The Way That I Love You(Book 2)

Silence

Colin

It's been almost three weeks since he's last seen his son.

It feels like part of him is missing...in which it is. It's his son; his first child, and he has no idea where he is.

The house is strangely quiet even though everyone is there. All of the family is staying amongst the extra rooms but it feels empty. Darlene isn't herself and Morgan is barely sleeping and neither is he. It feels foreign.

There hasn't been any word on where he might have been seen, no lead on who might have taken him, and it feels like they never will. All of the stupid people who have fun with things like this have been calling the phone and they haven't gotten a real call in a couple of days.

He's been sick to the stomach for days now. He's spent most of the morning keeled over the toilet as his stomach churns.

"Colin..." he feels a hand rubbing his back. "Deep breaths..." he takes a deep breath like she says. "Keep going..."

It feels like an eternity of sitting as he slowly feels his stomach calm down. He reaches up and flushes the toilet. He slowly opens his eyes to see Morgan staring at him.

"It's okay. Come on, I'll help you up." He got to his feet rather stiffly before moving over to wash his mouth out and brush his teeth.

"I have to get myself together...for Darlene. We shouldn't be upset on her birthday."

"I know. She's not feeling like herself right now; I don't think she'll feel like herself until Knox comes back."

"What if we're being too optimistic? What if-"

"Stop...don't talk like that. He's going to be fine. We just have to be patient..."

"We have been patient."

"It's been three weeks babe, it takes a little longer than that."

"It only takes a few minutes to kill someone."

"He's not dead. He's not-"

"And how the hell would you know that? Please enlighten me."

"I'm his mother; I don't have to tell you how..."

"A couple of months ago you didn't even know you had kids." He stares down at her; watching as her eyes widen.

"Then I guess that means I don't have a husband hm?" She bites back. "And for your information; unlike you I have instincts. I know because I can feel that he's still out there. One parent has already given up: he doesn't need both to." She turns abruptly and leaves.

*********

Morgan

"Your outfit looks beautiful on you sweetie." Her daughter looked up at her before back to her hands.

"A couple of months ago you didn't even know you had kids..."

"I want Knox..." she grabs her daughter up in her arms; holding her close.

"I know sweetie. We all do but he's going to be back soon."

"Promise?"

"I promise. Come on, don't be sad. It's your birthday and everyone is here to celebrate with you." She reaches up and wraps her arms around her neck. "Everything is going to be fine. Come on, let's go downstairs."

They go to the kitchen where they have actually set up things for her. Her cake is in the middle of the island; her gifts are on the kitchen table and there are decorations hung up in the living room and kitchen. Maybe they could cheer her up for a little while.

At least she hoped they could.

"Happy birthday baby girl." Colin moves in front of them and smiles at Darlene.

"Look at your cake...Eeyore is your favorite. Pretty right?"

"Mhm. Is it berry?" She leaned forward to brush her finger against the icing and pull away.

"I think so. You want to open gifts or eat cake first?" She gave a small smile.

"Gifts." She kissed her hair and tickled her; making her giggle some more.

She mostly ignored any indication that she was tearing herself up inside; it was Darlene birthday and she wanted nothing more than for her to be okay. If not for any other day; than this day especially. She shouldn't be sad today.

About half way through cake and ice cream the doorbell rang and her insides twisted. They all sort of caught eyes at the same time before looking to the way of the door.

Colin stood up first and started to walk out slowly. She kissed Darlene's head before trailing behind him curiously: ignoring the quiet objections from her mother and sister in law. As soon as they both reached the door they paused. She could hear the deep breath Colin took before reaching out and unlocking the door before opening it.

She met bloodshot green eyes the moment the door was out of the way.

He had a black eye and a busted lip; his long hair ruffled and all over the place. His eyebrows were furrowed as if he was in pain and he clutched his side; an envelope in his tattooed hand.

"Harry? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to deliver the next message."