The Swift-Sheeran Family.

Chapter 12

Shawn had left for the last leg of your and I was home alone. The post slipped through my door by one of the neighbours and I sighed but strolled over and picked up the singular letter anyway.
I had no clue what it was but carefully tore the envelope anyhow. The letter was reasonably lengthy and I sat down to read it.
Dear Arri,
You probably have no clue who is writing this, and the truth is you'll break down when you find out but I need to see you again. It's been a long while and I miss you a lot, I'm not asking for anything but to see you again.
A lot's happened since everything. I don't know if everything's fixed but it's as close as I'm going to get at the moment. I hope you're doing well and Taylor's looking after you and your siblings.
I'm trying, I really am. I swore on my life I'd change everything when you were one. But everything fell down, I'm sorry honey, I really am. I've been trying ever since but each time I'd fail and fall and tell myself it was always you I was fighting for. It still is. I know you won't ever be the same again after what happened but I hope your job doesn't change you. Reach your full potential Arabella, I see it in you.
All I'm asking is one coffee. Next week, at some point. Anytime and I swear I'm better, please don't be scared of me. I love you very much,
Mom xxxx
I slam the paper on the table, hard. "I've changed! I've changed!" That's what she's said all my life. She swore she'd be better, she promised to pick me up from that orphanage without him, without the drugs. Hot tears, angry tears trickle down my face as I scrunch the paper up in my hand. My ringtone is blaring out but I ignore it as the anger floats into my body rapidly.
How dare she? You can't waltz back into my life like that.
"A! Let me up," I hear Ed and hesitantly allow him access to my home, wiping away the tears that were tumbling down my cheeks and turning round to boil the kettle, knowing he wants a black coffee with 1 sugar.
"Morning A,"
"Hi Ed," I say quietly and he senses that clearly; "Arri, what's wrong? Turn around," I spin round.
"Everything's fine Ed, I swear;" I reply as he picks up the letter. The tears start rolling again and Ed looks up to me a crying mess.
"Arri," He hugs me tightly as I cry into his shoulder. He kisses the top of my head, then pulls away and holds me at arms length.
"You wanna talk about it?" I shrug and he walks into the lounge and sits on one of the couches. "A, listen to me, please." I nod and look at him; "I think you should go-"
"Ed! Who do you think I am, I've heard these stories before! I'm trying to keep my family safe, do you not understand that?!"
"A, I know, but it's your chance to say what you need to say and what if they have really changed. You're 18, you can decide if they propose a court case. You'll always have us A, you should know that. I think you should do it,"
"Under 1 circumstance- you come with me and no one else knows."
"Fine,"
The day rolled around and Ed picked me up at 10:30.
To say I am stressed and nervous is an understatement.
"A, calm down. I'm here," Ed reassures me as I get out the car, several cameras shoved in my face none the less.
We walk in and I instantly recognise the face of my biological mother.
"Arri!" She calls somewhat excitedly and I sit down abruptly opposite her.
"Hi, I'm Ed. I'm Arabella's father," He shakes her hand and she looks disgusted but smiles anyway.
"James will be over with the drinks in a second," She tells us.
"Uh, who's James?" I ask; "What happened to Zac?"
"I moved on, I married James last year. Just like you moved on at age 9 Arri. That's how it works sweetheart-"
"Don't call me that," I snap and Ed looks at me angrily.
"A, just calm down a second. Don't speak like that,"
A guy sits down at the table, a toddler sat on his lap.
"Who's he?" I ask looking at the small boy.
"Your brother, Tom."
"What?"
"I gave birth last year, he's nearly one."
The tension eases after a while but I still feel hurting and as I place Tom back down so I can leave he begins to speak.
"Why go? You my sister,"
"I've got to go Tom, my other siblings are at home with my Mommy,"
"Why we brother sister then,"
"Mommy will tell you another time." I begin to get upset and lean down to hug him once more.
"See soon?" He asks and I nod.
"Tommy, it's very difficult, it might not be soon but I promise to see you again l. I love you," He starts to cry and I feel like I will too.
"Love you Awwi," He says and I pull my cheque book out of my bag quickly.
I write a cheque for 10000 dollars and hand it to Jane. Her jaw drops.
"This is for you to restart your life and care for Tom. If it's spent on anything else, I want the money back. Don't let him go through what I did," I respond assertively; "Bye Jane, James. Look after my little brother please,"
"We will,"
I arrive home with my heart sunk. A little brother I'll probably never be able to see and check if he gets the right care. Somethings never heal, I'll always be wounded by what happened.
I open the door to the apartment and see Shawn standing the kitchen. He's got the letter. He'll be angry, I know it.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asks calmly facing me.
"I thought you were overseas and the time zone might be affected." I say.
"Is that where you've been?"
"I went with Ed,"
"Why didn't you ask me?"
"Shawn, I was scared-"
"Are you saying that you weren't even going to tell me Arabella? Let alone your own Mother!" His voice is raised and low.
"I was Shawn, I just didn't want you to get hurt!" I yell back.
"Me, hurt? I'm worrying about you here!"
"Shawn you don't need to know anymore about my past! I think I can do this on my own!"
"So you're telling me there's more, there's more you haven't told although I've spoken truly to you about every second of my life?!"
"Shawn," I back up as he comes closer, "It's not like that,"
"Well what is it like then Arabella?" I give in as tears for my brother and Shawn come pouring out. I run to the spare room and lock the door.
Shawn's POV:
I'm angry, not at Arri. But at myself. I'd come home to surprise her not break up with her. She runs off and I follow her to the locked door of the spare room.
I here cries and slouch next to the door.
"A?" No reply, "Babe,"
"Shawn go away,"
"Gorgeous please tell me what happened. You weren't happy when you walked in,"
"My Mom's moved on, she got married. And... And..." Her voice fades as I here more cries.
"Open up Arri, please."
"She had a son that I'll never see again, a little brother that asked me will I see you soon and I told him maybe. I'm so stupid, what if she goes back to drugs? What do I do? He can't live the same way I did,"
"A, beautiful, open up." I tell her as she cries.
The door is opened slightly and I get up and see A sat by the door, her knees tight to her chest.
"Babe, I'm sorry," I whisper as I place my arm around her body. She rests her head on my shoulder and I lean down and kiss her forehead.
"Sorry I didn't tell you," She tells me and I hug her closer to me.
"It's okay gorgeous, I understand."
"Love you,"
"Love you too,"