Piece Me Back Together

Chapter 3

Feedback? :)

***

The rest of the family didn't stall in getting there; they arrived within an hour of Monica. Ben and Noah enveloped me in a hug once they walked in, completely surprising me.

"Hermanita," Noah whispered endearingly. He kissed my head as he stepped back and Ben took his place.

"It's my turn," and I was once again, brought into a crushing hug. My eyes glazed over as emotions flooded me. I clenched onto his flannel and buried my head in his chest.

"You have a lot of explaining to do," he whispered.

I wiped my eyes and nodded. "There's someone I want you to meet."

"Annabelle! Come here!"

Little footsteps were heard bounding down the stairs and came to a halt once she reached the bottom, looking at the unfamiliar men.

"Come, sweetie. These are the people I want you to meet," I hesitated, "Your uncles and aunt."

My brothers both shared a shocked look while Monica looked bored. How can she be so rude to a child?

Ben took a small step forward and Anabelle shuffled towards him. He crouched down next to her and seemed at a loss for words. "Her eyes..." he said quietly while looking at me.

I nodded in understanding.

Noah, however, was too excited to be hesitant with my child.

"Hey, preciosa! Where have you been hiding all my life?" he teased and brought a smiling Anabelle into his arms. My heart warmed as her arms wrapped around his neck and he held her back protectively.

She only stared at him with big eyes, "Does my daddy live here, too?"

All eyes turned to me. Shit, I was not expecting that.

"Honey.." I trailed off. "Your dad works a lot, remember? He travels and he's a very busy man."

"I know, mommy," she looks down.

How was I ever going to explain to her that he never wanted either of us?

***

Dinner was ate in silence. There were no sounds besides the clinking of forks on glass.

"So," Monica drawled out, looking straight at me.

Here we go.

"Yes?"

Her eyes only slightly narrowed in response. "Why are you suddenly back? Did you finally realize that you couldn't handle supporting a child on your own?"

"No, actually, we just came for a visit. I didn't think coming back would cause you so much trouble."

"Oh, it's no trouble to me. I just hate seeing the face of the person responsible for everything that happened."

My teeth gritted and I spoke between them, "You already know I had nothing to do with that."

"The hell you didn't!" she banged her fist. "It's your fault. It all is, it always was."

Ouch.

"I'm sorry you feel that wa-"

"No, shut up! You left because you know what you did! Yo-"

"ENOUGH." My fathers voice boomed. "Can we not have a simple dinner in peace?" He looked us each in the eye and I barely caught Monica looking down once he reached her.

"Excuse me," I pushed away from the table.

I don't think I've ever felt so unwanted by a family member. It physically hurt.

The tears were already flowing before I reached the bedroom. I set my forehead against the cool wall and tried to control my rapid breathing. The sniffles had just about subsided when there was a soft knock at the other side of the door.

"Linda? Open up, please. Let me in."

I opened the door to face my eldest brother.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he brought me to his chest. I felt the familiar burn of tears but fought them back. I'm too damn emotional.

"I just don't know why she's so nasty towards me. It's been years, Ben. It hurt me, too."

"I know, I know. It hurt us all," he murmured into my hair.

My heart remained feeling strangled.