It only takes one moment to change your life forever.
It only takes one decision to alter the course of your future.
It only takes bravery to open your heart.
But once your heart is open...it's open to being shattered.
Lyra and her mom had little in...
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Xavier:
What the fuck is wrong with me? I was half a step away from running after her and pulling her away from that a-hole who has the nerve to call himself her father. I run a hand through my disheveled hair and then rub my eyes. I've been working long hours. Maybe I'm just losing it...tired...I just need a good nights sleep, and a good fuck. How long had it been since I had a good fuck? The hours have run into days, the days into weeks, and now...now I'm not even certain how many hours I have spent at the office and away...away from home...from my brothers, from my mom. I let out a long sigh. The only reason Zach and I still "live at home" is for our brothers. We learned long ago, that no matter how much we love our mother we can't trust her when it comes to the welfare of our brothers. And it would be a cold day in hell before we left them in a house alone with that sonofabitch. And now this...what the hell was I supposed to do with this...with her? "What the fuck mom, you're not going to leave her alone with him, are you?" Tallis yells out. Mom looks at Tallis, there is a lost look on her face, a look I have seen too many times already, and it hurts my frozen heart. "Yeah, hell, he had her serve him like she was a fuckin' maid," this from Trenton. "She...she offered..." mom says lamely. "God, mom, when are you going to stop making excuses for that asshole?" Trenton says. Mom hangs her head and I can see he's gearing up to continue when I walk over and shake my head at him, telling him without words to stop. She doesn't need this. She can't take anymore, and frankly, it won't do any good...it won't change anything. "Mom, did Stefan tell you what his plans were for today?" I ask, keeping my voice level and calm. I had learned, the hard way, this was the only way to get through to her when she was in one of her states. "Plans?" She looks up at me, her eyes wide and so...guileless, she looks at me like she's the child and I'm the parent. I sigh. "Yes, plans. Did he mention any plans for today...tomorrow?" "Oh..." Mom suddenly brightens and sits up straighter. "He did mention some shopping." I try not to groan. God. Of course, shopping would get her excited. "Okay, that's a start...shopping for what." "Well...we need to get Lyra's books, and extra...materials, I guess...the stuff she'll need for classes. And I think he mentioned something about stopping by the college bookstore for the additional books and materials." Her frown turned into a smile suddenly. "But after that he said I should take her shopping. He said that he doubted Mira had clothed her properly, and that he didn't want his offspring to be dressed like a hobo, or a hippy. Apparently Mira had a tendency to dress...uh...slovenly. So...I'm supposed to take her shopping for a suitable wardrobe." His offspring? I feel my hands balling into tight fists and I want to punch the wall so badly I can barely contain it. How can mom not see what kind of man he is? How has she let him control her and demean her all these years? I take a few deep breaths and try to get my temper under control. I can't lose it, not in front of my mom and definitely not in front of my brothers. They count on me to be the collected and calm one...the one with the answers. Of course, right now I feel like my head is a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces rattling around. I rub my temples and take another deep breath. Okay. One thing at a time. First things first. "Mom," I say. "Yes, honey?" "Why don't you head over to Stefan's office. He may be done with Lyra by now...and ready for that shopping trip. Trent...Tallis...can I speak with you for a moment?" Trenton smirks at me, and Tallis just has this blank expression on his face. "Sure thing, bro," Trenton says. "—Zach...why don't you—" "—No need to give me directions, Xav," Zach says, already standing and stacking plates. "I'm going to clear the table and load the dishwasher. I don't wan't Lyra to have to do it, and knowing Stefan, if he sees it's not done, he'll expect her to." I frown. Fuck. He's right. I hadn't even thought about that. God. "Okay, good." I cast one more look around the kitchen and frown. Welcome to the fucking weekend at the "Parrish Palace."
