Love's Unwritten Contract

3

The morning rolled around, and I awoke to the two boys quietly playing on the floor. I sat up, my hair a mess. Dominic looked up. " sorry about Oaks, he just likes climbing into bed sometimes without warning," groggily shrugged. I laid back down, still wanting to sleep. Just as my eyes fluttered close again, a slight tug at my hand awoke me again. Peaking my eyes open, I saw Oakley tugging on my arm, almost as if trying to get me out of bed. The little boy stood there with a smile. Giving in, I slipped out of the bed and joined the two on the floor. Oakley let a small chuckle out and wrapped himself around my left arm. I smiled softly, my eyes barely opening when a knock on their door came. The door creaked open, and there stood Dominic mother.

"Oh good, all of you are up. Come upstairs. for breakfast now." Oakley was the first to jump up, pulling my hand and grabbing his father, and he dragged us out the door and up the stairs. The scent of bacon and eggs with a hint of the fresh cinnamon smell rushed through and smacked me as we climbed the stairs. Greeted by many more family members, I was dragged by Oakley and Dominic, who started pulling me to the table. Sitting down, Oakley sat to my left while Dominic sat to my right. Everything was laid across the dining table; it almost seemed like they were feeding a whole army with how much food was just laid out. I patiently waited and bowed my head down as everyone sat down, saying a small prayer for myself under my breath. It has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I finished with my little thing. I looked up, and they all stared, "Oh, sorry... It's things I've always done.." I muttered. With that, they shrugged it off, and they all started digging. I settled with a few strips of bacon and some eggs.

Breakfast was finished, and a knock came on the door as we cleaned up. Being the polite person, I headed over to see who it was. Opening the door revealed the Mailman: " I got a package for Mrs. Ivangroski." his voice rang throughout the house slightly; all the women poked their heads around the corner without a beat. There were at least four of them. They all rushed forward as I stepped back and hung the towel on my shoulder, looking down and seeing Oakley raising his hands towards me. "what's the matter, buddy?" I asked lightly. His hand opened while he bounced on the spot. Chuckling softly, I scooped him up, resting him on my hip. He was quick to rest his head on my shoulder.

The youngest female walked over. "Ophelia is such a pretty name. I'm Aspen! The youngest female ivangroski!" her voice chirped. Her dark eyes peered into mine as I held onto the tiny child. I smiled at the girl. "Well, thank you." I would mumble softly. Dominic made his way over, and I only found my father and mother with Ella tucked behind him. " let me take Oakley.." he would mumble, coming beside me as he tried to take Oakley from my arms. Still, the little boy swatted his hand away as he clung to me. He stayed beside me, his hand on my waist, pulling me behind him slightly. "Ophelia is a mom?!"

Ella chirped quickly and rushed over to greet Oakley with a welcoming smile. I chuckled, crouching down for the two to interact. They both ran off into another room in the house. I stood up and locked eyes with my father, my heart dropping. "So Ophelia, I see you're taking well to the new life you have." his voice grumbled as he glared at Dominic. Swallowing hard, I looked back at my father. "It's fine, I guess," I muttered, seeing his gaze shift ever so carefully to mine, causing my skin to crawl from his dark, cold, piercing gaze locked with mine. I stepped back, trying to escape the pricing eyes, but failed, forgetting Dominic's hand was wrapped tightly around my waist. I froze on the spot as my heart practically stopped. " I would like to speak with my daughter alone, please, Iangroski," my father spat, seeing my reaction, which he didn't end up liking, which would be my guess. Dominic stood there, and his family walked back in. " oh, there, the man. My second in command," a louder booming male voice echoed with heavy footsteps. "Kyle, good to see you again. Congrats on the promotion." the male laughed and walked over, shaking my father's hand; seeing everyone was distracted, I disappeared behind the crowd to find Oakley and Ella to see what they were doing.

The two were hiding in the basement. I smiled, watching Ella and Oaks, and sat down with them, glancing at the door that could conceal the small basement living room. About twenty minutes came and went, and a screaming match had started upstairs; before I could even get up, Oakley was gone upstairs. I panicked, not wanting to have him see whatever was going on upstairs. I quickly took after him, leaving Ella behind, wondering if she would follow. " Oakley, get back here.." I mumbled, stepping behind and seeing my father against the wall, his eyes filled with terror for the first time as he looked up at Dominic. Piecing two and two together, I quickly shooed Oakley downstairs again before turning to put myself in between the two men, only for my father to grab my arm. " stay out of this, Ophelia." his voice was harsh and out of breath, the reason was unknown as he tugged me in his direction.

I yanked my arm from his grasp, finally done, and now worried not only for Ella but for Oakley. "Fine, take it outside then! There are children here. They don't need this BULLSHIT in their life." I snapped at my father. The look on his face showed he wasn't expecting, nor did he think there was any capability for me to yell. I froze as I stared at him, not trying to back down. " please." I added softly. But instead of the two men, my father, mother, and now Ella, who had appeared out of nowhere, left the house without another word, or at least one I cared to hear. I turned, trying to see where Oakley had run off to and if he was on the main floor. Not seeing the small boy anywhere, I rushed down to the shared room with Dominic to feel like I could breathe. I closed the door behind me before sitting on the bed, closing my eyes and shifting, trying to keep all my emotions in check, refusing to show any other emotion. At the same time, in another house that someone could walk in. I sighed, hiding my face in my hands, groaning. I fell back on the bed, taking a last few breaths before getting up and heading back upstairs where everyone else was.