Turmoil | Spruceworth 5.1 (#Wattys2018)

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Shaw

       I couldn't have been happier the past couple days now that the kids were staying with me and Holden most of the time. I kind of felt hypocrtical since I didn't want the kids taken away from me but that was exactly what I did to Kendra. Holden kept assuring me that it wasn't the same thing.

       I knew he was right but it was kind of hard not feeling guilty whenever I was at work where Hugh and Kendra would come in just to glare at me.

       As you could see, they were handling it very maturly.

       I got home from another exhausting day of work, flopping down on the chair in the living room. Holden, Mercy, and Lucian were playing a video game, and Castiel was sitting at the coffee table colouring on a piece of paper.

       And they didn't even acknowledge I came home.

       "I love this welcoming," I said. "So warm."

       Castiel was the only one to pay attention. He dropped the crayon on the table before going over to me and giving me a huge hug. "I missed you, Dad," he said. "Everyone is being mean to me."

       "What? Really?" I asked.

       "Yes," Castiel said. "They won't let me play the game because I'm too young."

       "Okay, and the truth?" I asked, knowing my six-year-old son too well.

       "I lost and threw the controller so Holden said I couldn't play for a while."

       I chuckled. "Of course you did. It's okay, colouring is a lot more fun. What are you drawing?"

       "A robot dog eating an elephant."

       "Uh, wow, very... creative."

       "I know, right!" Castiel went back to the coffee table to continue colouring.

       Finally, everyone else acknowledged that I came home, but that was only because they finished the game they were playing. And Mercy got mad because she lost so she threw the controller.

       "Mercedes," I said in a warning tone. "I've told you and your brothers not to throw the controllers if you lose the game."

       "Then tell that to your husband," Mercy said.

       I looked at Holden with a raised eyebrow. "I did not," Holden said. "I just... slightly tossed it onto the couch because I was not impressed that an eight year old beat me so bad that I was on the verge of tears."

       "Awe, doesn't that suck?" I asked. "But I would get used to Lucian beating you. He has some serious skills for an eight year old."

       "I am pretty good, aren't I?" Lucian said.

       "But there's no need to brag," I said.

       "There is if I'm so good I beat you and Holden and Mercy and Castiel," Lucian said. "But it's easy beating Castiel because he's a little baby."

       "I am not!" Castiel said. "You're mean!"

       "And you're a baby!"

       "Dad, tell Lucian to stop being a meanie!"

       "As long as he tells you to stop being a baby!"

       "Alright, Lucian, that's enough," I said. "Apologize to your brother."