Fighting The Darkness

Chapter Four: Ben

Ben walked downstairs to his office, stopping short when he saw his daughter reading to a small boy about five years old, snuggled together in his leather chair. The boy was a exact replica of Tate, no hints of his wife in his small features. He furrowed his brow in confusion, unaware of Ben in the doorway.

"The end." Violet finished, closing the book. She looked up and saw her father.

"Who's this?" Ben asked.

"This is Michael."

The boy shrank back, afraid of Ben. The nice lady, who Mommy introduced as his grandmother was happy to meet him. Why was this man angry?

"Tate's son?"

"Yes. Constance couldn't raise him anymore. He needed his father. Mom said it was okay."

Violet scooped up her son and left the room. She didn't want any fighting around Michael, to avoid the evils of the house coming near him.

Once Violet closed her door, Ben yelled for his wife. At once she appeared, hands soapy.

"What's wrong Ben? " Vivian asked.

"What the fuck is that boy doing here?!" He thundered.

Vivian didn't back down. Instead she squared her shoulders.

"I forgave Tate. I had to in order to keep the negative energy out of this house. I forgave him to make our daughter happy. In case you forgot, with your little whore stomping around the basement, she was actually happy with Tate around. She saw herself as a beautiful person. She accepted Tate's problems. I think its time to forgive him, Ben. Not for him. For our family. Michael is Violet's only chance to be a mother. Her only chance to have a family."

She didn't even raise her voice. Her tone said enough.

"Viv, he murdered us."

"No, Violet killed herself. I died in childbirth because I wasn't strong enough. Hayden killed you because you wanted her to destroy the baby you created."

"Regardless, it's Tate's son! Tate's mental health is hereditary! You expect me to play grampa to someone who has already killed someone and will likely do it again?"

"Constance is to blame. Not Tate. That vile woman does not show love to anyone unless she's using them! She tried poisoning our daughter two days after she found out that she liked Tate. You saw how she treated Addie and Beau because they looked different! She had her son murdered beause of his deformities! She tried keeping Addie trapped in this house! She murdered her husband, and Moira!"

"They were having an affair!"

"No, they weren't. He raped her!"

Ben stared at his wife in disbelief.

"How do you know all this?" He whispered, all traces of anger now gone.

"Because while you were in Boston ordering Hayden to get the abortion I was talking to her. That's how I found out the real reason you went."

Ben stared down at the floor, guilt washing over him.

"Sorry..." He mumbled to his shoes. "You're right."

Vivian sighed. "I'm sorry too. Just try to forgive him, okay? There's alot to him you don't understand. Why don't you try to talk to him?"

Ben nodded, embracing his wife. "Anything for you, babe."

"No, not for me. For Violet."

Ben sighed. "Okay." He agreed.