The Ruined Ones

Chapter 4

*Six years later*

     7 years ago, if someone had told me that I would have divorced the man I love and be a single mother by 28 I would have laughed in their face. That is exactly what I did when my mother warned me about marrying him so early. Now I am a single mother of two 5 year old girls and they are the pride of my life.

     I just finished unpacking and organizing everything in my new home when my girls run in with grins in their faces and giggling up a storm. Jason and Joel are trailing them, soaking wet.

     "Your girls are devil's, Val. We had to chase them around the mall and they tripped us into the water fountain. This is the last time we are babysitting them." Joel cries as he falls to the floor in exhaustion while Jason goes to retrieve towels for them.

     "Oh come on, Joel. You said that when they pelted you with acorns and when they ate all the peanut butter on the camping trip.", I laugh while I kneel in front of my little ones.

     Kindred had somehow gotten twigs all up in red hair, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. Rose couldn't stop giggling. Her brown hair falling out of it's braid. Her blue eyes seemingly calculating her next move. I go to stand up when I am suddenly tackled to the ground.

     "Mommy you missed it! Rose got to pet a squirrel! A squirrel!" Kindred exclaims while holding onto my arm.

     "Yeah! It was sooo cute Momma.", Rose added while hanging from my other arm.

     "That's great darling, but it seems you owe your uncles an apology.", I add with a serious look. They let go of my arm and turn to Joel and Jason.

     "We are sorry you fell into the fountain.", they giggle as they run up to hug them, getting wet in the process. The boys pat them on their heads then the girls run up to their room.

     "How are you doing?", Jason asks while grabbing an apple from the basket on the counter and hopping onto one of the bar stools.

     "Definitely could be better. It feels weird moving back here after 6 years. Especially with the nagging thought of bumping into Malcolm somewhere." I answer as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and collapse onto the couch.

     "Speaking of Malcolm,", Joel starts as he sits next to his husband."I saw him at the mall. We talked and he asked how you were doing. I mentioned how you just moved back into town and bought a house but I didn't mention the girls."

     "Interesting. I thought he would have forgot about me." I add trying to seem like I am uninterested when I am actually jumping for joy in the inside. Joel rolls his eyes and Jason scoffs.

     "Oh come on, Valentina. We have told you he hasn't even looked at a girl since you moved away. People are starting he is gay.", Jason exclaims then takes a big bite from his apple. His over dramatic performances had me giggling for a few seconds. Joel flicks him in the head and continues what he was saying.

     "Anyways. He was saying how he wanted to see you and probably catch up, so I may or may not have invited him over for dinner at 8 tonight.", he added. I spit out the water in my mouth and Jason spits out the price of apple he had just bitten off. He gave Joel a look of disbelief.

     "Why the hell would you do that, Joel?! Especially without asking her if she would be fine with that.", He yelled at him causing Joel to put his hands up in surrender.

     "I think it is time for her to stop avoiding him like the plague. He deserves to meet his kids.", he fires back. I start to shake and take deep breaths to calm myself down. I cannot afford to have an anxiety attack right now.

     "But still! You of all people should know why that is a bad idea. You know what she is afraid of, Joel.", Jason started almost blow steam out of his ears.

     "It's fine Jason. I am sure he is aware of everything. He is just trying to help.", I start. "It may not be the most ideal way of handling this situation but it works."

      "Are you sure? We can call it off. I understand it isn't my place to decide if you are ready or not.", Joel questions. He has a look of uncertainty in is blue eyes which makes me uncertain myself. Am I ready for this? Am I ready to face my fear of maybe losing my children? I think for a few moments before I look up.

     "I think I am. I mean, I have been avoiding him for years and I have kept his children away from him.", I answer with a surprising amount if confidence, even though I am very close to having an anxiety attack. Jason studies me for a few minutes before relaxing a little bit.

     "OK. But just know that you can change your mind anytime. He will understand, I am sure.", Joel stated. I nod to acknowledge him before placing my head in my hands.

     "We have seven hours till he gets here. I definitely need some me time.  Jason, can you put the girls up for their nap?"

     "Sure thing.", he replies before running upstairs to the girls room. 

     "I will cook, Val. I mean, it is Mt fault he is coming over.", Joel adds looking very regretful.  He gas always hated being in the wrong, especially when it ends with Jason being cross with him.  I nod to him and pull him into a embrace.

     "Thank you, Joel.  I mean, Jason may not be happy and it isn't exactly the best news, but I know you were thinking good.", I reassure him. He sighs and presses his lips against my head. 

     "I just want to see you and my nieces happy. I thought this will help introduce the girls to their father. I know what it feels like to be without a father and I don't want that for them."

     I nod before letting go and going to my room. When I get there I flop onto my bed and stare at the roof. What if he has moved on despite of what everyone else thinks? What if he brings Villiania? What he is dating her? Or is he somehow married to that Demon Queen? But those didn't even compare to the biggest question in my head. 

     How will he react when he finds out he is a father?