Never Letting Go

One Wrong Move

The fire rages in the middle of the lawn, flicking and glowing. Matthew and Kyle sit around in and Blake and Lachie walk around from the back of the house, coming out of their hiding place now the little kids are gone.

I slip in beside Kyle and Tess sits by Matthew, trying to get the boys to stop throwing bits of smoldering ash around. I rest my hand on Kyle’s knew and take a deep breathe. “During Noah’s party a man who looked crazy similar to my dad came over… and tried to convince me he was my father and he wants to talk to me tomorrow.” I look up and see some shocked and confused looks on everyone’s faces, “I want your opinions if I should ask him to leave or not, this affects all of you so you should have a say in what I do.”

Matthew blinks his eyes a few times and looks through the flames at me. “What do you want to do? This does affect us but this mostly affects you.”

I groan, this was the reply I was expecting. “I don’t know. He didn’t exactly start off on the right foot; he tried patronising me like I was twelve and to make him get to the point I had to threaten him with throwing a brick at his car, I don’t know if I can trust him. I should talk to Zale too because he could be this uncle he used to tell me about when I was little, I thought it was a story and Zale stopped mentioning him when I was ten so I just forgot about it but he could be real.”

“It can’t hurt to hear him out, maybe he will come with some proof and maybe he won’t. You’ll just have to judge when it comes tomorrow. We won’t leave you alone with him if you don’t want us to.” Tess whispers, like she’s afraid I’ll react badly.

The natural brotherly instinct comes out in Blake. “Are you crazy Mum? There is no way I’m leaving her alone with some nut job that thinks he could be her father! Either Kyle, Dad, Lachie or I have to be in the room, no exceptions!”

Tess gives him a stern look but I just smile, this is where I belong and Lawrence doesn’t have a chance to convince me otherwise. I tuck myself into Kyle’s side, “I have some other news too. I’m pregnant.”

For the second time tonight everyone looks shocked, even Kyle but there is a slight difference and you will only notice it if you look in their eyes, the warm glow and the happy sparkle that radiates from them. “I found out this morning, I was about to tell Kyle when he had to go off and set up the tables.” I look up at Kyle when his lips connect with mine, moving together. “You should have pulled me to the side and shook me until I listened! This is amazing, we are having another baby! Now Noah will have to share attention.” Kyle’s unique crooked smile makes his whole face glow.

His lips crush against mine for a split second before picking me up and spinning me around. “Bring on tomorrow!” Kyle’s arms pull me close into his chest.

“Yeah… tomorrow.” I whisper.

Flash back (during dream) Darci looking through a slightly open door.

Jorja: Lawrence, what the hell are you doing here? I thought we told you to stay away.

Lawrence: oh Jorja, she’s my daughter too you know and if I really wanted to I could get shared custody of her. Where is this little bundle of joy?

Jorja: The little bundle of joy you are looking for is almost four and her name is Darci. (Jorja steps in front of Lawrence, putting her hand on his chest, making him stop.) And you won’t be seeing her today and as long as I’m alive you will never see her, no court room will tell me otherwise.

Lawrence: One day she will grow up, you will pass on and I will find her and tell her about her heritage.

Jorja: And if I’m not around to protect her or tell her what happened, you tell her what you did to me and how you almost ruined your family but until then stay the hell away from her. Get out.