Fighting The Darkness

Chapter 3: Family

January 19th 2003

The house is quiet for once. Right now I'm sitting on the roof watching the stars. Violet went down into her room to grab a candle so we could see. I have just enough light to write this entry.

Hayden is planning something. Other spirits have said that she's been in the basement talking to Patrick alot. He's an interesting choice of company, considering she normally hangs around people she can use. She tried with me, before Violet and I talked. But no way was that ever happening.

While we're on the subject, Violet and I have grown very close, and it almost feels like it used to before she cast me away. She doesn't talk to anyone anymore, just stays in her room. If I can get her to see that the house is worth seeing, I know she'll be happier.

-Tate

Light danced across the page, causing Tate to look up. Violet crouched next to him and tried to read his journal. Tate closed the notebook with a snap.

"What are you hiding?"

"Just a journal. You'd find it boring."

"Oh yeah? Probably writing about me and don't wanna show me." Violet smirked, lighting a cigarette and inhaling deep.

"Tate? Are you on the roof?" Constance called from the front path.

Tate leaned over the edge and looked down. His mother, still alive was wearing a fur jacket, holding Michael's hand. Now five years old, the boy had developed into a mini Tate and had no features of Vivian.

"What's he doing here?" Tate appeared on the ground with Violet behind him.

The child looked up at his father with a curious expression. He wore black jeans, a black coat and black converse. Constance glared at her son.

"Don't you think I'm getting a little old for raising children? After all, he is your son, Tate."

"He can't stay here, mom. Everyone is dead, or have you forgotten? You know how the spirits are with living people.."

"Tate, he'd be fine. He has us." Violet stepped closer and slipped her hand into Tate's.

"You're my daddy?" Michael whispered, surprised. He thought his dad was long gone, no where to be found. He had no idea he lived right next door. Why hadn't he tried to see him?

Tate chewed his lower lip, thinking. He would love to have his son grow up with him. He could try and get whatever evil trapped inside him expelled. But how would Vivian and Ben respond? He had only just gotten on their good side.

"Let me make sure its okay, alright?" Tate finally agreed.

Perhaps Violet could be his mom? Then they could have a family.

"Why not keep him tonight? I'm tired and want to have a few glasses of wine."

Tate nodded. They could keep him in Violet's room, send him next door first thing in the morning. Tate has seen enough families in the house to know how to take care of a kid for a night. Plus, he had Violet and Nora.

What could possibly go wrong?

Tate and Violet stood outside the bathroom door while Michael was taking his nightly bath. They had managed to feed him and get him inside without anyone finding out. So far so good.

"Where's he going to sleep, Vi?" Tate whispered.

Violet sighed. "There's a small bedroom that was supposed to be the twins room. Mom kept a bed in there for when they neede her for feedings through the night. We can camp out in there tonight. Or, there's a tent in the attic. We can set it up in my room and go camping. I'm sure Michael would enjoy that."

"We get to go camping?" Michael exclaimed, having heard the whole conversation.

"Yes, we can go camping. We can pop popcorn and get into our jammies and watch a movie. We can have hot cocoa before bed too, if you want." Violet promised.

"But you have to behave." Added Tate. "I'll go get the tent. You and mommy.. er, you guys can pop popcorn and get the movie ready."

Violet was watching him curiously. She had clearly heard his slip up.

The truth was, nothing had changed between them in the two years they were apart. Violet still loved Tate, and wanted a family with him, something she had thought impossible. Now if only he could actually live with them.

"C'mon, Michael, let's get our jammies on while Daddy gets the tent ready. We can go make our popcorn and cocoa."

The popcorn was furiously popping in the kitchen. Violet and Michael were picking out a movie from the stack Violet had pulled.

"Who's this?" Vivian asked from the doorway.

Violet and Michael looked over at her.

"My name is Michael. I live next door."

Vivian joined them at the table. "Nice to meet you, dear. I like your halloween jammies. They're cute."

"Michael, why don't you go see if your dad needs help with the tent? You know where he is, right?"

"Yes, Mommy." Michael jumped up and ran upstairs.

"So, who is he really?" Vivian asked her daughter.

"Yours and Tate's son. The one that lived. Constane wants him to live with us."

"And why can't he?"

"I.. I didn't want to ask. I mean, I know how you feel about Tate."

"I have forgiven him, just as you have. Of course the child should live with his father. But only if you introduce us as grandparents. I know how much you wanted a child, and now you have a chance."

"Really?"

"Yes, Vi. There's no reason he should be with his grandmother. He needs his parents."

"You aren't worried about him turning out like Tate did?"

"Not at all, because that's not even how Tate really was. And we can keep him safe, Vi."

The microwave dinged the same time the water started to boil. She poured the popcorn into a bowl, and made their cocoas, taking care to add milk in Michael's so he didn't get burned. She placed everything onto a tray and began to leave the kitchen.

"Thanks mom."

"Anytime. Enjoy your first night as parents."

The tent was a perfect size for her room, and left room to walk around. The movie was half over, Michael long since asleep in his sleeping bag. Violet and Tate were on the bed, bowl between them empty.

"So, mom says its okay for him to live here." Violet tells Tate, finishing her cocoa.

"Really? That would be great! We'll tell Constance tomorrow. "

"Are you sure you want me to be his mom?"

"What did your mom say?"

"That we have to introduce them as grandparents."

"Well, that's.. I wouldn't want anyone else to be his mother, Vi."

Violet looked at her new son, fast asleep with her old teddy bear. Pride swelled up inside, proud to have a family.

But she was nervous.