Til Kingdom Come [Harry Styles- Bk 4]

ch.18 Thingies

After dinner, the kids scattered to their usual places. Darcy helped me clean up and we both sat down on the couch.

"Darcy, I need to speak to you," I told her sternly.

Darcy stared at the ground and nodded.

"You hurt your brother's feelings" I shook my head in disappointment. Darcy and Des always butt heads but that's because they took to Harry more than they took to me.  (Well, its not that Harry's got bad genes, it's just that he's more aggressive).

"He doesn't have feelings," Darcy grumbled under her breath.

"Darcy," I scolded her. Darcy took a deep breath.

"I didn't mean to" she reasoned quietly.

"'Well I didn't mean to' isn't going to make Des feel any better, will it?" I raised a brow.

Darcy shook her head "no."

I exhaled loudly and scooted closer to Darcy.

"Honey, your father may pay more attention to you than he does to your brothers but that doesn't mean you have any right to tell them-- especially Des-- that he doesn't love them," I told her softly.

"I know. I'm sorry," she whispered.

I patted her back. "Your father loves all of you," I nodded. I didn't add 'equally' because we all knew it wasn't true (even though it should be equal).

Darcy looked up at me and a slow grin etched onto her soft, porcelain face.

"But he does buy me more toys," she whispered.

"Darcy," I laughed lightly. 

"I know. I know," she nodded.

I patted her hair genty. She rested her head against my shoulder and looked up at me. 

"Momma," she spoke up sweetly.

"Yes, baby?"

Darcy held my gaze and took a deep breath.

"Sometimes, I hear things in you and daddy's room," she whispered carefully. I cleared my throat, unsure what exactly she heard.

Harry and I didn't fight or argue loudly. If anything, our mini fights turned into Harry trying to get some...

"Momma, why does daddy make you scream at night? Is he hurting you?"

I coughed uncontrollably.

Darcy patted my back, staring into my eyes with worry. 

"No no no," I squeaked.  Darcy's eyes widened. "Your father doesn't hurt me. I just- I just raise my voice when I'm upset," I tried to explain as my face reddened. 

If Darcy has heard us, then God knows what J.D. and Des have heard... We really need to move into the new house. And definitely before Harry gives it to me 'raw.'

Darcy watched my face expectantly, still unsure whether or not to believe me. She didn't want to think that her own father-- the man who lives for every breath she takes-- hurts me (even though she didn't know what kind of pain he caused me).

"Ok," she smiled in acceptance. 

I breathed in relief.

"Now how about you go over and give Dessy a hug and  a kiss," I suggested, even though I would have forced her if she refused.

Darcy nodded "ok."

She walked over to the bedroom, where Des was sitting curled up next to J.D., reading along with him. J.D. was squingting again. I wondered if he needed to get his vision checked...