Black Rose

Forty Seven

It's been three weeks since everything happened and so much has changed in that time. For starters, the very next morning, Raine hired three body guards to switch shifts and keep watch over the house twenty-four seven. I'm not allowed to go anywhere without one of them hightailing me, which is the worst feeling for a grown woman such as myself to be babysat. Raine is also working from the house now for two reasons. One, he claims he's at ease knowing he's next door from us instead of downtown and secondly, he's helping me pack up the house. Yes, Raine snagged the house I saw for sale awhile back and the move is officially happening. I'm excited about the move, however I'm sad to leave everyone behind. A lot has changed over the year with me, but I'm still not fond of getting to know new people. Or old people in this case. While I helped the movers pack the kitchen items away, Kelsi walked in with two people I hadn't seen in almost a year.

"Uh, Kelsi what's-"

"They were standing outside when I pulled up. Told me they were here to see you and Raine, so I let them in. Did I mess up?"

I started to nod but changed my mind. "No, you're fine. I think it's about time we got this over with." I looked at them and they agreed.

"Alright. I'll go busy myself upstairs." She dismissed herself, leaving us looking at each other.

"It seems like we came at the wrong time." Sunlyn started, looking at around, seeing the dozens of people move about. "Where are you moving to?"

"Follow me. We can talk in Raine's office." Ignoring her question, I walked down the hallway to the last door where Raine was closed off, handling final business. Opening the door, I peaked my head in first to see if he was on a call or not. Lifting his head, he smiled when he saw and waved me in, but I stayed still.

"Mel, something is wrong with you. Stop looking at me and come in."

"Your parents are here, Raine." I went ahead and told him, rather than pussyfooting around it.

"Stop playing." He laughed, thinking it was a prank.

Instead of telling him I wasn't lying, I pushed the door open wider and revealed his parents to him. His face hardened as he looked between us. "The fuck y'all doing here?" He stood to his feet.

"We didn't come to cause any drama." Winter held it hand out defensively.

"Yeah, we came to talk in hopes of getting on the same page and maybe even see our grandchild."

"Children." I corrected her.

When she caught on to what I said, her eyes grew big as hell. "Y-y-you had twins?"

I nodded, going to sit on Raine lap for safety purposes. I didn't want an altercation breaking out. Seeing as Raine didn't offer a seat, they took it upon themselves and sat on the chair across from us.

"Ok, you here. Talk." Raine badgered them to get the ball rolling.

"We came to apologize to you both. For everything we've done to y'all in the past. Raine, keeping the accident away from you for so long and Melrose, for causing you so much over the years. We're not those kind of people, honestly. Raine, you know that, but when you threatened to take us to court, I freaked out. Never had I been in trouble with the law and I just...I panicked, so Winter did everything in his power to prevent a court date from happening. None of this was to hurt either of you, I promise it wasn't. We were just-"

"Covering your own ass. Got it." I chimed in sarcastically.

"What can we do to ever get back in your good graces?" Winter queried. "Both of you."

Staring down at Raine, I waited to see if what his answer would be. "I don't have anything to say. As for right now, I'm content when it comes to rekindling our relationship. Mel, has disliked y'all for some time now, but this wound I have from the situation is still fresh for me. Y'all are my parents, so I could never hate you. God knows I love y'all but I've learned to love from a distance."