?"

"Cal's just upstairs," Mick said.

Ben let out an annoying sigh. "Perfect timing." He said sarcastically.

"Why do I get the feeling something is going on here?" Grace asked.

"Nothing going on. Uh well, I'm gonna crash. See y'all tomorrow."

Mick grabbed her keys from the key bowl and put on her black jacket. Michaela opened the door, then closed it.

Mick sighs. "Needed to get out of there before someone started smashing plates." She said, jokingly.

---

The next day (9:30 am)

Ben
Ben knocks on Olive's door.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Dad."

"Mhm?" Ben said crouching down.

"Do you and Mommy still love each other?" She said with hesitation.

Ben knew exactly what she meant. She must've heard them arguing all those times they thought the kids were asleep.

"Sweetheart," he said grabbing her hand. "I love your mom so very much. We just don't get along sometimes."

"This is different, Dad. I feel like it's all the time."

"I'm sorry. There's just a lot going on." He let go of her hand. "What do you want for breakfast?"

Olive didn't answer.

"Olive?"

"Whatever moms making," Olive said with a sad tone.

Ben's heart broke seeing his child sad. He would never try to get into arguments with Grace but saying one little thing or doing without thinking about it can lead to chaos.
Ben started to head downstairs.

Michaela
Michaela is making breakfast at her apartment when she hears a knock with a catchy pattern. Something like Zeke would do.

"Zeke?" Mick said as she was opening the door. "What are you doing?"

"I'm joining you for breakfast. What are we having?"

"Pancakes."

"You listened to my cooking tips, right?"

"Uh yeah. They'll be ready in 5."

"Michaela..." Zeke said looking at the stove.

"What..."

"You don't wanna burn your apartment down. Watch the stove. And more importantly, don't burn the pancakes!"

"Okay." Michaela laughed.