The Light behind your Eyes (My Chemical Romance)

Chapter 24 October

October

He leapt into my arms, sending me backward onto the rocks, but I didn't care. I had been waiting for this moment for much, much too long. The sweet child scent of him, the presence of him was overpowering and all my emotions sprang free. I cried hard as I buried my face into his hair.

"I missed you so much, mommy!" He said through tears as well, as his little arms wrapped tightly around my neck.

"I missed you so much too, baby!" I squeezed more tightly than I probably should have, because I heard him let out a little squeak. I loosened my grip immediately, and he pulled back slightly.

"Never go to Texas again, mommy!" Aiden opened his eyes wide at me.

"I won't, Aiden, I won't..." We hugged and cried and made promises to each other.

"You need to get fatter, mommy," Aiden observed. "You're too skinny."

"I know, I know. But now that I'm here, you can feed me and make sure I get fatter, right?" I had to smile at the way children put things.

I noticed Aiden looking over my shoulder. "Who's he?" He asked, pointing.

I turned as Frank walked over and knelt in front of Aiden. "I'm Frank. It's very nice to meet you, Aiden."

He squinted questioningly at me. "Is he daddy's friend?"

"Uh, no, he's mommy's new friend."

"But he's a boy."

"Yes, I know he's a boy. mommy can have friends that are boys too." Frank had a worried looked etched into his face, and I patted his knee. "He is a very special friend of mine, and I hope that he can be your friend too."

Dominic had made his way to us by this time, and he and Frank stared at each other uncomfortably. Unfortunately, Aiden noticed this and looked up at his father. "Is Frank why we're not staying at our house anymore, daddy?"

"No," Dominic began slowly, "He's not. mommy had some problems in Texas, and she needs to work them out. Frank is going to help her do that. Once she's ready, you are moving back here with her

"What about you?"

The three of us exchanged a look. No one wanted to have to explain all this to Aiden the day I got home. "I...I think it's best if I stay at my new place from now on."

Aiden let go of me and sat down heavily. "That's not fair! Is mommy making you stay at the apartment? I want you to live here!" Aiden knelt to his dad, grabbing him by his legs. I saw more tears forming in Aiden's eyes, and it broke my heart.

"Sometimes these things happen, Aiden. No, it's not fair, but it's how it has to be."

"It is Frank's fault!" Aiden crossed his arms stubbornly. "I just know it. I don't like you Frank!"

I glanced at Frank, who looked completely crestfallen.

"Honey, it's not Frank's fault. It's no one's fault. He's here to help me and be my friend, not to hurt anyone."

"But daddy doesn't like him. If daddy doesn't like him, then neither do I."

"I never said I didn't like him," Dominic told him quickly, then gulped. "I...I like him."

"No you don't! I heard you say some mean things about him on the phone when mommy was still gone. I thought you said Fred, but now I know you said Frank."

"Is that why you always asked me who Fred was?" Dominic whispered.

"Yeah," Aiden nodded through his tears. "So if you don't want me to, daddy, I won't like him either."