"Baby, I really can't do this." Luke whispers outside my apartment door.
"You have to." I say.
I walk in the house.
"No, you can't take them!" Kendall says, shielding the kids from my father.
"Just stop it. Alyssa is an excellent Mother." Mom pleads with Dad.
Both kids are screaming.
"MOMMY!" Kaci screams, terrified.
Conner gasps and the two of them come running at me.
I let out a sigh of relief and crouch down.
"Oh, thank god." I kiss both of them and pull them into a tight hug.
"Mommy, he's take you!" Conner whispers, crying, rubbing his eyes.
"No he's not, sweetie." I kiss his forehead. "How about you guys go play? I'll take care of this."
"Mommy, I stay." Kaci whispers.
"No sweetie. Go play."
She sniffles and runs off. Conner looks at Luke and then follows his sister.
I straighten up.
"Get the fuck out." I say. "You're not taking my kids."
He looks at Luke.
"You went and got him?" he asks. "Just so I wouldn't take them?"
"I went to Florida to fix my relationship with my husband." I snap. "I wouldn't just run off on vacation without my children!"
"He's not your husband." Dad says.
"Actually, I am." Luke cuts in.
Dad crosses his arms.
"God." I shake my head. "What happened to you? I'm your fucking daughter. I fucked up, I know, alright? You're my Dad. You're supposed to be there for me."
I got through to him. He sighs.
"Look-"
"No." I shake my head. "I don't care. Just go. Please." I beg. "Just get out."
Dad hesitates.
"I'm still fighting for custody." he says.
"No you're not." Mom says.
Dad whips around.
"Yes I am."
"If you fight for custody to take my grand babies from their parents, I'll divorce you and tell the judge all your faults. Get out."
Pissed, Dad storms out. Mom hugs me, and Luke, and then follows.
Dad slams the door.
Kendall hugs me. She's eight months pregnant.
"Nice to see you, Luke." she smiles. "I'm glad Alyssa got her head out of her ass."
Armstrong hugs me, and then hugs Luke, and then they leave.
Luke looks extremely nervous.
Kaci sticks her head out of the room. She's crying.
"Oh honey, come here." I whisper, sitting down on the floor.
She comes out of the room, crying hard. She sticks her thumb in her mouth.
I pull her onto my lap.
Conner comes out next.
He climbs on my lap too.
Kaci cries into my chest.
"I no wanna go." she whispers.
"You're not." I kiss her head. "You're not going anywhere. You're staying right here."
Conner taps my cheek.
