Letters to Isabella

twenty seven.

Ross' POV

I crept down our creaky staircase, yawning and stretching as I rubbed frantically at my exhausted bloodshot eyes. Although I'd had nearly eleven hours of peaceful sleep I was still extremely jet lagged after my little journey to New York with Trisha and Rocky. I was glad to be home though and it was even better to know that Laura and I finally had another little baby on the way. I couldn't wait to become a dad again and teach yet another mini version of myself and Laura about how wonderful life can be if you really live it the right way.

"Dad!" Isabella exclaimed. She was stood in the kitchen with a bowl of cereal in her hands. She quickly handed it to Laura and leapt into my arms. "Welcome home! I hate to admit it but I've missed you."

I chuckled and kissed the top of her head before placing her back down on the kitchen tiles beneath us. "Thank you so much baby girl." I said happily, brushing my hand against her cheek. "I also hate to admit it but I've really missed my annoying little girl too." She giggled and sat down beside Bailey. "So, how have you been Bells?"

Bailey's dark brown eyes widened with mischief and he glanced excitedly at Laura who furrowed her eyebrows at him. "Don't!" Laura commanded, gesturing her arm in both his and Isabella's direction. "There are enough jokes and rumours flying around in this family to last us a lifetime, we don't need anymore Bail, especially from you."

"But mom! She —"

Laura held her finger up to silence him and continued to brew a pot of coffee which she handed to me moments later. "No but's Bailey."

He sighed and began to sip on a fresh glass of orange juice, rolling his eyes at both Laura and Isabella. I began to drink from my warm mug of coffee and took a seat opposite him with a smile. "How are you little man?"

Bailey scowled at me. Man, for an eight year old he sure was moody already. "I'm not little anymore dad." He sighed in frustration. He glanced up at me and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm good though. I'm glad you're home."

"I'm glad to be home too." I admitted, smiling at the three of them.

The tension in the room between Laura and Bailey was insufferable, I knew that they were both hiding something, I just couldn't put my finger on what exactly that was.

"So," I began, eyeing Laura up cautiously. "would someone like to explain why your mother just cut Bailey off mid sentence back there?"

The three of them shifted uncomfortably in their seats and Isabella began to timidly play with her long strands of blonde hair.

Bailey glanced at the both of them and rolled his eyes, letting out an audible sigh. "Why don't you just tell him?" He asked, gesturing to me. "He'll find out sooner or later anyway."

I began to feel frustrated. I adored my family. I'd do absolutely anything for them, but I hated secrets being kept from me. I'd had my fair share of that when I lived at home with my parents and my siblings, I didn't need it again, especially from my children and my wife.

"Bailey, just tell me." I murmured, motioning for my eight year old son to talk to me. I placed my mug of half drunk coffee down on the wooden table below me and held my hands underneath my chin, gazing at the three of them with curiosity. "Be honest with me. We don't keep secrets in this family. You guys know that by now."