What Fate has in store

Part 5

Malia

A loud banging came from my front door late one Friday night. It had been two month since we told the twins. The twins were in bed already and I wasn't expecting anyone.
Peeking through the peephole I saw Franks angry face waiting for me to open the door. I stood there quietly till he banged again.
"Come on Lia. Let me in. I have something for you to see" he yelled banging again.
The last thing I needed was for him to wake up the twins so I opened the heavy front door and he stormed in.
"Hello Frankie please come in" I said sarcasticly.
"Where's loverboy Lia?" He asked. He didn't sound just mad. He sounded like he'd been drinking and he was scaring me a little.
"Working. You know he works nights Frankie. Plus he doesn't live here. You know that too" I said dismissing him.
"I hope you aren't having unprotected sex with him Lia. Because he surely isn't only fucking you" slurred Frankie plopping down on my couch. I chose the rocker on the other side of the room away from him.
"What are you talking about Frankie?" I asked exasperated.
"I'm talking about his side piece. Cute piece of ass too. I just happened to be going by Ruiz's place and saw them together. Hugging, kissing. He sure looked happy too. You haven't seen him lately have you?" Asked Frankie.
"I see him every morning when he takes the twins to school but he's been busy when he gets up the last couple of weeks. Why does this matter Frankie?" I asked wanting him to leave.
"This is why it matters Lia. Get a good look at loverboy. She's pretty isn't she? Hell I'd do her too. Bet he cant resist that luscious ass. Oh look one of them kissing" Frank said as he put photos one by one on my coffee table.
They were all of Rafe with a woman. You cant really see much of her face. Just her driving up jumping out of the car and right into Rafes arms. Her long dark hair was down around her shoulders. She was wearing a tank top and a pair of short jean cut offs that showed off her banging body. I couldn't see them actually kissing but it was pretty clear they were.
The pictures of him smiling such an excited loving smile at her killed Malia. Rafe had been making excuse after excuse as to why he couldn't come over the last couple of weeks. Always the program as an excuse. Always totally see through. He still saw the twins everyday but he was dodging her.
"What kind of reaction are you looking for here Frank? So he's meeting with a woman. Should I scream and cry? How about I fall at your feet thanking you for bringing these to me? I have no plans to do any of those. Rafe and I aren't together Frankie. But that still doesn't mean I'll be with you. He's the twins father and in my life no matter how many pretty girls he's with." I say evenly. I refuse to let Frankie see me upset.
"Well Lia this is why I'm here. I'll just leave these with you. I warned you. Remember that" Frankie said before walking out my door.
I was done for the day. Picking up my empty wine glass and the pictures I put them both in the kitchen and headed up to bed.
"Mom? Dad's here. He says he needs to talk to you" LT said standing next to my bed the next morning.
Getting up, I take my time getting dressed, brushing my hair and teeth before making my way down to my kitchen.
Rafe was standing at my counter in front of my full coffee pot looking at the pictures Frankie brought over the night before.
"Where did these come from?" Rafe asked angerly.
"Frankie. He brought them over to rub in my face how right about you he was. I must say the pictures are a great touch if not a little stalkerish. Please don't bring a slue of women around the twins. That's all I ask. Only introduce the one your serious with" I say evenly. I'm proud of myself for not crying.
"What the fuck? Are you kidding me right now?" Rafe asked me angerly.
"No Rafe I'm not. It's early. I'm still tired. You have been avoiding me for weeks. This isn't really a surprise" I said simply waving my hand over the pictures.
"This is bullshit Malia." Spit out Rafe as another knock came to the door.
"I'll get it" LT yelled.
"What's bullshit is I trusted you. I thought we were working toward a future together. But I can see I was wrong" I say with the hurt I'm feeling in my voice.
"So Frankie brings over some photos and that's it? I'm tried and convicted with no chance of a defense? I had a fairer trial with the bloody bat in my hand standing over my dead father" he spit out. Okay now that hurt.
"Then explain. Where ya been the last couple of weeks?" I ask.
"Work and working on the program." He said automatically but he looked away from looking at me when he said it.
"Doors right there. Say bye to the twins before you go" I say finished with his lies. I walk through the door to the livingroom heading up stairs, past the kids den where they are sitting talking to a pretty dark haired woman. She looked a lot like the woman in the pictures Frankie brought over.
"Mom, look this is Aunt Toni, Daddy's sister." Lili said excitedly to her mother introducing her new aunt.
"Hey Malia" she said smiling happily at me. I can feel Rafe at my back as his scent and heat surround me.
"Toni. My god you grew up" I say pulling her into a hug. I feel foolish until I remember he's been avoiding me for weeks.
"It's so good to finally be here. I'm so happy to finally meet these two. Rafe hasn't talked about much else since they've come into his life. Well except you" winked Toni with a big smile.
"Don't believe everything you hear Toni. It only leads to disappointment" I tell her shooting Rafe a dirty look who just chuckles at me but there's no humor behind it only frustration.
"Why don't you guys go get dressed. I promised Aunt Toni a big breakfast from Granny's diner." Rafe said sending the kids out of ear shot. Once they were, I turned on Rafe.
"What if we had plans today? You cant just show up and take them whenever you want" I yelled at Rafe snarling.
"Stop it Malia. You're hurt I get it. But I wish you'd hear me out" Rafe said on a sigh.
"You haven't told her have you?  Toni asked Rafe incredulously.
"Nope needed answers first" Rafe said to his sister but his eyes never left mine.
"Tell me what?" I asked annoyed.
Instead of answering me Rafe took a folded piece of paper out of his wallet.