Mandy Moore's daughters

Chapter 4

Mandy's POV:

I wake up after yesterday's intense filming. Milo and I decided to give the girls time before telling them about there father Shane reaching out. I look up at my clock on my bedroom wall seeing it's 8:45. Nadia, Ruby, and I have a day off from filming. I lay in bed hearing both my kids laughing loudly. I go downstairs to hear a knock letting Milo inside who has brought Donuts. We go into the kitchen to see Nadia, Ruby, Kylie, Johnny, Hayden, Carson, Mackenzie, and Lauren, playing Uno at the Kitchen table. I watch with a smile as Milo pulls me close to him as this is the first time we see both our girls relaxed and happy. They are both acting their ages instead of acting like adults. They both look and seem genuinely at peace with their group of friends. I see Nadia tense as she sees us standing there watching.

"Why are you watching us? Are you spying?" Nadia asks tensely with an annoyed look on her face

"Nads calm down and breathe." Johnny says rubbing her back trying to get her to take a breather

"Do you wanna join us Miss Moore and Mr Ventimiglia?" Kylie asks as Ruby slaps her arm shaking her head no at Kylie who just ignores her

"We'd really love too. Are you sure we wouldn't be intruding? I want you guys to  know you can call me Milo there's really no need to be so formal." Milo says happily sitting down running his hand through Ruby's hair who moves out of his reach

"Please help yourselves to anything in the cabinets and if you guys would like I could cook you all something to snack on. Milo even brought donuts for you guys. Just so you know you can call me Mandy I agree with Milo no need to be so formal." I reply rubbing Nadia's back as she shrugs my hand away

"Actually." Before Ruby could finish Mackenzie quickly interrupts her

"We would love it if you both could come play. I can brag to my older sister that I played uno with Milo Ventimiglia who played in "Heroes" and Mandy Moore who is Rapunzel in "Tangled" she will be so jealous." Mackenzie says smiling ignoring both my daughters glares

"Who's been winning so far?" Milo asks sitting down near Mackenzie and Ruby smiling as I sit near Carson and Nadia

"Carson is but he is totally cheating. I swear he hides cards in his hoodie." Hayden answers rolling his eyes making Milo and I laugh as the others just roll their eyes in response

"How many times do I have to say I am not cheating you guys are just really bad at this game." Carson says shrugging as he laughs as Hayden rolls his eyes huffing

"Carson you saw how the orphanage was we didn't have time for Uno with all the chores. If we didn't do the chores and played cards instead we would have been beaten worse then we already were." Nadia says looking at Carson as he just shakes his head at her not knowing what to say

"Yeah also the orphanage didn't have uno it'd be a sin if they did. You know it was an unwritten rule for us to not have fun." Ruby adds as she rolls her eyes sighing causing Lauren to rub her back reassuringly

"Let's change the subject. How has filming been with everyone? I know you prolly aren't thrilled working with Mandy and I but do you enjoy work?" Milo ask changing the subject as he felt the tension in the air

"It was work there's some cool people on set." My daughters reply in unison

I sigh knowing Milo and I won't get anything out of them except vague sentence responses. I don't know what to do. I keep trying to be there for them but they keep pushing me away. All I can do is pray and hope one day they will let Milo and I in. As I start to play my turn I see my Ruby and Nadia get up dragging their friends upstairs. I can only assume they are headed to Ruby's room like always. I can't help but wonder will Milo and I be able to be their parents. Will our bonds ever be fixed? I leave Milo at the table after I rub his back reassuringly and give him a kiss going to answer my phone that's ringing.

Ruby's POV:

I follow Nadia upstairs knowing she needs a break from Mandy and Milo. As nice as they are both being it doesn't fix the trauma they made my sister and I go through. It doesn't repair the damage they caused. Yes I have been through some shit but Nadia has had it way worse. She always took most of the beatings and punishments for me when she could. She shielded me as best as she could. She was the parent figure for me even though she never asked to be. I forever owe her for all she did and does for me. She is the one who truly raised me. I will always stick by her side through everything even if I don't agree with her actions. Nadia pulls me out of my thoughts as she snap her fingers in my face.

"Rubes are you down for movie night tomorrow at Johnny's?" Nadia asks me while she lays her head in Johnny's lap I watch as he runs his hand through her hair

"Is everyone coming?" I ask looking at all my friends in my room

"Duh of course Ruby! We all wouldn't miss it." Hayden says smiling answering for everyone as I see all my friends nod along to what he said

"Cool what are the movies we are gonna play?" I ask

"Well Johnny and Hayden wants us to play "Waterboy" but I don't know." Mackenzie answers laughing as she puts her feet on Carson's lap

"So we're doing our annual comedy movie marathon we do every month?" Kylie asks sitting on Hayden's lap

"Who's in charge of snacks and don't say Johnny he'll have his mom pick up healthy options." I say laughing causing Johnny to roll his eyes and scoff in response

"I was thinking I could this time." Mackenzie says shrugging as she raises her hand

"I'm down you always bring the good desserts. I wish I was as good as picking the best combination of junk foods like you." I says smiling at Mackenzie as she smiles at me

"Okay so we got that figured out now one last thing are we gonna do the regular sleep over too?" I ask looking at everyone

"Of course Rubes we have been doing this tradition since we formed this group." Nadia says reassuring me as I nod

"Plus it takes you both away from Blake and Ryan which I know you both need." Johnny says as Nadia and I shake our heads in response at the same time

"Yeah Ruby plus we have to prank Johnny while he's sleeping like we always do." Kylie whispers to me making me laugh

"Hey Rubes, you and Nad should sing "Don't Let Me Get Me" by Pink. I remember you told me Mandy would sing it to you when you both had nightmares or bad days as kids?" Lauren suggests making me smile brightly

I nod my head smiling. I don't know what I'd do without this group of people. I watch my friend's faces as they smile as we sing realizing that without them I don't know where'd I be in life. They are the reason I had more of childhood than the orphanage allowed. I can't wait for tomorrow. I know one thing tomorrow is gonna be epic. With this group it always is and forever will be. Anything with these people is always a blast.