Hope (JB+AG)

-24-

Justin

Saturday, April 14

8:18 am

"Thanks again for coming over guys. I really appreciate it." I say.

"Man, you know it was no problem. Any time." Jonathan replies, patting me on the back.

"Yeah, it's definitely a rough time for you guys. If you need anything, just call. I'll even have Lacie watch the kids, if you need it."

"You can't watch them?" I ask, laughing.

"Hell nah, man. Kids just aren't my thing." Jonathan shakes his head, chuckling.

"Ry, you're too much man. Get out of my house." I push him out of the door and Jonathan follows.

"Buy, guys!"

I close the door and return to the living room, on the couch. The spot I had not left since last night. I plan on calling Ariana, to see how she's doing, but she's probably still asleep.

I decide to wait until 9 am and go take a shower.

Ariana

8:47 am

"Mom, we're going back home. If you don't like the idea of the kids being there, you can keep them, but I'm taking them home. My babies are tired and they wanna see their dad." Right as I finish my sentence, Bella starts crying, holding her arms out for me to pick her up.

I do what she wants, calling Aviella downstairs.

"You ready, babe?" I ask.

"Yes, mommy. Do you want me to put Bella in the car?"

"If you can. Thank you, Avi. You're such a big help. She's a little fussy, though."

"It's okay, mama. I can handle it." I give Bella to Aviella and she walks outside to the car.

Of course, I'm watching them through the front window the whole time. I watch Aviella as she struggles to put Bella in her car seat and I can't help but smile. It's so cute that she even tries.

"Ariana, I'm coming with you. I'm not taking no for an answer, I'll be in the car." Frankie says as he walks right past me and out the door.

"Ariana, I really don't think this is a good idea." Mom says.

"Well, Frankie's coming now. We'll be alright. I love you, mom."

"I love you too. I'm gonna say bye to the kids." She grabs the handle of Alessia's car seat and walks outside, followed by me with Alex.

After all of the kids are buckled in safely, Frankie is in the passenger seat, and my mom is finally done saying goodbye, we leave.

8:58 am

I pull into the driveway and turn the car off.

"Aviella, after you get out, you can take Bella inside, Frankie you can get one of the twins, or both, it doesn't really matter." I say, opening my door.

I take Bella out first, then I give her to Aviella and she walks up to the front door to wait for me. Frankie refuses to get both of the twins so he gets Alex and I get Alessia, then I walk up to the porch and unlock the front door.

"Daddy!" Aviella yells.

She puts Bella on the floor, causing her to immediately start crying, so I have to put Alessia's car seat down to pick her up.

"What are you guys doing back here?" Justin comes down the stairs, picking Aviella up to kiss her head.

"Did you expect us to stay at grandmas house for the rest of our lives? You're silly, daddy." Aviella giggles, running downstairs to the playroom.

Justin joins Frankie in taking the twins out of their car seats.

"Ariana, I wasn't expecting you to come back so soon." He says, standing up straight with Alex in his arms.

"I know, babe, but I didn't want you here alone. I brought Frankie, as you can see."

"Yeah, me. I'm here." Frankie says, walking into the living room with Alessia.

"Baby.." Justin sighs.

"What's wrong, Jay?"

"You know I wanna keep you and the kids as far away from this house as possible."

"If I'm not here, you're not gonna be here either. You're a person, with a life and a beating heart. Just because you're my husband, and the father of my kids does not mean you have to stay any less safe than any one of us. If you don't think it's safe enough for us, than it's not safe enough for you either. We're not leaving unless you come with us, and that's that."

I turn around and walk down to the play room, not even waiting to hear what Justin has to say.