The Lost Child

Chapter 9

Rushing up to the bedroom, I shut the door behind me as quietly as possible with the bags from the clothing and book stores in my right hand still. Letting out a ragged breath because I know I said I needed some clothing, and wanted to checkout the bookstore, I still feel bad that Ryan used his money on me instead of letting me use the money I have in my bank account. I have several thousand dollars in my account that I have access to from mom and Greg, and when I told Ryan this, he still refused to allow me to spend money on myself. I don't want Reid, Orian and Vincent to become angry about their dad spending money on me. Yes, I'm aware of the fact that their father is also my father.

Placing the four bags on top of the bed with a soft sigh as the guilt courses through my body. Pulling out the clothing, and looking at the two piles of folded clothing on the bed, along with the three new books. Chewing on my lower lip as I stare at the items in front of me with tears blurring my vision. I didn't earn these items from Ryan - I didn't do any extra chores here for these. Deciding how I'm gonna handle this situation while placing away the clothes and the books, and once I've finished this, I head out of the bedroom in search of Ryan.

I find Ryan in the kitchen, pulling items from the fridge for dinner, I'm assuming; "Can I speak with you for a moment, please?"

He looks at me over his right shoulder with an encouraging smile; "You sure can. What's up?"

Swallowing, I quickly say; "Um, I would like extra chores around the house to justify the clothing and books you bought me."

Ryan straightens up, turning around to face me with a frown etched over his lips as he shuts the fridge door; "Lake, you don't need to earn things from me by doing extra things around here. I bought you clothes and books because you either needed our wanted those. There's no strings attached to me doing anything for you, or your brothers, okay?"

"I feel bad though," I mumble, shifting between my feet, the uncomfortable feeling of guilt weighing heavily upon my chest.

"Lake, come here for a minute, please?" Reid asks from behind me at the entrance of the living room, causing me to jump because I didn't realize he was there.

"S-sure," I mumble, turning around, and walking over to him.

When I'm within arms reach of him, he gently places his left palm on my shoulder while lifting my chin up with his right hand fingers, and looking me in the eyes; "I have a serious question for you, and I need you to be a hundred percent honest with me. When you were given things while with mom and Greg, were you made to feel guilty for receiving new items?"

Chewing on my lip, harshly, I let out a soft sigh as I nod in response to his question.

Reid's eyes flick to Ryan's for a second before focusing on me again; "Lake, I'm sorry that they did that to you, but dad isn't like that. He has never, ever done that with us, I promise you this. If dad bought you something, he did this because he wanted to, not because he wants more chores from you. Do you understand me?"

Searching his eyes for a second, but before I can reply, Orian and Vincent are verbalizing their agreement with what Reid has said to me. I slowly nod my head in understanding, and acknowledgement of his statement.

Turning around to face Ryan again, softly saying; "Thank you for what you bought me today. I really appreciate this."

"Anytime, son," Ryan grins as he walks over to us, and pulls me into a tight hug.

Stiffening for a split second before wrapping my arms tightly around his waist, and burying my face into his neck. Mom and Greg's hugs were always nice and somewhat comforting, but there's something about Ryan's hugs that make me feel safe, loved, and very comforted.

An hour later when we're sitting around the table for dinner, including William, that's when Ryan decides to discuss what the lawyer contacted him about mom and Greg's Last Will and Testament.

"So, Mr. Smith, Misty and Greg's lawyer, contacted me about their Last Will and Testament," he starts off once we're all settled at the table. "The reading of this document is on Friday afternoon at five, and we're all expected to be there. Yes, you three older boys, and myself, along with Lake. I have no idea why because Mr. Smith couldn't divulge this information to me until we're there."

We nod in understanding, and I can tell they're equally as confused and curious as I am as to all of this.

"I'll be bringing Lake, and anyone else who'd like to ride with us there and back," Ryan continues, and I nod in acceptance at riding with him, and the three other boys agree that they'd rather ride with us there, too. "That's settled then."

After dinner has finished, and the kitchen has been cleaned, I wander up to the bedroom because I'm excited to read one of the new books from today - 'The Butcher and The Wren' by Alaina Urquhart. She has another book coming out this year in September, a squeal to this book, so I want to read this one before this one is published. I found out about these books because I listen to her and her sister's podcast, 'Morbid.'

Sorry, I'm rambling, so I'll stop now.

Grabbing a pair of clean jammies and boxers from the dresser, I head into the bathroom to take a quick shower before hopping into bed. When I've finished with this, I climb onto the bed, sitting with my back against the headboard, pulling the covers up to my hips before grabbing the book off the nightstand. Before I can even start reading, there's a knock on the closed door, and I call out a soft 'Come in,' and Reid, Orian, and Vincent enter the room.

"We wanted to tell you goodnight, and we wanted to know if you'd like someone to sleep in here, or with one of us tonight?" Orian says, and I smile at their kindness as I tel them I appreciate their kindness, but I'll be fine tonight.