His Revenge, Her Freedom

Chapter 13- 'It's not going to last'

"Is your lover playing on your side?

Said he loves you, but he ain't got time."

Reagan POV

"Daddy, is that really Mum?"

"Yeah, is she really standing right here?"

I'll admit, I was completely in the wrong here. Josh had told me to stay in the car while he talked with Louis, and I had agreed. From the number of cars in the driveway, I knew that some of the boys were there too so I didn't want to reveal myself just yet.

If I knew Louis, and I think I do, he had yet to tell them or even the twins. I wanted everyone to be eased into my return. So, why did I get out of the car and expose myself?

The jury's still out on that one.

"MUM!"

I guess it took the twins a little bit of time to process the news because they suddenly ran out from behind Louis and threw their arms around me. Ignoring Louis's disapproving face in the background, I bent down and let them shower me with hugs and kisses. Sure, I had seen them in the four years that I had been gone, but I hadn't been able to touch them.

I hadn't been able to kiss them and tell them how much I loved and missed them. I hadn't been able to hug my children in four years. I had missed their fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth birthdays.

The severity of the situation didn't really hit me until LJ's next words.

"Mum, I thought you were lost forever!"

Even now, I don't regret leaving at all. I don't regret my absence for the past four years. But, knowing that I would be able to see them was my light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that I would one day hear the words "Mum" again from them was my only benefit.

So, I just wrapped my arms around them and didn't even put forth an effort in holding back my tears. They kept telling me how much they missed me and how Daddy told them that they would never see me again. LJ wanted to show me how tall he was, and Liz was ecstatic about the fact that she could walk just fine now. It was like her accident never happened.

"Reagan?"

I looked up to see both Louis and Josh looking down at me from where I was sat in the driveway with two 8-year-olds around my neck. Louis was trying not to roll his eyes, and Josh was smiling even though it was obvious that this wasn't part of the plan.

"Yes?" I responded.

"Maybe we should go inside."

"Really?"

The boys were in there. Since no one had come out yet, I figured I could just slip away without them seeing me. But, it looks like Louis had different plans.

"Yeah."

If I'm not mistaken, I heard "Let's get this disaster over with" as he turned around, but I wasn't quite sure. The look of annoyance on Josh's face, since it was usually directed at Louis, told me that I was right.

With my cheerful and still-chatting children on my heels, I stood up and held my head up high. If I wanted them to not hate me, I had to at least let them see that I didn't regret my decision to stay away. It was the right one.

Josh whispered a "You can do it" in my ear as Louis led us all inside. There was polite conversation amongst everyone before we walked in. But, as soon as Louis cleared his throat and all eyes were on us, there wasn't even the sound of breathing.

Complete silence for one minute.

Three.

Six.