Scream and be Free (Zac Hanson)

Chapter Four

mmm crepes...hi! we has a new cover! YAY!

-----------------

After the latest argument, Brielle did everything she could to avoid her husband. It was killing her to hide from Zac, every time they were in the house together; she felt if she didn't then they would only argue more. Hiding from her own husband made her feel insane, nevertheless Brielle went with it. They had gotten into another petty argument after Zac's freak out over her evening with Nikki and Natalie, this time it happened to take place while the kids were still awake and playing in the next room.

The argument had began when Brielle informed Zac that he'd have to stay home from the studio, or find arrangements for the kids, because she had got called to a business meeting last minute. The firm she worked for hardly ever called upon her to do anything in person, which told Brielle this was big. Zac, being his usual not so pleasant and understanding self, threw a fit worthy of a toddler. It had resulted in the raised voices of adults sending Abe into a fit of hysterics. Simultaneously both Zac and Brielle ran for the playroom where Brielle had set the kids up while she went to talk with Zac. Scooping the little boy up into her arms Brielle was taken back when Zac intervened, pulling his son from her arms and walking out of the room with Abe crying on his daddy's shoulder.

Leaving a rather unconcerned and very disinterested Junia to finish her video, Brielle cautiously followed Zac into Abe's room where he was trying to soothe the little boy. Abe was still in tears, but his screaming had stopped as Zac talked to him in hushed tones. Clutching to Zac's tshirt, he sniffled with a quivering lip. Brielle felt horrible over it, she leaned against the door, watching as Zac moved back and forth trying to get the little boy to stop crying.

"Is he okay?" Brielle's tone was somber when she found her voice.

"Get out." Zac demanded motioning to the door she was standing in. His eyes were darker than usual and his chest was heaving.

"W-what?" she stammered unsure of his statement.

Surely he had only meant to leave the room. Blinking hard, Brielle swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat before trying to speak again. Opening her mouth, she was met with a sharp glare from her husband.

"Just leave us alone, he'll be fine." Zac gritted his teeth, trying to remain calm for his son's sake wasn't working out all that well with Brielle standing there.

"Zac, I'm sorry." Words Brielle had constantly found she used a lot in the last few weeks. It was if this had become the only thing she would or could say to her husband. "He's upset, I didn't mean for that to happen. Please, just let me..."

"Get out, now!" Zac snapped raising his voice lightly, which only caused his son to whimper and start a whole new batch of tears. The little boy still clung to his parent like his life depended on it; his eyes were red from crying and his face tear stained.

"He's scared out of his mind." Brielle pointed to her step-son. "Zac, please let me help you calm him down. I feel horrible for this."

"I am his father; I will take care of him. I do not need your help. Now go." Zac firmly stated, pointing at the door. Brielle stood frozen unable to move by his words. Had Zac completely forgotten that when they entered into this marriage, this partnership, he agreed to let her become part of his children's lives? "Don't make me ask again."

"Okay." Brielle's meek demeanor took over; hanging her head she retreated from the bedroom.

She hated fighting when the kids were around and knew Zac felt the same way. Brielle's parents had divorced when she was around Shepherd's age, listening to her parents fight had instilled in her that she'd never do that, no matter what. Brielle hated her father for always picking fights with her mother, now it seemed it was happening to her. Zac and Kate hadn't outright fought but they kept their disagreements away from the kids, the best they could.