Intertwined

Meeting (part 1)

A/N: Hello beautiful people, I have to do this in 2 or 3 parts. It's a lot to write and read emotionally. So this chapter is shorter than my usual chapters and the other part/s will be done over the next day or so.

TW: emetophobia (paragraph starting: Mia looked Michael in the eyes). Mentions of abuse and violence.

Remember to seek help and support through local services if you are going through a tough time.

The three recipients of Siobhan's text message looked at each other wondering if the two people she was talking about really were who they thought.

Autumn took a deep breath and her exhale was almost a growl. Then she made a small cough to disguise the sound.

'I'm not sure about this Reece,' Autumn looked at her brother, clearly distressed and then at Winter who stroked her face softly and whispered in her ear. She took a deep breath and then nodded. 'Ok'.

I looked at Mia who was trembling beside me. 'I. I wanted to see him for so long, confront him, I was so full of rage for him and now I'm... I have no idea and, fuck sweetheart. Fucking hell,' she looked at me for answers.

I only had a question for her, 'How will you feel tomorrow and in five years from now if you never took this opportunity and never saw him?' I rested my forehead on hers and held both of her hands in mine; I support you no matter what. I matched my breathing to the strokes of my thumbs across the top of her hand. Mia slowly brought her breathing back to the same rhythm.

'Ok,' she answered.

We all looked at Reece, who was sat with his head in his hands. His shoulders shaking slightly and obvious tears falling. Mia looked at Autumn and the two of them hopped up and crouched down in front of their usually stoic rock. They each placed a hand on one of his and he slowly lifted his head up to look at them both.

'Reecey,'
'Big brother,'

They held his hands. I suddenly saw little boy Reece. The one who needed his mum, but she was gone, the one who needed someone to save him, when he was trying to save everyone else, the one who Mia helped out of his sadness when they skipped school, the one who was terrified of saying I love you in case the love got taken away. Marjorie wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his back and he breathed into her embrace.

'We're all here for you Reece,' Winter said and Reece looked up at me and I smiled. He had such a big heart and any time one of us was in need he was always there.
'We love you Reece, you're not on your own in this,' I reassured him.

'Ok'. He said shakily. He pulled out his phone and responded to Siobhan.

***

We're all here.

Let us know when you're on your way

Thank you Siobhan

Siobhan read the message that just came through from Reece. She looked at the two nervous people waiting with her at the hospital entrance and nodded.
'Just give me a few minutes', Siobhan needed to let Reece know they were only downstairs at the hospital.

We're just downstairs.
Should we wait or come straight up

It only took a few seconds for Reece to respond.

Come up.
I think we've all waited long enough.

Siobhan smiled. After spending a few days with Lily and Michael, she had grown fond of them. They were good people at heart. They had made some questionable choices and got manipulated and abused by the same man who manipulated and abused her and countless others. She couldn't judge them too harshly and she hoped their children could see the same logic. But, Siobhan knew that when hearts are broken, sometimes logic goes out the window.