CHAPTER TEN-XXIII

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by kieka11

by kieka11

Emma looked down and more tears dropped to the ground. “Emma...that’s great news...that’s the best news I’ve heard.” I said as I put my hand on her shoulder. “I just...I don’t know if I can do it…” Emma said with tear filled eyes. “You're not on your own, Emma.” I said smiling. “You really think that we can do this?...” She said. “I know we can do this. Raising a family isn’t impossible in this world.” I said smiling at her. “...What about Luke? How’s he gonna react?” Emma asked. “...I don’t know..I’ll talk to him about tomorrow…” I said. “I think he’ll be pretty happy though...I am.” I said to her. “I can’t wait to meet them.” Emma said smiling. “I can’t wait to either.” I said as I looked down at her stomach. It was crazy to think that in just nine months, Emma and I would have a kid of our own. “

“Mom! Just let me! Please!” Kaitlynn begged. “Fine sweetie...I know this is your last day here.” Lauren said. “Thanks mom!” Kaitlynn said as she stepped up into the attic. “I see you didn’t need my help this time.” Luke said laughing. “Shut up Luke. I don’t need your help!” Kaitlynn said as she picked up a sharpie and started drawing on the wall. She looked over at what Luke was drawing. “Why do you only draw the depressing things in life?...” She asked. “...What?” He said. “I mean...you drew everyone you know who died dying…” Kaitlynn said. “So what…” Luke said. “Why don’t you try drawing your family?” Kaitlynn said smiling a little as she pointed to three stick figures she drew all standing together. “My family is different than yours, my real mom is dead, and my sister is dead.” Luke said. “Gosh, sometimes you remind me of Jack.” Kaitlynn said as she went back to drawing food and animals on the wall. “Where is Jack?” Luke asked. “He said he didn’t feel like coming up here right now.” Kaitlynn said. “Oh ok.” Luke said as he started to draw his dysfunctional family on the wall.

“Don’t get mad at yourself over this.” John said to Becky. “I should’ve found her!” Becky said. “It’s not all your fault, Becky. None of us found her.” John said. “Besides...we needed to get out of this city, right?” John said. “Yeah..you are right.” Becky said smiling. “Wow, can you believe where we all started? It’s crazy to think about…” Becky said. “We were all complete strangers, now we’re one close family.” John said to her. “Yeah. We are.” Becky said smiling. “You ready for tomorrow?” John asked her. “Of course I am. When am I ever not ready for another day in this hell.” Becky said laughing. “You're right. I’m not ready. Lot’s of driving.” John said. “Oh shut up John! Driving isn’t that bad!” Becky said laughing. “Yeah it is.” John said laughing. “Would you guys quiet down?!” Joe asked. “We’re all trying to get some sleep here.” Dajaun said. “..Ok, ok. Goodnight guys.” John said.

“Let’s head back inside.” I said to Emma. “Ok. I bet Luke is still up in that attic.” Emma said. “Oh that’ll change.” I said laughing. I held open the door for her. “Thank you.” She said blushing in the dark as she walked inside. I looked down and smiled a little. “Luke, it’s time to go to bed.” I said as I stuck my head up in the attic. I saw Kaitlynn and Luke both turn their heads towards me. “Really, dad?” Luke said. “Really.” I said. “Ugh, fine. Bye Kaitlynn.” Luke said as he got out of the attic. “Bye.” Kaitlynn said. “And you. I think you're mom wouldn’t appreciate me letting you stay up here this late.” I said to Kaitlynn. “Who cares what my mom thinks, she’s a control freak.” Kaitlynn said as she continued drawing on the wall. I laughed a little at that. Lauren was kinda a control freak. She never let Jack or Kaitlynn do anything she didn’t approve of. “Yeah well I’m not going to get into a fight with your control freak mom.” I said to her. “...Is that so?” Lauren said as she walked up behind me. “..Uh.. I mean, you should probably go to bed now.” I said as I looked down. “Yeah, he’s right Kaitlynn. Bedtime.” Lauren said. “Mom! No one says ‘bedtime’ anymore. I’m ten years old, I don’t need a bedtime!” Kaitlynn said