The Only Hope For Me Is You

Part 9

Maria’s POV:

   Ray and I drove home soon after Mikey, Poppy and Freddie left. We didn’t speak too much because both of us was overly worried about everything. I loved Poppy and I was so glad she was back but what if she left again? I knew as well as Ray did that Mikey couldn’t take that again and I had no doubt that if that happened he would sit on a train track… And then there was Wren, god, none of us even wanted to think about what she would do if anything happened to Poppy.

Wren’s scars on her wrists were only just starting to fade and I was pretty sure it was her third year of no self harm, a year after Percy and Pansy were born she was still cutting because she was depressed but she’d gotten so much better.

When we got to our place Ray held my hand and smiled at me, “Maria, stop worrying. They are adults now just like you and I and they are all responsible.” He assured me and squeezed my hand- even though we’d all grown up I still felt like the adult sometimes- maybe it was why Ray and I didn’t have kids yet, I already had a million people to look after.

Darth Vader jumped at us and licked my legs, I laughed and picked him up. Dogs always knew when to cheer people up and just the right way to do it.

Gerard’s POV:

 It had been a really good morning if you look past the kids that were high on red cordial and chewing on dolls… Hmm… Leda looked happy too, that ‘pregnant glow’ radiated from her and she looked gorgeous like usual only shiny.

 Taffy came and sat on my lap and bounced around, “Is Poppy- she’s my aunty right?” She wondered with her head to the side and Leda nodded.

   “Yep, she is your long lost aunty who we’ve all missed forever and Freddie is your cousin.” She nodded and Taffy screwed up her face.

   “How are they related? Is aunty Poppy married to uncle Mikey?” She asked and Leda and I looked to each other.

   “No… Not yet at least, they… They are very good friends.” I shrugged. None of us had asked really whether or not Mikey and Poppy were romantic again or what’d happened last night. I wasn’t sure whether I had much right in asking but it would be good to know so I didn’t get confused.

   “Okay… Is uncle Mikey Freddie’s daddy?” She asked and both Leda and my eyes widened.

   “Uh- who said that?” Leda questioned, the last thing we wanted was for Freddie to find out from anyone other than Poppy or Mikey.

  Taffy shrugged with an impish smile, “We talked today- Percy, Pansy, Freddie and me. Freddie was confuzzled because he said uncle Mikey looked at him funny and he said that he seemed familiar and so we held a mini trial like they do in that murder show… I think it’s Law and Order.” Taffy shrugged.

Bloody hell. You left kids alone these days and they held a whole trial? When did Taffy watch Law and Order anyway? AND why the heck did she sound so smart? She was only five!

   “But when I checked on you guys you were chewing on dolls?” Leda arched an eyebrow and looked just as weirded out as I did.

    “That? We heard you coming.” Taffy shrugged, she gave us a little smile before jumping off my knees and skipping off.

    “Uhh…” I looked to Leda who shrugged and we sighed. Kids these days…

Poppy’s POV:

  Freddie looked around Mikey’s place like it was a castle, it was only one story and had two bedrooms, a study, a bathroom, kitchen, living room and the usual but it was at least three times bigger than our apartment. He ran out into the back yard with Bob who didn’t seem to recognize me- that or he held grudges.

Mikey and I watched from a distance as Bob and Freddie ran around the back yard, “… Are you sure you want us to move in? It’s a big thing to do…” I mumbled and Mikey looked to me threw the corner of his eye and smiled to one side.

   “I’m sure… If this means I won’t lose you again… Or my son for the first time, then I’ll do it.” He mumbled and I swallowed. I felt so happy, like I was going to cry.

I took in a little breath, “Do you… I need to get some of his stuff and bring it over for tonight- that’s if you want us over tonight?”

   “Yes- I’ll drive you?” He offered and I shook my head quickly.

   “No, you shouldn’t have to do that… I think I’ll call Jenna and Abi and see if they want to help, they need to know where I’m staying too.” I shrugged.

 Mikey nodded, “Do you want to leave Freddie here while you go?”

    “God, Mikey… You’ve never had to look after a kid yet? Are you sure?” I worried and he smiled with a shrug.

    “How hard could it be?”

Mikey’s POV:

  Poppy left with Jenna and it was just past lunch so I made Freddie and I a sandwich each. He sat across the table from me and watched me over his sandwich.

I felt a little awkward while I ate because he just stared and he had mine and Gee’s eyes so it was like when Gerard stared. I chewed slowly until he put his sandwich down.

   “So you’re my dad?” He asked abruptly.

My eyes widened a little and I almost choked on my mouthful, “Uh… Who said that?” I questioned- Poppy said she’d tell him but I knew she hadn’t told him yet.

    “No one. I guessed… Is that a yes?” He grilled- god, in the hour or two he’d spent with Taffy he’d learnt some of her interrogation methods she put into action every time a teddy bear went missing… She’d used it on me once when her unicorn toy went missing, I was pretty sure it was Frank though.

    “Umm…” I couldn’t lie to him, he was my son and he was bound to find out sooner or later… “Yeah.” I swallowed a mouthful of sandwich and felt a bit awkward.

Freddie nodded slowly and I imagined him being a detective when he grew up. He eyed me for a few more minutes before picking his sandwich up and chewing on it.