Lyric, Stevie, Lori and Christy stayed up in the living room until three in morning. They had snacks, listened to music, danced around the room and giggled all night about everything and anything to keep their minds occupied.
Of course, Stevie was heart broken, but she wouldn't let Lyric see it- she refused. She had always been independent in the minds of her children. She moved away, she bought her own home, started her own business and created her own safe haven... She was strong.
However, she knew that sadness and pain was a very vital part of living, but that didn't mean she wanted her kids to have to carry the burden of their parents extensive martial issues.
That wasn't fair, so instead of being sad, she decided to be happy. She was happy that in life, she was given those kids and even if she never got the chance to have the family she wanted, she had them.
And by morning, the sun just barely creeping through the lace curtains, they were all up and in the kitchen, making breakfast.
It wasn't often that they were blessed with Lori's presence, so it was special to have her there, celebrating the new year... The kids loved it and even though it was a difficult time, that was all that seemed to matter.
"So many chocolate chips." Pierce announced, pouring syrup on top of his pancakes as he recalled how Lori had dumped the entire bag in the pancake mix.... Stevie never put all the chocolate chips in their pancakes.
Lori chuckled, setting Lyrics plate down in front of her before she slid in to an empty chair. "Your grandma is going to be so jealous when I tell her that I got to spend this time with her favorite people." She ran her fingers through her nieces hair, a soft smile on her face as her eyes met Stevie's.
She was standing at the counter, with Christy, staring down into her cup of coffee like she'd lost something in it. But she had been pretty quiet since they'd gotten up, even though she was trying her very best to act tough for her kids.
She was feeling overwhelmed, in all honesty.
"When grandma comes back, she's gonna teach me how to knit." Lyric had been talking about that since her grandparents had visited the summer before- she could hardly wait until their next trip to France.
Lori gasped lightly, a big smile on her face. "You are going to love that," she assured. "And so will grandma." She added, kissing the top of her head softly.
~~~
He was pushing his luck- he knew that, but it was worth a try to swing by the house and try to talk to her. He hoped that with a good nights rest, she was more willing to talk about it, rather than argue over it.
Lindsey knew that he was in the wrong. He should have just told her the truth from the start, when she asked, but he was worried...
He didn't think it would pain him so much to see his children and his wife, but it did, immediately and he couldn't just not get to know them.
He was too intrigued by the life he had created but abandon, and giving it up again wasn't an option.
"Good morning." He was standing on the steps, a bouquet of flowers in hand.
It was a moment of real déjà vu for Stevie. She was used to him bringing her roses and special little gifts after arguments- he'd been doing it for years. Any time he was late coming home, or gone all night, or got shitty with her- he got her something as an apology, because saying "sorry," was hardly ever in his vocabulary.
