Do or Die | A Slipknot story

chapter twenty five

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"So you dyed your hair?"

I nodded in response to Jim's question.

"It looks great, kid."

"Thanks."

Just then, Stephanie entered the room holding one of the three babies. My eyes fought hard to hold back tears, and I finally realized what I had given up when I left.

"This is Jackson." She grinned, motioning for me to take him. I did, admiring how much he looked like my dad.

"Hey there, buddy." I cooed, cradling him.

"Jackson, this is Alex, your sister." Stephanie introduced although the baby was far too young to really fully understand that.

"Sssss." Jackson made an attempt to repeat what Steph had said, shocking all of us.

"Well look at you, already trying to talk." I laughed. Jackson beamed up at me, and I felt relief wash over me that he didn't hate me.

"I'll be right back." Steph excused herself to go find the other two babies.

I continued to hold Jackson, laughing when he'd reach his hand to hold my finger.

"He actually kinda looks like you." Sid piped up. I looked up to meet his gaze, chuckling when he shot me a goofy grin. "Which they all look like your dad, and so do you."

I nodded, remembering how everyone always told me that I looked exactly like my dad.

"This here, is Aaron." Stephanie stated, entering the room with another one of the triplets.

I smiled and traded babies, cradling Aaron now instead of Jackson.

Aaron reached up and poked at my face, smiling.

"Hey there buddy number two."

The guys laughed at my fake nickname, continuing to talk about their tour once Stephanie had left to go get the last baby whom I'd already learned was named Michael.

"And this, is Michael."

I handed over Aaron and took Michael, laughing when he tried to cling to his mother.

"It's alright, Michael, go talk to your sister."

Somehow Michael seemed to relax and settled in my arms, nearly falling asleep when I started to speak to Stephanie after playing with him for a minute.

"So how is it? Taking care of three kids." I asked, handing Michael over to Shawn.

"Stressful."

"I bet." I laughed, hugging her.

"Oh we've missed you so much, Alex."

"I'm sorry." I whispered, feeling my guilt rise to a whole new level.

"Your hair looks good brown." She complimented to change the subject.

"Thanks, I was thinking of cutting it. Most of it is dead by now." I pulled my still long but now brown hair to inspect.

"I think it'll be cute whatever you decide to do with it."

I smiled and felt my phone chime. I didn't bother to check it, but for some reason it brought my attention back to the time of day.

"I hate to do this, but I've got a job interview tomorrow.." I trailed, knowing Steph would pick up on what I was saying.

"Really? Where?"

"Just some music store. I need money, and that's about the only way to get it. But if I get the position, I'll only have to work about three day a week. And those hours will start pretty late, so I'll still be able to help with the three little ones." I assured. She nodded, grinned, and pulled me into a hug.

"Hey guys! Come say bye to Alex!" Steph shouted. Immediately, she bid me goodbye to get to the babies while heavy footsteps sounded throughout the house.

"Bye kiddo." Sid hugged me along with everyone else.

"Bye guys. I missed ya."

"We missed ya too." Shawn smiled. I waved to them all, grabbed my bag, and almost walked out the door before I realized I had gotten here with Steph.

"Uh, hey guys?"

"Yes?" Chris poked his head around the corner.

"I came here with Steph.."

Chris nodded knowingly and led me to his car. I jumped in the passenger side, him following on the drivers.

"Alright, where's this apartment?"

I gave him the address, and he proceeded to drive me home.

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"Thanks, Chris."

"Anytime, kid." He smiled and leaned over to hug me. "Come see us again before we leave, and good luck with the interview."

"I will, and thanks." I smiled. "Bye Chris."

I exited his car and jogged up to my apartment door, unlocking it and shutting it once I was inside.

A sigh escaped my lips as I tried to process everything that had just happened. I just met my three younger half brothers, ran my dad off, and some how managed to pass through the day like I'd never left in the first place- despite the times we all went on about how we all missed one another.

I locked my door and padded my way into my kitchen, in desperate need of a drink. My hands grasped a water, being as I couldn't buy alcohol, and I couldn't take the ones my dad had anymore.

My throat felt relieved as the liquid calmed my aching and burning throat. I grabbed it and took it with me into my small living area, turning on my tv to watch reruns of Breaking Bad until I eventually fell asleep.

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yes, another short and fairly terrible one. ive felt so terrible for not updating in such a long time, so im going to try and update as much as possible, whether the chapters be long or short. this one is kind of a filler, i apologize. anyway, im back!

- alex