"Dude, I think you're being kind of harsh on your dad." Romeo's friend, Greyson told him. His other friend, Charlie, nodded in agreement. Romeo just shrugs. The three of them are sitting at their usual table at lunch
"I just feel like my sisters can never do anything wrong. Like whenever I get in trouble with my dad, it's because he's taking their side." His friends listen and nod, showing their friend that they're listening. Charlie speaks up.
"Well, how about we all hang out after school today?" he says, smiling. Greyson nods, agreeing. Romeo perks up a bit.
"Okay, yeah. You guys can just ride home with me after school when me and April get picked up." he says. They both agree to let their parents know before school is over. Lunch is almost over and Romeo can't help the funny feeling through his body. He looks over and his eyes widen.
It can't be. There's a woman outside who looks just like his birth mother. He freezes up, not looking away. She suddenly looks over and they make eye contact. It's her. He knows for sure. She quickly walks away and toward the parking lot.
How did she get here? The staff knows there's a restraining order in place; she's not allowed to be anywhere near Romeo, including his school. He needs to tell his mom as soon as he can, but she didn't do anything to him, does it matter?
You okay, Romeo?" Greyson asks. He looks over and quickly nods, smiling.
"Yeah, fine." he says. The bell rings to go back to class and they get up, walking to attend their last two classes.
Romeo walks up to the front of the school with his two friends. He decided he's not gonna say anything to his mom. That woman couldn't have been his mom. It's impossible. He looks around for his sister, but doesn't see her anywhere. His dad pulls up right in front of him and his friends and he walks up to the car.
He's still kind of upset with his dad, but he'll put it aside for now. He opens the door.
"Hey, Dad, Charlie and Grey are gonna come over." he says as they all get in the back of the car. He looks back at them, making sure their seat belts are on.
"Hey, kids. Did you talk to your parents already or should I call them?" Calvin asks the two other boys. They both nod.
"I told my parents already, Mr. Miller." Greyson says. Charlie nods too.
"I told Mom already." he says. Calvin nods, looking at his son.
"Where's April, Bug?" he asks. Romeo just shrugs. Calvin looks at his watch to check the time. He needs to pick up his little one. April suddenly runs up to the car, getting in quickly.
"Poppy, Bubby's mom is here!" she says, looking scared. Romeo freezes up. Calvin looks confused.
"His mom? What are you talking about April?" he asks. She puts her seat belt on, looking up at her dad again.
"I saw Bubby's mom outside. She was waiting by the exit." she says. Calvin seems to get it now.
"Are you positive it was her, April?" he asks. She nods. He looks back at his son, noticing how quiet and uncomfortable he is.
"I thought your mom moved away, right Romeo?" Greyson asked quietly, trying to console his friend. Maybe April thought she saw someone who looked like her?
Romeo nods. "She's not my mom. And yeah, she did move away." he said. April turns around to look at her big brother.
"But Bubby, I saw her. For sure." She says. She knows it wasn't someone who looked like her. She's seen his mom enough tines to know it's her. Romeo sighs.
"April, just be quiet and stop saying that. It wasn't her." he shuts her down. April's eyes water up a bit, but she just turns around. Calvin starts to pull off.
"I understand this is a really serious thing, so well talk later with Mom. We have to go get Ari, we're already late." he says, giving his son a warning look. Romeo just sinks into his seat a bit. Once they get to their little sisters school, she's already waiting outside with her teacher.
Calvin gets out and Arielle runs up to him. He picks her up and apologizes to the teacher for being late. They chat for a quick second and he comes back to the car, opening the door and buckling her in the middle row next to Romeo. She looks over at her brother, smiling.
"HI, Bubby! Hi, Sissy!" She says happily. April mumbles a hello. She looks in the third row and sees Romeos friends.
"Oh hi Grey and Charlie!" she smiles. They greet her and the kids talk amongst each other until they pull into the driveway. Calvin makes sure all the kids are out of the car and make it to the door, unlocking it and letting them in. They all go into the living room and try to find something on TV. Calvin notices Romeo still looks a little shaken, but okay overall with his friends here.
"I'm gonna make you kids a snack, alright? If you need anything, come get me." Calvin says, walking into the kitchen. Michelle must be out, she would have come down by now.
Calvin feeds the kids and goes into his office. After a bit, he hears someone walk in. He looks up and sees his first baby walk up to him. He smiles and pulls her into his lap.
"Hey, Princess. Need anything?" He asks April. She looks upset, he's assuming because of the way Romeo talked to her earlier. She just shrugs.
"Poppy, you believe me, right? I did see Romeo's mom. I know it was her." she tries her hardest to convince her father. He hates that she feels the need to do that. He kisses her head and nods.
"Absolutely, Princess. I believe you. We will all talk about it later tonight after Ro's friends go home, okay? We have to figure out what to do to keep you kids safe." he tells her. She nods and stays in his lap. Maybe she just wants to stay close to him.
After about an hour the front door opens. Calvin hears Romeo first, of course. His favorite person in the world just got home.
"Mama!" Calvin hears. She greets him and Arielle, saying hello to his friends as well.
"Hi, Mrs. Miller." they both say. Calvin smiles. He always loves hearing people call her 'Mrs. Miller'. Michelle comes in his office and smiles.
"There's my other little one. How was school, baby?" she says, walking up and kissing her. She leans over her daughter and gives her husband a kiss as well.
They greet each other and go into the living room to check on Arielle and the boys. April goes upstairs to her room. Romeo sees her and perks up.
"Mama, can Grey and Charlie stay for dinner? Can you call their parents and tell them, please?" he asks. He knew his dad might say no, but his mom always said yes to him. Calvin opens his mouth to talk, but Michelle answers right away.
"Of course, Sweetie. Boys, I'll call your parents now and let them know, okay?" she says, walking toward the steps. Calvin follows her up to their room.
"Honey, do you remember Romeo is supposed to be on punishment?" he says. She nods.
"I know, Cal, but it's fine. Romeo can have friends over." she says casually. He gives up. Realistically, he should allow it today, Romeo could be really shaken up because of April seeing his mother earlier this afternoon.
"Alright, Honey. Today is alright." he says, kissing her head.
