Forced Marriage, Do I Really Love You?

The Letter (P3)

They were all in the couch with the exception of Eli who was in her crib sleeping.  One next to the other with feet and hands touching, Alex's head lay on Arabella's lap and his feet on Leo's lap and they were all under a blanket together.  They were all silent just watching the movie, it had been that ever since the talk in Arabella's room where she cried her heart out then sucked it right back in and locked it up for the sake of her family.  

They were watching a funny kids movie but they laughed at nothing in the movie, not a smile or a grin seemed to be present.  The room felt so heavy with Arabella there with it all on her shoulders. 

Once the movie had finished Ara already knew what everyone wanted so she ordered Chinese delivery while Leo fed Eli.  Leo put Eli to bed again and went to his room while Alex played with some toy cars and left Ara in the living room alone to wait for the food. 

She cleaned the house trying to get the thoughts of her marriage out of her mind.  The cleaning didn't work so she sat down in front of the tv and watched an episode from and anime. 

She often was made fun of in middle school for watching anime and being a nerd often times it didn't even faze her but when it first started she hated going to school and at the time she had no friends until she found two amazing friends Piper and Hazel. 

Just thinking about Piper and Hazel made her feel better and took her mind off the marriage.  Piper and Arabella emailed back and fourth everyday, talking about drawing, anime, family, and really everything.  Hazel always texted Ara, not everyday but most of the days in the week and they would send pictures to each other.  Hazel and Arabella were braces buddies. 

The door bell rang bringing her out of her thoughts and back into her living room on the couch where she sat.  Memories flooded into her mind, a flashback from this morning.  She felt overwhelmed and hot again but she forced herself to open the door.  It was the Delivery Man. Arabella took the food and scrambled into her wallet to get the money her mom gave her for dinner. And she shut the door.

"Food's here! Come and eat!"

The boys appeared on the steps and looked at Arabella intently, but she pretended she didn't notice.  She didn't want to break out in tears again.

Dinner was very quiet.  The only sound was the slurping of noodles and the tanking sound of forks.  Dinner soon ended and they all went their separate ways for bed. 
Arabella went to her own room and changed into her pajamas.  She sat on her bed thinking, until Alex showed up at her doorway.

"Do you need anything right now?" He said with tears running down his cheeks.

Arabella then noticed his face was red and his had been wet, he was crying.

At the sight of this Arabella threw her arms open tears bursting from her eyes,"I need you!". 

He ran over and gave her a hug not letting go.  Leo. Are in and sat with them.  He looked as if he had been crying too.  Arabella sat there on her bed cradling sobbing Alex and Leo hugging her. 

"I need one more thing please," Arabella said voice cracking and face wet,"I want you guys to sleep with me tonight,".

They said nothing but Arabella knew that's what they need too.  Alex feel asleep a few minutes later and Arabella and Leo layer down under the covers and fell asleep. 

Later that night their mother got home to find all her kids on Arabella's bed and a long letter with crinkled circles that she knew were dried tears.  She picked up the letter and read.  Sobbing very quietly she put the letter back and headed to her room.  Her family had been through so much, when will they ever get a break.  She couldn't sleep all night but she listened to the soft snoring of her children and made a decision.