Forgiven 2 of 4

Chapter 40

Anthony stood outside the door to the guest room, "Annie you waked up yet"

"Anth, let her sleep. Let's go get breakfast" Adam said as he took his son's hand it was still too painful to pick him up, he couldn't wait until he could again.

"Can I have cake?" Anthony asked when he saw it sitting on the counter.

"For breakfast?"

"Please, daddy!"

Adam smiled, "sure, why not. Just don't tell mommy, okay?"

"Amy, please open the door" Bob pleaded "talk to me please"

He heard her unlock the door and backed up so she could come out of the room, "Amy please" he said as she walked out, a packed bag in her hand. "Where are you going?"

"To my sister's, I love you Bob, and I love your son as if he was my own. I just need some time, this hurts that you kept this a secret all these years" she could feel her anger grow "you only told because Annie showed up and Adam spoke with her father" she made her way to the front door, "that's what hurts, that you didn't trust me enough to tell me"

"Please Amy don't go"

"Bob, I need to think" she said softly as she left.

Bob stared out the door and watched as she drove off, "I'm sorry Amy"

Erin sat staring at the ring in Jay's hand, "please don't keep me hanging Erin" he said his voice lacking it usual confidence.

She brought her hand to her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears, "yes, Jay, I would love to be Mrs. Halstead"

He slipped the ring on her finger and lifted her into his arms, his headache and queasy stomach no longer an issue, his lips seeking hers.

"What do you say we head back to bed" Jay asked her.

"I say that's a wonderful idea Mr.Halstead"

"I'm glad you agree future Mrs.Halstead"

"Anthony Owen Ruzek, are you eating cake for breakfast?" Kim asked, her son's face covered in chocolate frosting.

"Daddy said yes" Anthony explained his bottom lip trembling.

"Baby, it's okay" she felt bad seeing his lip tremble, "you're not in trouble"

"I'm not either, am I?" Adam asked he copied Anthony's face.

"You aren't nearly as cute as Anthony, but nice try" she playful swatted his arm, "Annie still sleeping?"

"No, she's out back on the phone with Lexi" he was happy she had hit it off with Lexi Olinsky he couldn't think of a better friend for her, "I'm thinking about visiting my mother"

Kim wasn't sure she heard him correctly her palms rested on the countertop and she looked over her shoulder at him "did you say what I think you just said, Adam?"

He stood opposite her, " I did, I need to ask her about Annie and if my dad is her dad. I need to know and Annie needs to know"

"What do I need to know?" Annie asked them, Anthony in her arms, "Adam, what is it?"

"Kim, can you take Anthony" Adam asked her.

"Come with Mommy buddy, Daddy needs to talk to Aunt Annie"

"Sit down, you want something to eat?" He offered sliding Anthony's plate aside.

"No, I'm fine"

"So, last night when I said I didn't speak to your father I may have lied" Adam said he hated that he had lied to her "I'm sorry, I did that but I needed to process what he told me"

Annie picked at the leftover cake on Anthony's plate, "what did he say?"

Adam sighed "he said he wasn't your father, that our mother lied to him and you" he wasn't ready to tell her anything else not until he had answers, she deserved to know the truth.

"He's not my dad? Of course he is, why would my mother lie to me?" She asked him tears in her eyes.

Adam reached for her hand, "our mother and the truth don't always go hand in hand, but I will get to the bottom of it I promise you"

She sat silent for a minute or two, "I guess it really shouldn't surprise me, huh?"

Adam smiled, "honesty was never our mother's strong suit"

"Thanks for being so nice to me and letting me stay here"

"You don't have to thank me, your my little sister. We're family, we look out for each other"