Collision✔️(Wattpad version)

The fallout to the storm

Luke

After dropping off Rain, I went to see Craig. I hadn't been home in ten years because of my job, but it was time to come back with my family.

Leah was in college now. Autumn and I were lucky. We didn't have the problems everyone else encountered.

As we were planning our move back, I got a call from Mom. She told me what happened, and I knew at that moment; it was time. My family needed me, especially Cole and Rain.

I pulled up in front of Craig's house and got out. I walked to his front door and knocked. He answered and looked at me.

"We need to talk," I said as I walked past him into his house. He took a deep breath and closed the door. It was time to fix this.

Once inside, I removed my hoodie and took a seat. Craig brought two cups of coffee, then sat down.

"You know why I'm here?" I asked him.

"I had a feeling," he sighed.

"Craig, what is going on? How could Louis do that?" My tone laced with a mixture of anger and concern.

"Honestly, I tried to believe the good in him. When I married his mom, I took on the role of the stepfather. He seemed troubled. But I remember Dad telling me that Grandpa took him on and helped him. I figure if I could help him, he would change," he said with remorse.

"Craig, he's been nasty since you married his mom. He called Rain stupid. He belittled Cole; he disrespected you. Kellan and I don't tolerate that behavior, and you're lucky Cole didn't beat his ass with his temper," I warned him.

"I know, but I promised his mom before she passed, I would never turn him away," he said somberly.

"It doesn't matter. Louis brutally attacked Julian. You're lucky Adrian isn't here," I warned him.

"Luke, my dad hit me. My other dad isn't speaking to me. Kellan is avoiding me. How do you choose between your family?" Craig asked me.

"Sometimes it's not about family. Sometimes, it's about right or wrong. Reed and Jaime took you in and gave you a home. They gave you unconditional love and never once treated you poorly. You will choose someone who has no conscience over people who love you?"

I looked at him, and he looked at me.

"Even if I turned him in, I have no clue where he is," he sighed.

"Then let the police do their job. Report Louis. Craig, you have a choice to make things right. The ball is in your court," I advised him.

I got up and grabbed my hoodie. I turned and looked at Craig as he sat there with his head in his hands. I turned and left. Most people would say why feel bad for him since he stood by all these years? We want to believe our children to be good people if they are blood. It's a double-edged sword.

I got into my car and drove. I pulled up at a coffeehouse and got out. I walked inside and waved before making my way to a table. I slid into a booth in front of Dad.

I ordered hot cocoa while he sipped his coffee.

"Well," he asked me.

"It's up to him. Craig isn't a bad guy, and he has always done things from the heart. He wanted to believe Louis had some good in him. Unfortunately, he doesn't," I told him.

The waitress brought my hot cocoa.

"This devastates Reed and Jaime. Reed warned Craig years ago about Louis, but he refused to listen. Reed blames himself for what happened to Julian," he said as he sipped his coffee.

"It happens. I've seen enough patients who have been through this to know it impacts the family just as much, especially when a close family's friend's member commits it," I explained.

"Your mom is heartbroken. She feels so bad for Reed and Jaime."

"Because Mom has a good heart. She takes everything more personally than most people," I added.

"It's good to have you back, Luke. We've all missed you," he said sincerely.

"I'm glad to be back. I missed everyone, especially Rain," I said as I sipped my hot cocoa.

Dad and I sat there and talked. I missed our talks. I had become a therapist, switching careers, and kept busy with my work didn't give me much time to talk to my family, but I'm so glad I got that call from Mom.

Especially when she came to me and asked me to go home, then speaking with Cole, he asked an even bigger favor. He asked if I would take on Julian's case.

The night he called me from the hospital to tell me about Cade, he also said to me about Julian. I didn't know Louis was the one until Enzo told Dad, who told Mom. That's when I knew it was time.

After spending time with Dad, I went to see someone special. Well, Dad wanted to surprise her. He shushed me as he opened the door. "Lia!"

"Colton," she came out of the kitchen and saw me standing there. "Luke," Mom whispered as she started crying as she walked over to me. She threw her arms around me, and I didn't hesitate to hug her back.

"Hi, Mom," I said as I hugged her.

"Oh my god," she cried. She strokes my head as I hugged her. "You came home."

"I came home," I said as she hugged me. She needed that hug, and I needed my mom. Damn, I missed her and everyone. I was home now.

Now it was time to get to work. It was time to pick up the pieces of the storm with a lot of love, understanding, and a rainbow.