The Things That I Know || George Michael

twenty-six - what we did

Marcus glances at Levi, confused by his wording. "Small world? Why is it a small world?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt this conversation, gentlemen," Mrs Lowry chimes in, slight guilt evident in her expression. "But maybe it's wise to have this conversation once the meeting is over. I think we should come to some conclusion on what is going to happen now."

"Yes. Sorry," Levi apologises, settling himself back in his seat. He watches as his husband takes the chair next to him. "Um, well, I'm happy to move on from all this, provided that Esme just apologises to Kieran. It would be nice to start fresh again."

"I can get behind that," George adds, his voice still a little shallow from being strangled. "Just apologise and move on. As long as that psycho doesn't start telling Esme lies about us again."

"I'll make sure she doesn't," Marcus assures them. "And I'm sure Esme has learnt now, that two men loving one another is perfectly fine."

"I did," Esme answers. "And having two daddies is good too."

"Good," Mrs Hall beams. "So, Esme, what do you say to Kieran and to his fathers?"

"I'm sorry Kieran. I'm sorry Kieran's daddies." She looks to them, with a soft, guilty expression upon her petite face. "I won't say mean and nasty things about you again."

"We accept your apology, Esme," Levi replies, giving her a gentle smile to reassure her. "And I thank you for being so grown-up about this situation. You've done very well."

"Thank you," Esme utters, shyness kicking in.

"Okay." Mrs Lowry clasps her hands together, satisfied with the outcome after all the turmoil that has occurred in the last half an hour. "I must say that was the most eventful meeting I've ever been part of. But I'm glad things have been sorted now."

"Me too," George agrees. "I think we should leave these poor ladies to it now."

"I agree," Marcus chuckles, before diverting his attention to his daughter. "Esme, sweetheart, you should go back to class now. You have one more lesson before school ends."

"Actually, Mr Cartwright," Mrs Hall pipes up. "Seeing as though the children have seen quite a lot unfold this afternoon, it seems only fair to let them go home early. Let them have a bit of time to unwind this evening."

"It won't make a difference to us," Levi explains. "We have to wait for Gem to finish school. So we'll have to wait the last forty-five minutes anyway."

"Would you like me to go and grab her from her class? So you can get yourselves home?" Mrs Hall offers kindly. "It doesn't seem fair to wait for her to finish."

"Would that be okay?" Levi asks. "Thank you."

"Not a problem." Mrs Hall hurries out of the office, leaving the three remaining parents; Mrs Lowry; and the children in the room.

"I just don't know what to do now," Marcus admits. "I don't want to take Esme back home to her mum. She's not right in the head."

"Is there not anywhere you guys can go for tonight at least?" George suggests. "Just so you can both have an evening without arguments?"

"I'm still waiting to hear back about the apartment I want to rent," Marcus tells him. "Referencing is no joke. It takes forever. I'm hoping to hear back in the next week or two. It would give Esme a safe space, too."

"Daddy?" Esme says, to earn her father's attention.

"Yes, darling?"

"Is Mummy going to go to jail for hurting Kieran's daddy?"