Daughter ✯ Kellic

Chapter Sixteen (Final)

I had been to Alex's house once before, to pick up Kellin, what felt like forever ago. Going back again felt strange, especially considering how different things were now. I was in no way afraid of Alex, but I also didn't want him to hold anything against me. I like to keep myself on good terms with anyone, so I can only hope Kellin didn't lie about our inevitable breakup to protect himself. I'm not a bad person, I just make bad decisions sometimes.

Katelynne was with me, or course, but I don't believe that made me feel any better. She held Copeland in one arm and gave me a pat on the back with her empty hand, assuring me that everything was going to work out. Even if Kellin and I didn't end up patching up our relationship and getting back together, I would be happy enough with him simply knowing that I meant no harm and simply wanted what's best for him.

I knocked on the front door twice, a somewhat familiar face greeting us with a bit of a frown. He furrowed his eyebrows and leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed. "Why are you here, Vic?" Though his voice nearly sounded like he was spitting pure acid, I could tell that Alex wasn't particularly displeased to see me.

"Kellin is staying with you now, right?" I questioned in reply. Alex nodded. "We need to talk to him." The door widened, and Katelynne and I were immediately sprayed with a cloud of cigarette smoke. To my knowledge, Alex lived with his parents, and the fact that they let him just do that kind of thing right out in the living room was mind blowing. My parents would have shot me for something like that, even at his age.

We all walked inside, Alex shutting the door behind us and then skipping ahead to go speak with Kellin before Katelynne and me. He eventually brought Kellin out by the hem of the older boy's shirt, the two of them looking annoyed with our current situation. Kellin's eyes widened when he saw Katelynne, immediately turning to walk back in the other direction before being stopped by Alex. He always did seem like the kind of person to simply run away from his problems instead of actually facing them.

With a sigh, he looked to me, straight into my eyes and probed me for some kind of information. He looked scared, and his voice shook slightly as he spoke. "What do you want from me?" He made it sound as if all I ever did was hurt him, and it felt like a blow to the chest. Was I really that terrible? There was a silence while I collected my thoughts, hoping I didn't sound like I was taking advantage of him in any way.

"To apologize." He was unphased. "Kellin, I made a mistake, I hurt you. But that's done and over with, you can't act like you didn't return those negative actions. You've done things yourself that you just won't--" I stopped myself, realizing that all I was doing was bringing forth and argument. That wasn't what I wanted at all, I just needed to apologise to him. No playing the victim in any way, just saying I'm sorry and being done with it. "I'm just sorry, okay? I misjudged our relationship. That's my fault."

"You don't really think it's that simple, do you?" he questioned spitefully. "I'm not mad at you, Vic," he confessed, his voice stressed and shaking. "God, this is all my fault." He turned to Alex and shook his head, and it became clear that he was truly guilty this entire time. I didn't hate him for it in any way, and I wasn't at all mad at him anymore. "I'm so sorry." He was facing the floor now, his hair hanging in his eyes slightly with his back hunched.

Katelynne looked between the two of us and gave a sad smile. "Kellin, we don't have a future together, but not for the reason you might think," she said calmly. He looked to her with eyes full of premature tears. "I can't change that because there's nothing I can do about our past. But I'll have you know that this custody over Copeland is the best possible option for us. I'll explain everything if you let me, but I think this is more about you and Victor." She stepped back and gave me another smile, flashing a thumbs up and chuckling.

Alex walked towards her and the two of them, plus Copeland, departed the room, leaving Kellin and I alone in each other's presence. He licked his lips that were cracked enough already, looking to me and frowning. "So is that it, then? Everything that was wrong is just fixed now?" he asked sarcastically. He was clearly still irritated, with what I haven't a clue. "It can't be that easy."

I replied with a smile smile. "Maybe not, but it's a good start." He weakly returned the smile, taking a deep breath and letting it out in a gentle sigh. "We should get coffee or something. Just you and me. We can patch things up," I spoke hopefully. He gave me a bit of a skeptical look, dimming my spirits just a bit. "That is, if you would like to." He finally broke out into a full-blown grin and nodded.

"I'd love to."

• • •

In my experience, working with people usually isn't that easy. When you hurt someone, or if they hurt you, it isn't always so simple to resolve. I'm lucky that Kellin was understanding and apologetic, but there was still one thing I needed to fix. He had to get clean off of anything he was on, and if that damn box wasn't gone by now, it sure as hell will be soon. I don't believe he needs rehab or anything like that, but he was going to be moving back in with Mike and me, as a friend.

Our relationship didn't get entirely patched up in that time, and I'm perfectly fine with that. What matters is that I take care of Kellin regardless and see that he is happy and healthy, ready to take on the world and care for his daughter. Mike was a bit reluctant at first, eventually giving in and sinking back into his room with Tony. Katelynne was onboard, somehow a bit satisfied that I would still have some time with Copeland. Of course, she had explained everything to Kellin, leaving him dumbfounded and angry for how poorly he treated the situation.

None of that really mattered, though. Our main priority was helping Kellin through whatever issues he had been discretely facing -- even alongside Alex and Oli (both of which I never really cared for). I still hope that Kellin and I will end up back together at some point. God, it's clear I still love that little piece of work.

I just hope he didn't give up on loving me.
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howdy, fellas. this is the last chapter of Daughter. WOW I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVER FUCKING FINISH IT. I'm gonna write up the epilogue and post that sometime and then this story is finally over!! you can all go home, now.
kudos to me for actually pulling something to an end, even if it completely sucks. ok bye.