No escape from reality Book 3 AU

Chapter 10

After 2 weeks, Nico was discharged from the hospital. He was more of less healed. He still had to take things easy.
As Nico had been in hospital, all the focus had been on him. It was mid-December. Brendon and Louise hadn't thought about gifts a tree or decorating the house.
Once Nico was settled, Brendon and Louise had to do some serious Christmas shopping. They knew what the kids had asked Santa for, so they got the bulk of the gifts for them online, with next day delivery. As for other people, they just got everyone some nice, expensive chocolates.
Brendon hired someone to decorate the house in their preferred colours.
The day after Nico was discharged, they all got into the family car and headed to a Christmas tree lot, just on the outskirts of LA. Edith was still staying with them. She was going to go home once Nico had been discharged. Louise insisted her mother stay, at least until after Christmas.
The kids were so excited to pick the tree out. They were happy to have some normality after a hectic and traumatic couple of weeks. Edith promised them all hot chocolate once the tree had been picked. The conversation was pleasant and full of all the promises that Christmas brings.
They arrived at the Christmas tree lot and got out. Nico helped Poppy out of her car seat.
"Thank you, Nico. You are a good big brother." Brendon said to him. Nico beamed with pride at helping his little sister.
Then the search was on for their family Christmas tree.
They went and looked at them all. None of them seemed right. Brendon had hold of the kids' hands. Louise was walking with Edith.
"I need to say something, Mom. And I need you not to interrupt me. Ok?" Louise said.
Edith nodded her head. "Ok."
"Before all of this happened, I had a phone call from Sydney. She,..she, told me something that I was honestly shocked and disappointed at." Louise stopped walking and faced her mother. Edith went to speak. Louise put her hand up and said, "Mom...."
Edith nodded and closed her mouth. Louise sighed. "Sydney told me that Richard is addicted to drugs. Cocaine to be precise."
Edith looked shocked. "She told me that he's lost his job and has practically cleaned their savings account out. They nearly lost the house because he wasn't paying the mortgage. Sydney had to borrow money from her parents to pay the arrears." Edith looked down, and when she looked back up at Louise, tears were running down her cheeks. Louise hugged her mother. "I need to tell you more, but I think you need to digest what I just told you." She said gently.
"Mom!! Mom!!" The kids were shouting and jumping up and down. Louise's brown furrowed, wondering what was going on. As Louise and Edith walked closer, they stood next to a tree. When Louise saw it properly, she knew that that was their family Christmas tree this year. Brendon had gone to pay for it.
The tree was loaded onto the car roof, and off they went back home.

It was evening time. The kids and Brendon were decorating the tree whilst Louise made dinner. Edith was in the kitchen also. She sat at the breakfast bar with a glass of red wine. Edith cleared her throat.
"What else did Sydney tell you?"She asked. Louise turned from stirring the sauce.
"That once he couldn't access accounts, he was taking stuff from the house to sell. He even tried to get access to the boys' savings accounts. You know the ones set up at birth for them both for college. That was the last straw for Sydney. She said he either gets some help or she would file for divorce."
"How do you know she hasn't made it all up?" Edith asked.
"Mom, again defending Richard. Sydney has no reason to make this up. Anyway, you didn't hear her on the phone. She was brokenhearted."
"Why did she call you and not me?" Edith sniffed.
"Probably because you would react like you are now. You most probably wouldn't believe her. She knows I am more objective."
"Richards, my son, though. I have to support and love him. Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same for your kids." Edith raised her voice a little.
"Mom, no one is saying that you can't love and support him. You just do it blindly, regardless of what he's done. He could have killed your grandson. He robbed us, taking things with so much sentimental value. Then he terrifies your grandson whilst he's in hospital, recovering from major surgery. And i wouldn't defend my child blindly. They would be encouraged to seek help. And if one of them did what Richard did, I would turn them over to the police myself. "
Edith looked stunned. Louise realised that the house was silent. She turned and saw Brendon stood in the doorway with the kids.
"Babe can you finish dinner? I need a minute." Louise walked past her husband and kids and went upstairs to the bedroom. She laid down on the bed and closed her eyes. After a few minutes Louise heard someone coming upstairs. If it was her mother again, she really didn't have the energy. The bedroom door opened.
"Mommy?" Louise turned over to see Nico stood at the door.
"Hello sunshine." She said smiling
"Mommy, dinners ready. I came to get you. I didn't want you to get hungry. A-and I wanted to make sure you are ok."
Louise had a lump in her throat. She hugged Nico and held his hand as they went downstairs. They were talking and giggling as they approached the table. Nico held Louise's chair out for her.
"Thank you kind sir." Louise said and sat down. Nico giggled and went to sit down. Everyone picked their cutlery up and started to eat. Brendon looked at his wife across the table.
"You ok?" He mouthed. She nodded and looked at her mother who was doing her best to avoid eye contact.
After dinner Louise was loading the dishwasher. Edith was reading to the kids. Brendon came through to the kitchen.
"Need a hug?" He asked.
"Oh like you wouldn't believe." Louise replied and fell into Brendons arms. Brendon held her and rubbed her back.
"How about I run you a bath and whilst you soak I do bath and bed tonight?" Louise pulled back and looked at Brendon.
"But its my turn tonight."
"I know babe. I just thought you could unwind a bit." Brendon explained. Louise smiled.
"How did I get the best husband?"
"Well I needed a new button up and rest is history." Louise laughed at his reply and kissed him. Edith walked into the kitchen.
"Oh sorry." She said. They broke apart.
"It's fine Mom. Brendons doing bath and bed tonight. I am going for a well deserved bath." And with that Louise went upstairs into their ensuite. She turned her chill playlist on, stripped off and slipped into her robe as the bath ran.